Author: Jim Weber

Management Consultant, Executive Recruiter, Author, Public Speaker; My blog, "Fighting Alligators" is geared to the over 50 job-seeker; people interested in starting their own business; and freelancers looking to become more successful. I have 22 years of experience with Fortune 500 Brands in Strategic Planning and General Management. For the past 22 years, I have been President of New Century Dynamics, Inc., an Executive Search Business I started and own. My company is in the business of providing Consulting and Executive Search Support to our client base. In 2014, I helped create ITB Partners, an Association of freelance management consultants.
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ITB Partner, Barry Flink Named to Magazine Board

Longtime community leader brings four decades of management experience, including in the hospitality industry.

Barry Flink

Barry Flink, executive vice president and partner of Flex HR, Inc., has been named to the advisory board of Departures Magazine. The publication is a source for high-end travel, restaurants, hotels, and fashion, shopping, art, and culture.

Flink has 40 years of management experience in multiple industries. His favorite jobs have always been in the hospitality industry. He has held senior-level management positions in Westin Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental Hotels, Service America Corporation, the Greyhound Corporation, and the Peasant Restaurants, Inc., based in Atlanta. He began his career in the hospitality industry as the Hyatt Hotel Corporation’s first national management trainee.

Flink is also an executive in residence at Kennesaw State University and has served on the board of directors of Georgia Tech’s College of Management as well as KSU’s Coles College of Business. He has also served on the President’s Advisory Board of Oglethorpe University.

He has been a visiting lecturer at Cornell University, Washington State University, Florida State University, Georgia Tech, Georgia State University, Emory University, and the University of Guelph and Ryerson University in Canada. He also wrote a chapter for a college textbook, “Business Acumen II.”

Flink was board chair of the Edge Connection and has served on the Small Business Council of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, the board of directors of the American-Israel Chamber of Commerce, and an advisory board of Saint Joseph’s Hospital.

For More information contact:

Marilyn Pearlman

Atlanta Cause Marketing & PR

Phone: 404-298-6910

Mobile: 404-395-2602

Web: http://www.atlantacausemarketing.com

Email:  mpearlman@atlantacausemarketing.com

 

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When Opportunity Presents

NSA Atlanta Chapter President

During my college years, I learned that if I completed my term papers early, I would have the flexibility to avail myself of interesting opportunities.  That usually meant enjoying social events with my Fraternity Brothers. Besides, I never saw the point of adding stress to my life by waiting until the last minute to tackle a project.

Last weekend was a great example:

Last week, my friend Michael Moore invited me to join him for a Saturday Morning meeting of the Atlanta Chapter of the National Speakers Association (NSA).  I was not familiar with the NSA, but I would like to become a better speaker.  I called Michael for more information.  He told me he had been a member for many years and thought I would enjoy the event.  He said the meeting would begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at noon.  Additionally, he reminded me to bring my mask as the meeting would be fully Covid-19 compliant.  Since I had already completed and published my weekly blog post, my Saturday was clear.  I was sold. I registered for the event immediately after our call.

As with most meetings, the first thirty minutes is usually for check-in and networking.  It is rare for me to attend an event in Atlanta that I do not encounter people I know.  Arriving early provides an opportunity to meet new people and catch up with friends.  I made plans to arrive at 8:30 a.m.

Background of NSA

The National Speakers Association (NSA) was founded in 1973 to help its members become more successful by providing education, tools, and resources.  NSA members include speakers, trainers, educators, humorists, motivators, consultants, and authors from a variety of industry segments.  NSA helps build eloquence, expertise, enterprise, and ethics.  Their Mission is “Empowering professional speakers to thrive and influence. We elevate excellence, share expertise, and challenge one another to improve.”  NSA’s values are to “provide mutual support, shared success, giving back, and cooperation over competition to build a bigger pie.”  Clearly, this organization is aligned with my goals and values.

Full Covid-19 Compliance

I arrived on-site at about 8:30 a.m. and was greeted at the door by my host and another gentleman who I did not know.  I later learned that he was the Barry Banther, the keynote speaker, and Incoming NSA National Board Chairman.  I proceeded to ‘checked-in’ where I filled out a brief Covid-19 questionnaire and had my temperature checked.  As I was obviously healthy and wearing my mask, I received my name badge and was directed to the meeting room.  Already in the room, several people were engaged in conversation. You know, networking.  Not surprisingly, I encountered a colleague and the speaker for my upcoming BENG Atlanta Chapter meeting.  Before the official meeting began, I was able to ‘catch up’ with my colleague and prepare my speaker for Tuesday’s meeting.  After catching up with those folks, I encountered a third acquaintance who had attended a few of my events. That is networking in Atlanta.  You usually find people you know at any event you attend.

The meeting room was staged to accommodate the attendees as well as those participating via ZOOM.  The layout included a well-appointed elevated stage for individual presentations and interviews.  It was well-lighted and flanked by video monitors.  It was not a particularly large room, but it could easily accommodate sixty people.  It was more than adequate for the twenty members and guests seated appropriately for social distancing.  It is an excellent venue for my meetings.

The Meeting

Thurman Interview

The formal meeting began promptly at 9:00 a.m. with a welcome and presentation of the organization’s mission.  This was followed by the introduction of guests and our hosts.  The next item on the agenda was the Installation of Chapter Officers for 2020 – 2021.  The ‘warm-up’ Speaker was Dan Thurman who talked about his experience starting out as a professional speaker.

The Keynote

Barry Banther, the Keynote Speaker was impressive. I suppose that should be expected of the incoming NSA Chairman.  Barry’s talk was titled “How to Build

Barry Banther Keynote

a Sustainable, Profitable, and Fulfilling Business as a Speaker.”  It was an excellent presentation!  He used a lot of stories to drive home his points, holding our attention.  His talk was particularly relevant as it was similar to one of mine. I received many ideas to improve my presentation which justified my attendance.

Conclusion

There are good reasons to avoid procrastination.  In addition to creating stress, procrastination can result in lost opportunities.  If you believe, as I do, that networking and continuous learning are important professional skills, you should engage in those activities whenever possible.  For me personally, I believe that public speaking is a fundamental skill to be developed. I was fortunate to be able to accept my friend’s invitation to the NSA Meeting.  Completing my work early in the week paid off big-time.

Thank you for visiting our blog.

Jim Weber – Managing Partner, ITB Partners

I hope you enjoyed our point of view and would like to receive regular posts directly to your email inbox.  Toward this end, put your contact information on my mailing list.

Your feedback helps me continue to publish articles that you want to read.  Your input is very important to me so; please leave a comment.

Jim Weber – Managing Partner,  ITB Partners

 

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Weinstock Lands New Client – Disinfect Group

Ron Weinstock of Weinstock Marketing and ITB Partners lands New Client, Disinfect Group. 

Disinfect Group USA, offers a variety of systems to allow retailers, offices, venues to reopen safely.  Total flexibility of units depending on the size needed. All manufacturing is in the USA. Disinfect Group USA’s  product has the ability to:

  • Disinfect people and their belongings safely – 99.9999% effective
  • Take thermal temperatures
  • Count capacity in/out
  • On product branding
  • Offer LED sponsorship opportunities

Disinfect Group – Sanitation Tunnels

SANITIZING TUNNELS

Dry Fog is an innovative new product that creates an invisible “haze” in our tunnels which are completely safe and approved for use on humans against viruses and bacteria. It works using electrolyzed water technology.

Available with 1 to 5 tunnels and comes as a fogger or a misting sprayer.

 

SANITIZING FOG

Each visitor and worker pass through a completely safe dry fog before

gaining access to your facility.

 

THERMAL IMAGING SCANNER

Screens for elevated body temperature at a safe distance for employees and guests entering your facility. Alerts staff when a high temperature is detected.

 

DIGITAL CAPACITY COUNTER

Add a Body counting camera that helps you know exactly how many people are in your venue or facility at all times.

 

NO-TOUCH SANITIZER DISPENSER

Automatic hand sanitizer dispensers allow everyone to disinfect their hands helping stop the spread of viruses.

 

STAY CLEAN. STAY SAFE.   RETURN TO WORK.

Contact Ron Weinstock for more information.

(310) 663-7669 | ron@weinstockmarketing.com

 

 

Ronald D. Weinstock

Ron Weinstock is an experienced restaurant and retail industry executive, consultant, and entrepreneur.

Over thirty-plus years of successfully launching, building, and revitalizing national and regional brands have positioned Ron Weinstock as a business and marketing leader in industries that include restaurants, financial, health, entertainment, and retailing. Ron is a business and marketing executive with a proven track record and a passion for team building, which/that includes leading cohesive & purpose-driven teams that consistently deliver exceptional results.

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Cash Back Shopping – The Key To A New Competitive Advantage

Phillip Davis

Have you heard of “cashback shopping”?  If you have heard of Rakuten (formerly Ebates), then you have experienced the leading example of business to consumer (B2C) cashback shopping.  In B2C cash back shopping, the cashback is paid directly to the shopper as an incentive to buy.  Why?   It is much less expensive to sell an item on-line than in a brick and mortar store.  Online retailers take a portion of these savings and invest them in cashback advertising to bring more shoppers into their on-line stores and encourage on-line vs. in-store purchases.

This same cashback shopping concept can be also be applied in a business to business (B2B) environment.  The biggest drawback of B2C cashback is that shoppers are reluctant to provide their personal contact information to someone they do not know, in this case, Rakuten.  In the B2B environment, shoppers already have a relationship with the sponsoring organization.  The sponsor might be their bank, church, favorite restaurant, or any number of other organizations.  The key is for the sponsoring organization to have a trusted relationship with the shopper.  In many cases, the sponsor may already have significant personal information on the shopper and be sending the shopper regular communications.

Most organizations with ten thousand plus (10,000+) patrons can benefit through adopting cashback shopping as a component of their on-going promotion program.  The more potential shoppers, the greater the benefit.  The cashback that flows to the organization can be utilized as a donation (for churches and charities), to pay for future purchases (retailers), and to pay a portion of the price of current purchases (grocery stores, insurance providers, and power companies).  Most sponsors keep at least a portion of the cashback to pay expenses and as accretive to profit.

The benefit to the organization can be quite substantial.  For example, a charitable organization that is keeping 100% of cashback as donations can expect to receive roughly $1 million per 10,000 shoppers.  A commercial business will receive the same amount but will likely pass 80% or more on to the shopper in one form or another.  Therefore, a commercial operation keeping 20% of cashback will be retaining roughly $200,000 per 10,000 shoppers.

To learn more about cashback shopping and its potential for your organization, contact Philip A. Davis at pdavishr@comcast.net or 678-977-5578.

Thank you for visiting our blog.

Jim Weber – Managing Partner, ITB Partners

I hope you enjoyed our point of view and would like to receive regular posts directly to your email inbox.  Toward this end, put your contact information on my mailing list.

Your feedback helps me continue to publish articles that you want to read.  Your input is very important to me so; please leave a comment.

Jim Weber – Managing Partner,  ITB Partners

 

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Job Search in the “Latest” New Normal – Know Your Options

Cutters Cigar Bar

This was a good week.  It was not a good week because I recruited a new consultant, which I did.  It was not because I accomplished all of my planned tasks, but I did.  And, it was not a good week because I had several very productive meetings.  All these activities are noteworthy of course, but it was my ability to mix these activities with my favorite personal pastimes that made the week so enjoyable.  Yes, I accomplished quite a bit and had a lot of fun in the process.

The high point of my week was my meeting with Walt.  I was introduced to him, three weeks ago by Dave, a mutual friend.  Dave reached out to me to see if I would be interested in talking with him as he needed help with his job search.  I have great confidence in Dave’s recommendations, so I invited him to make the introductions.  Shortly after that, Walt and I were having a telephone conversation.

Our first conversation was relatively brief.  I learned that he had a background in the food distribution segment with experience in business development and as a category manager. Walt advised me that he had been terminated within the past two weeks, having been furloughed by the pandemic.  He did not have a current resume to share, at that time, but promised to send a copy when it was ready.  He said that it has been a long time since he has had to look for a job.  Actually, this may be the first time he has been in a job search since he began his career.  I also learned that he is a cigar aficionado, familiar with my favorite cigar bar.  We ended the conversation with my commitment to follow up after I review his resume.

We met mid-afternoon, Thursday at the cigar bar.  After making our cigar and beverage selections we found seats at a table in a private meeting room.  We made a toast and got down to business.  He handed me his resume as he began to recap his background.  Walt is an extrovert.  He is friendly, engaging, and interesting.  We are about the same age and have much in common.  Our meeting was off to a great start.  He laid out his history as a Category Manager and Business Development Professional in the food distribution industry segment.  He explained that he was furloughed at the beginning of the lockdown, then recently terminated.

We spent the better part of two hours together.  I noted that he is better off than most job seekers.  He has a severance package including a non-compete clause.  He has a solid network and excellent references.  Already, he has reached out to make them aware of his situation so they can be helpful.  He admitted that he is not savvy about networking groups or how to find them. He said he is open to new opportunities.

When Walt finished presenting his background he asked for my advice.  I commended him on his positive outlook and his willingness to consider new opportunities.  We discussed the obvious difficulty in the foodservice segment; however, I foresee opportunities helping his prior customers with their purchasing and supply chain issues.  We also discussed pursuing opportunities in non-food distribution.  I told him that many are finding success by taking freelance consulting projects as a bridge strategy to find full-time employment.  Finally, I suggested that his search should include smaller companies with upside potential.

His resume, hot off the presses, was prepared by an HR professional, not a professional resume writer.  Although it is well organized and easy to read, it is bland and lacks a call to action.  It does not reflect the contributions he has made to his employers and his positioning statement lacks clarity.   I can help him with that issue.

His final question was about my program.  Could I be helpful, and how I was paid for my services?  I explained how the three parts of my business, (New Century Dynamics Executive Search, ITB Partners, and Executive Career Coaching) operated and how each could be helpful to him.

At the end of our conversation I agreed to the following deliverables:

  • Help him plug into the market via networking groups.
  • Review his resume and LinkedIn Profile – make recommendations.
  • Provide clearer background information about our capabilities.
  • Make Strategic Introductions to my network.

Walt is hitting the market at a difficult time.  The economy is coming out of recession, it is the middle of summer, and his industry segment is under pressure.  As a Baby Boomer,  he has demographic challenges. On the plus side, he has a solid skill stack and a positive mindset.  His severance package is a plus.  He has a good network and great references.  Most importantly, he is coach-able and open to new opportunities.  Walt will adapt to the realities of this market as he has a better understanding of his options.  I am confident that it won’t be long until he will be gainfully employed.

Thank you for visiting our blog.

Jim Weber – Managing Partner, ITB Partners

I hope you enjoyed our point of view and would like to receive regular posts directly to your email inbox.  Toward this end, put your contact information on my mailing list.

Your feedback helps me continue to publish articles that you want to read.  Your input is very important to me so; please leave a comment.

Jim Weber – Managing Partner,  ITB Partners

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Job Search in the Latest “New Normal” – Recruiting and Selection Dynamics

Networking is still key!

It is normal for me to talk with a lot of job seekers and this week was no exception.  One conversation was remarkable, albeit in a disappointing way.  Steve was referred to me by a colleague as his job search has been ineffective.  Happy to help, I scheduled a phone call to exchange information and to learn about his career interests.  The gist of our conversation is that Steve is having difficulty generating interest from employers.  He is an experienced professional with an advanced degree, but he is uncomfortable networking.  He is reticent about making even a small effort in that direction.  The bulk of his search has been about submitting his resume to company portals and online job boards.  He has not done much research into other resources, tools, and techniques to leverage his efforts.   I explained that up to 85% of people find their jobs through networking, while online applications account for about 10%.  I encouraged him to spend his time accordingly.  It was a difficult conversation. My advice did not seem to resonate.  The best I could do was offer suggestions and encourage him to check in from time to time.

My last post was the first in a series of articles to explore Job Search in the Latest “New Normal.”  In that post, I discussed the importance of situational awareness to understand the dynamics of the job market.  One must have three hundred and sixty-degree understanding of playing field to ensure a successful outcome.  The impact of Covid-19 has accelerated many trends already evident in the market. In this post, I explore evolutionary aspects of recruiting and selection processes the job seeker may encounter.

Although the economy is improving and companies are rehiring, it is unclear as to the continued pace of the recovery.   Women are said to be hardest hit by the pandemic related layoffs.  They are concerned about the economic impact on their family’s well-being.  They wonder how much time will pass before they begin earning a regular paycheck again.  If they have school-age children at home, their careers may be put on hold as school systems opt for virtual education.  For many, their concentration is short-term survival, less so for the long term.  This is reasonable and probably good thinking.

If you believe the economic forecasts, employers are planning for a favorable fourth quarter.  Their recruiting activity must begin now if they expect to be staffed by Fall.  They are using virtual tools to facilitate more of their recruiting, selection, and onboarding processes. Most employers are soliciting applications through online portals.  Additionally, they are likely to use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to make the process more efficient. Video interviews have gained greater acceptance, especially for senior-level positions.  Now, I am hearing that these tools are becoming commonplace across a wider range of job categories.  This makes sense to me as video conferencing is an obvious solution for recruiters who may be working from home.   These tools are effective, affordable, and easy to use.  The job seeker must become adept with the virtual interview.

The pace of hiring is not uniform across all industry segments.  The media has reported several stories about iconic brands that have announced plans to hire a significant number of new employees.  On the other hand, many smaller businesses are struggling to survive or planning to close.  Many of the latter are service-sector operations, including restaurants.  Finding job opportunities in this segment is problematic.  One can reasonably expect six months to a year or more before the economy reaches the pre-pandemic staffing level for this segment.  You should consider redeploying your skillset for opportunities in growing industry segments.

Tips to Improve your search:

  • Networking is still the key
  • Embrace Social Media
  • Think creatively – consider your transferable skills
  • Become comfortable with video interviews
  • Consider freelance work as a bridge strategy

We cannot fully appreciate the potential economic downside or the possible upside as we adapt to Covid-19.  Assuming that surrender is not an option, we must adapt.  The recruiting and selection process has gone virtual, so we must become proficient with virtual tools and processes.  Networking is still the most viable way to find a new job, so embrace that activity.  Become a confident networker if not an expert.  Include virtual networking in your portfolio via LinkedIn, email outreach, and other social media platforms.  Consider the value of your skill-stack to support a career move to a high-performing industry segment.  Be open to freelance work as a bridge strategy to a full-time situation, or maybe a new career.  We cannot predict the jobs that may go away or those that will be created.  It is safe to say, however, that new career opportunities will be available to you if you do your research and seek them out.

Thank you for visiting our blog.

Jim Weber – Managing Partner, ITB Partners

I hope you enjoyed our point of view and would like to receive regular posts directly to your email inbox.  Toward this end, put your contact information on my mailing list.

Your feedback helps me continue to publish articles that you want to read.  Your input is very important to me so; please leave a comment.

Jim Weber – Managing Partner,  ITB Partners

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Job Search in the Latest New Normal

ITB Partners Members Meeting

We have reached the halfway point for 2020, which may be the strangest year of my life.  Your’s too, most likely. Working through the challenges presented by Covid-19 is certainly remarkable.  Few if anyone I know, has ever experienced a pandemic of this nature or the measures required to moderate its spread.  And then, the follow-on weeks of civil unrest. Yes, this year has been surreal.

The sudden transition from a booming economy to a voluntary lockdown has been jarring.  Overnight, we have gone from historically low to depression-level unemployment.  The relief provided by the Federal Government is unprecedented. It has helped employers and employees survive the lockdown.  To some extent, however, it may have been counterproductive as minimum wage earners lack the incentive to return to work before their benefits expire.  Nevertheless, many furloughed at the beginning of ‘shelter in place,’ lost their jobs as employers face the realities of survival.  Some of these people have reached out to me for help.

The underlying structure of the economy is still intact.

Even though many jobs are gone, at least temporarily, the underlying structure of the economy is still intact. This has not been a traditional recession where a bubble in the economy collapses.  It is closer to a natural disaster save for the destruction of infrastructure. The manufacturing, supply chain, logistics network has suffered a minimal impact.  The financial services sector has fared well.  The Service Sector has been hardest hit as the need for social distancing directly impacts their business model.  By design, the Service Sector is based on close personal contact. Even so, the road back to prosperity has not been closed.  The level of employment is rapidly improving.  There is a reason for guarded optimism.

My neighbor is a good case study.  He was furloughed from a senior-level construction and development position for a major restaurant brand.  By the end of the lockdown, his position was eliminated as his employer decided to reduce their development plans for 2020.

The good news is that he is a licensed Architect.   He has other options.  In fact, he has landed freelance work with architectural firms.  Additionally, he has found that positions, like the one he lost, are available locally.

I have received a significant uptick in calls from job seekers requiring help.  A few have not had to look for a job for many years and want to understand the changes in the recruiting and selection process.  Others are looking to become more competitive by improving their job search skills, resume, and other collateral material.  Most find the process confusing.  They seek clarity and direction.

Questions for The Job Seeker:

    • How is Your Situational awareness?
    • Are you savvy about the labor market dynamics?
    • Do you have a full appreciation for your options?
    • Do you understand the needs of your audience, employer risk?
    • Do you think and behave like a brand?  Be the product/brand!
    • How are your communication skills?
    • Do you understand how to navigate interview traps and pitfalls?

Situational Awareness:

The first step in the job search process is to gain situational awareness.  Job seekers face a dynamic market, especially for senior management. Employers are working mightily to remain relevant.  They face intense pressure from traditional and disruptive competition. Even the strongest brands can become distracted by mergers, acquisitions, downsizing, right-sizing, productivity improvement initiatives, etc. The newest challenge is, of course, a heightened concern for employers’ ability to survive the devastating impact of the pandemic driven lock-down.  Brands must not only survive the lock-down, they must learn to thrive in an environment requiring a greater focus on sanitation and hygiene.  They are forced to adapt, in real-time, as humanity suffers the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. Employers have cause to substitute technology for human capital.  Many companies will never reopen. This is not all bad.  Successful companies will become stronger, increasing demand for employees.

Conclusions and Recommendations:

What is your evaluation of the situation?  Are you working in an industry sector more, or less impacted by the virus?  Are your skills still in demand?   Do you need new skills or a tune-up?   What opportunities have been revealed?  How should you adjust your strategy?  Relevancy is a fundamental issue for job seekers.  If you need help, seek out professionals who understand the situation.  Remember, you are the product.  Be the product!  You must adjust and adapt to the “Latest New Normal.”

I will explore the remainder of these challenges in the next few weeks.

Thank you for visiting our blog.

Jim Weber – Managing Partner, ITB Partners

I hope you enjoyed our point of view and would like to receive regular posts directly to your email inbox.  Toward this end, put your contact information on my mailing list.

Your feedback helps me continue to publish articles that you want to read.  Your input is very important to me so; please leave a comment.

Jim Weber – Managing Partner,  ITB Partners

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A Compelling Story Is Your Launchpad!

Compelling Stories Matter

In mid-June, I received an email from my next-door neighbor asking for help with a project.  Bob had just completed the first draft of a book and was beginning to think about the publishing process.  He thought I could help sort out his options. Six months ago, Bob shared his idea for a book so I wasn’t surprised by his request.  He wanted to tell a story about the challenges of becoming a Plant Manager, based on personal experience.  His interest was to write a novel in the style of “The Goal,”  by Eliyahu M. Goldratt and Jeff Cox.  It appears that the Covid-19 voluntary lockdown provided him with the perfect opportunity to write his book.   We scheduled a Beer Summit for 4:00 p.m. Saturday.

Bob arrived at our side door, off the kitchen, with a six-pack of chilled Pilsner Urquell.  That was a pleasant surprise as I had just stocked our beverage center with a few of my favorite brands.  He explained that Pilsner Urquell is a brand he came to appreciate while stationed in Germany.  Always interested in trying a new brew, I thanked him and grabbed two glasses.  After a brief toast, we exited the kitchen door to the deck and found seats on the shaded corner around the fire pit.  The beer was a good choice.  We began to talk.
He reminded me of his plan to write a book to help launch a consulting career.  The opportunity presented itself, so he took it.  Bob said that he had been talking to friends about their publishing experience.  So far, the feedback he had received was about traditional publishing.  He said he wanted to hear about my self-publishing experience.  I told him how I had published my book on Amazon, and I volunteered to introduce him to colleagues who had significantly more self-publishing experience.  Also, I suggested that he distribute his manuscript to ten or twelve trusted friends to gain their perspectives.  Bob asked if I would like to read his draft. I happily agreed.
The following Saturday, we met again to discuss his manuscript.  As with our first meeting, Bob supplied the beer, this time a six-pack of Guinness, one of my favorites.  We found our spots on the corner of my deck and opened our beers.  Small talk followed as we eased into serious conversation.
Bob had emailed his manuscript in MSWord format.  I read it in ten-page printed chunks, making notes on those pages.  Before handing Bob his marked-up manuscript, I explained that my focus was on the quality of the story, not the grammar, sentence structure, or syntax.  I made notations of issues in those areas for his consideration, however.
As I handed Bob the manuscript I complimented him for creating a remarkable story and enjoyable read.  I went on to say that my only recommendation was that he consider changing his opening chapter.  Bob had used the first chapter to introduce Bud, the main character.   My suggestion was that Bob presents Bud’s biographical information in a series of flashbacks to provide perspective as to how his experience informed his problem-solving and decision-making process.  By doing so I believe it would generate stronger reader interest by captivating their imagination at a more dramatic part of the story.

Summary and Conclusion

Everyone likes a good story.  It is human nature, part of our DNA so to speak.  For millennia, humans have entertained themselves by telling stories around the proverbial campfire.  One can imagine the origin of the first Fish Story, “you should have seen the one that got away.”
Things have not changed that much in the 21st Century as a good story is still the preferred way to sell a product and to keep one another entertained.  In fact, I stress this point with my consultants and coaching clients.  If one wants to be considered a Subject Matter Expert, (SME) or become recognized as a leader in their field, they must be able to sell themselves.  In other words, we must be effective communicators.  Our skillset must include mastery of the written word as well as verbal communication skills.  A compelling story can be your launchpad for more effective networking, blogging, and speaking.

Thank you for visiting our blog.

Jim Weber – Managing Partner, ITB Partners

I hope you enjoyed our point of view and would like to receive regular posts directly to your email inbox.  Toward this end, put your contact information on my mailing list.

Your feedback helps me continue to publish articles that you want to read.  Your input is very important to me so; please leave a comment.

Jim Weber – Managing Partner,  ITB Partners

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Job Search – What’s Your Story?

How To Stand Out?

Now we know what it is like to shelter in place for the better part of two months.  But try to imagine being in the middle of a job search, making good progress, just to have the Covid-19 shelter-in-place recommendation induce a dead stop? What a bummer!  Well, a lot of people found themselves in this situation.  I talked with several and have taken on a few as clients.

I worked with one client who is in a job search for the first time in 15 years.  This client lost her job before the shelter in place began and was just getting traction when everything stopped.  She came to me seeking help with her resume and networking efforts.  She needed a skills tune-up.

A lot has changed since her last job search.  The proliferation of online job boards and electronic resume submissions is a major change.  She wanted to ensure that her resume featured the best keywords to optimize her results with automated resume reading programs.

Then again, job search has not changed that much, especially for senior managers.  85% of jobs are still secured via old fashioned networking.  10% of jobs are found through job boards, with the balance through Executive Recruiters.  Naturally, my advice to job seekers is to allocate their time in the same proportions.  It is not easy at first for those who are not confident networking.  It is easier to sit in front of a computer screen, applying for jobs.  Of course, they become frustrated by the lack of response.

I begin coaching a new client by seeking to understand their career.  This helps me determine how to present the client in a compelling way.  More importantly, I want the client to articulate their story effectively and concisely.  It is not easy at first for most, but eventually, they get it.  This is one of my towering strengths.

The resume is the best place to start.  A well-crafted resume will tell a story about patterns of success and career growth. These patterns reveal the candidate’s orientation toward measurable results, or not.  It also tells something about the type of work and environment where they are most effective.  Are their skills best suited to taking on new projects or assignments?  Are they better suited to turnarounds or troubleshooting?  Do they thrive in ambiguous situations that require rationalization, or making incremental improvements to established lines of business? Whatever the case, I help them identify their career patterns. They become the theme of the candidate’s story.   Make the theme of your career story stand out.

The first time a recruiter or hiring manager touches a resume it is likely to receive little more than 20 seconds of their time.  Obviously, the reader is scanning, not reading. They are absorbing impressions.  Their focus is on the first third of the first page. They are looking for a headline, keywords, phrases, and job titles.  If they are not captivated by what they see, that will be the end of one’s opportunity.  I make those key points jump off the page.

To tell an effective story you must know your audience.  Are you sending your resume to an internal or an external recruiter? Maybe it is going to the hiring manager.  Are you responding to an online Job Posting? Are you scheduled to attend a networking meeting or maybe a one-on-one?  Is your LinkedIn Profile current?   Each point of contact represents a different audience, requiring a different vehicle.  Your job search tools include your resume, Bio, Cover Letter, LinkedIn page, Key Results Summary, and business cards.  They are to be used in a coordinated manner, each for a specific purpose.  A detailed resume is your foundation document.

Make your resume an interesting read.  Make it read like a story.  Each sentence must draw the reader into your journey.  Make them want to read the next sentence, then the next.  When you review your resume, look to see if it tells a story.  Is it clear and compelling?  Is there a common theme woven throughout?    Does it make you look interesting?  Does it entice the reader to schedule a meeting?  If the answer to those questions is not in the affirmative, you have work to do.

Thank you for visiting our blog.

Jim Weber – Managing Partner, ITB Partners

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Jim Weber – Managing Partner, ITB Partners

 

 

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UNITE: “WEE WILL…” EXPERIDIGM Enable “E”cosystems; by Mark Grace

Overview

We humans and “E”cosystems (Es) must unite as WeE to preserve and foster the ability to joyfully experience a natural and healthy life. “Es” sustain We with natural air, water, soil, and healthy food, but “Es” are dying from human poisons/pollution and intentional “T”yrant taking. WeE must unite and build meaningful WeE experidigm group rights to ensure WeE ability to survive and pursue healthy experiences. Learn how to create lasting WeE experidigm group rights. Unite and joyfully WeE experidigm together. Live healthy and experience Amness joy. Use Part 4 as a Field Guide to help WeE and “E” successfully survive and experidigm together.

Description

The future of humanity depends on the human ability to better live together and do activities together – I call this experidigming. Our future does not depend on how well we work together in business. We are pretty good at that now. We are poor at living together with and supporting all living entities in ecosystems (“Es”). Over 7.8 billion people are consuming “Es” at an unprecedented rate. Left unmanaged and unchecked, people may consume all “E.” Our future depends on how well We humans respect, steward, and support all living entities in “E.” This book describes how to have We humans and “E” living entities experidigm together as WeE, building a sustaining and thriving relationship for all within the WeE experidigms. One fact is certain – humans cannot survive without the life giving power of “E” to deliver clean air, water, alive soil, and trillions of living entities that share healthy food with humans. WeE experidigm groups can protect, sustain, and foster “E” while defending WeE using experidigm group rights. We and “E” must unite as WeE to sustain life and create the necessary balance of life to sustain daily living. Join a local WeE experidigm group to do activities and receive joy. This book describes how to UNITE and participate in the joyful experience of We and “E” combined WeE.

About The Author

Mark Grace

Described as a rainmaker and innovation leader, Mark Grace lives by the adage, “Aim higher, achieve more!” For Grace, “There will be setbacks, but the good side just points upward and you go upward to better. You might not see better right away, but better is there if you keep looking and seeking. You can avoid, deflect, and ignore the bad people who try and stop your growth.” As an inventor, Grace has received over 18 patents, many trademarks and has been honored with international technology awards. He is the author of a series of personal and corporate “how to grow” opportunity books: 1) Elements of Visual Talking, 2) Soaring to Awesome-Turd Throwers Beware, 3) Choosing Up, 4) Avoid Takers, 5) NEXT: “I Am…” Experidigmer 6) MORE: “We Am…” Experidigmers, 7) GO: “We Will…” Experidigm, and 8) UNITE: “WeE Will…” Experidigm. Grace earned his MBA from Washington University and Chemistry degree from St. Louis University. He is the founder of the growth advisory firm, Beyondvia Technologies. Beyondvia.com offers practical better ways to liberate individuals and organizations to grow and evolve their visions and value. Grace regularly advises global organizations and contributes to leading journals across a myriad of industries. Experidigm.com is the signup gateway to participating in Applied Experidigm Zones (AEZ) and building personal experidigms.

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