Following the recent election in Greece, a fresh storm has erupted this last week across Europe with damaging consequences for the global economic recovery if the crisis continues for a prolonged period.

With both financial markets and confidence falling, I spoke with Economist and leading media commentator Mitul Kotecha this week to get his views on the current crisis and how it may play out in the coming weeks and months ahead.

Below is a summary of our discussion:

 —————————-

Sital: Mitul, so why is the election and change of government in Greece such a big issue?

Mitul: It’s a big issue because the outcome will decide whether Greece renegotiates its bailout, defaults on its debt and/or stays within the Eurozone or not.  Greece has suffered from austerity and some political parties have benefited from the backlash against austerity leading to growing expectations of an eventual exit from the euro.

Sital: And why have the markets been falling globally over the last week?

Mitul: There are still plenty of uncertainties globally but the main concern for markets is Europe. Greece itself is only a small (just over 2%) of the Eurozone economy but should the country leave the Eurozone it could spark a major wave of financial contagion leaving the whole Euro project in peril.

Sital: How likely is it that Greece will actually leave the Euro? 

Mitul: It is still only a small probability. It is in Greece’s best interests to stay within the Euro.  

Sital: But if it did leave, what are the implications?

Mitul: If it leaves it would result in massive pressure on any new currency, hyper inflation and a default of debt in much of the country’s companies that have euro debt exposure.

In any case around 70% of the Greek public wants to stay in the euro.  The problem is that they don’t want to endure any more public sector spending  cuts and belt tightening. As noted, if Greece leaves it would have major implications for other vulnerable Eurozone countries including Portugal, Ireland and Spain as markets would begin to speculate on their departure from the euro.

Sital: How does this effect other economies and businesses around the world? 

Mitul: As we know from recent history, it does not take a lot to spark a global crisis.  The biggest risk is that Greece sparks a new wave of global financial contagion leading to another rout in global markets at a time when central banks and governments do not have much ammunition to combat a new crisis.

Sital: How is this likely to effect the job market? 

Mitul: A new global crisis would undoubtedly reverse the trend of strengthening jobs growth. Jobs markets globally are only slowly recovering and remain fragile.

In Europe there is a major disparity between countries, with the German labour market still healthy but countries including Spain suffering from very high unemployment.  This disparity would worsen especially as peripheral Eurozone countries spiral deeper into crisis.

Sital: Beyond the job market, how is this likely effect the regular man or woman on the street? 

Mitul: It would be reflected in more consumer gloom, rising caution and less spending.  If banks comer under growing pressure then they will lend less, leading to more difficulty in obtaining loans for businesses, consumers and home buyers.

Sital: So is this a ‘Europe-only’ issue or does it effect other countries?

Mitul: Austerity is taking place globally but Europe is suffering the most due to the constraints of having a single currency and central bank but varied fiscal stances.

European officials have been single-mindedly focusing on austerity, by cutting spending and raising taxes etc.  However, there is now a growing realization that officials should also concentrate on boosting growth.

Sital: There seems to be another economic or financial storm every few months. Is this just one more storm that will settle down or are there bigger implications this time around?

Mitul: My main concern is that this storm is hitting global economies and markets at a very fragile point in the recovery process.  Markets have been hit by crisis after crisis and it is clear that the ability of the authorities globally is not as potent as it was, to stem crisis.  The implication is that growth could take a lot longer and recover at a much slower pace than had been hoped for.

Sital: France have also held elections recently and elected a ‘pro-growth’ Prime Minister. That’a quite policy U-turn. Have you any thoughts on this?

Mitul: I think investing is a good idea but it depends on the type of investment.  As I understand it, Prime Minister Hollande has differing ideas about pro growth policies compared to other European policy makers, and his views prior to election were quite different from Germany – suggesting a lack of unity in policies.

Sital: So what’s your overall outlook for the Euro?

Mitul: I think the euro will continue to fall but it will not be a one way bet.  The euro could easily drop to around 1.20 against the dollar but the FX market is already very negative on the currency, suggesting that if there is any good news in Europe the currency could bounce.

Sital: Looking beyond the current crisis, how do you think the global economy will fair this year? 

Mitul: Global growth will continue to recover steadily led by the US.  However, if the crisis in Europe worsens, all bets are off.  It could derail the global economic recovery very easily.  I think eventually the situation in Europe will calm down leaving growth to continue its recovery, albeit slowly.

Sital:  And beyond all the “doom and gloom”,  where do you see opportunities for growth and reasons to be optimistic?

Mitul: I think Asia still looks relatively attractive.  Although a sharper than expected China growth slowdown still holds risks, the fundamentals in Asia look more positive than elsewhere.  I am also encouraged by the recovery in the US.  Although it is by no means spectacular, it is looking increasingly sustainable.

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Based in Hong Kong, Mitul Kotecha is Managing Director and Global Head of FX Strategy for a large European Investment Bank.

Mitul is also a regular guest on TV news channels CNBC and Bloomberg TV to discuss his views on the global economy and is frequently quoted in publications such as the Wall Street Journal and the Financial Times. He also shares his views on the economy and global markets at his personal blog, The Econometer.

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“We all die. The goal isn’t to live forever, the goal is to create something that will”

- Chuck Palahniuk

Last week saw the shock resignation of Pep Guarduala – the first team coach of the iconic Spanish football team, Barcelona.

Barcelona have not only been the most successful football team in Europe for the last 5 years. But they’ve also played the most attractive, watchable, artistic football ever seen (…think basketball’s Harlem Globe Trotters at their peak or the great Brazilian football teams of the past).

But after winning 13 trophies and numerous plaudits over the last 4 years, Pep decided it was time to step away from the game to re-charge his batteries and plan his next career move.

Here  are 4 lessons we earn from his success:

1. You can’t win by simply defending

In sport – you don’t win trophies or titles by simply defending.

You need to attack, score goals, touch downs and hit some home runs to win.  And that’s why Barcelona’s style of free-flowing attacking football was so successful.

Similarly, in business, you can’t cost-cut your way to success.  You have to invest, innovate and take calculated risks in order to move forward.

The same applies in your career.  You don’t get anywhere by “keeping your head down” and playing safe. You need to invest in yourself, your growth and take a proactive stance in adding value to clients and employers whilst seeking fresh opportunities.

2.  Art and success can go hand in hand

There is a common myth that you can’t play attractive football and still win.

Yet flair, craft and imagination have been the cornerstone of Barcelona’s success in the last few years.  They’ve won titles and trophies because of their willingness to be artistic and just be different.

Similarly, in our careers, people often think they can’t do the great artistic work they want because others “won’t let me” or indeed because “it won’t pay the bills.”

Yet every great artist that’s ever lived has never followed the rules of the conventional world – so why should you? In our changing world, the future belongs to artists, creatives and entrepreneurs who will question the rules and challenge the status quo. Not those who simply comply and follow.

As for “paying the bills” – with today’s digital world and flexible work patterns, there are numerous ways for you to pursue your art and still pay the bills.  Be that in your day job, or indeed something you do as a side business or hobby. It’s all down to your own personal philosophy and willingness to do the things that most people won’t (which is precisely what artists and entrprenuers do).

3. Do the opposite to everyone else 

If you want to stand out from the crowd and achieve a very different set of results – it usually involves ignoring conventional thinking and doing the opposite to everyone else.

Conventional thinking tells us that modern footballers need to be big, strong athletic types.

Yet Pep built his team around small players with clever minds and strong technical skills. Sure, Messi, Iniesta and Xavi are fit and strong – but it’s their flair and creativity that helps them open up teams and makes Barcelona so successful.

4. Do the work that matters

Football is the most popular sport in the world with kids playing football in streets and fields all over the world trying to emulate their sporting heroes.

Barcelona’s brand of football has showed a generation of kids that football is not just about trophies, titles, blood and sweat. But about entertainment, about beauty, creativity and teamwork. They’ve influenced a cohort of football coaches from schools, amateur teams and professional clubs into re-thinking the way the games could and should be played.

And that’s the legacy Pep will leave behind him. A legacy which allows the “YouTube Generation” to watch Barcelona’s dream team playing the beautiful game with just one click - just like listening to their favourite song artist or watching their favourite play.

And that’s how turn one man turned his work, into an art form and his legacy.

So what’s stopping you doing the same?

Some Questions To Leave You With

1. Are you doing work that matters? Work that makes a difference and creates some kind of legacy?

2. Are you following all the rules or are you creating our own path?

3. Are you allowing your art and creativity or shine?

4. Are trying to win or trying to avoid losing or failing?

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“It’s never the platform. It’s always the message”

- Gary Vaynerchuck

This morning Facebook announced the whopping $1 billion acquisition of Instagram - the popular mobile photo-sharing app. Instagram make zero profits but Facebook are clearly paying for the so called “eyeballs” (..Instagram have 30 million members)

Meanwhile LinkedIn keeps growing membership and is by far the biggest professional networking site in the world with 150 million members

And last week we heard that the relatively new platform, Pinterest now has more members than LinkedIn in the US. In fact, Pinterest drives more revenue per click than Twitter or Facebook.

But what does this all mean to you and me?

Do you get confused and overwhelmed by all these platforms and wander what you should or shouldn’t be using when it comes to managing your career and professional life?

Well here are some questions to ask yourself and a suggested way to approach all these platforms:

1. What’s your current objective?

- Are you actively looking for new career opportunities?

- Are you passively looking for new roles? (ie open to new opportunities without actively searching)

- Are you trying to figure out what you want to do in next?

- Are you looking to find new clients or freelance work?

- Or do you simply want to protect and enhance your online Personal Brand?

2. Who is your target audience?

- Given your objective – who are the target audience, customers or employers to need to engage with?

- Where do they hang out? (Both online and offline)

- Online, what type of platforms would they most likely be using?

3. What’s the message you want to convey to your target audience

- What value do you bring to the market, to clients and employers?

- How are these people and businesses better off having worked with you or your business?

- What makes you different from others who are targeting the same types of clients and employers?

4. Choose the best media platform(s) for you

Based on all of the above, select the best platform for you and your target audience:

• If you’re a professional looking to stay on peoples radar and attract opportunities passively – ensure you’ve an updated LinkedIn profile that’s keyword rich. Also ensure you’re connected to at least 100+ contacts (ideally in the sectors you’re interested in) so that you come up on searches on LinkedIn.

• If you’re a back-to-work-mum trying to figure out what career path to go down, you may choose a combination of LinkedIn and Facebook as the two main tools to reconnect with old contacts and friends (…which is usually where most ideas and opportunities come for mums returning to work).

• If you’re keen to become a thought leader in your field, you may to start writing a blog and then use LinkedIn and Twitter to share links to your content whilst also engaging with bloggers and experts in your industry via those platforms. Or if you’re feeling brave, you may start a YouTube video blog to share your views and opionions

• If you run a business or community where a large proportion of your clients/followers are woman, then you may choose to engage frequently on Pinterest. (82% of active user on Pinterest are woman).

• If you’re artistic and looking to show-off your talents as a “side-gig” away from work – you can use Instagram, YouTube or indeed a Facebook Page to showcase your talents and connect with other like-minded people.

5. Do something that’s effortless for you

Any activity which feels like a struggle is not something you’ll stick to – and so you’re unlikely to yield the true benefits (just think of all those “keep fit” regimes that have fallen by the way side after good intentions).

So no matter what the ‘experts’ tell you (or what I’ve just said above), ensure you find and use media platforms which you enjoy using and find effortless to use. That way, you’re most likely to use them consistently and get the results you want. (Just like the keep-kit programmes we actually stick to).

Anything that feels awkward or that “just not me” – most likely isn’t. So don’t do it.

So the next time you hear a big social media story - ignore the hype and make choices based around your needs and your personal style so that you get your message across in the most authentic and impactful way.

And just remember Gary Vaynurchuck’s advice at the top of this page – “It’s never the platform. It’s always the message.”

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It’s Sunday evening and I’m writing this post whilst sitting in the departure lounge at Bangkok Airport in Thailand. 

Thailand is just a 2 hour flight from Singapore and so I’ve been here for a very short break (…37 hours to be precise!) – visiting some friends who are holidaying in Bangkok whilst enjoying my first trip to Thailand.

Although a short trip – I’ve made the most of the weekend: 

I’ve enjoyed a daily Thai Massage, eaten amazing Thai food, sunk a few Thai “Singha” beers and visited several of the stunning Buddhist temples plus the royal Grand Palace. And on Saturday evening we visited the swanky roof top Sirocco Sky Bar with it’s amazing views of Bangkok (if you’ve watched the movie “Hangover Part II” – it’s “that” roofbar..!).

I feel mentally refreshed and my inbox and lengthy “To Do” list is a million miles away having just disconnected.

Talking of disconnecting….during a visit to one of the Buddhist temples on Saturday I got talking to one of the Monks. But he wasn’t actually a ”proper” monk. He was, in fact, a financial trader from Singapore who had taken 2 weeks off to live the life of a monk (really!).

Being a Buddhist, it was his gift offering to his parents. And this weekend was the end of his 2 week ‘monk internship’ – and I was the first person from the outside world that he’d spoken to in two weeks.

I found his story fascinating and asked him how he had found the experience of living as a monk and whether he’d do it again.

To paraphrase his response:

“It was difficult for the first few days – but it’s been an amazing experience. I couldn’t become a Monk permanently, but I would definitely do this type of thing again. 

Living a simple life with no possessions except for the simple clothes on my back, switching off from technology, being detached from the busy-less of life and work has been great. Not thinking or talking and simply focusing on being present has been just amazing. I’m going back to work feeling less stressed and much more focused than I’ve ever been.”

Many people would have thought this trader-come-monk was a little “wacky.” I actually think he is very wise - and in fact gives us a glimpse of what we should all doing much more of in the future.

You see – mobile technology,  globalisation and (more recently) social media have brought us more convenience, more opportunities and greater connection than at any other time in history. But they’ve also given people 24/7 access to us like never before. Which in turn has created more distractions, more stress and more overwhelm.

To cope with this crazy world, we all need to find ways to step off the treadmill on a regular basis and switch off completely.

But I appreciate that we can’t all take 2 weeks off and become a monk (nor would many of us want to). Neither can everyone zip off to Bangkok for a weekend break like I have.

But we all have the intelligence and foresight to understand that we’ve got to get off the treadmill frequently in this crazy-paced world so as to lower stress levels, become more focused and healthier.

Here are some far simpler ways for switching off:

• A lunchtime walk (without your phone)
• A round of golf (without your phone)
• A weekend spa break (without a Wi-Fi connection)
• 10 minutes of meditation or deep breathing whenever you get a chance
• An afternoon in a coffee shop with a good book (and not an iPad)
• A 24 hour period disconnected from all technology
• A 30 minute massage, yoga class or simply stretching
• One day off per week from ALL job-seeking activity or talk about work and your career

Different strokes for different folks – but all of these activities are possible for most people reading this. If you practice being disconnected regularly you’ll become far more relaxed, more focused and happier. Which in turn will help you become more creative and successful when back at the workplace.

3 Questions to leave you with:

1. How can you create periods to disconnect in our crazy connected world?

2. How can you make it systematic so disconnection is diarised just like a work activity or meeting?

3. Who can you “buddy up” with so that you can hold each other accountable to disconnect on a regular basis?

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“If you want something said, ask a man. If you want something done, ask a woman”

- Margaret Thatcher

Throughout my career I’ve had more female bosses than male ones. And have worked alongside some extremely talented female peers along the way too. It’s not really something I’d thought about until I sat down last night to write about International Woman’s Day  (which it is today by the way).

One such talented colleague was Kate (not her real name), who I worked with during my time at the retailer Marks & Spencer during the late 1990s. Whilst we were both Financial Managers, Kate was far more experienced and more senior than me. But she’d returned to work after a starting a family and took a lower grade role so that she could work part-time.

I really admired Kate.

She was a fountain of knowledge and helped me get out of trouble on more than one occassion! But more importantly, in the 3-day week she worked, Kate achieved far more than I did in my 5 long days.  I worked 40+ hours a week and she worked 20 hours – yet achieved more than me.

Why?

Aside from her experience, Kate was simply much more focused and organised than me on the days she was at work. She had to be. She had to leave work to pick up the kids and so set herself tight deadines and stuck to them. The broadband internet revolution wasn’t around in the 1990′s and so she couldn’t exactly “work from home” like we can today.

But despite my admiration for Kate, SHE herself didn’t think she was doing so such a great job. I only realised this when we had a team building day to discuss how we all worked together and Kate shared her frustrations.

I was surprised to learn that she constantly felt guilty about not being able to attend certain meetings on the days she wasn’t working. Guilty that she could never attend meetings after before 9.30am or after 4.30pm as it clashed with the school run. That she often needed me to complete tasks for her on the days she didn’t work and felt she was burdening me with her workload.

And when she wasn’t at work, she felt guilty for not spending enough time with the kids like some of the stay-at-home mums she knew.

The cycle of guilt meant she never really felt as if she was doing any one thing particularly well – and constantly feeling guilty as if she was “short-changing” the people around her.

But as my boss and the rest of the team told her at the teambuilding event - there was no need for the guilt. We really valued her work and contribution to the business. The hours she worked were irrelevant – it was much more about what she gave to the team and business. The outputs and results were far more important than the inputs (i.e. how many hours she worked).

It was a big moment for her and she was able to take confidence from then on rather than feeling she had to constantly prove herself.

I share this story as I’ve worked with so many female colleagues and clients who have the same challenges and guilt Kate did. This is partly driven by the culture created by some (not all) employers, managers and clients – but in today’s modern workplace and hyper-connected world, we really need to think much more progressively about the role of woman in the workplace.

Today, 8th March 2012, is International Woman’s Day – a celebration for woman all over the world. And it means different things in different parts of the world. Today many messages will be given by leading woman across the globe,

As a man, if there was a message I could share in relation to woman in the work place this would be it:

1. If you’re a Woman – please stop comparing yourself to others and try to lose the guilt. That guilt will chew you up and grind away at your self esteem. Which, over time, makes you less valuable to employers, clients – and indeed your family.

So make the career and lifestyle choices which are right for YOU and your family – and then stand proud and believe you’ve a valuable contribution to make. If you don’t believe it first, then you’ve no chance of convincing others have you? (Have a read of these 5 tips on how to have faith in yourself)

2. If you’re a boss or male colleague – When you find yourself working with someone like Kate as a colleague, boss or client – please be flexible and adaptable. If most of your team were to get as focused and organised as Kate, we’d be delivering far greater results than we do now. We’d be less distracted by pointless meetings and politcs, and instead focus on only those activies that make a difference (and in the process make ourselves far more successful).

3. If you’re an employer – embrace the many talents woman bring to the workplace. Aside from the legal responsibility you have based on gender equality laws – you’ve also a commercial responsibility to your shareholders to ensure that you have the best people in your business.

Talking of shareholders having a workplace mirrors the market place you trade within and and wider society isn’t some fluffy “policy” – it makes good business sense.

It’s also worthwhile remembering that workplace of the future requires intuitive, empathetic leaders who are much more collaborative (and less competitive) than the leaders of the past. We need leaders with a social conscience blended with commercial acumen. Woman (in my experience) have these traits come more naturally to them than men.

So open your mind, embrace technology and the flexble work patterns. Make it easier for  talented woman who want to have a family life and a progressive career – to also be part of your business.

Do this and you never know……you may well find someone with the “X-Factor” like Kate. Someone just as talented, yet far more productive than the conventional “full time” person currently working for you.

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As regular readers will know, I’m moving to Singapore to take up a new role – and, in fact, only arrived last night.

So today is Day 1 – and apart from a little bit of jet lag, I’m feeling pretty good.

But a week ago, I was NOT so good.

You see, the last few weeks have been a whirlwind of packing, de-cluttering, sorting, catching up with friends/family before leaving the UK – whilst also continuing with existing work commitments.

At several points over the last week I’ve been hugely stressed and thought, “How am I going to get everything done?”

But, of course, everything did get done and the move has gone well.

But the reason I did get everything done was because I had a DEADLINE. I had a flight to catch on Saturday evening.  There was no turning back. No time to get distracted with other responsibilities, no time to be perfectionist and no time to think I could do it all myself.

That may sound obvious – but there is a crucial lesson here that applies to our career and professional lives.  We all have ideas, plans and good intentions which don’t get executed because we don’t have deadlines.

But the minute you set a deadline AND declare it publicly, a few things happen:

• The deadline stops you being a perfectionist (and instead just get on with things)
• The deadline forces you to use the 80/20 rule and focus only one the 20% of key activities you need to complete in order to deliver 80% of the results you desire
• The deadline stops your getting distracted and wasting time on less important matters
• The deadline forces you to ask for help from others (instead of trying to be superhuman and do it all yourself)
• The deadline give you a kick in the pants (which we all need sometimes)

Some questions to leave you with:

1. What’s “that thing” you’re struggling to achieve in your career or professional life? Maybe a specific action, activity or decision?

2. What deadline can you set for yourself? A specific time and date

3. Who can you tell about the deadline so that you’re totally committed?

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- Donald Trump

Thinking Big…

• Increase your earnings by 20%

• Work a 4-day week without losing income

• Find a job with your dream employer

• Turn your lacklustre team into an award winning team

• Turn your passion for skiing into a cool new business idea

• Secure that big promotion

• Write and publish your own book

• Buy that fancy car or new house

• Turn your passion for Yoga into your very own yoga studio

• Start writing a blog about something you care about

• Take a year off to travel and volunteer

• Start that new business

Why you need to think big…

Anything worth achieving usually involves:

- Set-backs

- Pangs of self doubt

- The people around you thinking you’re crazy

- Lots of critics and naysayers

So unless you’re working towards something big which excites you (and usually scares you too)…..you’ll give up after a couple of set-backs. You’ll listen to all the people who think you’re crazy instead of listening to these wise words from Steve Jobs.

Big goals provide you with the passion and energy to overcome hurdles and set backs which come your way.

Starting Small..

Having a big dream is good. But it’s likely to overwhelm and paralyse you into doing nothing. And so ensuring your goal was nothing but a pipe dream.

So if you do have a big goal in mind – just take a small baby step forward.

Go and meet someone,  ask someone for help, update your  CV or LinkedIn page, attend a one off talk or webinar.  Book a meeting with your boss or most important stakeholder, call someone who has done the thing you want to do (i.e. written a book, become self employed etc) or simply book a couple of days off to start working on your idea.

Begin Today..

• What’s the big idea or big goal which excites you?

• What can you do TODAY to move your idea forward? (Even if it’s just a tiny step)

• Who can you call or email right now to help you get moving instead of simply thinking and dreaming?

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Unless you can sell yourself, sell your team and sell your business – you’re likely to be in trouble in the modern economy and work place.

Yet most people find the very thought of “selling” awkward and uncomfortable.

But it need not be.

When you take an ethical approach to sales you’re not actually “selling” – but in fact “helping” and providing value.

Use the 5 questions below to engage in conversation, understand the needs of the person in front of you – and then offer to help them:

“5 Magic Questions” 

1. “What’s going on? / How’s business?”  (Something simple and non-threatening to engage the other person in conversation, and understand what’s happening)

2. “What’s the one big thing you need to deliver or achieve in the next 6 months?” (Remember – you’re not selling anything. But genuinely trying to understand the other party’s biggest goal or objective)

3. What is your single biggest challenge right now? (Understand what their big frustration, problem or pain is)

4. “What difference would it make to you if you were to overcome the challenges and reach your big goal / objectives?” (This question is critical as it identifies and quantifies the benefts which comes from reaching their desired outcomes – and so the value you can potentially offer them)

5. “Knowing what you know about me, how can I help?” (This position yourself as the solution to their problems or the catalyst to help them achieve their big goal. And, so in turn, opens the door to opportunities for you)

What happens when you ask these questions?

Business Leaders - Ask these questions of your team and you’ll get a much clearer idea of how to engage and motivate team members

Employees -  Ask your boss and key stakeholders these questions and you’ll clearly understand their needs. This then helps you position yourself as a solutions provider (instead of just another employee) which in turn helps you protect your position

Job seekers - Ask these questions during interviews (particularly at 2nd and 3rd stage interviews with senior people) and you’ll stand out. You’ll also become much better informed about the role you may be walking into

Consultants & Freelancers  - Ask these questions to current and potential clients and you’ll understand their true needs whilst enhancing your relationships. And in the process, you’ll also potentially open up a range of new business opportunities without even trying to “sell”.  

You’re Not Really Selling!

Intertwine these 5 questions into your conversations and you’ll realise that you’re not actually selling anything. You’re actually helping and providing value. (Which in fact is the definition of a sales transaction – an “exchange of value”).

So stop feeling awkward and start asking questions!

How can you sprinkle these magical questions into conversations this coming week…?

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One of the first lessons I was taught when I began learning comedy improvisation 5 years ago was the principle of “being average and having lots of goes.”

Because it’s your willingness to be average, have lots of goes and make mistakes that ultimately helps you succeed on stage.

Not only does this principle apply when performing on stage without a script. It also applies to many aspects of our life and work too.

For example, just think about the 5 phases you go through when learning to cook a meal:  

1. You have a go (you cook something)
2. You fail (burn it or make a tasteless dish)
3. You learn from the failure (identify why you burnt it or why it was inedible)
4. You implement the learning (adjust your cooking approach)
5. You have more goes until you improve and master the art of cooking

So through your willingness to “be average” instead of “perfect” – you give yourselves permission to have plenty of goes and consequently speed up the learning and improvement process.

That same principle applies to every aspect of our careers and working lives too. 

Unless you’re first willing to be average at networking, making job applications, interviewing, presenting to groups, leading teams etc – you’ll get all perfectionist about things and deny yourself opportunities to improve your skills. By not applying for jobs until “just the right moment” or not speaking up at a meeting because you’re “not totally sure” you’ll miss out on 100% of the opportunities which lay in front of you.

So if you want to speed up your job search, career transition or the process of finding more clients for your freelance business – stop trying to be perfect. Stop worrying about screwing up, looking silly or being rejected. They’re simply part of the journey to success. In much the same way as burning a dish is to someone learning to cook. Unless you’re willing to make an average meal and screw up – you’ll never ever actually make a great cuisine.

Similarly, unless you’re willing to put yourself out there and be imperfect, you’ll never move forward and find job opportunities, meaningful work or the lifestyle you want.  

Comedy improvisers are not only encouraged to get comfortable with being imperfect – but in fact encouraged to enjoy the process of screwing up.

So how could you be average and have lots of goes this week? What can you screw up (just a little) this week and still have a smile on your face?

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QUESTION

“Sital, what’s the best way to secure part-time work for back to work mums? There seems to be nothing around and I keep getting rejected. What do you suggest?” 

MY ANSWER

Before I answer the question, let me make you aware of some quick points worth bearing in mind about finding part-time work.

Some quick points about part-time employment

• Part-Time vacancies are often not advertised

A large proportion of part-time roles are not advertised – they’re simply filled by contacts and referrals. In some segments of the market,  75% of part-time roles are filled via employee referrals

• Part-Time vacancies are often created for a particular person

A significant number of part-time roles are created after an employer or business leaders comes across someone. E.g. The business have a need, but not a vacancy. We then come across an old contact or referral with the skills and experience we need – so we create a part-time role for them.

• You need to be work harder to find part-time employment

If you’re after part time work, you need be more proactive than most job seekers.

Whilst there are some exceptions in certain industries (e.g. retail, catering and hospitality sectors), on the whole, there is a huge demand for part-time work but simply not the supply of opportunities. So you’ll have to work harder and be much smarter in your approach than others (i.e. spending a couple of hours a day applying for jobs online is not enough).

The 7 Strategies

So bearing these points in mind – here are some suggestions for mums looking for part time work:

1. Be more specific about what you want

Many back-to-work mum’s often say “Oh I’m looking for something part-time work. Do you know anyone that’s hiring? You know, something I can do during school hours”

What does that mean?!?

Such statements are far too vague.

What can you do? What type of employers and teams are you targeting? What type of roles?

It’s much better to say: “I have XYZ skills and experience and I’m looking to work with ABC type companies. Who do you know I can speak with?”

This makes it much easier for people to refer or recommend you.

2. Forget job titles

Whilst I’m asking you to be more specific – don’t limit the opportunities coming to you by pigeon-holing yourself with a job title.

Instead of talking about job titles, focus on articulating:

a) The type of target employers and teams you’re looking to work with

b) The kind of problems and goals which they may have

c) The type of work you can do to help them solve their problems and/or achieve their goals

d) The results and benefits they’ll get as a result of working with you

Most people simply talk about point c) – What they can do. And consequently get pigeon-holed.

Instead, I suggest you spend very little time talking about what you can do – and more time describing the target employers, their problems and the results you can help achieve. You’re much more likely to be referred to someone that way. And much more likely to open yourself to a wider range of opportunities in related jobs and roles which may not have thought about. .

3. Don’t waste too much time applying via websites and recruiters

Whilst sitting at home applying for jobs online may be the easiest thing to do (especially when you have a young family to look after),  it’s usually the least effective way to find work.

Remember, something like 75% of part-time roles are being filled via contacts and referrals – so by just applying for jobs online – you and the rest of the back-to-work mums are only applying for one-quarter of the part-time jobs out there. And so it becomes a “numbers game” – and the reason why so many  mum’s find it so hard to secure interviews for the right kind of roles.

It’s not because “there are no jobs out there” – it’s because you’re taking the wrong approach!

So instead of spending all your time on websites and applying to recruiters – your part-time job search strategy should be focused around speaking with contacts and networking. More specifically you should be networking with warm contacts - people who know you well.

4. Approach ex-employers and ex-colleagues first

Even if it’s several years since you worked – approaching your previous employer is the first thing you should be doing.

And DON’T approach HR – but instead approach ex-managers and ex-colleagues. They may still refer you to HR but you’ll have more success if referred to them via a line manager than approaching HR direct.

Also – approach ex-colleagues who have moved on from your previous employers. People that know your work, trust you and like you will be best placed to refer you onto their contacts

“Boss, I think you should meet Sharon – we both worked together at XYZ company 5 years ago – she’s excellent and just the kind of person we need right now.”

That type of recommendation comes from people who have worked with you – not recruiters who hardly know you.

So re-activate relationships with old contacts, old friends and ex-colleagues. Use www.LinkedIn.com as a really simple way to find old contacts and network professionally without it feeling weird or awkward. If you’re not familiar with LinkedIn, here are 10 tips you can use to find opportunities using LinkedIn.

5. Approach friends and family 

Once again – the people who know you well are most likely to recommend you. So don’t dismiss anyone – the mum’s you meet on the school run or at your weekly “coffee mornings”  will know people – even if they haven’t worked for a number of years.

6. Think Small

Many people automatically turn to big companies when searching for part-time work. Yet large corporates are often the least flexible when it comes to working hours and flexible roles.

Small and mid-sized firms, on the other hand, are much more open to flexible working patterns. Be it part-time work, working from home, job sharing etc.

So don’t rule out working for a smaller firm. Even if you’ve always worked in large firms  - use the strategies in this article to target smaller firms who would jump at the chance to have someone with your skills and knowledge – but had never thought they could attract someone like you to their business.

7. Don’t ask for a part-time job. Instead offer to “help out”

Many firms these days are cutting back and may have a complete freeze on external recruitment. So the minute you tell your friends that “I’m looking for a job” the automatic reply will be “our company isn’t hiring.”

Or if you say “I’m looking for part-time work” even more people will just shut down and say “Oh, our firm doesn’t have part-time roles.”

But the reality is that although there are fewer “vacancies” in the market (when compared to 5 years ago) – there are lots of problems and plenty of work to do (and a tough market creates more work for a business, not less).

Businesses are struggling, many teams have fewer employees, are very lean and under significant pressure to achieve more with less resources.

So instead of asking for a “job” – you should start talking to people who know you and say something like:

“Do you know of any businesses or small business owners who are struggling to cope with their current workloads? Maybe a company who can’t afford to hire staff but maybe needs some occasional help?”

or

“I’m looking to support any local small businesses looking for help with xyz (the type of skills / work you have experience in). Who do you know that is overloaded with work and maybe needs some help. Maybe on a part-time basis to keep the costs down?”

If they have a need and they can see clear commercial benefits of having some part-time resource they will create a role. And if you’ve been highly recommended by a mutual contact – you’ll be the front runner for the role.

Some Final Questions For You?

• Which ONE of these 7 strategies do you need you need to focus on right now to speed up your job search?

• What’s the next step? The one call, email or action you can take to move you forward?

• What would happen if you took that step TODAY?

LOOKING FOR FURTHER HELP WITH FINDING PART-TIME WORK?

By the way, if you’re a back to work mum looking for help in finding part time work, you may want to join my FREE 2-Part live video cast for job seekers.

I’ll share trips and tricks as well as answering your questions live during the video cast. Even if you can’t make the live cast register your place and we’ll send you a recording after the event.

Click here for more details and to reserve your spot.

Other Popular Posts

• The Big Freeze: 6 Ways To Turn It Into An Opportunity
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• 3 Reasons To Network Yourself Into Your Next Job
• Cobblers Children Have No Shoes – Have you?
• How To Recession Proof Your Career By Developing Your Network