Take Baby Steps to Reach Your Big Picture Goals
March 31, 2010
Are you unhappy in your current position, but don’t think you have time to do anything about it?
In Blast Off! The Surefire Success Plan to Launch Your Dreams into Reality, author Alison Maslan suggests the following schedule to work towards finding a new career:
Monday at 7:00 AM: Spend five minutes doing Google searches on career ideas. (Save your findings to read through later.)
Tuesday at 10:00 PM: Research local business networking activities around town via the Internet or local newspapers.
Wednesday at 9:30 AM: Make call to sign up for networking meeting.
Thursday at 11:30 AM: Make call to arrange lunch meeting with recent acquaintance to find out more about their career and possible helpful connections.
Although these are small steps, they can get you started in the right direction!
This is just one component of Ms. Maslan’s easy-to-follow Blast Off! Program. You can learn more about the program and how it can help you identify and achieve your dream career by reading Blast Off! The Surefire Success Plan to Launch Your Dreams into Reality, which is available from Amazon.com and Amazon.ca.
Indispensable by Monday
March 26, 2010
Only one week after its release, Larry Myler’s book Indispensable By Monday, reached No.1 in sales in the vocational guidance, motivational and counseling book categories on Amazon.com. It was also cited by Marc Kramer, professor at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business, as one of the top five Books to Help You Spend Money Smartly.
In his article in The Philadelphia Bulletin, Kramer said,
“Today more than ever you have to prove your worth and, in business, either you are increasing the top line or reducing the bottom line. The author shows the reader how to increase their value no matter what role they play in the company by tracking what they do, how they do it and the contribution to the company.”
Book sales have shown that Kramer is not the only person who feels there is a critical, immediate need for this type of thinking. Employees at all levels of organizations are sensing that it is imperative for them to learn two major lessons right now: how to increase their financial value within their company, and how to document that value in ways that lead to pay-raises and promotions.
Myler said,
“If you look at the Amazon.com categories where the book is thriving, it is obvious people feel a real need to establish some job-security. No one wants to be a victim of the bad economy or be added to the unemployment statistics, and I’m happy my book can be a source of guidance for them.”
Indispensable by Monday is available from Amazon.com and Amazon.ca.
How to Create a Professional Wardrobe on a Budget
March 23, 2010
As a stay-at-home mom who has decided to go back to work, you will probably have to update your professional wardrobe. Here are some easy tips for redoing your wardrobe on a limited budget.
The first thing you need to do wardrobe wise is check and see what is being worn in the professional arena these days. You want to look crisp, clean, and up-to-date with your attire. This includes handbags and shoes too. It’s a good idea to also check how much jewelry is allowed to be worn at your new workplace.
Take stock of the items of clothing you have that are timeless and still in fashion. Do you have some simple black or navy blue skirts? If you do, go out and get some of the latest blouses to go with the skirts. Do you have a classic black dress that never goes out of style? If you have one, just buy some in-style accessories such as a handbag and shoes to match.
The main thing to try to do is to have outfits that you can mix and match. That way you can have several outfits using only a few pieces of clothing. If you have some classic jewelry, you can mix that in with your outfits.
You do not have to spend a fortune to look professional either. Many of the inexpensive stores carry quite stylish and professional looking outfits, and many in-style shoes can be bought at discount stores.
Check on current hairstyles and update your hairstyle to a sharp professional style. Many hair salons are budget-priced these days, trying to draw in your business.
Networking Like a Pro – Turning Contacts into Connections
March 18, 2010
Dr. Ivan Misner, founder and chairman of BNI and NY Times bestselling author, was recently featured on the VoiceAmerica internet radio show, Total Career Success. The show informs listeners and encourages them to achieve their career goals by featuring educational experts to provide advice on job search and career advancement. Dr. Misner is co-author of Networking Like a Pro – Turning Contacts into Connections and will discuss why meeting new people is only half the battle in networking, providing the audience with advice, tips and action plans for leaving a lasting impression.
Misner explains:
“Networking is simple, but it’s not easy. Contrary to popular belief, it takes more than an elevator pitch and a business card. Successful networking is about cultivating and maintaining strong relationships, and the courting begins the first time you meet a potential business partner.”
Misner encourages networkers to lead off by asking the right questions, avoiding prospecting or qualifying questions that size up the other person’s potential or asking for business right off the bat. Questions that demonstrate a genuine interest in the other person’s business cultivates an attitude of trust and rapport right from the start. The Networking Like A Pro author presents the following five excellent questions:
“What Do You Like Best about What You Do?”
Rather than simply asking what someone does, this question leads to more interesting conversation about the other person’s business, his likes and dislikes, and his experience. It makes the conversation flow and allows the asker to learn about his trade or profession.
“You Mentioned that You Were in (Industry). What Got You Started in that Direction?”
This question gives the other person a chance to talk about personal goals and desires and to look favorably on the asker. Learning about previous experience reveals ways that one might refer other people for specialized products or services.
How to Start a Gift Basket Business
March 16, 2010
By Jennifer James
From the FabJob Guide to Become a Gift Basket Business Owner
You’ve seen them in department stores, boutiques and gift shops, or possibly sent and received them yourself. They are beautiful and brimming with unique gifts and tasty treats. They are a more personalized gift than balloons, and more practical than sending flowers.
Of course we’re talking about gift baskets, a hot trend in gift-giving these days. And behind the scenes, another major trend is emerging – people who choose to start a gift basket business are launching one of the fastest-growing types of businesses today.
Gift basket businesses are starting up all over the country, and with good reason. Not only is the work fun and creative, but you can also start a gift basket business easily from home, by setting up a small space where you design and build your gift baskets.
You also have unlimited potential to grow when you start a gift basket business. “I launched my [gift basket] business selling $20,000 in baskets that first holiday season. The business doubled year after year, and has continued to grow substantially,” says gift basket business owner Cherie Reagor, twice named Designer of the Year by the gift basket industry.
The process for starting a gift basket business is not complicated, but you do have some important steps to follow. Here’s some advice from the FabJob Guide to Become a Gift Basket Business Owner to help you take your idea to start a gift basket business from concept to reality.
New Book Reveals Celebrity Assistant Secrets
March 11, 2010
Author Craig Copeland has just released a new book revealing insights into the world of celebrity assistants. The Celebrity Assistant’s Handbook: How To Successfully Work With Celebrities, Billionaires, and the Top One Percent gives detailed techniques of a successful celebrity assistant.
In his book, Copeland offers tips, techniques, advice, and a thorough step by step guide on how to handle every aspect of working as a Personal Assistant. This includes how and where to find the best assistant jobs and the secrets for getting the right skills for the job, getting hired, and then how to keep that job.
Copeland discloses techniques for networking and how to use volunteering as a method. He gives practical advice for what to do in the interview, how to dress, and how to stand out over the competition as well as valuable salary guidelines.
Whether working in a household, office, managing an estate, or running multiple homes, this book is a guide that covers all aspects of how to become a successful Personal Assistant.
“Through networking with other top assistants and getting their valuable insights, I’ve put together a guide that…will provide you with everything you need to hit the ground running,” said Copeland.
Available from Amazon.com.
Source: PRWEB
LifeTypes
March 3, 2010
LifeTypes is an excellent introduction to the subject of personality type.
Authors Sandra Krebs Hirsh and Jean Kummerow not only guide you through the process of identifying your personality type, but provide an overview of each of the 16 types in every area of life, including
- Living as a child, teenager, and adult
- Learning style and activities
- Labouring: preferred work setting, organizing style, and occupations
- Leadership style
- Leisure time and activities
- Loving relationships
- Losing out, or how they act under great stress
LifeTypes is a valuable resource, whether you are reading about type for the first time or are a professional who wants a comprehensive reference guide.
LifeTypes is available from Amazon.com and Amazon.ca.
