Andy Robinson’s Career Success! Career Tip of the Day

We all get bombarded with requests and demands for our attention and our time.  Learning to say NO in a way that is respectful but firm is a KEY SKILL that you can develop to handle those requests that you simply do not have time for or the knowledge to do effectively.

I recently re-read the book, "The Power of a Positive No," written by William Ury.  His book offers great advice and tips for how to say "No" with grace and effect.

In his book, William offers the following specific phrases you can use to say NO to the demands of others in a manner that is respectful and that flows naturally and sincerely:

• A simple "No" or "No Thanks." Directness has its place, but it can also be expressed gracefully.  Adding the work "thanks" to your "No" shows respect and care for the relationship.

• A statement that "I Have a Policy." Examples include, "I have a policy to never lend money to friends or family members." ....or "I have a policy to never make significant purchases without first speaking to my wife (or husband, or partner)."

• "I Have Plans." (or "I Have Another Commitment"). A great concrete everyday phrase that can affirm your interests as well as you power without spoiling your relationship is "I already have plans," or "I have another event I've committed to that evening." 

• "Not Now."  Maybe another time.  Softens the blow of a "No" and leaves the door open to a future request.  "Not Now" should only be used in those cases where there does exist a real possibility for addressing the others' needs in the future.

• "I Prefer to Decline Rather Than Do a Poor Job."  When you decline rather than do a poor job, you are not only affirming your own interests but also paying attention to the relationship.  You would BOTH be worse off -- and so would your relationship -- if you say "Yes" and then a job that turns out to be much less than satisfactory.

My Passion: "Helping people love what they do for a living and achieve lasting career success!"

LET'S CONNECT:
www.AndyOnLinkedIn.com
www.AndyOnTwitter.com

Information is power.  Knowledge is power.  At work, information and knowledge allow to be at our best and contribute in a highly effective manner.  We stay focused on the important, are fully aware of emerging issues and obstacles, understand the "big picture."  Without timely information and knowledge, we end up working in a vacuum and we're not hooked in to "real time" needs, opportunities and circumstances.

You simply can NOT effectively succeed if you're out of the information loop. You're bound to get tripped up.

Are you in the loop or out of the loop? Some signs that you may be out of the loop include:

• You hear about things only as they are happening, with no advanced notice or no forewarning.
• You hear about company matters from people and friends OUTSIDE of your company; you may hear about things first in the media.
• Others at work often surprise you with things that they know about the company.
• You often find that the project you're working on has been "tabled" or is no longer important -- after having spent significant time and effort on the project.

• Build and maintain your internal network, particularly with individuals outside of your group or department.  Expand your "coverage" within the company. Go to lunch, have coffee, attend company outings, etc.
• Set up a "Google Alert" using your company name as the search string.  You can have those alerts routed to your email box or dropped into Google Reader if you subscribe to that application.
• Stay in touch with alumni -- people who have left the company.  You'll be surprised at how "in the loop" some of those people can be.
• Maintain a great relationship with your boss/manager/supervisor.  Spend time with them often.  Ask questions, be alert for signals.
• Read all information published by your company - Newsletters, annual reports, press releases, etc.
• Keep your eyes and ears open.  Be alert when "outsiders" visit the company, particularly if they spend time interviewing the management team. Ask about those situations.
• Share knowledge YOU gain with others.  You'll set up a reciprocal type relationship when you do so.

My Passion: "Helping people love what they do for a living and achieve lasting career success!"

LET'S CONNECT:
www.AndyOnLinkedIn.com
www.AndyOnTwitter.com

As you move throughout your day today, remember that opportunities for growth and movement in new directions are always all around you.  Because many of us are so "outcome-focused" and goal-driven, our minds are tuned more toward getting things done than staying open to receiving those seeds of opportunity that surround us.

Staying attuned to new opportunities can be instrumental to our growth and development AND can be transformational if we let ourselves truly "listen" to the ideas that flow to us from others or that seemingly appear out of nowhere -- when we least expect them.

Make a commitment TODAY to pause throughout the day and tune in to what is going on around you.  Be alert for flags of opportunity that may appear as:

• A call or an email from someone who has been on your mind.  Return the call; reply to the email; engage in a dialogue and stay alert for ideas that present themselves.
• A casual conversation with a "stranger" while you're standing in line at a local Starbucks.  Is there a message for you in this conversation?  Is there a new spin on an old idea that you could implement?
• A trade magazine article or blog article whose headline grabs your attention.  Take the time to read the article and be alert for new ideas.
• A conversation you happen to overhear that contains a message or idea that resonates with you.  Make mental note of the idea, then write it down on your "to do" list as something to consider later.
• A casual conversation with the person sitting next to you on the airplane. Maybe an idea surfaces that you can apply to your business.
• An invitation to speak at a local club or organization, something you very rarely do and almost never receive requests to do.  Step out of your comfort zone; could be a latent opportunity that emerges through someone you meet at the function.

Bottom line is this -- take time to free your mind of the buzz of activity and what needs to be done -- listen to what is going on around you -- KNOW that creative ideas abound and let yourself tune into them. 
_______________
Andy Robinson
Career Success Coach
CRG Leadership Institute LLC
239-285-5575
Andy.Robinson@CRGLeaders.com
www.StrategicThinkingPartner.com
www.AndyRobinsonCareerTips.com
www.AndyRobinsonCoach.com

My Passion: "Helping people love what they do for a living and achieve lasting career success!"

LET'S CONNECT:
www.AndyOnLinkedIn.com
www.AndyOnTwitter.com

Being asked to join the board of a community, professional or business organization certainly can be a boost to the ego.  But, to make sure you say "Yes" for the right reasons, ask yourself these five questions, recommended by some seasoned board members:

1.  "What do I bring to the table? How will I add value as a board member?"
Is it knowledge of your field, financial savvy, existing business relationships, or something else?  If your experience and knowledge area(s) closely resembles that of the board's other members, decline and volunteer where you will make a difference.

2.  "What is my expected time commitment?"
Ensure you have a clear understanding of your time commitment.  Consider the frequency of board meetings, typical board meeting duration, travel time, committee involvement, special project involvement, attendance at special events, and other areas of volunteer involvement. 

3.  "When will I know I've completed my job on the board?"
You should generally be able to invest a year or two to reach very specific goals and objectives. If you decide to accept the position, develop a clear vision early on as to your expected tenure, and hold yourself accountable to the timeframe you set for yourself.

4.  "What has the board accomplished in the last year, two years and five years?"
Don't join a board that takes up a lot of members' time in meetings or retreats without accomplishing much.  Look at the board's track record for accomplishments -- is this an organization that you would have been proud to have played a leadership role in?  Also, determine if clear goals and objectives have been set for the near term.

5.  "May I talk to three or four current members before I join?"
Ask, "What difference can I make?".  If a clear picture does not develop, consider turning the invitation down.

In summary, joining the board of a worthwhile organization can be an excellent experience and is certainly important for purposes of personal, professional and leadership development.  Choose wisely and ensure those that you join are ones where you will give a "110%" effort.
_______________
Andy Robinson
Executive Coach, Strategic Thinking Partner
CRG Leadership Institute LLC
239-285-5575
Andy.Robinson@CRGLeaders.com
www.StrategicThinkingPartner.com
www.AndyRobinsonCareerTips.com
www.AndyRobinsonCoach.com

My Passion: "Helping people love what they do for a living and achieve lasting career success!"

LET'S CONNECT:
www.AndyOnLinkedIn.com
www.AndyOnTwitter.com

How well are you "branded" amongst your network of connections - friends, family members, individuals with whom you share outside interests, vendors, clients, colleagues, former colleagues?

• What comes to mind when people think of YOU? 

• Do your contacts fully understand what you do for a living and exactly HOW you add value to other people's lives?

• Who's "radar screen" are YOU on when someone asks a contact if they know someone who specializes in your areas of expertise?

Try the following idea every once in a while to "research" and confirm your brand awareness:

1. Choose a network connection and give them a call, asking for a quick few minutes of their time
2. Tell them that you've been working on improving your personal branding campaign and that you're doing some research with some of your friends and clients to see how effectively you've been in communicating your brand to your network
3. Then, ask this question: "What is your understanding of exactly what I do for a living -- the product, service or skillset that I deliver?"
4. Listen carefully to their response and probe their response using the "blinking word" technique -- (a) Identify a couple of words that "blink" or really stand in in their response, (b) ask about one of those words, (c) notice the blinking words in his or her answer, (d) ask about one of those words, (e) repeat this process until you've reached a point where you can summarize a quick brand statement.  See the example below:
   1. You: "What is your understanding of exactly what I do for a living?"
   2. Your contact: "You're an executive coach." (blinking word bolded)
   3. You: "What is your understanding of what a coach does?"
   4. Your contact: "Helps someone be more effective in their job." (blinking word bolded)
   5. You: "What are some things you think I do to help my clients be more effective?"
   6. Your contact: "Maybe you help them manage their time better." (clinking word bolded)
   7. You. "I definitely do a good bit of work with helping people get control over their time and focus on the important. One of the other areas of effectiveness I focus on is helping my clients is helping manager communicate more effectively with their teams."
   8. You. "Thanks I appreciate your time. If you run across anyone who might need my help, please let me know.  Is there anything I could do to help you right now?"

OK, so what exactly have you accomplished with the above.  Consider this:

• You've reached out and communicated in person with someone in your network y
• You've strengthened your relationship by a notch or two
• You've asked for and received their help, and you've THANKED them for their help
• You've gotten "market" feedback on the brand that you wish to be known for
• You've educated a contact about what you do for a living
• You've enhanced your brand awareness
• You've empowered a network contact with the information necessary to possibly refer a client to you in the future
• You've made a referral request

Use your personal branding program to stay on the radar screen of your contact network base -- by keeping them current on what you do for a living and how you add value to your clients. Your branding program should include newsletters, frequent communication through social media, blogging and "in person" networking at clubs and professional organizations .  "Test" your branding program on an ONGOING basis using the above research program and make adjustments as necessary.

All the best to your career success!
_______________
Andy Robinson
Career Success Coach
CRG Leadership Institute LLC
239-285-5575
Andy.Robinson@CRGLeaders.com
www.StrategicThinkingPartner.com
www.AndyRobinsonCareerTips.com
www.AndyRobinsonCoach.com

My Passion: "Helping people love what they do for a living and achieve lasting career success!"

LET'S CONNECT:
www.AndyOnLinkedIn.com
www.AndyOnTwitter.com

There is ALWAYS someone willing to help you or "hear you out."  Highly effective people understand this and draw upon their contact network -- their friends, family members, colleagues, business advisors, mentors, coaches, etc. -- in time of need.  Asking for help is honoring the strength and value of your relationships and is a means for tapping the brain power and emotional support of others. 

Involving others in helping you wade through a key decision or resolve a current business or career issue is a form of complimenting them.  The idea that you value their opinion and their insights demonstrates your appreciation of those individuals.  Knowing that they have helped you in some way makes them feel good -- you both feel better, AND your relationship is STRENGTHENED.

Actively seek out the advice and counsel of others.  Listen to what they have to say.  The decision is always YOURS to make, but receiving others' perspective can be extremely helpful in making better, more informed decisions.

Surround yourself with a circle of advisors, people whom you call upon for advice.  Offer to do the same for them. Everyone benefits.

_______________
Andy Robinson
Career Success Coach
CRG Leadership Institute LLC
239-285-5575
Andy.Robinson@CRGLeaders.com
www.StrategicThinkingPartner.com
www.AndyRobinsonCareerTips.com
www.AndyRobinsonCoach.com

My Passion: "Helping people love what they do for a living and achieve lasting career success!"

LET'S CONNECT:
www.AndyOnLinkedIn.com
www.AndyOnTwitter.com

The "Rule of Three"

Whether you're giving a presentation, telling a story, submitting a proposal or selling your services -- keep in mind the "Rule of Three."  Have you ever noticed the pattern of "3" in many of our traditional childhood stories -- three blind mice, the three stooges, the three little pigs, Goldilocks' three bears, three wishes .... the list goes on and on.

Research has shown that there is a rational behind the use of "three" in our societal story-telling -- our brains tend to naturally think in threes.  Add one more element and the memory pattern tends to slip.  Why not take advantage of this human tendency when interacting with others?

Knowing the "Rule of Three" and using it in your presentations, your "elevator pitch," your cover letter, your letter to that important client and other key communication pieces can be incredibly impactful.  Use the "Rule of Three," and people will tend to remember what you said and will likely remember that YOU said it.

As you wrestle with formulating your very next presentation, pick three stories, three key points or three ideas that best illustrate the message you are attempting to convey.  Repeat those three elements throughout your presentation.  End your presentation by going back to those three elements.  The "Rule of Three" works and is a powerful tool for facilitating retention.

Setting yourself apart from the crowd demands that you go above and beyond the expectations of others -- on an ongoing basis.

Make it a point TODAY and every day to exceed expectations and "over deliver" to others.  Consider these ideas:

• If you observe a colleague struggling with a problem, offer a helping hand.  Sometimes just a few words of encouragement make a huge difference.

• Make sure you return all phone call messages by the end of the day.  If you don't have time for a discussion with the person, at least call back to set up a time to talk in the near future.

• Follow the "One-Thing More" rule -- Whenever someone asks you to something and you agree to do it, deliver on time and add one-thing more than was asked for.  It may be something simple, but the accumulation of those little "one-thing more" bonuses will get noticed and will set you apart.

• Always arrive early.  Whether it's a meeting, a lunch appointment, a conference call or a sales call -- get there early by at least five minutes.  Arriving a bit early shows respect for others and demonstrates that you care.

• Consistently beat your budget. Manage your time wisely, look for cost-saving opportunities, manage against a well-thought-out plan.  Be "that guy" (or gal) who consistently gets things done ahead of time and under budget.

• Anticipate the needs of your manager/leader.  Step up and volunteer to help out whenever necessary.

• Be proactive -- get it done before you're asked to do it.

_______________
Andy Robinson
Executive Coach, Strategic Thinking Partner
CRG Leadership Institute LLC
239-285-5575
Andy.Robinson@CRGLeaders.com
www.StrategicThinkingPartner.com
www.AndyRobinsonCareerTips.com
www.AndyRobinsonCoach.com

My Passion: "Helping people love what they do for a living and achieve lasting career success!"

LET'S CONNECT:
www.AndyOnLinkedIn.com
www.AndyOnTwitter.com

Consider these questions:

• What are you "known" for? 
• What are you the "go to" person for? 
• When work associates think of you, what is "key expertise" that comes to their mind? 
• If you had a "byline" underneath your name on your office door, what would it say?
• When your clients or customers think of you, what is the key value element that comes to their mind?

To survive and thrive in the "new world" job market, it is absolutely essential that you develop and brand yourself as an expert in an area of high value. 

Take an inventory of your key strengths and key skills and identify those that you and others would rate you as a "10" in.  Are those highest-ranked strengths and skills considered extremely valuable to your current employer and to your clients/customers?  THEY MUST BE.  It is in the best interest of both your employer AND your own professional achievement that they must be.  If not, you've either GOT TO focus on developing strengths and skills that do add the greatest value OR you've GOT TO find a position or opportunity where your existing highest-ranked skills and strengths DO add tremendous value.

STOP and take a close look TODAY at your areas of expertise.  GO DEEPER into those that add the greatest value in your current situation.  Take personal responsibility for the learning you may need to hone those strengths, and aggressively seek out projects, assignments and opportunities to apply those deep areas of expertise.

_______________
Andy Robinson
CEO and Executive Coach
CRG Leadership Institute LLC
239-285-5575
Andy.Robinson@CRGLeaders.com
www.StrategicThinkingPartner.com
www.AndyOnLinkedIn.com

Let's Connect: www.AndyOnFacebook.com or www.AndyOnTwitter.com

My Passion: "Helping people love what they do for a living."

I read an interesting article in the New York Times this week discussing a situation faced by all too many laid-off employees -- having been in an specific job area or industry area for a number of years developing a set of skills that end up being limited in terms of transferability or "usability" in a new job or new career.  Many of these individuals find themselves unable to land a new job, sometimes being unemployed for extended periods of time.  This situation CAN be prevented or at least significantly mitigated with proper planning and foresight.  ARE YOUR SKILLS TRANSFERABLE?  Are you significantly limiting the options that might be available to you should you lose your job or decide to change jobs?

Consider the following 10 IDEAS to help you develop and implement a plan for maximizing the transferability of the skills you develop while employed:

• Plan ahead; anticipate -- Recognize the possibility that you may be developing and deploying a set of skills that are limited in terms of their transferability.  KNOW that employment changes -- layoffs, downsizings, acquisition-related reorganizations, etc.-- are common.  Be prepared.
• Inventory your strengths now and identify the ones that WOULD BE transferable.  Focus on developing and strengthening those that are more likely to be transferable.
• Broaden the scope of what you do on a day-to-day basis.  Look for ways to expand your work duties.  Volunteer for assignments and projects that expose you to new skill areas.  Make this idea an ongoing part of your career development.
• Become an expert in an area that transcends industry sector and is highly likely to be in high demand in the market place.  Write about the latest thinking in this area; blog about it; talk about it; brand yourself as a "go to" resource in this area.
• Nurture and expand your network reach -- strengthen the breadth and depth of your business and professional network. Use your network as an "R&D" source for identifying trends and areas of development that you should strengthen.
• Obtain transferable skills outside of your job -- get involved in outside organizations and seek opportunities to develop new skills or strengthen those you have that are transferable.
• Incorporate emerging "tangential" skills INTO your day-to-day job.  Become a resident expert in a process, methodology or tool that you see as an emerging skill that might become in high demand.  Could be a software application, a social media application, some area of new technology that you believe may become "hot" or in sustainable demand.
• Take advantage of all training and learning opportunities available. Enroll or volunteer for training courses in areas you believe will be in demand.  Be proactive about "managing" your professional development.
• Focus on obtaining certifications, licenses or other credentials for which their might be broad-based demand.
• Go back to school NOW -- Attend evening courses, weekend courses or enroll in "executive MBA" type programs.

You don't want to wake up one morning and discover that although you are GREAT AT SOMETHING -- that "something" has limited use and does not position you adequately for future career options.

Plan, prepare, be proactive .... stay ahead of the curve and be ready for the unexpected.