Alexandra Levits Water Cooler Wisdom Managing Your Business for Profitability

Alexandra Levit's Water Cooler Wisdom Managing Your Business for Profitability A slow and steady growth strategy wins the raceâ€"or does it? Some new businesses take time to gain momentum and ultimately become profitable, while others go from zero to successful much more quickly. As someone whose business was in the former category, I set out to learn the secrets of owners who experienced rapid business growth. What did they do, and could their growth strategy be replicated? Address Customer Complaints Weve all heard that a major factor in a new business success is whether that businessfills a nicheor meets an untapped customer need. But if you want to employ an effective growth strategy, you might want to take that idea a step further and provide relief to customers who are vocally expressing anger with a current state of affairs. Erica Douglass, CEO of the Austin, Texas-based electronics repair shop1Up Repairs, did just that. “We noticed that mobile phone manufacturers were making it difficult to get products fixed or working optimally, Douglass says. “Our customers were waiting in lines longer than the DMV to get a cracked screen repaired. If a phone port broke, theyd have to mail the product in and pay upwards of $100. Their batteries would wear out and theyd be forced to buy new phones. We addressed an ongoing customer frustration by providing fast and easy repairs to items that most consider essential to their daily lives, she continues, and in doing so went from a single shop to six in a few years. Build a Memorable Brand Will Robins, CEO of mens grooming ventureManscaped, didnt want his new company to be just another provider of razors or body lotion. As heconducted market research, he learned there was a serious deficit in safe, easy-to-use products to groom below the belt. “That was our plug, says Robins. “Our new brand, Manscaped, offers men not just fancy electric trimmers and razors, but also ones that feature nick preventionâ€"safety guards that prevent customers from getting into a hairy situation. Manscaped became associated with comfort, assurance and the removal of dread for guys ranging from tweens to 50 year olds. Robins growth strategy included fully expressing the brand, but in doing so, he and his team did more than develop a cool logo and tagline. “Through ourdigital presence and content, especially our humorous videos, we created a unique voice that makes our audience laugh and in the process wins them over to trying the products. The Manscaped brand caught so much attention that it was featuredâ€"and fundedâ€"on the ABC television seriesShark Tank. For more where this came from, head on over to the AMEX Business site.

Blogging For Your Brand 3 Factors To Consider - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Blogging For Your Brand 3 Factors To Consider - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career In September 2010, I wrote about  the benefits of leveraging a blog for your personal brand. Going into 2012, it still remains to be a great way to shape and promote your brand online. The benefits gained from blogging can lead to great success, whether it’s to securing a job or becoming an expert in your field. Yet,what happens when your traffic begins to decline, your posts lack comments, or your content isn’t being shared? If you’re an avid blogger or looking to begin, consider thinking about these three factors that could lead your blog to an untimely end. Making your blog  a diary.  A great personal brand will tread the line between professional and personable â€" and the rule holds true for blogging. Your content should definitely reflect your uniqueness, but it shouldn’t reflect if you’re having a bad day at work. If you think writing about really personal endeavors can make a connection to your audience, it may backfire and repel readers from the blog they’re used to reading. Not being aware of your  content.  Along with the benefits of blogging, I also wrote an article about  how to identify your blogging niche. Regarding your content, you must remain aware of what you write  and how you will be perceived, so that you won’t put yourself in a bad light. For example, if  you’re applying to XYZ company, yet have posted criticisms about their products, you probably won’t get past the screening process. Blogging allows you to have an opinion, but carefully choose what you want to make public. Not staying  flexible.  Though it’s important to create a plan, schedule, or even an editorial calendar for your posts, embrace variety in your blog. Trying to keep every post the same will not only limit your creativity, but also drive readers away from the monotony. Blogging  remains to be a great tool for personal branding. Stay relevant by watching out for these blogging mistakes. Do you agree with these blogging factors? How do you keep your blog relevant to readers? Author: Heather R.  Huhman  is a career expert and founder president  ?of  Come Recommended, a career and workplace education and consulting firm specializing in young professionals. She is also the author  of#ENTRYLEVELtweet: Taking Your Career from Classroom to Cubicle  (2010),  national entry-level careers columnist forExaminer.com  and blogs about career advice at  HeatherHuhman.com. Follow her on Twitter  at  @heatherhuhman.

Keeping Your Job Search Confidential - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Keeping Your Job Search Confidential - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Staying in a job too long can retard your career,  depress your income,  and  diminish your brand. Surveys conducted over the past five years have  indicated that over half of all employed workers are not satisfied with their current jobs.  Why dont such people  just go out and look for a better job? One major inhibitor to job searching while employed is the concern their current employers will find out they are looking and that this could  negatively affect their current position. If  YOU want to search for a better job but are concerned about confidentiality, I hope you will find this article helpful. First, let me reduce your concerns: During the last 11 years, I have worked with a large number of clients who were employed and wanting to conduct a confidential job search. In almost all cases, they were successful in doing so without their current employer becoming aware of their activities. They were able to find a better job, go through the complete interviewing process, and land the new job without their employer ever learning of their activities. As covered in Chapter 16 of Fast Track Your Job Search (and Career!), proactive job hopping is more than just a way to get out of a bad job. It is an important career strategy for many who simply want to make more money and advance more quickly. While no amount of planning will insure 100% confidentiality, the following tips will greatly increase your odds of success: 1. Clearly mark all your resumes CONFIDENTIAL either at the top of the first page or on the line beside the name of your current employer. This provides a clear indication to all recruiters and hiring managers that you do not want your current employer to know of your search. Be aware, however, that this likely will not protect you from unsophisticated friends or others should they distribute your resume. 2. As referenced in the last sentence of item number one, be stingy in sharing your resume with those other than recruiters or hiring managers. Discourage such people from distributing your resume without your prior notice and agreement. 3. Dont post your resume online on a job board or other resume site. Your employer can find you there easily if they bother to look. Besides, you will get far more junk solicitations than job opportunities anyway. 4. Select only people who you strongly trust for your networking activities. Engage these contacts one on one and make them aware that you are conducting a confidential search. Avoid going to group networking events where you would identify yourself as a job seeker. 5. Leverage LinkedIn as much as possible, but dont look like a job seeker to the general public. You can leverage it by sending InMail private messages to people while avoiding putting anything in your public profile which would make you appear to be looking for a new job. Besides, telegraphing your desire for a new job (such as a headline with Seeking a new opportunity, etc.) makes you appear unemployed and thus reduces your marketability. 6. This one is obvious, but be very careful about sharing the fact you are looking with anyone at your current work or anyone else in the universe who really doesnt need to know this information. The more people who know something, the higher likelihood it can get back to your boss or another coworker. 7. Schedule phone networking calls and phone interviews during lunch or after hours. If getting off work to interview is difficult or impossible on your current job, then try to avoid taking lots of vacation one day or half a day at a time. Instead, ask prospective employers if your job interviews can be scheduled after hours. Knowing that you are employed and wanting to maintain confidentiality, many employers will work with you. Have you conducted a successful job search lately? What else did you do? I would love to hear what was successful for you. Author: Richard Kirby  is an executive career consultant, speaker on career strategies, and author of Fast Track Your Job Search (and Career!). Richard Kirby’s earlier experience includes managing engineering, human resources, marketing and sales teams for employers that ranged from a Fortune 100 to a VC-funded entrepreneurial startup. For the past 11 years at Executive Impact, Richard has helped hundreds of executives and professionals successfully navigate today’s transformed 21st century job market and achieve better employment for themselves. Richard’s expertise includes career assessments and goal setting, personal marketing/branding, resume enhancement, strategic networking and job interviewing, and “contrarian” job search methodologies. He is a Board Certified Coach (in career coaching) and a Certified Management Consultant (recognized by the ISO).

Should You Stop Job-Hunting Over Christmas

Should You Stop Job-Hunting Over Christmas This week, we asked should you stop job hunting over Christmas?  The majority  of your answers were  no, never stop looking! To stand out as a candidate, you must stay ahead of the game. Persistence and focus is key to landing job-hunt success. If you search in quieter seasons, its likely that youll have less competition! However, its important not to overwork  during the festive period. There’s some really useful advice provided by contributors to the discussion below. Thanks to everyone that participated for their feedback, and have a great festive break! Join our  #UROpinion  discussion  every Monday  on LinkedIn, where you can comment on our latest discussion now!   Heres the Link Humans  answer to the question: Jörgen Sundberg Director Lord of the Dance @LinkHumans Social Media Agency Well the job market certainly slows down over Christmas but that gives you a chance to stand out, as therell be less applicants. If you can find a company that wants to finish their rounds of recruitment over the holidays for a January start, you could be on to a winner. Alexandre Bourgeois Account Executive Baron of Baguettes @LinkHumans Social Media Agency As a job seeker, I think you should never soften your efforts! Almost everyone in the discussion agreed that you should never stop applying to jobs, and that the holidays are  key time to get ahead of the competition and apply for vacancies  with less applicants! Liz DAloia Mobile HR Solutions | Starting at $150 for Small Business | HR Virtuoso Company Top Contributor Never stop looking! You never know what seeds that are planted over the holidays will sprout when budgets are finalised and people return from vacation in January. Freyja White Senior Professional Recruiter at COASTLINE I dont find the job market slows down at all in fact quite the opposite. Companies are in the last month of their fiscal year, their budgets for the New Year are already approved and sitting on their desks, they know who they are replacing in the new year and what new positions are being added to their departments and they are raring to find new people to hire. So, no, dont slow down a job search at all! Claire Giancola-Belmares, MBA Director of Talent Acquisition, Thomson Legal at Thomson Reuters; Dakota/Scott County Workforce Investment Board Give yourself the gift of a new opportunity in the New Year! The holidays are the perfect time to reflect on your current situation, research and make a resolution to propel your job search. Estelle Leisegang Talent Manager Evrst Business Solutions I agree. This is the time for serious job seekers to use to their advantage. Christina E. Rodriguez Chief Advising Officer I Job Search I Resumes | Linked In Profiles Give yourself the gift of consistency and persistence. Businesses dont turn off the lights for the holidays! Carolyn Hipkins explained that she  would be applying to jobs that are relevant, regardless of the time of the season. Carolyn Hipkins Seeking new position in Public Relations/Public Affairs with NPOs, social enterprise organizations. If a company is advertising it positions over the holidays Im applying. Whilst the job hunting is an all-year task, Amanda Davis  said that time away from the pressure of searching for a vacancy is essential. Gain focus and recharge over the Christmas break! Amanda Davies Managing Director at ISV Skills Testing Training, Co-active Coach On the flip side, dedicated candidates know that finding a job is almost a full-time job itself. Like any worker, some time off, away from a situation and the pressure (from others and they can put on themselves) is ideal for recharging the batteries. Even just a few days off restocks the energy reserves, focuses the mind and gives new found momentum. Hence candidates should perform better. Similarly, Samuel Rossi says that job seekers should use festive gatherings to gain contacts you otherwise wouldnt have access to. Samuel Rossi Former Director Operations at Design Home Gift Paper, Inc This is a fantastic time to soft cell yourself at neighbourhood parties, and holiday gatherings of family and friends. I wouldnt make the evening about how you are looking for a job, but a quick mention to an acquaintance might uncover something you might not have thought of Both Jose Watson and Emma Gunes reveals the employer perspective on hiring in the holiday season: Jose Watson Pioneering Spirit Recruiter for Lowes Home Improvement I say take advantage of this slow season to really get your employment brand out for candidates to celebrate new careers! Emma Gunes Recruitment talent resourcing tech entrepreneur Never stop looking and I believe companies should never stop hiring. Christmas is a great time to get your vacancies visible on the job boards when others are taking their foot off the pedal. Candidates have more time on their hands to consider their options. We have always made some great placements between Dec/Jan and encourage our clients to launch campaigns right through the holidays. What are your thoughts on this weeks question? Let us know in the comments! #UROpinion Whats the number 1 thing you should never include in your #CV? Tweet or reply here http://t.co/N6QNVD5cMd pic.twitter.com/0FIw1aLPLr â€" Undercover Recruiter (@UndercoverRec) December 8, 2014

#21 - Career Expert Series Jacob Share from JobMob

#21 - Career Expert Series Jacob Share from JobMob The Career Insider Podcast Apple Podcasts | Android | Email | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | TuneIn | RSSFor This Episode of The Career Expert Series â€" we will be hearing from Jacob Share from Job Mob.Episode SummaryevalevalDuring the episode Jacob Share discussed with us ideas tips from his 10 years of experience helping candidates from around the world. Here is a summary of my interview with Jacob Share.1. The most challenge thing about Job search is the lack of a feedback loop. This is a common problem across the globe. Candidates do not get immediate feedback whether their approach/strategy is working or not.2. The more information people have â€" the more confident they will be during their job research.3. The importance of preparing a Work Portfolio. Having one will help you realize your past successes. And it also comes very handy during the job search process.4. The purpose of a resume is to get the first call from the Employer. In short, your resume is your marketing docum ent.5. Demand-based Job Search. Research the market, find out what skills are in demand. Based on your research, then tailor your resume and apply. This ensures that you are maximizing the opportunities in the marketplace.6. Social Media such as LinkedIn, helps you to promote yourself actively and passively. It is a necessary branding tool.eval7. How doing the right amount of research can aid you during the job interview?8. The importance of seeking out help from a Career Coach will save you tremendous amounts of time. Accelerate your job search and see results quicker.Links and ResourcesTo learn more connect with Jacob Share â€" you can reach him through his LinkedIn or Twitter.During the interview Jacob mentioned his upcoming Job Search program. For more information check out the course here.Intro Music provided courtesy of Accelerated Ideas Ending Music provided courtesy of Accelerated Ideas (www.accelerated-ideas.com). Soundtrack â€" No Need to Rush

Career Opportunities in Ridesharing - CareerAlley

Career Opportunities in Ridesharing - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. If you buy something from a store and it doesnt fit or suit you, then you can often take it back, but if you quit your regular job to try something different and it doesnt work out, that can be a much bigger problem to deal with. If you decide to buy a car like the Chrysler 200, you are pretty unlikely to change your mind about the purchase, but what you might look at, is the chance to earn a bit of extra money by getting involved in ridesharing. However, if you are considering the idea of ridesharing as a regular job, it is usually betterto ease your way in to see if you like the work before you go ahead and quit your regular day job. A good source of income If you are looking for a reliable and regular source of income, ridesharing can often manage to tick all the boxes in that respect. Money may well be your major motivation, but there are other things to consider when it comes to considering an opportunity like ridesharing, it always pays to check out all aspects of the work and see whether the opportunityappeals to you. One of the big names in ridesharing is Uber and they do make some claims about the sort of money that you should be able to earn as a driver for them. If you are working in the Big Apple for example, they estimate that it is feasible for a full-time Uber driver to earn in the ballpark of $90,000 a year. As with many claims like this that are designed to attract new recruits, you will certainly be able to find drivers earning this sort of money, but you will also find plenty of drivers who are likely to be earning a lot less than this. It makes sense to do the math and have a go at part-time driving for a ridesharing company so that you can get a clearer idea of the earning potential and then scale the numbers up if you were working full-time. This is probably a more accurate way of seeing whether ridesharing will provide you with the income you need and want, rather than relying on being told what you could earn. You might earn more money working less hours Strange as it might seem, there is a fair argument to suggest that you could actually earn more money from ridesharing if you only worked part-time at the job. The logic behind this is that if you only worked for about 15 hours a week but only clocked on for riding work at peak evening and weekend times, it could boost your average hourly rate, which might be diluted by working longer hours where there are periods when you are waiting for a job to come through. Declaring your ridesharing income Dont forget that you will need to file and pay your taxes on your rideshare income, even if you are doing it as a part-time job alongside your regular work. There might be some deductibles associated with ridesharing that make the work more attractive for you, but remember that if you are working for a ridesharing company, you are basically classed as an independent contractor. Ridesharing can be a great way to earn some money and it might even work out as a full-time occupation. Take the time to test the waters andgain someexperience before you quit your day job. We are always eager to hear from our readers. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions regarding CareerAlley content. Good luck in your search,Joey Google+ Visit Joeys profile on Pinterest Job Search job title, keywords, company, location jobs by What's next? Ready to take action? Choose the right tools to help you build your career. Looking for related topics? Find out how to find the opportunities that help you grow your best career. Subscribe and make meaningful progress on your career. It’s about time you focused on your career. Get Educated Contact Us Advertise Copyright 2020 CareerAlley. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy + Disclosure home popular resources subscribe search

Big Fat Huge Enormous Freakin Awesomely Amazing Announcement! - When I Grow Up

Big Fat Huge Enormous Freakin Awesomely Amazing Announcement! - When I Grow Up If you cant tell by the title of this post, I am excited and thrilled and giddy and over-the-moon about announcing that: Ill be a guest on Let the Day Begin (with host Mary Adams) on the Co-Creator Radio Network THIS FRIDAY (yup, March 6th) at 2p EST! If youre able to listen live, you can do so by clicking on the Listen Live Now toolbar at the top of their homepage. Otherwise, Ill let you know when the show is available as an Archive so you can listen to it on the go, as you drift off to sleep, as you wake up, as you clean, as you shower, as you do your kickboxing exercises, as you clean up after your dog, as you brush your teeth, as you play Scrabble, as you watch TV on mutethere are so many great times to listen!