I spoke at a Career Transition conference in Stamford CT to 200 people on Wednesday on short notice. The speaker was sick and I filled in - very well received. I wore my new yellow panda tie and led off a story about riding the fastest train in the world (Mag Lev 267mph) and ascending the tallest builing in the world (the Bottle Opener) - both in Shanghai China on last Friday.
China was vibrant and thriving. People were bustling and dressed in Western clothes. Kids and families were healthy, and western society norms was clearly in evidence. There are new highways everywhere, and clusters of apartment buildings are rising everywhere. The government owns all the land (and leases it for 70 or 99 years) and has bought out dilapidated housing and farms and rebuilt areas with great haste.
Crowds were everywhere especially given the 60th anniversary celebration on October 1in Beijing (everyone then gets a week off) the day before we arrived. Our group of 16visited The Great Wall, the Forbidden City, major gardens and canals (Suzhou - 9 million people)) and West Lake (an enormous lake in Hangzhou - 13 million) and many other sites. Shanghai is the future of the country - very modern and thriving. You can even find European restaurants if you really digg around. Unfortunately we were fully programmed.
This country is focused, competitive, happy and healthy due to increased prosperity, and on the move. It is very strategic and clearly addressing some of its pressing needs - imporving the lives of the middle class and a major greening campaign is under way.
I will share more thoughts as I process what I learned from my experiences.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Ever have a milestone week?
This has been one of the best weeks I can remember in many many years. Hopefully you will have an incredible and memorable week very soon too. Savor it when you do. This was an Aha! week to extrapolate from the chapter 6 in my Where To Go From Here book. Here is a video of the book signing at Just books in Old Greenwich http://tinyurl.com/yc2wjr3. I also gave 3 other speeches which were very well received including a keynote kickoff for the Norwalk Chamber of Commerce. I played golf on a couple of fabulous golf courses - even posted my best score on one of the toughest in Connecticut.
We also attended a wedding on the water with a phenomenol band where the trombone player danced up a storm and played. Next week I am off to China for a 10 day visit with a business group.
In life you grow new branches on your tree and expand your hosizons from new people you meet, new exeperiences you take in, important accomplishments you complete, and new learnings you make along the way. We have so much to be grateful for. Go for it - expand your reach today!
We also attended a wedding on the water with a phenomenol band where the trombone player danced up a storm and played. Next week I am off to China for a 10 day visit with a business group.
In life you grow new branches on your tree and expand your hosizons from new people you meet, new exeperiences you take in, important accomplishments you complete, and new learnings you make along the way. We have so much to be grateful for. Go for it - expand your reach today!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Your Aha! Moments - Speaking Engagements & Sept 22 Book Signing
What Are Your "Aha" Moments?
Perhaps have recently experienced – an “Aha” moment.
This is a moment that clarifies what has been, and hasn’t been, working for you thus far. After this moment, there is a new clarity in your business or on the job. For some people, it’s the moment when they identify what they were really meant to do in life. For others, it’s the moment when they figure out why certain workplace environments never really made sense for them. And for
still others, it’s the moment when they get clear about how to move on from a particular professional relationship with a specific person. This clarity can be from either a positive or a negative experience.
For all of these people who encounter what I call the “Aha” moment, there is a common element: Identifying their own best use.
** The first goal you scored in hockey, lacrosse, or soccer or match you won... after months or years of practice
** The first time you solved a long-standing, energy-draining problem – with a breakthrough of your own
Speaking Engagements & Noteworthy Events
Sept 21: Networking & Reinvention Saugatuck Congregational Church Westport CT 7:30-9:30PM
SEPT 22 BOOK SIGNING, Talk & Wine and Cheese Just Books Old Greenwich CT 7-8:30PM
Sept 23: Small Business Development Academy Keynote (with Cliff Ennico) Norwalk chamber of Commerce Norwalk CT 6-8:30PM
Sept 24: Where To Go From Here: Reinventing Your Business And Your Working Life Darien Chamber of Commerce Darien CT 7:30-9AM
Sept 29: Where To Go From Here & Reinvention Stanwich church Greenwich CT 7:30-9:30PM
Oct 13,20,27 Nov 3,10,17,24 Dec 1 Barnabas Project Noroton Presbyterian Church Reinventing Your Career (based on Where To Go From Here book)
List your "Aha" moments Now
For more info, send for a pdf of this chapter in Where To Go From Here.
Perhaps have recently experienced – an “Aha” moment.
This is a moment that clarifies what has been, and hasn’t been, working for you thus far. After this moment, there is a new clarity in your business or on the job. For some people, it’s the moment when they identify what they were really meant to do in life. For others, it’s the moment when they figure out why certain workplace environments never really made sense for them. And for
still others, it’s the moment when they get clear about how to move on from a particular professional relationship with a specific person. This clarity can be from either a positive or a negative experience.
For all of these people who encounter what I call the “Aha” moment, there is a common element: Identifying their own best use.
** The first goal you scored in hockey, lacrosse, or soccer or match you won... after months or years of practice
** The first time you solved a long-standing, energy-draining problem – with a breakthrough of your own
Speaking Engagements & Noteworthy Events
Sept 21: Networking & Reinvention Saugatuck Congregational Church Westport CT 7:30-9:30PM
SEPT 22 BOOK SIGNING, Talk & Wine and Cheese Just Books Old Greenwich CT 7-8:30PM
Sept 23: Small Business Development Academy Keynote (with Cliff Ennico) Norwalk chamber of Commerce Norwalk CT 6-8:30PM
Sept 24: Where To Go From Here: Reinventing Your Business And Your Working Life Darien Chamber of Commerce Darien CT 7:30-9AM
Sept 29: Where To Go From Here & Reinvention Stanwich church Greenwich CT 7:30-9:30PM
Oct 13,20,27 Nov 3,10,17,24 Dec 1 Barnabas Project Noroton Presbyterian Church Reinventing Your Career (based on Where To Go From Here book)
List your "Aha" moments Now
For more info, send for a pdf of this chapter in Where To Go From Here.
Friday, July 10, 2009
What is Your Risk Profile?
I outlined four broad categories of risk and examples of each in Where To Go From Here: Reinventing Your Career, Your Business, Your Working Life (2009). It may be asueful guide for you to help determine where you should spend your time and energy. If you in the no risk category or low risk, then you should focus your business or career reinvention on larger companies or known ventures or people. If you are in the medium risk or high risk, then you can look at new ventures, franchises or the latest trends for inspiration and ideas. What is your risk profile?
Friday, June 26, 2009
The Litchfield University Club
I spoke to this 114 year old club at their Annual meeting in Torrington CT. It was started and run by Mr. Delmonico as an eating club, and in 1914 it started giving out scholarships to area students. Today it gives out over $65,000 per year to leading area students for college. It was interesting to hear how many people had moved to Northwest and Northern Connecticut to reinvent themselves or make a major transition in their lives. Everyone enjoys the people and the beauty of the area, which has changed very little over the years. A hidden gem of an organization!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Joey Reynolds radio show interview 6.17.9
I was on Joey's show - WOR710 late evenings -for the 2nd time last night talking about my book Where To Go From Here: Reinventing your Career,Your Business, Your working Life. A key manager from the National Venture Capital Association just book a copy in Arlington VA, and I am getting great kudos from readers. Maybe you should check it out on Amazon. My speaking and promotion efforts pale (ask for my ezine) pale compared to Jonathan Littman (8 books; innovation expert) and Marc Hershon (branding expert; BlackBerry)who were also on the show talking about their new book I Hate People -www.ihatepeoplethebook.com. They were cruising around Times Square in the I Hate People vehicle, handing out literature and door hangers, videoing some youtube clips, and lounging in their morning article in the Wall Street Journal. We had lots of fun.
Joey was in great form as always and had many amusements and stories to share.
Joey was in great form as always and had many amusements and stories to share.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
What are you Primary and Secondary Values
SIX WORK VALUES
Learning
Bottom-Line
Aesthetic/Harmony
People
Individual
Tradition
MANY OF US have trouble explaining what our own guiding values are. We know they’re there, we know they matter, but we have a hard time putting those values into words. That’s problematic, because we make better life choices when we have a clear sense of what our own values are.
The following simple exercise, which I developed for Where to Go From Here: Reinventing Your Career and Your Business, is designed to help you get a clear fix on your own primary and secondary values. It’s based on principles of psychology and personality assessment that have been in use for nearly a century now, and are widely accepted by counselors, therapists, and others who must help people to understand their own predispositions and priorities. After you complete the short questionnaire and tally your results, I’ll help you to identify your likely primary and secondary values – and give you a sense of what they say about you.
When you know your own values, you’ll have a better sense of what works for you – and doesn’t work for you – in your career, and you’ll become more confident in making choices about what should happen next in your working life. The more exercise you give that making-choices muscle, and the more comfortable you are in using it, the better off you will be.
Note: The questionnaire that follows is a much-condensed version of a far more comprehensive assessment tool I use with my own clients. It is meant only to give you an initial indication of your values profile, not a definitive summary. For information on how to conduct more in-depth assessments, such as communication and competencies assessments, see the first page of the Resources section at the end of this book.
What Are Your Primary and Secondary Work Values?
For many people, workplace or career dissatisfaction is rooted in an environmental mismatch that puts them in situations that don’t take full advantage of their capacities.
Send for a pdf of this exercise to doug@thesuccesscoach.com
Learning
Bottom-Line
Aesthetic/Harmony
People
Individual
Tradition
MANY OF US have trouble explaining what our own guiding values are. We know they’re there, we know they matter, but we have a hard time putting those values into words. That’s problematic, because we make better life choices when we have a clear sense of what our own values are.
The following simple exercise, which I developed for Where to Go From Here: Reinventing Your Career and Your Business, is designed to help you get a clear fix on your own primary and secondary values. It’s based on principles of psychology and personality assessment that have been in use for nearly a century now, and are widely accepted by counselors, therapists, and others who must help people to understand their own predispositions and priorities. After you complete the short questionnaire and tally your results, I’ll help you to identify your likely primary and secondary values – and give you a sense of what they say about you.
When you know your own values, you’ll have a better sense of what works for you – and doesn’t work for you – in your career, and you’ll become more confident in making choices about what should happen next in your working life. The more exercise you give that making-choices muscle, and the more comfortable you are in using it, the better off you will be.
Note: The questionnaire that follows is a much-condensed version of a far more comprehensive assessment tool I use with my own clients. It is meant only to give you an initial indication of your values profile, not a definitive summary. For information on how to conduct more in-depth assessments, such as communication and competencies assessments, see the first page of the Resources section at the end of this book.
What Are Your Primary and Secondary Work Values?
For many people, workplace or career dissatisfaction is rooted in an environmental mismatch that puts them in situations that don’t take full advantage of their capacities.
Send for a pdf of this exercise to doug@thesuccesscoach.com
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
1628 Theory from Where To Go From Here:Reinventing Your Career, Your Business, Your Working Life
I didn't use this title in the book, but I am teaching/facilitating a group discussion at a local church, and it seems to ring true for most people. The inforamtion and exercises can be found in Chapter 5 - Your Personal History. The theory is that activities that you were naturally drawn to and passionate about between the ages of 16 and 28 will come back to you in mid or late career.
High School
College
First Job
Second Job
I tutored American Indians in Chicago and now have had a tutoring business with my wife for 25 years. I petioned the President of Lake Forest College to be the golf coach when they were going to drop the program - I am now the Wilton CT high school golf coach. I wrote a book on The Law of the Sea with a college professor - I just wrote Where To Go From Here: Reinventing Your Career, Your Business, Your Working Life (it has been on the to do list for a few years). I majored in Spanish and International Relations at the University of New Hampshire, and I now travel with a non profit twice a year to El Salvador and Ecuador to consult on microlending for the poor.
What are your 1628 experiences that you loved and have neglected?
High School
College
First Job
Second Job
I tutored American Indians in Chicago and now have had a tutoring business with my wife for 25 years. I petioned the President of Lake Forest College to be the golf coach when they were going to drop the program - I am now the Wilton CT high school golf coach. I wrote a book on The Law of the Sea with a college professor - I just wrote Where To Go From Here: Reinventing Your Career, Your Business, Your Working Life (it has been on the to do list for a few years). I majored in Spanish and International Relations at the University of New Hampshire, and I now travel with a non profit twice a year to El Salvador and Ecuador to consult on microlending for the poor.
What are your 1628 experiences that you loved and have neglected?
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
20 Ways to Effective Networking & Build Your Business
20 Ways to Effective Networking & Build Your Business
Options for effective networking are many and varied in the business and non profit world, and a coherent strategy is more important than ever. When you read this article, circle four or five ideas that make the most sense to you – and implement them in the next 10 days.
1. Establish realistic goals before you attend a meeting. Meaningful conversations with 2 or 3 people are frequently a goal for me.
2. Respond to a networking quiz to assess where you are and how difficult networking is for you.
3. Learn from the 10 myths of networking.
4. Write down the 10 things people should know about you.
5. Study business cards. Look closely at the card, and make notes to remind you of the date, event, what you discussed, and any follow-up action you need to take.
6. If you meet someone that you have previously met, learn and record 1 or 2 new pieces of information about them – family, interests, recent travel, etc.
7. Visit and experience networking groups, especially if you are starting out, that fit your schedule. There are groups that meet in the morning, over lunch, and in the evening.
8. Reach for a leadership position in a civic group such as Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions or another group. You will meet city and community leaders and learn about local happenings.
9. Become actively involved in a committee in your local chamber that plans or develops events. There may also be an ambassadors committee which welcomes new members. I ran the Small Business Council and launched several new programs for business owners through 2 local chambers.
10. Work for a local non profit cause that is important to you. You are giving back, and you will be visible at their annual events.
11. Develop a list of 50-100 types of professionals you need to know to expand your business or organization. Systematically work to meet them.
12. Attend meetings of trade associations where you will meet or see them, even if you only can make it once or twice a year.
13. Check the Sunday papers for coming events in various towns.
14. Call people you know who are written up in the papers and congratulate them. They are flattered and glad to reconnect.
15. Teach a course at a local university. This positions you as an expert, and you will learn from the process.
16. Read a new book on networking every year and save them as references. Power Networking by Sandy Vilas and Donna Fisher (19920 was a meaningful one for me. Make Your Contacts Count by Anne Baber and Lynne Waymon (2002) is a recent comprehensive book on the subject.
17. Join or set up a mastermind group with your peers that meets at least monthly. I set up a 4 person group of members whose businesses and interests overlap, and we are adding a fifth member.
18. Set up your own networking group and make it unique. I have a group that meets with leading entrepreneurs, authors and speakers in the area.
19. Engage in a debating society to sharpen your mind and meet people in a different setting.
20. Learn and grow by participating in a spiritual group that meets weekly. Sharpen your focus to define your calling and mission in life.
It is important to continuously work at Networking as part of your professional development. Make it a discipline that is “fun” and challenging. Who can you meet? How can you work together or add value to their business or practice? What is your leadership strategy for non profits? Encourage a give, give and give philosophy to help others. You and your business will be paid back abundantly.
Send me your thoughts and comments. What has worked for you?
Options for effective networking are many and varied in the business and non profit world, and a coherent strategy is more important than ever. When you read this article, circle four or five ideas that make the most sense to you – and implement them in the next 10 days.
1. Establish realistic goals before you attend a meeting. Meaningful conversations with 2 or 3 people are frequently a goal for me.
2. Respond to a networking quiz to assess where you are and how difficult networking is for you.
3. Learn from the 10 myths of networking.
4. Write down the 10 things people should know about you.
5. Study business cards. Look closely at the card, and make notes to remind you of the date, event, what you discussed, and any follow-up action you need to take.
6. If you meet someone that you have previously met, learn and record 1 or 2 new pieces of information about them – family, interests, recent travel, etc.
7. Visit and experience networking groups, especially if you are starting out, that fit your schedule. There are groups that meet in the morning, over lunch, and in the evening.
8. Reach for a leadership position in a civic group such as Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions or another group. You will meet city and community leaders and learn about local happenings.
9. Become actively involved in a committee in your local chamber that plans or develops events. There may also be an ambassadors committee which welcomes new members. I ran the Small Business Council and launched several new programs for business owners through 2 local chambers.
10. Work for a local non profit cause that is important to you. You are giving back, and you will be visible at their annual events.
11. Develop a list of 50-100 types of professionals you need to know to expand your business or organization. Systematically work to meet them.
12. Attend meetings of trade associations where you will meet or see them, even if you only can make it once or twice a year.
13. Check the Sunday papers for coming events in various towns.
14. Call people you know who are written up in the papers and congratulate them. They are flattered and glad to reconnect.
15. Teach a course at a local university. This positions you as an expert, and you will learn from the process.
16. Read a new book on networking every year and save them as references. Power Networking by Sandy Vilas and Donna Fisher (19920 was a meaningful one for me. Make Your Contacts Count by Anne Baber and Lynne Waymon (2002) is a recent comprehensive book on the subject.
17. Join or set up a mastermind group with your peers that meets at least monthly. I set up a 4 person group of members whose businesses and interests overlap, and we are adding a fifth member.
18. Set up your own networking group and make it unique. I have a group that meets with leading entrepreneurs, authors and speakers in the area.
19. Engage in a debating society to sharpen your mind and meet people in a different setting.
20. Learn and grow by participating in a spiritual group that meets weekly. Sharpen your focus to define your calling and mission in life.
It is important to continuously work at Networking as part of your professional development. Make it a discipline that is “fun” and challenging. Who can you meet? How can you work together or add value to their business or practice? What is your leadership strategy for non profits? Encourage a give, give and give philosophy to help others. You and your business will be paid back abundantly.
Send me your thoughts and comments. What has worked for you?
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Where To Go From Here: Reinventing Your Career, Your Business, Your Working Life
Dear Business Owners, Talented Professionals, High Talent Creatives, and Friends:
I just finished Where To Go From Here: Reinventing Your Career, Your Business, Your Working Life.
This blog will share key ideas from the book and reinvention and Top Performers coaching world as we go forward.
In today’s business world, we are always reinventing. Whereas, change is opportunity has been a constant theme in the past two decades, now the need to better understand yourself and reposition your company, i.e. to reinvent, is paramount to success in your business, your career or your working life.
This book is a resource. It ……
o Is Timeless – the principles and ideas apply to Top Performers who have reinvented their businesses or their careers (or are in transition)
o Focuses on assessing yourself, your Personal History, your Values, and your Risk Profile
o Includes targeted ideas presented in a different, yet concise way from unique personal knowledge gained from 12+ years as an executive coach and 30+ years as a multiple business owner
o Offers the 1628 theory - when you reinvent in your career you go back to what you were naturally passionate about in high school, college, your first and second job ( and there are related exercises)
o Outlines the Advocates theory - an advocate is someone who knows you and can explain your business as well as you can. This will lead to great referrals. List the ones that come to mind, including those in professions that overlap with yours. How are you reaching out to them?
The book also contains valuable information about Networking, Professional Development Tools and How to Work with an Honest Broker.
To purchase Where To Go From Here: Reinventing Your Career, Your Business, Your Working Life and to learn more about Douglas and “The Success Coach,” please visit www.thesuccesscoach.com.
I just finished Where To Go From Here: Reinventing Your Career, Your Business, Your Working Life.
This blog will share key ideas from the book and reinvention and Top Performers coaching world as we go forward.
In today’s business world, we are always reinventing. Whereas, change is opportunity has been a constant theme in the past two decades, now the need to better understand yourself and reposition your company, i.e. to reinvent, is paramount to success in your business, your career or your working life.
This book is a resource. It ……
o Is Timeless – the principles and ideas apply to Top Performers who have reinvented their businesses or their careers (or are in transition)
o Focuses on assessing yourself, your Personal History, your Values, and your Risk Profile
o Includes targeted ideas presented in a different, yet concise way from unique personal knowledge gained from 12+ years as an executive coach and 30+ years as a multiple business owner
o Offers the 1628 theory - when you reinvent in your career you go back to what you were naturally passionate about in high school, college, your first and second job ( and there are related exercises)
o Outlines the Advocates theory - an advocate is someone who knows you and can explain your business as well as you can. This will lead to great referrals. List the ones that come to mind, including those in professions that overlap with yours. How are you reaching out to them?
The book also contains valuable information about Networking, Professional Development Tools and How to Work with an Honest Broker.
To purchase Where To Go From Here: Reinventing Your Career, Your Business, Your Working Life and to learn more about Douglas and “The Success Coach,” please visit www.thesuccesscoach.com.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Are You Ready for an Honest Broker Quiz?
Take this quiz and see how you do - top-performers use coaches and are open to continuous improvement.
Are You Ready for an Honest Broker?
Circle the number that “fits” you (5 being the Highest)
1 2 3 4 5 I am ready to share and discuss challenges I am facing or will face in a straightforward manor
1 2 3 4 5 I am willing to try new approaches and follow through on new ideas
1 2 3 4 5 I will do the homework and listen to my Honest Broker with the understanding that I am the ultimate decision maker
1 2 3 4 5 I will be reliable for appointments and meetings (with an occasional exception that is career, business or working life related)
1 2 3 4 5 I will focus on “bad habits and time wasters” to become more efficient
1 2 3 4 5 I am ready for an Honest Broker to be part of my “team”
1 2 3 4 5 I view an investment in incorporating an Honest Broker into my life as worthwhile and valuable
1 2 3 4 5 I will share expectations and opinions with the Honest Broker including when I am disappointed
1 2 3 4 5 I need “key” confidants or an Honest Broker that I can rely on
1 2 3 4 5 I feel like I am on a plateau or “stuck” in place and need to break out
Review Your Results:
36-40 review your options; set clear rules and expectations with an Honest Broker
41-45 you are ready – go for it!
46-50 you are READY for big changes and big breakthroughs
Are You Ready for an Honest Broker?
Circle the number that “fits” you (5 being the Highest)
1 2 3 4 5 I am ready to share and discuss challenges I am facing or will face in a straightforward manor
1 2 3 4 5 I am willing to try new approaches and follow through on new ideas
1 2 3 4 5 I will do the homework and listen to my Honest Broker with the understanding that I am the ultimate decision maker
1 2 3 4 5 I will be reliable for appointments and meetings (with an occasional exception that is career, business or working life related)
1 2 3 4 5 I will focus on “bad habits and time wasters” to become more efficient
1 2 3 4 5 I am ready for an Honest Broker to be part of my “team”
1 2 3 4 5 I view an investment in incorporating an Honest Broker into my life as worthwhile and valuable
1 2 3 4 5 I will share expectations and opinions with the Honest Broker including when I am disappointed
1 2 3 4 5 I need “key” confidants or an Honest Broker that I can rely on
1 2 3 4 5 I feel like I am on a plateau or “stuck” in place and need to break out
Review Your Results:
36-40 review your options; set clear rules and expectations with an Honest Broker
41-45 you are ready – go for it!
46-50 you are READY for big changes and big breakthroughs
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