By Liz Radzick of Manifest Consulting

You know you’ve done it before: What you think will be the right portion size of dry spaghetti for two ends up filling three containers of leftovers. That weekend vacation to Montreal? You didn’t really need to pack five pairs of pants. And that presentation you gave to the team last week – that was a Baconator portion of data served up in what was only meant to be a 10 minute update.

Many people make the mistake of putting too much in their pasta pots, suitcases, and in their presentations: data, visuals, bullets, long-winded explanations. And usually it’s not until after the water has boiled, we are unpacking our luggage back at home, and the group we were talking to is glazed-over that we realize: that was just TOO MUCH.

So here’s a way to Simple-Size your presentation and make it fit the amount of time you have to talk.

Assume you have 20 min to speak.

Now assume that the meeting is running late and you only have 15 min.  This is the norm so better to plan for it.

Allocate 2 min at the beginning and 2 min at the end for your intro/agenda and closing statements.

You now have11 minutes. Divide 11 by the number of topic areas you want to discuss. For example, if you have 3 topic areas you can talk for just less than 4 min per topic. Or you can give one topic more time and expand another. But you only have 11 min to work with. Remember this.

Now you are ready to determine what you can realistically cover in the time allocated. What do you fundamentally want your audience to know/understand/believe or feel? Keep asking this question over and over as you pull you slides together. Ask yourself if you REALLY need to read all the safety steps on how to run the photocopier to your audience, or whether that could be relayed in a handout or email.

Finally, if this is an interactive presentation and you will be allowing questions, shrink down the amount of data you will present even more to allow for this. Surprising how little ground you can cover in a “20 min presentation” isn’t it?

You have now Simple-Sized your presentation. And let me know if you need some extra sun block…for some reason I have 6 bottles of it in my suitcase.

By Victoria Joanna Bailey  BBA, CNP, RNCP http://www.victoriajoanna.com/

We’re right in the middle of summer and there’s no better time or season to live in the moment and stop to smell the roses.  Literally.  We should all take more time to live in the present and enjoy our lives, even when the flowers aren’t in bloom, but let’s use this season to remind us just how important it is to live in the “right now”.

As driven, ambitious, independent and career-oriented women, I know this is easier said than done.  We spend our entire lives moving from one goal to the next and rarely stop long enough to acknowledge and enjoy our successes.   As 20- and 30-something’s it’s particularly challenging.  This is the time in our lives where we build our futures and have a long list of accomplishments we feel we must achieve in order to feel complete – get: married, pregnant, buy a home, promoted, into the dress size we’ve always wanted… the list goes on.

While ambition and hard work can serve us well helping us to create the life we want, we need to be conscious of our tendency to live in the future at the expense of experiencing the present.   As women, we are hard on ourselves at the best of times and so when we are always focused on the “thing” we haven’t yet achieved we are literally “missing out” on our lives.  We may have a wonderful relationship or job or friends, but we often focus on the one thing that is missing.   As a result, we aren’t as happy as we could be.  We aren’t at peace.

This doesn’t mean that we give up on our goals, but rather, we give up on our self-imposed timelines of when we think things should happen.  We stop rushing for the finish line and enjoy the journey. 

When we can see that growth is the fuel of life, we realize that growth is never ending.  There will always be the next thing that we want to attempt, achieve and attain; but in the meantime, we need to also be fully present living the life we have.  When we live in the future or the past, we are stuck in our heads.  We create anxiety, fear, and sadness, even depression.   By choosing to live in the present, we open ourselves up to experiencing our emotions.  We create space for intuition, joy and happiness to fill our lives. 

A wonderful thing happens as a result; time becomes less of an issue.  The things we think we still need become a little less urgent.  Ironically enough, we achieve the feeling of happiness and fulfillment that we’ve been chasing.  When we focus on the good things in our life rather than what we have yet to achieve, we are able to live in the moment and fall in love with our life… right now, which is the only moment that matters.

By Aurea Crotty

Whether you find yourself unemployed and looking for a job, or considering a switch from your current employment, stop thinking in terms of just looking for work and start working at uncovering opportunities.

What’s the difference?

Looking for work: applying for jobs that are posted, looking for doors that are already open and established- waiting for others to find you

Seeking opportunities: going out and finding or creating the job you want –crafting your own door and experience

Although there are many great job search sites and job listings out there, they are not always the best way to help you find great opportunities. Most of those elusive “great jobs” are not posted through traditional job search sites, rather they are found through your network.

By seeking opportunities you are taking a proactive stance in your life, aligning your work to who you are and what you want, versus the other way around.

Opportunity seeking strategies:

Be clear about what you want. This is the single most important factor in everything you do; the clearer you are about what you want the more likely you are to achieve it. Being clear will help make your investigation easier by allowing you to articulate your wants and needs, more specifically, it can help others help you. 

Do your research: Once you have a clearer picture of what you’re looking for, now it’s time to find out who does it.  For example, what industries should you be targeting? Which companies embody what you want?

Find your 6 degrees: Use your network to find connections to these industries / companies. 

No door? Find a window:  Don’t have any connections? – create them.  Ask yourself…”where are my contacts and what are they doing”?

Try using LinkedIn or Facebook, and make a virtual introduction.

Are there any industry associations / networking groups / specific recruiting companies you can join?

Identify decision makers and ask for an informational interview, they‘re a great way to get your foot in the door and always remember to ask for another referral.

Get the skills you need: I am consistently discouraged at the narrow-mindedness of so many organizations that fail to see the power of transferable skills.  Given the current economic climate, unfortunately for many of us, this attitude will not get better anytime soon.  Many companies want to see specific experience, and with stiff competition in the job market, it may be your only chance to be considered.

Be clear on what specific skills you will need to be considered and come up with creative ways you can gain that experience. Some suggestions: try volunteer /part-time work or come up with your own project and execute it –track your results and experience.  

Be brave, bold and creative. It is no easy feat trying to create your own opportunities, you may hear a lot of no’s along the way, but stay true to yourself and the yes’s will come. Good Luck!

Have a question on how you can start creating your own opportunities? Let us help you, post here.

By Liz Radzick of Manifest Consulting

A senior executive was introducing me to a class I was about to teach recently. He got my name right (most hilarious version to-date: Liz Razdick) but then came my company name: Manfelt. Oops. While I don’t understand why my recent intro’s seem to be trending into x-rated name territory I do know how to ensure that you succeed when introducing someone from the front of the room.

Get the person’s name right. If it is difficult to say, make sure you hyphenate it so that it is easy to read on your script e.g. Liz Rad-zick

Edit the bio. Weed out the excessive acronyms and general blah blah that doesn’t mean much (“Harriet is accomplished at helping people to achieve their goals and dreams”). Pick the top 4 or 5 most impressive things in the bio (education, publications, designations, honours/awards, travel) and if there aren’t any, see if you can talk personally with the speaker or their assistant to find out more engaging details.

Type the bio in 18pt font. Left justify the margins only, and use 1.5 spaces between lines so that the script is easy to read and allows you to look up to connect with the audience.

Look at the person you are introducing. As you read, make eye contact with the person and smile. By doing this you create a rapport between you, them and the audience before they speak.

Create excitement. Your job is to create enthusiasm and credibility for the speaker so speak with energy – there is nothing more disheartening than having to present after a tired-sounding introduction. Practice aloud before the actual event at about an 8 energy level (on a scale of 1-10).

Begin the applause. As you transition to the speaker use a phrase like “Will you please help me welcome…” and then start the applause yourself so that the audience follows along.

Stop endlessly searching for “something more”

There is a new generation of high-achieving women: confident, ambitious, and driven yet anxious, discontented, and above all, restless. Constantly juggling multiple roles and reevaluating goals, today’s “wander women” move from job to job, challenge to challenge, almost on impulse. Drawing on fresh research and extensive interviews, Marcia Reynolds helps you understand the roots of your restlessness and learn how to make your wandering a conscious strategy, not a series of unplanned events. She provides a wealth of exercises and practices so you can better understand the needs that drive your decisions, discover new ways of finding direction, and thoughtfully choose and plan your future — whether climbing the corporate ladder, finding satisfaction below the glass ceiling, or setting out on your own.

About The Author:

Dr. Marcia Reynolds is fascinated by the brain, especially the nuances of the female brain. She is a master certified coach with a doctorate in organizational psychology, focusing on the needs and challenges of smart, strong women in the workplace. She travels around the world speaking at conferences and teaching classes in leadership, emotional intelligence and organizational change. Her book Wander Woman: How High Achieving Women Find Contentment and Direction was released this summer.  

Reviews:

“The ideas and exercises here represent breakthrough thinking. I plan to give this inspiring and thought-changing book to many women as a gift of guidance on their journey.”
–Linda Alepin, Founding Director, Global Women’s Leadership Network

“This is a book for highly successful women and their executive coaches. Not only will passionate, driven women better manage their minds, the exercises and coaching questions will help them improve their relationships with those they live and work with.”
–Madeleine Blanchard, cofounder, Coaching Services, The Ken Blanchard Companies

“Marcia Reynolds’s deeply insightful stories of wander women-as well as her own transformative journey — will touch the restless wanderer in your own soul and open new paths to love, joy, and contentment.”
–Deb Giffen, Director, Wharton Executive Education

You can read more about the book at wanderwomanbook.com and follow the author on Facebook and Twitter.

By Aurea Crotty

Life is an ever evolving canvas, no stroke can be undone and with each expression our painting comes to life gradually, revealing our masterpiece. Taking time to step back from our canvas allows us to see the bigger picture, to watch our work unfold, and to make the adjustments necessary to create our greatness.

Summer is officially here, and for many of us it couldn’t have come sooner. Longer days, warmer weather and vacation schedules, now is our time to take things a little easier.

Since summer is a time to kick back, and with many companies following suit, it is a good opportunity to take some time to reflect on our life and check-in to see how we’re doing – to step back from our canvas. 

We can also look at summer as a midpoint marker to the end of the year; a great time to take a look at our progress towards achieving our goals, or, setting new targets for the end of the year.

Here are some questions to help you step back from your ‘canvas’ and see the bigger picture:

Overall how happy am I on a scale of 1-10?

You can break this question down into individual areas of your life i.e. Career, Relationships, Personal Fitness, Money etc… If you are less than 5 in any area you probably have some big shifts to make. Over 5 you may be looking at some ‘fine tuning’.  

What’s working for me and what’s not (or, what do I love doing vs not)?

I like to make a two column list outlining each, then compare them. From this question you can easily come up with…

 How can I do less of what I don’t like and more of what I do like?

Your answers may reveal a matter of re-focus or a talk with your boss to get more of those projects that you love.

What one thing would I like to achieve by the end of the year?

Since this is the half way point…are there any goals you can set to get you closer to feeling more fulfilled?

 What do I need to do to achieve my goal / bring about the change I want?

Do you need to gain a particular experience, find a certain contact, update your resume.  How can you set yourself up for success by being proactive and ensure change happens.

It is so important for us to continually take time in the quite moments to reflect on where we are and where we’re going. This is our life, our canvas, let’s not let anyone paint it for us.

Now… go find a great patio, get a drink and start painting.

By Aurea Crotty

A referred job candidate has a 35 to 1 chance of getting hired vs. 500 to 1 for the typical candidates. -Mark Mehler from CareerXroads

Networking is a powerful tool to helping us get ahead, but for many of us it can be an intimidating and freighting experience. In my own career and business I have found that the key to moving ahead is largely a result of the network I have built and the strength of my relationships. Statistics have shown that 70 percent of all jobs are found through networking.

For me, networking is more than just handing out business cards and giving an “elevator pitch”, it is about the relationships we build with others. By focusing on building a relationship with someone we not only help alleviate the pressure and intimidation around “selling ourselves” but we create a window of opportunity for that connection to extend beyond our immediate situation -and THAT is what builds a network of qualified leads.

Here are 5 networking tips that are sure to help you at your next networking event:

1. Be real and in the moment: It is ok to have a little something rehearsed before showing up to a networking event, just make sure you deliver your message genuinely. Networking is about being authentic, building relationships and trust, and understanding how you can help others.
2. Listen more than you talk, by listening more it is easier to engage and build a strong connection…The best way to make a great first impression is to make the other person feel good about themselves.
3. Ask open-ended questions: Ask Who, What, When, Where and How. These types of questions open up the conversation and demonstrate to your listener that you are interested in them. Remember, the best way to make a great first impression is… making the other person else feel good about themselves!
4. Be able to succinctly articulate what you do, what you’re looking for, and how others can help you.
5. Follow-up. Always follow up. And take the time to foster and keep your connections.

Looking to expand your network -check out The Art of Mix & Mingle July 7th

By Liz Radzick of Manifest Consulting

It was a dark and rainy night when I was driving my friend along Queen St.  That’s when I heard this horrible grinding sound caused by my car scraping the side of a parked car on the street. A 6 month old parked car with (as it turned out) a female lawyer in it. Not good. I immediately pulled over, put on my hazards and walked towards her car. “You hit me with your car!” accused the woman as she got out of her car to inspect the damage.

Things could have been worse – no one was hurt – but the last thing you want to have is an emotional scene after an incident like this.  Here are some things you can do to navigate this kind of intense communication scenario.

Speak in short sentences with lots of pauses. “Are you all right? Let me get you my info. Would you like me to use my phone to take pictures of the car?” Prevent emotional babbling by keeping it short and simple.

Breathe. When your body starts going into shock like mine did and you get shaky, breathing will help you to think clearly and decide what to do next.

Sink your energy into your feet and into the ground to stay grounded. By staying physically calm and keeping movement to a minimum I was able to maintain my composure and communicate clearly.

Listen closely to anything that is said and even take notes so that you can remember what you committed to do.

The result of doing these things was that the lawyer calmed down quickly and we were able to focus on exchanging information in a quick and civil manner. Imagine my surprise when we shook hands after the event and she wished me a good evening!

By Aurea Crotty

Negotiation is an integral part of our personal and professional lives. At some point we will all need to negotiate a salary, buying a new home, a car, cell phone etc… Being able to negotiate successfully can make a big difference to our outcomes.

Taking time to hone your negotiating skills is time worth while.

Tips

1. Set your mind to it!

Negotiation takes work, and you have to want to do it! Talking about money is a touchy subject and can be very uncomfortable for many of us. If you are unwilling to talk about money and engage in negotiation, your reluctance will come at a price.

2. It’s not personal -never get emotionally involved -easier said than done…I KNOW!

A big mistake many of us make is to become too emotionally invested in our end goal. We allow our emotions and ego to get the better of us causing us to lose focus.

Remember, there is someone else in the picture and both of you want to feel that you are getting something out of the deal! Be friendly and patient (even if the other person is not).

3. First the worst, Second the BEST! -try not to be the first person to name a price!

By being the first to set your price, you maybe putting yourself at a disadvantage.

4. Ask for more than you expect to get -but be reasonable!
Even if the price is right ask if they can do better. Be nice, be reasonable. Remember, you never know unless you ask!

5. Create a WIN / WIN situation

When you look to create a win/win situation, everyone at the negotiating table feels they got something out of it! If someone feels cheated they may not be inclined to fulfill their end of the deal, or not want to do business with you in the future.

Have a negotiating tip or question? Post here.

By Lisa Richards

Finding Her Passion 

While some of us head to our kitchens to make delicious desserts (that we often later regret!), Heather Reier set foot in hers to create something sweet that would only make us feel indulgent and delectable with absolutely no guilt.

When Heather Reier created Canadian fave Cake Beauty, she set out to create a line of products that had natural ingredients and beautiful textures with a stylish, girly brand. “At the time, these two concepts were mutually exclusive,” says Heather. “Cake Beauty products bridged that gap.”

Her Story 

Heather graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a degree in political science; her experiences there taught her how to think strategically and methodically, skills that she’s found imperative for running a business. “After graduating I worked for a number of years in retail operations. I worked for two companies before starting Cake. The first company was in the beauty industry and the second was in fashion apparel. I was fortunate to be working in close proximity to the founders of each of these companies, and as a result I was very inspired.” Heather’s entrepreneurial spirit encouraged her to be an absolute sponge and learn as much as she could. “I took on extra projects and proactively sought out extra work and additional responsibility. If you want career success (entrepreneur or not) – you need to have drive and a solid work ethic.”

Making it Happen 

When Cake Beauty was founded in 2003, Heather started small. “I contacted 100 or so independent boutiques in Canada and the US. I didn’t contact any large chains at the beginning. I didn’t have much of a marketing budget, so I knew that it was going to be important to sell to the ‘cool’ independent boutiques in order to gain a reputation as a must-have niche brand. The independent boutiques are still very important to Cake Beauty.

“I also immediately initiated a PR campaign and contacted the media. Editors received a cake box of goodies and a hand written note from me. The media loved the story (about how I started in the kitchen) and the brand. I was fortunate to get over 40 press hits in the first 18 months following the launch. This helped to give the company and running start.”

Her Mission Statement 

“I believe very strongly in following your dreams. This is how greatness is born! The best part about following your dreams is that it automatically comes with great passion. Passion is what fuels success. Passion is what gets you through the tough times and always brings you out on top. And, passion is automatically linked to optimism. Dreams + Passion + Optimism = Success and Satisfaction!” According to Heather, Cake Beauty is an every day indulgence that won’t pinch your purse. “We mix a dash of sass with a generous helping of 90-95% high quality, natural ingredients.”

The Challenge 

Similar to many of the ladies featured on Her Story, Heather’s greatest challenge was competing with her competitors. “All of my competitors had been in business for many years and had a much larger budget and substantially more working capital than I had. I had to be able to compete on the shelves next to them with only a fraction of their budget,” shares Heather. This drove her to take a more creative approach. “This is, in many respects, how Cake’s fundamental culture and brand was born. I put a large emphasis on relationships and education. I listened very intently to customers and ensured that the retailers that were selling Cake felt listened to and important. I set Cake apart from my competitors by giving customers and retailers that ‘small company feel’. This approach still holds true today.”

Hopes for the Future 

In the last few years Cake Beauty has seen amazing success including a fan base of celebrities, great media coverage and being featured on the website of beauty retail giant, Sephora. Heather still has more planned for Cake Beauty: “I hope to achieve greater distribution and to create more bath & body products and additional products in other complimentary categories.”

Her Advice to You 

Heather offers great words of wisdom to newbies entering the workforce. “It is competitive out there. You have to stand out and you have to be motivated and driven. Work hard and take on extra projects. Don’t leave at 5:00 p.m. every night and don’t walk in the door at 9:30 every morning. Ask for additional responsibility and be accountable. Figure out where you want your career to be in five years and assume the role in your own head now. Take control of your future and don’t complain! If you want to be a VP and you’re a Coordinator right now, start acting like a VP. You will get noticed. I can confidently say that if you don’t do these things you will be in same place, making the same amount of money in five years. One final thing – check your sense of entitlement at the door. Your boss didn’t get to where he or she is by being entitled. Everyone is replaceable – do whatever you can to make yourself valuable.” Given Heather’s sweet success, that’s sound advice that we’d all be smart to follow.

For some sweet indulgences that are sure to delight the senses, visit http://www.cakebeauty.com/