Power Up Your Life--strategies to charge you up!

Career Wizardry

Vocation Transition

BE A FREE LANCE

The expression "free lance" refers to a time when knights either were in fealty to one lord, or else hired out to whomever they wished. Their lances belonged to themselves, and they would contract to various employers as circumstance dictated.

Even if you're in a salaried position, begin to think of yourself as an entrepreneur, a Free Lance. You are currently devoting your skills and energies to this particular client company, but you still are in charge of your own destiny.

As a Free Lance, you will regularly update your resume to remind yourself of your increasing experience and expertise. You will get every bit of training available to you, either through the company or on your own. Most especially, you will stay current with technology.

You may choose to carry the company's colors on your lance for decades. Or, either by your own choice or happenstance, you may end up in another arena, so stay prepared. Actually, it's a great way to live. A bit adventurous, a bit scary, but engaged and sharp.

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Career Strategy

HOW TO ATTRACT BUSINESS REFERRALS

Step One: Getting Started

Referrals occur when people who know you, like you, and/or respect you become aware of a prospective matchmaking and want to do one or both of you a favor. This may be out of friendliness or a desire for reciprocity, or both.

Your preparation should include:

Three success stories: What you did, who you did it for, with what results. Prepare 20 second and 2 minute versions. Get so familiar with them that you can deliver them in the car, the shower, and in an elevator.

Make a list of everyone you have ever worked with that knows and trusts you. Don't forget your relatives! Include co-workers from civic, religious, cultural, and social groups. Include each person's name, address, phone, fax, and e-mail address. This will henceforth be referred to as The List.

If you are using a contact managing program such as Act, get The List into it. Use an assistant if you can afford one, and free yourself up for what has been called Genius Work, the stuff only you can do. However, there is an upside to inputting it yourself -- you will get very familiar with the program and not be helpless in the absence of employees.

Create a one-page faxable sheet, on your letterhead, pulling from your success stories. Make it 20% about yourself and 80% about the benefits to your clients or customers.

For a free brainstorming session
contact the Bizwiz Coach
E-mail: roz@coachroz.com
Tel: 214-361-0500