Posts Tagged ‘Explanation’

For way too long, I was always the Martyr. Had the misplaced belief that, if I did my job with excellence, I’d be recognized for my work. Unfortunately, the world doesn’t work that way. If you’re not also tooting your own horn, the world just passes you by. Some will love you, most won’t know enough to miss you when you’re gone.

This is also one of the beauties of contemporary social media. It gives everyone who care to pick it up, a bull horn to serve their own purposes. Even today I’m probably too conservative in self-aggrandizing activity, but I’m working at it.

The article triggering the thought, originally is courtesy of Chris Guillebeau discussing what Hustling is.

Joey Roth created the artwork and I think you’ll agree, no words are needed beyond the labels.

(photo credit: Joey Roth)

With so many people looking for work, seeking answers to win the next opportunity, this question is all too common.  At the same time, the suggested answers vary wildly but, for the most part seem to miss the crux of the issue.  Why should I hire you?

Consider these common responses:

I am:

• Accustomed to a fast pace and will hit the ground running
• Will be a valuable asset to your organization
• Able to handle stress and pressure
• Think quickly on my feet
• Am a team player

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“Use Your Head to Get Your Foot in the Door”
by: Harvey Mackay
ISBN: 978-1-59184-321-4

Yes, this is a ‘job search’ book, written by one of our nation’s (U.S.) best business authors: Harvey Mackay.  And, there’s one thing in particular that sets this job search book apart from the others: Mr. Mackay’s desire to help others, to help you, is very apparent.  Yes, he offers some very good suggestions for the over 14,000,000 people currently looking for work.  The content alone is worth the read.  But it is his desire to truly help that puts it over the top.

This ~330 page book is his latest.  It took me longer to read than most business books—and it’s his own fault!  Throughout the body of the book there are a number of other authors and their own books that he cites with recommendations to read.  And, I did.  Matter of fact, I read two other books he recommended, before coming back each time to continue where I left off in his book.

For instance, he spends time discussing the critical need for people to do research now, more than ever.  With so many people vying for the same exact job you’re after, a few minutes googling a company or browsing their website is insufficient.

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If you’re aspiring to move beyond your current role, you’re likely looking for ways to be seen as innovative, progressive, and ‘fresh.’  Which means, odds are, if you’re a business leader, event planner, meeting facilitator, or similar, you’re always watching for new ways to make them better.

If your life revolves around using PowerPoint or Keynote, how can you do better? Yes, you can add snazzy graphics, spinning tops, and whiz-bang animation.  And if you do, you’ll likely just come across as someone using distracting, confusing, dizzying images.  One way to avoid this latter problem, is to take a look at Garr Reynold’s book, Presentation Zen.

You’ve likely heard of this thing called social media.  You’ve also likely noticed it’s just about ‘everywhere.’  Even if the majority of the country still doesn’t understand it (Fast Company found, ’…69% of U.S. adults still have no idea what it is.’), they’ve likely been exposed.

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Two thumbtacks and a piece of string are all you need to do basic planning.

On a regular basis, I have the opportunity to speak with new entrepreneurs thinking of starting their own businesses.  One of my key topics is how to successfully evolve an ‘idea’ into an actual deliverable, regardless of whether it is a tangible product or a service.

A basic product plan needs to clearly define your offering:

• What must it do?
• How must it do it?
• Where is it done?
• When is it done?
• Why?

Just as important, arguably more so, is what it is not:

• What must it not do (if only for now)?
• How should it not be done?
• Why not?

How you will get there:

• What resources are needed?
• How long will it take?

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According to Wired, “‘The internet’ is in the running for the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize.(read)”  Reading on, turns out Wired Italy has championed the cause.

The argument is not without some interesting thoughts.  The internet’s enabling 220,000 tweets/hour during the Tehran, Iran, riots is one example. The ability to unlock information that would otherwise be censored another.  The internet has brought us capability we had never seen before in the Age of Man.  Certainly if the collective achievements of the internet could be singularly attributed to a person, or even a small handful, it would seem warranted.

But.  The internet in many ways is the contemporary equivalent of the telephone. The same pro/con arguments can generally be applied for both internet and telephone. The telephone did not win a NBP that I’m aware of, should the internet?

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A bit off-target for my blog, I have seen this basic question come up at least four times in recent weeks.  Many job seekers, increasingly hungry for work, have begun to adopt a, “I’ll work anywhere there’s work…” mindset.

This mindset certainly seems reasonable if you’re in Michigan.  For the first time in 10 years, Michigan is expected to have positive job growth. Imagine.  A new University of Michigan economic forecast, just out, is now being discussed.  For a state that’s lost 855,000 jobs in the past 10 years (since June, 2000), 230,000+ last year alone, state job growth is forecast to increase for the first time.  With only 20K new jobs expected next year, moving anywhere, somewhere, certainly seems a requirement for many.

The question may be where?  And, how do you decide?

Should you consider the unemployment rate before jumping?  The short answer is Yes. Among other things…

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This is the second in a four-part series asking, “Do you have it in you, to be an entrepreneur?” There are four key strengths that are must haves for an entrepreneur to be successful. Previously, I discussed the first of these, Passion.  Here, we’ll discuss guts.

• Passion
• Guts
• Team
• Cash Flow

Passion.  Guts.  In past entrepreneurial discussions I have heard people use these two terms (or equivalents) interchangeably.  But, really, there is a difference between passion and guts.

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This past Friday, I had the opportunity to speak in front of a group of 30, folks considering launching their own business or just having done so.  Many are doing so because work is so hard to come by, others because it’s simply the right time to follow their dreams.

Starting my presentation, I wanted to address four key strengths that are must haves for an entrepreneur to be successful.

• Passion
• Guts
• Team
• Cash Flow

You Have to be Passionate

As a potential new entrepreneur, you have to ask yourself, “Am I passionate about what I want to do?”  Do you truly believe in the product, service, or other offering that you are going to build and take to market?

Passion is, perhaps first and foremost, the most important trait for any entrepreneur.  You have to truly believe that what you are going to do will add value for your customers.

A fire in the belly is what it will take for you to work the 12, 14, 16 hour days necessary at times to get your dream off the ground.  That same fire will keep you moving even when best friends, family members, Mom or Dad, are telling you it’s all wrong, you can’t do it, you won’t succeed.

Beyond the doubters, you will face uncounted obstacles, distractions, and daily-living events. If you’re not passionate, if there’s no fire in your belly, these events will overtake you, remove the luster of your once-shiny idea, and make it harder to stick with.

Next, I talk about Guts, Team, and Cash Flow.

Photo Credit: www.sxc.hu #793479

Ann Arbor SPARK hosts a monthly series, Starting Your Own New Business. The day-long seminar includes presenters on finance, accounting, marketing, product development, and other topics related to launching one’s own business. Below, is the high-level presentation for Friday, March 19, 2010.

This high-level presentation discusses:

• Do you have what it takes…to be an entrepreneur
• Key topics important for successfully moving the Idea for a product, through development, and ensuring it survives to reach fruition.