Career Can Do

Are you feeling stuck in your career? Are you searching for a sense of purpose and fulfillment in your work? In this week's episode of Career Can Do, we dive into the world of reinvention and self-discovery with guest, Alison Hall. Alison is the founder of Change Agent Coaching for Women. With a background as a CPA and corporate strategist, Alison now helps others navigate transitions, build businesses, and create their dream lives. Alison joins Mary Ann Faremouth to explore the power of reinvention and the importance of finding passion and purpose in your work. They discuss strategies for identifying your values, strengths, and interests, and explore the concept of job crafting to make your current role more meaningful. 

Reinvention is born out of a sense of dissatisfaction. It's important to listen to your inner voice and recognize when it's time for a change, Alison says. However, entrepreneurship is not the only path to fulfillment. While many individuals dream of being their own boss, there are risks and challenges that come with starting a business. It's essential to assess your financial and operational readiness before taking the leap. Sometimes, the answer lies in retooling your current career or finding ways to add meaning within your existing role.

Alison introduces the concept of job crafting, which involves customizing and reshaping your role to make it more fulfilling. This can include altering tasks, building relationships, and changing your perspective on the value you bring to your work. Taking responsibility for your own happiness and finding ways to add meaning can transform your experience. Reinvention and change don't always have to be radical. Small tweaks and adjustments in your career and life can have a significant impact. Setting two to three solid goals at a time and working towards them can lead to increased life satisfaction and success.

Both Mary Ann and Alison emphasize that no one else is responsible for your happiness and fulfillment in life. It's essential to take ownership of your own journey and make the necessary changes to improve your situation. If you're unhappy, it's up to you to take action and find solutions.

Resources

Alison Hall on Website | LinkedIn | Email

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A proficient project manager plays a vital role in guiding a project to its successful completion, impacting both organizational objectives and individual lives. In this episode of Career Can Do, project management expert Eddie Merla joins Mary Ann Faremouth to share insights for anyone contemplating or currently in the field of project management. Eddie Merla is a seasoned project management  professional whose expertise extends to training and consulting. He is also the co-author of Communicate, Lead and Transform, a book which teaches effective leadership and transformation strategies. He serves as an adjunct professor at Rice University's Susan M. Glascock School of Continuing Studies. He and Mary Ann explore the journey into project management, including the skills required, the importance of certification, and the tangible benefits this profession can bring to organizations and individuals alike.

Project management is not just about understanding the tasks at hand; it's a more holistic approach that requires a blend of numerous skills. Eddie underscores the importance of leadership, communication, time management, creative problem-solving, and team-building skills. Moreover, he emphasizes that "project management is about managing value, not just tasks." This implies that a good project manager should look beyond mere task completion, focusing on creating and maintaining value throughout the project's lifecycle.

Eddie believes that certification, particularly the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, can be a valuable stepping stone in the journey to becoming a proficient project manager. "Obtaining the certification requires experience and passing a credential exam," he tells listeners. This certification can help individuals understand the language and processes of project management, enabling them to integrate into the role seamlessly.

Project management brings tangible benefits that extend beyond mere task execution, Eddie shares. It formalizes the process, impacts lives and organizations, and enhances the success rate of projects. Reflecting on his experiences, he suggests that project management is essentially about "weathering the storm and helping organizations achieve their goals."

Resources

Eddie Merla on the Web | LinkedIn | Communicate, Lead and Transform

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Sales is not about being pushy or manipulative; it's about building trust and relationships. In this episode of Career Can Do, Mary Ann Faremouth interviews sales expert James Rankin about the art of selling and the key skills required to be successful in this field. James is the Chief Marketing Officer for Moody Insurance Group and the author of over 14 books on sales, training, philosophy, and literature. He has extensive experience in sales and sales management. In this episode, James shares his insights on the power of persuasion, the importance of product knowledge, and the changing landscape of sales in the post-COVID world. He also emphasizes the crucial role of trust in the sales process and highlights the need for salespeople to be ethical and passionate about what they do.

According to James, sales professionals are drawn to the economic opportunities that come with the profession. In sales, a person's value is directly related to their efforts: this means that they maximize their time. He believes that a salesperson's optimism and hope are what keep them productive and balanced. On the other hand, many people are afraid to go into sales because of low self-esteem, James tells Mary Ann. He introduces his Diamond Program, which assesses the four areas everyone needs to succeed. These include self-image, self-esteem, meaning, and philosophy. Your self-image is what you see, so you'll never rise above your self-assessment. Your self-esteem is how you feel about what you see, and it's important to understand your strengths and weaknesses to build your self-esteem. He believes that meaning and purpose are necessary to find satisfaction in your work, and your philosophy is essential in determining your life's direction.

For corporations to attract and retain salespeople, James believes they must follow Doss’ Theory P formula, which emphasizes preparation, performance, and potential. He also stresses the importance of attitude, skill set, and the ability to present a persuasive presentation. Additionally, corporations should focus on creating a positive company culture, providing opportunities for growth and development, and rewarding their employees for their efforts. By doing so, companies can reduce turnover, which can directly impact revenues.

James emphasizes that salespeople should not only focus on selling, but they should also become experts in marketing. James emphasizes the need for ethics and long-term relationships with clients, and Marianne agrees that trust is the common denominator in any relationship. A solid relationship can turn a client into an advocate and influencer. Social media has become a significant marketing tool, and salespeople must do their due diligence and understand their client's needs to build trust.

Resources:

James Rankin Email | LinkedIn | (800) 252-4002, Ext. 114

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Do you ever feel like you're not sure what your passion is? Irene Riad, an EQ and ICF certified coach, believes that finding your authentic self is the key to finding your passion in your career. In this episode of Career Can Do with host Mary Ann Faremouth, Irene shares how we can become stronger in our careers by using the wisdom of our life's significant setbacks. She also discusses her unique seven-step renewal process, and how it can help you lead with power in your career.

When we face setbacks, we are wounded, but that wound ultimately saves us, Irene says. It teaches us how strong we can be moving forward. "It heals by actually taking small action that when you look at the wound, it just has become something that has lifted you further, allowed you to do something with more depth," she tells Mary Ann. She helps her clients understand that they are not broken, even when faced with setbacks.

Irene's seven-step RENEWAL process is a powerful tool. These steps include recognizing the voice within you, engaging with safety and choice, and leading towards your bigger picture. She also sees life as a mosaic made up of different pieces from our life experiences. She and Mary Ann agree that by looking within ourselves first, we can find our passion and lead with power. Mary Ann comments, “I think [that] we have to look within ourselves first. We have to love what we've experienced, really become our best selves, to be able to make the biggest contribution in our career, to be able to lead with power in a way that is going to best for us, [and] make a valuable contribution to the world.”

In the job search process, it’s as important to regulate your emotions as it is to send out your CV. Irene suggests that not being attached to an outcome frees you up to find better opportunities. It’s also important to “befriend” your fear, Irene tells Mary Ann.  She encourages listeners to be open to new experiences and take action, even if it feels uncomfortable, in order to find better opportunities. Don’t be afraid to take on new roles, even if they are not necessarily what you are looking for in the long term. Taking a job and gaining experience can help you understand yourself better and may lead to other opportunities. 

Resources

Irene Riad on the web | LinkedIn 

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Attitude is everything when it comes to achieving success, regardless of age, gender, or background, says Ruth Klein. Ruth is an internationally renowned brand strategist, bestselling author, speaker, and expert celebrity branding maven. In this episode of Career Can Do, Ruth and host Mary Ann Faremouth discuss the principles that are critical to personal and business development. Ruth has written seven books, including the bestselling Generation Why Not?: 7 Principles to a Purposeful Business and Life Driven by Attitude, Not Age, which lays out seven principles that define your core beliefs and guide you through life's challenges. 

It's not the situation that makes or breaks us, but rather how we handle it. This attitude is what distinguishes those who lose everything and never come back from those who start up again, even stronger than before, Ruth remarks. She interviewed a diverse group of individuals for Generation Why Not?, from financial technology founders to an 83-year-old man who had written four books in four years. She discovered that attitude was the common thread among them: "It's not age. It's certainly not money. It's not your standing. It's not even your brilliance. It's your attitude," Ruth asserts.

Ruth identifies the seven principles that define our core beliefs: intention, thoughts, beliefs, decisions, actions, momentum, and environment.  Our intention, thoughts, and beliefs play a critical role in shaping our success. This means that if we're not reaching our goals or having the relationships we want, we can examine our intention, thoughts, and beliefs to find the root cause. Procrastination, for example, can be traced back to our intention, thoughts, and beliefs about a task or relationship. Ruth encourages us to approach life with curiosity and openness to possibility, and to stay true to our values, even in challenging times.

Identifying your company's internal culture and business values can help you attract and retain employees. Ruth says that CEOs and business owners should reflect on their internal culture and values and connect with employees to understand their needs and concerns. Regular communication with employees ensures that the organization clicks between the C-suite, managers, employees, and business.

Ruth also offers tips for personal and professional growth. She advises taking 100% responsibility for your attitude and creating an intention every morning of how to see the day, visualizing yourself achieving your goals. For example, you can create an intention to be a gift for everyone you meet or to stay focused and productive throughout the day.

Resources

Ruth Klein on Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook 

Generation Why Not?: 7 Principles to a Purposeful Business and Life Driven by Attitude, Not Age

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In this episode of Career Can Do, host Mary Ann Faremouth interviews Rachel Bellow, the co-founder of Bonfire, a leadership development program for women. Rachel discusses her journey in creating the program and the importance of providing women with the tools and skills necessary to become effective leaders. She also shares her insights on how leadership has evolved over time, emphasizing the need for emotional intelligence and influence rather than just inspiration.

It’s often difficult to persuade companies and leaders to adopt a fresh approach to leadership, Rachel tells Mary Ann. Many people in management positions are set in their ways and are resistant to change. This mindset can have negative consequences on the company's bottom line, as high turnover and low employee morale can hurt productivity and performance. Branding and marketing are the keys to convince these leaders to adopt a new approach to leadership, Rachel believes. Developing a distinctive brand that catches their attention is often all it takes to help them acknowledge the necessity for change. 

Bonfire’s unique branding and community-focused program has helped catch the attention of HR leaders, many of whom are women themselves. They understand the importance of creating an inclusive workplace culture that values diversity and fosters community. Rachel believes that women are natural architects of change and can influence the workplace to work for everyone.

The results of her program show that women who participate are energized and empowered to create positive change in their workplaces, contributing their unique skills and perspectives to make their companies more profitable, fun, and fulfilling places to work.

Rachel shares valuable advice for individuals who may be at a crossroads in their career paths. She stresses the significance of following your own curiosity when it comes to your career development. Rather than trying to map out your career trajectory in your head, she suggests that you ask yourself what you want to learn more about, who you want to learn from, and what kind of physical environment you want to learn in. These three questions, according to Rachel, are the most reliable compass you have when trying to determine your career path. By following your curiosity and being mindful of your interests, you can find a career that is not only fulfilling but also aligns with your passions and aspirations.

Resources

Rachel Bellow on LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook 

Bonfire | The Big Payoff

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In this episode of Career Can Do, Mary Ann Faremouth interviews David Wright, CEO of Dale Carnegie of Texas, about the enduring relevance of Dale Carnegie's principles in today's challenging employment market. David emphasizes the importance of building genuine connections and relationships with others, especially in the workplace. He notes that Carnegie's principles of avoiding criticism and condemnation, offering sincere appreciation, and trying to see things from the other person's point of view are more important than ever. David also emphasizes the importance of hiring based on values and mindset, rather than simply technical skills. This approach can help address the current talent shortage and ensure that new hires are aligned with the organization's culture and values.

It’s important to create an engaging work environment to retain employees. David believes that investing in people emotionally is just as important as investing in them financially. He spends time thinking about where his team is emotionally and creates a safe environment where they feel connected and engaged. His goal is to create an environment where people look forward to Monday, which he believes leads to engaged, eager, and productive employees.

David also talks about the importance of vision and relationships in achieving a fulfilling career and personal life. He encourages individuals to sit down and create a vision that includes not only what they want to accomplish but also who they want to be. He emphasizes the value of building meaningful relationships and believes that relationships are what make people happy and fulfilled in the long run. He also highlights the importance of leadership, trust, and engagement in creating a positive work environment.

Resources

David Wright on LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter 

Dale Carnegie Texas

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Mary Ann Faremouth hosts Eddie Turner, a principal consultant and executive coach at Linkage Inc, an international leadership development firm. He is a Certified Speaking Professional and ranked number six on the Top 30 list of motivational speakers by Global Gurus. Eddie is a preeminent authority on emerging leaders and is in the top 25 thought leaders in leadership. In this episode, Eddie and Mary Ann discuss the current demand for strong leadership in organizations and how it has increased over the years. Employees stay or leave based on the type of leader they work for, so effective leadership is necessary for retaining talented employees. Eddie helps organizations develop purposeful leadership by working with senior leaders in the C-suite and emerging leaders. He also identifies clear metrics for how leaders can engage and hold employees accountable.

Leaders need to adapt to a post-pandemic world that demands effective leadership for both in-office and remote employees. Eddie highlights the importance of inclusivity and how more inclusive organizations statistically outperform less inclusive ones. He notes that it is important to create a vision that can rally people across five generations and that each generation has something that is inherently valuable to them. Data and research is crucial in convincing organizations to adopt inclusion as a profitable way of doing business. 

Eddie’s book, 140 Simple Messages to Guide Emerging Leaders, emphasizes that everyone should be emerging as a leader, even those in top positions. He stresses the importance of continuously working to improve your leadership skills.

Resources

Eddie Turner LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | 140 Simple Messages to Guide Emerging Leaders

Eddie at Linkage, Inc (A SHRM Company)

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Sonja “Dynamo” Price is a top career strategist, salary advisor, and leadership coach whose mission is to support professionals to have greater meaning, better work life balance, and significantly higher pay. She has worked with Tony Robbins, trained with Al Gore, and won an award from the Women's Economic Forum. Sonja helps clients with career branding, job search and networking, and offer negotiation, to help them find clarity in their career, and ensure they are focused on the right roles and projects. Sonja is also the co-author of two books, The Pivot Point System and The Infinite Leader, which detail her process for helping individuals make transformative changes in their lives, careers, health, and wealth. 

It’s important to evaluate your coach to make sure they have the skills, qualifications, and experience necessary to help you reach your goals, Sonja tells listeners. Mary Ann highlights the need for individuals to gain more digital skills to stay competitive in the post-COVID job market and she suggests taking online courses or going back to school to gain such skills. Sonja recommends looking for a coach who offers a ROI guarantee.

When you want to transition careers you should marry your past work experience with the direction that you are heading in the future and to look for creative ways to work around any prerequisites or qualifications that may be listed in a job description. Mary Ann adds that it is important to adjust your mindset, as a negative attitude is likely to make interviews shorter. Sonja provides coaching services to help people adjust their mindset and identify the right fit opportunities in their next career chapter. She helps them build confidence and break down their fears for the future. 

Resources

Sonja Price on LinkedIn

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In this episode of Career Can Do, Mary Ann Faremouth chats with returning guest Elle Ballard, international best-selling author, speaker, Abundance mentor, and Founder of the Women of the World Network (WOTWN). Elle helps multinational women achieve abundance in their personal and professional world while helping them uncover and focus on their uniqueness. Elle shares her story as she discusses how WOTWN is accomplishing their mission to bring out their members’ potential.

Motivated by a desire to see more women live their dream lives, their “abundant” lives, Elle founded Women of the World Network. She hoped that she would provide more opportunities for women to create that abundance for themselves. Women often busy themselves with their families and put their dreams on the back burner. Elle wanted to make a platform where they would be able to pursue both if they so wished.

WOTWN is a community of multinational women entrepreneurs whose mission is to help other women achieve success in their businesses. They have multiple membership levels and host events that even non-members can attend. WOTWN offers members much exposure, marketability, professional expansion, and growth.

Resources

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