Becoming a professional is a lot like having kids: You’re never quite ready. No matter how hard you studied or how many part-time jobs you held, you’re going to feel lost. Rest assured, though, that everyone felt that way once. The difference is that some have had years of experience, learning their strengths and building relationships. They’ve established some self-confidence. There are no shortcuts to that stage, unfortunately.…
Mentors and mentees alike agree that mentorship is an effective way to learn. So why, according to the Association for Talent Development, do just 29 percent of workers have access to a formal mentoring program? The trouble, unfortunately, is that many companies see mentorship as a private matter. Despite the fact that ATD’s survey showed that nearly six in 10 talent development professionals think mentoring achieves development goals,…
Privacy is a hot topic in the 21st century… from Facebook’s blunders in Congress to Tom Brady destroying his cell phone after the Superbowl, everyone knows an ever-connected world means less anonymity. First off, let’s be positive… I’m sure you have nothing to hide!! It’s not all bad–airlines are becoming more secure, criminals are easier to track, and anyone can check if their kid’s teacher is a…
Is your business living up to its potential? Among small businesses, the answer is almost always “no.” That can happen for a number of reasons: Owners are too anxious to take risks, fail to focus, or haven’t cultivated a strong network. Luckily, there are simple tools that can help your business overcome these barriers. These four tools enable small business owners to take control of their lead generation…
Marketers tend to make a big deal out of terms like “purpose” and “authenticity.” Why? Because research findings, survey results, and numerous other studies indicate that these things matter to customers. Brands that exist beyond mere profit — and can communicate that purpose clearly — tend to succeed. On the other hand, those that behave in a way that doesn’t match their message are penalized by consumers. They’re…
The in-house agency, like most marketing trends, has had its share of leaps and starts. In 1986, Bank of America led the way with its internal agency, Enterprise Creative Solutions; in 1987, Fidelity Investments followed, founding Fidelity Communications and Advertising. Then, as quickly as it had come, interest in internal agencies waned. It wasn’t until the early 2000s, with the proliferation of mobile and digital marketing, that the…
If you’re not a product manager, you might wonder why the role is sometimes called the “product CEO” or even the “second CEO.” Don’t those terms also describe the head of engineering? What about the CTO? Unlike the typical CTO or lead engineer, product managers touch every area of the business. They’re responsible for the product’s progress, of course, but they also coordinate with marketing, sales, procurement, and…
There’s something to be said for focusing on the here and now. But to say that you can only control the present is a shortsighted view of business management. Smart leaders are equally focused on how they can prepare for the future. The Marks of a Forward Thinking Company As a business leader, you have no choice but to focus on what’s in front of you – the…
Entrepreneurs are persistent people and innovative thinkers, but if there’s one thing that they’re not very good at as a group, it would be saving for retirement. What’s the problem? Simply put, starting a business can leave entrepreneurs in a financially precarious situation with little money left to save or invest for their retirement years. What can you save when you’re running up debt and living on loans?…
Large, complex projects are twice as likely to be delivered late, go over budget, and have missing critical features. You can use the best project management tools on the market and still fall behind. Avoid a dismal fate for your next big project with the following project management strategies: Get your project managers PMP certified If you’ve hired a skilled project manager without Project Management Professional (PMP) certification,…