Jack of all trades or an Expert in a few – which is better.

Hello, this is Laura Lee Rose – author of the books TimePeace: Making peace with time – and the Book of Answers: 105 Career Critical Situations.   I am a business and efficiency coach that specializes in professional development, career management, time management, and work-life balance strategies.

Today’s question is : What’s more valuable to job force…..jack of all trade or expert in a few? Which is better to stay employed and get promoted.

Once again, it will greatly depend upon your career goals.  Let’s look at some career goals as an illustration.

  • Want to be valued and considered a MVP in my department at my next performance review
  • Want to be valued and considered a MVP in my division within 3 years
  • Want to eventually become a Director or VP in development and research within 8 years
  • Want to own my own consulting business within 10 years.

In all of the above, it’s beneficial to be an expert in your dominant field or role, and very good in adjacent areas and roles.  The degree in which you are proficient in each area depends on your current career path.

If your goal is to be considered a valuable contributor to your department, you need to be ready to step into other people’s positions on an as-needed basis.  The argument of “that’s not my job” is fine is but it also limits your value to your department.  You still want to be an expert in your assigned tasks, but being able to manage other adjacent tasks, functions and areas of your department increases your value.   You will not be able to be an expert in all areas, but if you can be an adequate temporary solution in some adjacent roles (jack of some skills AND an expert in one or two)  to help the team to conquer the current huddle, your value increases.

As you sale up the career mountain, business networking and collaboration becomes more important.

If you want to be the GoTo Person in your division, you need to be well-connected and knowledgeable across departments.  You don’t need to know everything about everything; merely seem that way.  This means you know how to gather the data or borrow the expertise from someone else.  By creating a entourage and support circle of co-workers, mentors, and other experts, you can provide the needed service to both sides of the equation.  You will have become an opportunity agent for both the requester and the supplier.

The higher the stakes, the wider the net of experience.

For instance, if you are interested in receiving an Average Performance Rating, then you only need to do excellent work in your assigned duties (expert in one or two areas).  But the higher the stakes and the higher you rise, the wider your experience net needs to be.  As you rise on your career ladder, you will be depending more on your business relationships, market trending and forecasting experience, business cycles and even human nature.  You will find that the higher the rung, the further away from the technical details you will be traveling.  You will be traveling more toward forecasting, predicting and designing long-term strategies.

 

You will still be knowledgeable in your primary technical skill, but that will no longer by your dominant attribute or value.

 

Conclusion:  If you have your Individual Development Plan (outlined in the IT Professional Development Toolkit program), it will be easy for you to determine which areas to focus on as an expert; which to gain secondary experience and knowledge; and which gaps to fill in with your network of experts, mentors and collaborators.

 

The IT Professional Development Toolkit is covers a comprehensive set of development tools and techniques in less than 10 minutes per practice.  It contains audios, videos, articles, webinars, presentations and practice exercises designed to be less than 5-8 minutes in length.  It can be used as a reference platform or a 12 week course program.

The IT Professional Development Toolkit, goes into the who, what, where, when, why and how to accomplish all of the above.  The toolkit comes in two forms:  DVD and online eLearning program.  For more information, click on the below version.

 

DVD version                                                 elearning version

 

For more information about the toolkit, click on the above buttons or please go to my website at www.lauraleerose.com

 

Or sign up for my weekly Time and Career Management Newsletter at: http://eepurl.com/cZ9_-/

Six tips to breeze through a phone interview

1) Smile and carry yourself as though you are having this interview in person

2) Dress professionally as though you are having this interview in person

3) Look at a picture of your best friend and act as though you are talking to them.  The ease and confidence will come through the phone.

4) Carry on a “give and take conversation” versus a Q&A interview.
For instance, if they ask you how you conduct XYZ – after you have briefly and concisely answered the questions, ask them “what type of tools or procedures do you follow?” or “What do you find to be a pain point in your procedures?” This allows you to learn just as much about them as they do about you.  It also gives you additional opportunities to show skills that directly aligns with their procedures.  For example: After you have bounced the question back to the, you find out that they use ProductX to keep track of their steps.  While you didn’t use ProductX in your last job, you used it in a previous job.  And now you have an opportunity to mention your experience with ProductX.  If you had not bounced back the question at that time – you would not have been able to supply that additional experience that adds value to your background.

5) Take notes.  When you are on the phone, your mind is tempted to wonder directly to an answer, before you even heard the entire question.  Quickly jot down a note if something is triggered while they are speaking.  Then return to listening to them.  You can return to that note afterwards.

6) Avoid the brain-dump.  Because you can not see the interviewer, it’s tempting to catch diarrhea of the mouth.  

It’s easy to assume that you understand the question and feel that you have to give a full biography of everything that you know about that subject. And as you are speaking, you think of more and more things to share.  This comes off more as rambling than informative.   Before you fly-off, pause and paraphrase what you think they are asking – to make sure you are answering the question (and in the level of detail) that they are interested.  If the question is vague, ask for clarification in stead of rambling off in several directions.

Example:  Interviewer: “How did you accomplish that?” – You could go into minute detail of how you coded something.  But if you answer: “That project had many different levels.  Would you like to know the high-level general process? the team, client and executive interactions? or more about the specific coding challenges?”  This shows the interviewer that you are aware of the different levels involved – and want to answer the question that they are interested in.

When you are interviewing in person, you can read body language to see if you are interested in your answer.  But when you are on the phone – you can’t tell if they are shifting in their seats, pacing or rolling their eyes.  So keep your answers concise and brief.  Pause and ask them if they need would like more detail.  Pause and ask them if this is what they were interested in.   Pause and ask them if you have fully answered their questions.arrow2

 

For a detail conversational-interview practice flowchart, please email me at LauraRose@RoseCoaching.info

What should you say and not say during an exit interview?

Although there are many reasons for leaving a job, it’s a good rule of thumb to leave it on good terms (even if the work environment was difficult).

Some things to consider:
1) When asked “Why are you leaving”, avoid saying anything negative about the position or people that you are leaving.  Focus on the fact that this current position has prepared you for this new opportunity.  Appreciate all the learning experiences and skill set that this current position afforded you.  Without this current position, you would not have been able to advance to the next level.

2) Leave with an attitude of service.  Offer 1 week of limited phone or email consult.  Even though your last two weeks at the current job should be training and handing-off to your replacement; many organizations don’t actually rehire until after you have gone and they may have some questions after you leave.  Offering some availability, illustrates your desire for the department to succeed after you leave.   It’s is not likely that they will call.  But it’s a nice offer to make.

3) When asked “Is there anything we should change, to better retain good employees like yourself?”  be prepared with procedural improvements that support the business mission and goals.  Avoid emotional and personal comments on managers and co-workers.  Focus on steps that will increase the company’s revenue, customer satisfaction, and efficiency.

4) Avoid losing contact.  Keep in touch with all your significant co-workers, managers, mentors and clients from this job.  Business network with these people after you leave.   Things change. Their positions will change; their needs will change; your position will change and your needs will change.  Opportunities will rise because of these business networks.

5) Leave with a strong handshake and smile.  Exit a job just as you would leave a job interview.  Promise to keep in touch and wish them well.

 

ITDevDVDThe Professional Development Toolkit DVD and e-course goes into the who, what, where, when and why of all of the above.

For a limited time only – the first 20 people to register for the course will get in free.   Just enter the coupon code “Open Enrollment” at

https://www.udemy.com/it-professional-development-toolkit/

 

Excelling in a group interview setting


groupinterviewInterviews are nerve wracking enough when done one-on-one, but add in a group dynamic, and it can be enough to scare away candidates.
  • How can job seekers excel in a group setting, when their competition is interviewing alongside them?
  • How can job seekers remain calm, appear knowledgeable, and prove they are the best fit for the job?
Some recommendations:

1) Focus on the attributes that you want to illustrate:  Professionalism, Team Player, Work well with others, Adds Value to the conversation; and can understand and adapt to the changing dynamics of the workforce.  After all, this group interview is no different than a regular staff meeting.  This is a good way to see how you will conduct yourself in a meeting environment.

2) By keeping the things you want to illustrate in “real-time”, you will avoid interrupting, one-upping, and even competing.  Approach the group interview as regular staff meeting.  Find ways to differentiate yourself through active listening and even asking open-ended questions.

3) Pay attending and listen to everyone’s answers and incorporate what they are saying into your answers.  Acknowledge what both the interviewer and other interviewees are saying (instead of just tuning out to figure out what you are going to say when your turn does come).

4) When you are answering your question, make eye contact to everyone on the panel (and not just the person that asked the question).

5) Avoid elevating yourself by putting someone else down.  If you want to illustrate leadership, you want to go out of your way to uplift everyone in the room.

 

 

7 Tips to Finding a Mentor

Hello, this is Laura Lee Rose – author of the business and time management book TimePeace: Making peace with time  and The Book of Answers: 105 Career Critical Situations– and I am a business and efficiency coach that specializes in time management, project management and work-life balance strategies.  Steve Wynkoop and I talk a lot about designing and managing our professional careers on a weekly interview on SSWUG TV.

The IT Professional Development Toolkit DVD goes into further details on the who, what, where, when, and why of these topics.

Most successful people believe having a mentor greatly helps them stay on target and even excel quicker.

But how do you find a mentor, particularly with someone who you might not have a relationship
with yet or resides in another location.

7 Tips to finding a Mentor

1)      Outline the items/areas that you are interested being mentored or coached.  There may be several areas that you are interested in.  So – don’t feel that one mentor has to fulfill all areas.  You can have one mentor for “how to better market yourself in your organization”.  You can have one for “how to increase my technical expertise and influence in the organization”.  You can have one for “how to step more into the spotlight in trade-shows, user conferences, speaking engagements”  You can have one on advice for starting your own business.

2)      Once you have your areas outlined – talk to your manager about wanting to improve these specific areas.   Ask your manager’s advice on who in the organization would be good mentors in those areas.  Ask your manager if he/she would provide a warm-introduction (simply touch base with that  person to see if they are open to something like that).

3)      Do the same with your HR representative.  Share your desire to get a mentor with your HR representative.

4)      Ask co-workers and friends if they have been a mentor, have a mentor or have a recommendation on one.

5)   Attend your professional association meetings, networking groups and subscribe/read your industry magazines.  Be on the lookout for people giving relevant presentations/talks at your professional networking groups OR authoring articles in your industry journals.   Introduce yourself by telling them how much you enjoyed their presentation or articles.  Discuss various points that you really connected with.  These are great ice-breakers.  Tell them that you would like to interview them for your article, blog or newsletter. During your interview, share your professional goals – and ask their advice on how to find a mentor in their specific area.

6)   Repeat the above for other experts in your areas of interests. Start adding these contacts to your LinkedIn or Facebook space.  Reciprocate and ‘Like” and provide positive comments on their businesses.  Go out of your way to give them testimonials and endorsements on their pages.  This helps keep you on their radar.

7)      Make use of your facebook and  LinkedIn.com connections.  Do a search/review of your network to see if they have the qualifications necessary to be a guide.  You mentor doesn’t need to be in your current organization or company.  It is actually beneficial to expand your reach beyond your current company.  When you find someone that you want to reach out to – simply state your goal, and that you admire their accomplishment.  Be specific on what you really like about their background and achievements, highlighting any commonalities between you and them.  Admit that they seem to be in the perfect position to suggest a possible mentor.  This gives the person an “out” without alienation.  If they want to mentor you, they will often suggest themselves and a meeting time.  Otherwise, they may offer to connect/introduce you to someone else.  Either way you win.

This last point is MOST important.  Reciprocate either by paying them for their time and expertise; gift their family dinner/theater/entertainment tickets; offer your services in the areas of your expertise, etc.  Avoid taking without giving back.  Otherwise, you run the risk of over-extending your welcome.  And you really want to develop a long-term working relationship with these masters.

In my IT Professional Development Toolkit, I go into the: who, what, where, when and how to accomplish all of the above.   For more information about the toolkit, please contact

 

vConferenceOnline.com/Bits on the Wire, Inc.
6420 E. Broadway, Suite A300
Tucson, AZ 85710
520-760-2400 or (877) 853-9158
info@vconferenceonline.com

 

 

Or sign up for my weekly Time and Career Management Newsletter at: http://eepurl.com/cZ9_-/

 

How small business’ can raise prices without alienating clients

Most small business owners often underbid their services to better attract sales.  Once established, they take too long to raise their prices.  The fear is that they will lose their current client base, and therefore lose money.  How can small businesses raise prices without alienating or losing clients.
Some of the more effective methods for small business’ to raise prices without alienating are:

1) Announce price raise well in advance, as well as the reason for new rates.  Include additional benefits to them that you are being added in your descriptions.  You can also offer a “lite” version at the original price – so not to loose any clients

2) Offer “Grandfathering-in” at original price for a limited time.  Anyone purchasing the service before that date will get it at the original price.  Offer a loyalty program such that clients that continue with you (either via a retainer, or subscription membership) will remain at the original price for 1-year.  Any break in service will revert to new price.  Any new clients entering after XXX date will pay the new higher rate.  This entices ‘on the fence’ customers some incentive to purchase ‘now’.

3) Offer a Club Membership Subscription – such that a reasonable membership fee will guarantee the original price as long as they are members in good-standing.

4) Offer a referral program that allows the customer to get compensated for bringing in new-paying clients.  Anyone bringing in new paying customers  get the original rate as well as the new customer.

5) Offer an advertising program that allows customers with their own facebook social media,  newsletters, blogs and websites receive the product/service at the original price.  Create a contract that requires the client to advertise XX times a quarter on their various social media wall, newsletters, blogs, and websites.  As long as they fulfill the advertisement contract, they pay the original rate.

Remember the goal of “price increases”:  You are increasing your rate to make more money.  If you can make more money doing other things, then you have been fairly compensated.  If you can reduce marketing costs or other overheads (allowing the customer to help with those tasks), then you can afford to compensate the client by giving them the original rate.

Giving the client options to stay at the original rate often eliminates the alienation feeling.  This way, the client is the one selecting the price they are willing to pay.

Create a campaign and marketing plan around your strategies. Use it as a catalyst event.

1) Make your “price change” announcement at least 3 months advance to encourage new clients to purchase at the lower prices.

2) Roll-out your loyalty programs and referral programs at least 2 month’s in advance.

3) Call (or visit) your high-influential, high volume  clients to discuss the price changes, the reason for them, the grandfather/membership plans, etc.  Allow your clients to choose how they want to participate.  This also allows you to give them a free membership or subscription to lock them into the lower rate.

4) One week before price change, remind folks that some of the discount offers will expire on the rate-change date.

5) Do a count-down a day before the event.  Make the price change an actual event.

10 hidden time wasters that you may be doing

This is Laura Lee Rose, a business and life coach that specializes in professional development, time management, project management and work-life balance strategies.  In my Professional Development Toolkit package , I go into professional development and real-world IT topics in detail. If you are interested in more training in these areas, get signed up

Many of us have complained about the lack of time at one time or another.  If you are consistently running out of time, there may be a few things that you are unknowing doing.  Some of the top hidden time wasters are below.  We often fall into their trap because we don’t readily recognize them.

  1. Allowing things to repeat without investigation and/or fixing
  2. Not recognizing opportunities that propel us forward
  3. Not reusing our own accomplishments to our advantage
  4. Spending time on unimportant items
  5. Spending all our time making and putting out fires (creating critical/ stop production situations for ourselves).
  6. Using imagined dependencies to stall us
  7. Working hard to stay in the same place; using energy to keep the status quo
  8. Not asking for exactly what you want
  9. Complaining with no explicit call to action
  10. Spending energy and attention well past the benefit

 

In my Professional Development Toolkit, I discuss how to get around all of the above.

But a quick remedy is to recognize that ‘item’ is an anagram for ‘time’ (the words use the same letters but in different order).  Remember this and then  every time an item crosses
your desk, ask yourself: “Is this Item worthy of your Time?”

Let’s take the last item 10:  Spending energy and attention well past the benefit.

This could include certain tasks at work, your current position, some work or home projects, hobbies and even some people.  As you evolve and develop you should out grow things like jobs, hobbies and even certain people.  The games and interests that you had at 5 years old are not the same interests you have today.  It is the same as your continue to progress through your life.  But sometimes we stay too long in the same place.  Perhaps it is out of a sense of misguided  loyalty or perhaps simply because it is comfortable and familiar.  Either way, the longer you stay focused on an item beyond it’s benefit to you — the more time you are wasting.  This is even true if the item seems like a worthwhile task.

For example:  You would like to get $15 for your old wooden bench-swing.  You decide to make it more presentable to assure your $15 asking price.  You sand it; you stain it; you oil it; you and add decorative stencils. You now have spent 4 days on it to acquire $25; when having it quickly power-washed (as you are already power-washing your deck) would have accomplished the same goal.

Keeping your ROI (return on investment) in mind, “Is this Item worthy of your Time?”

I go into more detail in the Professional Development Toolkit.  This DVD set contains practices and exercises regarding time management, career management, work life balance strategies and how to better quantify your performance to the company’s bottom line.  for information on how to purchase this toolkit, contact:

vConferenceOnline.com/Bits on the Wire, Inc.
6420 E. Broadway, Suite A300
Tucson, AZ 85710
520-760-2400 or (877) 853-9158
info@vconferenceonline.com
If you liked this tips, more can be found at www.lauraleerose.com/blog or GET SIGNED UP to my weekly professional tips newsletter.
The weekly newsletter contains tips on:
1)      Time management
2)      Career maintenance
3)      Business networking
4)      Work life balance strategies

If you haven’t taken advantage of your introductory time management coaching session, please contact LauraRose@RoseCoaching.info

Five things I have learned from Justine Timberlake

Constantly Re-inventing oneself is one way to way to stay relevant.

Recently Justine Timberlake toured the talk-show circuit to promote his new 20/20 Experience (part 1) CD.  I don’t know much about Justine Timberlake, but have learned a few things since he started his promotion tour.  This was his first CD in 7 years.  Along with writing and performing his own music, he has been busy making movies, starting a clothing line, doing various TV appearances and hosting various music event, co-owns three restaurants, etc.

With this minimum information, it seems to me that Justine Timberlake is constantly re-inventing himself; is well blended; and is future focused.  His professional and personal life seems passionate, diverse and deliberate.  Whether people interacted with him on Start-Search, The New Mickey Mouse Club, N-Sync, promoting his various albums, working on his various movies and outside interests – most describe him as a perfectionist that doesn’t seem to work hard at it.  One person described him as “One take Timberlake”.  He seems to do things perfectly and easily. He also draws influences from various other artists on his different albums like:  Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder (on his Justified album); David Bowie and Prince on FutureSex/LoveSounds, and other various artists.

So what are some things we can learn from JT:

1)      Be open to various coaches and influences that you connect with.

  1. Look for people that are where you really want to be, and investigate mentor or coaching opportunities.
  2. Select several mentors for different attributes.  One person will not be a perfect coach for all your desires.  Select on mentor to help your with marketing and promoting yourself; select another for your financial goals; select another for your technical expertise, etc.

2)      Constantly look for the ‘next opportunity’.  And it doesn’t necessarily have to be in your professed field.  Justin opened himself not only to movies, but clothing lines and restaurants.

  1. In our case, take a look at adjacent roles and positions – as well as the jobs exactly in our defined field.
  2. For instance, if you are a programmer, look at positions in the testing fields, technical support manager positions, business analysts, etc.

3)      Share your wealth.  Like most successful people, Justin focuses his charitable efforts in many directions from the Justin Timberlake Shriners’ Hospitals for Children Open (celebrity golf events), Wildlife Warriors (for animals), and various music foundations and music education programs in his hometown of Memphis, TN.

  1. We often do not have the same amount of funds to our disposal as most celebrities do, but we can volunteer our time and attention to our favorite causes.
  2. Select an organization that can promote you forward as well.  For instance, if you are a web designer, volunteer to create websites and web pages for your favorite causes help both you and the organization.

4)      Pursue other things during breaks and hiatus.  During a hiatus with N-Sync, he created his own music and album.  During a short break in touring, he did movies, etc.

  1. When you are in a gap (for example between jobs), take classes;  volunteer for other organizations; consult for other people, etc.
  2. If you have a comfortable 8-5 job, use your leisure time to learn a new craft or start a new endeavor.

5)      Don’t forget where you came from.  Memphis, TN is often a home base for Justin’s tours and charitable focus.

  1. Add family and community to your imperative list.  Schedule time in your calendar for  your family and community.

How to do things that scare us.

This is Laura Lee Rose, a business and life coach that specializes in professional development, time management, project management and work-life balance strategies.  In my GoTo Academy: Soft Skill Tools for the GoTo Professional continuous online coaching series, I go into professional development and real-world IT topics in detail.

If you are interested in more training in these areas, please sign-up for the continuing online coaching series.
If you are enjoying these tips, please refer and pass along to others.

 

There are things in our professional careers that naturally scare us, but are required for advancement and continued growth.  If we get complacent and too comfortable, we are actually stagnant.  Fear is actually a sign of growth and development.  We are rarely afraid of things we have already done before.  We are normally afraid of places we haven’t been before, things we haven’t tried before or subject matter that we know nothing about.  If fear is a sign that we are pushing our envelop, then conquering that fear is a sign of real personal and professional growth.  In essence, fear is an indicator that we’re ready for that next level.

So, how do we gather enough courage to take that next step?  And transition to that next level?  One of the most effective tools to conquering fears (and how to do things that scare you) is to focus on the advantages that conquering that fear will provide.
For instance: If you are afraid of public speaking, but it’s required for that job promotion — focus on all the doors that your presentation skills will open.
1) Ability to persuade and present your proposals to high-level executives
2) Ability to be seen as the thought-leader in your field by your executives, clients, and other experts
3) Ability to get bonuses for your work, publications, and speaking engagements
4) Ability to have company-paid vacation/travel as you promote the company technology to different technical conferences and trade-shows
5) Possibility of being interviewed on radio, TV, and technical journals as a thought-leader in your field. 

Try it and let me know what you think.
In my GoTo Academy: Soft Skill Tools for the GoTo Professional continuous online coaching series, I go into this in detail.

If you liked this tips, more can be found at www.lauraleerose.com/blog or subscribe to my weekly professional tips newsletter at http://eepurl.com/cZ9_-/

The weekly newsletter contains tips on:
1)      Time management
2)      Career maintenance
3)      Business networking
4)      Work life balance strategies

If you haven’t taken advantage of your introductory time management coaching session, please contact LauraRose@RoseCoaching.info

You can’t get your refund, if you don’t mail in your tax forms…..

A friend of mine asked me to help a friend of his with their taxes.  I worked on this friend’s (first-removed) back taxes from 2010 with great results.  After filling out some simple forms, his was owed a very nice accumulated refund.  I had the forms done, appropriate W2 forms clipped to the right forms, the envelops addressed and even stamped.  All this gentleman needed to do was to review, sign, fold and mail.  The paperwork mentioned that he would get his refund in 2-4 weeks.

4 weeks later, I asked this friend-first-removed if he had received his refund yet.  He confessed that he has the forms signed, but he has not mailed them in yet.

“Well — you know you can’t get your money, until you mail in forms in….”

 

It’s the same in life and work.  It’s more difficult to get what you really want if you don’t explicitly ask for it and then follow-through with your plan.

  • You want a new position or a promotion; make your manager and mentors aware of your aspirations.
  • You want to speak at local conferences; submit abstracts to those conferences
  • You want a raise or bonus; ask your manager what are the specific requirements to receive a raise or bonus.
  • You want to make extra money; ask HR what other side projects you can do to make additional money. (Some companies pay you for technical articles, patent ideas,  sale referrals, some off-hour billable  tasks, etc)
  • You want to spend more time with family; investigate flex hours, working from home, or 4-day work week options

Is there anything you are procrastinating?

 

This is Laura Lee Rose, a business and life coach that specializes in professional development, time management, project management and work-life balance strategies.  In my GoTo Academy: Soft Skill Tools for the GoTo Professional continuous online coaching series, I go into office etiquette on various real-world IT topics in detail.
If you are interested in more training in these areas, please sign-up for the continuing online coaching series.Whether we a member of the staff or the owner of our own business, thinking like an owner provides additional solutions that we otherwise would never consider.

 

For more worksheets (like the individual development plan,and the individual network strategy worksheet) check out my Worksheets for Success at https://www.lauraleerose.com/worksheets-for-success/

Links:      

Try it and let me know what you think.

 

If you liked this tips, more can be found at www.lauraleerose.com/blog or subscribe to my weekly professional tips newsletter at http://eepurl.com/cZ9_-/

The weekly newsletter contains tips on:
1)      Time management
2)      Career maintenance
3)      Business networking
4)      Work life balance strategies

If you haven’t taken advantage of your introductory time management coaching session, please contact LauraRose@RoseCoaching.info