The Battle Between Generations - Efficiency & Effectiveness Driven by Experience

Posted on November 18, 2008
Filed Under Job Seeking

Effectiveness: Producing output that conforms to consumer requirements, or in essence, ‘doing the right thing’…

Efficiency: Producing the right output at the lowest possible cost, or ‘Doing things right’…

The Challenge? The assumption that experience equates itself to being effective and efficient. The reality? We have entered an era in which consumer expectations are at an all-time high and we are all competing for the same group of customers - making market differentiation a massive priority.

What all this surmounts to for many organizations is a requirement to develop products that not only provide quality, but that are produced quicker, better, faster, cheaper, etc. Obviously, that places a demand on efficiency of resources, whether financial, technological, or people.

We have seen businesses move through patterns of evolution over time, and progressing through the introduction of new brands and services with new features. But if you look at most industries today, the automobile, the electronic, even the fast food - the same type of products are readily available everywhere. Differentiation is the only way companies are going to capture a majority market. Today, organizations have to completely transform their business models in order to do so.

The difference? The era in which we reside brings a mix of generations and thoughts. Doing things because ‘that’s the way they’ve always been done’ is like investing in the ‘Money Market Fund’ - safe, conservative, and barely yields any growth, which simply won’t suffice if you’re looking to make significant strides in building wealth.

On the other hand, like the driver entering a race car for the first time - if he hits the gas and looks for speed on the first round, chances are he will miss his lines and spin out. So what?

Organizations are infiltrated with Money Market Fund investors who need to win the Formula 1 race in order to stay on top.

Accept that we need to transform. For example, through process improvement initiatives. At the same time, it’s difficult for most organizations to embrace the change and consequently, they are plagued with fear of moving too fast or upsetting the norm. Most people want to do what is comfortable, and what has been “tried, tested and true”.

The result? The race car drivers are moved to the front seat and told to watch the experienced Money Market Fund investors drive and thus, we race, we avoid accidents, we do well, but we don’t make it to the top. The race car drivers have all the elements necessary to move their team to the top of the race. They are agile, quick thinkers, and motivated to be the best. They have to be innovative, and are constantly searching for ways to move quickly and shave off a couple of seconds on their lap time. One could say, they are driven by efficiencies.

The Money Market Fund investors are aware of their surroundings. They take their time to understand the environment. They understand what needs to be developed and gather requirements. They move towards their goal, and may have to make a few attempts before they actually get there. One could say, they are driven by effectiveness.

The problem? The face of business today is completely different. We constantly fear the new drivers, so we throw the investors in the driver seat and just because they’re experienced at something, assume they will be successful. The drivers become observers, and then attuned to doing things just because that’s the way they were always done. As a result, organizations remain stagnant and do just enough to make it through.

The need? The practices, experiences and lessons developed by the Money Market Fund investors need to be passed onto the race car drivers because we are doing business by racing today, not by investing. The race car drivers can then apply the lessons to their existing skill sets and enter the races. Now we have enabled the drivers to become experienced race car drivers. Essentially, we start achieving a true balance between effectiveness and efficiency that is driven by the exchange of knowledge as opposed to the enforcement of “experience says you must”…

The same can be said for our organizations. Generation “Y” has been brought up in the same world that demands greater efficiencies. By leveraging those skills, and integrating traditional elements to their thought processes, organizations can still safely move through the ranks in the races, but can still come out on top.

As Mario Andretti states, “If you think you have it under control, you are not going fast enough”… Service Management Art by Farah Remtulla

© %FIRST Vick - visit the resume help area for more great content.


Take the Stress Out of Your Midlife Career Exploration

Posted on November 18, 2008
Filed Under Job Seeking

They say everyone has a mid-life crisis, what does that mean, new car, new hair cut and sometimes a new Career. So how can you Take the Stress out Of Your Midlife Career Exploration?

Often it seems people who face this situation do not spend the proper time and do not make the appropriate effort to find a satisfying career. They tend to be under stress or crises with in themselves and likely the world around them.

There are a few steps you can take to ensure your making an safe move if you decide that now’s the time to chase that dream job that got away. There is nothing wrong with following your youthful exuberance. We all feel at one time or another that a great job or Career got away.

So what can you do to make a sound move and yet leave room for a change in your mind if you find out it isn’t what you thought it was?

The first step is to make a plan, I know that’s probably the last task you want to do. So if that is the case than hire a Career Coach or Counselor, have them handle the details for you.

They will help you get some focus on the move you’re planning and they will even help you put together a Contingency Plan, just in case your plan backfires. Or you decide that you have made a terrible mistake and want your old life back. At this moment I encourage you to be BOLD, follow your heart, and just plan ahead in case you change your mind mid stride.

These changes happen in life, we all hit valleys in our Careers and in our lives when Change can be good, it can be the moment which leads to the catalyst of adventure.

So be BOLD!

Paul Godines from Adapt on a Dime.com is an expert Career Coach who specializes in helping People Turn Their ‘Been There Done That, Mixed Career Experience’ into Meaning and Profitable Career Building. To learn more tips and techniques like the ones in this article, please click here: http://www.adaptonadime.com

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Write a Professional Resume That Will Wow Employers

Posted on November 18, 2008
Filed Under Job Seeking

These days it’s essential to have a professional resume to land that job you desire. The number of people will decent qualifications is rising, meaning that there is more job competition. If you want to stand out from the crowd and wow potential employers, it’s vital you have a professional resume.

In my current job position one of my roles is to review new resumes that get sent in. And the amount of poorly written and presented resumes I receive is staggering. This is actually good news for you. Most people can’t write professional resumes, so if you learn the art of writing resumes I guarantee you’ll get that job you’re applying for.

First of all, you’re going to need to forget everything you’ve ever learnt about writing resumes. Forget all that advise your tutors gave you in college. The game has changed now. No longer can you slap together a resume and get employed. The resume is the most important part of the whole application process, take time to learn the skills needed to create a professional resume.

Before you even begin you write your resume. Put yourself in your potential employers shoes. What are they looking for in an employee? When sending your resume to different companies, tailor your resume for each of them. Think about what qualities they’re looking for, give them those qualities.

You know what else all other job seekers fail at? Presenting the resume. The format of your resume is very important, don’t use the standard layout that your word processor gives you. Create a format that is unique, and stands out from the crowd. Doing so will earn you brownie points with employers.

© %FIRST Vick - visit the resume help area for more great content.


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