4 Questions to Score Yourself as a Manager of People

4 Questions to Score Yourself as a Manager of People So, how would you score yourself as a manager and a leader? Dont know, or not so sure? Well, if youre not sure, let me tell you that your people are they are constantly scoring you! So, if you have not evaluated your own performance in a while, now is a good time to start! I met recently with the CEO of a large company who wanted to discuss some issues that he was having with his team.  He gave me a pretty good briefing about the team â€" their strengths and weakness, success, disappointments, how they performed individually, how they get on together etc  all great information and really important when working with the team. However, there was one piece missing â€" feedback on himself as a manager a leader. I asked him to rate himself as he would any other member of the team in terms of team management skills and leadership. Rather taken aback at such a question, he began to reflect upon this unexpected query. Truthfully, he was pretty challenged to do this straightforward exercise â€" like many others I ask the same of, I have to say. To give him a helping hand, I put a series of questions to him, which would give a fair indicator, and since he found the questions and the ensuing conversation so helpful I thought I would share the questions with you here so that you can do your own evaluation: Question 1: How open are your people with you? What I mean by that is, is the information flow from them on a need to know basis or is it free flowing? Do they admit mistakes even if  the likelihood of you finding out are slim? Are they open, and I mean, without prompting,about any worries and concerns they have? Do you know what their personal, non work related goals are? What are they ambitious about? Do you know what goes on in their personal lives? Question 2: Are they fully supportive, in a real sense, on team goals or are they only concerned about their individual ones? When you talk to them, do they discuss how they can support other team members goals? Can you see them contributing to other team members, not just in words but in actions? Or are they only ever bothered when it impacts upon their own goals? Do they contribute to the achievement and success of others? Question 3: How supportive are they of each other? Is it “Im alright, Jack!” or will you see them supporting someone who may be struggling? Do you witness them helping each other out or does it only happen when asked? At your meetings do you just go around the table to get individual reports about performance or do you spend more time discussing how everyone can leverage what is available to achieve the overall goal? Is everyone protective about their own resources or is there a real willingness to share? Question 4: Can you say that open and honest debate happens among your team members, or does the office politics prevail? Is it safe, as a team, to have that discussion about the hot topics that need to be aired? Are the sensitive issues debated openly? ? Or is the atmosphere that an attack is happening and the truth does not get aired? Have you clear guidelines agreed for such conversations to take place? Really take your time to reflect because the answers to those questions will give you a good picture of your team management skills. I know that my client now has a much better picture of his skills and where he needs to focus to improve his own performance and, as a consequence, his teams too! What would your answers be? Go on, and ask yourself these same questions â€" and then do something about it!

Buying Travel Insurance The Three Basic Things to Check

Buying Travel Insurance The Three Basic Things to Check People all over the world have become proper travel junkies. As opposed to the days in the past when traveling was (excuse the pun) a foreign and expensive  vacation option, traveling has now become a wonderful and accessible way  to enrich your soul and life experiences. Top destinations are more frequented more than ever. Everyone wants to travel! Whether its outside your country or within it, there is much to gain from  stepping  out of your box.   Being a travel junkie myself, Im planning some trips this year. Im the type to just go where the wind takes me. While spontaneity sounds like the way to do it,  Travel insurance is undeniably  a handy thing to have. Many buy them without understanding what they are entitled to. Travel insurance is a contract which has fine print that you should take time to read. At the most basic level, you  have to understand the parts of a travel insurance and what they can do for you. Whatever you do, be informed before you buy. Make sure that the travel insurance company is easy to communicate with and has information ready for their current and potential clients online.  Understanding what you are getting before you sign up saves you a lot of time and money later on. An informed decision can keep your vacation truly worry free. Is the travel bug biting? Go ahead and pack a bag, the world has so much in store for you! Where is your next travel destination? Tweet us @mscareergirl or comment below!

Can You Be Taken Seriously in a Hatchback When It Comes to Business

Can You Be Taken Seriously in a Hatchback When It Comes to Business When you’re searching for the perfect business car, there are a lot of things to consider. As well as finding something that’s reliable, safe and enjoyable to drive, you’ve also got your image to consider. The car you invest in needs to match the image of your brand. You want something professional, stylish and luxurious, so a hatchback isn’t typically the first thing that comes to mind. However, hatchbacks have come a long way over the years. While still largely considered more of a family car, they can be great for business too. Here we’ll look at why a hatchback can be great for business and what you should look out for. Benefits of a hatchback company car There are a lot of benefits that come from choosing a hatchback as your next business car. They offer: Plenty of space A comfortable, enjoyable ride Fuel efficiency Superb style Modern day hatchbacks are built with style, comfort, practicality and affordability in mind. There’s a surprising amount of space available, though they are also ideal for city driving; compact enough to easily manage city traffic. Put simply, hatchbacks are the perfect all-rounder, offering everything you need from a business car. Best business hatchbacks Now, while there are some excellent business class hatchbacks on the market, there are also a lot that you’ll want to steer clear of. If you really want to be taken seriously in a hatchback, you need to ensure you’re choosing the right one! A great example of a good business hatchback is the Ford Fiesta. This stylish, affordable car has even been voted the best small car by Car Buyer. From 2009 to 2013, it was actually the UK’s bestselling car and for good reason! It’s proven to be a popular model for businesses due to its low running costs and modern design. You can pick it up at a bargain price from companies such as Motorpoint. Another great example is the Audi S3. Now, Audi is a more obvious choice for business as the brand is renowned for its luxurious design. However, even with the Audi name you still might not have considered the S3 as a great business car. This one is ideal for those seeking a practical yet stylish and super-fast model. It’s even been compared to a Ferrari! The above is just a couple of examples of how hatchbacks can make great business cars. If you were to drive either of them for business, you’d certainly be taken seriously!

Personal Branding Weekly and Using Your Status - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Personal Branding Weekly and Using Your Status - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career PERSONAL BRANDING WEEKLY Editor’s Note:   This week we welcome a new contributor to the Personal Branding Author team. Henrieta Riesco joins the Perosnal Branding Blog and is founder of Intentional Career. As a Career Coach, she collaborates with students and professionals on creating a fulfilling career. Her brand-building journey took her from being a teacher and a corporate trainer in Slovakia to the US where she spent 10+ years working at Microsoft as a customer advocate and a training consultant. The core of her impact lies in meaningful conversations. The goal is to empower professionals to become aware of new possibilities and to feel energized to take action in the desired direction. We also say farewell to Jacob Share.   Jacob is one of longest contributors sharing his insights for the last four years. We are so grateful for all your wonderful insights and your generosity in sharing those with our many readers through the years. We will miss you, Jacob! This week our articles included: Network with the Right People and They Will Lead You by Deborah Shane Use Resume Real Estate to Amplify Your Personal Brand by Phil Rosenberg 10 Killer Strategies for Getting a Job by Nance Rosen 7 Personal Branding Tips for Entrepreneurs by Heather Huhman 3 Pitfalls to Avoid to Increase Sales by Elinor Stutz Building a Lasting Personal Brand by Roger Parker How to Take Credit for Your Great Work by Aaron McDaniel Lights, Camera, ACTION! Video Job Interviews Moving into Mainstream by Skip Freeman Podcast #6: Creative Titles, Gaining Self-Confidence and Phil Simon by Dan Schawbel Your Branding Super Bowl of Super Bust? by Kristen Fischer 3 Tips to Making Great Video at Conferences by Manoush Zomorodi 5 Things The Super Bowl Can Teach Us Preparation by Jeff Shuey The International Crisis of Lance Armstrongs Brand by Peter Sterlacci 4 Ways Using Your Review Improves Your Brand by Michael Spinale Branding Yourself as the Applicant Everyone Wants by Ken Sundheim This next week we’ll cover your personal brand and power outages, the power of we and how crisis in the workplace creates opportunity. We look forward to your thoughts and comments! USE YOUR STATUS FOR STATUS LinkedIn has much to offer those developing their brand’s professional image. One of the most underestimated is the classic status update, which when used properly, can help elevate your brand’s status. Topics matter Are you sharing something that’s relevant to your target audience?   Regular updates can often consist of URL links to valuable information sources such as your blog or articles that would be interesting to your audience. If it isn’t relatable, it isn’t applicable. Asking the right question Rather than asking simple or common questions, use questions that target your own present situation. What are you in need of? Is there an issue that you’re facing right now? Ask questions that can help build connections necessary and will attract other problem solvers within your community. You’d be surprised at what you can find out from others by asking the right questions. Take a moment to mention Consider the advantages of mentioning others within your status. Did you recently make a new contact? Has your brand been influenced by others within your community. These endorsements can help to improve brand authenticity and further the engagement of others. In most cases, those who are mentioned will reciprocate and mention you, boosting your word of mouth marketing strategy and brand awareness. Social etiquette   While special occasions can be the exception, be sure that you aren’t “spamming” feeds with updates. You’ll go much further with your updates utilizing them as listening tools and following Stephen Covey’s habit of “seeking first to understand; then to be understood”. Storytelling Rather than updates asking for opportunities or selling your wares or services.   Use your updates to tell a story of a problem you solved and how that benefited a client or a connection. Linkedin’s status may seem like a simple place where you can post content, but it can be so much more than that. The next time you update your status, be aware of what type of content you’re posting and the context in which it’s displayed. If you can keep your audience updated with a well-worked status, you provide them a great opportunity to sample their character and competence. Author: Maria Elena Duron, is managing editor of the Personal Branding Blog, CEO (chief engagement officer) of  buzz2bucksâ€"  a word of mouth marketing firm, and a professional speaker and trainer on developing social networks that work. She provides workshops, webinars, seminars and direct services that help create conversation, connection, credibility, community and commerce around your brand.   Maria Duron is founder  and moderator of  #brandchat   a weekly Twitter chat focused on every aspect of  branding  that is recognized by Mashable as one the 15 Essential Twitter Chats for Social Media Marketers.

How to Make a Resume

How to Make a ResumeIf you're wondering how to make a resume, this article will teach you the basics. Even if you're not currently in college or a career, there are a lot of things you can learn about this topic. Your future will depend on it!One of the most important parts of the resume is the objective. This is the section where you state what you want out of the interview. The purpose of this section is to eliminate any doubt you have about your abilities to do the job. You should never leave anything to chance and make sure you know exactly what you want from the interview. You should always be certain you're totally clear about the goals you want before you even start your resume writing.One way to make sure that you get everything written down exactly is to write it all down yourself. What's more important than the personal objective? Getting the details right on your resume is as important as getting everything on the resume correct. No one can imagine what your future could p ossibly hold until you've outlined it all in a clear and concise manner.Make sure you add a couple of bullet points for each objective. These are lists of your goals. It's always best to start with something like something that will definitely help you get the job. Another good idea is to give a little about yourself. People want to know how you can benefit them in some way.Next, is the summary which is a good part of the resume writing. What you want to do is to list down everything you learned in school. Make sure that your experience matches what they're looking for. If they need someone who's in marketing, then be sure to highlight how you've done marketing and show examples of your skills.In the third section you want to make sure you tell them about your education. You should also mention any training you've received. A good strategy here is to list what you studied, when you did it, and when you finished. You don't want to just give them what you know. You want to give them w hat they're looking for and then do what you're good at to provide them with a good match.In the fourth section you want to make sure you make use of the career highlights. This is where you go over your hobbies, skills, experiences, and passions. Take a look at your educational background as well. Always be sure to include your education as part of your resume.The resume you are trying to make is important. You want to make sure that it is impressive but also professional.

Friday Woohoo A symphony orchestra gets the conductor of their dreams - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Friday Woohoo A symphony orchestra gets the conductor of their dreams - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog Recently, a Danish symphony orchestra found out who their new chief conductor would be and went completely crazy when they found out who it was. Watch their reaction here: Thats happiness :) Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

How To Find Target Companies For Your Job Search

How To Find Target Companies For Your Job Search If you are looking for resources to help you find target companies for your job search, youve come to the right place. Youll find lists, databases and tools to help identify potential employers. Conducting a proactive job search requires that you have a plan (one that goes beyond just spraying-and-praying your resume to hundreds of job postings). If you talk to anyone who has ever been in sales or marketing, they have prospect lists. These lists contain company and contact information for people who MAY be interested in the product or service they are promoting. Well call these target companies. In your case, these target companies could potentially need your skills or expertise. How To Begin If You Dont Have Any Ideas? This post wont help you if you dont have any thoughts or ideas on where you would like to work. Sorry. But you can read Transferring Your Skills to A New Career for help with that. My guess is, you probably do have some idea of places you would like to work or a job or two you would be interested in. Maybe it is a company you’ve heard about in the news or have heard people rave about. This is a starting point. You have to trust in the exploration process. Best Company Lists This list of resources may help you discover great companies: Glassdoor.com’s Best Places to Work Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For Search for Top 100 and Best Employer lists for your city Let’s say you would love to work for Google because it is innovative, sounds like a good place to work and most importantly, hire people who do what you dotechnical writers, for example. Your next question should be, what companies are similar to Google or do what Google does? Databases Now that you have at least one company you would like to work for, go see what industry they are in. Hoovers (only basic level information is free), Yahoo Finance and LinkedIn are just three of many resources to help you identify what industry a company falls into (sometimes there is more than one industry). Ill continue with the Google example: HOOVERS Go to the Company Search page and enter the name of a company. And while you are here, also notice the competitors listed (these are more companies to add to your list!) Hoovers tags Google as being in these industries: Internet Search Navigation Services, Professional Services Sector, Advertising Marketing Services, Media, Internet Publishing, Broadcasting Search Portals YAHOO FINANCE In the enter symbol page (not in the top search bar) on Yahoo Finance, type the name of the company. Yahoo Finance categorizes Google as Internet Information Providers And here is the competitor information from Yahoo Finance (add these to your list) LINKEDIN Select the company search option from the search bar and type the company name. Google lists themselves on LinkedIn as Internet People who viewed Google also viewed these companies (consider them targets too!) Now that you know the industry and some competitors, continue to look at those industry lists for more potential companies. Another Company Database Now that you know what industry to research, you are ready to use it for your list building. You are looking for the names of companies that fall into the same or similar industry. Americas Career Infonet This free database is a tad bit cumbersome, but usually provides good information when you finally get it.   Start your search at the Employer Locator page. Follow the steps until you reach a list of company names. Your Local Library There are lots of research tools out there, but if you are not a researcher by nature, I suggest you go to your library and ask for help researching companies within a specific industry. Libraries also have access to databases you may not, such as ReferenceUSA. Remember, librarians have a degree in research, do you? Here are some other list resources for you to check out: Your local Chamber of Commerce Directory of Professional and Industry Associations from Job-Hunt. (Use these member directories by adding companies who are members. It is that simple, really!) How to Find Out About Small Companies There is a growing trend, smaller companies are doing a bulk of the hiring. The thing is, smaller companies are harder to find.   They dont have the marketing budget, they dont have the employee network, they are running lean and mean. So how do you find out about them? Here are places to check: Recipients of Venture Capital funding. Members of Chambers of Commerce Professional associations Local economic development site If you really want to work for a small employer, I suggest you search all these resources. Plus, check your local newspaper regularly. Use the Power of Google Set up Google Alerts to increase your odds of finding out about new companies.   Susan Joyce of Job-Hunt.org recently published a post on setting up Google Alerts! DO NOT ELIMINATE COMPANIES YET Hopefully, you will have many companies on your list and that’s ok. Actually, it is better to have more than not enough. Focus on the top 10 first and then begin learning more about the others. But, before you take a company off your list, have a reason for taking it off your list. Put It In Writing List all the company names on a spreadsheet or even better on your marketing plan. Dont Go AwayYoure not done yet! Your next step is to find the names of people within target companies.