A busy professional asked me this question:

Why do I use my coworkers as an excuse for not changing jobs.

Change is difficult for everyone. We often use others as an excuse not to grow or develop past our current comfort zone.

If you haven’t already done this – consider creating your own Individual Development Plan (IDP). This outlines what you want to be, do and have in 3, 5 and 10 years. The IDP include a 360 degree review such as personal, professional, career, family, friends, community, lifestyle, hobbies, social, spiritual, health, fitness, education, etc.

Once you have your IDP defined, use this to outline your Career Roadmap. Investigate what other advancement opportunities at your current company matches your IDP and Career Roadmap. Investigate what new skills, qualifications, certifications, training and experiences that you need to get to your next desired level. Meet, mingle and network with those people at those other department.

Continue to business network with other professionals in the same positions that you want to achieve. Continue to business network with other professionals by engaging, participating and attending other relevant professional associations, groups and organizations. By expanding your business network – you will find other great people to work with at that next level.

If you think what’s stopping you from moving on is because you won’t be able to find other “nice coworkers” to work with – then go out and business network with other nice professionals at that next level.

You can still continue your business friendships with your current coworkers as you make additional working relationships with others. Just don’t use them as an excuse not to advance in your career (if that is what you want to do).

Hope this helps a little.

I realize that you situation will be different.  If you need additional help, please email for a one-on-one consult at LauraRose@RoseCoaching.info

Other articles on this topic can be found at http://www.lauraleerose.com/Articles.pdf

Additional webinars regarding the Future of Business Operations can be found here.

To participate in a confidential One-on-One Laser Coaching Session with Coach Laura, just email Laura@LauraLeeRose.com. Each session will include 20 minutes of Laser Coaching with time afterward for a few questions. Take advantage of this opportunity to experience coaching. Sign up now and come ready to chat. One-on-One Laser Coaching Signup

Written by Laura Rose

Author of the business and time management books: TimePeace: Making peace with time – and The Book of Answers:  105 Career Critical Situations .  Laura is a business and efficiency coach that specializes in time management, project management, and work-life balance strategies.   

A busy professional asked me this question:

What to do if my ideas are always rejected

There are a couple of things to consider:

• Perhaps your presentation style is not benefiting you.
  • Stephen Covey’s Habit 5 (from 7 Habits of Highly Effective People) is to Seek First to Understand and then to be understood.
  • Take the time to fully understand to problem, as well as the stakeholders’ perspective on it
  • Take the time to fully understand and anticipate the stakeholder’s issues with your proposal
  • Take the time to fully understand the stakeholder’s terminology and focus
  • Present your idea using their issues, their concerns and their language/terms. Talk in their language
• What’s in it for them
  • Give people a reason to listen to you.
  • Show people that you truly care about them and their needs.
  • Give people a reason to trust you.
  • Present your ideas in terms of pros and cons that will connect with your audience.
• Try it out on someone first.
  • Pick someone that is constantly shutting down your ideas and that others would follow.
  • Collaborate with this person and get them on your side.
  • Present your proposal to that person, listen to their suggestions and arguments.
  • Find a solution or workaround to their comments
  • Use their feedback to make your proposal better and more acceptable to the stakeholders
  • Be open to collaboration
• Don’t push “YOUR IDEA” – instead make it seem like it’s “THEIR IDEA”
  • If your goal is to improve something, then it doesn’t really matter if it’s your idea or “their idea”. If you make it seem like it’s “their idea” – there is a higher probability that is will be adopted.
  • Offer to Lead – the project, once adopted.

Hope this helps a little.

I realize that you situation will be different.  If you need additional help, please email for a one-on-one consult at LauraRose@RoseCoaching.info

What to do if my ideas are always rejected

Daniel Cruz from Hourly just shared with me his Best Practices and Mistakes to Avoid in Time Tracking- 

At first glance, tracking employee time seems pretty straightforward. Your employees simply denote the hours they were at work on a timesheet, or punch a time clock and turn their time cards in at the end of the week or month. What could go wrong?

READ MORE HERE

Let’s take action together on our New Year’s Resolutions

TAKE 2021 BY STORM
with this
Happy New Year GIFT!

As with many of us, we are looking forward to a change in 2021 – whether in our environment or within ourselves.  The COVIDE-19 has put us on PAUSE long enough.  Let’s take some Self-Acting Steps together.
 
I am a business consultant and Time Management/Project management expert.  As such – I am starting a 4-week FREE 2021 Self-Acting Empowerment Group.

So many people responded positively to this that I am opening it up to an unlimited size, complimentary 4-week group program.  You can participate as actively or passively as your schedule allows.

MISSION of the Group

Provide a safe environment with pragmatic approaches to accomplishing your 2021 goals regardless of current obstacles or perceived challenges.
We will learn about and use the SMART goal technique in combination with group accountability partners to increase our success rate.
The goal is to create easy, executable, and repeatable solutions to achieve overall goals through tools, processes and support.  

You will be able to take these tools and accomplish the rest of the goals on your 2021 list.

The intent for this (unlimited size) 4-week complimentary group is to:

• List one or two items that we really want to accomplish in 2021 (goals can certainly be health/weight related, BUT can include business goals, etc.)
• Learn about and create SMART goals to accomplish each of our 2021 items
• Provide accountability partners for ourselves as we accomplish those milestones.

It will be conducted via combination of email, Facebook group community page and zoom virtual group meetings.
The zoom-live meetings will be optional, since people may be in different time zones and schedules. 
All discussions and  learning sessions with be recorded and posted.

2-ways to participate

Active

• Attend the zoom live meetings (if it fits in your schedule)
• Each week there will be a specific time-management tip and example of it in action.  This training piece will be recorded for group’s future reference.
• Participate in the Live Discussion and Breakout sessions regarding implementing this tip into your specific 2021 plan.
• Submit the weekly recommended exercises either to the Private Facebook group OR directly to Laura Rose (privately if that is more comfortable)
• Share your accomplishments on the Private Facebook group and/or at the Live Zoom meetings
• Positively support and comment on other peoples accomplishments on the Private Facebook group
• Celebrate your accomplishments on the Private Facebook Group and/or in the Live Zoom Meetings
• Review the weekly zoom recordings at your own leisure.

Passive – if your schedule doesn’t allow you to take full advantage, at this time, you can still take advantage by:

• Receive the emails, lesson plans and homework assignments via email
• Use the tips at your own pace
• Can choose to email your comments and questions to Laura (directly)
• Review the weekly zoom recorded tips and examples at your own pace
• Report and celebrate your accomplishments on the Facebook private group page or not.

You can also certainly do any combination of these things.

REGISTER HERE

Let me know if this appeals to you and have questions, email me at Laura@LauraLeeRose.com .

Otherwise, register now. You don’t have anything to lose.
If you know of others that might be interested, please let me know that as well.
 
Warm regards, 
Laura Rose

Well – it’s that time of year, when people are asking you about your New Year’s Resolutions.

With the close of 2020 – it seems the perfect time to start with a clean slate, and some fresh insights and habits.

It’s not a bad idea.

On the other hand, 2020 was stressful enough.  Why do we want to pile on some additional anxiety with New Year Resolutions!

Here are some tips to surviving the New Year’s Resolution onslaught.

Finding new customer on a shoe string budget

A busy professional asked me this question:

I need to find new customers and am aware of the various different marketing strategies.  My problem is that I am one person and I have limited time and money.  How can I be effective on a shoe string budget of both time and money?

The good news is that you are not alone.

The better news is that you are not alone.

Action versus aversion

Many solo-preneurs and entrepreneurs start much the same way.  The best way to combat the staffing and time issues is to find a small business with the same target market that you are going after.

For example

• Person A is a Peer Support Specialist focusing on mothers between the ages of 25-45 with young children.
• Person B is an owner of a lady’s gym wanting to attract mothers between the ages of 25-50.

Each person needs to be the face of their business.

Each person needs to take ownership of their marketing message and strategies.

Since their target market is the same and their mission of health (mental, physical, spiritual) is the same – they can conceivably work together and coordinate a marketing roadmap.  This doesn’t mean that they abandon their individual marketing plan.  This would just be included in their overall “Client Attraction and Marketing Roadmap”

(For assistance in creating a “Client Attraction and Marketing Roadmap”, please setup a one-on-one consult)

Possible Shared Roadmap

• Each can be a “wing-man” for the other at various business networking events.  They can setup leading questions to each other, in such a way that allows the other to introduce their message without seeming to trumpet their own horn.
• They can create collaborative and shared marketing materials.  This doubles their marketing dollars and reach.
• They can co-present events and speaking engagements that effectively markets to the same target base.
• They can create product bundles that include both services at a discount rate for “new clients”
• They can create a Shared Product Funnel that leads the buyer down both of their product lists

Where to find a collaborator

The simple answer is to be on the lookout.   While staying active and engaged, be watchful and mindful.

• Attend both virtual and business networking meeting
• Engage in Facebook Group conversations
• Research your LinkedIn network and see to whom your connections are connected
• Share who you are looking for with your friends, family, acquaintances

Hope this helps a little.

I realize that you situation will be different.  If you need additional help, please email for a one-on-one consult at LauraRose@RoseCoaching.info

Other articles on this topic can be found at http://www.lauraleerose.com/Articles.pdf

Additional webinars regarding the Future of Business Operations can be found here.

To participate in a confidential One-on-One Laser Coaching Session with Coach Laura, just email Laura@LauraLeeRose.com. Each session will include 20 minutes of Laser Coaching with time afterward for a few questions. Take advantage of this opportunity to experience coaching. Sign up now and come ready to chat. One-on-One Laser Coaching Signup

Written by Laura Rose

Author of the business and time management books: TimePeace: Making peace with time – and The Book of Answers:  105 Career Critical Situations .  Laura is a business and efficiency coach that specializes in time management, project management, and work-life balance strategies.   

A busy professional asked me this question:

I forgot that client didn’t make milestone and did all my best on his project now he marked my project as incomplete and didn’t pay me even. What do I do?

This is a very good lesson to learn for the future. Document all the requirements of the job, as well as the timeline and acceptance criteria that are agreed to be met for completion. You and your client need to fully understand and agree upon what “DONE” means.

What can you do at this point for this particular situation?

Work with your client to document any “remaining” requirements that he feels are “incomplete”. Document the agreed upon definition of “complete”. For instance – what are the explicit measures that define “complete”.

If the client can not clearly articulate what is “incomplete” – then the project is complete by definition. If he has a list of things that need to be completed, make sure you have it documented and signed regarding what “complete” means.

For instance – if something isn’t working as they expected, a Tutorial or Manual can complete that requirement. If something needs to be added, perhaps a separate utility run prior or after the installation will correct the situation. If the feature scope is in question, discuss providing a discount for an Alpha or Beta version. And outline the additional fees for additional feature lists. If there is a list of defects or bugs that are making the list of “incomplete” – provide some documented workarounds (either manual steps or automated steps) as well as a timeline for a maintenance release.

Find out (and document) exactly what is missing – and work from there. What do you have to lose? You aren’t getting paid “now”. Doing the above is a good way to negotiate some level of payment for the work that you have provided.

Make sure you keep all documentation on the project between you and your client. If you have a phone call regarding a change in the feature spec – document it in an email and have them acknowledge the change request, timeline and price differential.

“GET IT IN WRITING” to avoid this in the future.

Hope this helps a little.

Other articles on this topic can be found at http://www.lauraleerose.com/Articles.pdf

Additional webinars regarding the Future of Business Operations can be found here.

To participate in a confidential One-on-One Laser Coaching Session with Coach Laura, just email Laura@LauraLeeRose.com. Each session will include 20 minutes of Laser Coaching with time afterward for a few questions. Take advantage of this opportunity to experience coaching. Sign up now and come ready to chat. One-on-One Laser Coaching Signup

Written by Laura Rose

Author of the business and time management books: TimePeace: Making peace with time – and The Book of Answers:  105 Career Critical Situations .  Laura is a business and efficiency coach that specializes in time management, project management, and work-life balance strategies.   

Watch this 30 minute video on tips to getting hired in these difficult times.

Feel free to contact Laura@LauraLeeRose.com for a one-on-one consult for additional information or assistance on your resume.

A busy professional asked me this question:

How should I answer to my boss when he says it is a problem that I didn’t use a specific type of bullets in my report, implying that it doesn’t matter that the content is good?

You should say, “Yes. I can fix that immediately. Are there any other formatting conventions that I need to know about? How the content? Is there anything else that needs changing? Is the content as you expected? What else do you need in this report? Is there anything else I need to know about?”

Your manager DID NOT imply that it doesn’t matter that the content is good. Your manager did imply was that report formatting is important. The fact that you were not aware of the required format, means that there may be other things to which you are not aware. Ask questions to collect all the changes at once – to avoid edit churn.

It is not uncommon that companies or departments have format conventions that everyone needs to follow. Often times it is associated with branding, marketing and even automation or scanning of the reports. There could be any number of reasons. Regardless of the reasons, you have now been notified of the proper procedures that you need to follow.

It’s not personal. It’s business. Stay professional.

 If you need want to discuss in more detail, please setup a one-on-one consult session.

Other articles on this topic can be found at http://www.lauraleerose.com/Articles.pdf

Additional webinars regarding the Future of Business Operations can be found here.

To participate in a confidential One-on-One Laser Coaching Session with Coach Laura, just email Laura@LauraLeeRose.com. Each session will include 20 minutes of Laser Coaching with time afterward for a few questions. Take advantage of this opportunity to experience coaching. Sign up now and come ready to chat. One-on-One Laser Coaching Signup

Written by Laura Rose

Author of the business and time management books: TimePeace: Making peace with time – and The Book of Answers:  105 Career Critical Situations .  Laura is a business and efficiency coach that specializes in time management, project management, and work-life balance strategies.   

This was a question from a busy professional.

So I have an opportunity to stay home and I have a lot of projects in mind starting with weight loss to setting up a business but I don’t know how to organise my day and I wake up and waste half a day coming up with activity. How to organise a day?Laura Lee Rose·1m ago

Many people work best with a structured routine or schedule. When you shift your work environment from corporate (or at office) to own business (or working from home) – your structured routine is altered (or thrown out the window).

This only means that instead of someone else providing you with the structured routine – you need to create it yourself.

Here are some steps:

• Create a list of imperatives (things you want to be, do or have – that if everything else were to disappear, you would still be happy and fullfilled)
  • Examples would be Healthy Lifestyle, great family/friend relationships, professional achievement/development/advancement, community service, religious or spiritual growth, etc
• Outline specific tasks (SMART goals – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time bound) to achieve each of those imperative items
• Explicitly schedule (block time on your calendar) the time to do those things and stick to that schedule. Think about combining items that accomplishes multiple imperatives
  • Want to improve relationship with family – schedule time every night for evening bike-rides or walks with family
  • Want to get more exercise – schedule time with friends and family to go to gym, walk, play, bike, etc every M-W-F (put it on the calendar and stick to it)
  • Join professional associations or attain a new certification for job advancement. Devote 2 nights a week for career improvement activities.
  • Volunteer at a community event twice a month (mark out explicit day that you are doing these things
• Create project plans, schedules and deadlines for your personal projects and mark those on your calendar
  • Create your New Business – Business and Marketing Plan by xx date
  • Work with a business coach or mentor on your new business on yy dates
  • have your new business road-map completed by zz date
  • work on your new business 3 nights a week for x hours.
• Allow the every-day items that pop-up fill in the gaps in your calendar (instead of those items being things that takes most of your time)

If it’s important to you – then it should be on your calendar. Stick to your imperative appointments and you will lead a happy and fulling life.

I have written several articles on the topic HERE: http://www.lauraleerose.com/Articles.pdf