Archive for Career
Economic Meltdowns, Natural Disasters, Swine Flu — What does it all mean?
Posted by: | CommentsEconomic Meltdowns, Natural Disasters, Swine Flu – What does it all mean?
In the battle for smooth sailing, when one might just start to hope that the worst is behind us – consumer confidence is up, a mortgage fix-it plan has come to pass, stocks are on the rise – we get a new kick in the shin: the swine flu.
So far, the disease is in the pre-pandemic stages much like the skittish stock market of last summer. But it is very likely that the black October of the swine flu pandemic is not far behind, resulting in more closures, frozen leisure travel, and economies of world cities stalling to a stand-still. It leads one to wonder what humankind may have done to provoke such ire of the gods and Mother Nature.
This is when it pays to step back and realize that life is really behaving quite normally. Really.
It may not seem so is we simply look at the short snippet our own lives represent in the vast epic of earth’s history. But throughout humankind’s known history, we can see some familiar patterns. Countries and empires achieve great advances often followed by deep retractions. Remember the Romans? Mother Nature’s drama is earth’s way of rebuilding itself. Think of the blooming prairies following Australia’s wildfires and the thriving slope of Mt. St. Helen’s. And while, we have been able to preserve or domesticate many forms of wildlife, viruses don’t happen to be one of them. As any organism with the spark of life in it, this swine flu virus is simply trying to find a better way to live and we humans must make life smooth sailing. And we humans will answer back as we always do, keeping everything in balance. It is the way of life.
Maybe one day we can find a way to co-exist peacefully with these creatures, but in the meantime we can take comfort knowing that living things are doing and will continue to do what they have always done in the face of challenge: they will keep going.
Dismal job market offers opportunities for independent consulting
Posted by: | CommentsConsidering the number of talented people entering the unemployment pool each month, I believe there are huge opportunities for a rise in independent consultants this coming year. In the last few months, the pace of layoffs has grown to nearly a half a million per month with no end in sight. While a stimulus package may eventually pass, it may be more than a year before the economy actually begins to grown again. For those looking for a job or looking for a better job, that’s a long time to be out of work.
The ability to successfully market yourself as a consultant while looking for a full time position could be your best chance of staying fresh, earning income, and improving your chances of rehire.
So, how do you go about offering your services?
Examine your experiences and expertise. Summarize your skills and know what services you will offer and the scope of each service. Be able to describe the deliverables; a comprehensive report summarizing your research and offering suggestions, a ready-to-mail tax return, up-to-the-minute financial reports, etc. Whatever your skills are, your goal is to turn them into a deliverable that you can offer for a fee. Have a portfolio of examples ready to show potential clients, if possible.
Network. Let everyone you know you’re looking for work and what you’re offering. Connections are important in times like these. Most people who still have jobs these days feel blessed and are willing to help if they can. They understand they could easily be next. Let people know how they can help you. Often an opportunity will arise only because someone thought to put two people together. It pays to stay connected.
Once you’re bringing in income and keeping busy, you will need to establish yourself in business legally. Check with your local government to see what licenses are required. And if you find yourself in a position to help another person out of work, don’t pass on the opportunity. Pulling each other up is what it’s going to take to get out of this downturn as quickly as possible.
Microsoft BizSpark™ Helps Software Developers Launch their Startups
Posted by: | CommentsIn today’s economy, it can be harder than ever to get a startup off the ground. Microsoft wants to help. Realizing its own success is tied to new technologies, the Redmond software giant offers a program called BizSpark™ that helps developers create their technologies with a three-fold approach:
· Software: BizSpark™members may download full professional versions of many of Microsoft’s software development tools, such as Microsoft Visual Studio®, and several platform products, such as Microsoft Windows Server®.
· Support: BizSpark™members are provided a subscription in the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN), which offers access to a broad range of Microsoft tools and technologies used to design, develop, and test software. Members also receive technical support from Microsoft.
· Visibility: BizSpark™members are profiled in an online directory to potential investors, partners, and customers.
To join BizSpark™, a startup must be:
· Developing a software product or service that is or will be a key part of its business (exceptions apply, such as hosting),
· In business for less than 3 years, and
· Generating less that USD $1 million in annual revenues (exceptions apply in certain countries).
· Sponsored by a Network Partner or BizSpark Champ. Resources are available to help find sponsorship.
There is no cost until you exit the program and then the cost is only USD $100.
If your startup doesn’t meet the above requirement, Microsoft has other programs that may benefit you. For more information, visit:
Building Strong Partnerships
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Projects and goals can survive the difficult times ahead if you build strong partnerships and cross pollinate with like-minded individuals. The right combination of people will contribute knowledge and resources necessary for success. Strong partnerships can minimize weaknesses and maximize strengths as well as combine assets to improve the partnerships chances of success.
Architecting a successful partnership takes skill. It is important to take the time to define roles only after every potential partner has the opportunity to express their vision, skill set and availability.
Combining a strong group of potential partners is not always easy. Having a group of intelligent people with strong opinions can often lead to control issues. Partnerships require compromise. It is important that every potential partner in the room set aside what they think they know and be open to a new experience. They must be as good a listener as they are a talker.
At the onset of partnership building don’t demand that you’re way is the only way. Successful partnerships require give and take which may require giving up control of things that may be really important to you. Many times this is the point of contention, letting go of certain roles and responsibilities to someone in the partnership is not always easy for those set in their ways.
It can be helpful to bring in a facilitator to the partnership building process. A business coach can help mediate and work through the process of building a strong partnership agreement bringing objective input and helping each person realized the benefits the others to the success of the group.
Finding good partners is not always easy but many highly networked business coaches and consultants often have the ability to put people together that fit and may have the partner you need in their network. We have successfully brought together many of our clients this past year creating strong partnerships that led to faster goal achieving.
