Building The Talent Plan To Maximize Your Business Plan

Strategic planning and growth is the number one priority for most all business agendas in 2012, but what models do you have in place for building on your existing talent pool?  Finding the talent you need, will be critical in the coming year.  Expanding on overall individual and group communication will become essential. 

 Career Connections, inc. provides a variety of tools, programs and training for such tactical initiatives and among them is our best seller the Classic DiSC 2.0 online assessment.  We can email you a sample report for your review, and we are also offering a trial report for any CEO, business owner or Human Resource professional, now through December 31, 2011, that would allow you to receive your own DiSC assessment free of charge.  This offer is not valid with the purchase of any other product or service and is only provided to those individuals who have not ordered the service from Career Connections, inc. in the past.

 Key features of the DiSC Classic 2.0 report include:

• Personalized analysis of the respondent’s DiSC style
• Insight into the respondent’s highest DiSC dimension, motivation, and work habits
• Detailed definitions, via the Intensity Index, of terms commonly associated with the respondent
• In-depth information about the respondent’s classical pattern
• Comprehensive descriptions of each of the four DiSC styles
• Overview of all 15 classical patterns

Contact us today to receive a sample report or your own free trial. 319-277-3125 or admin@lkscareerconnections.com

To write your own resume or have someone else you know assist you with it can be challenging for a document that is truly effective at getting the interview, if you or the people writing your resume do not know the specific process or approach.  Most applicants will resort to obtaining advice or having their resume written or reviewed by a friend/family member or human resource professional. 

YOU NEED TO STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD!  Get a quality resume that is personalized and customized to your specific career goals by a professional that has a proven record of getting the job done and helping you GET THOSE INTERVIEWS!!

Career Connections is highly regarded and often recommended for resume writing services.  Our resume writer specialized in over 80 different industries and has helped job applicants secure opportunities to attain their targeted career goals, as well as their dream jobs.

We can help you develop a resume that truly reflects who you are, what you love doing, how you do those things that you love and incorporating the accomplishments and successes into that document in a way that will help demonstrate to hiring managers and employers that YOU are worth the time to interview.

If you are ever in need of assistance beyond the resume services, Career Connections offers that to with job interview preparation and a series of other career/professional development tools or job search resources.

Invest in YOU and your future for optimized career success and vices, job interview preparation tools and a variety of career resources.

Take advantage of all the prices and assistance we have to offer today and place your order for resume and cover letter here: http://www.lkscareerconnections.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=61&zenid=ff9a4ed10abeb7e4a16e64d57fe02d10

Or www.Gear4YourCareer.con for more information on some professional development tools.

The fact is that whenever anyone you in your job search, regardless of their involvement, you should strengthen the relationship with a thank you note or letter.  This would include hose who give you referrals, people who provide advice, or simply those who are supportive during your search. 

At times people with struggle with exactly what you should include in a thank you note to express your gratitude.  Below I share some specific tips on how to prepare for thank you notes/letters, as well as a sample.

1. USE QUALITY PAPER AND ENVELOPES. Using good quality notepaper with matching envelopes or professional thank-you note cards leaves strong impression of your professional gratitude.  Avoid cute graphics and sayings and look for just simple “Thank You” cards that are on the front of your cards.  If possible try to match your papers and envelopes to the same look of your resume and cover letter.

2. USE FORMAL SALUTATIONS. In cases where you do not know the person you ar thanking on a personal level, try not to use their first name.  Write “Dear Ms. Jenny Jones”, or “Dear Ms. Jones”, or “Ms. Jones” instead of just “Dear Jenny”.  It would be important to also include the date of your thank you note and to take the thank you note/letter seriously enough to express your gratitude immediately after the interview, getting advice, or being assisted with your job search.

3. HANDWRITTEN OR TYPED NOTES. It is acceptable to type or handwrite your thank you letter/note.  Traditionally thank-you notes are handwritten, but if you are concerned about your writing skills, go ahead and type them.  Be aware though, that more often these days that thank you letters/notes  are submitted via email or in a typed letter and why not take a chance “to stand out from the crowd” and send a nice hand written thank you card?

4. KEEP THE NOTE INFORMAL AND FRIENDLY. It is important to be brief and keep the note or letter short and friendly.  Do not get caught up in a long explanation as to why YOU should be hired, but do focus on expressing gratitude for the opportunity, the assistance and the guidance given.  You do want to remember to share something to remind the reader about YOU because your name alone might not be enough to jog their memory. 

5. SIGN IT. Be sure that you sign or print your name in a legible manner!  You would be amazed at how many times this little and most obvious item gets left off of the letter or note.

Here is an example of a Thank You note:

October 5, 2011

Quality Container Management

ATTN: Jenny Jones

123 Clean Street

Cedar Falls, IA 50613

Dear Ms. Jenny Jones,

Thank you for sharing your time with me so generously today.  I really appreciated the opportunity to visit with you about your company.

The information you shared with me has truly increased my desire to work with your organization and I can see where my skills and abilities would be a great fit for the role of Plant Manager to help with your company goals and growth.

I look forward to the opportunity to join the team at Quality Container Management.

Sincerely,

David Smith

P.O. Box A

Cedar Falls, IA 50613

319-555-1212 

Career Connections, inc. offers services to help you attain your career goals and success!  GET A COMPETITIVE EDGE IN THE JOB SEARCH WITH US!!!  Check us out at www.Gear4YourCareer.com or contact us at 319-277-3125

You are only provide about 7 seconds to garner the attention of the hiring manager who are busy moving through resumes to find the perfect candidates to interview for their job openings.  That does not leave you a lot of time to go from the pitch pile to the keep pile. 

In order to have a power packed resume that truly “brands” you and gets your resume noticed  is by using action oriented words that carry more impact than their milder alternatives. Here are four examples of resume power words that simply stand out compared to blander and less impactful choices.

1. CREATED

To create means that you caused or brought something into existence.  This states action and tells a hiring manager that you have some creativity that could possibly be used in their company.

Similar words to Avoid: Helped make or Coordinated. The word helped actually downplays a potentially critical accomplishment if you were the person out in front doing the creating and not taking a back seat or supporting role. The word coordinated gives and impression that you were organizing a discussion or monitoring a project instead of being the person “creating” designing and ideating new concepts for the company.

2. SPEARHEADED

Spearheaded means that you were the person who led the charge or order of something or a project.  This word just simply exemplifies taking charge of a project, being a self-starter and not fearing to take on leadership roles.  It would be important to also identify on your resume, when using this word, if you took on a project that delivered some significant results for the organization.

Similar words to Avoid: Led or Played a Key Role. The first is just bland when compared with “Spearheaded”; the second doesn’t describe or share exactly how you were a key player.

3. CONSOLIDATE

To consolidate means to bring together into a single or unified manner. The word is especially eye-catching when employers are looking for people who can consolidate cost controls and find efficiencies to get work done that makes the process faster, better, or cheaper.

Similar words to Avoid: Brought together, Merged, Combined, United. Of these four, “merged” is only slightly better than the rest, but not as strong and impactful as consolidated.

4. INSTRUMENTAL

Instrumental means to have been the key lead or agent in charge of getting something accomplished.  To an employer this can be a critical skill to demonstrate that you can take the lead and ensure the work or the project gets done without fail.

Similar words to Avoid: Triggered or Delivered. For each of these words, they both leave the impression that you were not the person solely in charge of the activity or the lead person but rather a person who only provided input and support to the idea. Instrumental is stronger as it leaves the reader with the idea that “had it not been for you” the project would not have been completed.

DO YOU HAVE SOME WORDS THAT YOU LIKE USING ON YOUR RESUME?  OR DO YOU WANT ADVICE ON CERTAIN WORDS?  Please drop in a comment to this post and I would be happy to respond.

How to Avoid Employment Scams

Many job seekers have lost money to disreputable advance-fee placement firms. If you decide to use an overseas job placement firm, the best way to avoid being scammed is to learn as much as you can about the operation, by:

Asking for references.  – Request both names of employers and employees the company has actually found jobs for. Scam artists will typically defend their refusal to provide the information, claiming it is a “trade secret.” Or, they frequently claim that if they told you where the openings are, you would circumvent their services. These schemers may also cite privacy concerns as the reason for refusing to provide the names of people they have placed.

Checking out reliability.  – Contact the local Better Business Bureau, as well as the state’s consumer protection agency, to find out if any complaints have been filed against the firm.

Avoiding firms that operate solely via telephone or mail. –  Any reputable placement firm will almost certainly need to meet you before it can market you effectively to an employer. Be suspicious of any operation that claims it can place you with an employer, without meeting and interviewing you.

Be particularly wary of firms that operate outside of the state where they advertise. –  In many instances, unscrupulous operators purposefully seek to distance themselves from their clients in order to avoid closer scrutiny. If they are ultimately challenged, the distance complicates an investigation by law enforcement authorities.

Finding out how long the employment company has been in business. –  Also, ask what is the firm’s present financial condition. Compare the company, and the services offered, with other similar firms before you pay a fee.

Getting all promises in writing. –  Before you pay for anything, request and obtain a written contract that describes the services the firm intends to provide. Determine whether the firm is simply going to forward your resume to a company that publicly advertised a listing, or if it will actually seek to place you with an employer. Make sure that any promise you receive in writing is the same as what was stated in the initial sales pitch.

Researching any information the firm provides to you before you make a commitment. – Make certain the job actually exists before you pay a firm to “hold” a slot for you, and definitely before you make plans to relocate. Some unfortunate job seekers have been instructed to meet at a particular place to fly to their new jobs, only to find no airline tickets, no job, and often, no more company. Checking with the embassy of the country where the job is supposed to be located. Make certain that, as a citizen of another country, you are eligible to work there. Asking if you will be eligible for a refund, if the leads the firm provides you are unacceptable, or do not work out for any other reason. If the firm has a refund policy, ask for specific written details that spell out whether you can expect a full refund, and if there are any time limits for receiving your refund. Even if you are promised a refund in a written agreement, read the fine print. A disreputable firm may include “red tape” that protects its interests, not yours. For example, one common scam is to include a require- ment that job seekers check in regularly with the firm, at their own expense. Clients who unwittingly fail to make the required contact may forfeit their opportunity for a refund. However, they are not told this until they ask for the refund.

If You Are Scammed

If you have been victimized by an employment scam, you can help prevent these types of incidents from recurring by reporting it to the proper law enforcement authorities. They may be able to put the unscrupulous operator out of business and, in extreme cases, fine them heavily or even put them in jail. If you believe you have been scammed, file a complaint with the:

Better Business Bureau; State attorney general’s office of consumer affairs, where you live, and the state in which the firm is located; and The regional office of the Federal Trade Commission, and the main headquarters at 6th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D. C. 20580.

Tips To Remember

Be very skeptical of overseas employment opportunities that sound “too good to be true.” Never send cash in the mail, and be extremely cautious with firms that require a money order. This could indicate that the firm is attempting to avoid a traceable record of its transactions. Do not be fooled by official-sounding names. Many scam artists operate under names that sound like those of long-standing, reputable firms. Avoid working with firms that require payment in advance. Do not give your credit card or bank account number to telephone solicitors. Read the contract very carefully. Have an attorney look over any documents you are asked to sign. Beware of an agency that is unwilling to give you a written contract. Do not hesitate to ask questions. You have a right to know what services to expect and the costs involved. Do not make a hasty decision. Instead, take time to weigh all the pros and cons of the situation. Be wary of demands that “you must act now.” Keep a copy of all agreements you sign, as well as copies of checks you forward to the company. Copyright by the Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.

Identity Theft

Identity theft is a crime in which an imposter obtains key pieces of information such as Social Security and driver’s license numbers and uses it for their own personal gain. Identity theft takes many forms. Almost all cases, victims are left with a ruined credit or criminal history and the complicated task of regaining their good names. Identity theft is an evolving crime and criminals are finding new and more sophisticated ways to steal and use information.

• One particular scam involves the victim receiving an email from a person posing as a human resource director with well-known companies after responding to a posting on a job board. The email implies interest in the applicant and requests a background check as part of the employment process. The scammer claims the applicant will start work in three weeks and requests that a background check start immediately. The victim provides the required information and spends the next five years cleaning up his/her credit.

• Yes the scammers are getting fairly tricky however you will lessen your chances to falling victim by following these tips:

• Do not disclose Social Security numbers. A Social Security number is not necessary for an employer to do a background check or credit check. If a company insists on the number before processing an application, the applicant should research the company independently to verify its legitimacy.
• Never give out financial information. Employers very rarely need a prospective employee’s personal financial information. Applicants should be very cautious of a company requesting bank account numbers, credit card numbers or other personal financial information.
• Check the company’s contact information and Web site. An applicant should verify that a company is legitimate before continuing with the application process. This can be done by checking the address and telephone number the company has provided and making sure the Web site is operating.
• Watch for indications that the advertisement or job offer is bogus. Many online scams contain misspellings and bad grammar. Also, an employer using an e-mail address that is not affiliated with the company’s domain name can be an indication of potential fraud.
• Be cautious of job postings from overseas employers. A legitimate overseas company should have the resources to conduct business in the United States without using a privately held bank account. Overseas companies also have proven to be very hard to investigate and prosecute.

 Package Forwarding and Reshipping Scams

Reshipping scams involve the receiving and reshipping of merchandise ordered online, to locations usually overseas. The shipper is an unwilling participant and the merchandise has been paid for with stolen or fraudulent credit cards.

• Two methods are used frequently to entice victims to unwillingly take part in this scam. The first is through the use of help wanted advertisements posted on popular Internet job search sites. As part of the process, the prospective employee is required to provide all of his/her personal information, including social security number and date of birth. Once this employee is “hired,” they immediately begin receiving packages at their residence and are then responsible for repackaging and shipping the merchandise abroad.

• Payment to these employees usually arrive in the form of a third party cashiers check instead of a regular paycheck. Additionally, the check is usually for an amount in excess of what had previously been agreed upon. The employee is instructed to cash the check and electronically forward the excess amount to an overseas bank account. After the transaction is complete but before the check has had a chance to “clear,” the financial institution realizes that the cashier’s check is not valid. The employee is then responsible for the total amount of the fraudulent check.

• By this point, the employee realizes that they have not only fallen victim to a scam but that the operators of the scam are now in possession of their personal information.

• The second method used to facilitate reshipping scams involves the use of Internet. Unknown subjects participate in chat rooms pretending to look for a special friend or romance. After carefully forging a good relationship, the subject explains that his/her country will not accept direct business shipments from the United States. The subject asks if the victim will permit him/her to use the victim’s U.S. residential address to receive and reship recent online purchases. As soon as the victim agrees, packages begin to arrive for reshipment. Several weeks pass with the victim dutifully sending on the merchandise. Eventually, victim merchants contact the U.S. “friend” and explain that the recently shipped merchandise was purchased with fraudulent credit card.

 Work at Home Scams

We’ve all seen them, Work-at-home scams advertise in newspaper classified ads, on flyers, on cable television or over the Internet. What they all have in common is that the company will ask for an upfront fee before you can start working. The company may claim the fee is a registration fee, a deposit on materials, or payment for instructional books or computer disks. Here are three common scams:

•  Medical Billing Work: These scams advertise that there is a new and growing market for individuals to work on home computers preparing bills for doctor’s offices. The company may offer to sell special software and training materials for anywhere from $100 to several thousand dollars. It may promise that once you have ordered its software and learned to use it, it will provide you with clients. All too often, the buyers find that there are no ready clients and they are supposed to try to find their own clients. Other companies do tell buyers that they will have to find their own clients, but say that won’t be difficult. However, the buyer usually can’t find any doctor’s office that will use his or her services. According to the FTC, the medical billing field is dominated by a number of large and well-established firms, and very few people who purchase a medical billing business opportunity are able to find clients or recover their investment.

• Envelope Stuffing: This long-running scam offers to pay $3 or $4 per envelope you address or stuff. You send the company money for your start-up kit of instructions and some materials. They promise to send you a list of companies that want you to do the work. What you actually get is a list of companies that either do not exist or do not pay people to stuff envelopes. Or you receive instructions on how you can place ads like the one you answered and get unsuspecting consumers to send you money.

• Home Based Typist, Data Entry Processor, or Word Processor: Typically, you must send in a (non-refundable) “application” or “signup” fee for more information on this “great” job. You will then receive a booklet, ebook, disk or CD with information telling you to place home typist ads like the one you replied to, and sell copies of the “information” to those who reply to you. This means you will be a scammer too. Sometimes, these companies enlist you in their affiliate program which you will end up marketing by typing ads, and your success will only depend on your own marketing knowledge.

• Sewing/Craft/Assembly Work: These work-at-home scams may ask you to pay for a book or a list of companies that will pay you to do crafts such as sewing or frame-making in your home. You may have to send money to purchase the work materials. When you contact the companies on the list, you find they don’t pay for that kind of work.

Avoiding Work-At-Home Rip-Offs

• Be very skeptical of any “company” that advertises a work-at-home opportunity and requires advance payments or deposits on any instructional booklets, brochures, kits, programs, mailing lists, directories, memberships in cooperative associations, or any other items or services.
• Be skeptical of earnings claims that sound too good to be true, or promises of a regular market or steady salary that are not substantiated.
• Use common sense. In these days of automation and high-speed printing and mailing equipment, it is unlikely a company would pay several dollars for each envelope you stuff and mail.
• Ask detailed questions about what exactly you will have to do to earn money with the program. Who will pay you? Will you be paid on commission? Will you be asked to buy supplies or pay for postage?
• Before entering into any work-at-home agreement, call the Consumer Protection Division to see if complaints have been filed against the company you are considering doing business with. Keep in mind, however, that illegitimate companies often advertise heavily for a few months, collect their fees and then close up shop and move on before anyone has a chance to file complaints, or they change their names.

Career Coaching assistance is provided by Lisa K. Smith, CPRW and human resources expert through Career Connections, inc. www.Gear4YourCareer.com or www.MoreInterviews4You.com

OVERSEAS JOB SCAMS - Consumer Information Sponsored by Better Business Bureau

 Job seekers, interested in overseas employment that promises high pay, good benefits, free travel and adventure, should beware that there are unscrupulous operators who have devised elaborate and very convincing scams to bilk unwitting, and often desperate applicants.

Before getting swept away with promises of exotic job opportunities, make sure you have thoroughly investigated the matter and know the potential risks involved in obtaining overseas employment.

 Also, note that the scams outlined in this pamphlet may be practiced against job applicants seeking employment within the United States.

TYPCIAL OVERSEAS JOB SCAMS

Unlike legitimate employment firms that have permanent addresses, many unscrupulous operators run their so-called job placement firms from a location that provide only a post office or mail drop address. Although there are legitimate firms with post office or mail drop addresses, job applicants should be aware that this practice, when used by unscrupulous operators, makes it easier for the operators to avoid scrutiny by their clients.

 In many instances, law enforcement officials investigating a suspicious firm have found a “fly-by-night” operation. The scam headquarters, with little more than a desk and a telephone, may be based in one state, but operate out of other states, making it more difficult for the officials to track the operation.

 Typical overseas job scams, include:

Firms that charge advance fees to the job seeker. These operations usually advertise in newspapers and magazines. The ads most frequently offer construction jobs, one of the industries hardest hit by a weak economy. Consumers who call the number, provided in the ad, are generally told that there are immediate openings available for which they are perfectly suited. But to lock in the job, they are told, they must pay a placement fee in advance.

These up-front charges can range from $50 to several thousand dollars. Firms that charge these advance fees often are so eager to get the money in their hands and avoid using the U.S. mail service that they may send a courier to pick up the deposit, or require that it be sent via overnight delivery, at the applicant’s expense.

However, more often than not, these firms actually have little, or no, contacts with employers and can offer minimal assistance, despite their service charges.

Job seekers should not be duped by a firm’s promise of a refund, if no job or lead materializes. Most of these firms that require payment in advance do not stay around long enough for dissatisfied customers to get their money back.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed charges against firms that advertised that they would find overseasjobs for up-front fees of as much as $795. One of the companies claimed that it had information on more than 10,000 currently available overseas jobs and that its customers would be matched with at least three prospective employers. However, the FTC charged that few, if any, of the company’s job seekers received even an interview, much less a job.

Firms that charge a fee once they provide a job lead. A disreputable firm may fabricate job leads, or bring in a third-party to impersonate a potential employer, in order to get an applicant’s fee.

“900″ number operators. A “900″ number connected with employment opportunities may charge a high flat fee, or per-minute rate. In some instances, “900″ number operators may fail to disclose the cost of each call or, if printed, display it in fine print. As a result, callers may not be aware of how much they are spending. Some unscrupulous operators may even increase their fees by creating delays while the caller is on the line.

In one case, for example, a consumer answered an advertisement instructing job applicants to call an “800″ toll-free number for more information. The message on that number directed the caller to dial a “900″ number to find out about job openings. The “900″ number, however, merely directed the caller to send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to have a job application mailed out. The consumer complied; received only a one-page generic job application, and was billed $39 for the phone call.

The FTC now requires, among other things, that operators of “900″ numbers provide information on the cost of the call up front. When calling a “900″ number, be sure you understand the charges before continuing with the call.

Job listing services. There are many firms that make no promises to place you in a job. They merely sell a list of job opportunities, providing little assurance about the accuracy of the information.

For instance, the information may be sold via a newsletter that features photocopied help-wanted ads from newspapers around the world. Many of the ads may be months old, soliciting jobs that already have been filled. In addition, the ads may not have been verified to ensure that the jobs actually exist.

Some ads may be from countries with strict quotas that discourage the hiring of foreign citizens. Other publications may promise access to information on job opportunities, but provide nothing more than a listing of employers in various regions.

For more information or assistance, please contact Career Connections, inc. at 319-277-3125 or email us at seeker@lkscareerconnections.com

Career Connections offers training for new managers and supervisors that will help companies (or even individuals who wish to be better
managers) with successful transitions to remarkable leadership. From a large business who conducted a needs assessment of their new manager/supervisors with a self assessment in 1^st quarter of 2011 the following information that was discovered validated  that specific training was needed even though the human resources department for 1,500 people had and on-boarding process  established.

This information is shared below:

Key Issues to Address with New Supervisors

• How to integrate into the entrenched culture and survive resistance to you and your authority.
• How to handle the challenge of maintaining authority and building personal friendships with employees.
• How to motivate people to want to show up for work.
• How to motivate individual initiative and personal responsibility with respect for following procedures and regulations.
• How to develop the judgment to know when to follow written procedures and when to adapt.
• How to give clear instructions and verify recipient understands.
• How to give performance feedback to employees that motivates them to want to improve.
• How to mediate and resolve most employee disputes.
• How to set goals, monitor behaviors and progress, and connect these things to performance feedback and organization metrics.
• How to manage your own stress while managing the stress of others.
• How to navigate and facilitate through financial reports for performance optimization.

Sample Skills to Develop (based on existing survey responses from supervisors)

• Learning and understanding business financials
• Hiring and selection processes
• Motivating Others – Reward/Recognition of employees
• Coaching and Development
• Conflict Management
• Performance management
• Job Pressure and Stress
• Analysis and Problem Solving
• Use of Technology/Functional Expertise
• Verbal/Written Communication
• Delegation
• Interpersonal Communications
• Time Management
• Supervisory Role (in general for transitioning)

Below is information on Career Connections’ training approach and style in doing so along with some of our training programs and products. We intend to share in more detail each of them as we continue to blog about “Building a Better Boss” specific to each product and what issues can be addressed with this training and programming through Career Connections, inc.. Please contact our office if we can assist YOU with improving upon more effective management! 319-277-3125 or www.4aBetterBiz.com

CAREER CONNECTIONS, inc. TRAININGS

All Career Connections, inc. training programs are highly interactive with entertaining and insight-filled presentations, materials and
videos, together with group and small team discussions and practical application of techniques to real life situations.

The content in Career Connections, inc. programs is based on several years of study and research and through stellar video content and assessment
materials that allows Career Connections to provide presentations that are deliberately communicated in a commonsense, down-to-earth manner that produces immediate practical results.

Sample video clips:

Criticism: Giving and Taking

http://www.lkscareerconnections.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=67&products_id=56)

The Inspiring Leader (ideal for the Supervisory Role Capstone
training session):

http://www.lkscareerconnections.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=79&products_id=247

Career Connections program design and training approach is based on the hypothesis that in the process of adopting any specific change (becoming
a new supervisor) employees go through predictable levels of concern, i.e., concern for Self, concern for Task and concern for Impact. Most training only
teaches Task concerns (What am I expected to do?). In order for success, a training program must also address “How will this affect me and my career?”
(Self) and, “What difference will this really make?” (Impact). Utilizing a discovery learning approach based upon predictions, Career Connections, inc.
training programs can be customized to meet the needs of on boarding for new supervisor/manager in any industry.

Testimonials:

“Lisa is very easy to work with. You won’t find anyone willing to work harder for you than she does. Thanks for all

you do Lisa!” ~Darin Beck, President, Barmuda Corp.

“Lisa is very knowledgeable in her field. She is a go getter and will work for you to help you accomplish your goals. As an extra bonus Lisa is easy to work with and has an innovative spirit. She has taken technology to the next phases in her business. Lisa Smith is a top choice for HR professionals in the Cedar Valley!” ~Audrey Sires, Multi-site Campus Director, Hawkeye Community College

“Lisa Smith is an energetic, motivating career coach capable of helping employees improve communication skills by identifying and better understanding their own work styles, as well as those of others.” ~Sandy Sutterer, President, DISTek Integration

“Lisa facilitated a half-day workshop “Resolving Conflicts in the Workplace” for my staff. She made it fun, interesting and gave us all lots of tools to use when communicating with each other and customers. We will absolutely have her back again for another training session.” ~Teri Miller, Owner/Operator, Merry Maids

Top qualities of training offered: Great Results, Good Value, High Integrity, Creative Solutions

PROGRAM TRAINING FOR NEW MANAGERS/SUPERVISORS

The following training sections are outlined as a recommendation to provide a complete coverage of all skill development needed for new managers/supervisors.

Managing Stress in Supervisory Roles:

• Section One – Successfully Managing the Stress of Change (CAPSTONE COURSE)
  • Listening Under Pressure: Customer Service Challenge
  • Getting Things Done Through People – Delegate with Style
  • Time Management: Getting Control of Your Life and Work
  • Leadership at Entry Level (With Study Guide)
  • The Well Managed Meeting (With Study Guide)
  • Legal & Effective Hiring
  • Successful Termination
  • EEO Compliance for Supervisors & Managers

•  Section Two – Turning Worries Into Action Plans
  • Legal Survival Skills for the Modern Manager (With Study Guide)
  • Preventing and Managing Stress (With Stanford Study Guide)

• Section Three – Coaching, Counseling, and Managing
  • Performance Coaching: Four Steps to Effective Coaching
  • Motivating Your Employees: Rewards and Recognition
  • Criticism: Giving and Taking (With Study Guides)

• Section Four – Guide to Financial Statements from an Accounting Perspective
  • The Stanford Video Guide to Financial Statements: A Tale of Two Restaurants (With Study  Guide)

• Section Five – Hiring the Right Team with Confidence
  • Hiring Success: A Step-By-Step Guide (With Study Guide)
  • Safe Hiring: How You Can Avoid Bad Hires (With Study Guides)

It’s Not Personal: Understand Why People Behave The Way They Do:

• Section Six – Understand Yourself – Leadership 363 Assessment/Guide (DiSC)
• Section Seven – Understand Others – People Reading (DiSC)

Successful Working Relationships:

• Section Eight – The Art of Communication
  • Breakthrough Listening
  • How to Say It

• Section Nine – Turning Conflict Into Success

• Conflicts in the Workplace: Sources & Solutions (With Study Guides)

Performance Evaluations and Problem Solving:

• Section Ten – Performance Evaluations
  • A Positive Approach to Discipline
  • Performance Appraisals: Getting Results

• Section Eleven – Problem Solving
  • The Team Approach (With Study Guide) Team building, Problem-solving and decision-making.
  • Getting Ahead by Getting Along: People Skills for the Workplace

Almost everybody feels like they’re in a pressure cooker when it comes to bargaining, and salary negotiation is no exception. But it doesn’t have to be that way—a little knowledge can turn the heat down and give you the confidence to be a strong partner in a business transaction!

When to Talk Salary

There are two schools of thought on when to bring up salary. One approach is to steer clear of salary talk until after you have a job offer. The other way is to find out up front what the salary range is so you don’t waste your time on something you don’t want.

Both ways have worked for lots and lots of people. Talking about money is a very individual thing, and you have to figure out which approach is a good one for you. See if this helps:

If you’re pretty new to your career, or you’re struggling in a really competitive job market, it might be better to put off salary talk until after the job offer. Once you’ve sold the employer on your qualifications, you’ll be in a better position to talk money.

On the other hand, if you’re accomplished in your field, you know your minimum worth, and you don’t want to waste your time applying for an under-paying job, doesn’t it make sense to find out if the salary is at least in the ballpark before going through the whole application process? Maybe you don’t want to pin down the exact figure, but knowing what the range is could save you and the employer a lot of time.

Whenever you decide to talk money, you want to have your bargaining hat on straight.
Your Salary Range Chart

Your perfect job won’t be so perfect unless it pays enough to support your lifestyle… or at least pay the rent. Before you start looking for one, you should know how much money you need to live on, and how much you’d like to live on—there is a difference! Use the following “thinksheet” to figure those two amounts.

*Multiply your totals by 2 to roughly allow for social security, federal and state income taxes, and unpredictable expenses. For an accurate calculation, consult your accountant who will take into consideration your income tax bracket and status.

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