Category: Career Management

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Erica McCurdy to present “Your Customers Are On LinkedIn, Shouldn’t You Be?”

Erica McCurdy to present to AMERICAN BUSINESS WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION MONTHLY LUNCHEON (AUGUST)!      Follow this link to register!  https://lnkd.in/eMrNBUC

 

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AMERICAN BUSINESS WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION MONTHLY LUNCHEON (AUGUST)

You can learn more about Erica and her business and family practices at www.McCurdySolutions.com and www.ATLDIV.com

About this Event

Join the American Business Women’s Association for their monthly lunch and learn series. You will be treated to our guest speaker, Erica McCurdy.

Let’s spend 30 minutes together to QuickStart the process of growing your influence, increasing your opportunities, and MAKING MORE MONEY leveraging the power of LinkedIn. We will begin with a quick group activity to learn how to fast-track connecting in a group setting, and move through refining your profile, developing connection strategies, and taking the skills you already have and use on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, to make them work for you in the structured world of LinkedIn.

Integrating the best in coaching, psychology, goal-setting, and accountability, Erica McCurdy has earned a reputation for being one of the best coaches in the Metropolitan Atlanta area. She is an active member of Forbes’ Coaches Council and a credentialed member and mentor coach for the International Coaching Federation (ICF). As a Master Certified Coach, she holds four specialty coaching certifications: Certified Professional Master Coach; Certified Business Coach; Certified Group Coach; and Certified Youth, Parent, and Family Coach. Erica has been recognized four years in a row as a “best of” business in her industry, listed four years running as a “Top Atlanta Coach” by Experteer, is an instructor in the ICF Core Competencies, and is a proud coach and mentor for the Navy SEAL Future Foundation. You will find her regularly featured on MSN, US News, Recruiter.com, Forbes, Business News Daily, Fox News.com, Elite Daily, Best Company, SparkHire, AARP Life Reimagined, LiveStrong, GoodEveryDay, Money For Lunch Radio show, Money Nomad, FlexJobs.com, Bustle Magazine, and more. In addition to her executive career, she has founded several start-ups including her favorite, Georgia Sanitation, Inc. which she sold in 2006. A native Atlantan who is committed to her community, Erica is a passionate Rotarian, Paul Harris Fellow, a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success, and a past president and sustaining member of National Charity League.

You can learn more about Erica and her business and family practices at www.McCurdySolutions.com and www.ATLDIV.com

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3 Reasons Why Your Firm Needs a Podcast – Profit from the Power of Podcasting

Written by Artie Ruderman, CEO, InnovativeGrowthSolutions

 

1 Age of Content: Be Heard & Establish Your Brand

Do You Have a Growing Problem?

Most businesses depend on new business from existing clients and need to acquire additional clients to thrive.  Aggressive marketing along with advances in technology and innovation has enabled competition to encroach upon your company’s product and service offerings making developing new business more challenging.

 

 

Value-Based Selling

Best practices for developing business has evolved; 82% of shoppers conduct online research before buying.1  Unlike the two traditional sales methodologies, ‘Selling’, where a salesperson tries to push prospects to make a purchase or ‘Marketing’ which tries to pull prospects to make a purchase, ‘Value-Based Selling’ attracts purchasers by imbuing the reasons your company’s products and services are valuable to them.

 

Podcasting Establishes Your Business has Value

A podcast with compelling content triggers three purchaser qualifiers: ‘Know – Like – Trust’.  A podcast that offers solutions to a prospect’s business issues or enhances their lives connects your company to its target market, increases brand recognition, develops a relationship and establishes your brand as an industry authority.

 

 

Interesting Facts

  • Podcasting started in the 1980s and was known then as ‘audio blogging’
  •  In 2004, the term ‘Podcasting’ started as a blend of iPod and broadcasting
  •  Sale of pro microphones will grow 50% by 2021 (Futuresource Consulting report: 11/22/17)

 

 

2 Podcasting Levels the Competitive Playing Field

Podcasting is Easy and Economical

Recording a podcast is less complicated and less expensive than producing a video.  You can simply talk into a smartphone and upload it to YouTube.  If you would like to have a professional production, consider recording at a podcast studio that can enhance the sound quality and provide studio services such as editing – voice-overs – jingles and more.

 

Be Heard & Increase SEO

In addition to posting your podcasts on your website, LinkedIn company profile, and social media, expand your connections by linking your podcasts on popular listening networks like Stitcher – iTunes – Spotify & Google Podcast.  To increase opportunities to be heard, ask a podcast studio if they can distribute your podcasts on syndicated channels like IHeartRadio.

 

A Primer for Producing Your Own Podcast

  • Craft Content of interest to your target market
  • Your Podcast is your firm’s Digital Voice – Imbue it with your company’s personality
  • It can be formal or folksy like Southwest Airlines

Tips for Professional Production:

  • Editing & individual microphone sound enhancement
  • Voice overs / intros – outros / jingles
  • Have a show host & guests who are clients, prospects, industry executives & authorities…
  • Distribute to networks to be heard by prospects outside your connections

 

3 Podcasting is the Media of Choice Today 

The Age of Content

Anywhere you are out and about, the chances are you will see people interacting with their smartphones.  Just as you are reading this article to leverage what you can learn about podcasting; they are also seeking content to learn or be entertained.

 You Can Listen to a Podcast

There are a plethora of marketing options on the internet: email blasts / blogging / videos / vlogging, however, they all demand your visual attention.  Podcasting’s popularity can be attributed to the fact that you can listen to a podcast anytime and anywhere; in a coffee shop or performing a multitude of pursuits; driving, running, walking the dog, mowing the lawn…

 

 

Statistics Worth Knowing*

  • 62 million people listen to podcasts weekly, a 17% increase in 2018 over 2017*
  • Facebook had 15 million fewer users in 2018 than in 2017
  • 45% of monthly podcast listeners have a household income of over $75K
  • 27% of US podcast listeners have a 4-year college degree vs 19% for US population

 

*2019 Podcast Stats & Facts posted by Podcast Insight with credit to Updated stats: Edison Research                  

                 Infinite Dial 2019 released March 6, 2019.  Q1 2018 report from Nielsen, March 20, 2018.

 

 

 

1: As reported in Forbes: New Research Shows Growing Impact of Online Research on In-Store Purchases, by John

Ellett, Feb 8, 2018 credits report from The ROBO Economy (Research Online Buy Offline).

 

A Podcast based on this article can be heard at ProBusinessChannel.com.

To learn more about podcasting or booking a studio visit: www.GlobalPodcastStudios.com.

 

Artie Ruderman is the CEO of  InnovativeGrowthSolutions, a fractional corporate & business development company and Business Director at Pro Business Channel, an internet broadcast network & parent company of Global Podcast Studios

 

 

Thank you for visiting our blog.

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

Jim.Weber@itbpartners.com

Author of: Fighting Alligators, Job Search Strategy For The New Normal

 

 

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Reduction in Force; Challenges and Opportunities

While engaged in recent networking activities I became acquainted with a Senior Consultant assigned to the Atlanta office for a National Outplacement Company.  He had heard about ITB Partners and wanted to learn more about our program.  During our discussion, I asked about their activity level, given that the economy has improved, and unemployment had reached a historic low.  I was somewhat surprised to learn that their business was still strong.  He said that, notwithstanding the strength of the economy, many companies are reorganizing their workforces to better serve their customers and achieve a competitive advantage.  I found this interesting and made a mental note to explore the issue further as I thought it would be a good topic for an article.  Two weeks ago, my health-care-consultant-friend and colleague, Faith told me that she had just finished an engagement to help a client through a major reorganization.  That triggered the memory of my conversation with the Outplacement Consultant so I asked her if she would like to collaborate on a blog post.  I find it interesting to learn how large companies endeavor to maintain a competitive advantage as we transition further into the Digital Age.

 

Executing a restructuring program is a complex endeavor that includes the risk of lawsuits and unintended consequences.  The risk profile increases with the scope of the program and the number of employees affected.  To minimize risk, major companies create a comprehensive plan that justifies the business case for the reorganization; evaluates alternatives to achieve their goals; and establishes criteria for employee termination or reassignment.  The Corporate General Counsel is a key player to ensure compliance with Federal and State Laws.  Additionally, the plan will include an analytical process to ensure that the impact of the reorganization doesn’t disproportionately affect protected classes of employees.  A labor economist can perform this role.  The written plan and documentation of the reorganization is necessary if required to defend a lawsuit.

 

Experts in the field of Corporate Reorganization advise their clients to think creatively when considering a reduction in force.  This intrigued me as I’ve witnessed the failure of many reorganizations.  Often, projected benefits were never realized as they were offset by lost productivity and poor customer service, ultimately dampening brand value.  From my perspective, lost institutional knowledge wasn’t adequately considered which led to subsequent re-staffing, including a certain number of rehires.

 

Talking this over with Faith, she told me that her client had set an objective for a 10% reduction in workforce (RIF) and process improvement realignment (PIR) effective January 1, 2020.  The median years of service for their Care Advocates are eight years.  During those years they’d learned how to navigate internal systems and politics, providing maximum value to the company and its clients.  In response to the directive, the client wants to ensure that their Care Advocates are happy and fulfilled in their current position.  Furthermore, they want to retain their institutional knowledge to the extent possible.

It is essential that their employees are engaged and thriving as that brings about the best patient outcomes.  People thrive when they can contribute and receive value.  The most significant contributors are those who feel appreciated and part of a greater good. They identify with the organization and what it’s trying to accomplish. It means the organization functions efficiently, with higher productivity and lower cost.  So, it’s imperative that employees are in the right position and feel appreciated for the effective use of their talents.

Faith said the RIF/PIR process began by offering all employees an opportunity to take personality profiling diagnostics to unlock suppressed interests.  This information helps dedicated Senior Recruiters direct them to opportunities in other departments.  These Recruiters will connect them with other hiring managers and inform them of relevant postings on internal job boards.  A structured communication strategy was designed to keep the Care Advocates informed of the status of the plan.  Finally, Care Advocates receive assistance if they want a severance package to seek opportunities outside the organization.

To summarize, Faith said that corporate realignments can be challenging.

Management is well advised to minimize risk by retaining as much institutional knowledge as possible.   Employees should ensure they are contributing to their position and to the overall mission, vision, and values of the organization.  If they lack a personal sense of fulfillment, they should consider looking for other positions inside or outside the organization.  The Health care sector embraces change.  Motivated employees should do the same.

For further reading on Restructuring and Reduction in Force, check out these articles.

https://stephanierthomas.blogspot.com/2010/02/planning-and-executing-reduction-in.html

http://www.klgates.com/files/upload/Presentation_RIF.pdf

Thank you for visiting our blog.

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

Jim.Weber@itbpartners.com

Author of: Fighting Alligators, Job Search Strategy For The New Normal

 

 

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Are You Asking The Right Questions?

Some things people do really irritate me. Wasting my time is at the top of the list. Insulting my intelligence is right up there, as is taking too long to get to the point.  People who are condescending, and those who like to grandstand round out my top five. It is particularly annoying when one incorporates all these irritants into one act, like asking a question.  I have witnessed people take a simple, but important question, and turn it into a three-act play.  These questions begin with a prelude which is meant to put the question in context, act one.  The actual question is act two.  Act three is an admonition of consequences if the inquisitor isn’t satisfied with the answer.  Often, these questions are somewhat insulting, designed to make the subject uncomfortable or defensive.  This type of question, asked during a business meeting, is counterproductive.

 

If you’ve ever watched a press conference, you know what I mean.   This behavior is on display during the daily briefing of The White House press corps. It seems to be less about asking a thoughtful question to solicit information than about drawing attention to the inquisitor.  You will also see this style on display during question-and-answer periods after someone has delivered a speech. It is particularly amusing to watch college students attempt to demonstrate their brilliance and trip up the speaker.  It happens during shareholder’s meetings too.  Sometimes, if the inquisitor is sympathetic to the subject, a leading question will be asked to guide the answer to a welcoming place.  These are known as “puffball” questions.  I suppose I’m like most people; depending on our backgrounds, we take a lot of things for granted. I have assumed that professionals have been trained to ask effective questions. That is a bad assumption.

 

Questions are a powerful tool.  Asking the right question in the right way can open a dialog leading to greater insight and a significant breakthrough.  The ability to ask questions that result in an exchange of useful information is fundamental to effective leadership.  It is a skill that is necessary for employee recruiting and selection as well as choosing new vendors.  Skillful managers ask questions that inspire and empower their team. The ability to ask the right questions is required to define a problem and find its solution.  And yes, questions are required to hold our politicians accountable.  There is a direct correlation for success in one’s profession and the ability to ask good questions.

 

So, what are the attributes of a good question?  Whereas the specific question will depend on the situation we can agree on some fundamentals.  First, you must be clear as to the information you seek.  What do you want to learn?  A good question is positive, non-threatening, and respectful to support an open, free flow of information.  The likelihood of receiving useful information from someone you’ve insulted is not great.  The question should be carefully worded, using a common language to ensure its meaning is clear and understood.  For most situations, open-ended questions will yield the best result.  Although, closed-ended, direct questions may be more effective for problem-solving situations.

 

Having been trained to conduct interviews, and for problem-solving in general, I’m confident in my ability to ask questions that generate useful information.  This skill was honed during my corporate career and twenty years interviewing people as an Executive Recruiter.  While executing my coaching and leadership responsibilities I’ve learned that what may appear to be the seminal issue at the beginning of a conversation is often a symptom of the actual problem.  One can only get to the root problem by asking follow-up questions.  In this case, asking ‘why’ questions may be most effective.  My friend Faith calls it peeling off the layers of an onion.

 

The flip side of asking good questions is to be a good listener.  Silence on the inquisitors’ part can draw out a more comprehensive response.  Body language can be helpful as well.  You may have seen an interviewer thoughtfully nodding during their subject’s response.  This demonstrates acceptance, encouraging the subject to continue.

If you want to improve your overall professional skill set, learning how to ask effective questions is a great place to start.  If you want to be viewed as a serious person and a good team member avoid questions that resemble a three-act play.  Respect your subject and your team by asking questions that elevate the conversation.

Thank you for visiting our blog.

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

Jim.Weber@itbpartners.com

Author of: Fighting Alligators, Job Search Strategy For The New Normal

 

 

 

 

 

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Alumni Meet and Greet!

For the past few weeks, I’ve been working on an extra-curricular event for the local chapter of my Alumni Association.  The leadership wanted to organize an event to re-energize the chapter and decided that a Happy Hour Meet and Greet would be ideal. It is difficult to create events that appeal to everyone, but you must start somewhere.  An opportunity to share appetizers and a cocktail or two with fellow alums seemed like a good way to begin Summer, and to reignite the chapter.  Organizing cocktail parties is right in my wheelhouse, so I was compelled to volunteer.  For those of you who have followed my posts, this isn’t a surprise.

 

Organizing an event in Atlanta is no easy task.  The Atlanta metro area is comprised of 6 million people living in 30 counties.  Our 6,000 alumni are spread over a huge geographical area.  Traffic is a big consideration, especially during rush hour.  The ability to use public transportation reduces a lot of risk and anxiety which should enhance the value of the event.  For those familiar with Uber or Lyft, Midtown is a target-rich environment.  Our group chose Thursday, June 27 as a good day for our Meet and Greet.  As it falls between Memorial Day and Independence Day we won’t be competing with any holidays.  Thursday is usually a good day as it is close to the weekend, without the obvious family conflicts.  We selected a central location in Midtown convenient to MARTA.    So, I did my part.  Now it’s up to the communications folks to bring the alums.

 

I didn’t become active in the alumni association until 2003, after living in Atlanta for seven years.  Prior to 2003, my corporate career had me moving every three years and I had little time to think about alumni activities.  Also, I had family obligations to consider.  Besides, the alumni association couldn’t find me until I put down permanent roots.  So, I attended a few events and made some new friends, including a fraternity brother I hadn’t seen since college.  Eventually, that led to a seat on the National Alumni Board which lasted four years.

 

People become active in their alumni association for different reasons, but they all begin with a common bond; they shared an experience earning a degree.  Each member joins an alumni chapter when the time is right, and they have a compelling reason.  An alumni affiliation is especially relevant if you are new to a city, working to establish yourself. At the most fundamental level, it’s about making friends.  As with any other interest group, there is a generational element in play.  For more mature alumni, it may be about giving back to the community by sharing their experience (mentoring) or financial resources.   My reason for becoming active was multi-faceted.

 

I have spoken before about the value of participating in one’s alumni association for career development.  I continue to be surprised, however, that people are slow to make that connection.  It may be a fundamental misunderstanding about networking.  Most people think of networking to find a job and to further their career.  However, networking is a vehicle to achieve an objective by meeting people who can help you.  It is also an opportunity for you to help others.  It’s is a two-way street.  It isn’t exclusively for building one’s career.  People join interest groups for a variety of reasons that are not career oriented.  There are groups to satisfy every interest imaginable.  Members of each group are busy looking for people who can help them, or whom they can help.  If you want to be a better fisherman, you will hang out with other fishermen to improve your skills.  The point is, every group begins with a common interest to attract members.

Many view participation in their alumni association as one-dimensional.  They think it’s all about drinking beer and watching football games.  I admit, there is nothing like a great athletic program to generate attendance for game-watch parties.  But that is just one dimension of the alumni experience.  The reality is that people participate in their alumni association for different reasons, sometimes with multiple goals in play.

 

I am looking forward to our Meet and Greet.  I hope to catch up with old friends and to make some new friends.  Who knows, I may make a great business connection.  It’s happened before.

Thank you for visiting our blog.

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

Jim.Weber@itbpartners.com

Author of: Fighting Alligators, Job Search Strategy For The New Normal

 

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June Atlanta BENG Chapter Meeting featuring Michael Q. Parker

Join Us for the June Atlanta BENG Chapter Meeting featuring Michael Q. Parker who will speak on the topic:

“How To Look When You’re Looking”

About Michael Q. Parker 

Michael Q Parker

Before serving as President of Dressed To Deal, Michael held executive marketing and general management positions at leading global companies including Cox Enterprises, General Mills, and Laureate Education.

Michael is a frequent speaker at several local job networking ministries including Roswell United Methodist Church’s job networking program. In addition, Michael presents to clients of global outplacement companies including Right Management and Lee Hecht Harrison.

His workshop, “How To Look When You’re Looking” is consistently 5-star rated by participants. Here’s a quote from one of his past workshop participants… “I took away some great tips which I have previously overlooked or never thought of as a big deal. I will be sure to work on all my rough edges with regards to my visual presentation going forward.”

Michael’s talk is part workshop and part motivational speech with something for every job seeker. You’ll leave with actionable tips to improve your interview presence and increase your chances of getting the offer.

Trust us, you don’t want to miss this! Linkedin

Register Today!

 

Join us…

Tuesday, June 11th
7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Fee: $10 (Includes Breakfast – menu below)

LOCATION:
Bella’s Kitchen
6600 Peachtree Dunwoody
350 Embassy Row
Atlanta, GA 30328
Directions

Breakfast buffet includes:

Scrambled Eggs
Home Fries
Bacon and Sausage
Grits
Fresh Fruit
Coffee and Juices
Assorted Pastries (Croissant and Bagels with Cream Cheese and Jelly)

Register Today!

The Atlanta – Business Executives Networking Group (BENG) is a non-profit networking organization for mid to senior level professionals with over 10 years of business experience. BENG provides its members with:

  • A supportive atmosphere of high-value, face-to-face networking opportunities.
  • Relevant professional contacts for the unemployed, employed and self-employed.
  • An emotionally supportive environment for those in career transition.
  • Education and assistance for those members desiring to build, maintain or expand their professional network.

Click here to learn more about becoming a member and joining BENG.

Register Today!

 

Note: Meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month.For more information about BENG or to RSVP,
Please visit http://bengatlanta.eventbrite.com or contact
Jim Weber at jim.weber@itbpartners.com.

 
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Pan Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month

A week ago, Saturday, my wife and I attended an event hosted by the Pan Asian Pacific American Council of Georgia, celebrating Asia-Pacific American unity. We were invited by a client of Laotian descent who is very active in the Gwinnett County, Georgia community.  I enjoy experiencing different cultures, although it’s usually by sampling their food. However, I lived in Hawaii for three and one-half years, during junior high and high school, so I have some experience with the Asian community.  I knew this event would be fun.

 

Pan Asian Opening Ceremony-2 5-18-2019

The evening was a celebration of their successful blending into the American mosaic.  It began with a flag ceremony; the American flag leading the way, followed by women in traditional costumes, carrying the flags of their native lands. Everyone stood for the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a solo rendition of the national anthem.

 

The atmosphere was a mixture of pride for their heritage and old fashion American patriotism. The event featured traditional music, songs, dance, and wardrobes.  The drummers were awesome!  Naturally, events like this are a magnet for politicians, so the agenda featured speeches by local representatives.  Thankfully, they were brief and unremarkable.  The last event of the evening, just before my wife and I had to leave, was the scholarship presentation to new high school graduates. It was symbolic of the community’s progress.

 

May is set aside to honor Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. During this month, we celebrate their culture, traditions, and history.  May was chosen for this recognition as events significant to the Asian Community occurred this month.  The first Japanese immigrants to the United States arrived on May 7, 1843, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad was May 10, 1869.   Many of the workers who laid those tracks were Chinese immigrants. On October 5, 1978, President Carter signed legislation recognizing Asian American Heritage Week. In 1990, President George H. W. Bush signed a law to expand this recognition period to a month. At that time May was officially designated as Asia-Pacific American Heritage Month.

 

The following Tuesday, I was scheduled to meet my client at her office in Lawrenceville, the Gwinnett County Seat.  We planned to meet at 1:00 p.m. to review a draft report of the initial assessment phase of my work.  My client saw an opportunity to add a free lunch to our agenda. She invited me to join her for the Pan Asian Pacific Islands American Appreciation Day at the Gwinnett County Courthouse.  According to the U.S. Census Department, the July 1, 2018 estimate for the population of Gwinnett County was approximately 927,781 citizens. Americans of Asian and Pacific Island heritage count for 12.3% of the total population, making them a very significant constituent group.

 

We were surprised to learn, however, that what she thought would be a quick lunch and proclamation, turned into a 2 1/2-hour affair that included speeches from County Commissioners, a panel discussion, and then a recognition ceremony at the beginning of a meeting of the County Commission. It’s safe to say that whenever politicians get involved in an event, the time commitment will increase.  As I had set aside the entire afternoon for my client, I wasn’t fazed a bit.  In fact, I enjoyed it.

 

The event began with a welcome from a County Commissioner, as we enjoyed our lunch, followed by a few words from an Asian American Commissioner.  A Panel Discussion was the next item on the agenda.  The Panel included a Muslim American, two Vietnamese Americans of different generations, a Chinese American, and an Indian American. All are first-or-second-generation Americans, many coming to the United States as a result of the Vietnam War. The gist of the discussion was about aligning around common interests and challenges to move the community forward. I found some very interesting parallels to those of a business start-up trying to establish itself in the marketplace. They spoke to the same points I had made in an earlier post on networking; the key to success is to interact, participate, and to engage.

 

I was impressed by the pride these Asian-Americans have for their heritage and appreciation for their American Citizenship.  Clearly, their assimilation hasn’t been easy, but they are thriving and optimistic.  My takeaway is that one’s success in life requires a commitment to a goal.  To achieve that goal, one must interact, participate, and engage.  This recipe holds for building a business, assimilation into the community, and for gaining political power.

Thank you for visiting our blog.

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

Jim.Weber@itbpartners.com

Author of: Fighting Alligators, Job Search Strategy For The New Normal

 

Posted on

For the Sake of Learning

Josh Sweeney Presentation on Culture First Hiring

Recently, a number of info-graphics comparing the habits of successful people to those that aren’t, landed on my Pinterest feed.  A few of their points spoke to reading as opposed to watching television and a zest for continual learning as significant differentiating factors.  Although I couldn’t disagree, I didn’t pay it much attention until a recent conversation with my friend, Faith.  She was excited to tell me that she had just received a tuition reimbursement check from her employer.  As she is working to complete a college degree, she is making good use of her company’s education assistance program.

 

She continued, saying that she valued that benefit and planned to take full advantage of the program.  I agreed with her thinking and complimented her employer for offering the benefit.  However, I lamented that too many employers have scaled back on their training programs and lack cultures that reinforce the benefits of life-long learning.  Naturally, we agreed that it was a topic I needed to explore further.

 

A few days later, Dennis, an alumni buddy, and I were enjoying our cigars and adult beverages, talking about cars. He told me how another friend, John, got him interested in doing his own car repairs.  John showed Dennis how to research the issue, find the right parts, and make the repairs.  Over time, he gained confidence as he accumulated experience.  He has resolved many maintenance issues, like replacing brake pads and rotors, saving a lot of money.  This is a skill set he developed with a little encouragement from a friend.  I know that he takes pride in this ability which gives him great satisfaction.

 

On the other hand, I am reminded of a colleague who had no interest in learning how to use a Personal Computer.  It was a time when PCs were moving rapidly into the workplace but before the introduction of laptops.  He told me, “why should I know how to use a PC, that’s why I have an assistant.”  The irony is that the PC replaced the administrative assistant, except for the more senior level staff. I often wonder how long it took him to catch up to his peers?

 

Much has been learned about the brain that supports the value of lifelong learning.  A healthy body and sound mind is the key to a long and happy life.  The brain is like a muscle, either use it or lose it!   Learning is like any other skill that requires practice.  With practice one masters the subject. Lifelong learning or continual learning is an attitude, a mindset.  If one believes in the importance of learning new information, or skills they will make the effort to pursue that course.  If not, stagnation may develop, putting one’s career in jeopardy.  As a commercial enterprise is a collection of people, an organization, it follows that it would benefit from continual learning.  Building a learning culture is a viable strategy to keep employees interested and engaged, supporting innovation and productivity improvements.  A learning culture creates competitive advantage.

 

I am a big fan of YouTube.  The variety of their videos seems to be endless.  Among others, I have viewed programs to improve my efficiency with Office 365, manage my websites, develop landing pages to build my contact database, and facilitate greater exposure for my brand.  My time on YouTube has increased my productivity in so many areas that I’ve become an addict. The point is, YouTube is a free service.  It’s a platform for brands to build customer loyalty by training to maximize the utility of their products.  Tuning into YouTube seems to be a ‘no-brainer,’ for individual learners, and for employers.

 

It is all too easy for professionals to get into a rut, going on autopilot as it were, as the vicissitudes of daily life take president.  Companies are no different.  They develop successful business models and continue executing that formula, sometimes without noticing the changes happening around them.  Brands that maintain long term relevance, do so by listening to their customers.  They Learn.  The best brands know that their employees are their customers too.

 

Creating a learning culture really isn’t difficult.  One small change can spark a virtuous cycle of change.  Providing education benefits to employees is a good step toward creating a continuous learning culture.   At the end of the day, however, it’s the responsibility of leadership to build a culture for success.

Thank you for visiting our blog.

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Demystifying Blockchain and the 3 Supply Chains

By Antony Francis  antony.francis@lakehillpartners.com

April 11, 2109

 

About 20 years ago, I produced a diagram showing that there are 3 interconnected supply chains: The Physical, the Informational and the Financial. All three, of course, interconnected and feeding off each other.

 

This interconnection is important. The quicker you get information into the transaction set from physical activities, the quicker you get an ASN and the quicker you get a POD and can invoice your customer. Time is money.

 

There was also much talk about Global Inventory Visibility. We dreamt of the ability to know what was inside each box on a pallet, but the private batch processed networks and lack of internet-driven transactions made this a pipe dream. I remember discussing with a client in the late ’90s whether we could know within seconds at the UK HQ whether an item had been sold in a store in Tokyo and immediately pulse out a replenishment shipment that same day. Of course, today we would say: “no brainer, we can!”; back then, the lack of inter-connected systems and batch processing of file exchanges made this a dream scenario.

 

So, where does Blockchain come into the picture? Firstly, it is important to define what we mean by Blockchain. There are two pieces to Blockchain when it relates to supply chains. One is the distributed on-line ledger that enables one to track the work-flow process from PO to an approved A/P transaction on the buy-side and a sales invoice into A/R on the sell side.

 

A recent article described Blockchain as an open, distributed ledger that can record transactions between two parties efficiently, securely and in a verifiable and permanent way.

 

Some of the key elements of Blockchain were explained by Iansiti and Lakhani in a recent Harvard Business Review piece:

  • Users of a Blockchain have access to all the data so that no one person has control over the information
  • Each record is linked to the ones before it, once entered any alteration would create a snowball effect in the blockchain. Algorithms are employed to ensure the accuracy of the data.
  • There is no need for a centralized entity, for example, a bank, individual transactions can be executed directly.
  • Each user has a password to access the blockchain, each user can share their personal information or remain anonymous. (Ed. I differ with this last point because, in my opinion, and as explained above, we need a full audit trail on each transaction).

 

So, let’s focus on the transactional work-flow process side initially, the Distributed Ledger. Transparency is becoming increasingly important for retailers; more and more people want to know how and where goods are made. This goes hand in hand with ethics and sustainability. For retailers to understand if they are operating in the most sustainable way, if the products they buy are made in the factory they believe it to be, they need to know information about the supply chain. Blockchain can help with this type of data tracking. When transactions occur along the supply chain, a digital record occurs at each step, thus providing a full audit trail.

 

Consider how business works today. Keeping ongoing records of transactions is a core and necessary function of any business. Those records track past actions and performance and guide planning for the future. They must, however, operate as an event manager and keep a fully detailed history of who made changes and when. Many organizations have no master ledger of all their activities; instead, records are distributed across internal units and functions. The problem is reconciling transactions across individual and private ledgers takes a lot of time and is prone to error.

 

In a blockchain system, the ledger is replicated in many identical databases, each hosted and maintained by an interested party. When changes are entered in one copy, all the other copies are simultaneously updated. So as transactions occur, records of the value and assets exchanged are permanently entered in all ledgers. There is no need for third-party intermediaries to verify or transfer ownership.

 

“Smart contracts” may be the most transformative blockchain application. These automate transaction approvals as negotiated conditions are met. For example, a smart contract might send a payment to a supplier as soon as a shipment is delivered, and the 3-way match is completed. If the product had a GPS beacon, it would automatically log a location update that, in turn, would trigger receiving data. Some IoT devices can even record if there was a change in temperature or shock damage.

 

When the Internet cloud emerged and started achieving widespread use, technologies like XML were predicted to replace EDI. Rumors of the death of EDI have been greatly exaggerated. The short answer is that EDI works. Companies have invested in it over many years. It may well have been moderately painful to get it up and running, but now it works. Even today, a certain set of core EDI messages (around the buy-sell-ship-pay transaction lifecycle) have and continue to enjoy widespread adoption and are almost universally required by major retailers and manufacturers. It is very prevalent in the Freight Forwarder community. The good news is that Blockchain feeds of all of these data sources.

 

Consider the situation today with B2B networks: Suppose a given supply chain process involves a buyer, seller, and third-party logistics provider. Today, information flows between these entities are typically one-way and point-to-point, either through EDI or XML-based messages or other mechanisms, such as API-based interactions. It is often the case that a buyer and seller might exchange certain messages, but an intermediary logistics service provider doesn’t see those messages. Or a seller and logistics provider might exchange certain messages not exchanged with the buyer. Events representing the exchange of B2B documents, for example, could be recorded on a blockchain and made visible to all participants in a supply chain process. In addition, blockchain could record supplemental events, such as those provided by IoT and smart devices, providing a more detailed synthesized record of all information flows. The actual exchange of B2B documents that occurs today can continue to operate as is, and a blockchain could simply provide a shared visibility “overlay.”

 

Such platforms will save the global shipping industry billions of dollars a year by replacing the current EDI and paper-based systems, which can leave containers in receiving yards for weeks. What if tariff codes, classification data, origin information, import and export certificates, customs values, clearance status, and all further required information about goods were available for all involved parties to access and complete through one unique ID, anywhere and anytime, and protected against manipulation thus delivering the same significance as certificates, seals, and signatures?

 

Permissioning inside blockchain gives you the confidence that you can control your information and grant access only to those you want to grant access to.

 

Lakehill Partners has a long history of systems integration and business process redesign. Let us help you manage the way forward.

 

For more information on this subject, please contact Antony Francis at antony.francis@lakehillpartners.com.

 

Thank you for visiting our blog.

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

Jim.Weber@itbpartners.com

Author of: Fighting Alligators, Job Search Strategy For The New Normal