Bridges Edition of 1/7/2008

2008-1
Bridges - January 2008
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 found the newsletter helpful, 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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Happy New Year! I think there is something to be said for what the New Year represents - a time for new beginnings, for a fresh start. Start by taking a quick look back at 2007. What did you accomplish that you'd like to build on this year? What were you hoping to accomplish that you didn't'? What got in the way? While I'm not a believer in resolutions - most are broken by now anyway - I do believe it's important to have goals. So here's where to begin:
- Write down your goals. There is something about committing your thoughts to paper that increases the likelihood of them happening. Is this the year for the new career or to take your company or organization to the next level? If so, write it down in a way that is clearly defined, realistic and achievable.
- It becomes easy to give up if you don't have instant success, so break things down into small manageable steps.
- Get the support you need to keep you on track - a colleague, friend, coach - someone who will keep you on track and keep you accountable.

And finally, remember that goal setting is a process, a means to an end, to help you accomplish your plans and dreams.
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CAREER COACHING
The first of the New Year is often a time of job change. When I'm asked by clients how to find a new job I tell them to get out and network. I suggest they talk to everyone they know who might be a "circle of influence", someone who is in tune with what's happening in their community, their field, their area of interest. The three worst mistakes a job hunter can make are: hiding behind the computer, not networking, and showing up for an interview unprepared. Hiring managers tell me that the candidate who shows up for the interview without a list of questions or without having references handy has missed an opportunity. A NY Times article last year said that posting a resume on a job board is often an "exercise in frustration". They estimate that only 3 to 5 percent of jobs come through job boards so get out there and start networking.
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WORKPLACE TRENDS
An October 2007 article in BusinessWeek, entitled, "The Water Cooler Is Now on the Web", noted that large companies are starting in-house social networks. In a nod to younger employees and to technology, the article noted that employees of all ages were signing on as a way of keeping in contact with colleagues and friends. While some executives expressed concern about excessive time "chatting" and the possibility of opening their company networks to security breaches, these networks have also turned out to be an efficient way to "mine for in-house expertise, discover new recruits, and share information".
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For those who ask me what it is that I do, I offer coaching and business consulting in the following areas:

-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;
-Career Coaching for career advancement, change or transition;
-Not for Profit Consulting - providing Executive Directors with independent sounding board, consulting on staff issues, board relations and staff development
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FINAL THOUGHT
The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people. - Theodore Roosevelt.

COPYRIGHT: 2008, 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.