Thinking Like the Owner Sets You Apart

By Laura Rose

Laura Lee Rose, who is a business coach and corporate exit strategist, shares how testers, developers and project managers can think like an entrepreneur in their current corporate position.  She explains how “thinking like the owner” paves the way for advancement within the company and beyond.

 

In my recent interview with SSWUG.ORG’s Stephen Wynkoop regarding ‘thinking like an entrepreneur, in any position’, I had several viewers ask me for additional examples to illustrate points that were made.

Over the course of the next week, we’re going to explore three typical development scenarios:

1)    There is an unhappy client that you are working with in regards to a reported defect in your code area.
2)    There is a happy client after you have delivered a fix in a quick and professional manner.
3)    You have been using speaking engagements to gather sales leads.

 

In today’s post we’ll play with scenario #1:  Unhappy Client

The primary goal of our clients is to “get their job done” accurately, efficiently and effectively.  Toward that goal, the customer isn’t necessarily to use our product the way it was designed to be used; but to use it as they see fit to accomplish their task.  So, sometimes the way our product was designed and the way the client chooses to use it do not match.  When this happens, defects are logged and unhappy customers are created.  This is the nature of our industry.  It’s not a big deal.

Normally when we meet with an unhappy client, we thank them for pointing out the hole in our design.  We acknowledge upfront that we didn’t foresee that the product could be used in this fashion.  And we compliment them on their ability to see beyond the conventional use.

Taking that extra step and thinking like an entrepreneur:  At this point, share with your client the opportunity for them to be a part of an elite group of design partners.  This is a group of hand-picked, insightful individuals that has access to early prototypes and requirement reviews.  This group is considered part of your design group.  As such, they have access to early releases of your alpha and beta releases.  They are part of regular focus groups, usability studies and have regular meetings with your business analysts and marketing teams.

 

Ask this client if they would like more information about this elite group.  Your “unhappy client” will be thrilled to be considered an expert in this field and a candidate for this program.

“But we don’t have a Design Partner Program!”   So what?  When you pitch the idea to your manager and executives, you will have several clients already to participate.

Next time we’ll take a look at scenario #2.

Put the Spark Back Into Your Career

Corporate Exiting Strategies for blooming entrepreneurs.
Helping others to easily transition into their next chapter whether it’s the next ladder of success within their corporate environment or into the entrepreneurial playground.

To sign-up for these tools, subscribe at  http://eepurl.com/gGZtP

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Invitation to Join the 2012 Wish List Club

Hello, this is Laura Lee Rose – Corporate Exit Strategist for the blooming entrepreneur – and I am a business and life coach that specializes in Time Management, Project management training and work-life balance strategies.  Today I am spending time setting up for a magnificent 2012.  I am doing this by creating my 2012 Wish or Bucket list.

How would you like to create your own 2012 Wish or Bucket List?   Step one is to sign up for the 2012 Wish or Bucket List Club at http://eepurl.com/hQN3g   The intention is for those that want to succeed at even a faster pace to join this club to encourage and hold each other accountable.  Once you sign up, you will then receive additional instructions from there on where and how to write your 2012 Wish list.

Try to select 12 (and share only the ones that you feel comfortable with).  Once approved for the club,  we will each encourage and support each other in achieving those goals.   There will be no cost for joining this interchange. Continue reading

Special Announcement: The 2012 Wish List Club is Here!

 

Please follow this link:  http://eepurl.com/hQN3g   to be approved for the 2012 Wish List Club.

If you are interested in more detail professional coaching or a professional coach to help you stay on target with those goals, please consider one-on-one coaching sessions to propel you forward faster.

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Corporate Exiting Strategies for blooming entrepreneurs.
Helping others to easily transition into their next chapter whether it’s the next ladder of success within their corporate environment or into the entrepreneurial playground.

Career in a Slump? It’s Probably Time to Change Your Spark Plugs

Corporate Exiting Strategies for blooming entrepreneurs.
Helping others to easily transition into their next chapter whether it’s the next ladder of success within their corporate environment or into the entrepreneurial playground.

To sign-up for these tools, subscribe at  http://eepurl.com/gGZtP

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If your career seems in a slump, it’s probably time to change your spark plugs.

Below is a 2-Part article designed to help IT and database professionals stay on top of their game in an ever-changing trade.  Part 1 describes the steps in general career perspectives.  Part 2 takes those same concepts and implements them in a specific IT scenario.  For more examples that fit your specific work environment, please feel free to contact LauraRose@RoseCoaching.info

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A car’s spark plug is quite simple in theory: It forces electricity to arc across a gap, just like a bolt of lightning.  The electricity must be at a very high voltage in order to travel across the gap and create a good spark.

Spark plugs use a ceramic insert to isolate the high voltage at the electrode, ensuring that the spark happens at the tip of the electrode and not anywhere else on the plug.#

The spark plug is essential to your car’s ignition. But spark plugs wear out over time. As they get older, they may not spark properly. The energy might be allowed to wonder and escape before it arrives at the appropriate place and level.  This affects your engine’s performance and results in a loss of power.

This engine concept is adaptable to our CAReers.

When your career is stalling and your performance is losing power, it’s time to change your spark plugs.  The ceramic inserts in your career spark plugs have worn out and are no longer allowing that energy to arc across the gap between “who you currently are” and “who you want to be”. Continue reading

10 Career Boosting New Year’s Resolutions: Part 1

This is the time of year that many people explore New Year Resolutions.  But I’m not here to talk about just any New Year Resolution.  In this 3 part article, I want to discuss changes that will boost your career to the next level.  These career boosting resolutions will assure that you have a happy and prosperous 2012.  You can view part 1 below:

 

 

 

Leave a comment in the space below to share some of your specific career-boosting resolutions for 2012.

 

Laura Lee Rose has been in the software and testing industry for over 20 years. She’s worked with such companies as IBM, Ericsson, Staples, Fidelity Investments and Sogeti in various client advocacy and project management roles. The techniques she used in her business coaching and client advocacy work saved these companies both time and money, which resulted in on-time, quality product delivery with higher client satisfaction.