It’s the Economy, Stupid!

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Organizational change is often driven by the economy

Economic downturns, mergers, reorganizations, natural disasters, war, disruptive global and workforce trends, technological change, and industry upheavals impact organizations and their employees at the visceral level. (View Economic Drivers Video)

Wall-Street-Crash-2008Organizations like to focus on the positive when developing strategic plans based on the best business and economic scenarios, yet it is often the negative economic surprises that drive organizational change. After over 30 years in business, I recently developed a retrospective of the primary global, national and regional economic drivers covering over 50 decades. It is gripping to review the succession of economic downturns, mergers, reorganizations, natural disasters, war, disruptive global and workforce trends, technological change, and industry upheavals which impact organizations and their employees at the visceral level. (View Economic Drivers Video)
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7 Success Lessons from World Cup Winners: Achieve Your Cycle of Success

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7-Lessons-from-World-Cup-Winners-7-2015_400pxThe ticker tape parade in NYC last Friday was a well-deserved home coming celebration for our USA Women’s World Cup Soccer champions. Their amazing win against defending champion Japan on July 5 was a climatic burst of electrifying fireworks for our national holiday weekend celebration. After waiting 16 years to bring the trophy home again, this team could not be denied. When Wombach stated pre-match, “We have to bring the fire,” she was prophetic. The most watched soccer match in US history, this blow-out statistic will go down in the sports annals: 26.7 million US viewers. And by the way, the men’s World Cup drew only 17.3 million US viewers in July, 2014. Advertisers and promoters take note — women athletes can draw a crowd! This spectacular win is great for the team, the sport, women’s athletics and for the nation. We love winners and this World Cup team defines for us all what a true winner is. This team and the individual players provide a model you can emulate for your own success. What are the SUCCESS lessons?
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Mitigating the Impact of Layoffs – Employees have Long Memories!

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When faced with red ink on the bottom line, it is easy for managers to forget the impact of layoffs on transitioning and remaining employees! Management may hope remaining employees will just be grateful to still have a job! Yet, the lingering impact can come back to bite a company later when the economy rebounds and competition for talent returns.

Fortunately, there are strategies to implement employee reductions with an eye on the future. The most important one is to treat departing employees with respect and concern for their successful transition. Professional outplacement is vitally important to provide to all levels of employees, not only to avoid potential litigation, but to ensure a positive transition plan for the affected employee.

Just as important is demonstrating to remaining employees that the organization cares enough about all employees to implement layoffs with compassion. Keep in mind that a layoff of a fellow employee often feels like separation of a family member. An empty office next to an employee is a reminder that job security is not a given!

Memories are long, especially with the openness of social media and its impact on a company’s reputation and branding. When it comes time to hire again, candidates will recall how a company transitioned employees and will select organizations that demonstrate they value their employees in the good and bad times. Learn more about mitigating layoffs: The New Imperative of Talent Transition

Is Your Recruiting Website Designed For Your Staff or Applicants?

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That may seem like an odd question, but consider what applicants say about their most unfavorate websites:

“I spent an hour filling out an online application before I knew if there is a fit for me!”

“I never heard back” or “it was months later and I got a canned form letter!”

A company brand is a promise made to customers about quality, cost and delivery. Companies with great brands consistently Read more

Sheryl Dawson, CEO of Dawson Consulting Group Speaks at Annual BEYOND 50 Conference For All Women

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Sheryl Dawson, CEO of Dawson Consulting Group, is speaking at Beyond 50 Conference for ALL Women sponsored by the Texas Women in Business and the Texas Governor’s Commission for Women on August 23rd at Austin Community College’s Eastview Campus. Dawson will share her expertise in job search and career transition to help women who are seeking to advance their careers or reenter the job market.

Houston, TX August 21, 2012 – Sheryl Dawson, CEO of Dawson Consulting Group, is speaking at second annual Beyond 50 Conference for ALL Women sponsored by the Texas Women in Business and the Texas Governor’s Commission for Women on August 23rd at Austin Community College’s Eastview Campus. Read more

Katie Brewer, Senior Policy Analyst for the American Nurses Association on Nursing and the Future of Health Care

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Katie Brewer PhotoKatie Brewer, senior policy analyst for the American Nurses Association, shares insights into nursing as a career and its impact on the future of health care in the US. An extremely diverse career field, nursing offers opportunities in direct patient care in facilities and homes, public health and wellness, education, research, public policy and many other specializations. The common draw to nursing is a desire to care for people. The aging population coupled with a growing shortage of nurses creates many career opportunities in the field. Learn about ANA’s vision and mission, nursing education, funding and certification, career advancement resources available.

To learn more visit www.ana.org ; the Association of Colleges of Nursing, Discover Nursing, and the National Student Nurses Association .

Janet Bray, Executive Director of the Association for Career and Technical Education on Preparing the Workforce of Tomorrow

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Janet Bray PhotoJanet Bray is Executive Director of the Association for Career and Technical Education, the largest national education association dedicated to preparing youth and adults for careers. Janet shares how CTE impacts over 50 million students in secondary and post secondary schools and provides employers with qualified employees. She discusses:

  • the hottest careers;
  • the knowledge and skills required in today’s workplace;
  • the importance of aligning academics and careers;
  • effective delivery models around the country;
  • benefits of CTE;
  • best practices and their results.
    • CTE has reduced the dropout rate, improved career prospects, and facilitated worker retraining. For additional information listen to the show or visit http://www.acte.org/

    Curtis Miller, Director of Education for the American Farm Bureau Foundation, on Careers in the Farming & Ranching Industry in the 21st Century

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    Curtis MillerCurtis Miller serves as Director of Education for the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture.  He  develops new educational materials and provides internal expertise on agricultural literacy and awareness among students and consumers. While only 2% of the population works on farms, over 15% works in food, fiber, and green industry segments that produce, package, and distribute food. There are significant numbers of job openings in management, sales, science, and engineering, and the educational areas of the agricultural industry among many other opportunities. Curtis shares an optimistic future for agriculture as the worldwide population continues to expand. For additional information visit www.fb.org. The Foundation’s website is www.agfoundation.org.  A new online game on careers in agriculture is available at www.myamericanfarm.org. For a clearinghouse on jobs in the industry visit www.start2farm.gov.

    For more from Curtis Miller, listen to the entire show from March 7, 2011 on VoiceAmerica’s archives.

    To jumpstart your job search and career advancement today, visit www.betterjobbetterlife.com for 7 FREE videos that will transform your career.

    Vicki Wiederkehr, Business Consultant on the Cardinal Rules of Entrepreneurship and E-Commerce

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    VickiWiederkehrVicki Wiederkehr, founder of Cardinal Selling Services, LLC, is an author, instructor and speaker. Vicki conducts entrepreneurial boot camps nationally, gives presentations to a variety of audiences regarding small business creation, and inspires others with her tremendous energy and passion for entrepreneurship. Vicki is working to incorporate entrepreneurship as a vital piece in educational reform. Learn the Cardinal Rules for financial independence; How to create an e-commerce business on E-bay; Why creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship empower our youth and leaders to create businesses; and Essential qualities and strategies for business success. The show informs and encourages listeners to achieve their career goals by featuring experts and business leaders on job search and career advancement.

    For more from Vicki Wiederkehr, listen to the entire show at 12pm EST/9amPST on Monday, February 28, 2011 or visit www.cardinalsellingservices.com.

    For 7 free videos go to www.betterjobbetterlife.com.

    For information on the Prison Entrepreneurship Program visit www.pep.org.

    Encore: Ken and Sheryl Dawson discuss techniques to achieve placement in a challenging job market

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    Ken and Sheryl Dawson discuss techniques to achieve placement in a challenging job market. Whether you are currently out of a job or seek to advance, preparation is the key to success. They discuss the unique challenges that senior workers face and how to overcome them. Learn to promote your work ethic, experience, values, and flexibility. Companies are particularly interested in workers with technical skills, marketing and sales, health care, computer, and science backgrounds. They also emphasize independent and contract opportunities and discuss licensing requirements in various service fields. Gain the inside story on how preparation beats your competition. The show informs and encourages listeners to achieve their career goals by featuring experts and business leaders on job search and career advancement. Show hosts are Ken and Sheryl Dawson, principals of Total Career Success, Inc. and authors of Job Search: The Total System.

    For more from Ken and Sheryl Dawson, listen to the entire show at 12pm EST/9amPST on Monday, February 21, 2011 or visit www.totalcareersuccess.com.

    For 7 free videos go to www.betterjobbetterlife.com.

    Dr. Betty Spence, President of the National Association of Female Executives on Women in Leadership

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    Betty SpenceDr. Betty Spence has served as president of the National Association for Female Executives since 2001. She created the annual list of the “NAFE Top Companies for Executive Women,” and chairs the NAFE Roundtable, bringing together America’s most senior corporate women to tackle issues related to women’s advancement. Dr. Spence advises companies on the advancement of women and conducts corporate workshops on leadership. An author, speaker, and expert on women in business, Betty is frequently a guest on national network television programs and quoted in major media.

    For more from Dr. Betty Spence, listen to the entire show at 12pm EST/9amPST on Monday, February 14, 2011 or visit www.nafe.com.

    To jumpstart your job search and career advancement today, visit www.betterjobbetterlife.com for 7 FREE videos that will transform your career.

    Ken and Sheryl Dawson discuss techniques to achieve placement in a challenging job market

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    Ken and Sheryl Dawson discuss techniques to achieve placement in a challenging job market. Whether you are currently out of a job or seek to advance, preparation is the key to success. They discuss the unique challenges that senior workers face and how to overcome them. Learn to promote your work ethic, experience, values, and flexibility. Companies are particularly interested in workers with technical skills, marketing and sales, health care, computer, and science backgrounds. They also emphasize independent and contract opportunities and discuss licensing requirements in various service fields. Gain the inside story on how preparation beats your competition. The show informs and encourages listeners to achieve their career goals by featuring experts and business leaders on job search and career advancement. Show hosts are Ken and Sheryl Dawson, principals of Total Career Success, Inc. and authors of Job Search: The Total System.

    For more from Ken and Sheryl Dawson, listen to the entire show at 12pm EST/9amPST on Monday, February 7, 2011 or visit www.totalcareersuccess.com.

    For 7 free videos go to www.betterjobbetterlife.com.

    Kirk Lawson, Executive Director of Business Professionals of America on Preparing for Career Success

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    Lawson, Kirk picKirk Lawson is the Executive Director of Business Professionals of America and leads the organization’s strategic growth. It is the top career and technical student organization aimed at preparing students for successful careers and providing employers with competent and skilled professionals.  In spite of the recent emphasis on a lack of jobs, many decry a lack of skilled workers.  Kirk shares how the organization facilitates:

    • Career exploration
    • Skills and leadership development
    • Assessment of skills
    • Motivation for middle, secondary and post-secondary students.

    Learn how this educational organization can impact students and future workers in your local area.

    For more from Kirk Lawson, listen to the entire show at 12pm EST/9amPST on Monday, January 31, 2011 or visit www.bpa.org.

    To jumpstart your job search and career advancement today, visit www.betterjobbetterlife.com for 7 FREE videos that will transform your career.

    Dan Woolley, Relief Worker and Author of Unshaken: Rising from the Ruins of Haiti’s Hotel Montana

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    Dan - HeadshotDan Woolley, a relief worker for Compassion International and author of Unshaken: Rising from the Ruins of Haiti’s Hotel Montana, tells his incredible story of survival. Buried in utter darkness under tons of rubble for 65 hours, Dan emerged a changed person. One year after the devastating quake, Unshaken is currently the only first-person account by a survivor. The experience changed Woolley’s outlook on family, relationships, work and life. Dan’s compelling story is one that resonates with people of all backgrounds who experience hardships. Regardless of your career or life challenges, his story poignantly demonstrates how important it is to take each breath with purpose.

    For more from Dan Woolley, listen to the entire show on Monday, January 25, 2011, at 12pm PST/9am CST, visit danwooley.net, or watch the video of his rescue.

    Bill Conaty, Former Senior Vice President of Human Resources for GE and Co-Author of The Talent Masters

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    Conaty Bill picA world leader in Human Resources, Bill Conaty engineered the leadership development programs for GE as Senior Vice President for 14 years. He is the co-author of The Talent Masters: Why Smart Leaders put People Before Numbers. Talent is the only competency that endures, while financial results, market share, brand, and products all undergo changes from external pressures.  Leaders able to assess the risks to take and those to avoid can ensure long term success. Conaty shares 7 principles for developing world-class leaders:

    • How to create a culture of leadership development
    • How to ensure smooth succession
    • How to ensure talent assessment is objective rather than subjective

    For more from Bill Conaty, listen to the entire show.

    To jumpstart your job search and career advancement today, visit www.betterjobbetterlife.com for 7 FREE videos that will transform your career.

    Leadership Consultant Margaret Morford on Navigating Office Politics for Career Success

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    Morford, Margaret pic 2010Margaret Morford is an organizational consultant, trainer, speaker, and author of leadership books including The Hidden Language of Business: Workplace Politics, Power & Influence.  A former attorney and human resource executive, Morford addresses how to navigate office politics regardless of your position and background for career success. Learn inside intelligence to:

    • Advance in your workplace;
    • Avoid common missteps that undermine success;
    • Apply positive political skills;
    • Maximize career advancement.

    Margaret’s razor-sharp insights help identify who has real power and influence in your organization and how to develop your own career plan to achieve your goals.

    For more from Margaret Morford, listen to the entire show on Monday, January 10, 2011, at 12pm EST/9am PST, or visit www.thehredge.net.

    To jumpstart your job search and career advancement today, visit www.betterjobbetterlife.com for 7 FREE videos that will transform your career.

    George Gilder, Venture Capitalist and Bestselling Author, on Real Solutions for Jobs & Economic Growth

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    georgegilderGeorge Gilder, a venture capitalist and the author of Wealth & Poverty and The Israel Test, discusses real solutions for economic and job growth:

    • The importance of meeting customer needs for businesses to succeed;
    • The need for creative entrepreneurs to drive job growth;
    • The impact of marriage and family on society and culture;
    • The underlying importance of information over matter for creation;
    • The danger of debt to economic growth.

    Providing examples and historical perspective, Gilder debunks the fallacies of socialism and liberalism. Creativity is what matters in economics. It is what makes economies grow. When it comes to money, technology, and economic common sense, no one makes more sense!

    For more from George Gilder, listen to the entire show or visit www.gildertech.com.

    To jumpstart your job search and career advancement today, visit www.betterjobbetterlife.com for 7 FREE videos that will transform your career.

    Dr. James Maas, Professor and Bestselling Author, and Consultant Rebecca Robbins on Sleep for Success

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    Dr Jim Maas sm4 10Rebecca Robbins biopx Dr. James Maas is a professor of psychology at Cornell University, where he holds the world’s record for having taught more than 65,000 college students. Rebecca Robbins is the co-founder, with Dr. Maas, of the Sleep for Success consulting firm. Together they discuss everything you must know about sleep, but are too tired to ask! Learn how to accomplish more in less time with less stress and greater health. Executives, professionals, students, parents, athletes, children and senior citizens can improve their lives and performances literally overnight by

    • Developing excellent sleep habits;
    • Getting 8 or more hours of sleep each night;
    • Managing time better;
    • Taking power naps.

    For more from Dr. James Maas and Rebecca Robbins, listen to the entire show or visit www.sleepforsuccess.info.

    To jumpstart your job search and career advancement today, visit www.betterjobbetterlife.com for 7 FREE videos that will transform your career.

     

    Chad Hennings, Three-Time Super Bowl Winner and Author of Rules of Engagement, on Achieving Success that Counts

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    Hennings_ChadChad Hennings is a three-time Super Bowl winner with the Dallas Cowboys, an Air Force fighter pilot, a businessman and the author of Rules of Engagement. In all of the roles he has played, he has seen that the persistent go-it-alone myth in our society traps individuals from connecting with others in meaningful ways. Chad shares the lessons he has learned from personal and professional challenges that will make a difference in people’s lives and tear down the walls that separate people from each other and their true selves. With the foundation of character, vision, and work ethic, he lays out a comprehensive game plan to engage every aspect of life, work, and relationships for true success.

    For more from Chad Hennings, listen to the entire show or visit www.chadhennings.com.

    To jumpstart your job search and career advancement today, visit www.betterjobbetterlife.com for 7 FREE videos that will transform your career.

    Dr. Mark Taylor, Columbia University, Author of Crisis on Campus: A Bold Plan for Reforming Our Colleges and Universities

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    Mark_Taylo_picDr. Mark Taylor, a professor at Columbia University, is the author of Crisis on Campus: A Bold Plan for Reforming Our Colleges and Universities.  Taylor characterizes American higher education as expensive, wasteful, and archaic.  He calls for reforms like:

    • Eliminating tenure;
    • Restructuring departments for interdepartmental cooperation;
    • Emphasizing teaching rather than rarified research;
    • Creating global networks;
    • Developing partnerships among institutions, private and public, for profit and not-for-profit.

    As a nation, we fail to make such necessary and sweeping changes, at our peril.  Like other bubbles that have burst, this one will devastate our economy and global competitiveness.

    For more from Dr. Mark Taylor, listen to the entire show.