Holistic Employee Engagment

As you work on your communication and career goals, you might like to reflect on nurturing and creating holistic employee engagement.

Holistic employee engagement is really about creating a positive influence on people s behaviour.

This goal can be achieved through many of the following means:

1. Support them emotionally, within the context of workplace communications
2. Provide guidance and positive feedback for performance enhancement
3. Recognize good work publicly and openly
4. Demonstrate a commitment to honouring their views and opinions—ask for their perspectives and act on their workplace needs and wishes- what is needed to do their job
5. Work one- on -one in positive collaboration with employees on their work
6. Avoid too little or too much guidance
7. Avoid detailing to extreme measures about their respective projects
8. Avoid unconstructive feedback by addressing only the issue at hand—not all their past transgressions at once or vague comments that do not address specific work behaviours and performance..
9. Do not hold grudges—move forward each day in your attempt to engage them holistically

Joining the Digital Revolution

The 21st century is ushering in the Digital World—gradually shifting from the analog world.. Even Canada is getting onboard building its national Digital Media Action Plan across the spectrum. One example is the Canadian Digital Media Network.

Universities are also now exploring Digital Media opportunities by blending together liberal arts, computer science and business marketing.

Likewise we need to have a Digital Media Plan for our career. Most positions are now found through such social networking sites as LinkedIn and Facebook. As such, it is crucial that we map out a strategy for our Digital Media Action Plan and consciously implement it with all our actions and updates on these sites, along with the other business and career apps that these sites offer.

Furthermore, in our current knowledge economy, we need to focus on sensitivity,intuition and willingness to collaborate. These factors have to be an integral part of our digital media strategy and part of our personal brand.
.Workopolis is also leveraging the power of the net & digital social media to help companies find new talent . In fact, Workopolis has redesigned its site offering a new service called Employer Brand Optimizer .

Workopolis audience numbers is about 15 million potential employees with the help of Facebook and Twitter—once again showing the power of Digital Social Media in action.



Moreover, Facebook has recently developed a career app that is making strides in developing and promoting your professional portfolio. LinkedIn also has updated its professional follow of companies apps.

Those persons who fail to join the Digital Generation – Revolution will fall behind in the competitive workplace and professional world of the 21st century.

Job and Career Exploration

Job and Career Exploration

Below are some questions to reflect upon and journal about when contemplating and choosing a job or exploring a career option:

1. Why do I want to go in this direction with my career or want to do this job.

2. What is my motivation for choosing this career or job.

3. What is my thinking behind it.

4. What is the emotion behind it.

Be brutally honest with yourself when answering these questions as you consciously make choices based on your values.

If you get blocked in answering or journaling about these questions ,get overwhelmed and are no longer able to focus, then take a break from it all . Have cup of tea coffee or beverage of your choice, close your eyes for awhile and visualize yourself in another setting, go for a walk, exercise—to recenter and refocus yourself.

Emotional Intelligence and leadership role

The key to success is good leadership . Good leadership from many perspectives is the ability to handle your emotions and the emotions of others.

This ability encompasses being able to process other people's emotions-- to perceive, use and understand and regulate emotions.

Perceiving emotions is considered to be a critical attribute for leadership in the 21st century.

In a management/ leadership role, there has to be a strong emphasis on communication and emotion is a form of communication.

Therefore, a person's emotional intelligence is strongly connected to a person's leadership strength.

As the author: " A Year in Serendipity: A Journalling
Workbook"http://tinyurl.com/serendipityjournal , I recommend this journal as part of this journey to developing your emotional intelligence for your leadership role.

Scrapbooking- a career development tool

As a writer of a one-of-a-kind journaling workbook “ A Year in Serendipity” http://
tinyurl.com/serendipityjournal -written to help people in their life and career goal
attainment, I have come to experience first-hand some of the unique insights
regarding how to use scrapbooking in both my professional and personal life.

There are ,some very inspiring practical reasons for scrapbooking.

It can be a multifaceted technique/approach to career and life management and planning. For example, it can be applied in creating professional autobiographies, diaries for self-development and even as base for a professional career portfolio/webfolio/ blog.

Scrapbooking, in a life skills sense, can be employed to focus on motivating and
inspiring moments , and even to retrace a journey to life transforming/ life –changing moment(s). For instance, you can immortalize a pictorial of a significant historical event you were involved in , or an episode of personal achievement that changed your life forever-- making you stand out in an interview!



Scrapbooking can be one way to figure out who you used to be, how you got to be who you are today, while at the same , rediscovering the journey that got you there. This kind of info is practical when fielding those self-reflective interview questions.

The possibilities for its uses and benefits for career development can be limitless.

Advisory panel --Mastermind group

How many of us have an advisory panel-- mastermind group-- that you can access for feedback to evaluate your career management plan and goal setting.

Such persons can guide and mentor us... But choose wisely-- try to choose people whose strengths are your weaknesses.

Technology, Social Media and Career Management

1-LinkedIn has updated its Professional Company Follow Program-- great company research tool and one for business trend watching.

http://jobsearch.about.com/b/2010/09/29/linkedin-company-follow.htm?nl=1

2- This article below is about the new career app for Facebook

http://blojavascript:void(0)gs.techrepublic.com.com/career/?p=2404&tag=nl.e124

Radio Canada on the Internet-- a great research resource

Radio Canada is a leader in Internet TV --Tou.TV--get full programming, catchup viewing and simultaneously webcasting.

Use this resource to keep up with the news for your career research and planning.

Brainding and photo collages

Branding is sticking with something you will have a monopoly on and standing out in a positive proactive way.


To help you in this endeavour, do a photo collage to inspire and motivate yourself. Place it where you will see it often and it will be imprinted on your mind.

Try it out and you will find it quite effective.

Site for making the workplace better for you

There are some good articles on making the workplace better for you at www.asmarterplanet.com. This site provides different perspectives on key issues for the workplace.

The importance of body language in an interview

Here below is a great article on the significance of body language in an interview. Baseline magazine has a wonderful career management section on it site.. You can sign up for its articles offered through Baseline Briefing.

http://www.baselinemag.com/c/a/Business-Intelligence/Body-Language-Influences-Hiring-Decisions-277906/?kc=BLBLBEMNL08202010STR5

Sites for Research

Here are some sites for research in your career planning:


www.fumsi.com and www.freeprint.com.. Both of these sites provide practical help with info skills, and with company and trends research.

You can also check out Moreover Newsdesk-- it has the most news content from the Web.

These are definitely some sites you should bookmark.

Do not forget the importance of the personal touch in our Digital Age

In the 21st century, we have a growing concern among communication specialists that the power of the human touch is being lost in our Digital Age in sharing an experience and story telling.



While facts and figures often will put listeners to sleep, a story/ an illustration from real life can motivate them to action.



Author Annette Simmons says, The missing ingredient in most communication is humanity.



Remember these words: In the high tech era, the human-personal touch is even more important in making the connection that makes a difference in the workplace and in the world.

Know your rights and the rights of others

Here are two sites that you should be familiar with re: workplace issues and concerns...


Privacy Laws in Canada( Privacy Legislation in Canada)
www.priv.gc.ca

Business Ethics Magazine—is an online publication dedicated to promoting ethical business practices… Articles cover anything from human rights issues to opportunities for profitable sustainable development.

www.business-ethics.com

The new ecosystems of business

In the 21st century, the emphasis on fair trade illustrates that companies are value-led and not market driven… They are now integrating social and economic concerns into products.

Most companies just do the basics—assess what consumers want and the levels of demand and then don’t look any further than filling those needs… This approach does not cut it anymore!

The most successful companies of this century now gear the life force of their company based on not demand, but instead are driven by internal values. , principles and believe in supporting social responsibility, such as supporting fair trade.

Like the Ben and Jerry’s ice cream icons, who were the forerunners for peace activism, rain forest conservation, and political messengers , companies are now dealing with –marketing to—such sensitive issues as climate change, politics and global warming. – the new ecosystems of business.
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Invest in Technology and Social Media

The world is flat, especially when looking at it with the perspective of using Web 2.0 and Web 3.0 for building and maintaining online communities and fostering valuable business relationships within any industry.

Recognize this fact and the world will be your oyster.

It is crucial to invest in technology, in particular specialized software that enables us to be more efficient in our competitive and ever-changing industries.

Skills and competencies of the 21st Century

Here below is a list of skills and competencies that can used in a resume or in an online professional profile or e-portfolio as represented on LinkedIn and VisualCV.com.


This list is a segment from one of my articles on branding that I am currently working on.


• Comprehensive knowledge of marketing , e-marketing principles and green marketing strategies and techniques
• Proficiency in computerized integrated online systems –excellent research skills
• Knowledge of current and emerging trends/developments in your respective industry
• High-impact training in electronic databases, and Internet systems
• Experienced mentor, trainer, and team builder
• Knowledge of Wikis and Web 2.0/ Web 3.0 applications for company’s internal applications
• Project management: such as planning and scheduling, cost and procurement, and risk and quality management
• Mitigation techniques
• Risk Management
• Conflict resolution
• Cultural sensitivity and awareness
• Collaborative leadership and team building
• Conversational knowledge of a 2nd language

• Knowledge of Social Media—Web 2. 0 and Web 3.0-- to leverage business objectives of the company in our Digital Age

• Web based Collaboration-- the need for more collaboration both inside and outside today's organizations.


• Using cutting-edge information technologies

• A unique vision of the changing role of technology.

• human management capital . As we progress into this new decade of social media and web-based collaboration, it is really about developing relationships of reciprocity—both online and in-person.! Fostering partnerships become the cornerstone of a successful business/ organization

****Always remember that the key component of relationship management is reciprocity. ****

Skills of the 21st Century

Skills of the 21st Century

Aligning Your Occupation With Your Inner Core

Your career interest is not what others expect of you but what You enjoy.

Enhancing your quality of life often means pursuing your passion or aligning your occupation with your inner core-- personal values and goals.

Have you ever read the book by Janet Bray Attwood, Co-Author of the NY Times Bestseller "The Passion Test - The Effortless Path to Discovering Your Life Purpose" or gone to the site and taken the free passion test to explore YOU.: http://www.thepassiontest.com/TPT/Free/index.cfm?


Good luck pursuing your passion(s)!

More directives for your personal brand development

Here below are a few significant directives re: the crafting of your personal brand.

• Your personal brand provides the opportunity to explain attributes and benefits that aren’t readily apparent.


• Stand out. What makes your product or service different? In a crowded marketplace, you have got to dare to be different. Don’t come across as boring or indifferent in your word usage.


• The beginning words of your personal brand statement must be very well thought out. Remember that and choose these words very carefully.

• Know your targeted employer. Who are 'they'? What are the demographics of the population they serve. Step in their shoes( employers’ ) and get inside their minds, and speak directly to them. Find out who specifically they are( their work culture, social corporate responsibility directives, corporate directive/mission statement) before aligning your brand with them.

• Try to write the statements for your personal brand as if you're speaking to one person.

• In the accomplishments aspect of your personal brand ,be as much specific as you can. Use "26.74%" instead of "25%". Use "double your sales" instead of "increase a lot".

You also may be interested in this article: “ There Are Important Online Reputation Management Tips That You Should be Aware Of”—see this site for details. http://is.gd/aTA5q .

Remember too that your online reputation is a reflection and personification of your personal brand.

Tips and sites for doing R & D for your personal brand and career plan

To find a professional association for your career planning and research and development: type in Google or another search engine— but make sure the setting is programmed for Canadian content ,
Example: “ professional association + writer”..

Then, you will get a list of professional writers associations, from which you can explore job opportunities; professional development and events, trade shows, etc..

Other sites to peruse for research and development:

You can try goldbook.ca—biz search .. It is like the yellow pages…

Whois.com –enter web address.. whois.com for a “who is” search

Research workplace and business trends sites: thecareerclinic.com, working.com/resources, sbtv.com ,
o

Initial Tips for Developing Your Personal Brand

Some Initial Tips for Developing Your Personal Brand

• Start doing research and development ( R & D) re: possible core strengths for your field/industry, then customize it according to your abilities/ strengths, talents, skills, competencies, and passions. This can be done by through various websites: Canadianbusiness.com , Forbes.com, Economist.com, Fortune.com, profit.com, itworldcanada.com, itbusiness.ca, profitmagazine.ca, BNN.ca,Businessweek.com, careerjournal.com, etc.. If possible, get an inside coach for the companies ( someone you can connect with) that you have specifically targeted from your R & D strategies.


• Find a Mentor in your field and choose one whose strength is your weakness. You can also find a person ( not a friend or family member) to become your accountability partner- someone who you can share your goals with and holds you accountable to them. An accountability partner will kick your butt when you need it, but not kick you when you’re down. :) Depending on the circumstances, this can be your Mentor.

• Write out a one-page career marketing plan and refer to it daily.. Keep it front and center.. If it is not working for you, then change/ adapt and modify it accordingly—in conjunction with your research and development, and your mentor’s and accountability partner’s feedback.
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Reflections for resume content development:

1-Please note that the design of your resume always goes back to the specific goals and objective you have for it. Everything on the resume has to have a goal - a specific purpose for it being there.

2- You need to determine who your target future employers are and their demographics( chief characteristics and their specific needs) from your list. From this vantage point, you can start developing and adding to the content.

3- Once you have done this, you have to determine what do your employers care about and put that first.--- in the few quarter/half part on page one of your resume.

4- You also have to ascertain what your brand is and what are your unique selling points prior to the content development.

So, I kindly ask you what is your personal brand? What things differentiate you from the competition and drive that point home in all of your job search and career development materials .Figure out what you can offer to employers( that they need) that no one else can- this becomes your unique value proposition.

The top part of the resume is first thing the employers sees so it is a critical part of your resume development and marketing plan, and this is where your unique value proposition is introduced.

Always keep in the back of your mind.- be specific about what you are offering
Always focus on the benefit to the employer!

Focus on the CAB( Competency, Advantage, Benefit) formula.. State the competency/skill/ specialty, describe its advantage to the company and specifically outline its benefit to the customer…

Also, use "the company’s culture” words – use the language of your target employer- use their language. You will get a feel for it after doing your research and development re: the company.

A Reflective Task for 2010

As we continue into the new year of 2010, it is important to reevaluate your interests, values, ethics, hidden talents and passions – to take a look at where we are in our professional and personal lives..

There are various sites that can help us in this reflective task. . Some of these are free and others are not.

For example you can take MAPP at http://www.assessment.com or you can review your
results online! Simply logon using your email and password. And if you haven't used your free MAPP Match, take advantage of it at:
http://www.assessment.com/MemberCenter/Matching/Onet.asp

Listening in Relationship Building

There is an expression that says: “ Our creator gave us one mouth and two ears for a reason” This adage illustrates the significance of listening in human relationships, and particularly for career success.

Dale Carnegie from his book “ The Leader in You: How to Win Friends, Influence People and Succeed in a Changing World” provides these pearls of wisdom based on the power of listening in human relationship building. ( p. 92-93)

1- Listening is still the best way to learn.
2- People respond to those who listen to them
3- Listen patiently with an open mind.
4- Be sincere about it
5- Encourage people when you are listening to express their ideas fully.

And never forget this one he wrote”“ Nobody is more persuasive than a good listener.” Dale Carnegie…