Lately I’ve been listening to a book on my ipod entitled “Mozart’s Brain and the Fighter Pilot” (Richard M. Restak). I was interested to “read” about the way the brain works to re-connect networks, even after years of dis-use. Apparently the brain has an amazing amount of plasticity, and the networks that are created never really go away. Dr. Restak tells us that in order to become proficient at something like playing a particular sport or musical instrument, the brain makes a series of network connections. If we don’t use those connections for a long time they will atrophy. The good news is that they never really disappear. The plasticity of the brain makes it easy for us to re-learn those activities very quickly when we attempt them again, even years later.
This makes me think of my grandmother. She played the piano and organ when she was a young woman, but as she aged her fingers became grossly disfigured by arthritis. She stopped playing because her hands hurt so badly. However, one day I was with her when she spotted a piano in the corner of a friend’s house. She walked over and began to play as if she had never quit — a bit slower than her old days, perhaps, but she hit every note. She hadn’t played the piano for years, but the connections in her brain that told her hands what to do never went away. She was able to call upon them years later. The human brain is indeed amazing!
What is true for networks in the brain, is also true for the personal networks we make with friends and colleagues. Even if we haven’t talked to a network contact in years, the contact never goes away. Now, mind you, you may have to mend a fence or two if you have left that relationship due to some sort of conflict. But most of the connections we make fall into dis-use because of a lack of proximity of time or space. Our lives move off in different directions and we lose the connection we once had with the other person.
The good news is that those connections are never REALLY lost. They can be re-engaged a just a few minutes if you want.
So, here’s what I suggest. Look through your rolodex, facebook friends, or LinkedIn contacts. Find a person or two that you haven’t had contact with in awhile, and shoot them an email or give them a phone call. We all have a few connections that we haven’t talked to in a while — maybe even in years! I’m sure that you will find it rather easy to re-connect with those people. You may even learn something new and exciting as you catch up with each other.
What are you waiting for? Why not make it a habit of refreshing one network each week? You will be suprised at how quickly those contacts re-connect, and you will BOTH be glad you did!
Here’s a link to an article about what kind of salary one could expect to make as a blogger and/or a Web 2.0 consultant. @MarshallK conducted this research in his “ReadWriteWeb” blog last week. The information may be a bit anecdotal, as the survey group was limited, but this kind of information really isn’t showing up anywhere else at this point. If you love writing, this may be the career position for YOU!
A study conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), concludes that “employees are clearly not benefiting from management efforts to support their careers.” (From 2000 HR Trendbook) Out of 1000 employees interviewed, nearly half said their employer’s approach to career development failed to meet their needs.
Here are some of the statistics:
44% said their career aspirations are supported by a system for career development through their employers.
Nearly half (38%) felt that their employers are only concerned about the career development of their “high potential” employees.
30% feel their employer is not committed to helping them achieve personal career goals.
Why does this matter?
Well, it matters for both employers and employees. The coming years will see a shortage of talent in the workforce due to retirement of Baby Boomers. Most companies have not yet developed a succession plan (42%) or only have an informal plan in place (29%) to meet their needs. If employees are not given assistance to enhance their career within their current companies, they may find it necessary to move to a different company that provides these services. Failing to provide programs for retaining and developing employees is a clear case of myopia. Companies who do not step up to this challenge will find it difficult to keep their brightest and best employees.
It matters to employees, because in today’s work environment you can plan on changing careers every three to 5 years. You are responsible for “You, Inc.” Nobody else will manage your company (”You, Inc.”) for you, so the smart money is on managing your own career development.
There are several things YOU, as an employee, can do to enhance your own career from both inside and outside the organization. Here are a few great suggestions:
1 - Consult your HR or Training department to find out what is offered through your current company. SHRM says that “a lot of unhappiness over career development programs is a communication issue.”
2 - Look elsewhere for career development opportunities. Check out the local chapter of your professional organization to see what certification or continuing education classes are offered.
3 - Get a degree. Your employer may offer some form of tuition assistance for this. Check your employee manual or ask your HR department.
4 - Change companies. Chances are good that your company’s competitors care more about their employees than yours does. Why not take a look at working for them?
Are you one of the 44% of employees who feel their employers do not support your career development needs? If so, what will you do to enhance your own career goals?
Wow! It’s been a long time since I posted. We are busy getting the new website up and rolling. Check us out at Career Crossroads.
I’ll be back at it again next week, but in the meantime, here’s an article that was sent to me about recession-proofing your career. See if it makes sense for you. http://www.bankaholic.com/579/recession-proof-careers/
Tom Peters talks about the importance of self-branding. In the era of the Internet you CAN brand yourself — perhaps even make a run on the Whitehouse. The following isn’t true. . . but what if it COULD happen?
How do people in your profession establish credibility? Years of experience? Higher education? Professionalism? Knowledge of your industry? All of the above?
What “tickets” do professionals in your field need to “get punched” in order to be counted in the upper echelon of your field? Accountants sit for the CPA or CMA exam. Lawyers have to pass the Bar Exam for the state(s) in which they practice law. Project Managers can get a PMP certification. Human Resource managers can go for the PHR, SPHR, or GPRH. For some professions these certifications are required. In other fields they are a way of gaining status. Sometimes these certifications require education and a certain number of years in practice. Others can be achieved straight out of college or grad school. Do you know the certification requirements and opportunities for your profession?
Many professions REQUIRE continuing education or advanced certification of their members. Professional certification is a great way to keep up on the changes happening in your field. It’s a way to learn more about what’s happening in your industry or profession, and a it’s also a GREAT way to distinguish yourself from others who do the same thing you do.
You should note that there is a difference between certification and certificates. Many universities have certificate programs for anyone who wants to enroll. They provide a certain level of knowledge about a profession, and they sometimes will help prepare students for taking the certification exams. Certification, on the other hand, is usually provided by the profession itself. Certification is often a more rigorous process and is more widely recognized among the members of the profession granting certification.
If you want to advance your career, look into obtaining a professional certification.
My mother used to caution me about the people I hung out with. If their character was “questionable,” she would warn me that I was destined to become like them — because our friends, and those we spend time with make an impression on our own character. I used to think she was just being a “naggy-old-mom”, but then I realized she was right! Our friends DO influence who we become!
If that’s true for you, then the question is: “are you spending enough time with the people you want to become?” If you are an Architect you need to spend time with others who share your passion for drafting and building buildings. If you are a marketing professional, you should spend time around other marketing professionals. If you are an engineer you will want to be around people who speak your same language and read the books, articles and blogs you need to read in order to grow in your professionalism.
But what if you are new to the profession and you know only a few people in your field? Where can you go to find others? Where do people in your field hang out and how can you meet them?
One of the best ways to meet people in your specific field is through a professional organization. Most professions have them. In fact, some require membership in order to maintain a license or qualify for career advancement. I recommend you find out which ones are most important to your field by talking to someone who has been in that profession for longer than 10 years. Another option is to conduct a web search to find out what is available. Most groups will allow you to sign up through their website and many have student rates if you are still in school or a recent graduate. A lot of these professional organizations hold monthly events, and some have smaller group sessions for networking and professional development. You will also find that most of them have a job board of some sort for people in your field who are looking to make a career change.
A great way to make a name for yourself in your profession is to volunteer in your professional organization! In every organization their is an 80/20 rule at work — 20 percent of the people do 80 percent of the work. You can take advantage of the 80/20 rule by volunteering. Being part of the 20 percent will put you front and center of the organization where you will meet important leaders, other professionals, and potential employers. YOU should be part of the 20!
There are many reasons to join a professional organization: you will brand yourself as a professional in your field, you will grow in your knowledge and skill-set, and you will meet some people who could influence the direction of your career.
Do you need to grow in your professional abilities?
Is your industry changing? What do you need to know to allow YOU to move in that direction?
Do you feel the need to brush up on some particular skills to stay in your industry or profession?
What are the best practices for people who do the work you do? Are you following them?
What “tickets” will you need to have punched so you can take the next step in your career path?
What don’t you know about business that could change the way you do your job?
There are many reasons to take a class, and many opportunities to do so. You may want to learn and follow the latest movements in your industry or profession. You may be interested in learning a new skill. Perhaps you are wanting to re-tool for a career change. Or, you may simply need to learn general business skills to supplement your technical skills so you can move up in the company.
Opportunities for continuing education abound in our current culture! Here are some suggestions that will help you begin your search:
You local community college will have classes on many subjects from basic skills to adult education. These are usually in-expensive for people who live within community boundaries (your tax dollars at work). They may also have adult education classes you can take for non-credit.
Your local State University has probably opened its doors to adult learners. In the late 1980s the last of the Baby Boomers were graduating from college. In order to keep their doors open, most Universities developed programs targeting the aging workforce, providing continuing education for those with and without degrees. Your local University may have just the right program for you!
Professional organizations generally offer classes related to a professional certification. Sometimes you can take the class even if you have no intention of being certified in that area. Or, perhaps it’s time for you to take the test and become a “certified _____”.If so, these classes will help you immensely!
Proprietary schools such as University of Phoenix and Capella University have online programs. Note that many of these programs require you to enroll for a specific degree program, but some of them may allow stand-alone course-work.
Several Ivy League and major Universities have courses online — FOR FREE! Schools such as MIT offer lecture notes, exams, and videos from some of their more popular classes for free online. Of course, getting credit for these classes will cost you dearly. Check them out if you don’t need the credit but simply want to learn from some of the best schools in the world.
Professional Conferences and Workshops. Your industry, company, and professional organization most likely have a professional training department. Find out what classes they have to offer.
Join a group such as Toastmasters. These groups provide specific training n a specific area (such as public speaking). Many of them will send your employer a certificate after you have completed a basic course. The certificate will look good on your wall, and your boss will be impressed with your initiation!
Taking a class is a great way to improve your career. You will learn new things. You will have fun. You will meet new people. You will impress your boss. All of these are GREAT for advancing your career and your life.
Imagine this scenario. . . you have been reading a book informing you of the important updates happening in your industry (or profession). The book is sitting on your desk at work, when the owner (or CEO, or your bosses-boss) walks by. She notices it, and asks you about it. In a few short sentences you recap the major points of the book, giving a concise description of key features. By doing so you help the owner learn a small piece of business-critical information. You think nothing of it until three days later when she sends you an email asking you to “write a book report” on that book for her to use with the Executive Team at their next meeting.
You have just put yourself in line for a promotion. The owner of your company KNOWS who you are and understands that you have some valuable information that can be used by upper level management. That makes YOU “upper level management material.”
Think it can’t happen? It happens all the time!
Now that you are in the habit of reading, pick up a book that will help you improve your knowledge base about your company, your competitors, your job, your profession, and your life.
We would LOVE to see what is on YOUR “must read” list. Drop us a note in the response section!
QUICK! Right now, before you read any further. . . make a list of the key competitors for your company? Your service? Your product? Your industry?
When is the last time you looked at THEIR website? If it has been more than a couple of weeks, chances are you are missing something. You can bet your customers are reading your competitor’s website. What do THEY know that you don’t know?
Here are some thing to look for as you read your competitor’s website:
What new products or services are they providing?
What are they giving up on?
What is their Mission Statement? How does it relate to your company’s Mission Statement?
How do they differentiate themselves from you (and the rest of your competitors)?
Is this a competitive advantage for them? Is it something your company could or would emulate?
Who in the competitor’s company hold the position YOU hold in your company? Do you know them personally? (. . . .something about “keeping your friends close and your enemies. . . .”)
Can you tell from your competitor’s website where your industry is heading? (Can they tell from yours?)
What positions are open at their company? (Anything interesting to YOU? Hmmm — “window shopping?”)
We recommend that you read the website of your competitor and then let your boss know what you have found. Offer to be on a team at your company that will address the issues and opportunities raised by this little exercise. Even if they don’t take you up on your offer, it WILL help improve your career!
