Limited Career Opportunities By James Adonis

Think back to a recent time you had a headache. With your head sore and pounding, you probably walked over to the medicine cabinet to grab some aspirin. If you’re like most people, you would have felt the soreness ease and the pounding soften immediately upon taking it. And yet, in reality, aspirin takes approximately 15 minutes to kick in, but chances are you were already feeling better before it had even dissolved in your body.

Why is that? It’s called the placebo effect. We have a perception that aspirin is supposed to work, and we have an expectation it will, and the combination of the perception and the expectation trick our mind into thinking it’s already having an impact. That’s why several scientific studies show that when it comes to pain, taking a placebo can be as powerful as taking morphine, and that 80 per cent of Prozac’s effectiveness can be attributed to the placebo effect. We perceive and expect they’ll work, and that’s why they do.

There’s a role for the placebo effect in matters of career development. Many employees desire to advance within their organisation, but the fact is that opportunities are often limited – even in large companies. There aren’t enough management positions or marketing roles or who-knows-what-else to satisfy the aspirations of every employee. And yet what many people demand is a magic pill that will get them to progress to the next stage of their career.

That’s why you need a placebo: something – or, rather, some things – that will make your employees feel as though their career needs are being met. And to do that, what you require is a combination of perception and expectation. In other words, you must make sure your employees perceive you care about their career development, and they must expect you’ll do what you can to help them achieve their goals. Here are a few suggestions for each one.

Perception involves a lot of talking:

- Take the time to find out what your employees want to accomplish, and hold a conversation about their career once a month

- Find a position description for their ideal job and discuss the experience, qualifications, and prerequisites contained within it

- Honestly identify the strengths they already possess (that will help them achieve their goal) as well as the limitations (that are holding them back)

Expectation involves a lot of doing:

- Every month, proactively create a new task or action that helps them to meet one of the requisite items on the job description

- Figure out the elements of their ideal job they’re attracted to the most, and see if these can be incorporated (even to a small degree) in their current job

- Provide advice and guidance on their résumé and interviewing skills, so they’re well-prepared when the right job vacancy arises

Career development isn’t about promoting as many people as you can, but it is about making them feel as though they’re making progress towards their career goal just by being in your team. That’s the best medicine.

James Adonis is one of Australia's most well-known people management thinkers. He is a leading international expert on employee engagement, and the co-founder and managing director of Team Leaders - a company dedicated to developing the very best managers.

Reproduced with permission from the Kirsty Dunphey weekly email. To subscribe to Kirsty Dunphey's weekly email, go to www.kirstydunphey.com

The Box Car by Kirsty Dunphey

The Box Car

This auspicious looking vehicle was, with love, relegated to the rubbish bin today. It’s sat proudly in my home office for the past 6 years serving as a gorgeous memory.

It was lovingly created for me by my husband. As you can see, it’s a cardboard box, with some fairly rudimentary drawn on wheels, personalized glamour license plate and a little name tag saying that it’s the Inconceivable Enterprises company car.

Every time I think about my company car I smile.

If I flash back to when my husband gave me this “box,” it was about 3 months after I sold my real estate agency. I was suffering terrible separation anxiety from this entity I’d created. I missed my team, I missed my workplace, I missed my desk and I was venturing out into the unknown in following new paths and adventures (under my company Inconceivable Enterprises).

I was working from home and feeling completely lost and utterly directionless. Every day for so long I had awoken with a purpose, a corporate home, goals to achieve and things to do. Now, I was waking up and walking down the hallway to my “office” and spending most of the day in my pajamas!

I was coping poorly with the transition and my husband, seeing this (and perhaps hoping to coax me out of my ugg boots), whipped up this gorgeous company car for me.
It had the desired affect. It put a smile on my face. It gave me a kick in the butt and it also left me with something joyous in my office to look up to and smile if I ever felt low or lonely.
Over the following months I ramped up my corporate speaking work, set up a passive online business (www.reallysold.com) and wrote my second book
(http://blog.kirstydunphey.com/p/retired-at-27-if-i-can-do-it-anyone-can.html) and hired my first staff member (making it that little bit more difficult to spend all day in bed-ware).

It was just a simple box that my husband knocked up in a few minutes, but there was love behind it. There was meaning behind it. It inspired me.

I’ll always have the memory of my box car and will always try to remember that little things can sometimes have a profound affect.

Stay Fabulous,
Kirsty


Reproduced with permission from the Kirsty Dunphey weekly email. To subscribe to Kirsty Dunphey's weekly email, go to www.kirstydunphey.com

Big Craft Show Is Tomorrow, June 2nd, 10am to 5pm

So far there are 63 crafters and vendors that will be sharing at the Woodcreek Plaza Craft Show on Saturday, June 2nd from 10am to 5pm. Plus there will be wine tasting inside NY Pizza Kitchen, Food and live entertainment, along with music and all in a wonderful setting inside the alcove at the Woodcreek Plaza shopping center in Fairfield. Come and have some fun and check out all the unique offerings.

Celebrate Vacaville Event Downtown Plus Music Today 4-8pm

Celebrate Vacaville!

Thursday, May 31st, 4:00pm - 8:00pm

Creekwalk at Andrew's Park, Vacaville

Come out for an afternoon of fun. More than 50 businesses and non-profit organizations will have booths where you can learn about what they have to offer. What about music you ask? Celebrate Vacaville has two bands performing: The Charlie Wad Blues Band and Rust Bucket. Enjoy music, beverages, business information booths, food and more. This is a community celebration of what makes Vacaville a great place to live.

The Charlie Wade Blues Band

The Charilie Wade Blues Band will be playing at the Celebrate Vacaville event in Andrews Park from

6pm to 8pm

7 Reasons Networking Can Be a Professional Development Boot Camp

Check out this interesting article on Forbes Magazine

DEADLINE FOR STUDENT APPLICATIONS FOR YIPPIE FOUNDATION JOB TRAINING THIS FRIDAY, JUNE 1

FAIRFIELD—The deadline for student applications for the next Yippie Foundation Job Training Academy is Friday, June 1 at 5:00 PM. The next Yippie Academy begins on July 10, 2012. The five-month program will provide job readiness training, vocational mentoring, financial education and career development classes to qualified applicants, ages 16-24 who live in Fairfield or Suisun City.

Chosen participants attend weekly classes and will be paired with a mentor from the business community who will meet with them weekly, provide job shadowing opportunities, and assist them in reaching their program goals. A variety of educational workshops and business tours are provided.

Yippie students are eligible to receive up to a $75 per month stipend and a weekly Fairfield bus roundtrip pass. Applicants must be low-income to participate in the Yippie program. Interested youth can download an application at www.YippieFoundation.net under “Forms” or pick one up at the Fairfield or Suisun public libraries.

Completed applications must be returned to the Yippie Foundation office at 1652 West Texas Street, #248, Fairfield. The deadline for applying is before 5 PM on Friday, June 1, 2012. No emailed or late applications will be considered. “When you graduate from the Yippie Job Training and Mentoring Program, you will have new job readiness and life skills, a Travis

Credit Union savings account, a strong resume, a network of supportive adults, and the confidence to apply for any entry level job,” explains Yippie President Sherilyn Henry.

Along with the Job Training and Mentoring Program, a Yippie Yogurt™ work experience store is slated to open in Fairfield this year. Only Yippie graduates will be able to work in the Yippie Yogurt™ shop which will be self-sustaining, help hundreds of area youth, and give financial support to other community non-profits that serve at-risk youth.

For more information, please contact Sherilyn Henry at 707-208-0853 or Sherilyn.Henry@YippieYogurt.org

Huge Craft Show At Woodcreek Plaza On Saturday June 2nd

So far there are 63 crafters and vendors that will be sharing at the Woodcreek Plaza Craft Show on Saturday, June 2nd from 10am to 5pm. Plus there will be wine tasting inside NY Pizza Kitchen, Food and live entertainment, along with music and all in a wonderful setting inside the alcove at the Woodcreek Plaza shopping center in Fairfield. Come and have some fun and check out all the unique offerings.

What's Wrong With This Picture?

We found this sign on the front door of a Chamber of Commerce organization! Yes, you heard right: An organization who's call is to expand business and to encourage participation in an organization who's call is to expand business. Oh sure, they also have some political meanderings, but supposedly that is all on behalf of the call to expand business. It was even brought to their attention how ridiculous this sign is to be on the front door of such an organization and we got an argument about its validity.

Makes us wonder. . . how many opportunities are lost to get new members, to talk about member services and benefits of membership. It has been our experience that the Chamber is always on the hunt for new and renewing members.

We had such a great laugh about this ridiculous sign and even more on their justification for installing and maintaining it. What's wrong with this picture?

Besides, any sales person worth her salt laughs at those signs too. . .

Remembering. . .

A.R.E. CX Series Camper Shell or Truck Cap Mounted on 2012 Toyota Tundra...

Kevin is showing a recent job installing an A.R.E. CX Series Camper Shell or Truck Cap on this 2012 White Toyota Tundra Access Cab. The fit and finish on this high quality A.R.E. Shell is second to none and is at least one reason Kevin sells a lot of them. This one also has a drop down picture window access to the back of the cab.

Call Kevin of Vaca Valley Truck & SUV at 707-447-9905, or visit their website at http://www.VacaValleyTruck.com.

Velo Wrench Bike Shop Memorial Day Sale!



Mercedes-Benz to Host Fundraiser for Yippie Foundation

FAIRFIELD ----Mercedes-Benz of Fairfield will host a benefit cocktail party on Friday, June 15, 2012 from 5 – 7:30 p.m. for Yippie Foundation.  The event, entitled “Building Community Together” will celebrate the construction of the new Yippie Yogurt™ youth job training shop soon to be located in the Winery Square center in Fairfield.  Guests will hear about the new building plans and enjoy an evening meeting Yippie Youth, and sampling fine wines and heavy hors d’oeuvres prepared by Chef Daniel Bell.  Activities also include a wine and dessert auction, and guests may also have multiple chances to win a 4-day use of a new Mercedes – just in time for Father’s Day! 

David Long, general manager of Mercedes-Benz of Fairfield, recently joined Yippie Foundation’s board of directors.  Long was drawn to Yippie Foundation because it matches his passion to help young people in our area achieve their dreams. “My vision for the Yippie Foundation is that we will become a national model for inspiring, mentoring and guiding low-income at-risk youth.”

Yippie President Sherilyn Henry is thrilled to welcome David aboard.  "David is a wonderful addition to the Yippie Foundation board of directors.  He brings his experience of running a major Fairfield business along with a dedicated enthusiasm for Yippie’s mission to "teach kids to fish" through its job readiness, life skills, mentoring and work experience programs. David is a caring man who has already made a difference in our community!”

Tickets are $20 if purchased in advance or $25 at the door.  Tickets can be purchased at Mercedes-Benz of Fairfield, at http://buildingcommunitytogether.eventbrite.com or contact Sherilyn Henry at Sherilyn.Henry@YippieYogurt.org or 707-208-0853.  Each ticket includes entry, food and one beverage. 

Can’t attend the cocktail party?  You can still help!  Your donation will help provide students with needed class supplies; bus passes; equipment; or weekly meals and snacks.

The Yippie Foundation’s mission is to help homeless, foster care and low-income youth, ages 16-24, reach their potential as caring, contributing and family-sustaining citizens through job training, work experience, mentoring and career development.  For more information, visit www.YippieFoundation.net

Youth and Mentors Needed For the Next Yippie Job Training Program!

Our next Yippie Youth Academy will start on July 10th, 2012. Fifteen low-income youth will be chosen to participate in the next Yippie Academy. Students will attend weekly job readiness classes and weekly mentoring meetings for five month. Students are eligible to receive up to a $75 monthly stipend and weekly bus passes. Students will also earn their Food Handler’s License, CPR and First Aid Certificates. Classes will be held in Fairfield, CA and are open to Fairfield and Suisun City residents.

Be a Yippie Youth! Student applications may be downloaded and must be sent to 1652 West Texas Street, #248, Fairfield, CA 94533 by Friday, June 1 by 5:00 PM. No late or incomplete applications will be considered. Get your application at the bottom of this page. Visit our Youth page for more information.

Be a Yippie Volunteer! It really does take “the Village”. Please consider being a volunteer if you live in the Solano County area. We’d love to hear from you. Volunteer application.

Be a Yippie Mentor! Fifteen adult mentors (25 years of age or older) are needed to share their friendship and business expertise weekly for five months with a Yippie Youth starting on July 10, 2012. Mentors receive training and on-going support. Mentor information and applications may be downloaded. For more information visit our Mentorship page.

Be a Yippie Youth Sponsor! Please consider supporting one of these students. Your gift of cash, goods or services enable more youth to participate. You can also Sponsor a Youth.

Be a Yippie Business Sponsor! We are currently fund-raising for program expenses and to get the first Yippie Yogurt training store open in Fairfield, CA. You can make a donation to help.

28th Annual Biggest Little Car Show In Downtown Suisun Today

We love this show! Check out hot rods galore and all kinds of Ford Custom Creations with lots of vendors and other things going on now at the Waterfront Plaza in Downtown Suisun City. This event goes from 10am to 3pm today! Check it out!

Fire & Rain Plays At Winterhawk Winery On Sunday, May 20th, Plus Benefit Solano Soccer Club

If you haven't spent a Saturday or Sunday afternoon at Winterhawk Winery in Suisun Valley yet, you don't know what you're missing! Live music every weekend along with great wine and great people! We'll be there from 2-5 on Sunday May 20th. Come party with us!

This Sunday Winterhawk invites the public to support local nonprofits, and this Sunday Winterhawk Winery is donating 20% of sales to the Solano Soccer Club. Event time is 1:30pm to 5:30pm and the music from Fire and Rain will be from 2:00pm to 5:00pm.

There will be food provided by Vinnie's Smokin' BBQ ($2 - $5), wine tasting and by the glass from 1:30pm to 5:30pm ($7)

Winterhawk Winery is located at 4537 Abernathy Road, Fairfield, across from Gomer School. 707-428-6977.

The Top 7 Sales Blunders by Kelley Roberston

We got this great piece from www.SalesDog.com:

We all make mistakes when selling our product or service. Here are the most common sales mistakes people make. I have to admit I have made many of these mistakes, even though I have been teaching this stuff for almost a decade.

Sales Mistake # 1: Allowing a prospect to lead the sales process. The best way to control the sales interaction is to ask questions. This is also the best way to learn whether or not your product or service meets the needs of your prospect. Quality questions that uncover specific issues, problems, or corporate objectives are essential in helping you establish yourself as an expert.

Sales Mistake # 2: Not completing pre-meeting research. After several weeks of voice mail I finally connected with my prospect and scheduled a meeting. Unfortunately, I entered the meeting without first researching the company. Instead of presenting a solution to an existing problem, I spent the entire meeting learning fundamental information, which to senior executives, is a complete waste of their time. This approach is one of most common sales mistakes. Invest the time learning about your prospect before you call them and before you try to schedule a meeting.
See the other 5 Mistakes

Taking Time To Work On Your Business vs. In Your Business

We help a large number of businesses with their Internet marketing, and we ask them to spend a small amount of time each month to work with us to help them grow their businesses. So many don't find the time. They're so busy working in their business that there is no time left to work on their business.

We get it. Frankly, we are in a similar situation. We focus on our clients and doing so many things for them, and at the end of the day, there wasn't any time left for us to work on our business.

But we have to. It's not an option. We must find the time. We must take care of growing, improving, even reinventing our businesses and that requires at least a regular commitment of time and energy to give some focus on our business.

This happens in people's personal lives as well. Mothers may be juggling a career, raising children, caring for a home, and so busy giving all the time that she forgets that she needs to give herself some love and reload. Stephen Covey in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People calls this sharpening the saw. We all need time to sharpen the saw and renew our spirit and drive.

Our businesses need this even more.

What we've learned is that it doesn't take a lot of time and energy, but a small amount on a regular basis is extremely beneficial. You would be amazed how much can get accomplished with as little as one or two hours a week.

What needs to happen is that this time must rise to the level of importance that we will make sure that it gets done, and then schedule the time, just as if we were scheduling an appointment with a client. If you run a retail business or service shop, this schedule will be more effective at a time not during your normal business hours. Perhaps come in early or stay late one day a week.

The benefits of applying a small amount of focus to working on your business will be far reaching, and you may find your business growing faster and better as well.

Upward Trend Welcomes Mercedes-Benz of Fairfield As Our Latest Trend Setter Package Client

David Long, General Manager of the new Mercedes-Benz of Fairfield in Fairfield CA has a passion for giving back to the community that he works in, and has become a moving force in and around Fairfield, CA in a very short time by his giving attitude. To help Mercedes-Benz of Fairfield coordinate and execute their giving, Upward Trend has been asked to create a method to help them achieve their objectives of sharing their passion and helping those organizations that are dear to their heart, such as the Salvation Army, The Leaven, the Yippie Foundation, and others.

This philanthropic organization is called, Help Along the Way, because it is designed to help these organizations by bringing more focus and attention, along with a community of support including volunteer time, fundraising and financial contribution.

Upward Trend is building a brand new website which when published in the next couple of weeks will be at www.helpalongtheway.net. In addition, as part of the package, there is a blog which already has been started at http://helpalongtheway10.blogspot.com. Along with this, we have built social media including a facebook page, twitter account, and linked-in. Upward Trend will also be doing a monthly email newsletter, and video with a YouTube channel, and finally SEO optimization and consulting to complete the Trend Setter Package.

Look for much more very soon from Help Along the Way and Mercedes-Benz of Fairfield.

WCR & Mercedes Gala Benefit Is Tomorrow Evening

Simple Inbound Marketing Tip

Most professionals view marketing as a standalone activity that they explicitly go out and "do." This short video explains how you can instead use everyday emails and casual interactions to market your business.