Leading a team of people on any project can be a bear.  Running a small business with differing skills, personalities, backgrounds, genders and competing interests can be just plain difficult.  It seems like piling any group of people together in hopes of getting a job done is a hopeless cause. But if you:

develop a keen understanding of how individuals behave within a team and
dearn to motivate individuals towards a common goal

you’ll develop a reputation for being a team leading genius that delivers the results your company badly needs.
To  hone these …

By now most of you have seen the movie,Up in the Air with George Clooney. If you haven’t seen it, George Clooney plays the part of Ryan Bingham, a corporate downsizing expert. Some of us, like myself, have had to play this role in real life. Unfortunately, some of us have had to take on this role throughout our career, but even more so in 2009.
Most employees don’t realize how much work goes on behind the scenes before a layoff decision is ever made. My clients and former corporate CEO’s …

Most professionals would love to land their dream job but when it comes to writing a resume that would qualify them to make the jump; they end up stuck with what to say and how to say it.
Not knowing how to create an interest-generating opening statement is a common problem and can quickly lead to job seeker discouragement before the job search even begins!
Here are 3 tips to creating a powerful opening statement that will quickly get you positive attention:
Tip #1 Do Create a Qualifications Summary
A qualifications summary should go …

A recent New York Times headline was Millions of Unemployed Face Years Without Jobs.  Now if that is not an attention-getting, ominous banner, then I do not know what is.
 Not surprisingly, the article focuses on those of us who have gone beyond the one year mark as unemployed, displaced, laid off, etc. persons.  A concern raised by one such victim, who is appalled, and rightfully so I must add, by the fact the unemployed are viewed as lazy, uninspired, willing to stay at home types.  Victim, because I do view …

Monster.com ran a poll recently with a simple question, “Do you love your current profession/work?  Check out the results:

Yes – 35%
No – 65%

That’s an awful lot of no votes.   I just cannot imagine dragging myself out of bed every weekday morning, forcing down a cup of coffee only to have to walk into some place for more than 8 hours (Is there a real 8 hour day left out there?) and do a job I just do not like much less love.  What a horrendous chore?
Let me tell you about …

It’s been said that the best new ideas are the best old ideas.
In other words, there’s no need to reinvent the wheel in your job search if others before you have found ways to succeed.
What if I told you there was a success “system,” invented by Benjamin Franklin in the 1730s, that helped create millionaires in the 1930s, when unemployment stood at 25%?
Do you think it might help you find a job faster today, with unemployment rates as they are?
If you’re interested, I’ll describe this system, which can make sure …

Take advantage of this “free time” to dream. I do not mean the Walter Mitty type of fantasies, although that is not such a bad thing. Explore your options, even those you thought were impossible.
While networking, I perused articles on job searching, people in transition, career realignments and just plain, spent way too much time on the internet (not something I want to admit but it must be said).
One can easily become mesmerized or possibly addicted to surfing the internet. It becomes one’s crutch. Signing up to …

If you read my Love Dare article from a year back you’ll see how I dedicated 40 days last Spring to improving my marriage. It’s not that it was on the rocks and in bad need of repair. I just wanted to take a good thing and make it better.
In my Novena article I talk about a 9 day practice I followed to help get me re-focused and balanced. There are times when I get way out of whack and I need something like this to bring …

Do you need a career coach? The answer may surprise you but it all depends on the individual and in most cases the answer is, “Yes.”
This is my personal journey. My name is Roger Lopez a Senior Manufacturing Operations Executive with an extensive and consistent record of improving product quality, customer service levels, profits and organizational efficiency across diverse industries with complex environment.
During the past 20 years I held the following executive positions:

Director of Operations,
General Manager of Operations,
Vice President of Operations and
President.

Thorough out my career I never worried about …

Question: If you’ve ever been hired without first meeting the employer in person, open your window and scream “Yes!”
Hear anything?
Neither do I.
Until more scientific proof turns up, just agree with me here: You can’t get hired by a computer or over the phone.
Before you can work for people, you have to meet people.
And the more people you meet, the faster you’ll get hired.
Here are three ways to do so, using technology to humanize your job-search efforts …

1) Meet the bloggers
First of all, you need to recognize the value of blogs …

You did your research and got that interview. You executed your IPOP (see my IPOP article for details) and notes (your outfit was coordinated, your hair, perfect), and your A-game was on (confident). Then, nothing…uh oh.
You go over what you said, what you could have said. Was it the suit? Should you have printed out two resumes instead of one? You call your friends, talk to your family and suddenly it dawns on you “they’re just not that into you” …. But, I thought I …

My granddad turned 89 this year. The old man we loving call “Lalo” has a Cuban saying that always stuck with me,
“The devil knows more because he’s old than because he’s the devil.”
It sounds funny reading it in English, but the message rings clear. He wanted to make sure we grandkids, who thought we were oh so smart, would listen to the advice of older folks if only because they’d been around longer than they had.
You look at Lalo today and you’d never know he was a successful …

Title: GMCC: Executive Re-Employment & Outplacement Networking ReceptionLocation: Graziano’s at Brickell 177 S.W. 7th Street Miami, FL 33130Link out: Click hereDescription: Attend a networking event hosted by the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce’s Re-Employment & Outplacement Task Force and Graziano’s to meet and mingle with other executives in transition.Start Time: 17:30Date: 2010-02-25End Time: 20:00

Title: GMCC: Executive Re-Employment & Outplacement Networking ReceptionLocation: Graziano’s at Brickell 177 S.W. 7th Street Miami, FL 33130Link out: Click hereDescription: Attend a networking event hosted by the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce’s Re-Employment & Outplacement Task Force and Graziano’s to meet and mingle with other executives in transition.Start Time: 17:30Date: 2010-02-25End Time: 20:00

Title: What Employers Look for in ResumesLocation: St John Neumann Adult Education Building, Room 102. 12125 SW 107 Ave, Miami, FL 33176Link out: Click hereDescription: uest Speaker: Mr. Mario Fernandez, Founder and Partner of Infonet Consulting Group, Inc.
Back on Track Network career support is thrilled to present “What Employers look for in Resumes.” You’ll gain some very valuable insights about resumes and what hiring managers and recruiters expect and see from their perspective.
Our guest speaker, Mario Fernandez offers his vast insights and experience as a recruiter for …

Title: Reinventing YourselfLocation: St John Neumann Adult Education Building, Room 102. 12125 SW 107 Ave, Miami, FL 33176Link out: Click hereDescription: Guest Speaker: Ms. Rita G. Poyo, CPC Career Coach and Executive Recruiter, Miami
Please join us for this insightful presentation to help you explore and define your true strengths and talents. This workshop is designed to help strengthen and renew your job search strategy especially if you are considering a change in industries or careers.
Ms. Rita Poyo is a highly-respected Career Coach and Executive Recruiter who began …

1. It may not have been fair, just or your fault, but don’t “go off” on your employer.
2. Your experiencing a wide range of emotions – it’s a grieving process so give yourself time to do that. It may take a day, a week, a month.
3. Give yourself a block of time to decompress. Even if its just a day or two (though preferably longer) make it YOUR time to do nothing, do something fun, be with your family, etc
4. Make a list of ALL the things you are thankful …

Want to put an end to your job-search worries?
You can.
Or, at the very least, you can channel worries into positive action that moves you closer to employment.
That’s a message I got from the book, “100 Ways to Motivate Yourself,” by Steve Chandler, who writes:
The next time you’re worried about something, ask yourself, “What small thing can I do right now?” Then do it. Remember not to ask, “What could I possibly do to make this whole thing go away?” That question does not get you into action at all.
This idea …

Title: Execunet Networking CentralLocation: Grove Isle Resort and Spa, Building Two – Lobby Library, 2 Grove Isle Drive, Miami, FL 33133Link out: Click hereDescription: What can I expect from the event?
Performance Management International provides the best combination of networking and career development assistance. This event is your opportunity to experience what we know works – at low risk and low cost. We have a unique approach to defining and developing the career path to your next opportunity, whether it is to another executive position or to the option of self-employment.
Start …

You must pass muster with the pre-screening process to get past the “black hole”. Uploading your application and resume to the company website is not enough. You have to re-invent the job search wheel.
As part of this process, you will be rebuffed and often (sorry!). One such instance occurred when a posting on LinkedIn provided the HR rep’s direct contact info (a fluke?). After submitting my online application and resume, I followed up with a call to the HR contact. Amazingly, I got through to him on the first try. …