Saw this on Forrester Research's blog this morning. I haven't read the book yet, I haven't even put it on my Amazon wish list, so I can't recommend it. But this passage that I've quoted is relevant to our employment dialog. "....the challenge has shifted. The problem is not just connecting with empowered customers, it’s what this engagement does to corporations. It’s a management challenge. Because these technology projects are grassroots solutions conceived by HEROes (Highly Empowered and Resourceful Operatives), not top-down management initiatives, they require a transformation in the way companies operate.”
Leave it to Forrester to create an acronym. But irregardless, especially for those currently unhappy workers, who may have it in their power to start integrating positive change, the message is significant. Got a job? Be a Hero.
It's interesting if not a little Polly Anna perhaps of me to think about an individual forecasting a future for their employer. They certainly don't get paid for that, do they. What does the future look like for your company? Could a horse drawn carriage manufacturer have envisioned Lamborghini or my personal favorite, (when I don't have my "green suit" on), the Porsche Carrera?
I thought these other articles (links below) reflected a similar line of thinking. There was also one about changing stockholders expectations from a monetary basis to include a philanthropic focus, but now I can't find it, perhaps in the Harvard Business Review. (Note to self, must use Delicious.) In any event, I do really want to hear what you think. Send me your comments and links to kindred content when you find them!
Friday, September 24, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Older, Healthy and Out of Work...You Too?
According to my interpretation of recent facts and figures, never before have there been so many talented people out of work. And for us Baby Boomers, you know those folks resulting from their parents happily reuniting after World War II, there are a lot of us and, thanks to medical advances, we're healthier and living longer than ever before.
So if you're also unemployed, well you're like me - healthy, older and out of work. At a time when employers are hiring two 25-year olds for the price of one 50 year old, you're probably running into some incidents of age discrimination. Does age discrimination really exist? Well it's a bit like asking if there's such a thing as ghosts and equally hard to prove. So rather than feeling afraid or defeated I try to remember that I'm not old. I'm experienced.
When I take this mind set, it helps me in several ways. First, when I prepare my resume, I format my work information around the job requirements. I don't date events like college graduation and my masters degree. I don't go back to my beginnings with Westinghouse Broadcasting implementing proprietary systems either, unless it's pertinent. In short I focus on the aspects of my work history that are relevant to that particular job and as much as possible eliminate dates.
More importantly, recognizing that I'm experienced, reminds me that I'm also accomplished at what I do. And today's employers are all about accomplishments that deliver positive financial results. For example in my top line summary I say; "grew an insurance company's prospect sales from $800K to $6M, took an unprofitable marketing and event management agency to most profitable of 16 nationwide." Your experience shows that you can either make money or save money for that employer. So if you can translate your actions into contributing to sales and revenues or avoiding costly mistakes, this is where you have it in spades over those younger folks with no experience.
There is one last tip, that I've only tried once recently. And although it didn't win me the position, I did come in the second of two finalists. After my third round of interviews, this time with several executives who were fairly high up the command chain, in my thank you emails, I suggested a solution to a business problem they voiced during our session. I've also heard of candidates recommending a 30-60-90 day action plan to their would-be employers as part of an agreement and alliance building strategy. Here's the advantage for us, we have the experience to understand the journey, draw a map, plan for the unexpected and appreciate the possibilities.
The bottom line? Remember back in 1962, Neil Young drove, "Mort" (a.k.a. Mortimer Hearseburg), his beloved Pontiac hearse from Toronto to Los Angeles? That's when he met Stephen Stills, formed Buffalo Springfield and wrote this song, a song he'd sing 48 years later at the close of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.
This post is dedicated to my friend, Tony Swan, the good old boy at Car & Driver no, errr I mean the Old Boy Racer at Car & Driver.
So if you're also unemployed, well you're like me - healthy, older and out of work. At a time when employers are hiring two 25-year olds for the price of one 50 year old, you're probably running into some incidents of age discrimination. Does age discrimination really exist? Well it's a bit like asking if there's such a thing as ghosts and equally hard to prove. So rather than feeling afraid or defeated I try to remember that I'm not old. I'm experienced.
When I take this mind set, it helps me in several ways. First, when I prepare my resume, I format my work information around the job requirements. I don't date events like college graduation and my masters degree. I don't go back to my beginnings with Westinghouse Broadcasting implementing proprietary systems either, unless it's pertinent. In short I focus on the aspects of my work history that are relevant to that particular job and as much as possible eliminate dates.
More importantly, recognizing that I'm experienced, reminds me that I'm also accomplished at what I do. And today's employers are all about accomplishments that deliver positive financial results. For example in my top line summary I say; "grew an insurance company's prospect sales from $800K to $6M, took an unprofitable marketing and event management agency to most profitable of 16 nationwide." Your experience shows that you can either make money or save money for that employer. So if you can translate your actions into contributing to sales and revenues or avoiding costly mistakes, this is where you have it in spades over those younger folks with no experience.
There is one last tip, that I've only tried once recently. And although it didn't win me the position, I did come in the second of two finalists. After my third round of interviews, this time with several executives who were fairly high up the command chain, in my thank you emails, I suggested a solution to a business problem they voiced during our session. I've also heard of candidates recommending a 30-60-90 day action plan to their would-be employers as part of an agreement and alliance building strategy. Here's the advantage for us, we have the experience to understand the journey, draw a map, plan for the unexpected and appreciate the possibilities.
The bottom line? Remember back in 1962, Neil Young drove, "Mort" (a.k.a. Mortimer Hearseburg), his beloved Pontiac hearse from Toronto to Los Angeles? That's when he met Stephen Stills, formed Buffalo Springfield and wrote this song, a song he'd sing 48 years later at the close of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.
This post is dedicated to my friend, Tony Swan, the good old boy at Car & Driver no, errr I mean the Old Boy Racer at Car & Driver.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
If Your Customers Use Mobile Phones then Your Strategy Should Include...
As part of a recommendation for integrating traditional and social media channels for a Philly non-profit, I developed this SlideShare Presentation. The direction applies seamlessly if you're a for profit. As always, the secret is a focus on your target audience.
Communications strategy for 2010
Interested in mobile marketing? Be sure to check out Forrester Research's excerpt by Christine Spivey Overby, "Does Mobile Marketing Matter Yet?"
View more presentations from Marion Guthrie Consulting.
View more presentations from Marion Guthrie Consulting.
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