Archive for March, 2008
Leadership quote for the day
March 31st, 2008 by Beth Kennedy
“Leadership both projects to the future and reflects upon the past. It bursts with possibilities, flaunts peculiarities, and occasionally defies probabilities.”
~ Marcia Lynn Whicker
7 Strategies for Career Success: #2 – Goal Setting that Works!
March 29th, 2008 by Beth Kennedy
When we think of Goal Setting many individuals think of New Year’s resolutions. Most of my clients including myself find that setting New Year goals, results in more frustration than success.
- The strategy that seems to work the best is quarterly goal setting and focusing as Stephen Covey would say, “on the big rocks!” Every 3 months I set one or two very specific goals in some key areas. The key areas could include career or professional development, friends or family, stress management or exercise, and vacation or house goals. An example of my latest goal was trying a spinning class at the YMCA. I love it and now go every week!
- My clients find it is more manageable to set smaller goals and see the immediate impact on their life!
- The best goals are something you will embrace, enjoy and in the end; grow from!
- It is amazing that when you set goals in other areas of your life it definitely sparks career success!
~~ Try it and see what you think!
7 Strategies for Career Success: #1- Having a Strategic Resume
March 24th, 2008 by Beth Kennedy
The 7 strategies for career success are for individuals that may or may not be job hunting. We often forget how important it is to focus on career development even if our present job is fine! My goal as a coach is to keep my clients prepared and ready for any change.
I suggest every 3 months you update your resume with the latest and greatest accomplishments! We all know resumes are now about making impact and not just listing job responsibilities.
- I suggest to my clients that they keep an accomplishment folder that they update once a month. Taking 15 minutes once a month to list some of those great projects you accomplished makes updating your resume quick and effective.
- The other strategy I recommend is what I call the : 10 second scan. Ask someone you trust to read your resume and then stop them after 10 seconds. Ask them what do they think are you top 3 selling points? If their not sure….It is time to make your resume more strategic. The big buzz word these days is, what is your personal brand? Can someone reading your resume understand what makes you stand out and why they should hire you for this position.
My next several blogs will share with you strategies that my clients have found to be very helpful for career success. Stay tuned in my next blog for Strategy #2: Goal Setting that works!
Entrepreneurial Leadership
March 11th, 2008 by Beth Kennedy
“Leadership is an active, living process. It is rooted in character, forged by experience, and communicated by example. -John Baldoni
Welcome to my first blog! I hope to leave you with insights that spark your career or leadership success!
I had the luck to be born into an entrepreneurial family. Both my parents’ Fathers had their own business in the moving & storage industry. The real gift I had was having a Father who was a natural leader! My Dad was the President of Steinway Moving & Storage, Long Island City, NY. A family owned and operated business since 1926.
I have a vivid memory of when I was a little girl and would get to assist my Dad on moving jobs. I remember when he was moving a department for Pan American Airlines. I followed him around as he prepared for the big moving day! We always arrived early and he covered every detail, from coffee and fresh rolls for all his employees to taping every wall corner to prevent paint from being scratched. The part that I remember the most was how he knew everyone’s name. It did not matter if they were a Vice President or an elevator operator he called them by their name. He had the gift of finding value in every person! Every time he would leave me by myself someone would come by and say your Dad is amazing!
- As we say in the career coaching business my Dad had the perfect career fit. He was so passionate about the moving industry and so committed to giving more than 100% customer service. He not only motivated his staff but his customers only wanted to book Steinway Movers.
- I dedicate this blog to my Father, Richard Benatti who passed away on May 27, 2003. He is the reason; I started my business – Benatti Training & Development, 15 years ago. He taught me the authentic meaning of leadership and the power a true leader can have on their career and people around them. I never thought anyone could be as happy as he was at work and I feel thankful to have found that path for myself.
- I challenge you to follow your passions and find the fit that will engage you to give more than 100% in your career and life!
Tea for 2!
March 10th, 2008 by Beth Kennedy
”You’ve got to think about the ‘big things’ while you’re doing small things, so that all the small things go in the right direction.” ~Alvin Toffler
Today I met my friend Janet for tea and scones at the Four Seasons in Boston. We started a tradition 10 years ago that we would meet there two times a year to celebrate our birthdays! Every time we do it, we both mention how relaxing and recharging it is to be together and how we know we will be doing this for a very long time! Besides just drinking tea we also share our goals for the year! We both find this activity much more productive to do in March as Spring approaches than in the cold days of January.
- My coaching clients know that I spend a few minutes every session focusing on their stress management! We focus on the connection it has to their success!
- Stress management is different for everyone but the key aspect is you feel recharged! Sometimes it is something we do on a regular basis like exercising or eating healthy and other times it can be something a little different!
- Sometimes it’s the simple stress management strategies that motivate and recharge us! Have fun!