The other day, I read about the recent Power of 4 Event, in Pointe Claire, QC, run by motivational sales analyst Marcie Balaban of the website Let’s Get Going. She brings entrepreneurs and upper management of companies together in a way that is business matchmaking. In elegant surroundings, she carves out a direct meeting between the two. She does this in business disciplines from electronics to real estate, with a common purpose – finding trading partners and referral sources.
There are times when I think about some of the clients I work well with, and how well they work with other people. Let’s face it, we match-make every day, even if we don’t call it that. Will this new employee fit well with our company culture? Can this caterer provide service for our upcoming event that has at least three vegans? Will my upcoming date-night have the potential of providing me with a permanent partner or a gym buddy?
Business Matchmaking: Dragons’ Den Versus Shark Tank
Business matchmaking reality shows like Dragons’ Den and Shark Tank also show us that there’s a definite process and growing connection between potential partners. This has as much to do with the heart as with the head and finances. An eager entrepreneur and a venture capitalist are a match! Sometimes they even hug, and there’s the occasional glint of tears on both sides.
Although the shows are similar, there are some dragon/shark differences. In a Financial Post Magazine article, panelist Kevin O’Leary said, “As a shark I get a pre-pack of where they came from, history, what school they went to. I know more about them as individuals.” And, as follow-up episodes show, the matches can pay off big time.
The common purpose is key here. Both parties in a business deal want it to succeed. They’re coming at it from different places, with different levels of action, experience and contribution. They each have expertise and particular money concerns. Information is exchanged. A connection is made, grows, ignites. That match has the potential to knock your socks off, with two passionate experts at their best.
Hire a “Shark” of Your Own
Need some input and coaching on how to make the best matches in your company? Looking for a business coach to help you scale your business or secure a new partner – and who’s a great match for you?
There’s a great way to find out if you and I are a match. Contact me today to find out.
Summer is here and many of us are enjoying the sunny weather. It’s time to relax and enjoy for sure. Just because it’s the summer, though, you can’t completely forget about work. If you are searching for new opportunities, you still need to do career research and planning. The time for your job search is now.
People often tell me that they will apply for jobs in the fall. They often ask, why look for a new job in the summer, when the fall is when employers do their hiring?
I often respond by paraphrasing my grandfather, who was a successful businessman in Nova Scotia – “What you plant today, will be part of your harvest tomorrow.”
As with anything else, there is a lead up and planning time to secure work in your chosen field. Statistics show (depending upon what web site you are on), that 70 to 90 percent of job seekers find work by building and growing their professional network. Summertime is a great time to reach out to your personal contacts. Take this time to set up coffee meetings with employers and company representatives. Moreover, this is the time of the year, in many organizations, where the pace is slower. Leaders and Managers are using this time to develop their financial and marketing plans for the fall and winter.
This summer slow down may be the perfect opportunity for job seekers to learn more about various industries and organizations and where you may fit. I suggest that you use this time to have introductory and information meetings with employers and people of influence. They may consider you for upcoming jobs or refer you for roles in other organizations. Summer may be the a very good time to look as employers are receptive to meet and grow their professional networks – and possibly hire.
We all know them – and most of us have worked them in some capacity. I remember working with sales professionals who have been promoted to be sales managers. They made great sales and brought in a lot of revenue for the company. However, they were not very successful in leading others. There are challenges in promoting from line functions.
Decision makers in organizations have often thought that the best way to motivate and retain staff is to promote from within. Senior managers tend to believe that if someone is effective in their line functions, they will be great leaders and motivate others to be as successful. However, this is not always the case.
The challenge is that people who do well in their role, whether they are in sales, marketing, finance, accounting or human resources are not necessarily successful in leadership and management roles. They do not necessarily have the skill-set or competency to lead other employees within the organization. This is not to say that they can’t learn these skills.
They can benefit from business coaches who will discuss strategies and leadership styles. Coaching provides perspective for new leaders. An effective coach can provide another perspective to newly promoted managers. They will be able to guide, question and challenge the thinking and behaviours of these managers. The result is stronger leaders which means happier employees.
To learn more about what a business coach can do for you, contact me today.
Sometimes, a business professional who moves to Canada can have challenges finding work. Last September, a new client started to work with me. He had immigrated to Canada from California, USA to Canada 7 months earlier. He had a very established career in corporate finance before marrying a Canadian and making the decision to move here. He made a very good salary in the USA and was interested in securing work in Canada that matched the salary that he previously made.
The challenge that my client, a finance professional had, was that he could not legally work in Canada because he did not have his Canadian Permit Residence (PR) card or citizenship yet. He expected to get it in the next few months after our first appointment. Over the next few months, we worked together to ensure that he was work ready when his PR Card was ready. I coached my American client in upgrading his resume, cover letter, and Linkedin to position himself appropriately in the Canadian business market. I spent at least 2 coaching meetings with him to prepare for any upcoming interviews.
I coached him about how to use this time, waiting for his Canadian PR card to build a Canadian business network. I coached him on how to develop an effective strategy to implement. He set up many meetings with Canadian professionals who worked in the finance industry. It was not always easy for my client to build a network in a new business community. He has been determined and in the last few weeks, he did secure work in his chosen field.
Finding work can take time. With the right strategy and implementation plan, new immigrants from the USA can secure work in Canada.
If you are a new Canadian, contact me to find out how you can hit the ground running when you are eligible to seek work here.
Over the years, I have worked with many project managers as their career coach. The key 5 components for project manager were shared with me by several project managers when I worked at a recent Toronto Chapter Career Day Event. Subsequent coaching meetings with PMI Association members have emphasized the 5 project management components that lead to the successful end of a project.
Whether a project manager is managing a large IT project, a construction project or a job search, similar steps are required for the end goal. As project managers, you must see projects from conception to initiation to completion. With a job search must:
1) conceptualize the job that you are searching for,
2) develop a plan of action,
3) begin and conduct the actual work search,
4) manage the daily search and
5) evaluate the progress of the search on an ongoing basis.
Keep some of your training in mind, when you set out to manage your new project – a successful job search.
1. Project conception and initiation
To start a job search, it is critical to do an assessment of your skills and experience. What have you accomplished in your career and what are your immediate and future goals? Consider what you have achieved, both academically and professionally. Evaluate the career path that you have taken so far. Think about where would you like to go in terms of your career? Consider what is important to you when you conduct your work search. Think about your values, interests, motivations, salary expectations and preferred location. What size of an organization are you interested in working for?
2. Project management definition and planning
Now is the time to plan your job search project. Chart your plan of action that you will require to reach your goal. What timelines have you set for your work search? What research will you need to do? Will you need to meet people in your field – past employers, members of associations and networking groups? What information will you need to research to become more knowledgeable about your field of interest, the work outlook and the demands of employers? Which organizations are hiring and what will you need to do to effectively market yourself?
3. Project launch or execution
How many people will you meet every week in your job search? The recommendations are that expanding your professional network while maintaining contact with people in your existing network, are key to conducting an effective work search. Depending upon what statistics you read, between 70-90% of people looking for new jobs, succeed by tapping into their network. Plan your time accordingly.
With that in mind, how much of your work search time will you focus on building and growing your network – both online and in person? All avenues should be used for your work search including job boards and company postings. Make sure that your resume markets your key achievements and results according to what the post requires. Have you test marketed your resume and cover letter with people in your professional network? Do you have success stories that you can share in upcoming job interviews?
4. Project performance and control
Like any project, compare the status of your plan with the schedule that you set out for your work search. Track your work search process to this point. Are you on schedule? Is your resume performing to the expectations of employers for specific jobs? How is your confidence? Is there anything that you can do accelerate the progress of your work search? How many resumes have you sent out?
5. Project management completion
So your project has been a success and you have accomplished what you set out to do. You have found and secured work in your desired field. How would you evaluate your overall job search? How did you perform in your job interviews? What could you do differently?
After all search project tasks have been completed, you can evaluate the highlights and success of your work search project. Like any project, you can learn what you have done well and what you would like to improve – after the project is completed and you have secured your new work role.
