More Than A Degree, You Need Skills (Validated)
August 30, 2010 by Sylvia · Leave a Comment
Ah, how the Wall Street Journal validates that which I espouse in all my programs, books, blog posts, and more!
The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Job Outlook 2010 survey lists the following skills as those that employers seek:
- Communication Skills
- Analytical Skills
- Teamwork Skills
- Technical Skills
- Strong Work Ethic
I highlighted them in green because they are where the money is. (Poor grammar; rich advice.)
Got a Sense of Humor? You’ll Need it at Despair, Inc.
August 13, 2010 by Sylvia · Leave a Comment
Are you a fan of the "Successories (TM)" product line? Well, get over it! There's an opposing camp of demotivators called "Despair, Inc. (TM)" and it is a hoot! You have to have a sense of humor to appreciate the product line and site – especially the FAQs. Dr. E.L. Kersten, the founder, is a real person. You can purchase the book, "The Rise of Mr. Ponzi", by Charles Ponzi, from the site (for real!) The irony, sarcasm, insults (in a nice way), and tongue-in-cheek messages are excellent. I love this stuff.
Crowd Control & Emergency Plans for Events
August 6, 2010 by Sylvia · Leave a Comment
The hospitality industry and event/meetings management are areas of interest to me as a speaker, trainer, author, and television host because the industry hires people like me. Therefore I pay attention to what happens within the industry.
Look for Interns to Feed Your Talent Pool
August 3, 2010 by Sylvia · Leave a Comment
Found this article / blog post for employers on finding good talent by going to schools to get interns. Did I mention that the article quotes me from an article in Workforce Management magazine?
READ FULL ARTICLE: "Looking for Talent? Go to School" (Beulah Landreth)
Excellent Pet Photographer, Speaking of Image and First Impressions!
We just had a professional photo shoot for our two "kids" – our Pembroke Welsh Corgis. We've been thinking of having this done for several years but have been dissatisfied with various "people photographers" we've encountered throughout the years. From past experience with a pet photographer, we've learned that there is something that someone who deals only with pets can do to get an animal to sit up and catch that just-right look that photographers who shoot mainly people seem to lack. We finally found the pet photographer for us!
Actual Names of Professionals
July 22, 2010 by Sylvia · Leave a Comment
On of the e-groups to which I belong, someone recently asked for a recommendation for a doctor in our local area. Another list member suggested a doctor whom her family uses, and the name was rather interesting for that type of doctor. Soon lots of people on the list shared names of professionals – beyond doctors – whom they either know, use, or know to be “real people”. The list got to be so humorous that I decided to compile the list to this blog. Remember that these are real folks!
Extreme Makeover, Baltimore MD “Girls Hope” Project – Life Skills Training
July 17, 2010 by Sylvia · Leave a Comment
This ABC2 News (Baltimore, MD) report ran on Friday, July 16, 2010. Its main topic is the Extreme Makeover project that will be revealed Sunday for Girls Hope non-profit in Baltimore, MD. The subject within the clip, however, is about the group Second Chance, Inc. that donated architectural items to the makeover project. The sub-subject is the Life Skills Training that the guys at Second Chance receive, and THAT topic includes me and my business. I have a couple seconds on camera, as well as a couple of the guys in my class.
County Agency Gives Excellent Service – Montgomery County MD 311 System
I just had a wonderfully satisfying experience calling a county agency for large-item recycling pickup service! From the time a live person answered the phone (after only three rings), until the time I hung up after exchanging a light moment with a second person (who actually laughed at my wry humor), I felt listened to, respected, cared about, and service-honored. What a way to start a Monday morning.
Ties Are Knotty Subjects
June 21, 2010 by Sylvia · Leave a Comment
Casual Fridays turned into casual every days over the last decade throughout the workplace. Lately, there seems to be a return to more business-like attire on the job. The Washington DC metro area has a high concentration of technology and biotech businesses where casual attire is still a norm. Yet the region also has Federal, State, and County government agencies, law and financial firms, and consulting companies that adhere to business attire dress codes.
Workplace Professionalism & Youth – Another Good Post
Joyce Gioia-Herman, a Strategic Business Futurist concentrating on workforce and workplace trends, is President and CEO of The Herman Group. She wrote a blog post titled "Teaching Professionalism" about the behaviors that HR professionals consider as demonstrating "professionalism" in the workplace.
Ms. Gioia-Herman notes:
HR pros and business leaders polled identified five primary characteristics of professionalism: 1) personal interaction skills, including courtesy and respect, 2) skills to communicate, and listen, 3) a great work ethic; 4) being motivated and staying on task until the job is completed, and 5) professional appearance, and self-confidence and awareness.
Life Skills…Important for Students?
Found this article addressing life skills and schools. What's happened to teaching young people the transferable skills they need and will apply throughout their lives (instead of how to pass tests)? Here's one perspective.
What Should I Tell High School Students?
May 26, 2010 by Sylvia · Leave a Comment
To prepare to speak to a group of high school students, I asked my professional colleagues the question, "What one message should I communicate to high school students?"
The responses I received…from:
- (Roger) A message about freedom and responsibility.
- (Gayle) Accountability.
- (Janice) "Be" rather than "seem".
- (Bob) Love and sex do not mean the same thing.
- (Liz) How and when to say "yes", and how to care for yourselves.
To Help You Get What You Need…
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