Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Update and Maintain Your LinkedIn Profile


Posted by:  Darlene Duncan CWDP, JSS, CCC, JCTC, JCDC
                  Training Coordinator

Regardless of your employment situation you should make sure that your LinkedIn Profile is complete and up to date and that it stays that way.

If you’re employed you may think you don’t need to maintain your profile and keep up with your LinkedIn network but nothing could be further from the truth. You may have a job today; however, that offers no guarantee that you’ll have a job tomorrow. Job searching is so much easy and faster if you already have a network of people to help you. So stay in touch with that network, offer assistance when you can because you never know when you may be the one needing assistance.

Below is a link to an article with 3 good reasons to complete and update your LinkedIn Profile.
 
Click here to read article.

Monday, November 26, 2012

How to remain productive at work during the holiday season


 

By: Lori McMullin, APR
Director of Business Operations & Communications
Center for Business Excellence

 
Most of us have been there.  It’s the holiday season and you are on a deadline at work.  A couple of your co-workers come by your office singing holiday songs and acting altogether too jolly for your current state of mind.
What do you do?  Give in and slack off the entire season?  Get in your best, “Bah! Humbug!,” mood?
Maybe, there’s another solution.  Check out this link to find out:

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

What Are You Thankful For?

Posted by:  Darlene Duncan CWDP, JSS, CCC, JCTC, JCDC
                  Training Coordinator

Thanksgiving may have its roots in religion but today it’s more of a secular holiday. Whether you’re a devout follower of some religion, an agnostic or an atheist is irrelevant. There are still many things for which we all have to be thankful.

Regardless of your circumstances there’s always someone whose situation is worse than yours. This is not a time to play the ‘I’m worse off than you are game’. This is a time to be thankful for all the good things and people in your life.

Personally, I’m thankful I’m not the main course. On a more serious note, I’m thankful for all the positive people in my life and my good health.
 
 

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Live like Jay


 
By: Lori McMullin, APR
Director of Business Operations & Communications
Center for Business Excellence


On election night, my husband and I decided to take a break from all of the political tension and see a movie.  At first, I wasn’t too thrilled with his choice, “Chasing Mavericks.”  I mistakenly thought it was a horse movie (oh, joy, I am not 12), and when I found out it was a surfing movie, I wasn’t that much more excited.  I was wrong.
Yes, there were awesome waves and surfing action for those who crave the excitement.  However, this true story had far more significant meaning.
The story revolves around a father/son-like relationship between local surfer and family man Frosty Hesson and his pizza delivery kid neighbor Jay Moriarty.  Moriarty, raised by his troubled mother, finds sanctuary surfing in the waters off the coast of Santa Cruz, CA with a board his absent father left behind.  Although, he is quite good, he is no match for the seasonal, nearby Mavericks waves.
What are the Mavericks, you ask? After a strong winter storm in the northern Pacific Ocean, Mavericks waves have been known to crest at over 25 feet and top out at over 80 feet. The break is caused by an unusually shaped underwater rock formation.

Getting back to the point of my story, Hesson reluctantly agrees to prepare Moriarty to take on the Mavericks.  One would think preparation would primarily involve surfing, but this is further from the truth.  Hesson gave Moriarty a, “Four Pillars Challenge,” which he had to agree to. 
This involved mental, emotional, physical and spiritual (whatever that meant to Moriarty) components.  Moriarty had to write essays on what he observed while preparing for the Mavericks. He learned to hold his breath for four minutes.  He also had to face unresolved feelings about his father. You get the idea.
Moriarty made it to the Mavericks that season and lived life to the fullest until his untimely drowning in 2001 just one day shy of his 23rd birthday. He owes much of who he became to a man who grew to become his real father – Frosty Hesson.  As Hesson’s wife said, “Some sons are born to you…others occur to you."
In conclusion, “Chasing Mavericks,” was a fantastic movie – a modern-day, “Karate Kid,” but even better.  Ironically, Elizabeth Shue plays Moriarty’s mother in the film.
So, as we approach a new year, we can all take on our own pillars challenge, whatever it may be!

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Is Self-Employment For You?

Posted by:  Darlene Duncan CWDP, JSS, CCC, JCTC, JCDC
                  Training Coordinator

Can’t find a job? Don’t like working for someone else anyway? Have a great idea for a business of your own?

Being self-employed isn’t for everyone. Below is the link to a blog post of 13 signs that you’re meant to be self-employed. If you think it’s for you make sure you read the post.
 
Click here to read post.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Job search during the holiday season? You bet!


 
By: Lori McMullin, APR
Director of Business Operations & Communications
Center for Business Excellence


So, the holiday season will soon be upon us.  It can be hard to schedule personal and professional get-togethers, meetings, etc., as many enjoy spending this time of year with friends and family in down-time mode.

However, don’t think the business cycle ceases.  Now’s the perfect time to job search.  Follow this link to an article to find out why:

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

You Are a Business of One


Posted by:  Darlene Duncan CWDP, JSS, CCC, JCTC, JCDC
                  Training Coordinator

In today’s world each and every one of us needs to look upon ourselves as a Business of One. While this new phrase is growing in popularity some folks aren’t sure just what it means.

My understanding is that you need to think of yourself as a business and the services you provide to an employer are the services your business provides.

With that thought in mind, do a mental review of the success or lack of success you’ve been experiencing in your job search. If your success has been minimal then perhaps it’s time you tried a new method of marketing your Business of One. Remember, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

Read the article and watch the video, perhaps you’ll get some ideas on how to change your tactics for better results.
 
Click here for the article.

Monday, November 5, 2012

Grieving and dealing with it in the workplace



By: Lori McMullin, APR
Director of Business Operations & Communications
Center for Business Excellence

 

Today’s blog post is just because… Hope this link is helpful: