Winning Strategies

Are Your Biggest Earning Days Over? Not If You Don't Want Them to BE!

US News and World Report recently published an article quoting that , for women, we will stop receiving pay raises at about age 37 (and the age is 45 for men).  YUK.  YIKES.  That should grab your attention.  And, for what reason do they quote?  We reach a level where experience eventually stops improving our productivity:  http://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/articles/2012/03/28/are-your-biggest-earning-days-over

Does It HAVE to be that Way?

It doesn't HAVE to be that way.  By distinctly working to create expertise in areas that your peers in the industry or field that you are in have not- you can capitalize on knowledge that can keep your salary climbing for several more years.  Are you in healthcare?  Become brilliantly knowlegeable about Meangingful Use stages 1 and 2.  Become an expert on the HITECH act.  Learn about security.  Explore alternate models of healthcare in other countries.  We have a big dilemma to solve- try to increase your education to add innovation and creativity in a field that lacks it greatly.

Are you in retail, manufacturing or engineering?  There are ways in each of these fields  that you can expand your knowledge to move your organizations forward.  Consider a path explaining the steps necessary to expand your brand and increase your value in my recent book, Brand YOU.  

If we sit back and let our career paths build themselves, and we are unaware of our brand or how to best position and GROW our skillsets and knowledge, than the article will ring true, every time.  Our earnings will cap off and then they will proceed to decline for the remainder of our earning years.

Take CHARGE!

Take charge of your career path and journey.  Explore options to increase your expertise and specialties.  Find ways to 'stand out from the crowd' to maximize your worth to an organization and your ability to move them forward.  Companies crave true thought leaders and innovators.

YOU own the determining factors in whether this statistic will become your reality or whether it will be debunked because of your ability to uniquely position yourself to increase your earning potential when others can not. Go prove them wrong!

Women- A Winning Combination at Work

It isn't just because I'm a woman that I see the value of a diversified workforce. The statistics are clear. " Businesses with more women in senior positions MAKE MORE MONEY" (from Womeneconomics, page 9, paragraph 3). Women see things differently , and that variable view helps to round out the thinking and decisions for organizations. After all, statistics show that women make 80% of the buying decisions.  

Rather than confidently bringing value to your organizations and working to bring forth new ideas and innovative thinking- many of you are hiding in the shadows, afraid of bringing forth your insight and talent. You are doubtful about your abilities, and your lack of confidence is keeping you from your full potential. You keep your ideas quiet, and you are fearful of rejection or failure. This isn't just happening with women- even the men are writing in with this same 'confidence is keeping me from working to my full potential' problem.

Every great success story starts with a long trail of failures. One could surmise that you cannot reach a pinnacle of success without failures paving your path along the way. Why not launch off on a path, being true to yourself and 'risk' a little?  

Challenge yourself to push for new heights. Go ahead and introduce new ideas. Speak up about your thoughts. Dare to have a voice. You will be surprised at your results. You will find more satisfaction with your job.

One thing my co-workers wouldn't say about me is that i remain silent. My CEO would laugh if you asked him what i thought about this or that. He knows. He knows my position because I make it a point to share my perspective. I don't mind if the company
doesn't always take my position, but I am willing to weigh in.

I didn't always speak up. Actually, at my high school reunion, I learned that I was shy in high school (that is hard for my friends to imagine) (laugh). I use to hide in the shadows as many of you still do. I use to live in fear of someone rejecting my ideas, or the effects of turning down the wrong assignment or not staying late enough at the office.  

Now, my schedule is ruled by both my priorities and a strong personal desire to bring immense value to my employer. I'm not focused on the burden of what I MUST do, but I am focused on what tasks I can do to change the game and how I can bring the most value. Are you more focused on what someone thinks of you leaving early one day for a kids soccer game than the RESULTS of your efforts? Focus on results and all else will fall into place. Be willing to speak up, and take a few risks. Taking risks combined with a developed confidence will add up to a better you at work.

PS- go to your kids soccer game!!!

Postponing the Inevitable

This morning I had the pleasure of trying to wake up my 17 year old for school. I'm sure you can imagine how difficult this can be on occasion.  In reality, when he doesn't want to get up, he is simply postponing the inevitable.

Don't we do that sometimes at work? We put off, we procrastinate, and we postpone the things that we know that we have to do,  but we put them off as long as possible.  By doing this, you create an undue hardship in your own schedule and in the schedule of others that have tasks that waterfall based on your task. 

Why?

Why is it SOO HARD TO DO THE THINGS that you KNOW THAT YOU HAVE TO DO?  Usually, it is because they are tasks that you don't enjoy doing.    You don't 'LIKE' to do these tasks.  They are mundane, repetitive or boring in nature.   They may require deep thinking or concentration that causes you to put them off until you can think and concentrate on the task at hand.  They build up into a stack- a BIG HEAP of an unending pile of things that YOU HAVE TO DO.  Because you put it off, that pile is not only high, but porportionally heavily weighted on the tasks and things that you DO NOT like to do. 

In your inability to figure out HOW to accomplish these distasteful tasks, you create a mountain of 'I don't want to do it' Tasks.  You've delayed the inevitable (just like my 17 year old that didn't want to get out of bed).  It is more palatable and easier to slowly infuse your days with these 'unwanted' tasks.

REWARD

Figure out a reward system that would help you to reward yourself for accomplishing unwanted tasks.  It can be as simple as a cup of coffee that you deny yourself until you finish X or Y task.  You know how to motivate yourself!  Figure out a way to use motivation and discipline to accomplish your unwanted tasks. As for my son and getting out of bed- well, I haven't yet figured that one out.  Laugh.

You've Hired the Talent- Next Dilemma- Can You Challenge Them?

You've hired new talent and they are at the office, working away.  Now for your next dilemma, can you challenge them?  Can you keep them interested in the position and allow them enough latitude to enjoy the journey?  Are they coming to work, working on mundane tasks while you hold back the best assignments because you aren't quite sure if they can do it?

Allow them to try.  Give them the assignments and let them prove themselves.  I get calls from around the globe, and even calls from my own city- but they all say the same thing, "Let me try.  Let me take a whack at it.  You will be surprised what I can do".

Why not?  Why not give them the baton and let them twirl for awhile?  I'm lucky, I'm in a great place with a boss and team that is succeeding at challenging me and pushing me to new heights.  Because of that, they know that I will stick with them and give them the best of my efforts and attention.  You'd be amazed at the amount of work you can get out of talented employees that are being challenged.  You will really be surprised by the results.  Challenge them or you will lose them to the next opportunity that comes along and you will be back to the drawing board, hiring again for the same position that you just trained someone for.  Give them a chance.  I'm begging you.

Changing the Game

 

 I watched MoneyBall last night.  It was an amazing story about changing the game of baseball, but has- I believe, a direct correlation to business.

It is hard to change the game.  Against a room or company full of 'this is how we've always done it' people- changing the game is a risk.  It is untried, untested, unknown , and simply put- IT IS SCARY to many.  It threatens jobs, threatens security, and risks the results they believe they can achieve with the status quo.

If you truly want to be a game changer, you will be up against a tidalwave of pressure pushing against you.  The crowds will push you towards familiarity and status quo.  The pressure will be to recind and just acknowledge defeat.  You will have an easier time if you give in and let the status quo survive.  But is it the best for your company?  Is it the best direction?  If you feel strongly about changing the game, then it is worth fighting for. 

Stand up for what you believe.  If you believe it is time to change the game.  Risk it- run after it, and achieve amazing results.  I'll 'GO FOR IT' with you.  Smile

 

Another Day, Another Search for Inspiration

 

If you are like me, you crawled out of bed today (forced to because the kids aren't going to get themselves out of bed), and you went speedily towards that first cup of coffee.  Where will you find your inspiration today?  How do you motivate yourself to 'give it all you got' EVERY day?  Some days seem easier than others.  Some days the motivation just rolls out like melted chocolate from a chocolate fountain.  Other days it is like chipping frozen ice from a tree with an ice pick.

Ideas for Inspiration:

• A Brief Nature Visit/Walk- So much of our day seems to happen inside.  Sometimes we can 'kick start' our adrenaline and blood by taking a quick brisk walk around the block, around our office, or simply down the block to the local coffee stand.  Getting a chance to breath in the air and see the sky will refresh your mind and give you a chance to re-start your day with inspiration.
• Fun Project Review- We get bogged down in the mundane.  There are probably things that you have done that have been invigorating and fun, but you aren't necessarily doing them now.  Take a quick walk down memory lane.  Review some of the fun projects that you have worked on and think about what you loved about them.  This will bring you good feelings towards your current assignment.  Try to incorporate components that you enjoy into your current activity.
• Find A Moment with People You Like- Like Jack Welch says in his book on Winning, work is really about the people you work with.  Find someone you enjoy working with greatly, and , if you can, review your current project ideas with them.  Often getting feedback/input from someone you greatly enjoy can give you that positive inspiration that you need/want.
• Take a Much Needed Break to Do Something you Love- Sometimes you are lacking motivation and inspiration because you are simply overworked.  Take an hour or two to DO SOMETHING YOU LOVE.  If you can't take a whole day off, just leave early to catch a movie, get your hair done, go for a golf game, or do something you enjoy.  It will refresh your senses and give you added motivation for the next day.

Let me know what works....I LOVE hearing from you all.  Best Wishes.....

LinkedIn- an Amazing Success Story

 

This afternoon I had the pleasure of meeting Eric Ly, former co-founder of LinkedIn.  LinkedIn is really an amazing phenonmenon.  It was founded in December of 2002 and launched in May of 2003.  Eric said that he worked with a small team to bring a 'minimally viable product' to market to then allow the customers to give feedback/information for enhancements.

 

They wanted to create a professional networking site and did they.  The site now has 150 million subscribers and grows at 2 subscribers per second. 

Eric is now working on Presdo- a networking site for people while attending trade shows and events.  It will allow you to better manage that sparing time out of time, allowing you to meet with the ones you want to see while there at the show or meeting.  Find them on the web at:  http://www.presdo.com/about

 

 

 

When I Get Around To It!

 

Ever just think that you will do something 'When You Get Around To it?'  Yes, I've heard that SO MANY times in my travels around the globe and my interactions with people in varying locations, in an assortment of job positions, and even in different economic classes.  We all seem to have one commonality- we never FIND ENOUGH TIME to get to the things done THAT YOU WANT TO DO.

 We try, don't get me wrong- and we have the best intentions.  But, somehow, we just don't make time to schedule that family trip, call our loved ones, or take a moment out to chat with our children or someone at work that needs to be listened to.  We are rushed.  We are in a hurry.

I had so many plans of things that I was 'going to do' with Heather's dad (now deceased).  We had said many times that we would do something 'when we got around to it'.  How do you really know that the future you are delaying your today for will ever arrive?

Live for Today
You really don't know what tomorrow holds.  You really have only one chance to live today.  You have but one opportunity to LIVE IN THE MOMENT and seize it- grasping it to the fullest.  So, if you are reading this- there is a reason.  There is something on your 'WHEN I GET AROUND TO IT' list that you need to tackle RIGHT NOW.  Stop reading and DO IT NOW.

Ideas of DO IT NOW THINGS
1) Schedule that family vacation- if you have miles- search for a location you want to attend and CLICK the Submit button.  Book it!

2) If you don't have miles- look up package deals on expedia or kayak.  Find a package that fits you.

3) Book out a lunch time on your calendar for Spring Break- plan to have lunch with your kids or spouse.  Why not?

4) Plan a dinner/date night with your spouse.  Surprise them!

5) Book out a vacation week on your work calendar.  It will be more likely that you spend some time with the family if it is booked on your calendar.

SUMMARY
Life speeds by.  It quickens past us and before we know it, many of the plans we had have dissipated into the wind.  They no longer apply.

Make something happen today.  GET AROUND to SOMETHING that you haven't DONE- but SHOULD.   I encourage you to plan something special.

Talent- The Wise Company's Way to Success

Tom Peters had a book called 'Talent' that he put out in 2005.  It centered around the concept of

not paying lip-service to people.  He challenged organizations to become truly talent-attractive,  an awesome place to work—a place where Talent rules. He tried to convince leaders that the office slave is dead and that it was the age of the Free Agent. Talent doesn't just support the brand—but IS the brand. He advised organizations to use quirky, energetic, and disobedient talent to create their primary competitive advantage.

 

 

 

Then, in the Circle of Innovation, he again brought up 'Talent'.  It is the focus of the companies that have 'rocked it' and excelled beyond belief.  The Ciscos, Googles, GEs, IBMs, really- the makers of incredible brands and products - like Apple- have found talented individuals to relentlessly pursue their passion.

 

 

So, what we can we all be reminded of?  Talent is the key to success in any organization.  Hire talented individuals with gifts and passions that can be applied to your business.  They will do the work of dozens, perform beyond belief, and catapult your company forward.

 

Talent pays off for organizations.  They spurr on others, create a catalyst of change, creativity, and acceleration.  Really- you can't afford NOT to hire talented individuals to set your organization on the right course.

When I was at GE, I wanted to hire a stellar engineer.  She was gifted.  I was in product leadership, and with her, I knew we could do amazing things.  Her pay was above the 'pay grade'.  I bargained hard for her, explaining that she would get the work done of 2 engineers.  Guess what?  They hired her, and she did just that- amazing work year after year.

Rethink your talent strategy.  Hire incredibly talented individuals to set your company on fire.  I dare you.

Be The Change

We usually are not big fans of change. Now don't get me wrong- often we want things to change, we just don't want to be the change makers. We see others in that role. We step away quietly and wait for others to step in to create the change. We get unhappy and discontent at work when things don't change EXACTLY as we want them to.

Today's advice is to be the change that you want to see. Mahatma Gandhi said: "Be the change you want to see in the world.". I love that quote. Do you know why? It puts the focus on YOU! What can you do to alter the situation? NOT what can THEY do to change things.

So- go change things. Create positive change in your life and work places that sets you on a new course. Put the focus on WHAT YOU CAN DO not what you want them to do.

You will find increased satisfaction and contentment. Go make change!

One Minute Video on Being Change Makers:  http://youtu.be/_EyuIJMUipM