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AGING WORKERS TO EMBRACE ENCORE CAREERS

2012-03-19T19:25:42Z

Analysts predict many opportunties
By Misty Harris, PostMedia News March 19/12

Where will seniors be working in the future? In a word, everywhere.

From fitness instruction to health-care coaching, labour relations to social media management, analysts predict a groundswell of opportunity for those who find themselves working past 65. And if current trends persist, that will eventually include most of us.

"Improved health and longevity are making it possible for the older workforce to do things our grandparents couldn't have done," says economist Barry Bluestone, a professor at Northeastern University in Boston.

"We're going to see a whole lot of new types of jobs developed, especially for people who are delaying retirement or going into encore careers."

The 67-year-old university professor says that, to him, retirement remains an alien concept. But he's considering a transitional career that would act as a bridge to the golden years - an idea gaining popularity among those his age.

"Many people I've talked to are delighted by the idea of doing something different for the last third of their life," says Bluestone, who sees himself teaching schoolchildren on a part-time basis. Read More

Alberta Families at Risk of Too Much Stress

2012-03-17T20:49:08Z

Parkland Institute Research
February 17, 2012
Family Day on the Treadmill:
Alberta Families at risk of too much stress
In 1989 there was significant debate in Alberta’s legislature over the bill to create Family Day. Many believed it was important, at least symbolically, to recognize the need for families to spend more time together. Since then, the challenges facing families nationally and here in Alberta have intensified. A look at leisure time, work hours, vacation and holidays, child care, and sense of belonging to communities paints a picture of families at risk of too much stress.

According to the Canadian Index of Wellbeing, Canadians are spending less time on social leisure. The average portion of total time that Canadians spent on the previous day on social leisure activities dropped from 15.2% in 1994 to 12.4% in 2008 for an overall decrease of 18.5% during the fifteen year period.

Read more

To Get Raving Fans...Be One!

2012-03-09T22:01:01Z

People are always wanting to know what is the magic of building a community of raving fans in business. Is there an ad word or social media campaign they can buy for this? Today we simply must go back in time and understand what being a raving fan is all about.

It usually starts with someone who needs a service or product and as a result of experiencing exceptional customer service are wowed. They are the folks who walk away feeling like you have gone the extra mile for them. They then take that experience and share it with a passion.

If you want raving fans think about what can you do to go the extra mile with respect to a product or service you offer. In your business system, does everyone know what the extra mile effort is? Do you have a goal or plan for creating raving fans? Can you imagine how fun training would be if you took the time to play and be creative around ways your team could go the extra mile? Even talking about extra mile stores gives people new energy.

Once you have a plan, start ringing the bell every time a raving fan is created in business. Create a business challenge to have 10 new raving fans a month, and talk about each experience so others can use the same winning recipe to duplicate.

Lastly, the best way to create raving fans in your business is to be one yourself. We have moments daily where we can practice being a fan of colleagues, leaders, businesses who give great service. The more we rave about others the more it becomes part of who we are. Keep your mind focused on 5 star experiences daily rather than on the stories of what went wrong.

I want to thank the 5 star leaders in my life, including my mother who taught me to take the time to appreciate people and celebrate "the good we give is the good we get" philosophy.

Workplace Speaker Network

Increase Your Income With a Professional Photo

2012-01-28T19:11:47Z

Increase Your Income with a Professional Headshot
By Jana Miko - Miko Photography

            In today's market, a professional headshot is a business essential. With more and more competition in the marketplace, consumers are often overwhelmed and looking to find the most comfortable buying position.

            Referrals are tops when it comes to choosing where to take your business. When a client is referred to you, your business card can be a big part of your first impression. Having photographic representation gives people a sense of familiarity with you before they have even met you and will often persuade them to contact you.

            The same truths apply to your website and other marketing materials you are using to attract customers to meet with you. Seeing a photograph makes you more personable. Future clients will see you as a real person and be able to envision themselves doing business with you.

            Remember, you are not only selling your product or service, more importantly, you are selling yourself. From your clients perspective, they have almost met you face to face have an idea of what to expect and will recognize you when meeting you for the first time. Your photograph is appealing to another of your clients senses. Even after you have met with this person, your picture will work for you, helping them remember who you are and perhaps the conversation you had.

            As consumers we like to be comfortable and feel like we are in control. Giving your future clients the benefit of having your photo will help them achieve this, making you more memorable and enticing them to seek out your services over your competition.   A picture brings a thousand words to our minds. In business, your headshot can bring thousands of dollars to your pocket.

Jana Miko
Miko Photography
Award Wining Portrait Photographer - Calgary & Area
Specializing in Families & Newborns
Nationally Accredited in Childrens Photography, High Key & Environmental Portraiture
403 451-9769

The Power of 70 Minds In Workplace Learning!

2012-01-06T14:04:23Z

I am in awe as I think about the 70 minds coming together next week in Calgary, AB Canada to learn about opportunities for workplace learning. For me, it doesn't get any better than this. It makes me think about the trend I am seeing in how people are wanting to share knowledge and work more collaboratively not only on a local level but a global level as well. A revolution perhaps in how we are moving from a technological age to an age of conscious right brained thinking.

What do you have to share that we can all benefit from?
I wonder what the first people said when they signed up to use Facebook? or Linkedin? Did they know the impact they would have on the lives of others in their community? As we get set to launch WSN: Workplace Speaker Network, I wonder what impact we will have on the world of workplace learning?

Will it be a meeting of the greatest minds to strategically shift how learning happens?

Will it be to gain knowledge faster and more cost effectively?

Will non profit and corporate leaders meet and create new opportunities to work together?

Will smaller companies bring budgets together to plan powerful learning opportunities?

We want to know what you project for this new wave of learning that celebrates a collaborative style of leadership.

Wishing all much success,

Workplace Speaker Network

Is The Gen Y Fear The Same as The "Beatles" Fear?

2012-01-02T15:18:27Z

Today the workplace is challenged by figuring out how to engage Gen Y and embrace a new learning culture. Some people avoid hiring Gen Y's and fear loss of productivity in the workplace. Others embrace Gen Y's and cater to their needs for social interactivity and the focus on 3 P's: People, Planet, and Profit. With such a great shift occurring, the future lies in creating an understanding of the needs of the workplace environment and how this new generation invests in the workplace. The goal in my eyes is to bring the voices of all generations together to find solutions to strengthen the workplace environment so all can benefit.

It kind of reminds me about the same kind of fear parents had in the 60's about the "Beatles" and how they were morally shifting culture in the wrong direction. Should the focus today be on telling people to stop hiring Gen Y until they get with the program or finding out how Gen Y ticks so we can leverage their unique voice? Whether you wish to know where Gen Y is spending their time,"Top 10 Social Networks for Gen Y" or invest in discussions about pro's and cons' of Gen Y " Gen Y- or Gen Whine", we need to realize that we are all part of one big dysfunctional family that needs to just get along.

What do you think?

Workplace Speaker Network

How can I help you connect in 2012?

2012-01-01T16:28:33Z

In 2011 I decided to start the new year by setting a goal I knew I could achieve. I was tired of setting traditional goals that you share January 1, and by the time February rolls around you have already fallen off the wagon. I wanted to be able to say at the end of 2011 that I had succeeded. I wanted to convince myself that goal setting could work for me.

Ask and You Shall Receive
Last year I planned my new years resolution/ goal to measure "making connections happen". I started out thinking that I would find an opportunity each week to bring two people together (in a purposeful way) so they could help each other win. It could be people who needed a business contact, or it could be a community member who needed to find a resource, or it could be connecting people to serve in non profit agencies. It was just a strategy of matching good people who needed to find other good people. Sound simplistic? It was. Simple and easy made sense to me.

Power of One = Two
As I leveraged the numbers it meant that one action (connecting two people) doubled my returns. In fact, that connection meant I was actually making not only 52 connections but in reality 104. It may have been kind of a easy goal for me to do as connecting is my passion but decided to do it anyways. As the year passed, momentum started to build in creating "connection energy". Not only did I find it easy to achieve my goal, I was able to double and almost triple my goal by the end of 2011. In addition to this, these amazing people began a process of leveraging their connections within their networks to help these new contacts win...and so on and so on. The multiplier effect took over and the power of good people helping good people spread. Not only did these people benefit, I started getting a flood of new connections coming back to me through the spirit of reciprocity. How awesome is that?

The Power of Simple Goals
As I ponder my goals for 2012, I am once again going with simple and easy. Making connections happen in 2012. However, I want to see if others will join me in this goal and amplify "connection energy". For most of us connecting is what we do naturally without thinking because it is the right thing to do. I am asking people to make 2012 a year where we consciously make an extra effort to connect people to help them win.

Let me know how I can help you connect in 2012.
Remember, I have 52 connections to make and only 52 weeks to help people win!

Happy New Year and I wish you all much success!

Denise

Workplace Speaker Network

Training Employees to Find The Golden Nugget

2011-12-31T17:49:26Z

I have attended many seminars where I was asked after the event to provide feedback as to my experience. Much of the focus for the feedback was on what I thought about the teaching style of the presenter and how the presenter could improve their presentation to engage me more. I understand the value of improving presentation skills, but sometimes feel the ownership for learning as a attendee is lost.

I wonder if we need to be teaching people how to search for golden nuggets?

We know not every presenter will reach an entire audience even though that is the goal.
However, what I think may be of value is finding a way to help people learn how to get the most out of every learning experience. Teach people how to find the golden nuggets whether it be lessons to improve your own communication skills (what not to do when you present) or seek a message or a statement that you can use in your work or personal life. There is always an opportunity to learn from all experiences good and bad.

How open we are to receiving can set the stage for more successful workplace learning outcomes.

What do you think?

Workplace Speaker Network

How to Accomplish More by Doing Less

2011-12-30T15:42:54Z

I found this great article, How to Accomplish More by Doing Less in the Harvard Business Review. I know shifting how we spend our most valuable commodity, " time" is everything.

What time saving strategies do you use to be more effective?

Workplace Speaker Network

Power of MasterMind Groups for Success

2011-12-22T14:37:55Z

I was recently interviewed regarding an amazing MasterMind Group I am a part of.
Success comes through helping others win first. I am so lucky to have such a dynamic team of supporters helping me find success. Create your own Mastermind Group in 2012!

Article on Women's MastMind Group: Calgary Herald

Have you had success From a MasterMind group?

Share Your Voice: Workplace Speaker Network

2011-12-16T14:48:28Z

As we prepare to meet January 13, 2012 to introduce the new Workplace Speaker Network, I thought it would be interesting to have people connect here before we meet in January. Simply add your voice in the comment section below, and click on follow this post/remember me to easily connect.

I would like to know what you think about a network that brings workplace learning stakeholders together?

Social Investing Makes Cents

2011-12-11T17:34:22Z

Social investing today means more than just making a donation to some charity to get a tax receipt. Companies are wanting to find sustainable solutions for their future existence, and find a fit between their corporate values and the values of the social agencies they choose to invest in. Corporations see value in creating a planned giving strategy to make their investments more meaningful and establish long term community partnerships. Giving donations is quick and easy...building long lasting social relationships to impact long lasting change, takes time.

It's not just about the money today!
As companies are needing to find innovative ways to attract and retain employees, incorporating the triple treat strategy "people, planet and profits" is everything. With generation Y moving into the workforce, there is a stronger emphasis for corporations to respond to their need for aligned values in the workplace. Today's workforce is not just interested in joining a company for the paycheck. They want to know they work with a company that cares and walks the talk.

Does social investing make cents?
I recently attended a Christmas Party for an insurance company who created a raffle draw to support a charity called Canadian Women for Women In Afghanistan. With little effort, they raised over $700.00 in one night. Knowing a company like this is always weaving social investing into their culture, means I will keep investing in their services for the long term. Guess what...I am not alone. According to a study reported in the Brand Bubble, " 81% of consumers say they are likely to switch brands to support a cause if price and quality are equal."

Whether you just invest in community because you feel it is the right thing to do or you invest because it is a strategic employee investment plan.... just do it.

On a scale of 1-10 (10 being the highest) would you switch your buying habits to support a cause?

3 Tips to Creating Valuble Realtionships On Line

2011-12-04T14:51:26Z

Today, people are starting relationships on line before they begin in person. You are being screened for value before you even meet someone. Your on line persona is becoming a blend of your personal and professional self. As online rules of relationship engagement change faster than ever before, you need to know what you can do to be heard authentically. Here are 3 tips to help you start your relationships off on the right foot.

Tip1: Sharing is Caring

People will listen to you on line if you start your engagement by helping them win. Whether you have a relevant link people may enjoy or you have some wisdom to help people get their needs met, always make a meaningful contribution to share and care. Never sell yourself or your company. Let people choose you.

Tip 2:Respond Immediately or Lose Your Power

People live in the now. Now means now...not in the next week, or whenever you have time to catch up. If you are engaging people in a conversation on line and do not reply within a few hours or the next day, you have lost the power of the connection. Whether you are an HR expert following up on a new recruit or an expert leadership guru being asked about your expertise, getting back to people instantly matters. Doing what you say you will do will in a matter of hours not days will help to build trust in your on line relationships. The maxim " under provide and over deliver" is key to laying the seeds of a strong on line relationship.

Tip 3: Thanking Others in The On Line Community

I know this may sound simplistic but letting people know you value their words/writing is powerful (whether you agree or disagree with their content). Smiling as you read funny content or frowning if you disagree is not helping you build a relationship or get heard. You need to share the emotional impact your experience in words to make your presence known. Adding simple comments (non self promoting or destructive) that share your take of the message means you have listened. People love to be listened to.

What benefits have you received from contributing to on line conversations?

Workplace Speaker Network

Speakers and Marketing Plan

2011-12-02T14:58:03Z

Just had a great meeting with E-Women Network in Calgary, AB. Thank you Jo-Ann Vacing-Dibblee for inviting me to speak.

We shared ideas on ways to kickstart 2012. Focus is everything! Attached is a Simple Marketing Plan all can use.

Share with us how you plan to kickstart 2012!
Simple Marketing Plan

Looking forward to learning from the experts!

The Power of Video Today!

2011-11-17T15:22:46Z

Attention all audiences: People today searching for information/resources on line are reading less and clicking on video more. My generation (end of baby boomers) and my son's generation (Y or Z) will spend more time on a site if video is present. If people make decisions today within seconds, wouldn't it be great if we could keep them for minutes?

I am not alone on this. You Tube is the second (maybe soon to be first) largest search engine in the world. It didn't get there by mistake. People love to learn by viewing. If people like your written work, they will be captured by your video presentation (if you know how to do it right). Although there are all kinds of ways to produce video, video experts who "get it" and can communicate your value are worth their weight in gold. Whether you are a business wanting to recruit or attract new people, or a speaker who wants to demo the value of your services, you need to have a video footprint.

If your want your message heard today...." You want to go where everyone knows your name". Build a presence in the video community and stay connected.

Here is a cool video that caught my attention. It sold me on the power of this talented mime and impact on using a video tool to create business/sales/value. Brilliant!

mime video

What value do you see using video to share your message today?
Will your business suffer if you are not present in this space?

Join The Wave: WSN for Workplace Learning

2011-11-16T15:35:34Z

Welcome to WSN, the Workplace Speaker Network blog.

To give you an understanding of how the network idea came to life, I will share my stumble upon story of innovation.

I was running a niche business in the area of marketing for small business (Marketing Matters Canada) in Health/ Corporate Wellness in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Through my systematic process of client assessment, I started finding clients wanting to link up with leaders in corporate offices to share their expertise. Goal: Help them build relationships with corporate communities. As this trend was developing, I also started getting calls from corporate Calgary leaders to help them find specific speakers for workplace talks.

I was becoming known as the "go to" person to find a speaker and match them with organizations that wanted learning resources. I realized there was a gap in how these groups were connecting. Being the queen connector and knowing so many amazingly gifted experts, I started making the links happen. It was like a double espresso rush for me helping the right people get in front of the right audience.

The Problem I had?
When I started getting a flood of requests for workplace learning leads:conference speakers/lunch and learn speakers/health fair speakers/keynote speakers/ etc, I was not making the links and information available fast enough. I started asking myself questions:

"How could I make this work more effectively and efficiently?"

" What gap exists in the learning environment space?"

"How could I help experts on a whole range of topics/themes showcase their gifts so they get noticed faster?"

"How could I structure a network to allow people to view experts live and stay connected and updated with new resources? "

"How could we as a community of invested stakeholders in workplace learning share ideas about innovating learning in the workplace?"

" How do I bring this community together to create a win-win?"

Brainstorm come to life: The WORKPLACE SPEAKER NETWORK

As we get ready to launch WSN , I am excited about the possibility to make connecting easy for everyone in the workplace learning environment.

What Do You Think?

I want to know your voice? What are you looking for in your workplace? What are your challenges? What do you need simplified to make it easier to implement?

As a speaker, what do you want to see so you can reach your client community faster and more effectively?

I look forward to learning from this dynamic community!

Wishing you much success

Denise Baril