Can you solve problems

Can you solve problems Article made possible by site supporters. Regardless of the size of business or the type of industry you work in,  the  ability  to solve problems  and resolve conflicts in todays business world is an invaluable skill  for any executive.    Although it may seem  that  people with these skills  have an  innate talent for knowing how to figure things out and how to negotiate relationships, the truth is that this is a learned skill. The ability to solve problems can help a business mitigate or overcome a crisis and it can also help a business flourish, gaining an unfair advantage over the competition. Similarly, the ability to see things from everyones point of view and come up with an agreeable way to resolve differences in opinion can unify a business team. If youre interested in having an impact  in your organization, then its a good idea to learn  how to solve problems  better and  how to improve your people skills to mediate interpersonal conflicts. Although these can sometimes be related, lets tackle these as separate skill sets. How to Get Better at Solving Problems While there are numerous solving problem techniques you can use in business, one that has stood the test of time is Six Sigma. Introduced as far back as 1986 by Bill Smith, an engineer working for Motorola, it still remains popular today. Jack Welch, who is famous for his huge influence  on the growth of General Electric, considered it  indispensable and it  played an instrumental role in  GEs business strategies in 1995. Today  many top business training schools offer  Six Sigma Certification, including self-paced online courses that can be taken over a period of 12 months. There are different levels of certification, each one building upon the skills learned at a  previous level. Often Lean  and Six  Sigma,  two distinct  problem-solving  methodologies,  are combined because  they complement each other. While both work well individually, using both methodologies together will increase the speed with which problems are solved within an organization. They work in harmony because while Lean minimizes waste, Six Sigma solves problems.  The benefits of this synergy include minimizing costs, maximizing profits, building a better team, and providing superior customer service. Consequently, training and certification are available for Lean Six Sigma White Belt, Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt, Lean Six Sigma  Green Belt, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, and Lean.  While a White Belt would be someone just starting out, a Black Belt would lead and coach projects. Central to Six Sigma is the DMAIC (duh-may-ik)  roadmap. This is a structured process to  define,  measure,  analyze,  improve, and  control a business process so that it works well and continues to maintain the solution. How to Resolve Conflicts  in  the Workplace   Its theoretically possible to use problem-solving techniques for resolving conflicts in the workplace, although problems solving techniques usually prove better with streamlining business processes than getting people on the same page. So, when it comes to resolving interrelationship dynamics, its useful to use strategies deployed by mediators. Here is one particular  7-step mediation strategy: First, find out what the issue is between two parties. What is the source of the disagreement? Identify the problem. Second, get everyones point-of-view. Why do people believe the way they do? What are their reasons for their particular perspective? Third, make a list of all possible options or solutions to the conflict. Fourth, discuss with the parties involved the merits and demerits of each possible solution. Where do people agree? On what points do they agree? Fifth, select the best options, or the best new options that emerge from the discussion. This option should work for everyone, allowing each perspective to be respected. Sixth, its important to document the agreement to prevent fresh new interpretations of the conflict and its resolution. Seventh, continue to work with the issue if it is not fully resolved, monitoring and evaluating how well the agreements work out. By using these two skillsets in any type of administrative or executive role, you will be seen as the go-to person when there are business problems to be resolved or conflicts that need to be addressed. It does, however, take time and patience to get good at problem-solving and conflict resolution. Can you solve problems Article made possible by site supporters. Regardless of the size of business or the type of industry you work in,  the  ability  to solve problems  and resolve conflicts in todays business world is an invaluable skill  for any executive.    Although it may seem  that  people with these skills  have an  innate talent for knowing how to figure things out and how to negotiate relationships, the truth is that this is a learned skill. The ability to solve problems can help a business mitigate or overcome a crisis and it can also help a business flourish, gaining an unfair advantage over the competition. Similarly, the ability to see things from everyones point of view and come up with an agreeable way to resolve differences in opinion can unify a business team. If youre interested in having an impact  in your organization, then its a good idea to learn  how to solve problems  better and  how to improve your people skills to mediate interpersonal conflicts. Although these can sometimes be related, lets tackle these as separate skill sets. How to Get Better at Solving Problems While there are numerous solving problem techniques you can use in business, one that has stood the test of time is Six Sigma. Introduced as far back as 1986 by Bill Smith, an engineer working for Motorola, it still remains popular today. Jack Welch, who is famous for his huge influence  on the growth of General Electric, considered it  indispensable and it  played an instrumental role in  GEs business strategies in 1995. Today  many top business training schools offer  Six Sigma Certification, including self-paced online courses that can be taken over a period of 12 months. There are different levels of certification, each one building upon the skills learned at a  previous level. Often Lean  and Six  Sigma,  two distinct  problem-solving  methodologies,  are combined because  they complement each other. While both work well individually, using both methodologies together will increase the speed with which problems are solved within an organization. They work in harmony because while Lean minimizes waste, Six Sigma solves problems.  The benefits of this synergy include minimizing costs, maximizing profits, building a better team, and providing superior customer service. Consequently, training and certification are available for Lean Six Sigma White Belt, Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt, Lean Six Sigma  Green Belt, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, and Lean.  While a White Belt would be someone just starting out, a Black Belt would lead and coach projects. Central to Six Sigma is the DMAIC (duh-may-ik)  roadmap. This is a structured process to  define,  measure,  analyze,  improve, and  control a business process so that it works well and continues to maintain the solution. How to Resolve Conflicts  in  the Workplace   Its theoretically possible to use problem-solving techniques for resolving conflicts in the workplace, although problems solving techniques usually prove better with streamlining business processes than getting people on the same page. So, when it comes to resolving interrelationship dynamics, its useful to use strategies deployed by mediators. Here is one particular  7-step mediation strategy: First, find out what the issue is between two parties. What is the source of the disagreement? Identify the problem. Second, get everyones point-of-view. Why do people believe the way they do? What are their reasons for their particular perspective? Third, make a list of all possible options or solutions to the conflict. Fourth, discuss with the parties involved the merits and demerits of each possible solution. Where do people agree? On what points do they agree? Fifth, select the best options, or the best new options that emerge from the discussion. This option should work for everyone, allowing each perspective to be respected. Sixth, its important to document the agreement to prevent fresh new interpretations of the conflict and its resolution. Seventh, continue to work with the issue if it is not fully resolved, monitoring and evaluating how well the agreements work out. By using these two skillsets in any type of administrative or executive role, you will be seen as the go-to person when there are business problems to be resolved or conflicts that need to be addressed. It does, however, take time and patience to get good at problem-solving and conflict resolution.

Is a work friend a real friend

Is a work friend a real friend I get my haircuts in Los Angeles because my best friend Sharon cuts my hair for free, which means the cost of the plane ticket to LA is cheaper than paying for cut and color in Chicago. Sharon is a color specialist. This is Sharon picking color for a client who Sharon is trying to focus on while I disrupt her. She started out just being a hairdresser. Thats how I met her. I had a boyfriend who had a terrible haircut and I walked into a salon that looked expensive because he was paying, and I asked for anyone. We got Sharon because she had just learned to cut hair and we didnt request anyone who had experience. Now I know better. Now, twenty years later, Sharon is my best friend. At some point, I dont remember when, Sharon started cutting my hair for free. I asked, like a jealous boyfriend, which other friends she cuts for free. She said no one else. Thats how I feel okay telling you shes my best friend. She became an expert in people who are difficult to please. She can make anyone happy with their hair. Then she became so great at dealing with the difficult clients that she specialized even morepeople with messed up color. Or people who can never be happy with their color. Its Sharons job to tell you bad news like, You cannot go any blonder or your hair will fall out. When I met Sharon I was a volleyball player. Now, we are both entrepreneurs. She has her own salonForme, in Santa Monicaand she is constantly amazed by my ability to get funding for companies that dont have revenue. I am amazed that she always makes payroll, no matter what happens in the business. When I get to LA, I go straight to her salon. I have mastered the one-day-to-LA trip. I leave luggage in the middle of the salon and she tells me I have to be less disruptive. She moves it to the side. In a neat pile. Then, without thinking, I throw my shirt onto the pile and miss. And Sharon picks it up and tells me that being tidy makes me less disruptive. I try to be non-intrusive. I take photos of her mixing my color and she tells me not to get any of her clients in my photos, no matter what, or shell kill me. She mixes my color like shes an artist. And Im blown away that she can be so good at business and painting, which is what good hair color is. But the cost is that Sharon and I almost never talk with each other. We dont like the phone. At first we worried it meant we are not friends, but now Im used to it. I tell myself that a friendship between two women with young kids and their own business is going to have a time commitment issuetheres no way around it. I think about what it means to have a friend. Because the friends I talk to all the time are people Im in business with. I was thinking, when I was thinking of what my next company should be, that I should do one with Sharon because then Id get to talk with her a lot. But I couldnt think of a business model for us. Then I thought about how I didnt have a business model when I had Ryan and Ryan relocate to Madison to do a company. I just knew theyd be good to do a company with and I needed a social life and I can only really get a social life through my work. So I needed work. And Im unemployable due to eccentricity, so I had to start a company. I do a bunch of career coaching. I almost always fall in love with the person Im coaching because heres what happens. First of all, people self-select. I dont advertise that I coachin fact, I think this is the first time I have mentioned it on my blogso the people who ask me to coach them tend to be creative, independent thinkers. And I like those people. And I like the process where we dont have smalltalkpeople dont do smalltalk when they are paying hourlythey just tell me things that are painful, and dreams that are big, and the real truth about their roadblocks, and I fill in where they are stuck, and the conversation is so interesting because when people want to be coached, they are so engaged. So I get overly invested in people I coach and I give them ideas to help them reach their goals but then I want to know how they are doing, how I can help them more, I get invested in their goals and I think about them all the time. Heres an email I just got from Clara Vaz. She has a job as a part of the Court Watch in Swaziland but she wants to shift into work at a nonprofit that helps girls and women. Last Friday Clara sent her resume for me to review and she wrote: Please dont feel pressed. Theres supposed to be some mass uprising next Tuesday and the King has sent police and military into every corner of the country so most likely we wont be at work until at least Wednesday again. But given the general apathy and greater issues (we need to live today, not worry about politics) in this nation, I doubt anything will happen. That and a lack of funding and interest by the middle class. But who knows! The prayer is that no one dies. These people are not my friends, and they are not my co-workers, but they make my life so much more interesting. And its hard for me to understand what a friend is, because Sharon is always there for me, but on a daily basis, things are not more interesting because Sharon is in my life. I am convinced that many people who were close to me when I was working with them were just work friends. The friendship did not go beyond work. The thing is, it was intense and fun and I liked it. Im not sure that I mind that it didnt last. I like that Sharons friendship does not go away when any given job does.

Success Story Build Your Personal Brand to Land Major Clients - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Success Story Build Your Personal Brand to Land Major Clients - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career From time to time, I receive success stories from the Personal Branding Blog readers and those that have also benefited from reading Me 2.0, which was recently named to the New York Times job search summer reading list.   The most recent and interesting personal branding success story comes from Jason VanDusen, who is the Vice President of Business Development at Confidential.   I kindly asked Jason for permission to post this and he agreed with enthusiam.   Personal branding success I have been on LinkedIn for a few years now and am pretty new to Twitter and Facebook. A bulk of my business comes specifically from the relationships that I have built on LinkedIn and a lot of  my clients  come to me to help them understand how they can use it more effectively as well. My success story is that a client of mine forwarded one of my emails to a friend of his at a Fortune 100 company here in the Dallas area.   The friend saw my signature that has links to my LinkedIn, Twitter, and blog pages.   He told me that he wanted to see what the whole blogging thing was about so he clicked on my webpage at jasonvandusen.com to peruse over it.   When he liked what he read, he clicked on my Blogger  profile which allowed him to view my LinkedIn profile.   When he saw that I worked for a local company as their Director of Sales, he decided to look into my company, since he had never heard of it. Long story short, he gave me a call, we talked about the number of service lines that my company offers clients in his specific genre and there were immediately some synergies between what he was looking to accomplish and what I specialize in.   It just so happened that the need and timing were perfect for us to work together.   To date, they are my biggest client. Key takeaways 1.   Concentrate your energy. Its obvious now that the top three social networks, that not only have mass appeal and press attention, but have the numbers and success stories to back them up, are LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.   Also, Jason used a blog to link to these social networks, so that someone could access all of his information in a single location.   By focusing his energy on these areas, he was able to put more time in and as a result, he was positioned for success. 2.   The opportunity cost. If you dont have profiles on social networks and you dont own the Google search results for your name, then it will be very hard for people to find you.   Think of everything as a search engine and keywords as a way to position yourself, so youre easily found.   Dont make people Digg around the internet searching for your online presence (no pun intended). 3.   Your email signature. Many people forget that their email signatures are important for brand promotion.   You can leverage your email signature to point people to specific areas, such as your LinkedIn profile, your blog, a new book you wrote, your company, etc.   Your email signature is also valuable as a differentiation tool, so that you can tell them what your personal brand statement is and what you could do for clients.   Finally, you can list your preferred method of contact, so that you can tell them how best to get in touch with you. 4.   Cross-link everything. If Jason didnt place links between all of his sites, then the story would not have unfolded like it did.   It seemed like his client wasnt very well educated in social media (another opportunity for him), but since he had links to and from his blog and his social networks, it was easy for this person to follow his digital tracks, which led to the solution to his problems and a new client for Jason. 5.   Email is still a powerful tool. Dont neglect email marketing and conversations.   You may think Twitter is the best method of communication, yet email still prevails in being the most sticky and direct.   An email can be forwarded infinite times and if its valuable, such as a newsletter, then you have a good chance of getting new opportunities, whether its a job or a new subscriber.

Sometimes work is a welcome distraction

Sometimes work is a welcome distraction I am four months pregnant. But the baby is dead, inside me, and must be removed. I am devastated. I always knew this could happen, in the back of my mind. But you are never prepared for something like this to happen. When I first heard the news, I did nothing. Cancelled every plan I had. Sat in chairs staring at walls, laid in bed hoping for sleep, and cried. And then came the day of the week when I had to either write my column or skip a week. Skipping a week, I thought, would probably be okay. But then I thought. Well, Im not doing anything. I *could * write a column. In the face of tragedy work is a weird thing. On the one hand, it becomes unimportant. I think back to the day before the day I knew. My sister-in-law called me and said, How are you feeling? I said, Really rushed. I have two deadlines, and I dont have time to talk. She said, No, about the baby. That day, work was so important. On the day I found out the baby was dead I had scheduled three interviews. It was a tight schedule but I felt the interviews absolutely had to get done that day. But at the doctors office, when I was crying so loudly that I was taken to a room farthest away from the waiting area so as not to scare already jittery expectant mothers, I didnt care if the interviews got done. I know it is a cliche that a job isnt life or death, but you see that truth very clearly when there is death. Co-workers who, in the face of death, treat work as more important than death seem crazy. I know because of a boss whose mom died three hours before what was, admittedly, the most important speech of his career. He felt obliged to tell his direct reports the news so they would know why he was crying in his office. Word spread fast. Condolences poured in from co-workers throughout the company. Then he gave the speech. And no one could listen. We all thought, Why doesnt he go home? Why isnt he upset? Why is he standing in front of us now? Co-workers who treat less serious events as if they were a death, seem equally crazy. They appear melodramatic and unreliable. For example, when a colleagues boyfriend of one year walked out on her, she missed a week of work. Thats too much. Im not sure where the line is for whats too much, but a week is too much for that. So where is the line for a dead baby that I never saw, but has been a part of me and is still inside? For two days I did nothing. But today I feel like work might be the best thing for me. For most of us, work isnt just about getting a paycheck; its a way to connect with the world. I dont want to be alone today, so Im working. And although I postponed my interviews, I wont miss any deadlines. Not because I think the babys death is unimportant. In fact, in light of this event, I am sure people would be very sympathetic about my missing deadlines. But I wont miss any because in the midst of personal tragedy, work is a way for me to maintain structure in my life and find not-so-tragic things to think about.

Choose the Best Online Resume Writing Service Executives

Choose the Best Online Resume Writing Service ExecutivesThe first step in choosing the best online resume writing service executives is to find a service which is reputed for its quality. There are many freelancers who offer service but these services might not always be the same.The same thing happens with content management systems as well as the most important parts of the resume. There is no point hiring a content management system, if the same is not well maintained.You also need to check the credentials of the writer for your resume service and his or her experience. You can do this by consulting the clients you have worked with in the past. This will give you an idea of what they expected from the writer.Content management systems are not a hard thing to master, as long as you know the right way to use them. If you are unaware of how to use them, you could end up being scammed or having problems with your resume software because the owner does not bother about their programmer s.Resume writing service executives can help you and not only that. In fact, their skill of providing good service to its clients can never be matched by their customers.The best online resume writing service executives should provide the most innovative solutions to fill your resume with as much information as possible, and leave your employer with the impression that you were hired because of your professional capabilities. They should also fill your resume with all the required information, so that you get noticed for what you really are.In this kind of industry, your resume is your medium to share your knowledge with the prospective employer. You can write your resume in a very structured manner but it would be more effective if you could add some personal and informal touches to make your resume more interesting.You can download free resume samples or hire a freelancer to write it for you. You just need to be resourceful and know what to expect in your service.

What I Know About Getting A Job The eBook

What I Know About Getting A Job The eBook 75 Flares 75 Flares Download the eBook - What I Know About Getting A Job Job search and career advice is troubling for job seekers.  Its not because of the advice giver, but because there is never just one right answer, and each person needs a unique solution to fit their situation.  Job seekers come from all walks of life, different skill sets, different educational experiences, and different goals.  Its impossible for one HR blogger, career counselor/expert, or recruiter to provide all the correct answers for each person. With that in mind, Penelope Trunk and I came up with an idea for an eBook that would bring job search and career advice from all different perspectives.  Weve compiled a contributer list of 18 experts in HR and the job search.  They are professionals named as the Top 25 Digital HR Influencers in 2009, and theyve shared their stories, experiences, and beliefs in this eBook. Its silly to think that this eBook will answer every question you have, but Im certain that you will enjoy these shared stories and experiences in an eBook that we are very proud of. Thank you to Penelope Trunk and Brazen Careerist for the opportunity, and thank you to the contributers for sharing their insightful, inspiring, and helpful stories.  Enjoy the eBook and make sure to visit BrazenCareerist.com Download the eBook -  What I Know About Getting A Job

Best Tips for Leveraging Your Network in your Job Search - CareerAlley

Best Tips for Leveraging Your Network in your Job Search - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Your network of friends, coworkers, business acquaintances and family is one of your most important job search assets. How you leverage your network during your job search is equally as important and can often be the deciding factor in how quickly you land a new job. There are many ways you can leverage your network and there is a delicate balance between over-using your network and not using it enough. Building Your Network: Your network is something that you should build and cultivate over time. Knowing who is in your network, where they work and how they might enhance your career is very important. With tools like LinkedIn, that should not be difficult. Remember, networking is a two way street and giving advice/help is as important as getting help when it is needed. Keep track of your contacts. This includes (but is not limited to): Current and former coworkers College friends, roommates and college professors Friends, neighbors, community groups and relatives Professional association members Professionals (attorneys, accountants, doctors, dentists, etc.) Current and former managers Boy/Girl Scouting friends, sports team members and coaches Use networking tools to see who you may know from former employers Networking not your favorite? Take a look at [easyazon_link asin=1605095222 locale=US new_window=default nofollow=default tag=caree07-20 add_to_cart=default cloaking=default localization=default popups=default]Networking for People Who Hate Networking: A Field Guide for Introverts, the Overwhelmed, and the Underconnected[/easyazon_link]. Managing Your Network: Years ago, it was all about your Rolodex (some of you will need to look that one up). Keeping track of your network has never been easier. There are a number of popular networking tools. My favorite (and one of the best known) is LinkedIn, although you should use whatever works best for you. Size matters but . . . Only connect with people you actually know (weve all received requests from people weve never heard of) Make sure you keep in contact with the most important people in your network Give recommendations to those in your network who are deserving There is nothing wrong with asking for recommendations do it sooner rather than later Continue to build on your brand, update your skills and experience Know Your Networks Network: Sometimes its not who you know, sometimes its who your network knows. If you have an interview scheduled, check to see who in your network works (or a has worked) at this company No one on the list? Check to see who knows someone that has worked at the company (LinkedIn has this ability) Leverage your network to find out more about the companies they work for Canvass your network for job opportunities at their companies Look at several business networking sites and organizations. While you dont want to spread yourself thin, dont limit yourself to just one network. Related Articles: 10 Quick and Easy Ways to Use Social Media to find a Job 5 Resources to Check Your Job Search Social Profile 5 Resources for Leveraging Your Network in Your Job Search We are always eager to hear from our readers. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions regarding CareerAlley content. Good luck in your search,Joey Google+ what where job title, keywords or company city, state or zip jobs by