Every business professional needs to master the skill of networking. It’s essential to build a network of supporters who can help you navigate difficult business and personal obstacles. However, it’s not that simple to always ask for assistance. A network needs to be seeded, watered and cared for long term. Often misconceptions about the purpose of a network present barriers to growing one effectively. The following eCourse is about building your network.
Trust is a big word that should never be thrown around lightly. It is arguably one of the greatest commodities any manager (or person of any status for that matter) can earn from an employee. When it is awarded, the manager deserves it. The same can be said when it is withdrawn. Trust is perishable and must therefore be handled with the greatest care. A decision, a comment, even a look can contaminate trust and begin its spoiling process. Although I don’t mean to minimize the tactic of achieving it, I will make an attempt to provide a starting point to strategically gain trust.
This post was encouraged by a conversation I had today with a wonderful young professional who reached out to me via Twitter. She is, like many today, searching for a job. Luckily she is in a position where time is slightly more on her side than others. She has a few months before her company relocates. She came to me asking for help with her resume. I was so impressed with her courage, how could I refuse. As I reviewed her resume and compiled my thoughts and comments, it dawned on me. This needed to be a blog post. Once again it may seem that I am giving away the secrets of management as I did with, “Acing the Interview”. I disagree. The information in this blog can work for the internal resume as well.
Although I have Gen Y in mind when writing this blog, it applies to everyone (as most of my blogs typically do). It was actually sparked by a chat with R. Stavros Bezas (@stavrosbezas on twitter). He was looking for feedback for his blog (www.Bezas.com) on how to navigate negative individuals when you are trying to get ahead. I encourage you to view his video blog for some great tips. Ambition is something that has to be nurtured but at the same time managed, as it can destroy a career as much as help it. Following are some tips to consider to guide this mighty power and come out on top.
This may perhaps be one of my most timely posts. I don’t have to tell any reader about the rising unemployment rates, the job shortages, and the state of the global economy. What is more useful is not a declaration of the state of business but a map or tactic to navigate the turbulent waters of our time. This post will focus on getting you the job.
Recently I read an article on a Stanford University Research Study that showed Media Multi-Taskers pay a mental price. I felt it was a worthwhile blog entry as so much emphasis and pride is placed on one’s ability to multi-task. I personally have always been wary of those that feel they can do it all when, personally, I have trouble focusing (and no I don’t have ADHD) on more than one or two main priorities. Ahh, but that is the difference. I am managing multiple priorities. Multi-Taskers aren’t managing priorities they are trying to do several things at once.
I attended a one hour teleclass by the Los Angeles Chapter of ASTD on Networking hosted by Tom Henschel of Essential Communications. Clearly one hour hardly covers the complexity of networking but Tom discussed some critical points that are important when trying to complete your networking strategy. This blog will cover some of Tom’s key points.
Every business professional needs to master the skill of networking. It’s essential to build a network of supporters who can help you navigate difficult business and personal obstacles. However, it’s not that simple to always ask for assistance. A network needs to be seeded, watered and cared for long term. Often misconceptions about the purpose of a network present barriers to growing one effectively. The following eCourse is about building your network.
