Message from Crystal – Feb 2008

It was a pleasure to meet everyone who got his or her Passport to Network and Learn with us on January 30.  Are you ready for the next trip?  Need tips to navigate the workplace or coaching a new employee?  Read “Get with Gwen” on Fridays in the CRT Online Community blog.  Do you know any veterans (spouses and caregivers) who need career training?  As I review CRT activity in January, I need to catch my breath.  We are only halfway through February 2008. 

On January 30, we had a wonderful turnout at CRT Passport event in Laurel, MD.  I had the opportunity to meet business owners from a diverse range of industries.  I talked to them about how to use Microsoft Excel Solver to determine how much they need to sell to get the net income that they want.  Gina Watkins of Constant Contact talked about how to increase the number of prospects with email marketing.  I have to give a shout out to Mom and Dad for reserving the room for me (and believing in me).  When is the next Passport to Network and Learn event?  I am shooting for Mid-March 2008 in Laurel, MD.  Stay tuned.

I am so excited for you to meet Gwen Baker-Lassiter, President of Divine Inspiration, Inc.  She designed CRT’s Switching Gears Program^SM five years ago and she captivated me with the stories of behavior in the workplace.  I am amazed that people have forgotten or just don’t understand how to get past the first 90 days of getting a new job at any level.  Employers are a little strapped for time to coach new employees.  Gwen’s 11 Tips will help entry-level and career employees.

I want to say thank you to the Maryland National Guard for allowing me to use the Distant Learning Center at Laurel Amory.  Starting March 15, we will be offering technical, business, and career training for veterans and their spouses (or caregivers).  These sessions will be held on Saturdays.  I appreciate if you can help me get the word out to veterans in need.

Before I sign off (at 5:55pm on February 12, 2008), I want to remind everyone to vote in DC, Maryland (polls close at 9:30pm), and Virginia.  This is an exciting time for both parties.  Make your voices heard today!

New Job? 11 Tips to Get Past the First 90 Days

By: Gwen Baker-Lassiter
President, Divine Inspirations, Inc.

You have made all the right moves and done all the right things you needed to in order to get your job! You prepared your resume; you landed the job interview; you dressed for success; and showed off your great interviewing skills; and you asked the right questions. You have arrived and now you are at the job you sought so aggressively to get!

So now what?

So many people have asked that question and have found the answer to be so encrypted that only a few can decipher it. Now the real question is can you keep it the job? You have been selected, they had a welcome aboard party for you, your employer has now handed you the bible of the organization (employee manual), taken your picture for your ID badge and has given you the keys to the front door. Now you are expected to jump in and perform without a running start. Is that fair? Most employers think so. But they do allow you ninety days to get your feet wet, and hope that you make all of your mistakes up front. But in actuality it takes about six months to really learn a job. So don’t feel bad, after all The President of the United States gets 100 days to prove himself. [1]

The actions you take during your first three months (90 days) in a new job will largely determine whether you succeed or fail. This transition period is considered a period of opportunity, a chance to start afresh and make needed and necessary changes in the organization or position. But it is also fair to say that it is also a period of acute vulnerability, because you do not have any established working relationships with co-workers, or a detailed understanding of your new job.[2] If you fail to establish good working relationships, (greeting co-workers in the mornings with a smile, going out of your way to assist with work especially time sensitive projects, asking questions, etc.) with co-workers from the beginning, it can be an uphill battle for you if you don’t. Failure to do well during this transition time can mean career failure or loss of the new job. So during this 90 days period, it will be more about “succeeding well or failing miserably.  “It is very critical to understand the importance of your first 90 days on the job, or as I like to call it, your under-warranty period. But here are some key things that you can do that will help you to be successful at keeping your new job.

1. Know What Is Expected of You
When you start your new job, know what is expected of you. Make sure you get a written copy of your job description. It is crucial for your future success with them. Meet with your supervisor to establish goals for yourself whether they are daily, weekly, or monthly. This may sound tedious; however it is an excellent way to track your performance when it is time for your performance evaluation.

2. Be on Time
Whether or not anyone else is on time is irrelevant. The spot light is on you right now. Although you may see others come and go, don’t ever think that you have the same privileges, especially now. By being punctual, you set a positive opinion of yourself to others. For example, if you find yourself running late due to no fault of your own, or circumstances beyond your control, immediately call your supervisor and make them aware of your circumstances. They will appreciate that. This makes them quickly realize that you are dependable.

3. No Absences
Do not miss any days from the job during this time. It is crucial that you come every day regardless if you are not feeling well, or tired. This is your opportunity to show off for your new employer. If you have to be absent, make sure it is truly an emergency.

4. Be Positive and Self-Confident
Make sure you show self-confidence in your abilities, and a positive can do attitude toward your supervisor or co-workers. Since you are new to the organization you are in no position to criticize. There will be high expectations of you and your capabilities. Since you have marketed yourself during the interview phase as “the best person for the job because …” you will be expected to perform.

5. No Cell Phone
If you carry a cell phone with you put it on vibrate or silence while you are at work. Some employers are very strict about cell phone usage, and ask that you do not use it during business hours. Some employers have very relaxed attitudes. Your best bet is to assume that your employer will frown on its usage at work. If you must take a call, let them leave you a message, politely excuse yourself if you can and pick up your messages and return calls outside. You can always set an appointed time aside to return calls.

6. Work Hard
Make sure you work hard and give your best efforts. Ask for more work if you have completed assigned tasks.

7. Take Notes
It always helps to take notes because you can’t remember everything. Also notes will help you refer back to procedures, information, important names, etc., that you may need access quickly.

8. DO NOT BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS!
I can’t stress this enough to you. Many organizations are expecting you to ask questions; the more questions the better. If you are not sure about a procedure, a plan, or whatever, make sure you get a good understanding to this problem. This allows them to teach you their way of doing the job, and it makes you look eager to learn.

9. Admit Your Mistakes.
If you make a mistake, please let your supervisor know immediately. By doing this you can avoid costly mistakes that could have been changed because you let them know in a timely manner. Don’t blame someone else! If you do you are guaranteed to make serious enemies.

10. Proactively Request Face Time with Your Supervisor
This tip is important enough to repeat. Meet with your supervisor often to establish goals for yourself whether they are daily, weekly, or monthly. This may sound tedious; however it is an excellent way to track your performance when it is time for your performance evaluation.

11. Be Detail oriented!
There are so many more tips that can help with your success on your new job, but for now here’s my last one. Pay attention to what you are doing. Read everything twice for spelling and grammar mistakes. Always double check mathematical figures, and accounting tasks. Make sure you take good notes from meetings, or conferences.  These little details can work for any job title you can hold. Taking time to pay attention to details can lengthen or shorten your stay at the organization.

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[1] The First 90 Days: Critical Success Strategies for New Leaders at All Levels by Michael Watkins, copyright Michael Watkins 2003 

[2] The First 90 Days: Critical Success Strategies for New Leaders at All Levels by Michael Watkins, copyright Michael Watkins 2003 

January 28-29, 2008 crtconsulting.net unavailable

CRT Consulting LLC Home will not be available due to maintenance and the continued move to Office Live. If you need to reach us, please email us at crtconsulting@comcast.net during this time only.

Microsoft PowerPoint – Format on the Fly

Have you created a presentation the looks wonderful on your monitor at your desk, but it is hard to read when projected on the wall?  There are a few things that you can check and fix to get your message back on track.

1.  Right before show time, advance the first few slides from the projector to make sure that you can see it clearly from the back of the room.  You can say that you are checking the equipment.

2.  If you have heavy fonts or serif fonts, e.g. Arial Black and Times New Roman, and a lot of text, you run the risk of your audience struggling to follow the slideshow.  You have 2 methods to globally change the font:

A.  View|Master|Slide Master – a command that allows you to change the font and the background of the slide using the slide master and title master (for standard slide layouts – Click Format|Slide Layout)

B.  Format|Replace Font – Great option if you did not use the standard slide layout.

Best Advice: Check the look of your presentation using a projector in advance.  It will save you a lot of heartburn.

It’s OK to Turn Your Mind Off!

As a small business owner, my mind is constantly running.  I am thinking of sales calls, follow-ups, and proposals needed to be made.  Or, I am thinking of operations, website updates, and promotions.  Or, I am thinking of making connections, setting up networking events, or marketing newsletters.  You get the point.  This weekend, I decided to have a moratorium on thinking.  I put all of my sales books, calendars, plans, and even, dishes (pizza, anyone?) to the side and took a break.  I hung out with my heart-sister to watch Georgetown Basketball, to take a walk in the cold, and to visit other friends.  I realize how much I miss my friends.  I am even ready to take the plunge to host a Super Bowl/Wii party.  It’s Monday now, but I feel rested and ready to plan a number of days to rest and renew.  Don’t be afraid to turn your mind off for a day or two.

Your PowerPoint Presentation – It Ain’t about You!

During my 10 years as a technical trainer and as a Microsoft Office Master Instructor, I had the opportunity to create, to critique, and to present many PowerPoint Presentations. I have witnessed and participated in many deaths by PowerPoint scenarios. I have learned that audiences want to know 4 things:

1) why they are here
2) what you can do for them
3) why should they care
4) what action should they take to get what they want

Take a minute to review your current PowerPoint presentation.  It does not matter if it has bullets or not, make sure that your message covers these questions.  Your audience will thank you.  If you are interested in creating effective presentations, check our online workshops at http://crtconsulting.net click crt solutions for information or http://crtconsulting.net for dates and times. 

“Success” By Berton Braley

I have heard Willie Jolley recite this poem several times and I get fired up each time. During the last recitation, I asked him who wrote the poem and told him how much I loved it. I even asked my coach to ask Willie to recite it during our group coaching calls. I was thrilled to hear the rhythm and the cadence as only Willie Jolley or Les Brown could do it. May this poem inspire and excite you as it continues to inspire me.

” Success”

If you want a thing bad enough

To go out and fight for it,

Work day and night for it,

Give up your time and your peace and your sleep for it

 

If only desire of it

Makes you quite mad enough

Never to tire of it,

Makes you hold all other things tawdry and cheap for it

 

If life seems all empty and useless without it

And all that you scheme and you dream is about it,

 

If gladly you’ll sweat for it,

Fret for it,

Plan for it,

Lose all your terror of the opposition for it,

 

If you’ll simply go after that thing that you want.

With all your capacity,

Strength and sagacity,

Faith, hope and confidence, stern pertinacity,

 

If neither cold poverty, famished and gaunt,

Nor sickness nor pain

Of body or brain

Can turn you away from the thing that you want,

If dogged and grim you besiege and beset it,

With the help of God you will surely get it!

                         Published in: Things as they are, 1916

 

Willie Jolley’s Version of Berton Braley’s Poem

Support Veterans to Training

When I read about the struggles of our military personnel and their love ones, I wanted to be part of that group that demonstrates appreciation for their sacrifices on my behalf.  I kicked this idea around with my Mom and we both became excited.  What better way to help than to provide TechnoLife training that integrates technical, business, and Life skills to prepare military personnel and families for deployment out and transition home.  I announced the plan in the summer of 2007, but had a few challenges.  Now, I have the pleasure of launching the pilot of this program February 2008.  The MD National Guard Information Technology Center has given us access to a “state-of-the-art” distance-learning classroom at the Laurel National Guard Amory in MD.  This classroom has the capability of connect with bases across that country.  If you know any National Guard or other military personnel (spouses included), in MD, VA and DC, that would be interested in attending free training, please send their email addresses to crthompson@crtconsulting.net with the subject Veterans for Training.  I will send them the training schedule.

Free Events for January 2008

15 Minutes to Salvage Your PowerPoint Presentation 

You practiced your one-hour presentation down to the last bullets.  Imagine learning 5 to 15 minutes before showtime that your time has been cut down to 10 minutes.  Join CRT’s free workshop to learn to salvage your presentation in a short amount of time.

Networking Event – Passport to Learn – Laurel, MD

Networking Events are costing more than ever.  Stop by CRT’s free networking event in Laurel, MD. Go against the traffic to meet other business owners. Learn a few Excel tricks to calculate how much you need to sell to get what you want. Expand your customer base with a low-cost email marketing solution. Learn best practices with CRT’s partner, Constant Contact.

Check out our calendar to sign up today.

Life in Focus

If you have been following this site for the past several years, you know that I have experienced many up and downs.  I have seen  the movie, The Secret, many times.  I had to swallow hard because I know that I am total control of my destiny.  What I think will come to be.  How do you change your past thoughts to laser in on what you what in Life?  It is not easy.

In 2008, we have a clean slate.  No matter what surrounds you now, e.g. debt, bad health, little income, negative relationships, etc., focus on what you want and move past your fear.  I want to take my business to the next level.  I have admit that I will swallow just as hard on January 1, but excited to jump right in and make those sales calls and walk through the neighborhood to meet other business owners (slash customers).  My focus is to generate 2 million dollars.  Why shoot low?  There is a quote that if you shoot for the moon, even if you miss, you will be among the stars.  I am so excited.

Of course, I made the usual resolutions and have a plan.  I know myself enough to know that: 

1) perfection can be a dream killer (meaning we will never get started)

2) it’s better to eat pieces of the elephant (less overwhelming)

3) execute the plan

4) make adjustments

It’s time to get going.  Feel free to share with CRT Community how you are executing your plans for 2008.