Saturday, 17 March 2012
Book Review: Now What: A Young Persons Guide to Choosing the Perfect Career by Nicholas Lore
As a career consultant I try to read as many books on this topic as I can. I just finished reading Now What: A Young Persons Guide to Choosing the Perfect Career by Nicholas Lore. I had very high expectations going into this book based on the last book that I read from this author. I must say that I was not disappointed.
The first couple of chapters are pretty basic and kind of boring as the author describes various tests that college students can take to learn about their personality types and which careers they would be best suited for. The best part of the book is the tool kit that Lore provides. This allows the reader to become engaged and learn as they read. The book forces you to take action towards your career and actually provides encouragement and motivation along the way.
There were a couple of negatives though. The one thing that I did not like was the author plugs his testing and coaching services and at times I felt like I was reading a promotional piece for his business instead of a book that was supposed to inform and educate. The other negative was there was never any mention of the negative economy we are in and how that impacts people that are starting off in their career.
Overall, I do recommend this book for any high school or college student that is ready to start searching for a career. It is tough out there so the more you can read and prepare for the better off you will be.
Friday, 16 March 2012
Career Book Review "101 Ways To Successfully Market Yourself" by Jay Miletsky
In today's marketplace, your career is 100 percent your responsibility, including marketing your strengths. Unfortunately, marketing can be maligned, especially when you're the product being marketed. Honest attempts can appear boastful, so we hesitate to do so. Yet, if people aren't aware of your strengths, how will they know when, where, and how to use them?
The best self-marketing centers around building relationships and having fun doing so. Successful self-marketing can, among other things, enhance your job search, promote your own company, grab a piece of the spotlight (i.e. become a thought leader/industry innovator), and make new friends.
Following is the second of three articles summarizing "101" career books published by Course Technology. A different author highlights what it takes to achieve professional success in the 21st century for each book. Here, it's businessman and marketing expert, Jason Miletsky. His new book is entitled 101 Ways To Successfully Market Yourself."
Miletsky is CEO and executive creative director for a leading marketing communications agency in New York City. He's a featured speaker for numerous companies and seminars and guest lectures for universities.
"101 Ways To Successfully Market Yourself," is a short read of 88 pages, long on self-marketing tips. You're bound to learn some new applications to advance your career. Use Miletsky's ideas to gauge how many techniques you currently incorporate to promote yourself, and decide which ones best suit your needs.
The book reads in three easy parts. The first is entitled, "27 MYM (Marketing Yourself Mandates);" and establishes the foundation of your self-promotional efforts. Miletsky's tips include:
Understand Your Personal Brand. Your personal brand is your personal reputation. It's key to successfully market yourself and sustain relevant long-term connections. People will decide to befriend or distance you based on your personality, sense of style, unique qualities, what and how you say it, commitment follow through and what you potentially bring to the table.22. Do Something Specific to Stand Out. Accomplish something that separates you from the crowd, and you'll find yourself in more demand. Suggestions include write a book, or articles for popular print/online publications, record a series of Web videos, and hold a seminar.
27. Don't Give Up-It Won't Happen Overnight. "Marketing yourself is a process," says Miletsky. It takes time to meet new people and build a following. Persevere.
Part II is titled, "Make The Most of The Web." Miletsky emphasizes that to effectively market yourself today, you need to include the Web. "Social networking may die down a bit over time, but it's here to stay," he says. For space interest, Miletsky assumes you have a basic knowledge of the three big social networking sites: Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. If not, he advocates learning their attributes as soon as possible. Highlights include:
28. Make Social Networking Part of Your Daily Routine. Social networking does take time and effort. It can take a while before you see results. "This can be frustrating, because thanks to the speed of the Web, most people have lost their patience to allow things to happen over time," says Miletsky. Incorporate social networking into your daily routine, using the Big 3 sites. Send an e-mail blast once a month to your contacts. Inform them of your new blog posts and other information.
63. Get Your Name in a URL. Make sure you secure your name as a URL. It's good marketing for any of your online activities you engage in. Defensively it prevents someone else from cashing in on your name, as you become better known.
69. Broadcast What You Write. Get the URL for any blog post you write or comment you leave on someone else's blog (shorten the URL through bit.ly or some other shortening service). Broadcast it on Twitter, use it in LinkedIn conversations, and post it on relevant Facebook groups and your Facebook wall.
"There's Life Offline-Get Out and Meet Real People," is Miletsky's third message. Among his suggestions are:
78. Become a Regular. Frequent various places. Over time, people will recognize your face, making connections easier.
82. Seek Out Public Speaking Opportunities. Meet numerous people all at once. Be a featured speaker in a room full of people listening. Speakers command attention, are focal points for attendees; and many will want to befriend you afterwards.
101. Make Follow-Up a Ritual. Make sure you follow up with each new contact within 24 hours after your initial connection. Send a quick e-mail to remind new contacts who you are, how you met, and conversations had. Suggest a future meeting when you sense mutual benefits.
Six appendices enrich the book; with the first listing Miletsky's top 30 Twitter tools. "Twitter is one of the absolute best ways to get people to notice you," he says. Endorsements include:
Tweetdeck. Provides numerous columns to allow simultaneous monitoring of people you follow, tweets mentioning you, direct messages and any other keyword/group you choose. Twitterholic. Checks your relative ranking and graphs your followers over time. Nearby Tweets. Enhances local marketing by entering desired geographical location/keyword. Site shows the people within that radius that fit the description.
The " Who You Should Follow On Twitter" List is Appendix B, and details 31 active links to find good people to follow on the site. Included are:
25 SEO Gurus. 50 Users to Follow for Job Searching. Top 237 People to Follow on Twitter Who Will Follow You Back.The most comprehensive appendix, titled, "Strategies for Success," specifies how to maximize your achievements at work. Its nine tips include "Visualize Success," and "Learn How to Advance within the Company;" which features 30 soul-searching questions pertaining to seeking a management position. Those queries include:
Are you decisive? Can you see yourself calmly and objectively handling crisis situations? Do you do your best work all the time?Other appendices highlight LinkedIn groups, networking events and additional social networking sites.
Marketing yourself is no longer an option. To enjoy long-term career success, learn and hone a process that works for you; and have fun doing it.
Complement Miletsky's message with Rashika Fernando's "101 Career Success Tips," and Carol A. Silvis's "101 Ways To Make Yourself Indispensable at Work," to jump-start your career, whether employed, unemployed, seasoned or novice.
You can follow the author on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/jaymiletsky.
Timothy Zaun is a blogger, speaker and freelance writer. Visit him online at http://timzaun.com/.
Is Your Boss Difficult?
Most people get stuck on the ladder of career advancement just because they lack the skills of effectively managing their boss. For those experiencing retardation in their career despite having the skills required to succeed, they need to review their relationship with their boss. If they know it is not cordial, then they need to urgently do something about it. And I have provided solution in this text interrogatively entitled "Is Your Boss Difficult?"
It is authored by Richard Dare Ajiboye, a human resource practitioner who holds a Higher National Diploma (HND) from the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State; Post-graduate Diploma from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, Lagos State and Master of Business Administration from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, all in Nigeria.
Ajiboye is an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria. A motivational speaker, the author is Assistant General Secretary, Corporate Affairs of the Bible Society of Nigeria.
Note that the background information about the book is embedded in chapter one.
Structurally, this text is segmented into ten chapters. As already said, the introduction constitutes the chapter one of the text. In this chapter, the author, through a random survey carried out in mid-2006 in some Nigerian companies, offers aggregation of views of subordinates about whom a boss is, based on the relationship existing between them and their bosses.
According to one of the respondents, "A boss is a person of authority in a workplace or situation. He or she is accountable for action taken in a department or an organisation. My relationship with my previous and present bosses has been cordial, and this has helped in shaping my corporate life."
Another respondent said, "Typically, my current boss is an autocrat. He throws paper at me when I do the wrong thing, shouts, abuses and walks me out of his office. He likes to give queries even when he is expected to dialogue with me...The only option to get out of his pressure would be to seek transfer or change my job."
According to Ajiboye, it is quite obvious that if more people were allowed to express their views, they would still revolve around positive or negative comments about whom a boss is and the relationships that exist between them and their bosses.
The author adds that the obvious is that individuals have described their relationships with their bosses and whom a boss is from their personal backgrounds. Ajiboye asks if any of the negative respondents' view describes the relationship with your current boss, stressing that if it this is the case, all hope is not lost.
The author says it is easy to manage subordinates by virtue of the power and authority a leader has. Ajiboye educates that the boss has the carrot he dangles for good performance and the stick he uses when the subordinates breach the organisational or work standards.
He explains that most people are good at managing their subordinates even though there are problems at times in doing this because of human complexities. Managing the boss is usually more problematic because the influence in this case can only be persuasive and non-directive, asserts Ajiboye.
He adds that the boss reserves the right to or not to concede to subordinates' persuasion. Ajiboye advises that if you are conscious of the simple fact that the success of your boss is yours in a way, you will do everything possible to succeed.
Chapter two is based on the subject matter of types of bosses. According to the author here, as human beings are different in personality, so also are bosses different from one another. He explains that there are no two people with exactly the same personality traits. Such differences, no matter how slight, would make a great difference in relationship, perception, decision-making and problem-solving approaches, adds Ajiboye.
In his words, "You may make a serious mistake comparing your boss with others or any of your former bosses. He is a unique and different person altogether. The earlier you realise this and treat him accordingly, the better. The secret of ever succeeding in any relationship, work environment inclusive, is the ability to understand and appreciate differences among people."
The different types of bosses identified by Ajiboye are the achievement-oriented/autocratic boss; people-oriented boss; laissez-faire boss and situational boss. This author says an achievement-oriented/autocratic boss is the one driven by result and does not care how results are achieved especially that he has dictatorial inclination.
As regards a people-oriented boss, Ajiboye educates that this type of boss though interested in getting results, is mainly concerned about staff welfare and is democratic in nature and conscious of collective commitment or team work.
According the author, a laissez-faire boss is lackadaisical in his style of getting things done and often sees his subordinates as technocrats who should know what to do at any given time. As for a situational boss, Ajiboye educates that this is a complete person in leading subordinates. The author stresses that a situational boss is a combination of the three types of bosses earlier mentioned and leads according to situation, person and time.
In chapters three to six, Ajiboye analytically X-rays concepts such as functions of an executive; how to understand your boss; managing relationship with your boss and competences required to manage your boss.
Chapter seven is entitled "Tips on managing yourself". According the author here, it is quite obvious that managing your boss successfully starts with how well you are able to manage yourself. The author adds that it will be absolutely difficult for a person who lacks the right qualities to manage him- or herself to manage another person properly.
He says most leadership problems that have been experienced are not unconnected with the fact that people who are not mature enough to manage themselves are for one wrong reason or another made to manage others.
Ajiboye stresses that to be a good manager, you need to be able to plan your days and activities; be calm under pressure; develop yourself; maintain good health and minimise your expectations from people.
In chapters eight to ten, he discusses the tips of managing your boss; why your boss could be hard and conclusion on how to achieve effective relationship with people.
Stylistically, this text is on the high rung of the ladder. For instance, the language of the text is standard and embroidered with good word order and accurate diction. The concepts, too, reflect a high level of primary and secondary forms of research as well as logical presentation.
To reinforce readers' understanding and consistently remind them of the thematic direction of the text, Ajiboye employs a technique of paraphrasing to achieve conceptual restatement. What's more, the interrogative mode of the title creates suspense, easily arouses and sustains readers' interest while the outside front cover design reinforces the title.
However, a few errors of punctuation and interpretation are noticed in the text, e.g., "Executive Director Human Resources, Cadbury Nigeria Plc" (page 28), instead of "Executive Director, Human Resources, Cadbury Nigeria Plc"; "He is the AGS - Corporate Affairs of the BSN" (page 28), instead of "He is the Assistant General Secretary, Corporate Affairs of the Bible Society of Nigeria", etc.
Generally, this text is a specimen of a high level of intellectual interface, reflecting perfect combination of human resource management and motivational forms of discourse. It is a must-read for all subordinates, managers, chief executives, entrepreneurs and organisations that cherish corporate success and harmony.
GOKE ILESANMI, Editor-in-Chief/CEO of http://www.gokeilesanmi.com/ and Managing Consultant/CEO of Gokmar Communication Consulting, is a Certified Public Speaker/Emcee, (Business) Communication Specialist, Motivational Speaker, Career Management Coach, Renowned Book Reviewer, Corporate Leadership Expert and Editorial Consultant.
Tel: +234(0)8055068773; +234(0)8056030424
Email: info@gokeilesanmi.com; gokeiles2010@gmail.com
Tips to Choose the Right Accounting Management Books
When you enroll for a university degree, it is mandatory to choose a subject that you will be majoring in. Most students decide the subject based on their talents, aptitude and the career prospects of the chosen profession. Accounting has been an all-time favorite with students because there is a growing need for qualified accountants. This makes accounting management a very lucrative career option, and you will need an adequate collection of accounting management books to excel in your career.
Accounting management books serve as an effective guide and a wonderful source of reference for students of accounting. They allow students to comprehend the knowledge, which is imparted at university lectures. Accounting management books help an amateur accountant master the profession with characteristic ease. Most university professors recommend an exhaustive list of books, which are extremely handy in the study of accounting. University education is a very competitive field, and it is necessary to stay one step ahead of your mates at college.
Accounting is a subject with many sub-branches, such as advanced accounting, management accounting, accounting information system and financial statement analysis. Before you invest in accounting books, it is important to ensure that you have the right list of books. Many accounting books are available with the identical titles; therefore, it is important to verify the name of the publisher and author before you make the purchase. The book should perfectly match the recommendation made by the university professors.
Some accounting management books are mandatory to read, whereas others are often complementary. These books are crucial if you wish to widen your horizons in the field of accounting because the subject is extremely vast. Online shopping is a good way to acquaint yourself with bestselling titles, which have not been recommended by your teachers. A plethora of websites are available that publish book reviews, which are extremely helpful. One advantage of browsing through these websites is that the price is always mentioned, allowing you to plan your finances.
It is a fact that college textbooks can burn a hole in your pocket. Accounting books can be very expensive, and you need to be wise in order to make the right purchase. Most students have limited financial resources, and it would be advisable if each student develops a strategy to procure the most important books.
One advantage of online shopping is the wide range of discounts and special offers on accounting management books. Online vendors are known for speedy and accurate delivery of books, making the purchase hassle-free. A large number of bookstores deal with second hand books, and it would be a good idea to browse through their collections. Such books are generally in a dilapidated condition, which is of secondary importance. A book is defined by its content, and students should pay more importance to this aspect.
Before shopping for accounting management books, it is advisable to glance through book reviews, to ensure that your purchase is not futile. These books should meet your budget and requirements, and budding accountants need to make wise purchases.
The author is a professor of accounting at a reputed university, who has also co-authored many books on accounting. He shares his experiences and insights through his blog. For the complete range of accounting management books, visit http://www.tmhshop.com/.
101 Ways to Boost Your Performance
Performance is very critical to individual and corporate survival and progress. Therefore, any individual or corporate organisation that wants progress needs constant performance assessment. Regular performance assessment is also important for people and organisations that are already ahead, because complacency is very dangerous. This is why we are examining this book "101 Ways to Boost Your Performance."
John Fenton, author of this text is one of the greatest salesmen the United Kingdom (UK) has ever produced. Fenton is the creator of the Institute of Sales and Marketing Management. He is also the architect of the 'Year of Selling' national campaign which helped 47,000 salespeople fight their way out of the 81/3 recession.
Fenton is the leader of ten UK National Sales as well as the president of the Institution of British Engineers. He is the founder of the Institute of Continuing Performance Development.
In this text, the author provides a catalogue of management techniques to help you improve your skills and achieve your ambition. He shows you how to cut to the bone of marketing, communication and administration, and offers a new insight into the processes of staff management, recruitment and development.
The author X-rays concepts such as shortcuts to knowing your product, your market, your competition and salesforce; how to cut paperwork by half and manage your time better; how to motivate your staff to even greater achievements, etc.
As far as structure is concerned, this text is segmented into 13 chapters. Chapter one is entitled "Foundation stones for effective management". According to Fenton here, it is a glaring glimse of the obvious to say that no amount of production is of the slightest value unless the products are sold for cash. He adds that selling is the very crux of any commercial or industrial enterprise.
Fenton says personally, he loves signs, and there are a lot of them in this text. "Try placing some of them strategically around your place of work - they remind people why they are there. Without reminders, they quickly forget, and allow their personal priorities to take precedence over the priorities of the business," says this author.
He adds that his favourite sign comes from ex-Avis chief Robert Townsend thus: "Is what I'm doing, or about to do, getting us closer to our objective or making us money?"
Fenton educates that a lot of companies do not see selling as the be-all-and-end-all of their business. He says they make things, or set up as experts in providing some kind of service, and then sit back and wait for the customers to come to them, which of course they do not.
In Fenton's words, "The result is failure, unless they have enough personal contacts to keep them struggling along as a small company. If the product is good, professional sales promotion can turn any small struggling company into a large and prosperous one." He says customers are the business, adding that the customers come first, not the products or services, or the factory or the corporate image, or the founder or owner of the company.
Chapter two is interrogatively entitled "Is marketing bunk?" Fenton educates that marketing is fashionable, and as soon as anything becomes fashionable, all sorts of 'creative' types move in and make ludicrous claims for their own magical powers. He adds that there are grains of truth in all their claims, but there is also a lot of flannel as well. "So let's define what marketing should be about: 'Marketing is the management process responsible for identifying, anticipating and satisfying customer requirements profitably'," says Fenton.
This author adds that without marketing, all you can do is to keep on selling the same products and services to the same customers. According to Fenton, inevitably that will lead to your going out of business, because you are standing while the world outside moves on.
Using the principles of marketing, however, you adjust, amend or change the products or services and the ways in which you sell them, in order to suit the changing needs of your changing customer base. In other words, you react positively to the constant evolution of your marketplace.
According to Fenton, marketing is only bunk when it is applied incompetently. He adds that it is also bunk to call your Sales Manager a Marketing Manager, and your Sales Office a Marketing Services Department.
The author examines concepts such as the competitive edge; improving performance; watching the bottomline; and cutting down the administration, in chapters three to six.
Chapter seven is based on finding and keeping the best people. Fenton educates that the snag is, of course, that without people there is no business. He advises that the first thing to do is to ensure that you get the best people possible in your team. The right people will be the ones who work for the furtherance of the business before their own self-interests, expatiates Fenton.
This consultant educates that if your business is to succeed, you have to be able to pick winners and avoid losers. He says he has two pet systems for picking winners, both very simple.
In his words, "If you are interviewing for a sales position, all the applicants will probably be clever enough to give you the answers you want to hear to the usual run of questions. If I am looking for experienced people, then they have to prove that all their experience is worth something. So I challenge them to prove how good they are."
Fenton analytically X-rays concepts such as communications; management techniques; time management; leadership and motivation in chapters eight to 12.
The last chapter, chapter 13 is tagged "Unlucky for some." According to him, there is nearly always a difference between what we are and what we are perceived to be. "Have you, for instance, got any of the nasty little habits which annoy you in other people?... Think of all the things that drive you mad in other people, and then see if they apply to you," guides Fenton.
As regards style, one thing that is really conspicuous in this text is generous employment of graphical embroidery for emphasis and visual reinforcement of readers' understanding.
Fenton uses detailed illustrations to ensure easy understanding on readers' part. The language is comprehensible and the ideas logically presented. What's more, the title of the text is catchy. The author also uses accurate quotes to embellish concepts.
However, the layout of the book needs improvement to make it (more) eye-friendly. On page 114, the expression "...the best people possible on your team", which is Standard American English is used instead of the Standard British English version "...the best people possible in your team" ought to be used because Fenton is a Briton.
Finally, if you are ready to enhance your performance and rise to the top through excellence, then this text is a must-read for you. It is highly fascinating.
GOKE ILESANMI, Editor-in-Chief/CEO of http://www.gokeilesanmi.com/ and Managing Consultant/CEO of Gokmar Communication Consulting, is a Certified Public Speaker/Emcee, (Business) Communication Specialist, Motivational Speaker, Career Management Coach, Renowned Book Reviewer, Corporate Leadership Expert and Editorial Consultant.
Tel: +234(0)8055068773; +234(0)8056030424
Email: info@gokeilesanmi.com; gokeiles2010@gmail.com
Thursday, 15 March 2012
Top 10 Architecture Books of 2010
Architecture is the source of identity as it defines the structure of a state. Britain is rich in its architectural heritage, which stretches back to more than 5000 years. After the era of great recession the construction and infrastructure sector in the UK boomed and the number of architectural institutes and training centres consequently grew. Today, professional architects to protect your interests by providing comfort, utility, size, appearance, style and location that suits you. As Roman architect Palladio Vitruvius once said that architecture should provide firmness, commodity and delight.
Architecture is the art and science of defining space. Designers pay attention to the local practices regarding materials and colours, roof pitches, eave lengths, window-to-wall ratios, and the socially significant relationship of buildings to their site and the street. With the advent of technology and new innovations the emphasis of the modern commercial architects have diverted towards energy efficiency and green building by making eco-friendly researches and development of healthier environments for the good of future generations.
Books play a vital role in learning and in gaining knowledge about various skills used in building procedures. It is the basic foundation on which academic skills of an individual are built. An architectural book usually starts from the basics of architecture like design, drawing, the creative process, and presentation. The reading of an architecture planning book starts from basic of building design such as how to draw a line. A number project architect administrative books contains chapters covering the areas such as project delivery system, resident inspection office responsibilities, documentation, construction laws and labour relations, materials, claims and disputes on properties, project closeout and others.
Various books and publications have been providing the fans of architecture and amateur architects with the basics of architectural world. The most favoured books of this year that contain information on architecture includes
- Down Detour Road: An Architect in Search of Practice by Eric J. Cesal
- Ethics for Architects: 50 Dilemmas of Professional Practice by Thomas Fisher
- The Diagrams of Architecture by Mark Garcia
- Shigeru Ban: Complete Works 1985 -2010 by Philip Jodidio
- The Architecture of Hope: Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres by Charles Jencks and Edwin Heathcote
- Turkish Art and Architecture: From the Seljuks to the Ottomans by Giovanni Curatola
- Research & Design: Faculty Work, The City College of New York - Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture by George Ranalli
- The Surreal House by Jane Alison
- Almanac of Architecture & Design 2010 by James P. Cramer and Jane Paradise Wolford
- Five Centuries of Indonesian Textiles by Ruth Barnes and Mary Hunt Kahlenberg
SearchMe4 is a local information and online business directory that contains the contact details of the UK Architectural and Planning.
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Wednesday, 14 March 2012
Career Book Review - 101 Secrets To Career Success by Rashika Fernando - A Holistic Employment Model
Current U.S. unemployment reigns at roughly 9.5 percent, with at least 14 million jobless Americans. Statistics show approximately 5 applicants for every one available job. Economists predict a multi-year experience of higher than usual U.S. unemployment. Today's global marketplace is restructuring employment opportunities. It's challenging. Now, having the perfect resume and knowing the answers to "tough" interview questions no longer guarantees a job. Many who are working feel unfulfilled, desiring to change careers; yet hesitate for a variety of reasons.
Following is the first of three articles summarizing "101" career books published by Course Technology. A different author highlights what it takes to achieve career success in the 21st century for each book. Here, it's businessman Rashika Fernando. His new book is entitled 101 Secrets To Career Success.
Fernando sports an impressive corporate career, working primarily in Global Finance. His message transcends the corporate world, addressing careers in general, whether you're employed or unemployed. "101 Secrets" offers a holistic approach to employment, integrating both your personal and professional presence. In today's marketplace, the more these two worlds converge, the happier you'll be. Fernando's 101 career secrets are dispersed among 17 succinctly written chapters, providing an expedient, enlightening read. Following are highlights from four chapters.
Purpose/Meaning. Fernando asks, "Why do you live and go to work?" Each one of us has a purpose in life, waiting to be discovered, he writes. Once we know our purpose in life, everything else falls into place. He believes our overall happiness includes these elements: 1. Be happy with the life that we have. 2. Ensure the continuation of life. This would include procreating, or aiding future generations by volunteering, adopting/sponsoring orphaned children, etc. 3. Enhance life by donating to causes, offering comforting words to someone facing a difficult challenge, etc.
Finding our purpose can be a long journey, unique to our being. Ultimately our career choices should make us happy while getting paid to do it. Combine a mission with your purpose; believe in it and execute it. To act on your purpose, you need a strategy. It allows you to connect high-level dreams into actionable plans. Career Success Secret: "Wanting to understand your life's purpose is the biggest step forward you can take towards success."
Career/Life Strategy. Arguably the best chapter in the book, "Strategizing Your Career and Life" emphasizes the importance of planning. Strategy is the approach you take to close the gap between where you are and where you want to be. It brings choices into action. There's no formula for strategy, as each of your goals is unique. We strategize every day on a simpler level (mapping out a travel route, daily To-Do lists, etc.) Achieving big dreams is difficult and complex. Strategy brings our dreams to the level of other day-to-day realities. While there's no strategy formula, there is a Strategic Planning Framework: Definition-write down the problem to solve and the goal, which serves as a reference point for planning. Data/Analysis-record what you already know about the problem or goal, analysis you've done, or any assumptions. Strategy-devise your approach to obtain the goal. Tactics/Resources- identifies the smallest details of your plan, Monitoring- review progress in your plan. Career Success Secret: "It is very important that you make a choice rather than hiding behind analysis."
Being Proactive. Proactive people actively participate and anticipate various diversions in their plans, influencing the change towards their goals. Being proactive creates better quality of results and better quality of life. Any quest for success will include competition. Anticipate and plan for inevitable competitive situations. On your journey towards success develop the ability to see what will happen in the next several years. "You can always see the signs of tomorrow today," says Fernando. Regarding the workforce, anticipate continual technological advancements. "Give up what you already know, to learn what you don't know." Career Success Secret: "Being proactive builds your confidence."
Networking. Our success depends on our relationships. To be successful, we need to learn the art of networking and feel comfortable doing it. Networking is essentially being a good friend to others. Our existing contacts and friends are our most powerful network we have. Networking provides friendship, emotional support and encouragement. Connecting with other people helps you realize your own accomplishments and the value that you add. The best reason to network is the wealth of opportunities it provides you. Career Success Secret: "Networking is a matching process whereby your strengths are matched with new opportunities, increasing your chances for success."
Amidst anemic job markets and media stories featuring the distress, we can only direct our own lives. If you're dissatisfied with your career or frustratingly unemployed, read "101 Secret's" Chapter 4: "Controlling Your Destiny." The global marketplace presents an evolving employment landscape. Old industries fade to reveal new career opportunities. Experiencing career success in today's marketplace requires a paradoxical selfishness. Only by engaging in relentless introspection (regardless of age), with a goal to integrate both your personal and professional being, can you best contribute to society. Fernando's holistic approach to career and life offers steadfast advice in today's tumultuous world.
Complement Fernando's message with Jay Miletsky's "101 Ways To Successfully Market Yourself," and Carol A. Silvis's "101 Ways To Make Yourself Indispensable at Work," to jump-start your career, whether employed, unemployed, seasoned or novice.
To view the Table of Contents for 101 Secrets To Career Success, visit http://rashikafernando.com/Book_Details.html.
Timothy Zaun is a blogger, speaker and freelance writer. Visit him online at http://timzaun.com/.
Career Renegade - How to Make a Great Living Doing What You Love by Jonathan Fields
"Career Renegade: How To Make A Great Living Doing What You Love" by Jonathan Fields is more than a "rah rah" do what you love book. It's full of practical advice on building a living around what you love to do, and following your passion rather than a paycheck. Fields himself, once a mega-firm lawyer who was killing himself for the job, left his high paying position to become an entrepreneur and follow his passion. You might not picture a high paid lawyer quitting his job to open a yoga studio, but it worked for Fields, and he insists that following your passions and doing what you love can work for you too. This book is his guide to show you how.
Again, I found this book to be much more than a bunch of motivational "you can do it." Fields shares examples, stories of others who've achieved success following their dreams, and resources to assist you make the transition toward your passions. The first part consists of two chapters that get you thinking about what you really want. Part two explores what kind of renegade you want to be. Fields looks at different career renegade paths and opportunities available to make a living while doing what you enjoy.
In part three, Fields covers topics such as getting social online and building on blogging and social media, areas that he has been extremely successful with. Marketing is a key to building a business, and Fields offers some good advice in this area.
The final part focuses on topics such as cultivating the renegade mind-set, not doing it alone, holding on to your life preserver until you can swim, and being your own guru. This final chapter was motivating, but also grounded in reality. I like the Helen Keller quote near the end, "Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing." Fields then asks, "What are you waiting for?"
Some of the stories and examples Fields uses were people and business I was familiar with, and others I'd never heard of, but all of them fit well with the lessons he was sharing. He also provided numerous websites for additional information. I really did feel the book had a good mix of motivation, practical tips, resources, and examples that engaged and instructed the entire way through. It is also a book to look back to as you plan your own career. If you are not making a great living doing what you love, check out this book and it may just provide the stimulus and advice to help you along that path.
Alain Burrese, J.D. is a performance and personal development expert who teaches how to live, take action, and get things done through the Warrior's Edge. Alain combines his military, martial art, and Asian experiences with his business, law, and conflict resolution education into a powerful way of living with balance, honor, and integrity. He teaches how to use the Warrior's Edge to Take Action and Achieve Remarkable Results. Alain is the author of Hard-Won Wisdom From The School Of Hard Knocks, the DVDs Hapkido Hoshinsul, Streetfighting Essentials, Hapkido Cane, the Lock On Joint Locking series, and numerous articles and reviews. You can read more articles and reviews and see clips of his DVDs as well as much more at http://www.burrese.com/ and http://www.aikiproductions.com/
Sunday, 4 March 2012
Want a Super Stellar Career? Be Ready For Anything - Book Review
Everyone wants to advance in their career, and with so many people laid off or fearing they will be next, we see that it's time to get serious or get left in the dust. Do you want to get the dream job of your life? Apparently, many people do, you can tell by reading the business news these days, career articles, stories, and advice, it's everywhere. We have a whole new career now of personal coaches, helping others score their dream life and career. Surely, you've noticed all this online and in the media as of late?
Indeed, not long ago there was an interesting article in Forbes - "America's Most Surprising Six-Figure Jobs - Astronomers, ship captains, even writers can make more than $100,000 a year," by Susan Adams May 28, 2010. The article suggested that perhaps getting a great paycheck in a rewarding career means thinking outside the box and growing your skill sets organically. The article also indicated the need for networking and ability to keep doors and opportunities open. I'd recommend thinking on this, and some of the wisdom in the article.
Meanwhile, when considering this topic of career choices and good pay, let me recommend a good book by Harvey MacKay; "Dig Your Well Before You're Thirsty; Only Networking Book You'll Ever Need for a Rewarding and Successful Career," published by Currency Books, a Double Day Publishing company partner, New York, NY, (1997), pp 311, ISBN: 0-385-48543-3.
The author of this book also wrote the best-selling book; "Swim with The Sharks - without being eaten alive," which focused on the cut-throat corporate career game, and ladder climbing challenges of modern day business. Yes, things have changed since then, but in this new book; "Dig Your Well, Before You're Thirsty," we see it's all about networking to land that perfect job.
He makes an interesting statement in this book, whereas networking may not be rocket science, someone who is career driven certainly ought to keep it that way, and realize he wrote this book in 1997 prior to all these social networking websites and groups. Talk about on the leading edge of his day, Harvey was ahead of his time, Mr. MacKay. It appears that if you take the advice in this book seriously, and network efficiently you can very much hyper-accelerate your career using these tactics and techniques.
This book has been sitting in my personal library for as long as I can remember, so I pulled it out the other day, as I have a friend who got laid off, get this; "involuntary indefinite leave of absence without pay," yah right! He just lost his job. I am going to recommend this book, if he agrees I am going to give it to him. I'd recommend you read it too.
Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank. Lance Winslow believes it's hard to write 20,000 articles; http://www.bloggingcontent.net/.
Note: All of Lance Winslow's articles are written by him, not by Automated Software, any Computer Program, or Artificially Intelligent Software. None of his articles are outsourced, PLR Content or written by ghost writers.
Saturday, 3 March 2012
Want A Portable Career? A Career In Your Suitcase (Book Review)
Once upon a time, getting a job was the ultimate goal. Along came Generation X and the goal posts shifted: esteemed jobs needed to be international -- and well-remunerated to boot.
Now, thanks to Generation Y and 4 hour work week advocates like Timothy Ferriss, the playing field has changed again: why wait for a job offer when you can create your own international career and work your own hours -- anywhere, anytime?
Jo Parfitt is at the forefront of the portable career movement -- writing and speaking about it for years before Timothy Ferriss came on the scene. Jo is a portable career expert who has been practising what she preaches while riding the expat rollercoaster in Dubai, Oman, Norway, England and The Netherlands for more than 20 years.
Much to the delight of those who loved the first and second editions, the third edition of this definitive portable career bible, A Career In Your Suitcase, has just been released and it is better than ever. It is jam-packed with tools to help you self-assess your passion, drive, skills and goals, plus real-life quotes from men and women living the portable career dream abroad.
There is also a great chapter entitled 60 Brilliant Ideas -- all of which Jo attests have worked for either herself or people that she knows. These ideas will surely get you started and include: looking after holiday homes off-season; teaching people to do the things that you find easy; exporting local goods; importing goods from home; selling your artistic creations, or teaming up with someone artistic and marketing theirs; writing travel articles; and/or becoming a freelance photographer -- the list goes on.
Whatever your generation, if you have ever dreamed of creating a career that allows you to follow your passion and/or follow your partner, at home or abroad, A Career In Your Suitcase is for you. With its comprehensive advice, real-life stories, ideas, checklists and hands-on exercises, this book is not only a wonderful read, but it could just be the catalyst that you have been looking for to positively change your life forever.
Copyright belongs to Andrea Martins.
Reprints welcomed.
First published by The Telegraph (UK) online on 14 May 2008.
Andrea Martins is the Director and Co-Founder of ExpatWomen.com (http://www.expatwomen.com/) -- a global resource site full of inspiring features to help all women living outside of their home country. Visit ExpatWomen.com today as your first-stop website to get inspired, share stories, network globally, develop personally and find the best resources.
Want A Portable Career? A Career In Your Suitcase (Book Review)
Once upon a time, getting a job was the ultimate goal. Along came Generation X and the goal posts shifted: esteemed jobs needed to be international -- and well-remunerated to boot.
Now, thanks to Generation Y and 4 hour work week advocates like Timothy Ferriss, the playing field has changed again: why wait for a job offer when you can create your own international career and work your own hours -- anywhere, anytime?
Jo Parfitt is at the forefront of the portable career movement -- writing and speaking about it for years before Timothy Ferriss came on the scene. Jo is a portable career expert who has been practising what she preaches while riding the expat rollercoaster in Dubai, Oman, Norway, England and The Netherlands for more than 20 years.
Much to the delight of those who loved the first and second editions, the third edition of this definitive portable career bible, A Career In Your Suitcase, has just been released and it is better than ever. It is jam-packed with tools to help you self-assess your passion, drive, skills and goals, plus real-life quotes from men and women living the portable career dream abroad.
There is also a great chapter entitled 60 Brilliant Ideas -- all of which Jo attests have worked for either herself or people that she knows. These ideas will surely get you started and include: looking after holiday homes off-season; teaching people to do the things that you find easy; exporting local goods; importing goods from home; selling your artistic creations, or teaming up with someone artistic and marketing theirs; writing travel articles; and/or becoming a freelance photographer -- the list goes on.
Whatever your generation, if you have ever dreamed of creating a career that allows you to follow your passion and/or follow your partner, at home or abroad, A Career In Your Suitcase is for you. With its comprehensive advice, real-life stories, ideas, checklists and hands-on exercises, this book is not only a wonderful read, but it could just be the catalyst that you have been looking for to positively change your life forever.
Copyright belongs to Andrea Martins.
Reprints welcomed.
First published by The Telegraph (UK) online on 14 May 2008.
Andrea Martins is the Director and Co-Founder of ExpatWomen.com (http://www.expatwomen.com/) -- a global resource site full of inspiring features to help all women living outside of their home country. Visit ExpatWomen.com today as your first-stop website to get inspired, share stories, network globally, develop personally and find the best resources.
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