International Networking Week is an initiative of BNI (International business Week) to recognize the key role that networking plays in the development and success of businesses across the world.

Why some of us may not need to focus on networking around the globe these are some great tips you can use at any networking event.
According to Ford R. Myers, career coach, speaker and author (Get The Job You Want, Even When No One’s Hiring), “”Networking is not about ‘schmoozing,’ or selling someone on the idea of hiring you. Rather, it’s about purposefully and gracefully asking peers for help, advice, input and contacts – and offering real value in return. Networking boosts job seekers’ self-esteem and helps them connect people with opportunities – especially when those opportunities are hard to come by,” says Myers.

Myers suggests the following 10 ways job seekers can maximize career networking in a today’s market:

1. Schedule face-to-face meetings with your top tier contact list – “centers of influence” who believe in you, understand your value, and are in the best position to help you.
2. Schedule phone meetings with other people who might lead you to key industry influencers.
3. Get at least 3-5 names from each person with whom you speak.
4. Be confident and purposeful.
5. Bring a prepared list of questions and ask if it’s okay to jot down notes during the meeting.
6. Establish good rapport by getting the other person to talk about himself/herself.
7. Don’t use the word “fired.” Keep the conversation positive and focus on the future, not the past.
8. Don’t make excuses or sound apologetic for your current career situation.
9. Come from generosity – look for opportunities to offer something of value in return for the other person’s help and support.
10. Always send a “thank you” note immediately after your networking meeting.

Myers also suggests, “When done properly, at the end of every networking meeting, the other person should feel genuinely glad you contacted them, and feel enriched by the experience. Networking always pays big dividends in the long run,” adds Myers.

For more information and other useful tips for achieving career success, visit http://www.getthejobbook.com .

Copyright (C) 2012, Career Potential, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Permission to Reprint: This article may be reprinted, provided it includes the following attribution: Reprinted by permission of Ford R. Myers, a nationally-known Career Coach and author of “Get The Job You Want, Even When No One’s Hiring.” Download your free bonuses now at http://www.careerbookbonuses.com.

Ford R. Myers, career coach, speaker and author of “Get The Job You Want, Even When No One’s Hiring,” (John Wiley & Sons, http://www.getthejobbook.com) has developed a simple six-step “power plan” designed to help individuals make the most of their current career or find a new and more satisfying one in 2012.

Step 1: Perform an Internal Audit
A comprehensive internal audit combines the job seeker’s personal values, a list of adjectives outlining one’s “ideal employer,” and a “perfect job description.” In addition, candidates should do an audit of their professional strengths, personal appearance and mental attitude – and make positive adjustments as needed.

Step 2: Update your Job Seeker’s “Took Kit”
Job seekers over-emphasize the resume because their other “tools” are weak or nonexistent. In order to master the job search process and maximize long-term career success, job seekers will also need written accomplishments, verbal presentations, a professional biography, a list of references, and letters of recommendation, among other useful tools.

Step 3: Networking: The Core of Your Search
The overwhelming majority of job seekers find their next career through networking. In order to achieve success, job seekers must have a proven system to follow. This includes a contact list, positioning statement (where you’ve been professionally), a departure statement (what happened to your last job), a list of targeted companies, networking meeting agenda, and request for help (access to a broader network and professional guidance – not a request for a job).

Step 4: Interviewing for Success: Better Interviews Get Better Offers
Interviewing can best be described as two-way story telling. Job seekers need to provide the interviewer with accurate, relevant, and value-centered stories about job performance. The interviewer needs to share the story of their company, describe the position in question, and explain specifically how they want you to fit into this picture.

Step 5: Salary Negotiations: The Rules of the Game
Even in the current economy, you don’t have to accept the first salary that is being offered. Salaries are fully negotiable. Get the employer to state a salary figure or range first. Perform extensive salary research, and practice negotiating extensively beforehand. Defer salary discussions until an offer seems imminent. And discuss salary only with the person who has the authority to negotiate the salary and hire you.

Step 6: Who’s Managing Your Career? A Guide to Perpetual Career Management
In today’s work world, if you’re not managing your career, no one is! This step focuses on concrete, practical steps to manage your career effectively over the long-term, including keeping all your success documents up to date, putting time aside every week for active networking, researching and being aware of the competition, and offering to help people in your network.

“Despite the current economy, many people are moving up the corporate ladder or finding excellent new careers. Those who are achieving success know how to ‘play the game’ and are fully prepared for every step of the career development process. Anyone can find career success in 2012 by properly executing the steps I’ve outlined above,” adds Myers.

For more information and other useful tips for achieving career success, visit www.getthejobbook.com.

Ford R. Myers is President of Career Potential, LLC. His firm helps clients take charge of their careers, create the work they love, and earn what they deserve! Ford has held senior consulting positions at three of the nation’s largest career service firms. His articles and interviews have appeared in many national magazines and newspapers, and he has conducted presentations at numerous companies, associations and universities. In addition, Ford has been a frequent guest on television and radio programs across the country. He is author of Get the Job You Want, Even When No One’s Hiring. More information is available at: www.getthejobbook.com and www.careerpotential.com.

Reprinted by permission of Ford R. Myers, a nationally-known Career Coach and author of “Get The Job You Want, Even When No One’s Hiring.” Download your free bonuses now at http://www.careerbookbonuses.com.

Not everyone was cut out to work a 9 to 5, or to go about their careers and lives in a traditional way.

Some people were born to be trailblazers, which means it might go against their DNA to clock in and report to a boss. Some people need to be their own boss, and for such people I’ve got just the list for you. Three ways to be your own supervisor:

Self-publish
Start your own blog or site and back it up with social media. This doesn’t just pertain to writers. Photographers, videographers, musicians, reporters, anyone who does anything creative or offers a service of any kind can make money off it by blogging their content and positioning it in the right Internet niches. All you need to do is a little SEO research, get some Google Ads running, and you’re on your way. And don’t forget about podcasts—they’re becoming very popular and lucrative. Another option is to license your material with a publishing service like Lulu.com.

Any of these endeavors are going to require a good personal computer, so you might need to hop over to LaptopReviews.com and look for a deal. You can’t run a blog without a computer!

Start your own small business
Small businesses are notoriously stressful to run but they offer the greatest emancipation from supervisors. You make your own schedule, your own hours, and your own paychecks. But you’ve got to bring in money in order for those paychecks not to bounce. Whether you’re screen-printing t-shirts, running a food truck, developing mobile apps, or selling vintage clothing, a small business owner will need to be a savvy businessman or woman as well as a shrewd sales person. Again, you’re going to want your own site backed up with social media. Online stores are another way to go for small businesses.

Freelance
You can be self-employed without taking the risks associated with running a small business. A freelancer is essentially free from reporting to a boss but instead you’ve got to report to clients—many of them! Wedding photography, deejaying, graphic design, and videography are all jobs that are frequently coveted by freelancers. It can be a very financially profitable gig if you’re aggressive and know how to market yourself. Here self-publishing comes back into play. You need a good site to highlight your portfolio of work and previous clients.

So there are three ways to earn money without reporting to a supervisor. Keep in mind, that all of these options will still require you to work your butt off. And just because you’re your own boss doesn’t mean you won’t hate your boss!

This is a contributing article, provided by one of our guest bloggers.

It seems like I’m not the only one taking on more than one job. According to Career Coach and Author Ford R Myers, working full-time and as a freelancer is becoming America’s new career path. According to the U.S. Labor Department statistics, more than 6.9% of Americans are considered multiple job holders.

Myers, author of “Get the Job You Want, Even When No One’s Hiring,” has discovered that money isn’t the only reason why Americans are working harder and longer.

“In today’s unpredictable economy, workers can’t rely on their full-time jobs for their livelihood. They need to be self-reliant, not job reliant. That means if they were to lose their main position, they would still have a stream of income and the confidence that will put them ahead of others in a similar situation,” says Myers.

Myers suggests six options where Americans can earn additional money while continuing their full-time positions:

1. Part-time employment. Whether it’s in the retail, restaurant, business services or administrative sector, here’s your chance to find a position in a field you genuinely like.
2. Teaching or substitute teaching. Experienced professionals are sought after to teach classes and bring a real-world perspective to their students.
3. Consulting or contract assignments. If you have a background in business operations, computer/technology, or creative/advertising, these fields naturally lend themselves to consulting or contract work.
4. Work for family or friends. Contact every friend, relative or acquaintance who owns or runs a business, and ask about their needs and challenges. People who know you are more likely to “give you a break.”
5. Home-based work. With the advent of the Internet and computer technology, it is easier than ever to do real work from home, specifically in the fields of administrative, sales, computer work, creative assignments, bookkeeping, and personal services.
6. Odd jobs. There is always a need for reliable, professional help in the areas of construction, painting, sewing, moving and hauling, yard work, and plowing. If you’re not afraid to get your hands dirty, you can earn good money providing these greatly-needed services to organizations and individuals.

“The world of work has changed. Rather than relying on one source of income such as from a full-time job, many people are developing second or even third streams of income to provide a greater sense of security. By pursuing an outside interest, hobby or passion, it’s very likely that you could do the same. Given the current state of the U.S. economy and job market, that would be a smart move!” exclaims Myers.

If you want to learn more about the Myers book, “Get the Job You Want, Even When No One’s Hiring,” visit www.gethejobbook.com or amazon.com to order today.

Ford R. Myers is President of Career Potential, LLC. His firm helps clients take charge of their careers, create the work they love, and earn what they deserve! Ford has held senior consulting positions at three of the nation’s largest career service firms. His articles and interviews have appeared in many national magazines and newspapers, and he has conducted presentations at numerous companies, associations and universities. In addition, Ford has been a frequent guest on television and radio programs across the country. He is author of Get the Job You Want, Even When No One’s Hiring. More information is available at: http://www.getthejobbook.com and http://www.careerpotential.com.

Debt-ceiling debates, credit-rating crises and international economies teetering on a double-dip recession might just be more than enough to scare would-be entrepreneurs out of the risky business of pursuing their ambitions. But not all of them.

Self-made success story Melissa Evans believes innovators who have come to know their true strengths and align their business with their purpose and natural abilities will succeed even in turbulent times.

“Entrepreneurs and companies who have a clear understanding of who they are operate with certainty and confidence, which are the two things businesses and customers want most in these troubled times,” said Evans, a healthcare industry consultant and author of Sole to Soul: How to Identify Your Soul Purpose and Monetize It (www.soletosoulbook.com). “Everyone is not broke in this economy, some are thriving. Monetizing your purpose is the best way to have an abundant life.”

Hers is a modern, spiritual take on a classic economic theory: Countries and individuals are most successful and efficient when they know what they do best and focus on it. Aspiring entrepreneurs seeking more control over their financial futures or those looking to remake their careers after a layoff aren’t out of luck if they look inward and define their natural talents, she advised.

Evans offers these points for those looking to swim against the economic undertows:

• Entrepreneurs must start by looking inward: They must know, love and be themselves to be successful.
• They must inspire people to become aligned with their strengths and natural abilities and to put those skills to good use and to work for the good of their community.
• Business people and companies must understand and assess the importance of being clear about their service so that customers can find them.
• That clarity and forthrightness, in turn, will help people and companies monetize the talents and skills they offer, while removing limits to their growth.

“These are times that call out for individuals and business – and even our nation – to clearly define what makes them powerful, unique and able to move forward,” Evans said. “The greatest eras of economic growth occur when individuals, communities and countries embrace their gifts, talents and purpose and come from a place of genuine service – then they will be financially successful.”

As legions of both the unemployed and working people face the prospect that the overall economy will not improve soon, Evans believes a defeatist attitude is the worst possible path to take for individuals and the nation at large. Having interviewed scores of successful business people who succeeded despite the odds against them, Evans said the path to prosperity is clear: Those willing to work toward a single-minded, soul-inspired goal are successful and in turn create abundance for others, she said.

“You can monetize your ‘soul’ purpose, but it’s not all about the money – it’s about your gift and what you offer to others,” she said. “Those who understand what skills and traits make them special, who then develop a purposeful business plan and know how to remove the barriers that stand in their way – even a barrier as big as a recession – will and do succeed.”
About Melissa Evans

Melissa Evans, MHA, PMP, Master Coach, self-made millionaire at age 31 and “The Guru of Implementation,” founded The Broshe Group in 2001 in Atlanta, Georgia. With her focus on the healthcare industry, Evans helped numerous companies improve patient care, safety and service while growing profits. Her privately-held company serves clients worldwide.

No customer wants to hear that you have other customers, but the truth is that you do. What’s more, no customer wants to hear that you have more important customers, but that’s also true.

According to marketing consultant Betsy Kruger, the problem is that many businesses treat all their customers exactly the same way and wind up sacrificing a lot of profit in the process.

“Virtually every business seeks to increase its profit, but few business leaders realize that a universal law predicts profit from customers,” said Kruger, author of Top Market Strategy: Applying the 80/20 Rule (www.BetsyKruger.com). “The law in play here is called the Pareto principle and it’s named for Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto, who observed in 1906 that 20 percent of the people consistently own 80 percent of the wealth. He also noticed that 20 percent of the pea pods in his garden contained 80 percent of the peas. Fast forward a century and recent research confirms that Pareto was right – the Pareto principle is universal and predicts results.”

“Extending the 80/20 rule to your business, you can expect the most profitable 20 percent of your customers to generate 80 percent of your profit. Kruger asserts the 80/20 rule predicts that customers in the top 20 percent will generate 16 times more profit than customers in the bottom 80 percent. Kruger’s book explains why this is true and demonstrates how to profit from the 80/20 rule. Her recommendations apply to any type of business. For example, if you are a distributor, you can quickly enact these three steps:

• Distinguish – Distinguish the most profitable 20 percent of your customers from other customers. Allocate one day a week to serving them with a top market strategy. Expect to make 80 percent of your usual weekly profits from only 20 percent of your customers.
• Target – Target similar prospects on the other four days of the work week. Allocate neither time nor other resources to serving customers in the bottom 80 percent. Admit they caused more problems than they’re worth.
• Convert – Convert these prospects into customers by using a top market strategy. Predict that these new customers will be highly profitable. Anticipate that your profits will quadruple.”

“Should we treat customers equally?” Kruger retorts, “Absolutely not! Your customers do not treat your business equally. Your top customers generate massive profits, whereas your other customers generate minimal profits. This means that your business can magnify its profits by targeting your most profitable customers. For example, Trustpoint Insurance personally services the top 20 percent of its customers, but automates services to its other customers. As a result, its sales force has the time to prospect for highly profitable new customers. This top market strategy is a classic win-win game plan: both sales commissions and profits have magnified at Trustpoint Insurance. A top market strategy for your business can be your win-win game plan.”

Betsy Kruger owns Strategic Power, a marketing consultancy committed to empowering world prosperity, one business at a time. She writes, speaks, and consults about the 80/20 rule. Business Expert Press released her book, Top Market Strategy: Applying the 80/20 Rule in August, 2011. Her book enriches marketing textbooks and shows business leaders how to profit from the 80/20 rule.

* photo credit by InspiredinDesMoines

Guest post by Sheri Riley creator of the Exponential Living program.

Life’s true tragedy is that, when someone dies, the misfortune is not only the death itself but also the untapped potential and unrealized dreams that die with them. This “compounded loss” happens more often than not. Far too many of us spend 100% of our time on only 10% of who we are today, and can be tomorrow.

“According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, many of us work eight hours per day, commute for at least one hour per day, spend at least two hours eating, watch TV for five hours each day and spend nearly two hours a day using a computer for leisure activity, such as online games, research or social media,” Riley notes. “That’s nearly 18 hours, which doesn’t even include the multiple hours needed for our evening slumber. Clearly, we spend more time on what we aren’t than we do on who and what we are…and want to be.”

For high achievers in particular, there isn’t a problem understanding HOW to get things done but rather there are challenges balancing it all. So many successful people spend the majority of their time on one area of their life where they excel, but perpetually feel unfulfilled.

With this in mind, Riley offers these 9 methods to help high achievers tap into the other 90% of “who they are,” beyond “what they do,” and realize greater life balance, joy and fulfillment in kind:

Method 1: Healthy Living is about More Than Diet!
There is more to life than the race to achieve more money or a fancy job title. And, there is more to living healthfully than what food you ingest or what physical exercises you do. Other lifestyle decisions, such as those related to marriage, parenting, and friendships, all factor into one’s healthy sense of self. Healthy living requires being true to yourself and being truly “present” when you’re with loved ones. Healthy living is also a frame of mind. If your thoughts are self-destructive, this negativity will manifest itself in your body through stress, anxiety and other adverse physical conditions, and can undermine your personal and professional relationships with others.

Method 2: Peace and a Positive Mind – Your Defender in the Face of Distractions
Cultivating and maintaining a peaceful life must be a goal of paramount importance. Distractions and life’s distresses both small and large will pull you away from this goal each and every time you allow it. Your thoughts are the training ground and spring board for your overall disposition and perspective on life. Many accomplished people never pause to revel in or acknowledge their success. They are constantly striving for what’s next. While not entirely a bad thing, when your desire to achieve becomes bigger than your desire to BE, your existence will be likened to a hamster running in an endless circle, never at peace and never at a point of rest.

Method 3: The Importance of Having a Giving Heart and Spirit
Most know that giving back to society and those in need is one of the most meaningful activities we can engage in. In fact, many very successful people believe that giving is directly tied to their continued success. Having a giving heart and spirit not only creates more opportunities for you to provide for others, but doing so allows more opportunities for your continued success to manifest in your life, and others: what impacts one impacts us all. Achievement and accomplishments come from the work of our hands and minds, but true success and fulfillment comes from giving of the heart. Not just donating your time through charitable work or financial donations, but also allocating precious time to family and friends. Being present and accessible to loved ones is the ultimate gift for others…and yourself.

Method 4: Live in Your P.O.W.E.R ™
High achievers should strive to tap into their personal P.O.W.E.R., which is Perspective, Ownership, Wisdom, Engagement, and Reward. Perspective cultivates recognition of what is draining your life and what is enriching your life. This leads to Ownership of your relationship with yourself and with others. It allows you to establish your personal boundaries and define what and where you are to give of yourself and your time. This understanding of your own truth is a major component of Wisdom, which is gained from how you implement your life experiences into your life and evolve your thinking and decisions through expanding your knowledge and good judgment. This enlightenment brings consistent Engagement in the quality of your life. Your desire, energy, and personal encouragement will motivate you to commit yourself to stop spending 100% of your time on 10% of who you are – this is your Reward.

Method 5: Stop Working So You Can Maximize your Opportunities
When you are constantly working, you seldom recognize your achievements. Without taking these moments to recognize your accomplishments, you are constantly stretching for what’s next and never appreciating and enjoying what you have completed. This cycle often leads to burn out, health issues, personal relationship issues, and low self esteem. And, many times, it does not have a clearly defined end of moment of victory. When you change your mindset from working to maximizing opportunities, you reposition your thought process and how you approach your life. You are able to separate and segment your work from other areas of your life because maximizing the opportunity has a beginning and an end. You are quicker to recognize when to end or remove your self because you understand what you are spending your time on is meant to be an opportunity not a burden you spend time on with out benefit or value.

Method 6: Happy is a Choice; Contentment and Joy are Lifestyles
One of the definitions of the word overwhelmed is “to give too much of a thing.” When you truly desire to live a life that is fulfilled in all areas, you are destined to have more to do than you have the time, energy, and ability or help to accomplish or complete. The feeling of being overwhelmed is when you have what you need and are overflowing with what you want. When you have so much success, opportunity, potential, clients, projects, options, prosperity that you can’t “handle” or manage everything, your reaction is that you are overwhelmed. So what about those times when you’re overwhelmed with challenges, struggles, health issues, and other life concerns? Know the plan for your life is perfect and the struggles are never to defeat you but to make you stronger and uncover your true power. Surrender and find peace living in the overflow, joy and abundance of being overwhelmed.

Method 7: Building Lasting Confidence
Believe it or not, whatever you want is available to you if you have the confidence and belief that you can have what you want and that you deserve it. This does not mean confidence in our degrees, our knowledge, job titles, position, social status, etc. Instead, it is about having a pure and honest confidence in the person you are. Many successful people have achieved career success through their fear of failure. And while such fear can be a powerful and effective motivator, it can also limit your sense of accomplishment and impede growth in other areas of your life. For many high achievers, confidence is built on external validations like applause, accolades, wins, or promotions. And their ensuring quest to feel this rush keeps them from being engaged in other areas of their lives. True confidence should come from a life well lived and enjoyed…not the proverbial feathers in your cap.

Method 8: The Courage to be Faithful
Stepping out of your fears and into your greatness requires great courage. Sometimes we are so busy with the work of life that we don’t sit still and take the time to listen to our heart. Being courageous means not allowing life to steal, kill, or destroy your dreams, hopes, aspirations, and plans but living in the now, the moment, the presence of your power to receive life, and the fullness of all life has to offer and even more abundantly. It takes courage to be honest with yourself, acknowledge your personal truth, and be present in your quest to live that truth. The easiest thing for high achievers to do is be successful. But living in the fullness of who they are – and want to be – while also maintaining their success takes true grit.

Method 9: – Exponential Living
Exponential Living is achieved through excellence in your Personal, Spiritual, and Emotional health, and balance in all aspects of your life – with yourself and others. It is achieved by building and maintaining spirituality; loving and caring for yourself (hobbies, exercise, “me” time); spending quality time with and appreciating yourself and your family; recognizing your success; and living in your own truth. When living exponentially you are comfortable with who you are, separate from what you do. It’s when you live in a state of true contentment, being present with yourself and others while also pursuing and maintaining excellence in all aspects of your life.

Often, high achievers are limited by their success because they are only living in the accomplishments in one area of their lives. They have achieved or have the drive to achieve high levels of professional success but are not truly fulfilled with their lives overall. Or, they have reached their career goals but now know there are other facets of life they want to pursue but don’t know what/how/why/when. Exponential Living gives such high achievers the power of being true to themselves and achieving a balance between work, family, friends, healthy living, and spiritual commitment to manifest a life that is genuinely complete and content.

Sheri Riley is the founder and Chief Partnership Strategist of GLUE, Inc. and creator of the Exponential Living program (www.exponentialliving.com) – a ground-breaking initiative that helps individuals create balance among life’s key areas in ways that promote a higher standard of excellence.

Be sure to check it out.

Blog Tips Friday, did you guess right? I knew you would. This new series will include blogging tips from me and links to some other great blogging tips and information.

I think everyone knows I’ve been an advocate for the thesis framework for the past several years; in fact I use it on this blog and several others. However there are some great other framework contenders out there I’m having trouble deciding which on is my favorite. Especially since I’ve have been wanting to build sites that are outside the scope of WordPress, which involves a lot more heavy coding.

There is a new WordPress Framework that I think I’m in love with. WPSumo.

WPSumo offers so much flexibility; you may not know what to do with it. To learn more visit www.wpsumo.com.
I think this WordPress Framework will be especially useful for informational blogs or someone that is interested in selling information products online and even someone interested in creating a portfolio online.

Are you looking to start a blog for your business? Here are some great articles to help you get started.

44 Ways to Use a Blog as a Small Business Owner
If you spend as much time talking to small business or professional service firms as I do, you probably get some of the same questions too. One of the most common is, “How can I use a blog as a small business owner?” Of course, we are assuming they know what a blog is in the first place.

Check out all 44 Ways to Use a Blog as a Small Business Owner.

Don’t Get Stuck on the Type of Business Blog You Will Have
There are a massive variety of blogs out there, but broadly in the money-making blog world there are two types – ones that make money from the blog themselves via advertising and/or affiliate sales, and ones where the blog is part of a business site that offers product/services.

Read more on Don’t Get Stuck on the Type of Business Blog You Will Have

Then there are emails that pop up in your inbox that really resonates with you. One of my personal favorites comes from Forbes.com – ForbesWoman. If you are woman in business it’s definitely worth the subscription.

In today’s newsletter I loved If I Can’t Accomplish Anything Else Today, I Can Do these 10 Things, How to Start Over Again (and Not Screw it Up) and Do Something Ever Day. Counter-Intuitive, But it Works

Another must-read for entrepreneurial moms but anyone really is the Mogul Mom newsletter. I loved her 10 Multiple Income Streams YOU Can Create.

Of course I would not have a list of my favorite newsletters with including some on one of my favorite topics, photography. I love receiving the New Photography Tips for THIS Weekend Newsletter from Digital Photography School.

If I’m including photography then I need to include one of my favorite Tech newsletters, Cool Mom Tech, being a tech gadget junkie this one is always fun to check out. Be careful though sometimes you’ll find yourself reaching for the wallet to swoop up some of these cool tech tools.

What are you favorite email newsletters to read?