Positioning Yourself In Today’s Economy - How to Find Opportunity and Grasp It – A Networking Approach

 Today's economy is different.   We have more tools; the competition is fierce, and change is enviable. 

So how do you position yourself in today's economy whether you are looking for a job or working to score that new client/customer.

Let's review how the job market/business landscape changed, some tips to set yourself apart and how professional networking is the difference maker.

So how has the job market changed?

- It is about "Who You Know", not "What You Know"

- Soft skills are more important than Hard Skills

- Job Boards are "Old School" like that Land Line.

- The Interview and Sales Process Has Changed.  Facts Tell Stories Sell.

- We are in an online world forever, but you still need to dress to impress.

Some Tips To Set Yourself Apart From the Others:

- Your LinkedIn Profile Should Tell Your Story in addition to Your Resume

- Become an Extrovert

- Become a Salesperson.

- Read Inspirational/ Leadership Books

- Hang with the Right Crowd.  Build Your Own Community.

Why is Professional Networking Important Today?

- Networking can help you land your next opportunity.

- Networking can help you climb the career ladder.

- Networking is a long-term investment.

- Networking leads to lifelong friendships.

- Business Professionals that network are usually great positive influences to be around.

Check out our associated video presentation from the AIMC Business Solutions Youtube Channel - 

Positioning Yourself in Today's Economy - How to Find Opportunity - A Networking Approach

So You Are Thinking About That Second Career? Stop Thinking and Just Do It!

We have all been there. We go to a job in a career we don't like or are suffering from burnout and lack in interest. Eventually some event happens that is out of your control and instead of going back to the same 'ol same 'ol, you start thinking, what makes me happy.

The majority of professionals simply go back to their misery but really what is more important? Money or happiness? It is actually your health and without great health, does it matter how much money you make?

Check out my video on my DeSocial Connector You Tube Channel about my journey into a new career and why you should stop thinking and come up with a game plan and just do it. In the meantime, here are some tips for making a career change at 50 - Think about more than money - Avoid fear - Be realistic - Update your skills - Be open to working with younger people - Perform a self-assessment - Determine the career you want to pursue. - Identify the requirements of the new career. - Just do it.

AIMC Entrepreneur Tip - So You Are Thinking About That Second Career? Stop Thinking and Just Do It! -

Do You Want Success and Happiness? Are You Willing to Change?

 

Whenever we’re talking about personal transformation—whether it’s physical (lose weight), financial (get out of debt), mental (overcome anxiety), spiritual, relational (repair a broken relationship), etc.—what we’re really talking about is change. And for most, that can be scary. In fact, many people don’t even entertain the idea of change until the pain of not changing becomes unbearable.

In other words, you have to be ready and willing to change.

While there are many things that can hold us back from changing, and more importantly, the personal transformation that we desire, we are often our own worst enemies. Think about how many times you’ve gotten in your own way with negative self-talk, by peppering ourselves with self-criticism, and by doubting our capabilities.

This brings us to today’s power thought, brought to us by motivational author Louise Hay:

I am willing to release old, negative beliefs. They are only beliefs that stand in my way. My new thoughts are positive and fulfilling.

What’s great about this power thought is that it raises awareness, which is a primary tool in a mental ninja’s toolbox and critical for personal transformation. In a non-judgmental way, start identifying times, places, and areas of your life when you are being self-critical, experiencing self-doubt, or thinking self-defeating thoughts. Even better, when you do, replace them with positive, fulfilling thoughts.

To help raise awareness, ask important questions. What are the thoughts and images going through my head? Are they helping me, or are they hurting me? Are they holding me back, or are they pushing me toward my goals? Are these thoughts of success, or am I focused on failure?

Another way to help raise awareness and displace those negative thoughts with more encouraging ones is to do pushups. Say what? When you do catch yourself thinking negative thoughts, beating yourself up, or having self-doubt, do five pushups, squats, jumping jacks, burpees, whatever. Choose your favorite because the idea is not to punish yourself; rather, it’s to break the cycle and raise that awareness

Finally, choose a mantra. Maybe it’s the power thought above or maybe it’s something else that’s more personal to you. Choose something that’s important and relevant to you. Something that encourages you, promotes positive, fulfilling thoughts, and reminds you what’s truly important.

Hope this helps you understand the importance of change!

AIMC Health Solutions - #Fitness Tip - The Use of Resistance Bands to Exercise

With the recent pandemic, we all had to adjust our lives as well with the way we worked out to maintain our fitness health.  Gyms were closed all across the country and we had to think of creative ways to stay in shape.  I have personally been working out for many years consistently going to the gym four days a week for strength training and then do cardio another day in the week, so it was definitely an adjustment.   

Despite my local gym closing back in March, I transitioned pretty seamlessly to doing body weight and resistance band workouts and I have actually gotten more cut and focused during this time.

I got my resistance bands on this amazing online shopping site and has put them to great use for the past three months.

I wanted to provide some great tips/reasons why I think you should continue to use resistance bands as part of your routine even as we start returning to normal and going to the gym.    Here they are.

1. ADAPT EASILY FOR MULTIPLE FITNESS LEVELS... Resistance bands come in multiple resistance levels, usually light, medium or heavy. You can further adjust the amount of resistance during exercise just by giving more or less slack on the band, as well as by combining multiple resistance bands to increase the challenge.

2. MODIFY FAMILIAR EXERCISES... Resistance band exercises are often based on familiar strength-training moves. For example, if you stand on one end of the cord and curl your arm up while holding the other end, you've replaced your standard dumbbell bicep curl.

3. EXERCISE YOUR WHOLE BODY... Many resistance band kits come with suggested exercises for nearly every major muscle group in your body. Stepping on one end of a resistance band or looping it around a stationary object, for example, opens up many exercise possibilities.

4. SAVE ON STORAGE SPACE... When you don't have a lot of room for a home gym, resistance bands are a great option that store in very little space. You can hang them on a hook after you exercise, or coil them up to store in a box or drawer.

5. EXERCISE ON THE ROAD... Because they are so small and portable, resistance bands are a great way to take your workout with you when you travel. There are many resistance band exercises that can easily be done in the small space of a hotel room.

7. ADD VARIETY TO YOUR WORKOUTS... Over time, your muscles adapt to any new exercise routine. It's a good idea to mix it up by cross-training with free weights, machines and resistance band exercises. Each will work your muscles in a slightly different way. 

8. EXERCISE SAFELY, EVEN WHEN ALONE... Resistance bands offer strength-training without the risk of dropping a heavy weight on your foot or crushing your fingers between weight plates. That makes them ideal for working out when you don't have a personal trainer or exercise partner to spot you.

9. COMBINE WITH OTHER EXERCISE EQUIPMENT... While resistance bands work great on their own, they can also be combined with other exercise equipment. Performing bicep curls with both a resistance band and a dumbbell will give you the combined benefits of each type of equipment. 

10. GET AN EFFECTIVE WORKOUT... Although there are differences between free weight and resistance band exercises, both are effective. Picture the arc motion your arm makes while doing a bicep curl. Free weights will feel heaviest at the beginning of that arc, while resistance bands make your muscles work harder at the end of the arc (when the band is most taut). Either way, your body is moving against resistance, and that will give your muscles an effective workout.

There you go.  If you like to chat about fitness, please let us know and join our Facebook Page for AIMC Health Solutions.

10 Recommendations to Change Your Life in 2020 from the DeSocial Connector

We are now in a new decade after one that was definitely defining in the world of information technology, marketing, health/wellness and entrepreneurship. 

In the world of IT, it is cloud, Internet-of-Things and cybersecurity. 
In marketing, it is social analytics and the death of traditional marketing.
In health/wellness, it is all about what we put in our bodies and how much we move.
In the world of entrepreneurs, it is all about the side hustle and why you need it today to survive financially.

The world is different and it you are not willing to adjust to the rapid change, you will be left in the dust!    With the experience I built over the past decade in IT, Marketing, Health/Wellness and Entrepreneurship, I like to provide 10 recommendations for you to get off to an amazing start this decade.

(1)  Focus on being proactive when it comes to great health.
I wanted to start with this one since, without great health, you will not be here reading this blog.   We are in a society of a quick fix, you know take a pill, or drink a shake or fake exercising.   You need to focus on your lifestyle and implement a fitness, supplementation, diet and mindset program now to get yourself off to a great start!

(2)  Get out there and network professionally.
You are never going to get ahead in the professional world, unless you connect with other professionals face-to-face and build lasting relationships.   If you are looking for a job, this is the only way to go.  Sitting behind a computer gets you nowhere.

(3)  Take social media seriously.
I heard it a lot out there, you know I don't do Facebook, Tik Tok or Instagram.   Social Media is the second coming of the First Amendment and it is out of control, but it is the best way to learn, connect and influence others.  There is a place and platform for everyone, just spend your time wisely on it.

(4)  This is not your parent's IT running our companies today.
Information Technology is no longer about building systems and on-call support.  Today's IT is about adaptability, the endless cloud and security.   It is also about getting out of your shell, or away from coding behind a couple of monitors, and partnering with your business to be a service provider.

(5) There is no more Corporate America.
Back in the day, the typical professional stayed at their company for 5, 10 even 20 years, and did the same job, while building a 401k and hoping for 65 to come soon.  This is not the case today.   Now we are in the world of constantly selling ourselves, building our personal brand and hoping we can stay consistently working.  We need to always be on edge that we may not have a job tomorrow.

(6) Side-hustles are cool.
I am in Information Technology, but love Marketing and Health/Wellness.  I build my side-hustle around my passion for Social Media and being healthy.    The great thing about side hustles are that it gives you hope for the future and you will notice that you are more positive about life.

(7)  Diets are not the answer.
The classic New Year's resolution is going on a diet especially after indulging over the holidays.   Generally diets don't work.  You cannot expect to drink a shake and/or skip meals and expect to be healthy.    Eat the right foods often, drink water and exercise, and you will see results.

(8) If you have a small biz, take digital marketing seriously.
Marketing is the #1 way for your future customers to know about your company.  So many times, business owners delay and don't focus on their website and that is ok.   I recommend getting a company to do it for you and build a great marketing campaign to show your customers how serious you are about your business.

(9)   Constantly education yourself.
I am going to be honest, watching American Idol does nothing for you.   Instead of sitting in front of a TV drinking coke, get out there in the evening and go to a meetup or a presentation on something that you are passionate about.   You will be networking, learning and may find something that you can focus on!

(10)  Get a mentor.
If you want to get healthy, find a healthy person to mentor you.
If you want to start a business, find a successful business owner to mentor you.
If  you want to switch careers, find someone that switched their career.
The first place to start is to find an influencer to get you started.!

I hope my recommendations can help you.  It is all about taking advantage of the life we have and to help others, so let's rock it in 2020 and be successful together!

If You Don't Like Change, Maybe Information Technology is not the Career for You

Information Technology is all about innovation and how technology can help streamline processes and workflows and make it easier to access the information you need to make decisions, learn or simply get the job done.  With the Internet of Things and Robotics, it has also become somewhat of a controversial field with the loss of some jobs and the closing of factories.  But yet, a lot of IT Professionals get stir crazy when they hear the word "Change" whether it affects them directly or the company they work for.

I have a quick story about a manager that had a 1-on-1 meeting with one of his employees recently.

The employee came into the manager's office looking a little stressed about the topics at an all department meeting.  The employee proceeds to ask questions about why the company was bringing in all of this "new"technology and how it will affect the job they were doing.   The employee also recalled the speaker talk about being agile when it comes to project management and then asked what does agile mean.   After a few more topics, the manager was thinking that their employee really has no clue with what is going on in today's ever-changing technology world.   It reminded them of the perception of older technology workers is that they are not interested in learning anything new and the old "this is how we always did it" is a mantra for "if it ain't broke, then don't change it".   I am sure some IT managers can relate to this.

Nothing is further from the truth that saying "This is How We Always Did It" when it comes to Information Technology.   An IT Professional has to adapt to change since what they learned five years ago may not be relevant today.   Companies and businesses change, organizations change and even that database software you have known for over 20 years is going to change.  If the word "Change" scares you, then maybe IT is not the career for you.   

At a lot of older large corporations, you may have a veteran IT staff of professionals that have put in quite a few years doing the same thing day in and day out and have no interest in learning anything new.  I personally have managed teams like this and challenged myself to see it from their perspective and sell the idea that change is good and that they should always be ready to adapt.  One way I have done that is simply mention to them how IT has changed the way we do things anything from how you do your banking, order food at your favorite restaurant or get directions in a town you are not familiar with.   People adapted to and embraced those changes so likewise our company and you as an IT Professional have to be ready for change or else the company and yourself may be out of business.

So put away those Oracle Database Tech Manuals or that Cold Fusion Web Design book and be ready for being in constant learning and adapting mode.  If not, your picture may be placed in the local Computer Museum!

Adapt or Die - Why Change is Great for Your Career, Business and Life

You heard it all before, that old saying "This is how it has always been done, it works, why change?".  As an IT professional, it drives me crazy to hear that, since IT is supposed to be all about innovation and adapting to changing technologies and processes.

I would like to provide some examples, how entrenched we are with not changing our habits, our career and generally, the way we do things.   Then, I like to offer a suggestion how to change.

Have you ever noticed that when people go to vote, they select the same candidate over and over again, despite complaining about the state of affairs and how bad the candidate is.  Think Rhode Island politics.   Next time, perhaps research the other candidates and make an educated risk to select someone new.   It may bring the change that is needed in your area.

When people talked about shopping online, Amazon comes to mind first.  Believe or not, there are way better online shopping sites out there, and they don't ding you for that great deal of $99 a year for "free shipping".

Here is a case of a relationship going through the motions.  When a couple is thinking of going out to dinner on a Saturday night and they end up going to the "usual" place where every wait person knows their name.  Eventually, the ravioli may get a little boring.   Check out some websites that can provide some ideas of new new restaurants and/or entertainment venues to mix it up a little and put a spark in that old relationship.

How about a classic, the corporate employee that will not go away.  You have been working at the same job for eight, ten maybe fifteen years, and someone suggests that you attend a networking event or to look at a business idea that might make you more money.  Your first reaction, is that networking events and side businesses are a scam.   Working 9 to 5 is the way to go, why change?  Until that ol' layoff happens.    Change your perspective and listen to ideas and build your network, even if you have been at Fidelity for 50 years in some comfy job with 1% annual raises.

Face it, the world is changing fast.   Real fast.
Technology is eliminating jobs.   Jobs are no longer safe.  Technology professionals have to constantly stay ahead of the curve.  After all, how many C++ programmers are there now that are still working steadily.    Adapt to new technologies or die.

The whole idea of change is to introduce opportunity and a new perspective that can bring great results.    The ones that can adapt to change without thinking it is bad, live on.  The ones that thinks change is bad, die.

So take a different route to work next time, try a new restaurant, shake up that exercise routine and most all adapt to life, since life is changing fast for all of us, and for the better.