A little more than a year ago I wrote a blog entry called Finding a Job.  If you are currently looking for work then you may want to take time to read it, perhaps even print it out and highlight the parts that apply most to you.  There is a LOT of detail in there.

Here are some HIGH LEVEL thought to go with that post:

1.  The act of finding a job is a job itself!   Treat it like that … get up every morning, get ready for WORK and then set to the tasks at hand.

2.  You need a PLAN … with action items, and you need to work really HARD on those items.  (see the Finding a Job post).

3.  You CANNOT cut corners … sending the same (lame?) covering letter with an attached resume is lazy … customize for EVERY situation.

4.  In the same vein … work really HARD on your resume.  Include everything that is relevant (charitable work etc) … do NOT include stuff that is irrelevant (some hobbies etc).  Get help, get other people’s advice, look at other people’s resumes for ides.

5.  Keep an open mind … when I wrote the blog post in April last year the unemployment rate was 8%, in June it was 7.4% … better, but still not full employment.  Some markets are relatively hot (Toronto and Calgary) most are not … and none of that matters to you because all you need is ONE job and that could be anywhere!

Stay positive, work hard, present the right image and you will be successful.  The Summer is generally a little quiet in the job markets but the Fall should see a pick-up in demand.   

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Kevin Dee is CEO of Eagle (a Professional Staffing Company)
Want to know where Canada’s hot jobs are?   Visit the Eagle Job Centre!
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Most of the people I know work in crazy busy environments,  I interact with a lot of business owners and senior managers.  They have busy lives, and they make their priorities … work, family,hobbies/interests etc.  They find it very difficult to add more into that mix, feeling that something has to give in order to add one more time commitment.

Yet a lot of the people I know do find time in their crazy schedules to help others … they volunteer for charities, they coach and mentor people, they go to their kids (grandkids) activities.

Over the last 15 years I have started and grown a business that this year will break through the $100 million … but I also found (made) time to coach my kids soccer for many years, and attend almost every event in their lives.  I found time to be involved with charities and with our industry association.  I found time to give advice when asked and to be there when my friends needed a hand.

I think it is important to find time for the truly important things in life … and invariably they involve service to others.  If we lead a selfish life then financial success is pretty hollow … true success comes from living a well balanced life that allows us to give and help others.

The old saying goes that … when lying on your deathbed you are not going to wish that you had put more time in at the office.

That is a pretty good saying, but when I am there I WILL take pride in my professional achievements AND I will cherish the memories I have of family and friends.

Don’t short change yourself … find (MAKE) time for the TRULY important things!

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Kevin Dee is CEO of Eagle (a Professional Staffing Company)
Have you tried Eagle’s (very cost effective) VirtualRecruiter service?
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I was looking at some old documentation lately and was reminded that in September this year I will celebrate the 40th anniversary of my entry into the workforce.  September 1971 I joined the Royal Navy as a Junior Naval Aircraft Mechanic second class … you don’t get any lower on the totem pole than that!  Today I own and operate my own company, which I have been doing for the last fifteen years.

With 40 years of work experience I have learned a few lessons about working:

1.  We spend a lot of time working … we might as well be proud of what we do.

2.  We may not be defined by our work … but we can take pride in our work, which will affect who we are.

3.  If you have a good attitude you will get ahead … even if that is sometimes hard to foresee.

4.  If you have a lousy attitude people will treat you accordingly … and you can expect your career to reflect that.

5.  If you think you are getting away with something … you are wrong, it is amazing what people know.

6.  If you think your hard work is not noticed you are likely wrong too.

7.  A good boss will give you feedback, good and bad … but it is what you do with that feedback that will determine what happens next.

8.  There is always someone worse off than you.

9.  If you go looking for disparities that you believe are unfair, then you will find them … and they will make you bitter.

10.  Focusing on doing the best job that you can will bring the best returns … in what matters most self-respect, as well as money!

Some time ago I wrote a blog entry called You Get Paid to Do a Job … So Do It!   It is another perspective on why you should do a good job!

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Kevin Dee is CEO of Eagle (a Professional Staffing Company)

Want to know where Canada’s hot jobs are?   Visit the Eagle Job Centre!

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Human nature is a strange beast sometimes … and never more so than when politics is involved.

It is no secret that the US government have a big issue on their hands, requiring some decisions to be made before they default on their financial commitments.

The picture of Nero fiddling while Rome burns comes to mind.  The politics being played out in Washington is mind boggling when you realise that these people are elected to look after the interests of their constituents … the impact on the US economy will be significant should they default, but they don’t seem to care.  What is even worse is that these political hacks are all fighting to get their “position” not just at the risk of the US economy, but at the risk of the whole world’s economy.  Some reports suggest that a default will almost certainly cause another recession (a.  IMF chief’s warning, b. JP Morgan report,  c.  Even the Philippines is looking at a potential gain for its currency!) … hard on the heels of the last recession which was caused by greed in the banking system, with a large US involvement!

Maybe it is naive to suggest there is a time when politics should be “off the table” and smart people sit down and work together towards a solution to a grave problem … but I don’t mind being labelled naive.  NOBODY wants another recession, and the world is waiting for US politicians to do the right thing … I hope they don’t disappoint us!!

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Kevin Dee is CEO of Eagle (a Professional Staffing Company)
Have you tried Eagle’s (very cost effective) VirtualRecruiter service?
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I was driving home last night and was struck with that thought … I am SO lucky, life is GREAT!

I was in my little red sports car, enjoying warm weather, windows down, Adele blasting from the sound system, driving along the beautiful canal in Ottawa, with a sunset off in the distance after playing a game of soccer. 

The game didn’t go particularly well, we tied a game we should have won … but it didn’t matter! 

I had an aching knee and a sore thigh … but it didn’t matter. 

I have the daily challenges of any business owner … but it didn’t matter.

Life is GREAT!

Guess what … life is what we make it!

You don’t need to own a business or a little red sports car. 

You don’t need to still be playing competitive soccer at 56 years old or living in one of the nicest cities on the planet.

Those were choices I made … and I am where I am, because of my life choices.

YOU make your own life choices … the only thing that will really matter is that, on that journey you can agree with Louis Armstrong’s sentiment, “What a Wonderful World” !

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Kevin Dee is CEO of Eagle (a Professional Staffing Company)
Have you tried Eagle’s (very cost effective) VirtualRecruiter service?
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I saw this expression used today in one of our internal discussion groups … it made me smile, and gave me the idea for today’s blog subject!

The idea behind the saying is simple … don’t do something that is going cause a reaction that could be “problematic”, perhaps volatile, perhaps just negative.

In a sales situation the phrase could be used a lot …

In the sales cycle an experienced sales person will avoid taking a client conversation down a path that could be contentious … if the client “goes there” then you deal with it, but a sales rep should not usually go looking for trouble.  When managing client relationships there will be plenty of occasions where tackling contentious issues is absolutely the right thing to do … during the actual sales process it is important to keep the focus on the positives as much as possible!

In a relationship it could be used when discussing sensitive topics … bringing them up can spark some tense discussion.  A spouse may avoid letting their partner know their thoughts on a particular habit or hobby … knowing the “reaction” will not be worth the trouble.  A friend my choose to avoid topics of conversation that are sensitive, focusing instead on upbeat subject etc.

Obviously there are a million ways that this phrase can be used.

HOWEVER …

We also need to recognise that sometimes “poking the bear’ is exactly what is needed.

The way things change is by addressing contentious issues, challenging old ideas and dragging reluctant participants into a new way of thinking.

It is also important in any relationship NOT to “sweep issues under the rug” … poking the bear every now and then might be uncomfortable, but it airs out issues that need to be addressed and helps avoid harboured resentments which lead to REAL conflict!

Maybe I should blog sometime about when, and how, to “poke the bear” to effect positive change!!!   

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Kevin Dee is CEO of Eagle (a Professional Staffing Company)
Want to know where Canada’s hot jobs are?   Visit the Eagle Job Centre!
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Ever been in one of those negotiation meetings where everyone is pointing fingers, the atmosphere is tense … perhaps even toxic?

It is SO easy for meetings to reach that point … people want to deflect blame from themselves in any way they can, and they become absolutely focused on their goal.

However … it is also pretty easy to run effective negotiation meetings that actually bring value to both parties. 

Here are a few pointers:

1.   Focus on the end game … if there are two parties involved (client/vendor; sales/production; wife/husband) understand what each REALLY wants from the discussions.   I know you would love us to deliver for end of August, but that will cause major problems can we find a compromise solution?   Try to understand the minimal acceptable solution for each party … and if you can do better than that, each should be happy!

2.  Start every meeting with a positive tone.  Marching into a meeting looking like you are ready for a fight and throwing out “barbed” statements doesn’t help!  Keep it light, be organised, have an agenda and start with some positive comments.

3.  Be courteous to the other side … if you are bringing coffee and donuts for your side, then bring some for them too.  It is amazing how much mileage you can get from a coffee!  Treat them the way you would want to be treated!

4.  If (and when) things start to go off the rails gently nudge things back on track with a focus on the end result .. one that will try to meet the minimum requirements of everyone.   You need to demonstrate that you understand “their” position, that you are empathetic to their position and are prepared to work towards that goal.  You DON”T need to agree to do exactly what they want … just try your best to get there.

5.  The last thing you should do is put a stake in the ground and commit yourself to a “position” that polarises the sides.  You should be willing to talk, to try and compromise, to not be judgemental and to be empathetic.

Most reasonable people will respond to this kind of approach.  The problems come when neither side is willing to take a lead with “smoothing” the waters … it takes someone willing to be a leader in that situation, but everyone benefits.

“You can catch more flies with honey, than  with vinegar”. … should be the quote to start ALL negotiations!

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Kevin Dee is CEO of Eagle (a Professional Staffing Company)
Want to know where Canada’s hot jobs are?   Visit the Eagle Job Centre!
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Every society has its unwritten rules … and while it is possible to be successful while not pandering to those rules, it is definitely easier if you play along.  Being “successful” is tough enough without trying to do it while “swimming against the tide”.

Have you ever heard people say, “They can think what they want … I am my own person”.

What they are really saying is that they know better than everyone else … probably not a good start to success.

If you are still reading this then perhaps you are looking for some meat … some tangible ideas about what you should and shouldn’t do.

1.  Make a conscious decision about the type of “brand” you want to portray.  You will likely want to create an “online image” that supports your professional profile … it is OK to have a personal side online too, but it should not cross into your professional world.  I wrote a blog entry  a couple of years ago about Creating and Protecting Your Image.  A couple of years is “an age” in the internet world, but the basic ideas seem to stand the test of time.
2. Be aware of how you are perceived … and work to ensure it is how you want to be perceived.  For example … if you are seen as the “out the door at 5pm” person, it’s probably not going to help your “drive for success”.  If you are seen as the person who “does what it takes” it will definitely help.  PS.  That doesn’t mean you need to work much longer … but leaving fifteen minutes later in an unhurried manner, sends a different message than starting to pack up at 4:55pm!
3. You want to be successful … but do you dress that way?  It helps how others think of you if you dress appropriately.  If you want to be “the nerd” for you career, nothing wrong with that and you probably dress that way too … just do it consciously!
4. How do you react to stress?   Leaders should be able to generally deal with stressful situations in a relatively calm manner … it certainly helps calm the whole team down. If you want to be a leader then you should be working on that.
5. Speaking of leadership … be a leader!   It doesn’t need to be a formal position, but adopting a leadership stance is recognized … it can work for you, when you try to work with the company and against you when you become the workplace rabble rouser!
6. Be thoughtful, consider other’s feelings, help others where you can … successful people do this without thinking.  John Izzo would say give more than you take … it does get noticed!

You can be successful by “bucking the trend” but you improve your chances significantly when you know and understand how your world works!  When you impress others you will be impressing those who can have a positive impact on your success.

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Kevin Dee is CEO of Eagle (a Professional Staffing Company)
Have you tried Eagle’s (very cost effective) VirtualRecruiter service?
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Email is a TREMENDOUS business tool … it allows us to communicate effectively in a way that previous generations could not have imagined.  We achieve gains in productivity by the ability to share and collaborate; to reach quick consensus by email; and to get quick attention to urgent matters … no matter where we are!

Email is a TERRIBLE business tool … it destroys our ability to communicate face to face; it swamps us with its every increasing volume, trapping us at our desks as we try desperately to keep up; it does not communicate emotion well … and can get us in big trouble when we inadvertently send the wrong “message” or misinterpret a received message.

What??????  Make your mind up … is it good or is it bad?

The answer is that email CAN be both good and bad … the EFFECTIVE use of email can make a wonderful tool, BUT POOR use of email can turn it into a productivity sucker!!!

I read a pretty good article on the subject in BNet this week called The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Emailers.

There are people with Email Manifestos … that may or may not be reasonable for your situation.

There are probably some common sense things we can all do to make email just a little more effective … and less of a “productivity suck”.

1.  Do NOT be driven by your email … it is a tool you use in your job, it is NOT THE JOB.  So, make your decisions about how to spend your time with that in mind … and before you read an email! 

2.  Do NOT us “reply all” without thinking about it!   do ALL of those people really need to hear your answer?

3.  Delete all of the “spam” in your inbox before starting through your email.

4.  Set aside time to look at email … do not sit in front of your computer waiting for the next email (see item #1).

5.  Keep email short and simple … if it is a long email, or has some complexity (a) consider picking up the phone; (b) maybe it should be a document that you are sending as an attachment; (c) perhaps you can you break it up into several smaller emails (remember that you probably lose your reader after the first paragraph).

6.  Don’t send an email that says anything (a) you would not want to be reading about in the press; (b) you would “take exception to”, if you received it; (c) that you would not send in a formal letter.

7.   Spell check AND proof read before sending.

8.   Learn to use your email filters … and filter as much stuff as possible directly to TRASH.  You can also filter certain content to a “read later” folder … it it is not time sensitive (I do this with industry periodicals).

9.   Accept that keeping a “clean” inbox is not necessarily a good thing.  It is important to be able to identify the “critical email” and deal with it … perhaps by sorting on sender, or on content.

10.  Do NOT be DRIVEN by EMAIL … YOU decide WHEN to read it, WHAT to process and HOW it fits into your day.  Oops I said that already!

Make YOUR email an effective business tool … it will be good for your sanity, as well as your career!!! 

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Kevin Dee is CEO of Eagle (a Professional Staffing Company)
Want to know where Canada’s hot jobs are?   Visit the Eagle Job Centre!
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Seth Godin provided the motivation for these thoughts with his recent blog entry , What You Should worry About!   His conclusion was that we shouldn’t worry about anything … it just doesn’t help.

Of course I agree with him, but I say that in addition to “not helping”, worry actually works against a good solution!  I believe that when we worry, we fill our brains with negative thoughts, with potential problems and with potential roadblocks to success.  The result is a kind of mental “panic”:

(a) it makes it harder to conceive of solutions because our focus is elsewhere;

(b) it makes it harder to think of positive answers because our brain is focused on negative thoughts; and

(c) even easy potential solutions might avoid us because we are consumed by a swirl of thoughts … none of which are bringing any value!

We all worry … even the most positive people in the world worry, it is human nature.  Often the worry is totally irrational … I wrote a blog about that called What We Worry About, referencing a Time article on the subject.  So, not only do we worry, which brings no value to a situation, but we worry about the wrong stuff!   For example, we worry about getting mad cow disease but not so much about that affects of junk food … nobody dies from mad cow, yet obesity accounts for a high percentage of deaths in modern society!

Sales people in particular are very good at worrying  … about whether they will make a sale, about whether someone will answer their calls, about whether the person will be a tough customer etc etc.   I wrote a blog entry about how this kind of Fear Can Paralyse a Sales Person.   it is very easy to worry about “what if …” bt if you want to be successful, reduce stress and have a far easier life then you need to deal with that kind of irrational thinking.

Some people deal with it better than others … but we can all learn to deal with worry in a way that reduces its impact.  

1.  Working at keeping a positive attitude will reduce the amount of worrying .. I wrote a blog entry during the recession called Don’t Worry be Happy!   

2.  Putting things into perspective instead of brooding on them is another tactic.  Think of the fact that there are some things that you can’t change … so focus on the things that you can change!  Do not focus on all the things that could go wrong!!!

3.  Create an action plan that will address the situation as best you can.  Focusing on positive action will allow your brain to push out those irrational thoughts!  Everyone feels better when there is a plan and it is moving along!

We can’t change our nature, some of us are naturally more prone to worrying … but we can all do something about it!!!

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Kevin Dee is CEO of Eagle (a Professional Staffing Company)
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