Seen a job advertised which you like the sound of?
- Get your application in now, not later
Have an idea for a new business away from the day job?
- Get it off the ground on a small scale quickly
Been passed a new lead or contact?
- Follow up and make the call immediately without delay
This week we finally launch my brand new internet based TV show – “Career Management TV” (the first episode of CMTV airs tomorrow).
I’m excited (and also a little bit scared!). Which is always a sign that you’re doing something important.
Below is a quick “What? Why? How?’ along with some lessons and questions which may apply to you.
Here in London, the sun is shining today. In fact it looks like we’re going to have quite the Indian summer this coming week. 20+ degrees centigrade in London is good at anytime – let alone in late September.
But looking beyond the sunshine, there are definitely some economic clouds looming in the not-so-distant future. The dramatic falls in the stock market last week, the various calls this week by certain politicians and economists for a solution to the Euro crisis, the ongoing problems in the US and European jobs market and the slow down in Asia is concerning.
If we learned anything from the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008 it’s the fact that the world economy and we are all interrelated. What happens in Greece and the Eurozone does effect us in the UK. Decisions made (or not made) regarding US debt levels does impact Europe and beyond. The degree of the slow down in Asia does impact on growth and job opportunities in the US, Europe and beyond.
Whether we officially go into a “double-dip” recession or not is neither hear nor there. It’s all about what impact any potential down turn has on you. And in particular how you react.
I’m fed up with the media talking down the prospects for graduates. Yes it’s tough out there for today’s graduates looking for work. Having graduated during the the recession of the early 1990s, I understand first hand what it’s like looking for jobs during a recession.
But in many ways, today’s graduates are also the luckiest generation of graduates there has ever been (really).
They have the tools, technology and knowledge to turn ideas into opportunities and income with virtually zero expenditure. What’s more, they potentially have a global market place to leverage their product or idea. All that’s required is the seed of an idea, passion, hard work and the willingness to just have a go.
So over the coming months I’m going to feature graduates who have ignored all the noise about the economy. Individuals who have got off their butt and just had a go at a business idea or made slightly different career choices. Hopefully it will inspire others to follow suit.
The first interview is with Poonam Kataria. She has no website, uses a Gmail email account and uses Facebook to promote her cake-making business whilst using her mum’s kitchen to do all her baking.
Who says you need lots of cash to get started..?
An Interview with Poonam Kataria of “Spoony Cakes”
“Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity, but in doing it.”
- Greg Anderson
I began writing this article whilst on a short flight from Glasgow to London on Sunday evening as we return from undertaking the 3 Peaks mountain challenge – climbing the 3 highest mountains in Wales, England and Scotland in a 24 hour challenge.
I thought I’d be writing today to share lessons I’d learned whilst reaching the 3 peaks and how those same lessons may apply to your career, your business or the way you lead your teams.
Sadly I wasn’t able to complete the challenge – I had a recurrence of an old calf injury and had to pull out after the first mountain.
And so instead, the lessons below are based on what I learned from NOT achieving my big goal:
“Don’t wait, the time will never be just right”
- Napoleon Hill
It’s September, the summer’s over, the days are getting shorter and soon enough the weather will begin to change too.
And soon enough you’ll forget that big goal or great idea you came up with over the summer holidays.
You know…..your plan to change jobs, shift careers or starting a side business to run from home. Or maybe you decided on moving abroad or taking a sabbatical. Or possibly writing a book / starting a new blog?
Whatever the idea, the key is to get started quickly using these 5 tips:
Last week’s riots in London and across England were not about social deprivation, the economy or joblessness.
They were, in fact, all about “LEADERSHIP”
Decisions Decisions
It’s summer, everyone is away and nothing happens right?
Wrong!
The next 6 weeks plays a crucial part in setting the platform for the final quarter of 2011. Here are 5 things you could be doing over the next few weeks:
1. Connecting
Click here to view Sital's video blog, Career Management TV!
