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Take Charge of Your Career Growth

There is a Danish proverb that says “He who is afraid of asking is ashamed of learning.”

Whatever career that you are in- a sales representative, a scientist, an accountant, a nurse, or whatever-, your managers or supervisors expect the best from you.

To fit in today’s work environment, school atmosphere or any situation, you need to learn how to ask for what you need. It’s vital to let your bosses and supervisors stay abreast with what you need to be able perform your daily job description as well as to advance you career in the short, medium and long term. And you must learn to ask and have it on record because in the final analysis, you cannot blame the lack of the latest software, an equipment failure, an office space or a colleague for your non-performance or failure. You will need to own them.

Be responsible for your own growth. For instance, if you believe membership in a particular professional organization is vital for your growth, ask for your manager to sponsor your membership. Even when you know the chances of refusal are high, ask anyway. That’s how it is done.

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Master the Side Talk

You’ve prepared really well for the interview and feel that this job is either get-it or go-home affair. Or you’re carrying a well-prepared business plan in your briefcase and hoping to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase your ideas to your potential business partner or investor. In either case, building personal rapport before you delve into the business side of the conversation will only serve you good.

There’s nothing that divides our society today more than religion, sorry to say. While you have every right to show off your ‘firehood’ and ‘spiritualness’ wherever you want, the interview or business discussion may not be one of the places to fly your own kite, unless you’re interviewing for the position of the associate deaconess of the local church.

In the past I discussed several nuances that come into play in establishing successful business connections. One of the best ways to build this personal rapport is to set off a conversation in an unrelated subject area prior to being ushered into the business of the day. Continue reading “Master the Side Talk”

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Little Stuff That Closes Deals

Business Etiquette is More than Eating with the Right Fork

In the previous article, I discussed some little things that are often overlooked but are essential in making deals and are fundamental in career development and progression in the business world. I mentioned that even small and insignificant actions can remarkably influence the overall perception of an individual, and perception is, in most cases, a reality, unfortunately. I emphasized that attention to little stuff and nuances play essential roles in maintaining any business relationships in the long term. Today’s post is a continuation of last week’s discussion. Continue reading “Little Stuff That Closes Deals”

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Little Things Matter, a Whole Lot

Actions, even small and insignificant ones, can remarkably influence the overall perception of an individual. When we talk about nuances, we’re talking about the clues that shed light on the greater self. They show how a person takes time; makes time; makes the effort to execute countless details.

Consider two self-employed businessmen, Adbul and Sonko, who were both vying for a grant from an angel investor from the U.S., Mr. Martin Smith. Each of them scheduled a lunch date with Martin Smith to discuss his business plan.

On the appointment day, Sonko dressed for the lunch in bleached style jeans with a polo T-shirt. After ‘brainstorming’ in the presence of Mr. Smith, they decided on which restaurant they wanted to go to. After they sat down, Sonko, right away launched and kept the conversation focused on the purpose for which they had met. He spent the entire lunch time talking about his business mission, vision and strategy with laser focus. There wasn’t any deviation to talk about anything personal.

Abdul on the other hand dressed a little above his potential client. He put on a jacket. He wanted to establish trust. He didn’t want to assume anything. Before the meeting, Abdul had called Mr. Smith’s personal secretary to inquire about Continue reading “Little Things Matter, a Whole Lot”

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Moving forward!!

TGIFriday!!

Thank God for today the 9th of December 2011 – let’s rejoice and be glad in this new day that the Lord has made.

As we start this new day – let’s be expectant of some last minute miracles as we declare: We are not going back. We are moving ahead. We are declaring: our past is over in God. And we declare that all things are made new as we surrender all to Christ.

Be blessed as you listen to: “Moving Forward” by Jessica Reedy  – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nPfV3gGzgM –

[youtube]6nPfV3gGzgM –[/youtube]

As you go into this new day and weekend continue to declare: I am moving forward…Moving, moving forward, forward!!

Let’s be expectant of some “last minute moves” – as we “move forward” and sow to please the Spirit this harvest season.

Have a blessed and highly favored day/weekend.

Loving Regards,

Temiday0

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Talent is not Enough

There’s one thing you may believe or ,at least, give some credence to as you read this post, and it’s that some people are born with unusual aptitude, supernatural skill, God-given dexterity, superb giftedness, rare talent and many more ways we describe it. Tiger Woods has a talent for golf, Beyonce has IT for music and dance, Lebron James was born to play basket ball, Angelina Jolie is a talented actress, the Argentine Lionel Messi has a God-given propensity for scoring goals, Chris Rock has a unique flair to usher the crowd into a state of awe, TD Jades has to gift to make to audience cry, and the list goes on.

I don’t want to be an absolutist on this talent argument, but when any of the folks above is comprehensively examined, the talent argument does not pass the beyond reasonable doubt court room scenario. Ascribing it all to talent is not only an intellectually fraud exercise, it subjects a particular field to circus status reserved for individuals lucky enough to be born with this God-given potential.

Talent is not Enough

Whether talent really exists or not, which is a subject beyond this post, it cannot explain why some people are genius, awesome, amazing, and some are just okay. When you look at any of the ‘amazing’ artists, athletes, managers, and so forth, the talent explanation may make sense while they are on stage, but try to dig deeper into their life, Continue reading “Talent is not Enough”

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What the Successful Have in Common: Risk Taking

Let me begin with the story of this guy, Farouk, who immigrated to the US with a master’s degree from a prestigious university in Ghana. Farouk spend the first two to three years in the US scouting for a job in line with his degree but nothing turned out as he anticipated. He found himself doing the type of job that did not require a degree and watched his paycheck with displeasure. Even though he had a master’s degree, he says “I was not doing any better than my colleagues at work who had never been to college”

Still hoping to find something more in line with his educational background or anything that would possibly pay more, Farouk attended a job fair and listened to a presentation focusing on currents growth trends in the US job market. The take home message in the presentation was that, with the aging US population, careers in healthcare and related areas would continue to be in high demand in the comings years.

To cut the story short, Farouk enrolled in a college nursing program, and started attending classes with, as he put it “college students and studying together with folks who could be my students”. He put his master’s degree under the table and took the hard, risky decision that he thought would provide the type of job security and fulfillment he dreamed of. As I write this, Continue reading “What the Successful Have in Common: Risk Taking”

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He is an on time God…Yes He is! (WATCH)

TGIFriday!!

Thank God for today the 18th day of November 2011 – let’s rejoice and be glad in this new month & day that the Lord has made. May we experience some “last minute moves” in our life this new  month in Jesus Name. Amen!

As we start this new day – be expectant of some 11th hour miracle – Because the He is an on time God – He may not come when we want Him – But He’ll be there right on time.

Be blessed as you listen to : He is an on time God by Dottie Peoples  – http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=mRgvYgOJK6g – He is an on time God – yes He is!

[youtube]mRgvYgOJK6g[/youtube]

As you go into this new day and weekend  – expect the “on-time” move of God in that situation.

Enjoy a miracle-filled day weekend.

Loving Regards,

Temiday0

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