Author Archives: Get Qualified Australia

How to get the right qualifications without any classroom study

How To Get The Right Qualification Without Any Classroom Study

Choosing the right qualification for your skill set can often seem like a complex mystery that nobody has the capacity to solve. In this day and age, there are thousands of degrees, diplomas and certificates on offer for men and women of all disciplines and distinctions. The choices seem endless.

As if finding the best qualification to advance your career isn’t hard enough, moving in the most logical direction towards achieving it can be just as tricky to decipher. The landscape of traditional learning in a university environment has been dramatically revamped since the introduction of the internet. There are a variety of study alternatives currently available that can be cost-effective, convenient and far less time-consuming, such as distance learning, blended learning, e-learning and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).  The final destination might be the same, but the routes taken to get there may differ considerably, from person to person, depending on the needs of their situation.

Nevertheless, it’s still easy to get bamboozled and abandon your career goals entirely, or at the very least, temporarily. After all, Google has its pros and cons. Sometimes you can’t find what you are looking for no matter how hard you try, while on other occasions, your search yields overwhelming results that only adds to the confusion. This can lead to the worst place of all – information overload!

Before you have torn yourself away from that computer screen with impaired vision, a creased brow and a sore back. Before you’ve collapsed into bed and pulled the covers over your head in a state of utter exhaustion and emotional despair, consider this little piece of advice: the most important thing to remember is your end goal. Don’t get distracted from your true purpose.

How?

Firstly, take three deep breaths and relax. You definitely won’t find the right answers if you are like a nervous ball of worry, stress and tension.

Next, go and do something you enjoy. Play your favourite song, read a chapter of a book, watch a movie, anything that makes you happy and gives you a chance to escape for a while.

When you are ready to resume where you left off on your frustrating quest for a qualification, try and adopt a completely different approach. Sometimes if you don’t succeed the first time, you shouldn’t need to bother repeating the same useless exercise over and over again, until you get it right. Practice doesn’t always lead to perfection.

Start thinking outside of the box. What would Sherlock Holmes do, for instance? Ok, so you may not feel like some sort of investigative mastermind, but try and lighten up a little and stop taking yourself too seriously. A simple deductive exercise could be just the solution to help snap you out of your self-induced career paralysis and actually get you back on a better track in a matter of minutes, not hours, days, or weeks.

Look at it this way, if you can become a detached observer on a strictly fact-finding mission you may just discover the necessary clues to crack the case without letting your doubts, emotions, or even Google impede your progress. The only difference is that you are the central subject, so you are actually conducting a self-investigation. It might therefore be useful to put pen to paper and organise the facts in a clear, concise and no-nonsense manner. Finding the right qualification and study option can easily be achieved if you follow a simple, straightforward process.

Step 1: Create a character persona

Get back to basics and write up a brief description of yourself, as if you are a stranger who is about to read it. Break it down by answering some or all of the following questions:

What’s your name?

How old are you?

Where do you live?

Are you married or single?

What are your hobbies?

Where do you work?

What skills and experience do you have?

Do you already possess a qualification?

What is your dream job?

What barriers prevent you from advancing your career?

Here are a couple of sample personas:

1)      Liam Walker is 38 years old. He lives in Sydney. He has a stay-at-home wife called Emily and two young twins, Ruby and Jack, who are just about to start school. He likes playing rugby on the weekends with his friends and watching sport whenever it is on the telly.

For the past ten years, he has been working in a warehouse. He initially started out as a picker and packer, but worked his way up through the company to senior management level. He currently manages a large team of warehouse staff and handles all of the logistics, such as managing the flow of orders from pick up to delivery, organising client meetings and liaising with suppliers.

Liam has lots of valuable experience, but no formal qualifications. He wants to move into a similar role with more responsibility and a higher paid salary because he has a mortgage to pay, two cars in the family to finance, a wife to support and two children to put through school. He can’t afford to take time off work and go to university, so what should he do?

2)      Sophie Thompson is 23 years old. She lives in Melbourne with her parents. She is single with no children. Her interests include photography, music and art. She loves to paint in her spare time.

Sophie is working two part-time jobs. She works as a waitress in a café, but she is also an aspiring freelance writer. She has already been published in a couple of well-known magazines, since she graduated with a BA in English a couple of years ago. However, she is unable to secure enough clients to make a decent living and finds it difficult to find full-time work as a feature writer.

Most of the job vacancies she is interested in are looking for copywriters as these positions seem to offer a good salary. However, they usually advertise for somebody with a background in digital marketing, or require specialist knowledge of online content management systems. She could probably take up further study, because she doesn’t have to pay rent at home, but she would prefer if she didn’t have to complete another higher education course. Sophie is also unsure about whether to undertake additional training in marketing or IT. What are the next steps for Sophie?

Step 2: Deduce the right conclusions

This step involves a close reading over your character persona in combination with some targeted online research. The type of qualification and study route you decide on must take into account how helpful and feasible it will be for career advancement in your particular situation. Hopefully, it should seem much simpler now that you have all of the facts in order.

Liam’s conclusion: In the case of Liam Walker, a diploma-level qualification in management will enable him to land a better senior managerial position in another company, particularly with the previous experience that he has attained at the warehouse. Even if he could afford to go to university, there really wouldn’t be much point, because he has already developed all or most of the required skills for his desired role.

It therefore makes the most logical sense for him to try and qualify through a quick and easy RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) assessment. RPL converts skills and on-the-job experience into nationally recognised qualifications in just 4 weeks without any classroom study. That way, Liam wouldn’t need to take any time off work, or spend hefty fees on extra tuition.

The first step for Liam would be to take a free skills review online with a leading RPL specialist, such as Get Qualified Australia.

From there, he will either be deemed eligible to receive a diploma qualification, or he can gain credit exemption from one or more of the units specified within the diploma course. Any remaining gaps in his training could be filled in his own time, at his own pace, through a convenient e-learning portal.

Sophie’s conclusion: In the case of Sophie Thompson, a diploma-level qualification in digital marketing will provide her with the necessary skills to secure a job as a copywriter. Given that she has a highly visual and creative nature, marketing would likely be a better fit for her talents than learning advanced computer skills. Plus, there will be elements of website design and cross-platform development within any digital marketing course anyway. It would also complement her existing skills, experience and qualifications, by making her more employable in all fields of writing. She might even learn how to market herself better and make freelancing a viable career possibility that could be achieved much sooner than she anticipates.

Sophie could complete a full-time diploma course at a registered college or training organisation, or she could get her qualification through part-time blended learning at a much lesser cost. This way, she could still keep her waitressing job and pursue any writing opportunities that come along in the meantime. Blended learning for this type of qualification generally comprises of online study, live webinars and optional face-to-face tutoring.

The first step for Sophie would be to sign up for a course at a college of her choice.

Ready to take the next steps in your career?

The process of selecting the right qualification for your skills need not be as complicated as you have led yourself to believe. In fact, simplicity is key.

All it requires is a bit of common sense and an objective viewpoint to identify the obstacles in your way and explore the range of appropriate study solutions, many of which no longer require years of university training.

You see, it’s rather elementary, actually.

What do tennis players have in common with business sharks

What Do Tennis Players Have in Common with Business Sharks?

It is widely accepted that in order to become a successful tennis player, you must not only develop a strong athletic physique, outstanding technical proficiency and a sound theoretical knowledge of the game. There are a number of cognitive skills that are crucial when it comes to winning tournaments like the Australian Open.

Formerly ranked as the world’s number one tennis champion and a proud winner of seven Grand Slam titles in the singles category, Venus Williams attests that:

 “Tennis is mostly mental. Of course, you must have a lot of physical skill, but you can’t play tennis well and not be a good thinker. You win or lose the match before you even go out there.”

So what does it take to be a “good thinker” in tennis? Well, first and foremost you’ve got to be able to solve problems and make decisions; you need to be flexible and adaptable; but you also have to be confident, competitive, passionate and motivated.

Interestingly though, these sort of qualities transfer directly to a business context and are considered among the top desirable skills for recruitment in this field. Let’s take a look at some of these in a bit more detail and see how the attributes of a tennis player actually translate in business.

Problem-solving and decision-making

“It’s one-on-one out there, man. There ain’t no hiding. I can’t pass the ball.” (Pete Sampras)

Tennis is generally not a team sport. When you are out there on the court, you are completely alone. You are the sole controller of your fate and it is entirely up to you to solve each problem that arises without any coaching. You can’t pass the ball like in football, basketball or rugby, so you have to make complex judgement calls at every turn. You have to take risks and you have to learn very quickly from your successes and failures under immense pressure.

The ability to solve problems and make decisions is also an essential aspect of managing a business, because it is rarely a smooth running affair. Problems arise whether they are internal or external and it is up to the manager to resolve them before they get out of hand. Great business leaders always strive for improvement. They are constantly looking for new and innovative ways to bring their company to the next level, increase sales and revenue, and stay ahead of their competitors.  As in tennis, a business strategy often involves a trial-and-error approach. Some proposed solutions work, while others fail miserably. The point is that attention must be paid to what direction the business is moving in at all times, while simultaneously keeping a close watch on what the competition is up to, so that strategic adjustments can be made.

Flexibility and adaptability

“When you have beaten guys a few times, you don’t want them to think they know how you are going to play them. You have to try and find different ways of beating them. You have to do things they don’t expect sometimes, put something unpredictable into your game.” (Andy Murray)

 It is vital to adopt a flexible strategy at all times on the court. You can’t use the same tactics over and over again because your opponent will out-play you. You need to be able to adapt your game plan to changing circumstances as they arise.

Similarly, successful business models change and evolve over time. The Observer released an article in 2009 that analysed the mission statement of Facebook and how it has evolved since it was founded in 2004. From a social network reserved exclusively for Harvard students to a global platform that grants everyone “the power to share and make the world more open and connected”, it is clear that Facebook’s overwhelming success has relied on a highly flexible and adaptable business plan.

Confidence and competition

“In terms of playing ability there is nothing to choose between number 1 and 100. Instead, it’s a question of who believes and who wants it more? Which player is mentally stronger? Which player is going to fight the hardest? These are the things that determine who is the champion.” (Novak Djokovic)

To succeed at an international Grand Slam such as the Australian Open, it really comes down to who plays the hardest, fastest and strongest game all-round. If you aren’t mentally prepared to deliver your best performance and raise your game to the highest level imaginable, then you have already lost the fight before you’ve ever set foot on the court.

This equally applies to a business environment. The ambitious entrepreneurial spirit of Larry Page, CEO and co-founder of Google, offers an ideal example here. As Fortune Magazine points out, there were many who ridiculed Google’s initial venture to create a car that could drive around autonomously, without a human driver. In 2015, the prospect is verging on becoming a reality and the automotive industry is struggling to get up to speed in the technological race to the top.

Passion and motivation

“You always want to win. That is why you play tennis, because you love the sport and try to be the best you can at it.” (Roger Federer)

To become a star tennis player takes many years of hard work and dedication. Without a real passion and love of the game, it is unlikely that you will be motivated enough to succeed and improve your play. It takes many lessons, hard-core training sessions and endless practice, with lots of failures in between, which are all absolutely necessary to advance further and reach your full potential. A good tennis player will use his mistakes as a motivational exercise in improvement.

Nobody understands this better than billionaire Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group. When Branson released his book in 2012, Like a Virgin: Secrets They Won’t Teach You at Business School, his number one recommendation for anyone starting a business is: “If you don’t enjoy it don’t do it”.

Growing a successful company is an incredibly arduous and time-consuming process and things don’t always go to plan, so it is vital to keep that positive pep in your step.

How to fast-track your business career

It doesn’t have to be tennis, or even a sporting background. If you are considering a career in business and possess one or more of the above skills, you could be automatically entitled to a range of nationally recognised qualifications, from Certificate I right up to an Advanced Diploma. Take a free skills review today to determine your eligibility for a simple Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) assessment. It might be much easier than you realise to live life in the fast lane.

Awards With Due Cause

Honorary Awards with Due Cause: Recognising Achievements Around the World

All over the world, there are countless examples of honorary awards and accolades of the highest order being dished out to celebrities, distinguished individuals and some of the most talented men and women that have ever graced the planet with their presence. They haven’t had to study in a university. Instead they have been rewarded simply for their valuable, real-life experience.

Special persons of interest make the honorary cut these days in a myriad of fields and forms, such as making a recognisable contribution to a worthy cause, conducting ground-breaking research on a particular topic, or excelling in a specific industry. It all comes down to an accumulation of evidence that proves he or she, whoever it may be, has become an exemplary contender for endeavour, by succeeding in learning something that is considered important on a local, national or even global level.

The story of Helen Keller

It’s no secret that times have dramatically changed since Oxford University awarded the first ever recorded honorary degree in Europe during the late 15th century. In America, it wasn’t until 1692, when Harvard granted similar academic entitlements to an exclusively gentlemen-only club of gifted, yet undoubtedly privileged individuals. For women, the wait felt much longer. Helen Keller became the first female to receive an honorary award from Harvard in 1955 at the age of 75, after an incredible lifetime of achievement.

According to Harvard Magazine, Keller was diagnosed as deaf and blind in early infancy, but she gained worldwide recognition when she was only 7 years old for her outstanding ability to communicate using the finger alphabet. She later became accepted at Radcliffe College, where she excelled at writing and even published her famous autobiography The Story of My Life before she graduated in 1904, which also made her the first deaf and blind woman to successfully complete a Bachelor of Arts degree. Five years later, she brought out a series of personal essays collectivelyentitled The World I Live In. Among many other achievements to come, these two titles were cherished by some of the most prominent literary critics and scientists of the day for their powerful and insightful portrayal of humanity.

Not only did Keller become an esteemed writer, she was a keen socialist, an ardent feminist and a dedicated philanthropist for the deaf and blind throughout the remainder of her life. When she became the first woman to receive an honorary doctorate of laws, it couldn’t have been accompanied by a more apt citation:

 “From a still, dark world she has brought us light and sound; our lives are richer for her faith and her example.”

The fact that such a woman’s accomplishments became recognised in the eyes of academia, however, proved beyond any doubt that the advances which had reshaped the honorary degree system since its inauguration were altogether undeniable.

In 1959, The Harvard Crimson reflected that the honorary doctorate system had indeed experienced a radical change in terms of the calibre of awards and the broad variety of qualifications that were now being issued to recipients. No longer was it a limited domain for strictly theological occupations, it encompassed an open platform that invited philosophical, historical, scientific, poetic and literary achievement of all kinds.

A qualification for every walk of life

This is even more pertinent today as we see no clear line of resemblance between who and what manner of honorary awards are granted in the modern world. Vocations range far and wide, from Nelson Mandela, a globally revered political figure who vehemently fought against the apartheid regime in South Africa, to Muhammad Ali who literally battled his way to becoming the greatest heavyweight boxing champion in the world, while at the same time, undertook his own metaphorical fight for morality by becoming an admirable advocate of freedom, equal rights and justice for all mankind.

From powerful industry tycoons as dissimilar as Steven Spielberg and Bill Gates to those amazing individuals who went from “rags to riches”, such as Oprah Winfrey or J.K. Rowling, and ultimately became household names.

Legendary acting performances as disparate in kind as Meryl Streep is from Kermit the Frog, the latter of which was the first recipient to ever obtain an Honorary Doctorate of Amphibious Letters.

From the inspiring generational impact of ex-Beatle, Sir Paul McCartney who was awarded an honorary doctorate in music for his song writing contributions to one of the most popular and revolutionary bands the world has ever seen, to Kylie Minogue, who became an important instigator in promoting breast cancer awareness after she was diagnosed with the disease in 2005.

And the list goes on and on….

Life experience is a valuable asset

So whether it’s somebody who has become a leading pioneer in their field. Whether they have been working for decades behind the scenes, in their spare time, or on the public stage, using their celebrity status to raise awareness among their fans on key issues in society. It’s the experience that they have gained along the way, through their own merit, that truly counts, especially when it comes to determining the criteria for deserving an honorary academic award in the first place.

But what about you and me? Surely we have developed some real skills over the course of our lives that might warrant some official recognition. It doesn’t have to be complicated.

For example, you could be an experienced gardener, mechanic or baker. It may have started out as just a hobby, but over time your expertise has evolved and expanded into something much more useful than you realise.

Perhaps you have already acquired the skills of a make-up artist, nail technician, hairdresser or masseuse. All those times practising on your friends may have actually paid off.

Maybe you are a natural computer whizz. You’ve spent long hours self-learning computer codes, or building your own website or blog.  Now you are that go-to person whenever someone you know has a problem that they can’t fix.

If you have been running a family business for a while, it is also possible that you already have a good working knowledge of what a managerial role entails, which could easily be applied to other organisations.

Did you know that since the 90s, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) has been an established academic assessment procedure that analyses all of the real-life experience that you have gained, regardless of when, where and how, and converts what you have previously learned into a formal qualification?

Visit Get Qualified Australia, the leading national experts in RPL and Skills Recognition for a free skills review to see what qualifications you may be eligible for and get the recognition you deserve.

When to Quit - Sometimes Its Best

When to Quit: Sometimes It’s Best

You’ve gotta do what you’ve gotta do, and sometimes that includes turning in your resignation from a job. How do you know if you’ve reached the end of your rope, unable to make your current position bearable, or workable? After all, good jobs are hard to find. They’re even harder to find if you’re unemployed. Still, there are good reasons to end the misery.

The most compelling reason to jump ship would be if the company is in a tailspin, losing business and headed toward closure or bankruptcy. Some may consider deserting a sinking ship to be dishonourable. Most would consider it the right thing to do, especially if it is a large company in a small town, or if you have a family to support. A large scale closing will send throngs out looking for work. Being ahead of the pack here is probably a good thing.

Another valid reason would be observing the company’s tolerance for unethical practices, lying about shipping dates, sales numbers, or quality of products, to improve sales. Alternatively, if the company is stealing proprietary information from the competition, that’s another prompt to pack up and find another gig.

A third reason that is beyond your control is a difference in values. If you are at odds with your company culture, that won’t likely change, and you’ll continue to be unhappy. Make a note of that and be sure you thoroughly understand the culture surrounding the company in your next position.

Some reasons have a little more give and take than the previous three. If your status has changed, you might find that the job that kept little ole’ you happily ensconced in a cosy apartment with basic meals, food, and reasonable entertainment, won’t stretch its pay-check to support a spouse, parent, or family. If your skills have continued to advance, it might be as simple as asking for a raise, applying for a new position within the company, or changing benefits through your human resources department. If your duties and responsibilities haven’t changed much, it may be inappropriate to do anything but look for a better paying position with another company.

Similarly, if your stress level is simply too high, talk with your boss about it. There may be some things you can do to relieve the situation before a complete burnout renders you useless. Rearranging tasks, adjusting priorities, or sharing responsibilities with co-workers can all help to take some of the burden off your shoulders. If there aren’t sufficient options, do consider your physical and mental health first, taking your skills elsewhere to alleviate the problem.

If you’re bored, feeling unchallenged, and simply dread going to work, schedule a talk with your boss, but do a little thinking ahead of time. What would make your job more interesting? Additional challenges? Heavier workload? Some goals to work toward? A shift in focus? Your boss won’t want to lose you if you’ve been a good employee, and it’s usually easier to change your job description than your place of employment. Notice, we said ‘usually.’ Some companies just won’t see you as anything but the category of skills you walked in the door with. If they don’t see your potential, and can’t offer more interesting work, it could be time to check out some options at other companies.

Are you feeling stuck, with no growth or promotions on the horizon? Again, talk with your superiors. You may just be unaware of the opportunities that exist within the company. If you’re doing a good job where you are, some managers won’t want to lose you to another position, putting their needs ahead of yours. Most bosses would rather see employees stretch their wings and soar, but won’t go out of their way to offer you a new post. You don’t get what you don’t ask for, so explore within the company first. You might find just what you want right under your nose.

Some reasons may have been caused by your own behaviour. If you’ve been dishonest, not lived up to your word, haven’t showed up on time, or have gone AWOL for unexplainable reasons, you may have dug your own hole. Now that you’re down there, it might be near impossible to climb out. It’s always worth a try, however, to turn over a new leaf, begin showing up, volunteering, and doing good work. If that doesn’t change your boss’s opinion of you, it’s time for a change. Take that lesson with you, however. Show up, do good work, follow through, and you won’t be looking for another job again so soon.

Have you had an office disagreement, or burned bridges with your boss or co-workers that just can’t seem to be repaired? There are always going to be minor disagreements, and being the bigger person by offering an apology, or making peace, can go a long way toward making work life tolerable again. If the damage is too severe, it may be one of the hardest lessons learned as you leave the post for greener pastures.

If you’re feeling unappreciated, there are probably others feeling the same way. Outline a plan to head an employee recognition team, then present it to your boss. It may boost morale for many, and will create some good will among those who work on the committee, as well as among those who receive the honours. Make sure the activity doesn’t take people away from tasks that are important and profitable for the company at critical times, and be respectful of schedules, keeping meetings short and productive.

If you’re determined that things just can’t work out at your present job, it’s extremely important to resign properly, professionally, politely, and with a positive note. Make sure your boss is the first to know, extending thanks for help and support along the way while citing what you’ve learned and accomplished. Then send a note around to co-workers.

It is usually adequate to give two weeks’ notice before departure, sometimes longer if your position is a key spot that will be hard to fill. Offer to train your replacement, and to be available for questions after you leave. It’s also a good plan to ask for a reference letter, especially if you’re leaving on good terms. There, everything’s nicely tucked in for a professional departure. Good luck!

Manners Matter

Manners Matter: Saying Please and Thank You like a CEO

Life is busy and we’re in a hurry. That, however, does not make inconsiderate behaviour acceptable. The immediacy of a globally connected, always-on society has entered as an invited guest with no apparent plans for departure. We’d all best learn how to regain a bit of social grace while keeping current in our affairs.

The most pervasive, and most offensive behaviour out there comes from everyone’s intimate companion, the cell phone. Across every continent, every social event, and every business meeting, the number one faux pas is centred on the ringtone. It’s not the phone itself. The technology is grand. It’s the behaviour.

Cell Phones and The Rules of Engagement

If you respond to that electronic prompt in your pocket, summoning you away from the moment, you immediately relegate those in your presence to a lesser status. It’s like announcing “this call is more important than you.” Apologetically stating “I’ve got to take this,” we wander away from 3D, real time, face-to-face interaction, attending to the voice in the box. Distracted discussion. Socius interruptus. Not OK. Emergencies are acceptable. Anything else is simply not.

Just as taking the call annoys those engaged in conversation, chatting it up with someone on a mobile device while multitasking disrespects the caller. If you’re talking while checking emails, attempting to continue another conversation, dropping off your laundry, surfing the net, or even driving while talking, the conversation will suffer. Stop what you’re doing and focus on the call. In a hurry? That’s why keeping conversations short is a good practice.

Some places are always quiet zones: libraries, museums, cemeteries, theatres, churches, hospital emergency rooms, elevators, buses, and enclosed public spaces. If you are expecting an important or emergency call, set your ring to silent, vibrate, or a similarly unobtrusive notification at low volume. Never ‘announce’ your call with loud, attention-getting tones that jam your latest DJ mix in everyone else’s ear.

If you must take a call in one of the above situations, move at least ten feet from anyone in the vicinity, use an earpiece, keep conversations short and direct, speaking softly and politely. If leaving a voice mail, be courteous with a 30-second limit, always leaving your name and number for business calls. If the call requires further details, go to text.

Also taboo? Setting your phone on the table during a meal, as well as texting while seated, is a no-no. Again, doing so sets up the scenario that you are waiting for something more important than spending time with immediate company. Give your tablemates the attention they deserve, either turning the phone to silent, vibrate, or off, and putting it away off the tabletop. That tabletop thing, by the way, goes for other items as well, such as wallets, keys, and purses.

Electronic Messaging: You Are What You Type

Just like calls, texts interrupt real time conversations. Most of the same rules apply: keep messages short and do not take or respond to them in the presence of others. When engaged in 3D activities or conversations, including classes, meetings, or important interactions, stop what you’re doing to read and respond to text messages.

If you are driving and texting, you are not just putting yourself in harm’s way. You’re rolling the dice for everyone in your vehicle as well as others in proximity of your speedy missile. No conversation, business or social, text or voice, trumps the value of life itself.

Enough About the Phone: More Manners That Matter

Kindness, empathy, and courtesy are all hallmarks of leadership. They guide by example, saying ‘I am in control and I have time to show you that I care.’ What else matters? Take a look and give it a go:

  • Hold a door open for someone only if they are superiors, clients, elderly, carrying large bundles, etc. Regardless of gender or disability, treat men, women, and disabled individuals with equal respect.
  • Revolving doors, if in motion, let others go first. If stopped, step in first and push into motion for others.
  • In elevators, whoever is closest to the door exits first. True, it always seems that when you’re at the back and the elevator fills up, you have to bushwhack a path to the door on your floor. Be courteous.
  • When making introductions, always introduce the senior person to those of lesser importance, regardless of gender. Lead with the most important name first: Mr. Prime Minister, I’d like you to meet Ms. Professor and Mr. Student.
  • Don’t use nicknames unless directed.
  • Greet people when entering an office, including secretaries, staff, etc. It is rude to ignore their presence. Aside from the fact that they deserve respect, they do take your messages, and can make or break your day.
  • Handshakes are tricky. Mirroring their native cultures, they go from the strong, effusive pump of Australia, the USA, Brazil, Russia, and Mexico, to the soft, gentle touch and lingering greetings of China, the Philippines, France, Turkey, South Korea, Morocco, and the UAE. Gender comes into play, with many cultures excluding women from the handshake, especially with the opposite sex. Then there’s the ‘wai’ greeting of Thailand, bowing with palms together at the chest. If the shake is at stake, offer a clean, dry, web-first grip that curls around the fingers with two or three shakes. When in doubt, follow the leader.
  • Dinners should not be arranged for first time clients unless requested. The dinner hour should be respected as personal time. Want to do the new global power meal? Meet for tea, sidestepping the cocktail issue and crowds for a civilized discussion.
  • When someone has gone out of their way to do something nice or has given a gift, send a thank you note. Hand write it. Send it by post. Charming, polite, and highly unusual these days, you will stand out for all the right reasons.
top 5 jobs

Top Five Jobs for the Next Decade: Where to Focus

It’s 2024 and you’re looking for a job. What will you find? Disruptive technological changes will soon eliminate many of today’s routine jobs, replacing them with positions that drive the new robots, computer programs, and global economy. Where, then, are the best sectors to focus education on or gain experience in over the next decade?

1) Automation and Robotics: As robots take over jobs from cashiers, telemarketers, and accountants, they will bring change in the career marketplace. As many tasks currently performed by humans become automated, more designers, programmers, and technicians will be needed to tell those machines what to do when, and how to do it. Many positions will allow for those who have knowledge, whether degreed or not.

2) Computer systems and programming: Computers will continue to play a huge part in all career areas. While the field is quite technical, it isn’t rocket science. Anyone with a desire and some initiative can learn much from books, online resources, and other people. That is especially true for emerging technologies so new that formal academic programs have yet to develop. Think current trends in nanotechnology and 3D printing. While a basic education in electronics, design, or engineering is helpful, devouring available information from current sources can go a long way towards branding you an expert before formal academics catch up.

3) Health Care: There will be an explosion of health care workers and aides needed as the global population tips toward an ageing society. Home care and personal care aides usually require licensing or short courses of study, but won’t take a four-year bite out of your financial sandwich. These jobs, while not at the top of the list salary-wise, are likely to find high demand.

The health care field will continue to see demand for degreed physicians, surgeons, nurses, epidemiologists, and physical therapists, all of which require extensive formal study. Dental hygienists, however, will continue to be needed and can get their foot in the door with training on the job, especially in more rural areas where good help can be hard to find. Similarly, nursing assistants and veterinary techs can start with a minimum of academic commitment, receiving on the job training to continually ladder-up within the field.

4) The Creative Class: Tradesmen and artists will continue to find work, as robot creativity depends on the humans behind the curtain. Some feel these professions will gain prestige and financial rewards simply because they are dependent on the human factor. This could grow to include the trades, such as bricklayers, masons, marble and tile setters, etc.

Musical artistry has morphed from bands playing physical instruments to DJs mixing sounds with computers and playing them back to large audiences. Once relegated to poorly-funded events that could not afford the fee for a live band, DJs have moved from the back of the bus to the limo. Forbes magazine recently published a list of the top 100 DJs, all making hefty cash totals in 2013. The top kids on the block earned in the hundreds of millions. Like music? Like crowds? No degree required, but skill and talent must be developed. This might be the career for you, but do plan on the tide turning. Musical tastes can be fickle and today’s darling may be tomorrow’s kick-to-the-curb castoff.

5) Food and nutrition: Agriculture, food preparation, and food service will continue to provide a good number of jobs. What will give some an edge will be those that are steeped in nutrition or style. Additionally, a new field with potential includes food prep crossed with 3D printing. NASA is exploring use of the technology in space, and schools like MIT, the University of California, and Cornell, are experimenting with 3D printed cuisine from chocolate to meals for the aged. Food chemistry, especially in this arena, holds promise for a job that will gain traction over the next couple of decades.

So, with that in mind, fast forward ten years. Unlikely to be distributed on newsprint, what might your future job search look like?

 

 

Employment Processing Sheet for January 6, 2024

 

Personal Home Care Aides (6) needed long term for elderly couple in own home. References required. Level 3 financial reward. Tap Tier Server 7 Access 11253. Sao Paulo, Brazil

3D Printer Food Chemist positions available at premium rated restaurants throughout Africa. Must provide taste profiles and recipe plans. Position may work remotely. Level 8 financial reward. Tap Tier Server 2 Access 00519. Austin, TX

Ethical Hacker wanted for global software firm. Apply with data and effects from performance. All applications held in confidence. Level 10 financial reward. May work remotely. Hyberabad, India.

Biomedical Engineer with emphasis in bioinstrumentation wanted for expanding biotech firm in China. PhD required. Level 12 financial reward. Tap Tier Server 1 Access 6000. Ahmedabad, India.

Front End Engineer/Web Developers (9) needed for electronics group with emphasis on automated numeracy and literacy translations. Level 9 financial reward. Tap Tier Server 3 Access 12121. Chonqing, China.

International Trade Agents (5) needed for multi-national conglomerate. Experience with online purchasing, foreign currencies, and trade policies with China, Russia, the Pacific, and India. Level 11 financial reward. Tap Tier Server 1 Access 99999. Brisbane, QLD, Australia.

Herd Animal Veterinarian needed for corporate farming operations in West Africa. Must have skills rated at B or C status. Level 10 financial reward. Tap Tier Server 1 Access 09332. Guinea, Africa.

Financial Examiner/Analyst wanted for investment firm. Senior status experienced with all electronic trading vehicles. Either experience or skills rated at B or above status. Level 14 financial reward. Tap Tier Server 1 Access 00461. Kuala Lampur, Malaysia.

Robotics Repair Analyst (4)wanted for prosthetics and robotics maintenance firm. Experience in new technology a plus. Degree not required if skills status above B level. Tap Tier Server 6 Access 23359. Chengdu, China.

New Media Literacy Worker needed for development of project combining cognitive load management and communication tools. Must speak fluent Mandarin. Guangzhou, China.

Tradesmen/Supervisors in brick, stone, marble, tile, for international commercial construction designer. Must be reliable and sponsored. Tap Tier Server 9 Access 00882. Beijing, China.

Epidemiologists needed for global research. World Health Organization employment vacancy # 6142. State preference for Asia, Russia, South America, or Pacific Islands. Tap Tier Server 1 Access 00088.

 

Pleased to meet you. Do you have a card

Pleased to Meet You. Do You Have a Card?

Handing out business cards has become a common, if not expected, practice that follows closely on the heels of introductions. Clarifying names, affiliations, titles, and contact information, this undisputed king of business tools has been the workhorse of many a successful connection.

With the advent of mobile devices and electronic communication, there has been a bit of jostling about introduction hierarchy, with some working to shove business cards to the back of the room. While the need for the transfer of contact information continues, the preferred method of transfer progresses in fits and starts, continually turning back to the tried-and-true business card to do the job.

QR, or ‘quick response’ codes made the first effort to displace the iconic card. A quirky little square of digital barcode that often cleverly disguise logos or other signs, the QR code came on with a flourish, but seems to have lost some leverage over time. One had to read the code with a smart phone app, which prompted the affiliated website of the business to pop up on the tiny screen.

Many did not know how to use the code, or did not have the proper app installed on their device, and couldn’t use it. It may be that mobile simply wasn’t ready for the technology. QRs were showing up everywhere, and their use, or should we say, misuse, confused people about their purpose. The QR code may return in force if someone figures out how to properly market their business with it. For now, however, it’s dead.

Then there’s the ‘bump’ technology that allowed two phones, high-fiving each other with a tap, to exchange selected information. While that was a fun, novel, technology, it’s a move most reserved executives proved they weren’t fond of. Additional issues sidelined the bump. Again, as technology grooms itself, the bump could return after a little tweaking and transformation.

While we’re waiting for the next big thing in electronic file sharing or ‘e’ business cards, there’s a proven strategy. The printed business card, unpretentious and reliable, conveys your contact information in the simplest of formats. Some are basic and straightforward, some are clever, others are humorous, but they all get the job done.

The problem with printed cards is a simple one. Once the information on the card is transferred to your normal storage method, the card loses its value, unless, of course, it is printed on something cool. While ‘cool’ often means ‘expensive’, it doesn’t have to.

Brilliant ideas can often pay big dividends, especially if the idea translates well to the business at hand, or is useful in some way. Think key chains, water bottles, paper clip devices, pens, or jump drives. Print also becomes outdated. Businesses move, change names, get new phone numbers, or close, none of which is noted by static letters printed on dead trees. Still, it is an accepted, simple, inexpensive way to let clients know how to get in touch.

If you’re in business for yourself, or looking for work, this is a great time to flaunt your experience. You can give yourself a title, an image, and a style all your own. Here is where your experience truly comes into play. Even if you don’t have a degree, you can tout your strengths with a professional look that emphasizes your best, most relevant work.

An engineer who had worked for decades for an international firm, yet lacked a formal degree, was able to hand out his own, personal card upon retirement as he sought freelance contracts. His card? It branded him brilliantly as “An engineer with a lifetime of making things work.” The card was tastefully illustrated with simple caricatures of the tools of his trade, a T-square, a triangle, drafting tools, and plans. With this clean, easy-to-read card, he ended up winning a contract building models for a space program. What have you done that you’d like to do more of? Consider your knowledge, create your card, and seek out work where your expertise will matter.

After you’ve decided what to put on a card, you’ve got to have it printed. Many programs exist to print your own cards. Word of caution here is, unless you are printing something very simple, or are certain you can make the card look crisply professional, best let the experts handle the execution. Design is also best when simple unless you’re truly skilled at designing and branding. Printing must be accurate, and trimming perfect. If you can’t do that at home, take it to someone who can.

Whether you end up designing and printing your own cards, or handing them over to a print shop or ad agency, keep the following in mind:

  • Make it readable.
  • Make it simple, yet tell your story.
  • Make sure all contact information is included.
  • Proofread your information. Not once. Not twice. Three times. Then have someone else proof it.
  • Use legible fonts that are appropriate for your business. The more creative and fun your business, the crazier your typeface can be, as long as it’s easily read.
  • Select an appropriate colour of stock to print on. You almost can’t go wrong with white. Colour, however, has its place, so choose according to nature of your business.
  • Choose as high a quality stock as you can afford. Flimsy cards might save you money, but they send the wrong message.

Many people choose to print what’s called a calling card, simply stating their name and contact information. If you’ve not decided what to call yourself just yet, or if you’d rather not brand your name, simply print your name and contact information in an attractive, legible font, and distribute at your discretion.

You only need business cards if you want people to call you, email you, visit you to do business, or get in touch with you to offer you a job. Business cards save you the trouble of writing things down on cocktail napkins, torn scraps of paper, or, heaven forbid, your hand. So, do you need a business card? Thought so. Get to work!

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Transcript:

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Power

Power: Use It or Lose It

You’ve got potential. Not only in the sense of accomplishment, but in terms of the power you hold. What’s that? You don’t believe you hold the reins to any significant power in your workplace? Even if you’re on the bottom rung of the ladder, you could not be more wrong.

Power comes in three basic forms: the power of authority, the power of expertise, and the power of social relationship. You’ve got access to some of each, to greater or lesser degree. If you do not reach for it, however, your potential is wasted, sitting idly at the curbside of your road to success, waiting for the next passerby to gather it up. Why not give it a ride and see what boomerangs back in return?

The power of authority automatically comes with a title and a position. It’s a standard business hierarchy that often distributes power from the top down. From the CEO, through the various department managers, down to the rank and file office personnel, power of authority usually dissipates with distance from the top of the organisational chart.

Authoritative power doesn’t always flow with gravity, however. Sometimes it flows sideways, or even upward. Specific projects may have you working with other departments or other companies, requiring management to supply you with input or work tasks, giving you temporary authoritative power over superiors.

Some very simple positions actually wield much more power than the title would reflect. Consider that even the lowest positions on the CEO’s administrative staff are allowed access to a great deal of information that even upper level managers don’t have. That knowledge gives even lowly ranked workers a special type of authority called informational power.

Authoritative power goes hand in hand with an increased role in most companies. Want more power here? Get a promotion. Want to get promoted? Examine your tasks, pick the ones most valuable to the company, and hone them to perfection. Doing additional work on things that have a direct impact on company performance will make you indispensable, elevating your authoritative power, and perhaps even earning you a promotion. With administrative power, if you don’t reach for it, you won’t find it and it won’t find you.

Expert power, gained through skill, knowledge, and experience, is awarded to those who are good at what they do. Often, this power comes through academic degrees. It is also awarded through performance.

People respect results. Consider the top salesman, the most prolific programmer, or the most successful manager at your company. How do they structure their day that keeps them at the top of their game? Stay dynamic. Bring new ideas and new ways of doing things to the table to keep a company competitive. Learn new skills. Add to your repertoire to broaden your perspective, enabling you to see the big picture. Increase your expert power through learning and doing.

Relationship power comes from interaction with people. Being helpful, nice, and easygoing forges relationships that create power with bidirectional strength. Being a pushover, however, does not.

A manager or employee that has good relationships with co-workers and management gets things done, earning respect of all involved. Yes, grumpy, demanding managers also get things done, but usually not as well, nor usually as fast.

Relationship power is something everyone can build, with favours done, favours received, and interactions that are rewarding to both. Simply doing good turns without accepting anything in exchange doesn’t work. The “all give and no take” approach can make others feel indebted to you too, creating an uncomfortable relationship that erodes the power of reciprocal support. Or, it can make others use you as a doormat, getting you to do some of their work, taking advantage of your good nature.

The power to influence behaviour in the workplace and get people to do things or change the course of events is a gift. Managers and co-workers award you respect, yielding to you if you use your power reasonably and perform your job well. Who can argue with the power given to someone with excellent performance, deep knowledge, and mad skills?

If you try to take what’s not yours, however, be prepared to pay a heavy price. If you’ve not earned the right to exert your will over others, or if you’re using the wrong kinds of power to get results, prepare for a big stumble. These errors in judgment have derailed many a promising career.

Regardless of your position, time would seem like the great equalizer. While we all have just 24 hours to work with, the amount of power you feel has a direct correlation to your sense of the passage of time. A study of upper level executives revealed that those with a sense of power feel more in control of time, feel less stressed about deadlines and are more confident about the amount of time available to get things done. Power, like fear, fever, and music, slows the perception of time down.

Age speeds it up, as does feeling powerless. Those without a sense of power often feel highly stressed over deadlines and tasks to be completed, feeling there is never enough time. Perhaps those with power simply get more done in less time. Perhaps not spending time worrying about things provides more time to be productive.

Whatever the case, however you use your time, combined with how you earn, exchange, and exert your power in the workplace, is up to you. Earning it and using it wisely can bring substantial reward. Using it despicably, and losing it, can cost plenty. It’s in your hands. Use it, or lose it.