HOW TO DEAL WITH CHANGE

Six keys to winning during change.

Acknowledge that things continually change. Simple and obvious however many will delude themselves into believing life is stable, secure and constant.

Accept that now is the only time you ever really have and live in the present rather than sitting around relishing the past.

Understand that worrying about the future is useless. If you don’t believe me… what where you worried about on the same day last year?

Realize that the best way to cope with change is to approach it as inevitable and use it as an opportunity to satisfy the priorities and desires we have set.

Insert yourself in the change process so you can influence to the outcome.

Commit yourself productively to others who are trying to solve problems or capitalise on new opportunities. 

Time Management is Key to Business Success

Main points/tips:

'One of the most effective time management tools is also the simplest, the basic daily to do list... check the ones that are the highest priority as must do items.'

'Use subordinates effectively.' 'Those accustomed to "doing it all" find this exceedingly difficult. Time spent in training employees to handle specific tasks will pay big dividends in the long run.' 

'When employees come to you with a problem, they generally want you to solve it for them' [so they don't have to think]. 'Turn this situation into a learning experience by asking them, what they believe is the best way to deal with this issue? If their response is reasonable, praise them.' 

'Learn to minimize distractions... phone calls and walk-in customers... If a subordinate can handle the customer's need, be sure to bring them together. Explain that he or she is responsible for that function.' 

'Time management must be part of the culture of a successful business, and the leadership, by example, must start at the top.'

From Ric... get rid of 80% of your meetings because about that percentage is nothing more than a talkfest. Limit meetings to a maximum of 45 minutes by following good meeting practices.

Ric-orglearn

ref: http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/business/local/metrobusiness/article/SCOR27_20090424-230904/263828/

by Grey Peohler Score Business Counselor

Leading Change

A leaders priorities for leading change in organizations...

1. Establish a strong sense of urgency


2. Pick a good team


3. Create an enterprise vision


4. Communicate the vision


5. Remove obstacles


6. Achieve short term wins


7. Consolidate progress and keep on changing


8. Anchor change to the culture


9. Make the change stick

Marquardt and Kotter

ref: http://rapidbi.com/management/2009/04/nine-ways-leaders-transform-organisations/

10. "An Oldie but a Goodie". (source unknown)

Start with a cage containing five monkeys. Inside the cage, hang a banana on a string and place a set of stairs under it.

Before long, a monkey will go to the stairs and start to climb towards the banana. As soon as he touches the stairs, spray all of the other monkeys with cold water. After a while, another monkey makes an attempt with the same result - all the other monkeys are sprayed with cold water. Pretty soon, when another monkey tries to climb the stairs, the other monkeys will try to prevent it.

Now, put away the cold water. Remove one monkey from the cage and replace it with a new one. The new monkey sees the banana and wants to climb the stairs. To his surprise and horror, all of the other monkeys attack him. After another attempt and attack, he knows that if he tries to climb the stairs, he will be assaulted.

Next, remove another of the original five monkeys and replace it with a new one. The newcomer goes to the stairs and is attacked. The previous newcomer takes part in the punishment with enthusiasm! Likewise, replace a third original monkey with a new one, then a fourth, then the fifth.

Every time the newest monkey takes to the stairs, he is attacked. Most of the monkeys that are beating him have no idea why they were not permitted to climb the stairs or why they are participating in the beating of the newest monkey. After replacing all the original monkeys, none of the remaining monkeys have ever been sprayed with cold water. Nevertheless, no monkey ever again approaches the stairs to try for the banana.

Why not?

Because as far as they know that's the way it's always been done around here.

That is how a corporate culture develops.

So 10. is Replace all your monkeys at once!

Ten qualities leaders most need

Broad education

Boundless curiosity

Belief in people and teamwork

Boundless enthusiasm

Willingness to take risks

Devotion to long-term growth rather than short-term profit

Commitment to excellence

Readiness

Virtue

Vision

ref: Warren Bennis

Ric-orglearn

Success Winston Style

For tough times some inspiration - Churchill 1941 - Harrow School - Supposedly Speaking on Success

As the story goes... the school members were sitting in anxious anticipation... there is a great sense of awe and drama as Churchill strolled into the auditorium... he approaches the center of the stage... purposefully removes his bowler hat and the cigar from his mouth... props his cane against the lectern... pauses.... gazes for some time at the hushed assembly... and finally says...

Success... "Never give in. [pauses]  Never give in. [pauses] Never, never, never - on nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in, except to the convictions of your own honor and good sense."

He then replaces his hat... picks up his cane... takes a puff of his cigar and leaves the stage!

Credited as one of his shortest and perhaps one of his most powerful speeches... apt for now perhaps!

Ric - orglearn

Career Help/Tips/Advice and Experience

Three positives that worked for me:

1) Being published in a prestigious magazine as an technical 'expert' in my field - So work at getting yourself published because it gives you credibility with your bosses and colleagues and brings 'status' to your company.

2) Asking for a promotion that I knew I was qualified to handle when a vacancy in a position I sought appeared - If you get a no then ask what do I need to learn to be suitable the next time a similar position is available (then learn it).

3) Undergoing retraining in a new skill set as economic or technological change made past skill and experiences less valuable - Deregulation of the Australian finance/banking sector meant my kill set became redundant, moved into manufacturing then retrained into advertising then retrained into management and leadership training facilitation.

One Positive from a friend:

4) You hear it all the time... but I think you can never do it enough and that's NETWORKING. Stay in contact with people from past jobs, vendors you worked with, others from your same career field, neighbors, the list goes on and on. Can't tell you how many times a person from my past positively affected my career when I least expected. If I hadn't stayed on contact and kept the relationship nurtured those positive outcomes would have never happened.

One negative for me:

Stopped listening to my staff and their concerns as I became totally focused on my perceived goals and what the senior management wanted - You can't do it alone nurture you staff and co-operate with your colleagues, particularly in HR the staff and other divisions are your internal customers not somebody to hold power over and rule. the best way to make yourself look good is to make you staff look good and publicize their successes.

Wisdom

"In the Midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you." 

- Deepak Chopra 

From ELBERT HUBBARD'S historic book "A MESSAGE TO GARCIA"

'My heart goes out to the person who does their work when the "boss" is away, as well as when he [or she] is home. And the person who when given a letter for Garcia [(task)], quietly takes the missive, without asking any idiotic questions, and with no lurking intention of chucking it into the nearest sewer, or of doing aught else but deliver it, never gets "laid off," nor has to go on strike for higher wages. Civilization is one long, anxious search for just such individuals. Anything such a person asks shall be granted. He [or she] is wanted in every city, town and village - in every office, shop, store and factory. The world cries out for such; he [or she] is needed and needed badly - the person who can carry a message to Garcia'.

"A MESSAGE TO GARCIA" SURELY A MUST READ FOR ALL - COMPETENCE AND COMMITMENT THE SECRET OF SUCCESS.

Ric-orglearn career advice & resume form

Job Searching in a Recession - Great Advice

Article by - Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com Editor 

quote: "During a recession it is best to move forward with force, while your competition is moving slowly. It is easy to use the economy as an excuse," says Roberta Chinsky Matuson, president of Northampton, Mass. based Human Resource Solutions. "Successful job seekers know that even in tough economic times, there are opportunities. You just have to dig a bit deeper."

If you are getting ready for a job search during troubled times, here are some tips from the experts. :endquote

The rest is at http://www.careerbuilder.com/Article/CB-975-Job-Search-Job-Searching-in-a-Recession/

A truly worthwhile read *****

More career advice and a free blank resume form and cover letter tips

How do I Stay Motivated During a Takeover?

Perhaps this readers question (see below) should be (and maybe is) How do I Survive or even thrive in a when being taken over?

Here is the actual question...

"I would like to ask you on how an HR Person would still feel motivated and make subordinates motivated in the mids of buy-out?

Honestly speaking, it is quite difficult on my part to retain employees with this kind of issue.  I myself is also affected, and yet should show a different aura infront of the employee though..."

Possible approach...

When my company was taken over I took the advice of my brother-in-law who had a similar experience and did well. He said, 'engage yourself in the process, look positively on the change, work towards the new team goals, become an asset to the merger/takeover team, look to the future and their vision forget the past and most of all stay away from the detractors, the fearful and the resistors.' In other words sell yourself to the new management.

Note: I did also well, became a liaison officer for the staff on both sides was included in a roadshow to explain the new vision and ended up with a better position in the 'merged' company.

Ric

p.s. ...and spruce up your resume (just in case), cover letter resume form or is that a bit demotivating?

A Letter from Pakistan - What Career Step Next?

Q.

'Seeking your help... I live in Pakistan I'm married and have 2 children my age is 26 and my education is an MBA . Can you tell me what can I do for future [work wise] bcoz its very important for my children.'

A.

Hi [name withheld],

This is an extremely difficult question and I am not sure if I am qualified to answer however, what I have said below is a very personal opinion...

If you are looking for a career I guess the most important issues are: making sure you are technically competent in your chosen field, being willing to adapt to change, being a continuos learner and not assuming what you have learnt to date will be relevant tomorrow and of course picking an industry to work in that has a strong future.

From a work perspective studying human behavior and psychology is always good as work is about people, teamwork and a shared vision of the future. Learning how communicate effectively within the cultural confines of your society and organizational culture, becoming an expert in selling (as in selling your ideas) and having strong networking capabilities both within and outside your organization are all very important factors in what is traditionally seen as achieving 'success'.

Actually as you mentioned the importance of your children I also have two children, both now adults, one lives in Europe and one in a Northern Asian country, and I am an Australian living in Indonesia. I think the important issues for children are: be patient, listen to and support their dreams, let them choose their own path and don't treat them as if they where personal property. Let them go when it is time and try not to be a limitation on their options. The best thing I believe you can give to children is to encourage them to live by logic rather than tradition, see the whole world as their future place to live and work and base your relationship on love rather than instilling in them, or forcing on them a need to only act only out of a sense of duty.

Finally for children encourage them to learn languages, perhaps English and Chinese (or Japanese or Arabic).

Sorry I am unable to give a you a more definitive answer to your question, life is a journey and times constantly change and often outcomes and opportunities are just a matter of chance.

Ric-orglearn

Free blank resume form with examples & cover letter advice!

SALES - 3 MORE QUICK TIPS - FOR SALES MANAGERS

DECISION MAKERS:

Have your salespeople send you a list of names and positions of the people they contact and see how many secretaries, purchasing officers, clerks and other strange characters they are talking to. If they have developed a “milk run” just to keep their call rate up remember the experts tell us (last time I heard) it costs about US$220 per call. That’s a lot of money to smile at a secretary who can’t approve any purchases.

NO FEAR:

Sales people need to overcome their fear of rejection and have no call reluctance. They need to understand risk in their profession comes from developing too few customers and prospects, not from having too many. They have to accept rejection as part of their life and do not allow a prospect’s rejection to effect and control their mental attitude. Fear can be reduced by planning, being prepared for every step of the selling process backed by solid product knowledge. Even a well developed prospecting script with prepared responses to all of the major questions and objections they might encounter can help.

DESTROY THE SALES SCRIPT… DON”T PITCH

Selling, or more correctly helping the prospective customer through the process of deciding that what you have to offer is a worthwhile solution to satisfy his or her wants (or needs if you must) should be a conversation not a one, two, three (or ten) act play. If you or your salespeople are using a script (and many still do) you are probably not listening to the customer you are just pitching. You need to let the customer explain what he or she wants and then know enough about your product or service to explain how it provides the solution or benefit desired.

Looking for a sales job in tough times you, will need a great resume: how to write a resume !

In Management, Keep it Simple (from BNET)

Good BNET article by Steve Tobak

"Some people have a knack for making things more complicated than they need to be."

"In 9 Notable Management Trends (or Fads), you’ll notice that simple concepts - such as core competency - have been successful over the long haul, while complex ones - like matrix management (which Yang employed at Yahoo, incidentally) - haven’t stood the test of time." 

The rest is here http://blogs.bnet.com/ceo/?p=2109&tag=nl.e713

Ah yessss... the old "value adders" versus "energy suckers" problem!

In a complicated company, working for a complicated boss... new career... a resume form to get ready to move on :-)

"What's the balance of your Trust Bank?"

Quote: Steven Covey, in his "7 Habits of Highly Effective People" first introduced the notion of trust, not as a soft social virtue, but as a hard edged economic driver that can be deposited and withdrawn from one's emotional bank account. He suggested that it takes a long time to build up the trust balance by way of small deposits and this balance can be quickly depleted with just one withdrawal - as in this example… :enduote

Wisdom from Bob Sheldone MD Australian National Learning Institute

The rest is here:

http://www.management-issues.com/2009/3/31/opinion/whats-the-balance-of-your-trust-bank.asp

Time for a new resume?! resume form and and information on how to write a resume

Ric-oeglearn

Getting Squeezed by Your Employer

"More employers are using the recession as an excuse to roll back employee benefits, force unpaid time off or fire workers."

quote: from article “This is the worst I’ve ever seen it,” said Lewis Maltby, president of the National Workrights Institute [assume US], about the number of employers “squeezing” employees in the name of a bad economy. :end quote

Interesting read the full article is at:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30154965/

Time to update your resume... resume form index how to write a resume with examples

Ric-orglearn

'It's time for an assessment of career goals'

Some truly well thought out advice...

"Whether you are jumping into a job search or considering an alternative path, you need to revamp your resume while your work experience is still fresh on your mind. You don't need to hire a professional to do the work for you. Resume writing is a skill that everyone should develop, and there are cheap and easy ways to learn." There is more about doing your resume.

This comes from an excellent article in the Winston-Salem Journal where they also discuss; if you are "laid off" the following questions need to be considered...

"Do you need job re-training?" Do you want the same profession? "Do you want to return to work?"

The article is here:

 http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2009/apr/12/after-a-layoff-its-time-for-an-assessment-of-caree/business/

Free resume form fill in the blank resume online! More career advice !

Ric www.orglearn.org

Five Ways Managers Breed Incompetence.

"The Find: If you’ve got incompetent employees the fault may not all lie with them; there are a handful of ways managers commonly breed incompetence in their teams.

1. Using numbers as the only device to measure performance.

2. Spreading workers too thin: cost-cutting is an essential component of survival, but... "

The rest of this very astute piece of advice is here:

http://blogs.bnet.com/bnet1/?p=1604&tag=nl.e713

Author: Jessica Stillman

career advice at orglearn.org

CAREER ADVICE - how to write a resume

New information regarding how and what to emphasize in your employment cover letter has been added to orglearn as have new resume examples and information.

There is now additional career advice on management in the form of a series of short lessons/articles.

The user interface has been further resourced with more tips on how to write a resume and usability has been expanded in that you can now join the resume form site and submit questions or make comments. 

Ric-orglearn

THREE MORE QUICK SALES TIPS

REFERRALS:

If the sale is made and the order signed, salespeople (as against order takers) should then ask, ”Fred who do you know that might also benefit from this product/service/widget”. All to-do lists and of course sales reports should include a referrals section and if they don’t come back with at least one from each satisfied customer find a sharp object and insert it where it will inflict the most pain.

PROSPECTING TIP:

Ask if they look in the phone book, you think I’m joking, bet most of your sales staff have never even thought of it. Those who have are often intimidated…. it’s a lot of names and it looks like a lot of work, “hmm best not tie up the phone, a customer might be trying to call me”… Slip outside and grab a couple of your sales “experts” and ask them how they prospect, (take your blood pressure pills with you).

ANOTHER SIMPLE PROSPECTING TIP:

Where to prospect… existing customers, suppliers, colleagues, investors, advisors, associates, family, friends, acquaintances, researched leads, past customers, public presentations, civic activities, networking, trade shows, competitors internet sites, next door

Looking for a new sales position resume form and cover letter - orglearn