Is Cold Calling Dead

Is Cold Calling Dead It’s a question I hear all the time, and well, it’s a really big question. There are so many conflicting views and options, and the answer completely depends on your definition of a cold call. If by cold calling you mean identifying someone you have had no previous contact with and phoning them completely cold and then hoping to sell them your services there and then, well, yes, i think it is. However, if you think of cold calling as a general business development tool to   use to introduce yourself and your services to a researched target contact, then no, it is not. The difference is subtle, but very important. Cold calling is not dead at all, but it is evolving. In reality there are just as many cold calls being made now as there ever have been. And amongst these there is a lot of good business being done. Meetings set up, follow-up calls made and people kept in touch with. The style of the cold call is what is important, and this hasn’t actually changed. A good call is structured, researched, practiced and requires excellent listening skills. Practiced so that it becomes natural. A conversation. Not a blurb read from a sheet. Do NOT email â€" call! I have given my thoughts many of times before about the misuse of email, but please indulge me again…. Email is a really useful tool, a great method of sending information. What is it not is a communication device to build a business relationship. There is no feeling, there is no empathy, there is no understanding, persuasion, compassion, no listening….. I could go on and on. For those who are anxious about picking up the phone, email is also the ultimate method of avoidance and procrastination. Hiding behind a computer screen, tapping out and sending an introduction, is of little impact without follow-up. Ultimately most don’t get opened or read. If this is what you are doing, please stop. You really are kidding yourself that you are influencing your market and business developing. It is an absolute waste of time, and does nothing more than fill your day with tasks. That time could be so much better spent. InMail are emails And before you mention LinkedIn InMails..… No. They are emails too. LinkedIn is a brilliant platform and extremely useful in so many ways. But, it is the database that everyone owns. Sending an InMail to a person you think looks like a potential fit for a role is really lazy, and it is not in any way headhunting. It is lazy, and it is spamming. Sending InMails to people you want to do business with is exactly the same. I get loads of these from all sorts of random people. And guess what? Yep, delete. Do NOT tweet â€" call! The other modern enemy of business development is the use of social media. Please don’t get me wrong. I love social media. I use it widely and I believe whole-heartedly in using it in developing a marketing strategy. But, what is not great about it, is that it has allowed a level of laziness that we haven’t seen before. It has allowed the same consultant who shies away from the phone and uses email, to believe that they are being proactive in developing a market. “I’ve been on twitter” is not a valid argument in my book. Sure this stuff has a place (as a part of a balanced strategy) but it cannot replace the old-fashioned ‘introduction call’ done properly. Quality before quantity Quality before quantity. You need to do your research. You need to have a sensible and well organised target list. You need to know exactly who you are calling and why. Cold calling in a professional environment is not telemarketing. It is introductory, it is well researched. It is beneficial. And above all, done well, it works! About the author:  James Nathan  runs the James Nathan experience; the Business Development, Sales and Service Excellence Expert for Professional Recruiters.

How to Create a Mechanical Engineering Resume

How to Create a Mechanical Engineering ResumeIf you have been hired to work in the field of mechanical engineering, it is a good idea that you create a resume that will make you stand out from the rest. You want to provide a certain degree of credibility to yourself so that the employer will remember you for your mechanical engineering skills. Here are some tips that will help you go about creating a resume that will land you the job.Before you start doing anything on your mechanical engineering resumes, you need to take the time to look at what other applicants are doing. This means that you need to browse through several resumes in the hopes of finding something that will be perfect for you. Don't worry about how long it will take you to complete; all you need to do is sit back and let your fingers do the typing for you.The first thing that you need to do when looking at mechanical engineering resumes is to sit down and see what exactly you want to include. Make sure that you don't just throw anything in there; include some specific details so that you will be able to get your resume to be a better option for the hiring manager. Make sure that you are including the following things:- Provide your best work experience; include your previous work experience in the area of mechanical engineering. Don't just put in one or two jobs because employers like to see more. However, it is a good idea to list only those things that show that you have gained a lot of work experience.- Include your education and degree. This will show the employer that you have gone through an education that is in line with the position that you are applying for. It shows that you have completed what it takes to get the job done and that you have had the foresight to earn your degree.- Mention your knowledge of different technologies. Amechanical engineer is always working with new technologies, so having knowledge about these new technologies is important. You can even include something ab out the various theories that are in use in the field of mechanical engineering so that you will be listed among the experts in the field.- Lastly, mention any awards or honors that you have received for something that you have done. There are many different awards that can be given to you. In addition to this, you can mention your volunteer work or your favorite things that you have done in your life.These are some important points that you should include on your mechanical engineering resume. All you need to do is to carefully go over your resume, figure out what type of information you would like to include, and create a mechanical engineering resume that will help you get the job. Your mechanical engineering resume will serve as your resume portfolio, which is also where you will show the hiring manager exactly why you are an ideal candidate for the job.

How To Find Your Drivers and Motivation

How To Find Your Drivers and Motivation Getting a job is no longer enough. We must learn how to create jobs and how to stay relevant, innovated, sharp and responsible. To do this, we must learn how to: find our passion, set our goals and reach them, and learn how to turn opposition into successes. All too many (of us) live a life within fixed boundaries that have ceased to inspire, motivate and satisfy us. New times require new ways to work, think and live. The latest research shows that people who are bored or who dont really care about what theyre doing may die younger than those who do something they like. Our bodies are designed to trigger an internal bomb to make an end to ones sufferings. So simply put, you dont live as long. However, there is a much bigger problem that comes from this conclusion. Studies show that people who are bored or stray from pursuing things that would otherwise challenge them, may not really care about what theyre doing. In other words, they may lack the motivation and drive. Feeling bored at work or life, in general, may be even more dangerous than being stressed. Why? Someone (who has the free will of course) and who is often bored is unlikely to be motivated to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Perhaps “bored” people are more likely to eat fast foods and less likely to put in the effort and commitment to exercise, which can cause serious health issues in the long run. Finding What Motivates You is Imperative! A lot of people never find their motivation (drivers), and purpose in life, nor do they understand what motivates them. It is imperative to know what drives you because it is your so-called driving force that will take you forward toward your goals, keeps you motivated and happy. When people use the term “LIFE DESIGN,” what pops into your head? This term Life Design isnt just about career planning. The concept of Life Design is much more ambitious, holistic and innovative. It is about a plan to design your life, both in your personal and professional areas. It is about recreating a life that would satisfy you and make you feel more fulfilled. After more than ten years of life-design coaching and research, I find that many individuals do not truly and fully understand their own motivations, and as a result, they never reach and establish a happy and balanced life.” Therefore, it is essential to spend the time to build your self-awareness and find your purpose. The first step to finding your purpose is to look back at your life story. What made you who you have become? Look back at your life and all your ups and downs. Even in your darkest traumas you can find purpose, meaning and motivation (to do better, do more, do less etc.). The best way to identify your motivation(s) is to look at your 3 H’s what makes you Hungry (mentally), Happy and Honored? How to Identify the 3 H’s To find your 3H’s is to take an in-depth look inside yourself, by picturing how do like to see yourself in 10+ years from now. Ask yourself these two questions, How do you want to spend the rest of your life? Do your goals match with your life-design? If the answer to the last question is no, you must draw upon your faith and commitment.     Do not wait or make excuses. Make adjustments! Diversion and distractions will be a part of the journey towards success, but in order achieve your goals it is essential to stay focused for the long haul. Those who identify and then choose to pursue their 3 H’s does not let fear hold them back. By defining goals, creating schedules to achieve them, and staying committed, they gain more in life. This guest post was authored by Soulaima Gourani: Soulaima Gourani is a lecturer, corporate advisor, and author. She is the author of three books; Ignite your career, Take control of your career, and Courage to success.”    Gourani was elected by One2Speak as one of the best Danish keynote speakers in 2010.   In 2012 she was announced as one of the Young Global Leaders by World Economic Forum.   Later that same year named to be the chairwoman of the nonprofit organization Global Dignity. In 2013 she was announced as one of the greatest thinkers in the Nordic by Nordic Business Forum. And in 2014 chosen as one of the 40 under 40 European young leaders. She was elected as a TED mentor in 2016 and was later that same year announced as one of the Inspiring 50 Nordics women in the tech sector. She lives in Palo Alto, California with her husband and their two kids.

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese Is Using Social Media at Work a Good Idea

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese Is Using Social Media at Work a Good Idea Facebook announced this week is has 500 million users. And not one of them ever, ever, ever uses it at work.At least, that's what some employers would like to believe. But the truth is, employees do use Facebook at work. They Twitter. They comment on blogs. That's just reality. That's why I thought it would be interesting to look at how companies are handling the issue of employees using social media -- and how some of them are just ignoring it. Here's the column I did for Gannett/USAToday.com...While many employers wring their hands over the use of social media by employees at work fearing legal problems or lost productivity the evidence is mounting that letting employees tweet or check Facebook during their workday is not only inevitable, but it may make good business sense. Social media often seen as a place to chat with friends or tell strangers about what you had for dinner has evolved into a marketing tool that employers are harnessing to do everything from increasing th eir brand awareness to recruiting top talent. Further, studies show that employees allowed to use social media on the jobs help drive profitability, improve customer service and contrary to employer fears may help workers do their jobs better. For example, a Forrester Research study found that 70 percent of 303 information-technology workers who use social media said it makes them more productive. Further, a recent Right Management survey found that 51 percent of those working for employers with more than 10,000 employees said that social networking seldom interferes with productivity, while 41 percent of those at smaller companies report it seldom interferes. Social media is still viewed as a threat to productivity, but 10 years ago, they probably said the same thing about the Internet, says Helene Cavalli, manager of marketing communications for Right Management in Philadelphia. I think employers believe employees will waste time (on social media), but the truth is, theyre ju st as likely to walk to the kitchen and talk to other people. Cavalli points out that social media interaction isnt always about discussing a new movie or dishing the latest gossip. It also can be about exchanging professional information and learning about industry trends. Thats a view shared by Trish McFarlane, human resources business partner for St. Louis Childrens Hospital. McFarlane says she has first-hand experience with how online interactions can pay off at work. Her boss recently asked her to find out how other companies engaged their employees, and how the hospital might be able to do similar projects. Instead of launching into time-consuming research of the issue, McFarlane turned to her social media network through her blog, HR Ringleader. Within a couple of days, I had 23 comments from people who went into great detail about the projects they were doing and offering me information, she says. And, if I had any questions, I could ask them, because they all included their e-mail addresses. McFarlane says her boss understands Im not flitting around all day on Facebook, and recognizes the value of social networking. The Forrester survey found that 72 percent of respondents reported social media helped them get answers to their questions, and 68 percent said it helped them gather information they needed to be successful. Still, some companies have shied away from social media after warnings from legal experts that employers could be opening themselves up to a bevy of problems. For example, lawyers warn about workers divulging proprietary information or making discriminatory comments that could result in a lawsuit against an employer. On the other hand, some employers simply ignore social media: A report by Manpower says that 75 percent of employers dont have a formal policy in place regarding social media use at work. I definitely think the benefits outweigh the risks, McFarlane says. And, employees are going to do it anyway. They can talk a bout work on Facebook using their (smart) phones, or they can tweet at midnight from home about work. That ship has already sailed. McFarlane says that the key is companies educating employees about proper communication on social media sites such as Facebook. You have to allow for a little bit of normal conversation you may put some personal information out there but the key is that employees understand what the company wants them to share. For example, a glitch in a customer service process may have employees proactively using Twitter or Facebook to explain the problem, and how theyre working to solve it. (An Edison Research study found that of the 17 million Americans actively using Twitter, half of them followed a company, brand or product). Customer complaints are dealt with in real time, and workers feel like theyre contributing to the companys success by helping deal with a problem. Cavalli says that employees should be coached on how to play an active role in promotin g their employer brand online, and informed of the no-nos: Sharing confidential information or being negative, for example. She says leaders can model proper behavior online. I think you definitely need rules in place (for social media use at work), and you certainly cant anticipate everything that will happen, Cavalli says. But it is a fantastic medium to help you learn from your peers and other experts, and gives you an access to that information you wouldnt have had before.Do you think it's OK to use social media at work? Social Bookmarking

Free Online Guides to Resume Writing and Job Application

Free Online Guides to Resume Writing and Job ApplicationThere are a lot of free guides available online that claim to provide a 'guide to resume writing and job application'. But is this really true?While it's true that many free online guides can provide some useful tips and information, this is typically not the case with tips and tricks for good resumes and job applications. These are basic requirements for any job seeker or recruiter to know about, if they want to land the job. You will find nothing in these free tips that can improve your resume or job application skills, nor can they tell you what questions to ask to land the job you want.There are a lot of individuals who will take advice from anyone who provides this type of information. Because of this, they believe this advice to be helpful, but the truth is that it will make no difference to you. Even if someone tells you to change your picture in your resume, or to include a picture of yourself at some age, if it isn't tr ue you will end up missing out on the most important piece of this process: the resume and job application. It is critical to get the information correct first time, because if you don't, there will be no point in changing anything, since you'll just be wasting your time and effort.What you will find on many free online guides are tips about 'good' resumes, but these tips will almost always be outdated. Since companies are not going to read these types of guides, they are going to disregard them.Resumes are designed to help the employer get to know you, and that is why they are filled with information that is needed to create a nice impression. If you have a question, or if your resume looks a little bit odd, it is usually something you can change without too much hassle.Your job application is designed to make you stand out from the competition. So if you want to be the next best person for the job, you need to start by making sure that your resume and job application is at the top of the pile.Also, you should ensure that the job application and resume you create are perfect in every way. If they aren't, it is unlikely you will get an interview for the job.Use these free online guides to help you through the job application process, and remember that your resume and job application is your only hope of landing the job of your dreams. This is the first thing recruiters will look at when looking at resumes, so don't leave anything to chance.

Choose a Job Opportunity that Matches Your Personality

Choose a Job Opportunity that Matches Your Personality Impact of Your Personality on Your Career List three words that describe you. These three words are just a start to defining your personality, that is, the qualities and traits that are unique to you and make you who you are. Your personality plays a large role in the workplace. It affects how you: perform your work communicate with others deal with conflict demonstrate your worth to the organization The list goes on. Ironically, it is easy to overlook your personality when you are deciding on a job opportunity. Job Decision Considerations When you are considering a job, you naturally make sure your interests and skills are a great match. In a recent blog, I touched on making sure your work values fit with the company culture. This is definitely important and often overlooked. In the same way, we often neglect to make sure our personalities match the job too. When deciding on a job opportunity, ask yourself, “How well do I fit into this company, the work environment and the culture?” But how do you find out about the personality of the company? Here are some ideas: Ask questions at the end of the interview about the environment. What is the interviewer’s favorite thing about working there? What is their least favorite thing about working there? How would they describe the company culture? Do some research. What information is available about the company? Talk to people. Do you know anyone who works for the company? They are a great source of information about the company’s culture and the work environment. Is There a Match? Once you have some data, compare that data to your information about your personality. Given the information you have, will this job be a good fit for you? An easy transition? If your personality does not match the company culture, you can find your energy drained at the end of each day because you are putting so much effort into fitting in. The work itself can be draining enough let alone layering on the energy you exert trying to force your personality to fit into that work environment. Ultimately this can adversely impact your job performance as you are exhausted and may begin to resent the job itself. Personality is a key component to deciding if a job is right for you yet also a component that is easy to overlook. Make sure a job opportunity is a successful match for you by ensuring that your personality is a good fit for the organization’s work environment. Have you ever found out the hard way that your personality did not fit with your company or career?  Let us know in the comments section below!

Ask the Chief Happiness Officer - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Ask the Chief Happiness Officer - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog Im introducing a new feature on the blog: Im now taking questions. Seriously, ask me anything related to happiness at work. Just call me the Miss Manners or Dear Abby of the workplace. The way it works is you ask a question (either in a comment to this post or in an email) and I answer it in a post on the blog. If you want me to, Ill anonymize your question so you wont get caught asking for outside advice. Go ahead and ask, Id love to help! Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related