Bridges Edition of 10/9/2006

Welcome to Bridges, a monthly newsletter published by Robin Fogel, Executive and Career Coach & Consultant. My goal is that these newsletters include practical information that you can use in your work and in your life. If you enjoyed the newsletter please forward it to your colleagues, friends and family.

If you would like to take advantage of a business consultant or executive coach, please email me at robin@coachrobinfogel.com for a complimentary coaching session or visit my website - www.coachrobinfogel.com

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GOALS
As we enter the last quarter of the calendar year, ask yourself what you want to accomplish in the remaining three months. Whether for business or in your personal life, having goals keeps you on track, and helps you use your time more productively. Remember, the clearer the goal, the greater the odds of success. Ask yourself:

- What kind of support do you need to help you reach your goal?
- What opportunities can you take advantage of?
- What's holding you back?

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WORKPLACE TRENDS
Recently I've been noticing an increasing number of articles with the same theme - help wanted, older workers please apply. As the baby boomers inch toward retirement and the prospect of labor shortages looms, companies are starting to focus on what they will have to do to fill those slots. A Civic Ventures/Met Life survey reported that there are 77 million baby boomers. They represent a quarter of the US population and 80% expressed interest in working after retirement. This past week BusinessWeek magazine had an article entitled, "Still Working and Loving It". Though some boomers will continue to work for financial reasons, others were quoted as wanting to contribute to their communities or share their knowledge, but on their own terms. They are looking for something that interests them and they want flexibility. Many are not interested in the long workdays they once worked.

So which employers are at the cutting edge of this new work pattern? Home Depot offers employees a "snowbird special" - winter work in Florida or Arizona, summers up north. Borders has been recruiting former teachers and those who love to read. The BusinessWeek article mentioned a company called YourEncore which finds jobs for retired scientists and engineers.

What does this mean for the workforce at large? It suggests that down the road, whether you are in the baby boomer age category or even much younger, because of supply and demand, you might be in a strong bargaining position. If you are considering a career change, the sheer number of baby boomers either retiring or modifying their work schedule could be a prime opportunity for you.

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For those who ask what is it that you do, my business has evolved and I have been offering coaching and business consulting in the following areas - Career Coaching for career advancement, change or transition; Business Consulting & Executive Coaching - working as an independent sounding board providing advice on staffing issues, developing emerging talent and helping managers sharpen their communication and management skills; Not for Profit Consulting - providing Executive Directors with independent sounding board, consulting on staff issues, board relations and staff development

I appreciate your comments and feedback on this newsletter, please
keep them coming. If there is a topic you would like to hear more
about send me an email at robin@coachrobinfogel.com

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FINAL THOUGHT
To love what you do & feel that it matters-how could anything be more fun. -
Katherine Graham
COPYRIGHT: 2006, Robin Fogel & Assoc., LLC. All Rights Reserved. May be distributed and reprinted in its entirety with copyright, subscription instructions, and contact information intact. However, you may not copy it to a website.