Alexandra Levits Water Cooler Wisdom The Importance of a Performance Culture

Alexandra Levit's Water Cooler Wisdom The Importance of a Performance Culture Are you working toward a robust culture in your company because you feel you should, or because it will result in tangible business results? And either way, are you doing it right? According to research recently conducted by the Human Capital Institute and PS Culture Matters, certain cultural facets are critical for reaping increased financial and performance benefits. They are professional growth and development, collaboration, job satisfaction, employee engagement, alignment with organizational values, organizational agility, innovation, communication, leadership, operational management and accountability. The most important are the first five, which are estimated to drive financial performance higher by 14 to 17 percent. Paralysis in the Ranks Unfortunately, among the North American companies that responded to the HCI survey, most of these cultural facets are not particularly strong. For example, more than three-quarters of respondents agree that their organizations are only somewhat, not very or not at all successful at achieving a culture of professional growth and development. Companies also scored poorly on open communication (81 percent), organizational agility (77 percent) and accountability (77 percent). Perhaps this negativity is one reason that 73 percent of the 11 essential facets are not regularly measured or evaluated in surveyed organizations. Managerial-level respondents seem to recognize that this impedes the growth and health of their organizations, but so far have been unable to devise a solution. Clunky Companies Abound HCI points out that a strikingly low percentage of surveyed organizations are effective at business agility (24 percent) and the attraction, deployment and development of key talent (21 percent). In a business world that relies on the ability to shift strategy on a dime and take immediate action, it’s not hard to see why these cultures are suffering. Another problem facing today’s organizations is a lack of commitment to cultural change. Leaders who believe that a new culture can be developed and deployed in a day usually dont have much to show for their efforts. It turns out that “talking the culture talk” is simply not enough and will not produce the competitive advantage most companies are hoping for. HCI notes that the companies with the most impressive financial results have established a means of measuring the cultural facets above more frequently, taking corrective action when something isn’t working, and measuring again. Well-executed cultural change initiatives are clearly conveyed from the top down, and everyone in the organization is evaluated based on the identified metrics. Leaders use every available opportunity, including new marketing initiatives and all-hands meetings, to proactively reinforce cultural values and what they mean to the individual. And perhaps most importantly, they model the behavior changes they want employees to make. For suggested steps for creating a performance culture, have a look at the full post at the AMEX Open Forum.

Confidence...The Root of Success - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Confidence...The Root of Success - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career So your a brilliant professional, who graduated from Harvard with straight As, but with no job, no girlfriend and with no idea how to get ahead in life. If this is you, then you already know that you are lacking one of the most important factors in Personal Branding, CONFIDENCE. Confidence will actually make or break an individuals self-esteem, ability to communicate and succeed in life at the same time. Even with the strongest education imaginable, confidence is built on experience and supported by your network. Basically, in order to gain confidence, you must be broken down and fail in some form or another. This failure is hard impact on your confidence, but it allows you to rebuild and become stronger than before, thus improving your confidence. Just like other areas in life, confidence is all psychological, so it can be controlled to some extent. Your confidence level is important in the following situations: Professional Networking and the ability to walk up to someone you have never met before and start talking. Presenting a topic to your audience, either at an event, for your job or for a school project. Socially, with members of the opposite sex, who are attracted to those with high confidence levels Your manager, who judges your brand based on confidence. So you ask what can I do to build confidence in myself? Start by discovering who you are (your Personal Brand), which will allow you to understand what you need to do in order to gain this confidence you seek. Once discovered, it is all about repetition, through telling yourself that you are unique and you have nothing to lose. Saying this will help you be more outgoing, which translates into confidence. A lot of people that are trying to succeed in business don’t realize that they can get great advice from business brokers  that have been around the block a few times.

Increase Your Possibility Pipeline - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Increase Your Possibility Pipeline - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Job seekers, salespeople, and entrepreneurs will occasionally face the uncertainty of an uphill battle. Most often that skirmish takes place in the form of self-talk. Those astute in observing facial expressions and body language will spot the inferior self-confidence long before a conversation ever begins. It is the negative thought that will prevent one from securing a job or a sale. Spiral Upward Should something currently be bothering you, make a list of the people you may call. The list should include personal friends and peers who do not judge you but support you. Include on your list, those who are more advanced in their careers and who can provide sound advice. By talking out the current problem with trusted friends, many times new ideas come to light. The light gives hope that you can solve the issue. It is the hope that gives you the  motivation to begin moving forward again with renewed energy. It is your increased enthusiasm and energy that will attract more people to you and your work. The attraction is exactly what is needed during job interviews, contacting prospective clients and conducting sales meetings. Enthusiasm is contagious, and that’s what others about to hire you as a service provider or employee want to see upfront. It is the joy in your voice that translates to liking what you do and gives assurances to those about to spend money on your talent. Help Another Likewise, on the days everything seems to be going well, make it your turn to reach out and call someone who comes to mind. You just might reach someone who is experiencing a similar type of down day themselves. When the intent is genuine, and you want to update one another, the conversation is unlike most others. The dialogue turns into a heartwarming one (even with prospective clients) because deep down, we are all human beings. It’s good to hear from people who care, and it’s special when someone demonstrates the interest and caring touch. Think about: The people who have come to mind Curiosity you have about projects previously mentioned. The new position someone took on recently. There is no doubt the other people will be thrilled to hear from you. The conversation may simply end on a high note. But in many cases, as others see you take the lead to call and inquire about what’s new, they come to admire your forthright personal brand.  The small effort of calling someone often gives way to the unexpected referral to add to your pipeline of possibilities. There is nowhere but up as conversation develops and you find yourselves on a path together as friends. Build those friendly alliances as they lead to the Smooth Sale! Sales Tips On down, days call someone who comes to mind. Ask about the other person’s news. Show genuine interest in conversations. Provide ideas as conversations build. Suggest introductions as more insight comes to light. Ask to collaborate with the people who reach out as appropriate. Inquire as to how friends would handle a situation. Show appreciation for the interest others show you. Follow-up promptly to get the latest updates. Celebrate Success!

Dress for Success What to Wear to a Job Interview

Dress for Success What to Wear to a Job Interview Recently, the below question was asked at the Beat the GMAT forum: I want to know what is appropriate attire for women in a business school interview? I hear you should wear a skirt suit and not a pant suit. Is this true? Also, a matter of detail but still, does one have to wear a collared shirt with it? What to Wear To a Job Interview Figuring out what to wear is the first step in preparing for your job interview. You want to come across as prepared, confident, and professional. In many cases, the clothing choice will depend upon where you are applying for example, the outfit you  wear to interview at a startup is very different from what you might wear to an interview at a law firm! Below, I will break it down and answer all the questions you have about how to figure out what to wear to a job interview. Pant Suit or Skirt Suit Either works! But, I think what really matters is  what you are comfortable  in. I always factor in the weather and if it is  hot out,  I  prefer the skirt suit. Normally, I prefer the pantsuit for interviews because I am more comfortable and I know that I am getting attention for what I have to say, not my legs.   Many women prefer pantsuits because they feel that it puts them at the same level as  men who are also wearing pant suits. If you do wear a skirt, make sure it  goes down to  your knees! Here are a few very cute pantsuits that I would recommend for a business interview.   This one is from Jones New York  and I love how it is simple, elegant and  professional.   I also recommend closed toed shoes for your interview like she is wearing here. And here is a super cute skirt suit from Dillards.   I love the buttons and the length of the skirt.   It just screams  HIRE ME!! Suits dont have to look stuffy and boring, thank God! You  can make  suits fun with chunky jewelry, scarves, and shoes.   Just err on the simple side for your first interview! After a few months  on the job, you can wear the same suit and mix and match all of your favorite accessories. [Related Post:  Is Pantyhose in the Office Appropriate or Outdated?] Collar or No Collar?   Gone are the days that you must wear a collared shirt under your suit. There are so many other options out there  that are much more comfortable than the long sleeved  collared shirt.   I always think I find a great shirt for under my suit but then I get home, try it on and it just doesnt work.   Make sure you try on the whole outfit before  your interview so you arent scrambling last minute to find something to wear. Here are a few of my favorites. I  adore this blue ruffled shirt from Ann Taylor Loft. Doesnt it look great with the black blazer and necklace! And the Banana Republic  has this collared shirt  with a slight twist from the boring collared shirt. I also love  the brown belt! I  love this simple black non-collared shirt paired with this jacket and  necklace from Dillards. According to Karen Harvey, a recruiter for top fashion and retail jobs, “There is no one right way to dress.   But there are a lot of donts.   The key is to research the corporate culture to learn what a potential boss might expect. Good luck on your interview! You are going to do great! What is your favorite interview suit? Do you prefer a pantsuit or skirt suit?

Why Is Consistent Formatting In Maintaining Consistency When Writing a Resume?

Why Is Consistent Formatting In Maintaining Consistency When Writing a Resume?There are many different questions that people ask themselves when it comes to how important is consisitantancy in writing a resume. The truth is that there is a great deal of importance given to resume format and a person's resume is extremely important, but there is also a need to pay attention to some other things as well.While the fact that your resume is required to look impressive and desirable is a very important fact, there are a number of other things that you can do in order to make sure that it looks great and fits the particular job that you are applying for. You want your resume to be as impressive as possible and to be memorable for many people. Consistent formatting is absolutely necessary when it comes to writing a resume.Your resume should be appealing to the employer because he or she is looking for the perfect fit for the job vacancy that you are applying for. You want your resume to be u p to date format is an important element of this. Your resume should include your work history and education and include the appropriate contact information such as phone numbers, email addresses, and home addresses. The resume should also include what your educational background is and this can be on your educational transcripts.Your resume should have an easy to read font so that your resume is easy to read for the employer. The employers may not have a lot of time to read through the entire resume. A font that is easy to read makes it easier for the person reading the resume to understand what you are trying to convey.You may not be sure how to go about learning how to format a resume correctly but it doesn't mean that you need to be someone who will get fired if they don't know how to do it properly. You do not have to spend a lot of money on special software or hire an experienced professional to help you do this for you. There are plenty of resources that you can use and once you learn the basics you will be able to have a great resume that is both neat and professional looking.If you don't feel comfortable doing this yourself then you can use a service that will do all of the formatting for you. This service will not only help you create a professional looking resume but they will also give you the necessary knowledge and skills that you need to create a resume that is clean and concise. The service will be able to tell you when it is time to revise your resume so that it is more current and should have a high rating with the hiring company.When a potential employer sees your resume it will be easy for them to decide whether or not you will be a good candidate for the job. If you format your resume poorly, it could make it look less than professional. This may not be the case if you take some time to learn how to format a resume.If you are unsure of how to format a resume or would like to learn more about the process then you should take a look at some of the resume templates that are available. These services can help you create a professional looking resume that will really impress any employer.

Skills Gap Myth or Truth

Skills Gap Myth or Truth Weve got trouble- that starts with a capital T and that rhymes with E and that stands for   employment! Lifting from the Music Man this morning for a little chuckle! But seriously, weve got to talk about employment:   what can you do differently and what can companies do differently. With the National Unemployment rate at 8.2% in June, 2012 (thats 12.7 million people and doesnt include everyone), we need to continue the discussion about why! If you want to check out the stats and reports, head on over to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Skills Gap, My Foot! The Big Jobs Myth: American Workers Arent Ready for American Jobs from The Atlantic I encourage you to read this article! In it, Barbara Kaviat says: A recent employer survey found that the top skill deficiency among manufacturing workers wasnt technical expertise, but inadequate problem-solving skills. and In many cases, the sorts of skills employers want problem-solving, creativity demand better thinking and communication The critical skills gap may not be what we think. If candidates and new hires lack the soft skills and emotional intelligence required, they wont make it through the interview process or if they do, they probably will not last in their job.   I think thats a bigger problem than a technical skills shortage. More people than ever before are returning to school to update technical skills. Where are they developing the critical soft skills companies are seeking? Companies have a very difficult time screening and evaluating soft skills during the interview process. Behavioral based interviewing is one way to analyze candidates soft skills. But, have companies taken the time to evaluate what soft skills they are looking for so they will know them when they see them? This is difficult, especially for a small company without trained recruiting staff. Job seekers should be prepared to provide specific examples of their previous performance by using accomplishment stories known as PAR, CAR, STAR or SOAR. Additionally, it cant help to do some self analysis and work on some of the lacking areas such as interpersonal communication. Does anyone know how you develop problem-solving skills? Youre small and need to grow, but cant find people. Really? Small Firms Seek Skilled Workers but Cant Find Any by The Wall Street Journal showcases examples of small businesses around the country and the problems they are having finding and keeping employees to grow their business. The examples include: A company that installs alarms and video surveillance in homes and commercial properties has had two openings for over 18 months. Reason not filled: Candidates misrepresent (overestimate) their skills, want more money or are looking for easier work. Another company has been looking for an administrative assistant: Reason not filled: They mostly see overqualified candidates and believe they wont last in the job. A company that makes smartphone apps cant find skilled candidates. Outcome: Hired and trained some employees but they found the job too daunting (my note: unsure if they quit or were fired) These dont really sound like skills gap issues. Work ethic, values, societal shifts and perhaps poor hiring criteria seem to better describe these scenarios. If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is No one wants to do dull, dirty, grunt work, unless they see a reason to.   That reason is different based on the individual. If small companies are having problems filling jobs then part of the answer lies in how they are representing the work. Companies need to sell more than just the J O B. Employers take note. If you cant find the employees you want to do the work you need done, then take a look at the work you are asking to be done. If it is crap work, what can you do to make it less crappy? Think long and hard. And money counts! Are your wages competitive? Try looking at the total compensation package and get creative. Flex schedules, PTO and other things make a big difference to many Gen Y and Gen X candidates. Out of work job seekers: Stop being so picky. Who said you have to do the job forever? Build some new skills, earn some money and add value to the company. Then you can move on. Isnt A job better than NO job? My Opinion I see this as an easy excuse for both parties involved. What I think needs to happen is less finger pointing and more ownership. Companies that seriously want to grow need to learn how to hire the right people. They are out there. They may not have every skill listed but close enough! Invest just a bit of time bringing them up to speed! Job seekers, you need to learn how to position your skills in a way employers will want to hire. That means learning how to sell yourself and clearly communicate what your value is to your future employers. A bit of common sense around showing up on time and doing the job well wouldnt hurt either!

Personal Brand vs. Company Brand

Personal Brand vs. Company Brand Personal Brand vs. Company Brand Personal brand definitions can be tough when you are operating within a corporate environment. But you CAN execute a personal brand right, even despite the lines sometimes being blurred between what is personal and what is corporate. Heres an example of what I mean: Yesterday, I gave a presentation to a group of professionals where the following question was raised: If I am creating online content for my company, which is going out under their social media channels, and this content is some of my best work, how do then I build my own personal brand? This is a real issue many people face in this situation. Most companies have their own social media accounts, but real people have to run them.  And those people matter. The result is that the employees ideas and content are channeled to the companys accounts, but the employee themselves are left holding the bag. Or are they? Our own brand is based on what we offer and do best. And what we communicate that through our own channels should complement and mirror the work that we do, which develops our personal brand. It doesnt mean that you end up making your personal brand a parrot of the company content. The trick lies in how do you communicate your brand through our own channels that shows value and keeps that continuity of what you want to be known for intact through the content that you produce. Lets break this down to help illustrate my point: Susie is a program manager at a company. She manages the social media feed for the corporate accounts via the companys LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook pages. She can still create and own her personal accounts of these pages concurrently to what she is posting on behalf of the company. But her personal brand can be integrated into supporting the work she does. By posting something along the lines of I am so excited to be doing outreach to ___ as a part of ____s work had a great meeting today with ___. A statement like this posted on social media connects Susie to her company but puts her personal spin and brand on what she does. Jared Reddick of Resume Studio  gave a fabulous presentation at the 2014 National Resume Writers Association conference on stealth job seekers on LinkedIn. One of the points he made was that in the summary portion of the LinkedIn profile, people can build their personal brand by promoting the company. Why not put a plug in for your current employer which can also serve to enhance your brand as well? Heres an example: ABC Company is  a leader in ____, and if you would like to join such a dynamic team where you can have the opportunity to do _____, then visit their website at _____. By framing up the company and the opportunities inside, you are actually subtly enhancing your brand as an ambassador of this business. Personal brand integration into your social media channels can happen through posts that feature links, observations, excitement, discoveries, and sharing of related content. So yes, there is a difference about what the company is saying and what your personal brand is, but how you say it on social media, and what you say is where that personal brand actually lives.