Gaining and Keeping the Edge: Growing your career and staying employed during difficult times

It’s always important to have an edge in business, but especially crucial during a recession and other challenging times. There are many things you can do to both increase your chances of staying employed and find work fast should you become unemployed.

Learn how and why you must:

• Take control of your career
• Think and act like an entrepreneur
• Increase your chances of staying employed
• Be prepared should you lose your job
• Be (and do) your best even on your way out
• Get and stay connected with as many people as possible
• Be positive especially during difficult times

The Professional Edge

Have you ever wondered what it is that sets certain people apart - why some people excel while others remain stagnant? Technical skills and knowledge are essential to professional success, but account for only 15 percent of why you land a job, keep a job, or move ahead. In contrast, 85 percent of your success comes from the professional way you handle yourself and others. Learn the five critical components of professionalism and gain insight into ways you can be more effective.

Discover how to:

• Put yourself on the track to success
• Break the barriers that prevent you from reaching your dreams
• Evaluate yourself and others
• Communicate your strengths and abilities
• Convince others you are worth listening to
• Treat others respectfully and professionally
• Revitalize your career

Take this Job... and Love It!

Have you lost the "love" you first felt about your job? Do you remember the excitement you had when you first interviewed and the nervous anticipation you felt on the first day? Over your lifetime, you will spend more time at work than at any other activity. You may as well enjoy what you do. If you find yourself dreading the thought of going to work each day, consider making a change - in - your attitude! Learn how to experience a professional renaissance and feel that excitement about your job again.

Discover how to:

• Focus on the contributions you make and the positive effect you have on others
• Think of your work as more than just "doing a job"
• Think like an entrepreneur
• Take ownership for your own success
• Add meaning to the work you do
• Maintain that "loving" feeling during challenging and stressful times
• Let go of the things you can't control
• Embrace change
• Grow personally and professionally from the challenges you encounter

Myths and Truths of Success

Most people start out wanting to succeed; looking toward a bright future. Sadly, too few will end up achieving the success they seek. This seminar addresses the many myths about success and helps you discover the truth about what is expected and what will generate the results you want.

In this presentation you will understand why:

• Doing a job well may not be enough
• Your job search may take longer than you think
• Success in school doesn’t guarantee success at work
• Connecting with people and your relationships are more important than you think
• Many jobs are never advertised and where to find them
• Success can be easily achieved and what you need to do to reach your goals

Winner vs. Whiner

No matter what position you hold, your job is important. No organization would accomplish much without all of the hard-working employees who support it. Have you ever wondered why some people appear to have things run smoothly, and always seem to get what they want? Are they simply lucky, or are they instrumental in their outcome? Chances are they have developed good habits and view things positively. Are you a positive influence in your company? This program includes a humorous look at the 15 most-annoying habits of unsuccessful people and the habits that lead to success.

Learn how to:

• Adopt the habits of successful people.
• Control your emotions
• Be open to others
• Solve and resolve problems
• Give and receive compliments
• Assert yourself and ask for what you want
• Build your confidence and credibility
• Nurture relationships
• Work with others and be part of a team

Image: Yours, Mine and Ours

You may not like it and you may not think it is fair, but your image matters. Every time you interact with another human being, you are sending a message about who you are. It is essential to consciously manage this "message" for maximum impact and personal success. Studies have found that image and appearance plays an enormous role in your overall effectiveness. Your visual appearance and your professional manner are among your most powerful and accessible business skills. Your image and that of every colleague affect the organization's image. Learn how to improve yours and help everyone win.

You will learn:

• How to determine the image you need to project for your industry
• How to project a more professional and dynamic image
• The difference between looking "good" and looking professional
• How to evaluate your image and style objectively
• Ways to create an image that authentically reflects who you are
• Why you should dress for the job you want, not the job you have
• Why what you wear speaks louder than what you say or do

Social Graces in Business Places

Conducting yourself appropriately is important in the office, at a business lunch, a formal black tie affair, the company holiday party or any social function related to business. Every office, business and industry has its own unwritten code of behavior and rules. Understanding the expectations of your employer and others will give you a powerful advantage. Building a reputation that lets others know you are able to handle any situation competently and discreetly will help you become known as a person who is reliable and professional.

As a result of this workshop you will:

• Cultivate behavior and manners that reflect your organization's culture
• Increase your ability to be a good conversationalist and make small talk
• Put yourself and others at ease in any business situation
• Build rapport quickly and easily with everyone you meet
• Identify the most common mistakes people make at business events
• Handle yourself at any event from the company picnic to a five-course meal

First Impressions - Every Second Counts

Nothing is more powerful than the instantaneous impression people make about you the first time they meet you. If you think that making a good impression is based on experience, knowledge or education, think again. Your ability to communicate confidence, credibility and competence will determine how others respond to you. It's all about perception. Within 10 seconds, the people you meet will draw long-lasting conclusions about you, which could determine whether they will hire you or have interest in getting to know you at all.

Discover how to:

• Create a positive and lasting impression with everyone you meet
• Connect with others quickly and easily
• Meet your objectives with every encounter
• Master the 11 factors of a first impression
• Apply four simple rules that guarantee business success
• Gain trust and build rapport immediately on the phone and in person

Business Casual

Once companies allowed employees to dress casually, rumor had it that there would be no turning back. Today, 90 percent of companies permit casual dress at least one day a week, but many are beginning to rethink this perk. Fears of sloppily dressed employees conveying the wrong message, and employers wanting to stand out from the competition are reasons why "Dress Up Days" and "Formal Friday's" are the newest trends in the workplace. If you have concerns about the appearance of your "casual" employees, you are not alone.

You will:

• Discover the most common mistakes in dressing casually
• Gain an understanding of "business casual" defined
• Determine what to wear in a casual environment
• Resolve the dilemma of what to wear to a meeting or convention declared "casual"
• Learn what is expected in your industry
• Understand the evolution of "business casual" and the direction for the future