Seems like LinkedIn is benefiting from the recent financial industries crisis. According to a post at Cheezhead they have had significant increases in registrations and in recommendations: The site has reported a 17 percent increase in registrations in the last two weeks. They are now claiming to reach 28 million users, up one million from last quarter. Reports show that memberships from people representing the financial sector have also doubled after thousands of people have been laid off or threatened with termination as closures and mergers usurp industry leaders and rattle the core of the sector. The site also claims to have seen a 14 percent increase in recommendations, most… Read More
Continue ReadingMistake-Prone Inspiration
We often tell sales managers to allow salespeople to make mistakes, to stumble through a low value opportunity. These “bloody nose” lessons (as my father calls them) are just as valuable as huge successes. I often learn more from mistakes than successes. In that spirit, I stumbled across this article thanks to the JustSell.com guys. The article details different products that literally came about via mistakes. Some examples – Coca-Cola, Scotchgard, Silly Putty, car tires and many more. This one caught my attention: Yellow sticky notes, officially known as Post-it Notes, got their start in 1968 when a 3M researcher tried to improve adhesive tape. What he got was a… Read More
Continue ReadingLame Buzzwords
JustSell.com has a fantastic list of lame buzzwords to avoid when selling (or speaking in general as far as I am concerned). Here is the setup straight from the article: A buzzword is “an important-sounding usually technical word or phrase often of little meaning used chiefly to impress laymen.” –Merriam-Webster Think about it… do statements full of buzzwords communicate anything specific to your prospects and customers? Do you like hearing buzzwords? Amen. And now for just a partial list of the buzzwords: benchmark best in class best practices change agent core competency cross-functional dynamic empower growth initiative interface metrics optimize paradigm shift partner proactive streamline synergy user-friendly Metrics? Now… Read More
Continue ReadingQ4 Hiring Stats
I think it is safe to say that predictions in this economy are difficult AT BEST to make accurately. However, CareerBuilder has come out with their Q4 hiring forecast that contains some interesting information: HIRING IN Q4 2008 Going forward, 23 percent of employers plan to add full-time, permanent employees in the next three months, a slight decline from the previous quarter. Ten percent plan to decrease headcount while 63 percent anticipate no change and 4 percent are undecided. I always find the “no change” group as being rather esoteric – I assume that means no expansion or contraction. But what of replacement? If their company has normal attrition, will… Read More
Continue ReadingSocial Network Sleuthing
Let me state my position – I believe employers should research all sites when considering a candidate for hire. That includes social-networking sites. I know there are arguments for both sides of this new debate and I am not completely sold on my position. However, it appears that the trend among hiring managers is to use these sites in their hiring process: The study, reported by Reuters, found that out of 3,169 hiring managers, 22 percent of them (about 698 managers) used social networking sites to find out information regarding potential candidates. This is up from 11 percent, or 349 managers, since 2006. Even though 22 percent may not seem… Read More
Continue ReadingReturn Of Middle Management?
Here is a trend I have not heard of recently (emphasis mine): The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports about 45 percent of U.S. job openings through 2014 will be in the hidden middle-level job sector, most of them technical jobs that cannot be outsourced. Mid-level means middle management, right? Ok, maybe not. Nonetheless, I still have not heard of this trend until reading this short excerpt from The Career News newsletter. And one last piece of information to offset a popular misnomer: Charted on a graph, the image of a robust technician economy belies a popular misconception. Most assume the job market is heaviest on the low-end of the spectrum… Read More
Continue ReadingProspecting Via Email
Salespeopel are always looking for better ways to find new prospects. You don’t have to look far to find articles giving advice about this subject. Some common examples: trying to make phone calls and undoubtedly leaving voice mails are futile, call at different times of the day or develop an email marketing campaign to push traffic to your website. Eyes on Sales has a very good article that gives tips on how to use email for prospecting. However, it doesn’t just write off making calls, as some do, but reinforces the fact that a salesperson needs to use both. Here is a quote from the article by author Craig James: What should we not do… Read More
Continue ReadingThe True-Life Assessment
I was out all yesterday helping the medical clinic where my wife works move into a new facility. I am a wannebe geek so I moved their small computer network for them and installed a new computer for the owner. The interesting item I observed was the work ethic of the people involved. I like to say that some times you just don’t need an assessment. I think moving may be one of those times. To be blunt, moving blows no matter how you look at it. It is disruptive, tiring, laborious and messy. However, one thing you can clearly observe is the work ethic of a person. At one… Read More
Continue Reading6 Biggest Applicant Lies
What are the biggest lies that applicants or candidates make through the hiring process? If you are thinking degrees or education…correct, that is one of them. Maybe it’s just me, but why chance losing out on an opportunity by lying about your education? Recruiting Trends has a post that gives the top 6 lies; a subject we have posted on many times – from embellishing a resume to all out lying. Here are the other 5 lies: Job Title Dates of Employment Compensation False degree from diploma mill Lack of Criminal Record I truly wonder why if verifying this information is so easily done through background checks why more applicant’s… Read More
Continue ReadingBest Companies For Working Mothers
This topic is one I can really get behind since this is one of the toughest callings you can have in life, especially if you are a single mom. Kudos to General Mills for being a local company (local to us) that is a perennial resident on this list. The story is from the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal: General Mills Inc. is among the nation’s top employers for working mothers, according to a 2008 list compiled by Working Mother magazine. It is the 13th consecutive year that Golden Valley-based General Mills (NYSE: GIS) has made the magazine’s top ranking.
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