“Mummy, what’s a job?” – The future of employment
or Daddy?…There was a time in history when no one had a job as we think of it. It was only in the last century that the modern concept of a “job” as work exchanged for wages and benefits was invented.
In the past three decades the social and economic fabric that created this employment system has frayed and now is rending before our eyes. Around the world floods of young people face economies in which there may never be a sufficient number of jobs by the standard definition. In older industrialised nations the ability of employers to pay both good wages and benefits is increasingly challenged. Employment has gone completely global. The acceleration of technology has meant that fewer people are required for many tasks.
So what will become of employment in the next twenty to fifty years? Any quick search will offer lists of exotic-sounding jobs of the future – gene pharmers, space tour guides, body part makers, Hollywood holographers, and the like. Such lists are entertaining. They may even be accurate. But they miss the deeper story of the future of employment.
read on
In the future, people will work “stints” rather than “jobs”, writes Glen Hiemstra for HumanResourcesMagazine.com
Facing Up to the Integrity Imperative…
Why do we plunge into career situations in which we’re unlikely to excel or feel good about ourselves?
…Of course, the choice isn’t always between absolute right and wrong. Often the litmus test can be much subtler, such as making the distinction between sticking to the golden rule or bending the rule. The net result is that many of us take the plunge and go along with the ruse or silently comply with what’s expected.
And then, naturally, we try to forget all about it. We dismiss it as the price of “getting things done” and push it into a dark corner of our memory bank. But inevitably the subject lingers, demanding an answer. Within mere hours or days we begin to ask ourselves, “Did I abandon my moral compass in favor of expediency?”
Or the even more unsettling question: “Am I allowing my personal belief system to be co-opted by others? Am I staying true to who I really am?”
The truth is that virtually all of us sacrifice some measurable degree of who we are at heart and even our inborn honesty in the course of doing our jobs. Because it typically happens over a long period of time and in gradual stages. I call the process “integrity erosion.”
“Not me,” you say? Just ask yourself: How different are you today from the fresh-faced graduate and business rookie you were just out of the starting blocks? Are you still an idealistic young maverick, or have you changed into someone you may not have recognized in your youth?… read on
A thought-provoking piece by Karen Duncum for Bloomberg Businessweek.com
The Three Gaps Between Goals and Greatness…
In the global race to achieve faster, better, cheaper business greatness, most leaders face a huge gap between the goals they set and the actual results achieved by the people in their organizations. This phenomenon is not a failure to plan, but rather, a failure to execute. […]
While there are many possible explanations for the root cause of the gap, the one common, recurring element is a stubborn, nagging blind spot: People issues.
They won’t go away. They are always around. No matter how much you try to avoid them by setting goals and staying busy, people issues are always right in front of you, either helping or hurting your organization’s competitive advantage in the marketplace….
read on
an extract from The Three Gaps Between Goals and Greatness
By Pelè Raymond Ugboajah, for ChangeThis.com
Dr Shine and the Cycle of Excellence…
How do we draw the best out of people when so many of the rules and practices in life have changed? How in today’s new world can people reach their best at their best, given the speed of life and the torrent of information and obligation? Is there a coherent, evidence-based plan that every person can use to bring the best out of themselves or the people they manage? With the help of Dr. Shine, I offer a theory here of how to do just that. It includes 5 steps. I call it the Cycle of Excellence….
read on
Shine: Brain Science, Practical Psychology, Ancient Wisdom and the Cycle of Excellence By Edward M. Hallowell, for ChangeThis.com
The Latest Business Book Reviews from Keen Thinker…
Top of the Pile:
Keen Thinker gets a lot of books to review and preview. There are piles of books on each of the desks and on tables throughout the office. These are the books that rise to the top; their picks for the don’t-miss books of the month.
- Brainsteering: A Better Approach to Breakthrough Ideas
by Kevin P Coyne, Shawn T Coyne
- Nuts and Bolts of Sales Management: How to Build a High Velocity Sales Organization
by John Treace
- The Responsible Business: Reimagining Sustainability and Success
by Carol Sanford
- The Power Formula for Linkedin Success: Kick-Start Your Business, Brand, and Job Search
by Wayne Breitbarth
- Briefcase Essentials: Discover Your 12 Natural Talents for Achieving Success in a Male-Dominated Workplace
By Susan T Spencer
Click here to read all about them, how to order them, and so much more…
How To Tell Someone They’re Wrong (And Make Them Feel Good About It)
There are plenty of reasons not to tell someone they’re wrong. It’s uncomfortable, for one thing. You also might come off as rigid, unsympathetic, arrogant, or worst of all, politically incorrect.
In some cases, depending on how much alcohol is involved, you might even get smacked in the mouth.
Here’s what all the touchy-feely folks out there don’t get about constructive criticism: It’s invaluable. The important thing is how you deliver it.
Everyone makes honest mistakes. What most people don’t realize is that embedded in criticism–constructively conveyed–is the wish to help someone get better at what they’re doing.
Any fool can deliver a meaningless “good job.” Being a constructive critic takes thought, effort and compassion. Here are eight tips for getting your good intentions across… read on
5 rules on Cultivating Power…
Here are some commonsense rules to let you get out of your own way and thrive in today’s business world.
By Jeffrey Pfeffer, contributor to Fortune
Commonsense, yet often violated, rules about power that can help make you more successful—and, even better, equip you to cope with today’s organizational realities.
Click here to read the full article…1. You need to take care of yourself…
2. Companies (and many people) worry more about what you can do for them in the future than what you have done for them in the past…
3. Perception is reality…
4. Don’t worry about what comes “naturally”…
5. Stop worrying about what others think about you…
For details, click here…
Learning from Lionel Logue, The King’s Speech…
The latest from aCE talentNET consultant Elliot Epstein of Salient Communication…
SPOILER ALERT:
If you haven’t seen the Geoffrey Rush/Colin Firth movie The King’s Speech yet, then I recommend you go and see it and be aware that this article will disclose its characters and plots.
The King’s Speech has some great lessons for us in how to sell as well as consult and advise senior level clients.
This true story revolves around two key characters, King George VI and Lionel Logue, an unorthodox Australian Speech Therapist.
The King reluctantly ascends the throne after his brother runs away with Mrs. Simpson (you remember the story or were you staring at that cute girl/boy in class when this piece of history was being taught).
The King has an awful stammer which is not a great presentation technique when you’re about to galvanise the nation with your words to face the onslaught of World War 2.
After feeble and failed attempts by so called ‘experts’ to remedy the King’s stammer, he is dragged by his wife (the late Queen Mother) to see the odd Antipodean, Lionel Logue.
Does any of this sound familiar so far? Companies that have tried in vain to solve important problems despite numerous attempts with four or five suppliers, suddenly arrive at your office. Now what do you do? read on…
The latest Keen Thinker featuring new Seth Godin, “Poke the Box”…
For the full Keen Thinker, click here…
Given he is one of my hero’s, find about about Seth’s new book specifically by reading on…
Seth Godin's latest - Poke the Box
Bestselling business author Seth Godin made waves in the publishing industry when he recently started his imprint The Domino Project. His first title, and a book he authored, is Poke the Box, which is now available.Here’s how The Domino Project describes Seth’s latest work:
“We send our kids to school and obsess about their test scores, their behavior and their ability to fit in. We post a help wanted ad and look for experience, famous colleges and a history of avoiding failure. We invest in companies based on how they did last quarter, not on what they’re going to do tomorrow. So why are we surprised when it all falls apart? Our economy is not static, but we act as if it is. Your position in the world is defined by what you instigate, how you provoke, and what you learn from the events you cause. In a world filled with change, that’s what matters – your ability to create and learn from change.
Poke the Box is a manifesto about producing something that’s scarce, and thus valuable. It demands that you stop waiting for a road map and start drawing one instead. You know how to do this, you’ve done it before, but along the way, someone talked you out of it. We need your insight and your dreams and your contributions. Hurry.”
So, for Poke the Box, 800-CEO-READ have arranged a special bulk discount of these books for customers who want at least 25 of them. Check out the deal and the book here.
Other business books featured this month are:
~ Evil Plans
~ Enchantment
~ Split-Second Persuasion
~ Disciplined Dreaming
~ The Velocity Manifesto
~ The Investment Answer
~ The Social Media Management Handbook
~ Make It In America
~ HBRs 10 Must Reads – The Essentials
click here to find out all about them…
WIN prizes and support International Womens Day; it couldn’t be easier!
What's your style?
Today I want to tell you about the Pink Shoe Power Prize Draw that I’m supporting to celebrate women and the launch of the ground breaking eBook Pink Shoe Power, Discover Your Time Management Style for Success in Business & Life.
AND I would love you to win some gorgeous prizes….
The thousands of $$$$ worth of prizes include a beautiful Swarovski crystal necklace, a busy woman’s weekly planner pack , a virtual home organizing pack, pretty and fun bling stationery, natural skin care, a social media starter pack, psychic business coaching, a medical intuitive consultation, a sensational pool design consultation and a book of inspiring business women. Impressive, don’t you think!
PLUS, as a special gift to celebrate the launch, you have access to a fantastic tool – the Pink Shoe Power Profiler. You will discover your Time Management Style so you can understand why you manage your time the way you do and get some great tips to help you. It’s simple, fun and free to you!
Given that time management is one of my key sweet spots for all things entrepreneurial mother, I cannot recommend the use of such a profiler highly enough.
Besides which, it is FUN.
Once you have completed the Pink Shoe Power Profiler you will be automatically entered into the prize draw.
The competition will be launched on International Women’s Day, March 8th, with the winners announced on 31st March. You can enter now so you don’t miss out.
Plus we have some special bonuses and discounts for you, which are exclusive to those who register for the competition.
To enter, click here and get your Time Management Style and your name will be automatically entered.
Good Luck
