Strategies for Career Success

Helping professionals, managers, and executives take charge of their career.

Pathways Career Success Strategies

 Strategies for Career Success - Early-May 2009


in this issue

  • Confronting Problem Performers

  • Special Offer

  • Scents for Success

  • Client Comments

  • Quote

  • Upcoming Workshop
 

Joan Runnheim Olson is the expert and visionary behind Strategies for Career Success, a no-cost bi-weekly e-newsletter for professionals, managers, and executives. Each issue delivers simple strategies you can use right away to create the career of your dreams. Go to http://www.pathwayscareer.com to learn more.

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Editor's Note

Welcome to the Early-May issue of Strategies for Career Success.  Happy May Day! May 1st brings to mind my childhood when we would celebrate "May Day" by decorating small baskets and fill them with candy. We would then ring our friends' doorbell, run away while leaving the basket behind. How about you? Did you celebrate May Day?

 

This issue of Strategies for Career Success includes an article on confronting problem performers. Don't miss out on our special offer on leadership coaching. Also, learn the role scents can play in your success. 

 

I'll be presenting "Your Two-Minute Pitch: The Keystone of Your Job Search" at the Career Transition Connection at Woodbury Lutheran Church on Thursday, May 28 at 7 p.m. It's free! If you live in the Twin cities or Western Wisconsin, come and learn how to "sell" yourself during networking and interviews. Also, check below for our career workshop coming up in June. 

 

For more career and leadership tips, check out my blog. And, you can follow me on Twitter.
  

Enjoy!

 

Joan Runnheim Olson  

Certified Career & Leadership Coach

 
   

Confronting Problem Performers

Confronting direct reports may not be at the top of your “things I love to do” list. Timing– when you first mention there’s a problem- to the length of time you give to see improvement– is a key factor in whether problem performers transform into valuable employees. 

A poor performer may not even know he isn’t working up to par. Hoping things will resolve on their own, many managers hold off mentioning there’s a problem until they’re fed up and then give the employee 90 days to “shape up or ship out”. In fact, oftentimes an employee is fired after receiving fairly positive performance reviews. Fear of being the bearer of bad news keeps many managers from sharing constructive feedback. 

What’s the best course of action when you first notice a direct report isn’t meeting performance standards? Be sure she knows what is expected and point out any gaps in performance. By speaking up promptly you won’t let problems fester until you reach the breaking point and then expect a miraculous turn around on a dime.

Consider using the 3-G model (goal, gap, get there) for coaching your employees. Clarify what goals you have in mind for your direct report. Identify the blocks that are preventing him or her from getting there. Next map out an action plan, and finally provide the tools, structure, and support so the employee can achieve his or her goals.

 

Click here for archives. 

 

Special Offer - Leadership Coaching

Are You or Is Someone In Your Life a Newly Appointed or Struggling Seasoned Leader?

For the month of May, I am offering $50 off a single session of leadership coaching or $150 off any package. The people I work with are able to gain clarity and focus to help them achieve greater career satisfaction. Here’s what one of my clients had to say:

“Through my work with Joan, I’ve created a leadership development action plan and have more significant progress in three key areas: communication, time management, and delegation. I’m learning the tools necessary to be the best leader I can be, and as a result, I’m much more confident in my role as CFO.”                                                          – Kim K. 

I am also able to help people who.....
- are having trouble finding a job.
- want to find a more satisfying career.
- have been downsized.
- want to position themselves for advancement.
- want to recession-proof their career.
- value the expertise and support of a coach to help achieve their goals. 

Start today! Call Joan Runnheim Olson, Certified Career & Leadership Coach and owner of Pathways Career Success Strategies, at 715.808.0344 or email joan@pathwayscareer.com.

Client Comments

"It was a pleasure working with Joan to update my résumé. I had been working for the same company for 18 years and found myself involved in the latest round of layoffs.  After meeting with Joan, providing her with an out-of-date résumé and an updated list of accomplishments, she was able to create a fantastic résumé which captured all of my talents and skills.  After sending my résumé to a potential employer, I had a request for a phone interview within 2 days and a personal interview within one week."         - Ted Firth 

Scents For Success

By Jennifer Nordin, MTP, OilsForWellness.blogspot.com 

Scent, marketers say, is the final frontier in “sensory branding”.  

“Branding is all about how a customer feels about a company or product- it’s an emotional connection with the customer,” says Randall Stone, a New York based marketing expert. How does this emotional connection occur through the sense of smell?  Smell sensations are relayed to the cortex, where ‘cognitive’ recognition occurs, only after the emotional center of the brain has been stimulated.

Aromatherapy can be an excellent tool for creating a memorable impression during networking. People recall smells with 64% accuracy after a year versus a 50% visual recall of photos after 3 months!

Pure essential oils can help create the “law of attraction” through the stimulation of somatides which transmit electrical frequency from our cells to the environment through fragrance and thoughts.

Some of the essential oils historically associated with wealth are cinnamon bark, frankincense, patchouli, clove, ginger, and spruce. These oils are available as a blend called “Abundance”. This oil blend can be diffused into the air or worn as a cologne.

A great way to leave a fragrant impression is to scent your business or networking cards. Just put a cup of Epsom salts into a GLASS container, add 5-10 drops of essential oils. Cover and shake until all the oil is fully absorbed by the salt. Put a handful of business cards on top of the salt. Seal the container tightly for a few days to achieve maximum scent absorption. Then attract the abundance! For more information or a free sample of “Abundance”, send an email to wis­dom4wellness@aol.com. 

Quote

"Commitment with accountability closes the gap between intention and results."

- Sandra Gallagher, Co-Author of Thinking Into Results 

Upcoming Workshop

 

Take Charge of Your Career!
Plan today for your best tomorrow
The statistics are staggering!  Every week, another company downsizes, outsources, or off shores. We are all responsible for our own careers, but don't worry - taking responsibility for your own career management doesn't have to be a scary experience! This presentation is designed to inspire you to begin your journey toward successful career management. Get started on creating a career development plan to move you in the right direction. 

 

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

8:00 to 10:30 a.m.

Century College, White Bear Lake, MN

Call 651-779-3200  to register.

$49

 

For other scheduled workshops, click here.

Contact Us

Please feel free to forward this issue to friends and associates. Anyone can subscribe for free at www.pathwayscareer.com.

To unsubscribe from this list email joan@pathwayscareer.com

To contact us:
Joan Runnheim Olson

Pathways Career Success Strategies

joan@pathwayscareer.com

Hudson, WI 54016

(715) 808-0344
 


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