As mentioned in my previous post, I am preparing for a September presentation to our local BENG Chapter.  My audience is composed of Senior Executives in  transition and career development professionals.   These folks are savvy professionals who understand business strategy.  My objective is to help them understand the playing field in “The New Normal” to become better prepared to evaluate their options.  I expect to learn from them as well.  The title for my presentation/discussion is “Improvise, Adapt, Overcome.”  I have it on good authority that this is a motivational phrase used by the Marines.  You may recall Clint Eastwood’s character in the movie “Heartbreak Ridge,” Gunnery Sergeant Highway, used this phrase often while training his Recon Marines.  This title seems appropriate. 

At sea level, it seems easy to understand “The New Normal.”  We are in a period of slow growth, and historically low workforce participation.  The current administration has focused on adding new regulations to business, a disincentive to growth and employment.  Notwithstanding the officially reported unemployment rate of 4.9%, recent College graduates, saddled with heavy debt cannot find jobs.  Many employees are working multiple, minimum wage jobs to make ends meet.  Productivity, the engine for wage increases, has been low to nil.  Globalism has moved manufacturing facilities to lower-cost, developing countries.  The good news is that inflation isn’t much of an issue, and the cost of petroleum products is very low.

If one looks at the environment from a broader perspective, the effects of the Digital Revolution become more evident.  The Digital Age is about increased automation (productivity) and connectivity (communication).  This powerful combination should lead to continued innovation and social change.  We are becoming more connected via the internet.  Systems and applications are helping companies become more productive, requiring fewer employees.  Many occupations are fading away.   The ranks of the long-term unemployed may be growing into a permanent underclass.    Job tenures are shrinking to the point that soon, the average will be close to two years.  By 2020, it is predicted that 25% of workers will be 1099 employees.    

The Bank of England recently presented a report predicting the occupations likely to be impacted by automation.  Sectors they forecast to be most impacted are skilled trades; caring, leisure, and other services; sales and customer service; process, plant, and machine operatives; Associate professionals and technical; administrative and secretarial.   Occupational categories less likely to affected by automation are professionals, managerial, directors, and senior executives.  Also, occupations that require a lot of creativity and human interaction, like interior design and decorating may be more difficult to automate. 

The outlook I just presented seems bleak, however, it is not all bad news.  Just take a look at CNBC’s Disrupter 50.  A lot of innovation is occurring in the fields of  Bio-Technology/Food Technology; Space Travel; Transportation/Logistics; Intelligence/Marketing Research; Financial Services; Cyber Intelligence/Warfare; and Telecom.  This information points to opportunities for managing your career.

So, what does this mean for employment?   Occupations requiring a high degree of an interpersonal transaction will still be in demand.  Their tools and support will become more automated, so they will need less staff to support their services.  Senior Executives, Planners, and highly creative personnel will likely be in demand, but here again, they will have more tools and less need for support staff.  The trend to flatter organizations will continue, reducing the opportunity for middle management.  The ranks of 1099 employment base will swell requiring government intervention to support these folks.  The demand for professionals with STEM backgrounds will continue to facilitate innovation.    We are moving rapidly into an “ad hoc” employment paradigm.  We must adapt to the Freelance Economy.

So what of my fellow Boomers?  Throughout our careers, we have learned to improvise, adapt, and overcome.   We have the skill set to adapt, but I wonder if we have the mindset.

Improvise, Adapt, Overcome!

I’m a business analyst by training. I spent the early days of my career in corporate finance and then as a strategic analyst. I found that I had a passion for strategy and planning.  I enjoyed getting to know a company’s business model and its competitive strategy.   I wanted to understand how a business fit within its industry segment and the economy as a whole.  It wasn’t long before I migrated into general management where I enjoyed twenty-two years of steady progress.   I developed a strong portfolio of skills supported by a broad base of experience.   While building my corporate career I became caught up in mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, re-engineering, rightsizing and downsizing, and Chapter 11 reorganizations.   I saw most of our major industries move overseas, while the service sector steadily grew and technology became a dominant player.  I knew that major forces were in play, transforming the economy.   I moved from Tampa to Toledo, then Denver, Dallas, Kansas City, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and finally, in 1996, to Atlanta.   The moves were getting tiresome, and my daughters were entering High School.   Whatever free time I had, the company demanded it.  The only friends I had were other employees.  I did not have the life I wanted for my family.   A career in Corporate America had become too volatile for me.   I realized that my future was better spent elsewhere.

It was time to go out and become my own boss.   That is how I found my way into executive search.  The skills I learned in my corporate career have served me well as a recruiter and consultant.  I never lost my passion for strategy, however.   I still want to understand my client’s business model so that I can be more helpful to them.   It hasn’t been easy, but it has been exciting.  I have learned many new skills, like business development.  I have refined other skills, like negotiating.  My communication ability has improved significantly, especially my ability to listen.   I started blogging regularly over five years ago.  I thought that was a good strategy to reach more candidates and clients.  This skill has been developed and is becoming more refined.   I have learned how to weather business downturns and to recognize opportunities.  I have learned that the customer is always right, but not all customers are right for me, and I am not right for every customer.  Most importantly, I have learned that the market will tell you where you are needed if you pay attention to the signals.   I have learned to improvise, adapt, and overcome!   I have become a big supporter of entrepreneurial pursuits.

Over time, I have come to know many professionals.   As one would expect, most of these folks were between jobs, looking for a new situation.   I tried to provide guidance and counsel as to how they should conduct their job search.  The landscape has changed dramatically over the past seventeen years and with those changes, my advice has changed.   Today, I tell them to consider multiple options like starting a business or becoming an independent contractor.   After all, finding work of any kind is about networking and selling oneself.

Currently, I am putting the finishing touches on a presentation I will make next month.  It is more of a set-up to facilitate a group discussion about the “New Normal.”    The title of the presentation is “Improvise, Adapt, Overcome!”   More about that in my next post.

Thank you for visiting my blog.  I hope you enjoyed my 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 important to me so; please leave a comment.

Jim Weber, President
Author of: Fighting Alligators: Job Search Strategy For The New Normal
New Century Dynamics Executive Search

Current Assignments

1. GM, Private Club based in Southeast,  Confidential Search:  New
2. Director of Business Development, Atlanta-based B2B Professional Services Company: New
3. Training Director – Southeastern-based Restaurant Group:  New
4. Senior Accounting Manager – Atlanta-based Manufacturer.  New
5. Controller – Orlando, FL-based Restaurant Company:  New

For more information, contact Jim Weber:  JimWeber@NewCenturyDynamics.com

•   Multi-taskers:   Keep them focused on their work and its importance.

•   Connected:  Make good use of social media.

•   Tech Savvy:  Be current in technology.

•   Instant Gratification:  Reinforce the value of their work, keep them on track.

•   Work-life balance:  Communicate company, flexibility as the work is  completed.

•  Collaboration:  Reinforce the value of teamwork.

•  Transparency:  Maintain open communication.

•  Career Advancement:  Communicate opportunities and requirements to advance

Thank you for visiting my blog.  I hope you enjoyed my 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 important to me so; please leave a comment.

Jim Weber, President
Author of: Fighting Alligators: Job Search Strategy For The New Normal
New Century Dynamics Executive Search

I was talking with a friend this week, well listening actually.  He was venting about difficulties he was having with a client.   He was agitated.  It seems the client’s demands are beyond their agreement.  Meeting their needs is taking time away from other, more substantial clients.  He said that he needed to find a way to end the relationship and move on.  No value judgments here.  Finally, he asked me how I would deal with this client, based on my experience.  “How do you handle conflicts like this, Jim?”  I quipped that I preferred a flanking maneuver over a frontal assault.  In other words, find a way to finesse the situation.  Look for a win-win outcome.  Then I explained that I liked to step back, confer with colleagues, and take the time to craft the proper response.   That seemed to make sense to my friend, and we moved on to other matters.       
 
Later, our conversation got me to thinking.  Building a productive business relationship requires an investment of time and energy.  Protecting those relationships is fundamental to success.    How does one protect that relationship  if conflict develops?   So much of our contact today is via email.  Communication moves very fast.  It is easy to misinterpret one’s intent.  Often,  we don’t take enough time to evaluate the tone of our missives.   It is easy to talk past one another and raise the ire of the reader.  Consider the crass language one encounters across social media sites.
 
Early in my career, back when we had secretaries typing our memos, my boss continually reminded me that the written word, by its nature, tended to be cold.  It is all too easy to misinterpret one’s intent and to take offense.   He coached me to be careful with my tone to ensure that my message was accurately received.   Believe me; I needed the coaching as I carry the “snarky” gene.   I haven’t always followed his advice, but when I have    the result is always better.  I have had situations with clients that were going in the wrong direction, possibly to a dissolution of our relationship.  In very few cases a divorce was the best outcome, so I let it happen.   Usually, the association was too important to lose.      
 
I have found that conflicts can be resolved by whatever media one chooses, mail, phone, or face-to-face.  My preference is via phone or in person as we all tend to behave better and can assess the other’s emotional response.  Often a two-step process can be effective.  I like using a dispassionate email to outline the situation and then request a phone conversation or personal meeting. The important point is to step back, cool off, and get the perspective of a trusted colleague.  Never respond in the heat of the moment, unless you want to end the relationship. Even then, terminating a relationship has consequences.   Your reputation is at stake. However, that is a topic for another post.      
 
In a recent situation, following this process, I presented the facts from my perspective.  Based on those facts, I outlined the strategy I was following.  I did not make any attributions to the other party as to his intent, motivations, or the validity of his position.  At best, that would have been speculation which would further inflame the situation.  I did suggest some actions that would put the project back on track, and invited the other party to schedule a phone conversation.    The outcome was the win-win situation I had hoped for.  The project was put back on track and successfully concluded.
 
Our actions have consequences which impact our reputations and livelihood.   Resolving conflicts require a cool head and a good plan.  You must keep your emotions in check even if it means biting down hard on your lip.  Remember Steven Covey, seek first to understand.  Let the other present their position and suggestions to resolve the impasse.  Repeat back their statements to ensure that you understand their concerns.  Make your points while working to find common ground.    Most of all, never, ever respond to any email or voice mail message while you are angry. 
 
 
 
Thank you for visiting my blog.  I hope you enjoyed my 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 important to me so; please leave a comment.

Jim Weber, President
Author of: Fighting Alligators: Job Search Strategy For The New Normal
New Century Dynamics Executive Search

1. GM, Private Club based in Southeast,  Confidential Search:  New
2. Director of Business Development, Atlanta-based B2B Professional Services Company: New
3. Training Director – Southeastern-based Restaurant Group:  New
4. Senior Accounting Manager – Atlanta-based Manufacturer.  New
5. Controller – Orlando, FL-based Restaurant Company:  New

For more information, contact Jim Weber:  JimWeber@NewCenturyDynamics.com

Thank you for visiting my blog.  I hope you enjoyed my 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 important to me so; please leave a comment.
Jim Weber, President
Author of: Fighting Alligators: Job Search Strategy For The New Normal
New Century Dynamics Executive Search

• Your resume file name should put your last name first, and then first name and date.
• Use File/Properties menu option to list keywords and other data to make it easy to find. 
• Use appropriate keywords in the body of the resume.

• Use header and footer function to retain continuity.
•  Use Table function to hold formatting for Employers, Job Titles, and Dates. 
• PDF is the best format for integrity in transmission. 
• Adjust typeface; larger for headers, 14 to 16 pt. 
• Use 12 pt typeface size for the body of the resume, larger for headers. 
• Use spacing to break up career experience and to transition from different formats. 
• Use underlining to separate Employers

• Use an Executive Summary at the beginning to set the stage. 
• Use paragraph format for Career Summary, and Job responsibilities.
•  Italics font for job responsibilities will make the resume more interesting to read. 
•  Use bullet format for accomplishments and skill sets.
•  Use bold and underline functions to make headers stand out.Give a brief description of each employer and the purpose of each position.

• Leave off Personal interests and “references available upon request.” 
• Use industry specific terminology. 
• Accomplishments should be predominant 
• Executive/Career summary must address your  Functional discipline, the level of accomplishment; and industry/segment expertise. 
• Give a short, one-line explanation for employer changes.

• Cell phone and email addresses are required.  
• The home mailing address is unnecessary  
• Make it smart-phone friendly.

Thank you for visiting my blog.  I hope you enjoyed my 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 important to me so; please leave a comment.

Jim Weber, President
Author of: Fighting Alligators: Job Search Strategy For The New Normal
New Century Dynamics Executive Search

Do You Have What It Takes To Be An Entrepreneur?

Business is picking up, and so are my networking activities.  Of course, a lot of my networking lately is about creating “buzz” for my new book, “Fighting Alligators.”  Perhaps, you have heard about it.   Creating buzz is an indirect way to attract new searches, consulting business, and help those people between jobs, so it is all good.  One recent networking meeting was brokered   by my friend Brownell who has been very helpful in the process of publishing my book.  Brownell introduced me to Mark Myette.  Mark is also in private practice as an Alternative Career Coach.  He helps people determine if they have what it takes to become an entrepreneur and guides them through that process.  He published his first book, Wantrepreneur, in February.  Brownell surmised that our work is complementary, so she thought we would be able to help each other.   


Mark and I scheduled an early morning meeting last week for breakfast at his club.  As we are both Fortune 500 refugees with similar entrepreneurial pursuits, we connected immediately.  We began by exchanging background information and our connection to Brownell.  I told him about Fighting Alligators and its underlying thesis, and he presented the theme for “Wantrepreneur,” which he described as the “One Minute Manager” version of becoming comfortable with franchising.  The book’s subtitle is “Do you have what it takes to become an entrepreneur?”      Wantrepreneur is a clever bit of “word-smithing” that speaks to people who would like to be their own boss, but can’t or don’t know how to get started.  Mark’s book dovetails nicely with Fighting Alligator’s message about building a career in the “New Normal.”   


To say that it was a productive meeting would be a gross understatement.  Mark gave me a copy of his book and an intelligent bookmark he created as a marketing tool.  He confirmed my thinking that the opportunity for speaking engagements would increase significantly now that I am published.   We explored ways to collaborate, and help each other.  Some follow-up steps were discussed and confirmed.     

The remainder of Mark’s book is about defining alternate career options, including entrepreneurial pursuits, so the reader can better understand each path.  Finally, he presented a template to assist in determining one’s suitability for those options.    


Mark did a thorough job describing the New Normal, without getting into cause and effect.    The current economic situation is part of a much larger transformation as we move further into the Digital Age.  Traditional employment is in a state of flux.  There is no going back to an earlier time.      Understanding the current playing field and one’s options is a critical first step to building a successful career in the New Normal.   Wantrepreneur is an excellent companion to Fighting Alligators, which I recommend to anyone who is serious about managing their career.  Wantrepreneur by Mark Myette is available on Amazon.com. 


Thank you for visiting my blog.  I hope you enjoyed my 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, President
Author of: Fighting Alligators: Job Search Strategy For The New Normal
New Century Dynamics Executive Search
www.newcenturydynamics.com