Carey Biz Jf09

January/February 2009

Career Enhancement

A ProfessionAl DeveloPment newsletter from Dr. ritA CArey Take a Second Look: See what’s new at www.rcmassociates.com.

Dr. Rita Carey Dr. Rita Carey, director of RCM Associates, is a Professional Development Coach with 15 years experience in Career Management. She has helped hundreds of individuals match their strengths, skills and abilities to their professional career choices. In her coaching practice, Rita assists clients with identifying those factors that influence career success and satisfaction. Her practice includes clients who want to improve career opportunities within their current organization by enhancing leadership skills, and clients who are considering a career change. Rita is a certified professional coach and has been described as warm, wise, smart and creative.

Services Offered Leadership Coaching: Assess behavioral strengths & challenges; identify & remove barriers to achieving business & career goals. Career Coaching: Assess skills & abilities; identify opportunities & develop a transition plan. Questions? Contact Rita for an “absolutely no obligation” conversation. Phone: 888-260-3173 [email protected] www.rcmassociates.com

Adaptability: How to Survive in Today’s Business Climate

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here’s no getting around the news—foreclosures, bailouts and breathtaking stock market swings. It’s real. It’s upon us. It can be scary. Though we can’t control the economy, we can control our perception (and reaction) to it. Every crisis creates a positive by-product—opportunity. It’s more important than ever to think creatively and adapt “onthe-fly” to seize those opportunities. Companies that do so will thrive, even during the most challenging times. Here are some survival strategies for tough times:

Don’t Panic. Be a Leader. Fear plays a role in the ups and downs of the stock market. Don’t let it create the same volatility in your business. Plan ahead based on facts, not fear. Think of yourself as captain of the ship. With stormy seas the crew (staff) and passengers (customers) look for leadership. Define flexibility with your actions. Others will follow suit. And don’t sugarcoat any problems. Use clear, consistent and confident communication.

Now is not the time to skimp on customer service. Like your staff, clients need to hear from you. Whether your customer service is awe-inspiring or plain awful (be honest), what’s one action you can take to “wow” a client? Flexible payment options? A bonus offer? Do it. Don’t give your clients or customers any reason to say “no.”

Adapt by Not Adapting Contrarian? Perhaps. But you don’t need to reinvent the wheel to be relevant. If relying on your “meat and potatoes” is what works, why “fix” it. Maybe you already offer something that just needs tweaking. What service or product is it time to blow the dust off of? Also, don’t assume prospects aren’t interested because “times are tough.” The services or products you offer (or want to) may be more relevant than ever. You won’t know unless you try.

Use Your Downtime

If despite your best efforts, you find yourself with unwanted time off, look around your office. Are there unopened Make “Recession” Your Call to Action tapes/books sitting on the shelf? Use this time to upgrade Hard times breed efficiency. Take the time to fix the inef- your skills. Or, is there a new direction you’ve always ficiencies you’ve been putting off. Also re-evaluate your longed to go in? Now’s the time to explore it. direction. Be realistic about the situation as it is now, not Value Your Relationships what you projected months ago that it would be. The people in your life can be a source of comfort Retain Your Best and Brightest during difficult times. What relationships could you be How? Communicate more with staff and vendors. maximizing, but aren’t? Acknowledge the situation. Communicate your expectaRemember, we humans are, by nature, resilient and tions. Seek advice. Uncertain times make people seek adaptable. By embracing that adaptability and being security and reassurance. They’re unlikely to jump ship, flexible within your organization, you increase the especially if they feel like part of a team. odds of not just surviving but prospering. l

Ways to Cope with Job Transition Job transitions can be stressful—whether they’re due to layoff, a new job or working extra hours because other workers were laid off. If you’re facing one, consider the following: 1. Take an honest look at yourself. What are your strengths, weaknesses, skills? How did those influence—positively or negatively—your transition? 2. Step up your self-care. Major changes are physically and emotionally taxing. You need self-care now more than ever. 3. Engage your curiosity. What went wrong, or right? What could you have done better? What worked really well? 4. Find support. Since your transition affects your

family as well, it may be better to seek the outside support of friends or professionals. 5. Work on your thoughts. Calm your fears and reinforce your sense of hope and happiness. 6. Focus on what you want, and less on what you don’t want. Keep your eye on the prize. 7. Reassure (or avoid) those who are threatened by, or jealous of, the change. 8. Create your own rite of passage. Ceremony and ritual help with all transitions. 9. Let go of how things were “supposed to be” and accept “how things are.” Appreciate what is. 10. Try on a new perspective. Don’t get stuck. Remember, the only constant is change. l

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January/February 2009

Self-Quiz

Are Your Assumptions Undermining You?

It’s natural for us to instantly and automatically generate beliefs or assumptions about other people and our environment. Most likely it’s a throw-back to our reptilian brain, which constantly scans to see if we are safe or in danger. Take a look at the following questions to discover if your assumptions are undermining you: True False

Set 1 1. I base what I believe is possible on past experiences I’ve had. 2. I already know what I do and do not like and, therefore, stick to what I know. 3. I tailor what I say and do based on the expressions on other people’s faces. 4. I don’t tell certain people what I think or feel because I already know what they will say. 5. I can pretty well size people up within minutes of meeting them and then know what to expect. 6. How I relate to people is influenced by the way they look, dress and speak. 7. My opinions of others are influenced by what kind of work they do and where they are from.

FREE TELECONFERENCE

Set 2

1. I regularly examine the assumptions I have about myself to determine whether my beliefs are holding me back. 2. I know that my truth is not necessarily other people’s truth. 3. When I have an assumption about someone, I check it out with that person first before acting based on what I think is true. 4. I make time to clear the air with my workmates so that we don’t just assume we’re on the same page. 5. I consciously endeavor to open my heart to people I think are different from me—and am delighted when I discover we have more in common than I had imagined. 6. I make an effort to learn about differing beliefs and try to keep an open mind. 7. I cultivate curiosity as a way to counteract my natural human tendency to make assumptions. If you answered true more often in Set 1and false more often in Set 2, you may wish to examine how your assumptions are undermining your relationship with yourself, others and life in general. Please don’t hesitate to call if you’d like to explore this issue further. l

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

8 – 9:15 p.m. US East Coast

Laid Off - Without a Golden Parachute: Seven “must-do” steps for landing on your feet In response to recent job losses, RCM Associates has scheduled a no-cost teleconference to provide basic strategies for post-layoff action planning. There are no golden parachutes for most of us. What we need is a flight plan that gets us from one job to the next without crashing. If you lost your job as a result of the economic downturn (or believe your job is in jeopardy), this free teleconference is for you.

Presenter: Dr. Rita Carey, Director of RCM Associates Career Management This teleconference will address the following career strategies: • How companies are hiring today • Ways to capitalize on past performance • How social networks can play a part in your search • How to shine on a resume • What constitutes a good value statement – elevator speech • Where to find free tools and resources for job searching

To register, go to www.rcmassociates.com - the Teleconferences page. Once there, scroll down to the free teleconference. You will receive an email with the call-in phone number, the access code for the conference, and the handouts. This is a no-cost presentation!

“People think I’m disciplined. It is not discipline. It is devotion. There is a great difference.”

—Luciano Pavarotti, opera singer

Used by permission © 2009 Claire Communications

This 75-minute teleconference is free. The only investment may be a long distance phone call, depending on your current phone service. Space is limited so register now. If you know anyone who has lost a job recently or whose future employment is uncertain, please forward this information.

January/February 2009

A Seasonal Approach to Work

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other Nature certainly likes her routine. Global warming aside, she cycles through the same processes, in the same order, doing things the same way they always have worked. Within that cycle, of course, variations exist—a dry winter or a mild fall—but we always can rely on the rhythm. One season follows the other. It’s a comfortable predictability in a world that often seems to be wildly unpredictable. Luckily, it is possible to tap into that natural cycle, to bring into our professional lives a greater sense of flow and order. As you read the suggestions below, keep in mind that we all have our own rhythms as well. What works for one person or business might not work for another. Take the ideas as ways to get you thinking. If a particular suggestion won’t work for you, is there another seasonally inspired activity that might?

Winter Winter brings frigid air, frosted glass and, in some areas, a white blanket of snow. Many plants and some animals slip into hibernation and get ready for their springtime rebirth. Wintertime sports and holidays distract us from the sometimes uncomfortable temperatures and drastic blasts of weather. Here are a few business activities that align with winter: • While you’re hunkered down indoors, take some time to analyze your year-end numbers— what do they tell you about the choices you made this year? What could you have done better? What did you do well? • You won’t be hibernating forever, so set your goals for the following year—what would you like your numbers to look like next winter, and how will you make that happen? • Consider what is “hibernating” in your work or personal life. Is it almost time for a dormant phase to end?

Spring

In spring, everything is glistening, green and new. There is a feeling of expansion, birth or rebirth. There’s a sense of renewal and reawakening. Seeds start to grow. In springtime, people start to get outside more, becoming reacquainted with their gardens. We take on spring-cleaning projects and clear out clutter.

A few business activities that align with spring: • Plant your own seeds by designing one or two new products or services for your business. Give yourself lots of time for brainstorming and collaboration before honing your ideas. • When you’re ready, create a detailed launch plan with action steps and a timeline. • Ask yourself what other seeds you would like to sow—and what others already are starting to sprout.

Summer

In summer, the landscape is lush and colorful with fruits and flowers. The air is warm and growth is everywhere. Summertime lends opportunities for family adventures and exploring. Long days lend a feeling of abundance. A few business activities for summer: • Use the longer days to tweak your systems and work out any bumps or bugs in your implementation process. • If the timing is right for your business, launch your new services or products. • Complete other projects. Put finishing touches on work you’ve been doing. • Think about what you’re about to harvest. Are you ready for it? What else can you do to support your own abundance?

Fall

The fall offers us golden rich colors and crisp, cool air. There’s a feeling of transition and that “back to school” energy we never outgrow. A new school year keeps whole families busy. The harvest of fruit and vegetables is in full swing. A few business activities for fall: • Harvest the bounty of your good work, by fulfilling orders for your new products and services and collecting feedback from your customers and clients. • Prepare for the winter and the end of the year by compiling your records. • Consider your own harvest. Are you satisfied with its size and quality? What might you do to improve it for next year? By tailoring some of what you do to the natural rhythms that allow, sustain and renew all life on earth, you might just find that your business is likewise supported, as it grows and prospers. l

The following questions are designed to broaden perspectives, to open vistas, to widen the lens. There is no one right way to approach them. You can journal about them, talk to friends, create art, ponder them while driving or working out, dance them—whatever helps you explore “outside the box.” 1. Are you reacting to the recession with fear or are you seeking its opportunities? 2. What extra action could you take to “wow” your customers or clients? 3. What relationships could you draw upon for support? 4. If you’re in job transition, what do you really want? What strengths do you offer? 5. What assumptions do you make about people in your life that may not be factual? 6. How do assumptions limit your choices? Your life? 7. What could you accomplish by “hibernating” this winter—if only for a day? 8. What seeds do you want to plant for your business this year? 9. Are you blocking your own abundance? 10. How do you react to “red flags”? 11. What action would you take if you trusted what your gut is telling you?

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January/February 2009

Paying Attention to “Red Flags”

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om’s business partner was an old friend whom Tom had always trusted. But small amounts of money started disappearing from their business account. And his partner was missing work, calling in with excuses. Several times a day, Tom experienced feelings of uneasiness, but quickly dismissed them, turning his attention to something else. Red flags are waved in front of bulls to get their attention. We humans are equipped with our own red flag system—and it’s up to us to pay attention. But too often we ignore these early warning signs that something is wrong, and by the time we sit up and take notice, the problem has multiplied. We all have experienced those warning signs that tell us that something is not quite right. Perhaps the red flag came in the form of a feeling, a voice or just a sense of knowing. Those signs are emergency flares set off by something found in all of us—our intuition. If we learn to pay attention to and act on this inner wisdom, we can gain extraordinary guidance. “No matter how many facts we gather, if we cling to logic, we’re using only a small percentage of our capacity to know,” writes Penney Peirce in her book, The Intuitive Way: The Definitive Guide to Increasing Your Awareness. “Intuition, I’m convinced, is where the other 90 percent of our brainpower lies. Through intuition we get the big picture.”

Why Don’t We Listen?

Sometimes we want something so much, such as harmony in relationship, that we overlook the red flags indicating something is wrong. Also, we live in a culture that rewards facts and downplays what we cannot prove. As a result, we may dismiss our uneasy feelings as not worthy of respect. And then again, sometimes the truth just seems too painful to face, as it was for Tom.

And If We Do Listen?

When Tom finally found the courage to face what he “knew,” after dealing with all the fallout, he concluded that his instincts had been right on. He thought back to all the times that he’d ignored, or listened to, the red flags, and discovered they always had been a reliable source of information—a source that he began to pay attention to, develop and trust. Tom now has a new business partner as well as a new ally— himself. So, the next time that red flag rises, rather than caving into fear or a wish, consider listening and taking action based on what you really know. You may find that you’re more able to deal quickly with problems before they multiply, take advantage of genuine opportunities and make healthy, effective decisions in business and in life. l

“You can’t build a reputation on what you are going to do.” —Henry Ford (1863–1947)

Rita Carey, Ed.D., CPCC

RCM Associates

Professional Development Coaching P.O. Box 175 Victor, NY 14564 888-260-3173 [email protected] www.rcmassociates.com To love what you do and feel that it matters, how could anything be more fun?





—Katherine Graham