http://www.toedtman.com/ We stress the importance of inspiring people to develop their critical strengths in support of a larger, growth-oriented vision. en 2012-8-27 14:34:55 A must read - quoting: "Life's impermanence is what makes every single day so precious." "...our mission has to be to pullup others behind us." "I think the best we can do is give our young people a chance to make the best decisions possible by providing them with the information and the tools and the support they need." "It was reading Colin Powell's story...that made me realize the incredible power of stories to change people's lives." Quoting Dr. Cornel West's contention that "...our roots help to determine our routes." We have work to do - sharing on our stories, our wisdom and knowledge learned through experience - to those who are listening. And, in the words of Wes Moore's friend, Tavis Smiley, "Failing doesn't make us a failure. But not trying to do better, to be better, does make us fools...the battle of life is won through the trying." Our attempts to improve, to do better, to help others, to listen, and to learn were never so important. We are indeed fools if we do not try harder. http://www.toedtman.com/blog/blog.asp?a=DisplayThread&thread=109 2011-12-23 14:48:14 Over the years, technology has always been tempting – as a user…not as a designer or creator. The ever-changing world of technology has evolved in my live since 1979, when an Apple II arrived at our doorstep. Using VisiCalc, my world of tracking data to predict the ups and downs of commodity prices became so much easier. No more manual computations of “least squares lines.” Easy storage of and accessibility to years of data. “Trendicator” became a Resource Development Company, Inc. brand! Soon, however, floppy discs quickly became a nuisance. Advances in technology solved that problem and brought us to jump drives the size of a penny storing 16 gigs of data. Laptops and phones abound with speed and amazing connectivity. Wonder what’s next!?! An amazing world, technology – and the ideal environment to reach out with vision and creativity – using all the tools of technology – both hardware and software – to launch and successfully execute your personal branding strategy. http://www.toedtman.com/blog/blog.asp?a=DisplayThread&thread=108 2011-12-7 15:4:50 Throughout my career(s) I have had a 3x5 card posted nearby my desk. The 7 levels of initiative are listed - with no author credited. So, if they are your invention, please let me know, so that i offer the correct credits. Ranging from "Do nothing" to "Do it and don't tell anybody" the various levels apply to respective tasks. I will admit to "doing nothing" on some occasions. And, no action was in fact the proper (no) action. With regard to a job search, level 6 is, I believe, most appropriate: "Decide what to do, get it started, complete it, and report the results to your boss." Approach each day as a new beginning - decide what to do and go for it. At the end of the day, summarize the results. Pursuing a new position is a quantitative exercise - you make calls...lots of them....and, there is a predictable return - typically 10% of your calls will result in new action required. Take the initiative - set your daily goal for calls to be made and action to be taken. Summarize your results - daily - and look for the trends - find the positives - make adjustments...and start over tomorrow. It takes hard work, initiative, and patience. Go for it! http://www.toedtman.com/blog/blog.asp?a=DisplayThread&thread=107 2011-11-30 8:3:34 Shraga Zaltzman of JC.com wrote: "Recently a high-profile law firm advertised three paralegal jobs on Twitter. No recruitment agencies were involved and the firm put these vacancies on their website at the end of the day by which time they already had more than 50 CV's for the role. To stand a chance a job-seeker had to know to "follow" the company on Twitter, they had to have the app on their phone or be able to check their twitter feed constantly and be able to customise their CV on the spot so that it would be appropriate for the role advertised. To further increase their chances it would have been useful to have "Linked In' with contacts in the firm and asked them to "put in a word"." No real news - but a reminder that positions are filled without advertising; "tests" for applicants are ever-present; competition is fierce; 24x7 attention required. http://www.toedtman.com/blog/blog.asp?a=DisplayThread&thread=106 2011-11-28 8:47:45 We typically look for reasons not to pursue...procrastinate, defer, wait 'til later. Want ads list requirements. We look for reasons not to apply. Holidays are coming...may as well wait until the new year begins. Not a good idea. You are in playing shape, having trained for the past months to develop a routine of planning, researching, and executing. Now is not the time to take a break. Keep your routine in place - in fact, step up your contact pace. You very well could be distinguishing yourself, as many others are taking a holiday break. Like the ferry boat operator on Lake Champlain - "If I don't go, I don't get!" http://www.toedtman.com/blog/blog.asp?a=DisplayThread&thread=105 2011-11-21 7:59:1 There are conflicting views of the value of "support" groups for Job Seekers. Some groups provide opportunities for constructive, applicable tips to jump-start or reinforce the job search. Others are convenient coffee clutches to share misery - basically deflating any progress that you have made. There is little doubt that the former is the group you should be seeking! Take a look at a North Carolina group to get an idea of the constructive forces that are out there: http://goo.gl/HCk1G. Positive, very supportive groups exist under the sponsorship of many, including churches synagogues, libraries, and civic associations. Take advantage of the opportunity to fine-tune your approach and learn from fellow job seekers. Take away the positives and push your job search up a gear! http://www.toedtman.com/blog/blog.asp?a=DisplayThread&thread=104 2011-11-17 7:46:56 A recent article (http://goo.gl/3NWTR) described a job seeker who was turned away from a job placement service because of a "scruffy" appearance. While suits are certainly not a requirement for many positions, a scruffy appearance is not acceptable anytime. However, what does "scruffy" really mean? While there is certainly no common definition, perhaps it would be a good idea for each job seeker to really think about what to wear prior to embarking on a visit to a job service and/or - most importantly - an interview. Go with neat, clean, and business appropriate apparel. http://www.toedtman.com/blog/blog.asp?a=DisplayThread&thread=103 2011-10-13 11:3:32 On May 27th (2011) we changed voice and data communications carriers. Monthly calls to the old vendor have varied in length - 20 to 60 minutes of holding for 5 to 10-minute conversations. Each month another bill shows up - still no cancellation...so, we try it again. Today, after speaking with 8 - yes 8 - people, I believe the mystery has been solved. You see, on May 27th, the person with whom I spoke didn't "...send the order downstream." I guess they know what that means - I sure don't! The amazing thing to me is this: In spite of the fact that everyone with whom I spoke was polite, trying to help me, and very efficient, the company systems failed them. Some agents told me my account was closed. Others said it was active and transferred me, because another department was needed to close the account. I truly felt like the recent commercial for phone service with the call being transferred again and again...only to end up with "Peggy," the original contact person. The bottom line is this: the employees need the systems, or, at least in my case, they are 8-times less efficient. Training was evident - these people had obviously been trained to keep the me, the customer, from verbal attacks. They were limited by the tools they have to work with. Are you guilty? Now's the time to act - put the right tools in place and go for it! http://www.toedtman.com/blog/blog.asp?a=DisplayThread&thread=102 2011-8-9 11:9:37 The cab driver gets no fare, if a paying customer isn't in the back seat. A ferry captain doesn't get paid if there are no cars on the deck. A job seeker gets no interview if the contacts aren't made. There are many reasons not to go...don't let them stand in your way to go get that interview! http://www.toedtman.com/blog/blog.asp?a=DisplayThread&thread=101 2011-8-5 10:56:55 A Vizibility "search me" button creates instant search results that you want others to see with a click. Add QR (quick response) code to your signatures, business cards, etc. and viewers will have a look at what Google is saying about the brand called "you." http://www.toedtman.com/blog/blog.asp?a=DisplayThread&thread=100