July August 2010 Leadership - Maro Onokpise by Stephanie Harper

LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP MARO ONOPIKE 7 job hunting tips from the Recruiters Lounge

RECOGNITION EXPOSURE CREDIBILITY NETWORKING

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Dreena Armstrong, Kimberly A. Benjamin, Thejenda BS, Pamela Burks, Pamela Byrd, Stephanie C. Harper, Carol Haynes, Courtney A. Hammonds, Traci Morgan, Biba Pedron, Tasha Demery, Reginald Brown, Ted Moss, Christopher Williams, Jim Stroud, Otis Collier, Tracy Laswell Williams, Niakesha Woodley, Andretta Greer, Tia Goodwin, Lucinda Cross, Trevior Branch,

Robin M. Ware, and Bob Littell .

HUMAN RESOURCES and ORGANIZATIONAL STRATEGY STEP Enterprises, Inc. President and CEO | Stephanie C. Harper, PHR, CCP, CHRM Assistant to the President and CEO | Pamela Murphy VP, CAREER Events | Niakesha Woodley, MHRD VP Strategic Alliances | Frank Aikens Marketing Director | Anetra Henry-Hunting Creative Consultant | Chantony Marshall Sales | Cameo Clark, Sunny Slaughter, Andretta Greer

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CAREER Magazine | July / August 2010 | 4

COVER STORY CM's Publisher talks with Maro Onokpise, CEO of JobTrakr on Leadership. Maro shares the importance of being a social entrepreneur, the ugly truths about joblessness and hunger going hand in hand, and how we can all take on a leadership role by pooling our resources for the greater good. His belief, "What you do WITH your business is just as important as what your business does!"

IN THIS ISSUE...PAGES 18-23 4 EDITORIAL PAGE Meet CAREER Magazine

17 ASK THE EXPERTS / Q&A How to as for a raise?

6 PUBLISHER'S PERSPECTIVE Leadership is not a position... By Stephanie C. Harper, PHR

The first steps in Entrepreneurship?

7 PUBLISHER'S PAGE Happy Birthday CAREER Magazine 8 YOUR VOICE IN PRINT Reflections and Reactions Power Netoworking Issue 9 BLACK AND WHITE TERMS Leadership vs. Authority 10 CAREER MAKEOVER 5 Ways to Guarantee your next job is WRONG! By Tai Goodwin 11 BUSINESS OWNER BOOT CAMP Yay or Nay : Social Media Background Checks By Ted L. Moss, CCP 14 HR NEWS The Employment SituationJune 2010 By Stephanie C. Harper, PHR 15 ON THE MOVE The Leader in You! By Vaneese Johnson

24 CAREERS AND CHRIST Leader or Boss? By Stephanie C. Harper 26 FAVOR FOR YOUR LIFE Major Promotion in Strange Places By Pastor Reginald Brown 27 AUTHORS CORNER Yor Book - Your Brand! By Stephanie C. Harper Building A Brand By Carol Haynes 28 MOMENTS OF MOTIVATION Influenced Leadership By Christopher Williams 30 WORKPLACE AND CAREER SUCCESS Take the lead in Maximinzing Relationships By Treivor Branch, MSP, CPC 31 OFFICE TIPS Are You Too Busy for Your Business? By Lucinda Cross

32 SPOTLIGHT ON SUCCESS Meet Tameeka Manuel-Shannon Salon Stylist 33 I LIVE ONLINE 7 Job Hunting Tips that Give You an Unfair Advantage Over Your Peers By Jim Stroud 34 JUST THE FACTS Author /Publishing Stats 36 LIFE AFTER LAYOFF How to deal with Gossip After the Lay-off By Stephanie C. Harper, PHR 36 COMPENSATION CORNER Compensation: More than Money By Stephanie C. Harper, PHR 37 BUSINESS BASICS What do I attract? By Pamela Burks CAREER Magazine (a StephanieHarper.com Publication) is a green publication written by career industry professionals for job seekers (employees, employers and entrepreneurs. Published bi-monthly, no part of CAREER Magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the written permission of the Publisher. The opinions expressed by our contributors are not necessarily those of the Publisher. All articles are intellectual property of CAREER Magazine and/or its contributors. All rights reserved. Copyright 20082010.

CAREER Magazine | July / August 2010 | 5

Publisher's Perspective

LEADERSHIP is one of the most misunderstood concepts in business. Much of the misunderstanding comes from the tendency to think about leadership only in terms of the people in charge. Too often, leadership is tied up with a title or position, but I offer you another perspective - - seeing leadership as an action! A true leader is so dynamic when leading that others are forced to follow them. True leaders have not only achieved their own dreams, but take action to help millions of others to fulfill theirs as well. Every leader will have their own flavor and way of doing things or by incorporating the six leadership styles: Visionary, Coaching, Affliative, Democratic, Pacesetting or Commanding, but one thing is for sure, the most effective leaders can move among these styles, adopting the one that meets the needs of the moment. The truth is people are looking, waiting and watching for your words to measure up to your actions. When that happens you wont have to worry about the â&#x20AC;&#x153;right words to sayâ&#x20AC;?, your actions will have already spoken on your behalf! A very special thanks to Maro Onokpise, CEO of JobTrakr for sharing his Lessons in Leadership. Amazing lessons we can all learn from no matter where are in our respective levels of employment and entrepreneurship. Speaking of action, we are because of you! You, the readership (subscribers), the advertisers, the supporters, and last but certainly not least the contributors. August 2010 is a major milestone for the CAREER Magazine staff. In just two short years, we have reached more than 80,000 subscribers worldwide and continue to impact lives and careers through our social media platforms. Stay connected, we are working on more exciting things to make your CAREER Magazine experience even better! LETS GO!

LEADING BY ACTION,

Stephanie C. Harper-Haynes, PHR, CCP, CHRM Author, Career Expert, Speaker, Radio Host Publisher, CAREER Magazine (www.TheCareerMag.com) CAREER Magazine | July / August 2010 | 6

Publisher's Page

CAREER Magazine | July / August 2010 | 7

Your Voice In Print

POWER!

ASK THE EXPERT

Power Team! Powerful Publication! Thanks for including a new section. I Powerful Information! Powerful have emailed many "experts" and Cover Story! Thanks for sharing! never hear from them. I'm glad you are answering your readers. It's lets S. Glenn, Villa Rica, GA us know you care! A. McRae, Pomona, CA

MUST HAVE's Thanks to Ms. Tai Goodwin for sharing the "10 Must Have People In Your Network". I have surely fallen behind the 8-ball on being specific about building my network. This article is a great point of reference for figuring our who should and should not be a part of your inner circle. Thank you.

GEORGE THE GREAT!

SIMPLE SMART & FREE Wow! I have started to use the 5 ways to grow your network and have already seen an increase in my visibiliy online. Thank you for sharing how we can make a larger impact. I am still working on creating partnerships, but I do see the value in building contacts - - even with competitors. It's a small world and we can all share a piece of the pie!

George Fraser is such a man of wisdom. I have had a chance to meet him on several occasions and he always brings so much with him that we can take and apply to our lives - - NOW! Thank Mary A. , Miami FL I. Roosevelt , Las Vegas, NV you for featuring him in your magazine, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s better than good. TOP 50 SITES More like George the Great! Fantastic information. I'm a late bloomer in technology. I set up a L. Johns, Chicago, IL Facebook and a MySpace and I am diligently working on building a YES, WE WANT TO POWER NETWORKING network. Social Media is a new I have been connected with your concept for me, but one I am HEAR FROM YOU! work for several years and I must enjoying exploring. Thanks for say, it gets better and better. pointing me in the right direction. Due to the overwhelming amount of Your radio interview and emails that we receive, we are magazine coverage of Mr. Fraser Tres M., Akron, OH was superb! I attended his unable to respond to email conference in Atlanta this year personally, but will do our best to PAIN IS PREPARATION and met some of the Power Networkerts that are moving an Thank you for this article. I lost my include your comments. If you have shaking America. Thanks, CM for job last year and it's been really a comment, questions or an keeping us informed. You are hard. But this has helped me to observation, please emails us certiainly power networking for re-focus and understand what I feel is normal. those who are connected. yourvoiceinprint@thecareermag.com B. Worthington, Atlanta, GA

T. Kingman, Mobile, AL

CAREER Magazine | July / August 2010 | 8

In Black and White Terms

Leadership vs Authority

LEADERSHIP

(according to wikipedia.com)

is stated as the "process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task.

AUTHORITY (according to WIKIPEDIA.com) , means invention, from the Latin word advice, opinion, influence, or command.

CAREER Magazine | July / August 2010 | 9

Career Makeover

5 WAYS TO GUARANTEE YOUR NEXT JOB IS WRONG!

By Tai Goodwin

CareerMakeoverCoach.com

How many times have you (-or someone you know) taken a job, ecstatic about the new role, only to do a 180 degree spin after the “honeymoon phase” is over? Three to six months into the new job, you have a dreaded sense of déjà vu and start estimating how long it will be before you are forced to make another move. Here are five things to add to the “Don’t List” as you conduct your job search. 1. Forget about doing research. Proper research in a job search can require a lot of energy, time, and focus – however the reward is big. Make sure you understand the difference between browsing and searching. Browsing is general – just seeing what’s out there. A real job search is based on your skills, experience, and targets the industries and companies you want to work in. Take the time to find companies with values that are aligned to your own and potential opportunities and experience that will help you get to the next place on your career path. 2. Ask the wrong questions or no questions. An experienced interviewer will expect you to have questions about the position you are applying for. Having genuine questions show that you are a) interested and b) that you have been thinking about the job. Don’t be afraid to ask the interviewer about their experience with the company. And be sure to find out exactly what it will take to be successful in the new role. 3. Respond to the offer out of fear and desperation. Approach the offer as a strategic decision to get what you need. You may feel pressured because it is your first job offer in a really, really long time. And you may be at a place where you need to take the job. If it not your ideal next best career move, make sure you have a plan for what you will get out of the experience and maybe how long you will plan to stay in the role. 4. Focus only on the money. We’ve hear it before – “money makes the world go around.” But focusing only on the salary increase (or decrease) only can lead you to making a bad decision. Unless getting to a certain salary is your target, take the time to factor in what else is important in your career and life right now. Evaluate the opportunity, not just the money 5. Entirely ignore your core values. Before you say yes to a job offer, take a minute to consider what’s really important to you and then measure the opportunity based on your priorities.

CAREER Magazine | July / August 2010 | 10

Business Owner Bootcamp

By Ted Moss, CCP CrimCheck.com

Do you have a blog, Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, FriendFeed, Twitter, or other social media profiles active? If you don’t certainly many of your employees and candidates who have at least one of these things. The penetration of social media into the lives of people is getting higher. There is a growing trend to start looking for these profiles by employers (both current and future) to check out current and future employees. People in HR that I know who do this say it is an extra insurance policy. If someone is bragging about illegal activity on their Facebook page, it could be an indicator of things to come. There are some concerns about the legality of checking social media profiles. Like many things, it isn’t so much checking the profile that’s the problem, it is what you do with some of the information you uncover in the process. For example, some profiles will give away a protected status that wasn’t apparent before (for example, a religious affiliation or national origin). This can open up liability if you reject the candidate. There are even more traps for employers who check on their employees via social networking sites. Of course, some of these tools can be a great way of connecting with current and former employees, customers and job candidates so it is important to balance your checking of backgrounds. Here are so pros and cons to using social media as another background check: Yay: 1. You get information that you won’t find on many background checks 2. You can see if they are affiliated with any of your current workers 3. Make a determination as far as how well they may fit Nay: 1. You can open your company up to liability 2. You can learn things that you can’t use against an employee in a hiring decision 3. Might find out they don’t like your favorite sports team (j/k) What is your take on using social media for background checks? None of our business, useful when used carefully or always use it to cover our bases.

Legal Disclaimer: The information provided herein does not constitutes legal advice on behalf of CM.

The Business Owner HR Bootcamp is designed to help business owners with day-to-day HR Decision Making Processes CAREER Magazine | July / August 2010 | 11

Business As Usual By Anetra Henry-Hunting www.Hunting4Solutions.com

The Difference Between Failing and Prevailing in Your Career Although jobs are slowly seeing an increase, the time from resume submission in response to an ad for employment to job offer is still at an all time high. The easiest way to cut down on this valuable time is to know someone on the inside that can walk your resume to the proper person and have it placed on the top of the pile of candidates to call. In other words, “get hooked up”. But what are you going to do when you get the call? Have the TV or music blaring in the background during the interview-setting phase? Show up with no resume, written references, unprofessionally dressed assuming you already have the job based on your relationship with your inside source? Act surprised when you don’t get hired? These examples may seem extreme, but they are more common that you may think. A person asking for the “hook up” expects that their referral source be in complete control of the hiring process, although they may be well aware that the source is not the decision maker. Therefore, they fail every stage of the interview process because they rely completely on the casual relationship they enjoy with the source instead of their own talents, skills, and experience to get the job. All the while, diminishing the reputation of the source at the organization and damaging their own relationship with the source. An inside referral source should be protected much like investigative reporters protect their secret sources. After all, a written or word of mouth reference is extremely valuable because it is an extension of the source’s reputation. A referring source is expecting you to make a great (not good) impression and exemplify the characteristics they see in you to the interviewer. Being connected prevails over the "hook -up" because it simply opens the door to an opportunity. Being connecting also means your talents, skills, and experience are a match to ensure success. In the interview process, you will work to draw those parallels to the interviewer. Based on the reputation of the source, a hiring manager will most likely move your resume to the top candidates to contact for the position because a well-placed referral saves the organization time and money. Chances are, a valued employee understands the tasks of the job and has informally screened the candidate to ensure a fit into the company’s culture. So, if you are seeking a new opportunity, understand that there is a difference between a “hook up” and a "connection" A “hook up” requires little from you and indicates that at best, you will give nothing in return. A "connection" requires you to work and be accountable for the opportunity provided because you are in good graces with someone who was able to make something happen for you. Also, as you walk through this door, understand that for as long as you are affiliated with this organization, you represent two people: yourself and the person who connected you. Handle this responsibility wisely, and you will have a your own personal fan for life. Every time your referral source is solicited for talent, your name will top the list, creating unlimited opportunities for success.

CAREER Magazine | July / August 2010 | 12

Spotlight

CAREER Magazine | July / August 2010 | 13

HR News

By Stephanie C. Harper, PHR TheCareerMag.com

The decline in payroll employment reflected a decrease (-225,000) in the number of temporary Employees working on Census 2010. Private-sector payroll employment edged up by 83,000. Household Survey Data Both the number of unemployed persons, at 14.6 million, and the unem ployment rate, at 9.5 percent, edged down in June. (See table A-1.) Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rate for adult women (7.8 percent) declined, while the rates for adult men (9.9 percent), teenagers (25.7 percent), whites (8.6 percent), blacks (15.4 percent), and Hispanics (12.4 percent) showed little or no change. The jobless rate for Asians was 7.7 percent, not seasonally adjusted. (See tables A-1, A-2, and A-3.) In June, the number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks and over) was unchanged at 6.8 million. These individuals made up 45.5 percent of unemployed persons. (See table A-12.) The civilian labor force participation rate fell by 0.3 percentage point in June to 64.7 percent. The employment-population ratio, at 58.5 percent, edged down over the month. (See table A-1.) The remaining 1.4 million persons marginally attached to the labor force had not searched for work in the 4 weeks preceding the survey for reasons such as school attendance or family responsibilities. (See table A-16.) Establishment Survey Data Total nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 125,000 in June, reflecting the departure of 225,000 temporary Census 2010 workers from federal government payrolls. Total private employment edged up over the month (+83,000) due to modest increases in several industries. So far this year, private-sector employment has increased by 593,000 but in June was 7.9 million below its December 2007 level. (See table B-1.) Within leisure and hospitality, employment rose over the month by 28,000 in amusements, gambling, and recreation. Within professional and business services, employment continued to increase in temporary help services (+21,000). Employment in temporary help has risen by 379,000 since a recent low in September 2009. Elsewhere in professional and business services, management and technical consulting (+11,000) and business support services (+7,000) also added jobs over the month. In June, transportation and warehousing added 15,000 jobs. Since a recent low in February, this industry has added 44,000 jobs. Health care employment edged up in June (+9,000). Over the past 12 months, the industry has gained 217,000 jobs. Mining employment continued to trend up in June (+6,000); the industry has gained 56,000 jobs since October 2009. Within mining, support activities added 7,000 jobs in June. Manufacturing employment continued to trend up over the month (+9,000). The industry has added 136,000 jobs since December 2009. Construction employment decreased by 22,000 in June, with the largest decline in nonresidential specialty trade contracting. On net, construction employment has shown little change over the last 4 months. The change in total nonfarm payroll employment for April was revised from +290,000 to +313,000, and the change for May was revised from +431,000 to +433,000. The Employment Situation for July is scheduled to be released on Friday, August 6, 2010, at 8:30 a.m. (EDT). Source. www.bls.gov

CAREER Magazine | July / August 2010 | 14

Entrepreneurs: On The Move

By Vaneese Johnson

www.otmcareers.com

Who are the people that to mind when you think of successful leaders? What are some of the characteristics that stand out about them? Who is it that you stirive to emulate? The top local business owners. Those who are well respected in their fields, sought after for their knowledge and always requested to speak at events? Research has uncovered four distinctive traits that stand out in leaders. Each leader started with a Vision in mind for their business. They used Focus to serve as a road map for them to bring the idea to fruition. The vision for any business should be "being" well-respected for providing quality products, strong customer relations and quality in the delivery of services. As well as connect ing with clients through understanding their needs and anticipating their wants by thinking ahead and presenting solutions to show the return on investment in our business relationship. Leaders talked about their self-Discipline. They exercise the ability to control the things they can and wisdom to know the difference. Sound familiar, these words are from The Serenity Prayer! Employ solid i principles by operating each with purpose and keeping distractions to a minimum. Task such as surfing the internet excessively, talking on cell phones, spending time aimlessly â&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Ś you get the point. Instead, discipline yourself to learn and apply new information, tools and techniques that contribute to becoming entrepreneurial savvy! Equally important is clear Communication. Leaders are consistent in what they say and how they promote their business and professional brand. Leaders are not all over the place, their messages are strategically focused with impactful information. So, therefore challenge yourself to be clear about exactly what you communicate. Is it useful? Is it current? Can it make a difference in how your business is perceived in the market place? Commit to reading industry resources, attending conferences and taking classes to strengthens your entrepreneurial acumen. The goal is to make sure the content of communication is applicable. Lastly, all leaders have a Support network which brings certain smarts, skills and know-how. No need to be a financial guru, marketing consultant, or a human resource expert when you can contract these tasks out which could make your business stronger! Leaders know how to maximize these services in areas needed so the focus goes where their talent produces results. Take the opportunity to task by creating an internal and external support system to stay in the role of a leader and a business owner making sure the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goals are met! One thing that hold true is becoming a great Leader, starts with YOU!

CAREER Magazine | July / August 2010 | 15

Ask the Expert

Q & A with Stephanie C. Harper, PHR, CCP, CHRM

Dear Ms. Harper,

When is the best time to ask for a raise or promotion? I know the economy is in bad shape right now, but my boss keeps using that an as excuse not to give me a raise. I know that times are tough for everyone, but I know that we are doing pretty good as a business. What should I do?

When venturing out into entreprenurship what were some of the first steps you took to make sure that your business did not fail? I am sure that I am suppose to be in control of my destiny and the economy is forcing me to consider this option as a possible solution.

~ Vincent M. Orlando, FL

It's really hard to give you an absolute answer because there are so many variables to consider. When was your last raise? What is your company policy on merit increases? How the company is doing financially, and most importantantly - - do you deserve a raise? Many times employees feel they are entitled to a raise annually or if they take on new responsiblities, while a raise is certianly appreciated it's not an autormatic thing. Withou having all the details, my best advice would be to keep record of your daily tasks, accomplishments and contributions that you are making to the organization. If you are "just" doing the job that you were hired to do, well.... Utilize your annual evaluation to discuss salary options, but be sure that you can build a case on why you deserve a raise. Hope that helps!

Dear Ms. Harper,

~D. Lewis , Culver City, CA

Entrepreneurship is very rewarding, but equally demanding. Kudos for seeking direction to become self-employed. The first 3 steps to being an entreprenuer include a business plan, a marketing plan, and an advisory board. Both the business and marketing plans will help you to develop a blue print for your success as well as help you chart your course. Your advisory board will be a group of individuals who are experienced in the areas of business which which you are not - - this provides a trusted point of reference for information, networking and opening doors for you. The best thing you can do is understand why your business exist, who your target market is and how you can best service them. Once you have that figured out, go forth, make it happen and keep us posted! Hope that helps!

~ Stephanie We'd love to hear from you! Send your questions to Publisher@TheCareerMag.com CAREER Magazine | July / August 2010 | 17

~ Stephanie

Cover Story

When things get tough a leader steps up and goes

to battle with his team. A boss says “ok, go”. A

leader says “Let’s Go!” A man is measured by the lives that he touches. If I can inspire someone to

reach for their dreams and become a better person in the process that means a lot to me.

~ Maro~

CAREER Magazine | July / August 2010 | 18

Cover Story

CAREER Magazine | July / August 2010 | 19

Cover Story

CM: Greetings Maro thank you for taking the time to share with the readers CAREER Magazine. Tell us, “Who is MARO O?” MO: I’m just a guy that’s following his passion to help people change their lives and make a difference in society. CM: Leadership is one of the most misunderstood concepts in business. Many think it is a position or title. Here at CAREER Magazine, we feel that leadership is not a title, but an action. How do you describe Leadership? MO: I read this a long time ago, and I try to live by this. A leader is a person that makes his/her followers better and better contributors to society. CM: Speaking of Leadership, Congratulations are in order for being a winner of the 2010 Orlando Business Journal’s 40 Under 40. Please share with our readership the significance of this accomplishment? MO: Thank you so much, I am truly blessed and fortunate to have received such an honor. The people that are on this list are some of the smartest and forward thinking people that I’ve ever come in contact with. I remember when I was nominated 3 years ago, someone said that you have to be nominated at least 5 or 6 years to even be considered for the 40 Under 40 list. By the grace of God, I made it in just 3 years. CM: How did you get into the field of Human Resources (HR) ? MO: Naturally I guess I’m a people person and I’ve always had an affinity for employment/Human Resources/Relations type of work. When I was a Manager at Banana Republic an opportunity opened up for me to take on a role in HR. So I jumped on it. CM: You are a former HR representative with Banana Republic, are there any striking differences in HR practices in Banana Republic compared to the United States? MO: As odd as it sounds back in the early 2000’s our processes were still very manual. Meaning there was a lot of paper work involved. I just remember how much paper we used to go through. Now everything is electronic. So I would say the process is definitely more streamlined. Other than that, its pretty much the same. You want to make sure that you take care of your employees needs. They’re representatives of your company. If they’re not happy, the customers won’t be happy.

CAREER Magazine | July / August 2010 | 20

Cover Story

CM: What is Jux.ta.pose? MO: I wouldn’t be where I am today, if it weren’t for Jux-ta-pose. I don’t think we have much time to go into it, but Jux-ta-pose was a social network for job seekers that I started with my last $50 at a Kinkos. A lot of people don’t know that. CM: Are you one of the founders of the Pink Slip Party? MO: (laughs) Not really. The Pink Slip Party isn't a new concept. It actually dates back to the 1920's, and was brought back in the early 2000'swith the dot com bust and financial market collapse. Recruiters found out that a lot talented people used to hang out at bars during happy hours. So they just started snatching people up from there versus going to job fairs. What I've been able to do was take that concept, put my twist on it and reinvent the way people get jobs. Part party, part job fair. CM: Oh do tell, tell us more about the Part Party, part job fair? What is it? How often does it happen? Where? And what results have you seen? MO: We take a traditional job fair, pick it up and drop it in the hottest happy hour venue in town. It’s a great way for employers and job seekers to connect and let their hair down in a non-traditional environment. The cornerstone of these Pink Slip Parties is networking. We’ve all seen the statistic that 84% of positions that are filled are filled through networking. I cannot stress the importance of people getting out and networking. We typically hosts these events once a quarter. I’ll stagger it with a corporate event for a company that’s hiring. I’m averaging 2 events a quarter. The results have been great thus far. I’m proud of the relationships that I’ve built with my corporate partners like Sprint, and the Orlando Convention and Visitors Bureau. I’m honored when they call me and ask when are you hosting your next event. That shows me that these events are working. I want to it to the next level. We have something special planned in July.

Cover Story

MO: I remember it like it was yesterday. I was asked to do a resume workshop “close to downtown”. I chose that topic because that’s all I really knew about at the time. I’m thinking downtown, high rises, and audience of a t least a hundred people, the works. Nope, I was in the hood. Three piece suit in the middle of the hood speaking to about 10 people. I thank God for this experience because it taught me that no matter how big or small your audience is, you should ALWAYS give 110% in your preparation and execution. CM: What was your motivation behind Jobtrakr? MO: Great question. After my last Pink Slip Party in November of 2009, I was totally burnt out. I went into hiding for about 4 months. I promised myself that I wouldn’t do any work, just take it easy. As an entrepreneur that’s not in my nature, so I got busy on this concept to help people manage their job search. When I would ask people how was their search coming or how were they keeping track of things. The most common responses were, I write things down in a notebook, I create a folder in my email in box and shockingly enough some people didn’t do anything. So I said to myself there has to be a better way. I have a fiduciary responsibility to make sure these individuals are approaching employers fully prepared. I partnered with a developer and we knocked the first version of the site out in about 4 weeks. CM:What do you hope to accomplish through Jobtrakr? MO: Ultimately, I want jobtrakr to be a place where someone can track what they’re doing not only while they are looking for a job, but after they begin working as well. Some people have been out of work for so long that acclimating back into the work force may be difficult. We have a lot of tools and resources on the site to help you take a personal look at your career development. We encourage everyone to record the bad times as well as the good times. Those challenges are where the most important lessons are learned. CM: How do you view leadership? MO: That’s an easy one. When things get tough a leader steps up and goes to battle with his team. A boss says “ok, go”. A leader says “Let’s go!” A man is measured by the lives that he touches. If I can inspire someone to reach for their dreams and become a better person in the process that means a lot to me. I think people tend to over-think what leadership is or even over interpret it. Simply put, a leader does one, if not two of the following things - - He/she makes his followers better and or changes the world. CAREER Magazine | July / August 2010 | 22

Cover Story

CM: What are 5 lessons in leadership you can share with our readers? Here are five key lessons. 1. Its ok to make mistakes. No one is perfect. Once you make a mistake, learn from it and move on quickly. It doesn't do anyone any good lamenting on a past failure or setback. 2. Respect your followers and they will respect you in return. 3. Strive to continue to learn and want to do better. There is no way that we can ever know everything. I read a story once where after Denzel Washington became an accomplished actor he was still taking acting lessons. If one of the best actors of our time can dedicate time to better his craft, I think we should all do the same. 4. Its ok to say No. Early on, I had a hard time saying no. As you know, when you're starting out as an entrepreneur you say yes to everything and maybe take on more business than you should. As I grew and matured, I have learned to say no to somethings that don't align with my goals or my company's goals. I would be doing a huge disservice to my customers if I was focused on other things. 5. Focus on one thing and do it better than anyone else. Period! CM: Where do you think "leaders" go wrong? This is a great question. There's a few areas where leaders go wrong. Trying to keep up with the next company or the next hot trend and straying away from their core business. Also, when they stop listening to their subordinates or customers. If you are completely detached from those that put you in a position to lead, the consequences could be devastating. CM: What steps should one take to become a leader? I'm a firm believer in Mentors and mentoring. Identify someone that you want to emulate. If you are in a position to reach out to them and have a coffee with them, shoot them an email. You'll be surprised at how willing a lot of people are to share their thoughts. If you are not in a position to reach out to a would be mentor, read as many books, newspaper and magazine articles as you can about these individuals. The thing to remember is that for the most part everyone has just the same opportunity to make it. There are so many resources available to us. To not take advantage of these resources shows that maybe you're not ready to lead. A true leader takes whats around them and paints a master piece. CM: I have had a chance to talk with many people in the HR world, but you are the first to ever share the revelation that “unemployment and hunger go hand in hand”. Please share more about this focus? MO: I work with an organization here in Orlando called Christian HELP ( food bank and resources for those that are unemployed or less fortunate). It's an incredible organization - - I took a tour and I decided at that moment that I wanted to do something to help out. I know we can’t feed every child, but as leaders and people of influence we have a responsibility to give back any way we can. I was also inspired by Blake Mycoskie, the founder of Toms shoes. For every pair of shoes they sell, they donate a pair to children in developing countries. He showed me that it was ok to be a social entrepreneur. One of the ugly truths about the increasing jobless rate is that hunger and unemployment go hand in hand. No family, and especially no child should go to be hungry if we can pool our resources for the greater good. As a leader, what you do with your business is just as important as what your business does. For Additional information on the POWERNETWORKING CONFERENCE visit www.FRASERNET.COM CAREER Magazine | July / August 2010 | 23

Careers and Christ

By Stephanie C. Harper StephanieHarper.com

For even the Son of God did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45

Have you worked hard? Did you earn the title? Position? And the pay? Congratulations, you are the new boss! The problem with your new role is only 12% of people like their boss. The first assignment in your new role is to be less of a boss and more of a leader. Leadership is probably one of the most talked about business concepts, but the least understood. Leadership is not based on position or title. It is based on action, performance, ability, effectiveness and more importantly, the ability to serve others. That’s right… to follow, not lead. Jesus did not have rules for others that He did not follow Himself. Jesus did not walk around saying He was in charge. He proved it with His works. Jesus did not walk around tearing others down with His power, He built them up. Jesus did not walk around delegating His miracles; He performed them. Jesus did not throw His power around; He used it to empower others. Jesus did not hold onto His wisdom; He imparted it to others. Jesus did not ask you to figure out leadership on your own; He left examples: Let’s examine the differences between the world’s Boss and the Bible’s Leader A BOSS A LEADER Creates fear Serves himself Aims to make himself successful Says “I” Fixes blame Knows how Makes work a grind Drives Wields authority Relies on the power of authority

Creates trust (1 Thess. 2:1-10) Serves others (1 Corinth. 9-19) Aims to make others successful (1 Tim. 4-6) Says “we” (1 Corinth. 3:5-9) Fixes mistakes (Philem. 18-19) Shows how (Ex. 17:18) Makes work worthwhile (Book of Nehemiah) Leads (John 10:11-15) Empowers people (2 Tim. 2:2) Relies on the power of servant hood (Matt. 20:25-28)

Source: Are you The Boss or the Leader? By Steve Sileo Realitieschurch.com Used by permission

At one time or another each of you have experienced or will experience a toxic boss. A toxic boss poisons the work environment. A toxic boss defines the mood of the workplace. As a leader you can make the difference. You have more than a new level of responsibility to your employer, but also a chance to become a beacon of light to others. You are a child of God, with power to command the wiles of evil to conform. The question is…will you become a boss or a leader? CAREER Magazine | July / August 2010 | 21

Favor For Your LIfe

MAJOR PROMOTION IN STRANGE PLACES

By Pastor Reginald Brown gccvv.org

(the anoiting of King David)

When you look at where you are in life, what thoughts cross your mind? Do you think or believe that where you are is your lot in life or do you believe that where you are is the beginning of the rest of your life? Are you somehow or another overlooking and underestimating what could be one of the greatest moments of your life; a moment that has the potential to be your defining moment that will catapult you into your destiny. If you are, you could be committing one of, if not, the greatest tragedies in your life. No one who has ever accomplished anything worthwhile did it without experiencing humble or small beginnings and setbacks and failures. The reality is, all too often people overlook where they are and they end up missing out on the lessons that are essential for their promotion to their next assignment and level. If anyone would have asked the people of Modesto, California if George Lucas would ever make it big, they would probably have answered by saying, no, because during his formative years his desire was to be a drag racer. This dream was brought to a halt after he was involved in an accident shortly after high school. Because of this, he enrolled in Modesto Junior College and later he matriculated through the University of Southern California. Because of his birthplace, love for drag racing and the setback of his accident, no one ever thought he would rise to such heights. What many of them didn’t know and what we often overlook is that God use people from unusual backgrounds and situations in major ways. Some of the people he uses were born in regions that worship many gods like Abraham. Some were never suppose to make it through infancy like Moses. Some had unlikely professions and were most likely written off like Rahab. And others were born into families that didn’t think too much of them. Families that always put others before them, while they were left to do jobs that no one else wanted. The good news, my friend, is that no matter where you are in life, the saying is certainly true, “What God has for you is for you.” Just ask David! Before becoming the King of Israel,David’s father Jesse placed all of his son’s before the prophet Samuel one by one hoping that one of them would be anointed as the next King of Israel. He only remembered David because the anointing oil didn’t flow and the prophet asked him was there another son. What his father didn’t understand was David was being groomed for the next transition and position in his life. His faithfulness to his job as shepherd prepared him for his promotion as King of Israel and forefather of Jesus. As you seek to move into a new career or to transition in life just remember, God always gives major promotions in strange places. So remain faithful! CAREER Magazine | July / August 2010 | 26

Authorr's Corner

YOUR BOOK YOUR BRAND

BUILDING YOUR BRAND:

Business or Personal?

With Business Card CD's

By Stephanie C. Harper www.BooksAreABusiness.com

When it comes to your book, the first thing to decide is if your book will be a business brand or a book brand? Once you've made that decision, here are 4 areas to consider when it comes to "your book and your brand!" Brand RECOGNITION: What is the product name recognized by your target market. How will you get your name (brand) out? Brand IMAGE: The way the product is perceived by the target audience. What image is perceived about your brand by others? Brand POSITION: The need the product is perceived as meeting. Why do others need your project/product? Brand PROMISE: What has your brandsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; marketing message promised to do? How can you stand behind your promise?

By Carol Haynes www.BooksAreABusiness.com

Their attractive size and style make them ideal for authors seeking to promote news books or press kits in an eye-catching manner. Create a new marketing tool for your brand using new or existing content! CD business cards are still a relatively new concept. These revolutionary products are essentially business-card-sized CD-ROMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s that can play in any standard computer CD drive, giving you the ideal platform from which to present your book.

QUICK IDEAS FOR YOUR BUSINESS CARD CD - - Feature Your Unique Products - - Corporate Profiles or Personal Bios

THINGS TO REMEMBER: Branding is NOT...about getting your target market to choose you over the competition. Branding is...Branding is getting your prospects to see you as the only one that can provide a solution to their problem.

- - Accomplishments and Book Signings - - New Products Announcements - - Sales Presentation, Speaking Engagements - - Customer Testimonials - - Brochures, Media Kits & Press Releases

CAREER Magazine | July / August 2010 | 27

Moments of Motivation

A leader is one who inspires others to greatness. A leader does what he says he will do. A leader motivates and inspires others to succeed. A leader is a visionary who has the ability to communicate that vision and inspire others to support it.” By Chrisptopher Williams

ChristopherMichaelInc.com

There are leaders who inspire trust; those who inspire respect; those who inspire accountability; those who inspire integrity; those who inspire teamwork; and those who inspire success. But, what they all have in common is the ability to influence the lives of others in a manner that truly can inspire greatness! This is what I refer to as “Influenced Leadership”. Influenced leadership holds that every leader is accountable, not only to him/herself, but also to others. Influenced leaders remain accountable by exemplifying the below T.R.A.I.T.S.

Inspire Trust o Involves the ability to be transparent with yourself and others. The only way we can influence others is to let them into your life. It’s okay to let people see your limitations. Share your failures!

Inspire Respect o Walk in faith and integrity by standing firm on your beliefs. The ability to not waiver because others are not comfortable with who you are. This is not a game of “Follow the Leader.” It is okay to standout because of your belief, in fact you should stand out because your light should always be shining bright.

Inspire Accountability o Accountability is the foundation for authentic personal and professional relationships. Authentic people take full and complete ownership for their lives, their choices, thoughts, feelings and actions, without blame or faultfinding. Authentic people know their deepest values without hesitation and fulfill them in thought, word and deed.

Inspire Integrity o Integrity is something you either have or you don’t. This is a feeling that is at the core of who you are. It recognizes that honesty is the always the right thing. It removes selfish motive and gain!

Inspire Teamwork o Motivate followers to work for goals that go beyond immediate self-interest, where what is right and good becomes important - these leaders transform the needs, values, preferences and aspirations of followers. They do this so that the interests of the wider group replace the selfinterest of individuals within that group.

Inspire Success o Go above and beyond! Go the extra mile! If the expectation is that you want others to do their best; you have to be willing to do the same. Inspired Success is greatness because you don’t stop dreaming when people say you should! Inspired Success is greatness because you have decided to change your circumstance! Inspired Success is simply GREAT! CAREER Magazine | July / August 2010 | 28

Career Tips

By Stephanie C. Harper, PHR StephanieHarper.com

1. Actuary: Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s right, the best job in the country today is that of an actuary. In an economy permeated by risk, the job of an actuary becomes quite relevant, as they deal with the financial impact of risk and uncertainty, calculating the likelihood of events and how companies can build strategies to avoid negative impact on the bottom line. Median salary: $82,800. 2. Software Engineer : Software engineers are one of the occupations projected to grow the fastest between 2006-2016, according to the BLS. This profession applies computer science and mathematical analysis to design, develop, test and evaluate software and systems. Median Salary: $79,780 3. Computer Systems Analyst: Computer systems analysts help organizations use technology effectively and incorporate rapidly changing technologies into existing systems. Median income: $69,760. 4. Biologist: Biological scientists study living organisms and their relationship to the environment, and often work both in the lab and in the field. Areas of study range from the small scale of microorganisms and DNA to larger-scale animal anatomy and even migration patterns. Median salary: $76,320. 5. Historian: Historians usually specialize in a certain area, analyzing historic information and building knowledge based upon their work. The BLS describes historians as specializing in a country or region, period or field, who may also do work outside the office or classroom setting. Median annual salary: $48,520. 6. Mathematician: This job is more than carrying around textbooks and drawing sine curves; mathematicians are tasked with solving problems for businesses and work on complex global issues. Although this is a highlyrated job, it is down from its #1 spot last year, according to CareerCast. Median salary: About $100,000. 7. Paralegal Assistant: One of the common entry-level positions in the legal field, paralegals assist attorneys in the preparation of legal documents, collect affidavits and research cases for more senior individuals in the legal profession. Median salary: $46,120. 8. Statistician: A statistician works with statistical analysis and problem solving in both the public and private sectors. Median Salary: $65,720 9. Accountant: Accountants analyze financial information for various entities and usually work a standard 40hour week, but many work longer hours, particularly during year-end auditing or tax seasons. Median salary: $54,630. 10. Dental Hygienist: A dental hygienistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s job consists of helping a dentist in their day-to-day work, including diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of the practice. An assistant may also be tasked with keeping records and handling patients. Median salary (dental assistants): $32,380. Source: CNBC.com CAREER Magazine | July / August 2010 | 29

Career & Workplace Success

Take The Lead In

Relationships

By Treivor Branch, MSP, CPC TheBranchSolution.com

It is important for managers, supervisors, and team leaders to lead by example. Employees are more confident and productive when they see and hear from their leaders on a regular basis. Taking the lead to maximize relationships contributes to the success of your team and takes just a few simple steps. Show Your Pride ·

Show pride in your team. Be confident that you have picked a group of winners that have what it takes to succeed. Be careful not to micromanage. Believe in them. Remind them of their strengths and why you chose them to be a part of the team. Share Your Vision

Share your vision with your team. Let them know your expectations as well as your goals, hopes and dreams for the department. Ask for their feedback about the vision and goals. Also, solicit their suggestions on how the team can best achieve them. Give Regular Feedback

You are the person who keeps your team motivated and inspired. Provide uplifting encouragement and constructive feedback on a regular basis. Don't wait until formal feedback processes. Spend time walking around your department, observing, and giving feedback. If your team is dispersed in various locations, pick up the phone. Set The Tone

Set the tone for conflict management and confronting difficult situations. Don't erupt at your team over trivial mistakes or disagreements. Remain even-tempered and don't let your emotions get the better of you. Constructively resolve conflicts by focusing on the problem, not the person. Discuss issues in private if they involve only one or two team members. Make Introductions

Always remember to introduce your team. Often a client may come for a meeting with a manager, supervisor, or team leader - you. To continue demonstrating pride in your team and make each team member feel as they are a part of the team, introduce them to the client if possible. Let the client know how each team member contributes. Making introductions such as this will help your team members feel included as well as help your client see that you have a strong relationship with your team. The client will likely consider this an asset and continue to value their own relationship with you. Celebrate

Some leaders miss the mark when it comes to taking the lead in maximizing relationships because they fail to celebrate their team. Don't wait until the huge successes to celebrate your team; celebrate whenever your team hits the mark regardless of how small or large. If your budget is tight, have a celebration luncheon in the office once a month where you highlight the team's successes, celebrate birthdays and other milestones. Remember it doesn't have to be over the top to make a huge impact. If your team is dispersed, have a monthly team celebration call.

Remember you are the leader and you are ultimately accountable for the actions of your team. You get the credit when they succeed and take the fall when they fail. Take the lead in maximizing relationships within your team and set them up for success.

CAREER Magazine | July / August 2010 | 30

Corporate Mom Dropouts

By Lucinda Cross CorporateMomDropout.com

Most business owners wish they could get more time in a day which is impossible. However, a busy business owner it is imperative to practice and learn some ways of creating time for the things that need to be done, in order to be more productive. Briefly, the steps that one can take include: 1. Set the priorities. It is advisable that at the start of the day, begin by listing all that need to be done in the order of priorities. You need strategize what to do the following day before going to bed; orally or written though the later is advisable so as to avoid forgetting any of them. 2. Avoid anything that can waste your time. Such things include frequent checking of emails, watching TV or chatting with friends and other online programs. These are known to take a lot of time and energy which would otherwise be better channeled towards productive activities. 3. Do not hesitate to ask for assistance if need arises. The notion that women should do everything by themselves is very wrong. You should not hesitate to ask for help from anyone willing to help for that is the reason we are not in this world alone. This can be done temporarily hiring someone at times when the work is at the peak or someone on a long term basis if there is a continuous flow of substantial work load. 4. You do not need to do everything. You do not have to accept all invitations to participate in many things as this will wear you down. So do not be afraid to say no as taking too much will prevent you from achieving the best in what you do. The best way of deciding what you need to turn down is by maintaining a list of the list of what you would like to do during your free time. 5. Take breaks. Taking rests is important as this enables one to renew energy. This will enable you to work at a faster rate than just working continuously with no breaks. You can utilize the breaks to do some physical exercises as this will refresh your mind. Other helpful activities include meditating and yoga. As said, where there is a will, there is a way. So busy business owners can in succeed if they organize themselves, plan their time well and be self disciplined. Many have been successful thus you can also succeed as long as you take into consideration the above information. CAREER Magazine | July / August 2010 | 31

Spotlight

Tameeka Manuel was raised on the unfriendly and undeniably rough streets of Buffalo, N.Y. In 2004, with three children to raise, Tameeka and her Husband decided to relocate to Georgia with hopes of exposing their children to greater opportunities than they had growing up in Buffalo. Months after moving to Georgia, Tameeka’s Husband unexpectedly abandoned her and the three children, leaving them in an unfamiliar state where they had no friends or family. Although Tameeka was only 30 years old she was a strong God fearing young woman who refused to go back home as a failure, and more importantly she refuse to raise her children on the streets of Buffalo. Tameeka kept the faith and remained optimistic. With Tameeka being unemployed at the time of her Husband’s departure, she had to think quickly! Tameeka then set out to make ends meet the best way she knew how….She used her God given talent and become a Hairstylist in her new hometown! Tameeka already held a Cosmetology license; however, the license was for New York State, which was not equivalent to a Georgia State License. No problem, Tameeka took the state board exam for Georgia and earned her Cosmetology license months later. Within a year’s time in 2005, Tameeka opened her own Beauty Salon on the South Side of Georgia. Tameeka has vowed not to stop at one salon, she is currently working on owning a chain of Salon’s by the name of “The Weave Bar” and will not stop at dreaming it but achieving the dream. The weave bar specializing in more than just hair, offering a nail bar, lash bar, make up bar, color bar, etc. For entertainment, we also offer poetry nights, comedy, karaoke and more!

CAREER Magazine | July / August 2010 | 32

I Live Online

By JimStroud ILiveOnline.com

1. Create a homepage and post your resume online, not just on Job Boards. In this way, any Recruiter with access to Google can find it. (Not all Recruiters can afford to pay to access resumes on all the job boards out there.) If you are paying for Internet access, most likely you are paying for web hosting that you are not using. Here are a few places where you can get free web hosting: · · · · · · · ·

www.webs.com www.zymic.com/free-web-hosting www.xtreemhost.com www.hosting-engine.tk www.host-ed.net/order-now.php www.freehostia.com/free-chocolate.html www.phpnet.us/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16&Itemid=26 http://www.000webhost.com/39102.html

2. Submit the URL of your resume to Google, Yahoo and Bing. (This will insure that your resume is findable by Recruiters looking to score free resumes and escape the cost of job boards.) · www.google.com/addurl · http://search.yahoo.com/info/submit.html · http://www.bing.com/webmaster/SubmitSitePage.aspx 3. Update your resume throughout the year as you complete major projects or positive contributions. Do not wait until you engage a recruiter. (This will save you tons of “brain strain” as you try to think what you did all that time you were working.) 4. Suggest on your online resume that Recruiters use WatchThatPage.com to be notified when you make a change to your online resume. This keeps your resume from just being one in a million resumes inside of their database as notifications will be sent to their email as you periodically update your work history. (Pretty slick, huh?) 5. Seek out projects that would look good on a resume. (Ask yourself, if I can successfully bring this to pass, would that impress my next employer? Can I join a group in the company that has a solid internal reputation? Can I get involved in a project that might get positive press coverage?) 6. Keep a folder of positive comments from your manager and peers. (This is especially valuable as some Managers are hesitant to praise you on Linkedin as it might encourage requests from employees that they rather not endorse.) 7. Create a long version of your resume for formal interviews. Include on this longer version positive comments from managers and co-workers you collected during your tenure with your current (or last) employer. No matter your vocation, these tips will give you an unfair advantage over your peers. Why? Simply put, most people will not take the time to do it as it is not a quick fix and it takes effort. However, for those who do go the extra mile, congratulations on your future success. CAREER Magazine | July / August 2010 | 33

Just The Facts

So you want to write a book?

So does about 80 percent of the United States population According to a survey: 27% would write fiction 28% would write on personal development 27% would write history, biography, etc. 20% would do a picture book, cookbook, etc. 6 million have ALREADY written a manuscript 6 million manuscripts are making the rounds Out of every 10,000 childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s books, 3 get published Study by Jenkins Group (www.JenkinsGroup.com)

Life After Layoff

By Paige Turner

One of the most uncomfortable things to deal with after a layoff is those phone calls and emails from past colleagues, friends and family where it is evident that they are just fishing for gossip. Unfortunately, there are always some people who will lack sensitivity to your situation. STEP 1 Pre-plan your responses to different situations. Your friend or acquaintance calls out of the blue saying - "Hey, I heard you got laid off - what happened?". Your response - "Yep, happens to the best of us. I'm moving on. It was probably a good thing. I'm focusing on acquiring new skills and targeting some different types of positions. Do you know anyone I can talk to who currently works in position "X"? BTW, thanks for calling!"

STEP 2 Pre-empt gossip from flying around by calling a couple of people who are usually good at spreading the word with a positive spin to your story. Keep your head up high and respond with confidence - you have not changed or lost any value - you just have slightly different circumstances to deal with.

STEP 3 Have some different things you can talk about. A lot of people may feel uncomfortable and not know what to say to you after a layoff. If a neighbor stops by with - "Hi, I see you're home all the time - everything ok?". You may want to respond with something like "Yes, I'm in active job search mode and also taking the time to plan a neighborhood safety watch. What are your thoughts on that?" Once you focus on something relevant to the other person, the conversation can flow into other directions.

STEP 4 From time to time you will overhear comments that will make you feel small such as "Poor thing, I feel so sorry for him - in this economy..". Do not let this get to you! When you bump into the offending person, use one of your rehearsed responses and turn the conversation towards other things in both your lives. You will have to be thick skinned but just think that you are moving towards new opportunities and you'll look back on this time as a blip in your life that you dealt with well.

STEP 5 Practice a confident smile and posture. Walk into a room where you know you'll face uncomfortable conversation with a cheery attitude.

STEP 6 Always have an exit strategy - a place you need to get to if it gets too uncomfortable. Be proud of yourself for handling the situation once you've left and move on to whatever you have planned for the day. Source http://www.ehow.com/how_5053153_deal-gossip-after-layoff.html

CAREER Magazine | July / August 2010 | 35

Compensation Corner

By Stephanie C. Harper, PHR www.TheCareerMag.com

Many times employees only focus on the base salary an employer offers when deciding whether or not to accept a position. The need to understand “total compensation” is crucial in making the best employment decision. There are six basic tools of compensation or remuneration that can add to the value of ones total compensation . · a base salary · short-term incentives, or bonuses · long term incentive plans · employee benefits · perquisites or perks · compensation protection (golden parachute) · In this issue of CM, we will just focus on employee benefits which might include relocation assistance; medical, prescription, vision and dental plans; health and dependent care flexible spending accounts; retirement benefit plans (pension, 401(k), 403(b)); group-term life and long term care insurance plans; legal assistance plans; adoption assistance; child care benefits; transportation benefits; and possibly other miscellaneous employee discounts (e.g., movies and theme park tickets, wellness programs, discounted shopping, hotels and resorts, and so on). Other fringe benefits (for example, accident and health plans, and group-term life insurance coverage up to US$50,000) may be excluded from the employee's gross income and, therefore, are not subject to federal income tax in the United States. Some function as tax shelters (for example, flexible spending accounts, 401(k)'s, 403(b)'s). Fringe benefits are also thought of as the costs of keeping employees other than salary. These benefit rates are typically calculated using fixed percentages that vary depending on the employee’s classification and often change from year to year. When you take a look at what the employer actually “invests” in an employee by way of employee or fringe benefits, you will find your value and actual “pay” has a significant increase. When you add your base salary + benefits it equals your total compensation. Be sure to consider more than just the money and take the time to consider your total compensation package before you accept or decline any position. CAREER Magazine | July / August 2010 | 36

Business Basics

By Pamela Burks BurksConsultingGroup.com

If you believe in the law of attraction, as I do, you’ll agree that what you receive is largely based on what you send out. If you market heavily, you’ll get more visibility. If you sell more product/service, you’ll make more money. So what is the correlation between relationships…Particularly leaders and team members? Can quality leadership attract quality team work? The answer is YES! So how do leaders use the law of attraction to be more successful? Simple, exhibit those qualities you want to receive. Building relationships whether you hand pick your team or your team is selected for you is as important in leadership as getting the “job” done. Doesn’t matter whether you’re a project manager, business manager or business owner, you are the catalyst of the relationship interactions in your environment. The law of attraction is based on the concept that “like attracts like”. When I was a kid we always said it this way: “What goes around, comes around”. To get what you want, you need to send that very thing out so it can come back to you. To get excellent team members you need to be an excellent leader. How do you attract excellent team members or employees who: have values similar to your own?, Grasp concepts quickly? Look into the bigger goal and see the optional paths to achieve it? Share ideas? Communicate well? To attract your excellent team member or to be an excellent leader you’ll need to “send out” the qualities you want to receive. For example: Be deliberate As the Tech Savvy Entrepreneur I definitely believe in using technology to make my life easier but sometimes “low tech” is still the best solution. For example: I setup a Facebook account to keep in contact with a relative on the west coast but after several communications I realized Facebook is great for re-connecting but is not the place for relationship development between us. What I really needed to do was take the time to call her and deliberately talk TO her not AT her via Facebook. Giving instruction and sharing information in relationship building are two different types of communication. To receive insightful strategy information from your team you need to be willing to share the plans. Be attentive Multitasking has its place but developing relationships require attention..sometimes undivided attention. When you’re talking face to face, pay attention! Yeah, I know you can type and listen at the same or channel surf and listen at the same time but don’t. People need to feel heard. If you want the undivided attention of others, then you will need to be an attentive listener. If you want your team to work independently, don’t micromanage. You can also use the law of attraction to deter unwanted results. CAREER Magazine | July / August 2010 | 37

CAREER Magazine | July / August 2010 | 38

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CAREER Magazine | July / August 2010 | 39

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