Career Case Study The Female Executive Officers In Large Corporations

Writen by Lance Winslow

Today, there are more and more female executives making it into the higher ranks and large corporations. We have seen many very large companies such as Hewlett-Packard with female presidents. We see more and more female vice presidents and board members in today's modern corporations and this is a good thing.

Most female executive officers have accepted that although things are changing, they are changing slowly. They realize for the most part corporations are somewhat of a man's world, but over time this will change completely and that is obvious. As a man, of course, yes I totally understand that. I realize how the real world works.

The glass ceiling is alive and well and well it is unfortunate. Actually it has been my opinion that women do a better job in many regards and aspects of business. Again that is a stereotype, but it has been my observation. I had recently met the former President of an Atlantic City Casino at a pool party in NJ, she was pretty much forced to resign, but had really brought the casino back up to speed during her reign.

I have another friend she was President of the American Cancer Society in LA and I have yet another acquaintance who was the first woman Regional VP of Hyatt and I met the President of Pacific Telephone in San Francisco many years back who ran that organization too. Yes I see all these issues and know some super duper women who kick butt and are Presidents of many great companies around this nation.

Business executives and corporate board members need to know that they need to pick the best person for the job. If that person is a woman then that is the person who needs to be in control, take responsibility and assume that position. The glass ceiling needs to be broken and let the best person win. Please consider this in 2006.

Lance Winslow - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

Could You Be Heading For The Sack Take Our Quiz To Find Out

Writen by Lisa O'Brien

Do you hate your job? Are you dragging yourself into the office each morning? Do you feel like you are just going through the motions? And wish that you could be anywhere else?

Be careful if this sounds like you, you could be heading for the sack. Take our CareersCoach/She said quiz to find out if you are heading for the sack.

My Work Hours
a.I am the first to arrive and the last to leave
b.I am good at managing my time so don't need to work excessive hours, however when necessary I work back
c.I am the last to arrive and the first to leave

Office Gossip
a.I make a point of never gossiping, I hate gossip because it causes so many negatives in the workplace
b.I am on top of everything that is happening in the personal lives of people in the office. People regularly come to me for information, which I am happy to share.
c.I love to gossip who doesn't. But I try to keep my head down and mind my own business

Office Romance
a.I think that workplace flirting is harmless because it makes me want to look and do my best, so that I look good, which has got to be good for my career
b.I would never flirt with anyone at or associated with work for any reason
c.I have or would engage in a workplace relationship if the right opportunity arose

My Boss
a.What I think of my boss is of no consequence to my job. I follow their instructions and whenever possible add additional value. If I work really hard and deliver the right results I may end up being their boss.
b.I don't always agree with what my boss says or does but when they do something that I like I give positive feedback. I am hoping this will make them a more compatible boss for me.
c.I can't stand my boss, who is unprofessional, unorganized. I tell everyone who will listen that I cannot understand how he or she got the job.

Dress
a.I dress according to the dress code of the company because I believe that it is very important to fit in with my colleagues
b.I don't know what the dress code is in my office. I think I dress appropriately because no-one has complained
c.I don't like the way that people in my office dress. I am an individual and I dress my own way.

Attitude
a.I have a positive attitude to my work and my employer
b.I try to remain positive even when I am having an off day
c.I am sick of my job and hate my employer

Deadlines
a.I meet all deadlines no matter what. If I ever did miss a deadline I would be afraid for my job
b.I do my best to meet all deadlines but occasionally miss the odd deadline
c.I believe that deadlines are made to be broken - they are only really an approximation of what is expected

Teamwork
a.I am a hardworking and committed team player who is always available to assist others with any tasks
b.I sometimes help team members but really I am quite busy with my own workload
c.I only do my own job so why should I do work that I am not directly responsible for or paid to do

What Your Answers Mean

Mostly A's
You are a star! Even when you hate your job and wish that you could be elsewhere, where you shine. You are a true professional and your employer is lucky to have you on the team. Keep it up and your career is set to soar and when it does you can chose who you want to work for. If you are career focused then don't let your positive attitude and corporate talents go to waste. Start managing your career by setting and working towards your goals. Make all the right moves and for you the sky is the limit.

Mostly B's
You are hardworking and committed and hopefully your boss sees your value. Your employment could be a slight risk in certain work environments. Tip the scales in your favour by making a few small changes. Further develop your time management skills so that you get more done. Avoid any workplace time wasters. At the end of each day take some time to identify what you could do better or differently. Finally design a plan of action to allow you to further develop your relationship with your immediate manager and any key stakeholders within the organisation.

Mostly C's
You are at high risk. To keep your job you need to start thinking of things from your boss's perspective. If your boss sets certain work goals or targets you have to meet them. You need to understand your employer's organisational culture and fit in with it. In the longer term if you are not happy with your current career situation take some time to plan what you want to do with your career. Once you know exactly what you want to do you can seek employment in a more suitable role or organisation. Contact a Career Coach for some advice. Remember you can do anything that you set your mind to do.

Lisa O'Brien is the Authur of e-booklets:
-Interview Coach
-Jobsearch Coach
-Goal Setting Coach
http://www.onlinecareercoaching.com

Cracking The Connection Code Networking For The Introverted

Writen by Mary Jeanne Vincent

We've all heard it before: "Just get out there and network!" If it was that easy, we would already be doing it. So why is it so hard? Well, you're an introvert, aren't you? Enough said.

However, unless the prospect of a really long job search excites you, you have to get out there and connect with people who don't know you but who could benefit from your expertise.

Below are a baker's dozen tips to help you crack the connection code.

1. Attend with a purpose in mind. Be choosy about the events you attend. Pick the ones that interest you most. It could be a ribbon cutting for a new business, a chamber of commerce mixer, SPCA benefit, or pink slip party.

2. Take a friend. Make a game of it. Challenge each other to beat your stated goals with the winner treating for ice cream.

3. Plan ahead. Set a networking goal to talk with at least five people and collect business cards from three individuals in your industry, profession, or career of interest.

4. Split up. Rule #1 is you can't talk to your networking partner until you've met the goals you've set for yourself. That means you can't sit with each other, hang around the food table together, or accompany each other to the rest room. However, you may smile encouragingly across the room.

5. Surprise, it's not about you! Walk up to someone you don't know. Ask the other person an opening question. It can be something as simple as, "What made you decide to attend tonight?", "What brings you to this meeting?", "Do you attend often?", or "What kind of work do you do?"

6. Focus on them! Ask compelling questions: "Tell me more about your work or business." "What is a good referral for you?" "What are you hoping to achieve tonight?" Get them talking about themselves and then offer a little information about yourself.

7. Create a compelling commercial. When it's your turn to tell them about yourself, take fifteen seconds or less to capture their attention and make them want to know more. Help them understand what you hope to achieve at this event and how they can help.

8. Take little steps. Don't force yourself to join a large boisterous crowd. Instead seek out a friendly looking individual who isn't part of a group. Smile and extend your hand in greeting. He's probably as relieved as you are to connect with a friendly stranger.

9. What's in it for you? Everything! Seventy to eighty-five percent of jobs are found through networking. It's not who you know; it's who your friends know that makes the difference! So use this networking opportunity to make friends.

10. Visibility is key. As an introvert, I've learned three important things about networking: You've got to get out there and be seen; the more you do it, the easier it gets; and the more people who know you, the greater your chances for making meaningful connections.

11. Get on the fast track. Join a networking group. Your comfort level and connection quotient will grow astronomically when networking is part of your regular routine.

12. Smile! Be approachable. Make others want to meet you and get to know you better.

13. Make a date to follow up. Make it your goal to connect with at least one person that you would like to get to know better. Invite him or her to meet by telephone or for coffee. Look for ways to make the meeting mutually beneficial.

You have a whole world of valuable contacts to share and new ones to make, so apply these networking tips. Before you know it, you will crack the connection code!

Mary Jeanne Vincent is the author of Acing the Interview tip cards featuring answers to the 20 top "Killer" interview questions. Included are tips for interviewing in the new economy, techniques for taking the sting out of illegal questions, and tips for avoiding 10 deadly interview mistakes. Go to http://www.2bworkwise.com for free job search articles, to sign up for the free WorkWise ezine, and to find out about other valuable, easy-to-use career tools and personal career coaching. You may also reach Mary Jeanne at 831.657.9151.