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As a career success coach, I'm always looking for new and different ways to get across my common sense ideas on life and career success. I found some great career advice in a Denver elementary school a couple of months ago.

I was invited to see the Go For It! Institute's program in action at a school in Denver. The institute teaches kids the value of things like a positive attitude, believing in themselves, positive habits, goal setting, and persistence. Their work is based on ideas created by Judy Zerafa.

Success Tweet: Vision without action is a daydream. No matter how big your plans and dreams, they'll never become reality until you act on them.

Zerafa has created Seven Keys to Success for young students. Check them out below!

1. Have A Positive Attitude


Learn what attitude is, what aspects of your life are controlled or directed by your attitude, how to determine your attitude at any given moment, and what specific strategies make a positive attitude a permanent habit in your life.

2. Believe In Yourself


Man talking to his coworker about achieving career success

Understand the nature of human potential through a simple process of identifying your personal talents and abilities. Develop academic strengths and personal interests to create personal fulfillment and economic opportunities for your future.

3. Build Positive Habits


Professional woman at work builds positive habits for career success

Understand the process of how habits are created. Learn to identify and remove self-defeating habits and create habits that will make all aspects of your life easier and more successful.

4. Make Wise Choices


Professional man receives advice about career success from an older coworker

Learn the dramatic relationship between any current circumstances in your life and the choices that created these circumstances. Develop a personal proactive plan for desired outcomes through conscious, wise choices.

5. Set & Achieve Goals


Woman at work finds career success after achieving her goals

Recognize the difference between a wish and a goal. Make a commitment, plan, take action, and recognize completion.

6. Use Your Creative Imagination


Man uses his creative imagination at work to achieve career success

Extend your physical ability to accelerate problem-solving and goal achievement in all areas of your life.

7. Be Persistent


Happy professional woman at work achieves career success after being persistent

Track progress, develop the focus and determination required to succeed, create an attitude of gratitude as the access to fulfilling your dreams, and link the Seven Keys to Success together in everyday life.

Whatever you do, persist. Keep working toward your goals and dreams, and you will find career success. It's only common sense.

The Go For It! Institute is in business to bring these keys to young people and their parents. But as a career success coach, I think they are important ideas for anyone interested in achieving career success.

The Seven Keys to Success bear a remarkable similarity to the ideas behind one of my four keys for career success: commitment to taking personal responsibility for your life and career success. Since we're at Tweet 40 (of my book, Success Tweets), it makes sense to do a quick overview of my four keys to life and career success.

The "4Cs:" Clarity, Commitment, Confidence, and Competence.

Here they are in a little more detail...

  • Clarity of purpose and direction
  • A sincere commitment to taking personal responsibility for your life and career
  • Unshakable self-confidence
  • Competence in four key areas:
    1. Creating positive personal impact
    2. Outstanding performance
    3. Dynamic communication
    4. Relationship building

Zerafa developed the Seven Keys to Success on which the Go For It! Institute's program is based after interviewing 35 Horatio Alger Award winners. I think this is a brilliantly simple success formula. She is taking her positive message to kids and parents in an attempt at starting the success cycle early in life.

Successful people are self-confident and are committed to taking personal responsibility for their lives and careers. The Go For It! Institute's Seven Keys to Success is all about taking personal responsibility for acting on your plans and dreams.

You will succeed if you have a positive attitude, believe in yourself, build positive habits, make wise choices, set and achieve goals, use your imagination, and persist.

I'm glad I was introduced to the Go For It! Institute and the great work they are doing with kids. I think their message applies to all of us. If you incorporate these seven keys into your life, you'll be well on your way to creating the life and career success you want and deserve.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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The 7 Keys To Career Success

The Importance Of Training (And Reinforcement Learning) For Effective Operations



The organization invested in some expensive technology. Everyone was initially trained, but now it seems like certain groups aren’t leveraging the system as well as they could be. Do you have a comprehensive training program?

Continual training is important because it provides employees with the knowledge needed to effectively use the systems. Proper training helps employees understand and stay current with the latest features, functionalities, and best practices of the system. This can lead to increased confidence and productivity to streamline their work. And when employees understand the system, they are more likely to use the system correctly, reducing the risk of mistakes and errors.

Different Training Options


E-learning, online class, education, training concept

Did you know that individuals typically only remember a fraction (as little as 10% after two weeks) of the information from a training session? Everyone is unique and learns differently so offering a variety of training options can make the training program more inclusive. Plus, having multiple options is great for reinforcement learning. Also, individuals may be working remotely, or the organization operates in multiple locations. Some training options you may want to consider are:

1. Instructor-led training – recurring scheduled training sessions in a classroom setting where there is an instructor allowing for direct interaction with the students. These sessions may be in person or virtual.

  • Have some type of handout for individuals to take notes on.
  • It’s critical that the content is relevant (preferably with real-world examples) so that individuals know how to apply what they’ve learned!
  • Encourage individuals to participate in discussions. Engagement promotes retention!

2. Web-based training – training sessions such as videos that are recorded so that employees can access them at their convenience. This is great for employees who work “off hours” or outside the main office. Some options are:

  • Purchase a learning management system (LMS) which not only offers the content, but also tracks progress, assessments, and reporting.
  • Create self-paced interactive courses (with minimal technical skills) using tools like Articulate leveraging PowerPoint slides.
  • Create custom training videos with tools like Camtasia.

3. Written materials – some employees may prefer to read training materials on their own. This includes user manuals, online help, quick reference cards, or cheat sheets.

4. Train the trainer or SMEs (subject matter experts) within departments who can provide more customized training, especially for new employees.

Benefits Of A Comprehensive Training Program


Ransomware, malware, virus, cybersecurity threat concept

When new employees join the organization, there are many concepts including systems, processes, and policies that they need to become familiar with. A lot of new information is coming at them and they will probably benefit from some “refresher” training for reinforced learning. Having training options that accommodate how they learn best can help them ramp up and become more productive faster.

Besides reinforcement learning, other times when employees benefit from training are when there are changes. When employees get promoted or transferred to a new department, they’ll need training to acquire the new knowledge needed to be successful in their new role. Also, most software vendors will produce a major release annually. You want to ensure employees can leverage the new updates which could be compliance or regulatory related.

Cybersecurity threats are still on the rise so make sure you have a rigorous security training program. It may include phishing awareness, social engineering awareness, and the importance of using strong unique passwords.

Create a specific training site on your intranet so the training resources are in one central location and are easily accessible to all employees. It’s an easy way to make sure everyone has access to the most current versions of the training materials.

When the organization offers a comprehensive training curriculum, it shows that investing in the employees’ personal development is important. They provide employees with the tools and resources needed to excel in their roles. Employees will appreciate these efforts, which can lead to increased employee morale and motivation.

For more information on investing in a comprehensive training program to maximize the use of your technology, follow me on LinkedIn!

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The Importance Of Training (And Reinforcement Learning) …

5 Fun Work Activities To Bring The Office Together This Summer



When you work in an office, you're used to seeing your co-workers every day. But when was the last time you bonded with them? What team-building activities have there been to strengthen your connection and improve the workplace culture?

If your office hasn't made team-building activities a priority in the workplace, don't worry. With more sunshine and nicer weather, summer is a great time to bond with your co-workers.

Here are five fun summer work activities that will bring your office together:

1. Ice Cream Party


Woman eats ice cream at work during the summer

Everyone loves ice cream! While it may not be the most unique suggestion for a fun workplace activity, an ice cream party doesn't require a lot of planning (or funds) and it's always guaranteed to be a hit.

On a hot day, bring the office together with some sweet treats. Sit outside and soak up the rays while cooling off with a cone. To make sure no one feels left out, take note of any allergies or sensitivities your colleagues may have and offer enough safe options.

The great thing about this fun workplace activity is that it can easily be something you do regularly. Make it a monthly tradition to celebrate your co-workers and all of their hard work!

2. Office Bake-Off


Man gets a plate of food at a work party

One of the best things about summer is the fresh food! Have fun and bond with your co-workers with an office bake-off (or cook-off) using whatever is in season. Whether it's from a local farm stand or a personal garden, this activity will not only make you feel connected to your colleagues but to your whole community.

Want to make it more interesting? Make it a competition! Encourage everyone to bake or cook something, and then have people vote for their favorite dish or dessert. The winner could get a gift card, an extra vacation day, or just plain old bragging rights. You can even set some rules for everyone to follow—depending on how competitive your co-workers are.

Lots of fresh summer food and a fun competition to bring the office together? Sign us up!

3. BBQ And Lawn Activities


Coworkers at a summer work party

Keeping with the food trend, a classic BBQ is the perfect activity to get to know your co-workers better. You could either do this at work or at someone's house and have everyone bring a dish and their favorite lawn games.

If you decide a weekend day is the best time for a summer work party or BBQ, you can also invite family members to join in on the fun. While this type of activity requires more planning and resources than most other summer activities, it's also probably the best way to bond with your co-workers outside of the office.

Think you might want to host a work party this summer? Don't hesitate to send out your invites! Your co-workers won't want to miss out.

4. Photo Contest


Woman on vacation takes a picture of the view

Most people take a vacation during the summer months. So, why not use that as an opportunity to start a photo contest?

Whether it's pictures of animals, family, nature, beautiful cities and landscapes, or adventures, have your co-workers submit a photo or two from their vacations this summer for a chance to win the office photo contest. Winners could receive a monetary prize or (with their permission) have their photo posted somewhere in the office or on the company website.

A fun activity like this lets employees show off their creative side, and it might even compel them to travel more and use up those vacation days they've been hoarding all year.

5. Start A Company-Wide Team Sport


Coworkers start a team sport during the summer

No other activity can help you bond with your co-workers quicker than playing a team sport together. If your company doesn't already have a few sports teams you could join, start one yourself!

Common team sports like softball/baseball, soccer, basketball, and even dodgeball are all great options. Not only will playing a team sport with your co-workers strengthen camaraderie, but physical activity will help everyone stay in shape, which might in turn help job performance and employee health. Depending on how big your company is, you could form different teams for each department and play against each other or battle it out against other teams in your community.

Sound like fun? Grab your sneakers and gym bag and get your team together today! You won't regret it.

Summer is the perfect time to bond with your co-workers over seasonal activities and fun competitions. If your office could use some fun team-building activities to boost morale, try one of the five summer activities above. Your teams will be stronger because of it!

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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5 Fun Work Activities To Bring The …

4 Ways To Turn Resume Fluff Into Marketable Facts



Your resume is the most important document to advance your career. And given employers will only scan it for about 7-10 seconds, you need to make sure you scream, “Here's what I can do for you!"

There's a difference between a resume that only showcases your personality and characteristics and one that demonstrates specific achievements and accomplishments. Unfortunately, too many resumes are filled with fluff statements anyone can say and they don't really distinguish you as a top candidate.

A resume filled with terms such as "visionary" (how many of these do you really know?), "motivated," "team player," "problem solver," "results oriented," "dynamic," and many other phrases are examples of overused words.

To avoid creating a resume complete with fluff, try to turn to marketable facts and quantifiable accomplishments.

1. Don't Rely On Terms That Describe Character (Soft Skills)


Replace the use of terms that describe character with specific content to demonstrate how you accomplished or achieved something. Shed some light on your method of execution. A resume should not include soft skills.

For instance, to show you were "results oriented," indicate on your resume how you increased sales in your department by XY percent within a year or increased the number of attendees to an annual conference by XY percent compared to previous years.

If you don't actually have numbers, you can approximate percentages: "Introduced new procedures that slashed cycle times approximately 20%."

These are examples of quantifiable accomplishments. Don't be afraid to quantify your results on the job and prove you're the best fit for the position.

2. Use Numbers And Symbols


Man thinks about quantifying his accomplishments on his resume instead of adding fluff

Numbers and symbols quickly jump out at employers so use them whenever you can. Resumes have their own special rules and always show all numbers as digits as they catch the eye. Percentages are always best as they show the impact of your efforts.

For example, saying "increased sales $750,000 over prior year" is nice but to some companies that is petty cash and your company might not like your giving out their private information. It's better to say, "Increased sales 43% over prior year."

Simply avoid words that aren't specific, such as "many," "few," and "several."

3. Don't List Responsibilities Of Your Previous Jobs; Demonstrate Outcomes


Professional woman on laptop writes about outcomes and accomplishments on her resume

The problem with writing responsibilities you held on the job is it doesn't tell an employer how successful you were at executing your plans. An employer only cares about how good you did your job and how what you did can apply to the job they are offering.

Rather than list responsibilities, demonstrate your performance.

  • Are you the most senior member of your team?
  • Do people turn to you for the more challenging issues?
  • Is your productivity level higher than your peers?
  • Do you resolve issues on the first call versus others needing 2-3 calls?
  • Is your level of accuracy and the quality of your work at the highest level?
  • Have you demonstrated the ability to meet aggressive deadlines?

Statements like "consistently recognized for delivering quality results at less cost than budgeted" showcases your effectiveness, especially when you back that statement up with approximate numbers.

4. Only Detail Specialized Technical Skills


Professional man on laptop adds technical skills to his resume instead of fluff

Today's employers expect candidates to know basic computer skills and programs, so only list specialized technical skills that are relevant to the job. An employer does not need to see you know programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint.

Also, when you do list any technical skill, tell an employer how well you know the specific program by detailing what you may have created or done with it. Simply listing a specific program will not help an employer understand how well you know it or what your capabilities are.

Fill your resume with performance statements instead of fluff and you will see a dramatic improvement in your job search results.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.


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4 Ways To Turn Resume Fluff Into …

“What Obstacles Have You Overcome?” Tips & Examples

“What obstacles have you overcome?” is an interview question that trips up many applicants. But once you know what the interviewer is looking for, it’s actually quite easy to answer. This guide will teach you how to come up with an effective response to this question.. Why Interviewers Ask, “What Obstacles Have You Overcome?” Interviewers […]

The post “What Obstacles Have You Overcome?” Tips & Examples appeared first on Career Sherpa.

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“What Obstacles Have You Overcome?” Tips & …

The No. 1 Job Interview Thank-You Note Mistake To Avoid



Sending a thank-you note to the hiring manager after a job interview is not only a kind thing to do but also a job search best practice. However, what you write in your thank-you note can significantly impact your chances of moving on in the hiring process.

If you make common thank-you note mistakes, the hiring manager might note consider you for the job. And there is one job interview thank-you note mistake that you should avoid at all costs...

#1 Thank-You Note Mistake: Recapping The Interview & Trying To Resell Yourself


@j.t.odonnell No. 1 Job Interview THANK YOU NOTE Mistake #thankyounote #thankyou #jobinterviewthankyounote #jobinterview #jobinterviewtips #interviewtips #interview #interviewtipsandtricks #mistake #mistakesweremade ♬ original sound - J.T. O'Donnell

The number one mistake that people make when writing a thank-you note is recapping everything they talked about in the interview and trying to resell themselves to the hiring manager.

In your thank-you note, you do not write an epic novel. You don't tell them why you think you're the best candidate for the job. And you definitely don't mention something you forgot to talk about in the job interview.

A thank-you note is to do one thing: give thanks.

Here's the simple thank-you note formula you should use after every job interview:

Dear [hiring manager's name],

Thank you so much for the opportunity to speak with you about the XYZ position. I really enjoyed talking with you about [something you specifically talked about]. If there's anything else I can provide to further my candidacy, please let me know because I would love to work with you.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

That's it. Three sentences.

And just in case you're wondering, send a thank-you note to everybody that you met with during the job interview.

Since your thank-you note is only three sentences long, you have the time and the ability to personalize that second line where you talk about what you enjoyed speaking with them about. If you met with three people, send three thank-you notes that are short and sweet, like the example above. You are showing your follow-through and your consistency, but also respect for the fact that your time to sell yourself was in the interview.

Your thank-you note is for showing appreciation. Don't make the mistake of recapping the interview and trying to resell yourself. If you follow the formula above, you'll write a thank-you note that will surely get you bonus points during the interview process.

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The No. 1 Job Interview Thank-You Note …

Summary Sunday: Issue 523

People hire people! This is a simple reminder that your resume or qualifications alone won’t help you secure a new job. As unfair as this may seem, your likability and Emotional Intelligence play a significant role in getting hired. In this week’s Summary Sunday, you’ll learn about artificial intelligence – it’s going to be hard […]

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Summary Sunday: Issue 523

12 Fascinating Quotes About Work-Life Balance



Trying to achieve a better work-life balance? Think your priorities are skewed? Wish you had more time to pursue your passions and grow your career? Many professionals struggle with balancing the different aspects of their lives and often have to compromise how much time and energy they allocate to these things.

If you want to improve your work-life balance, start with some inspiration!

Here are 12 fascinating quotes about work-life balance:

“Be steady and well-ordered in your life so that you can be fierce and original in your work.”—Gustave Flaubert


Gustave Flaubert quote about work-life balance

“Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life." —Dolly Parton


Dolly Parton quote about work-life balance

“Time is really the only capital that any human being has, and the only thing he can’t afford to lose.” —Thomas Edison


Thomas Edison quote about time and work-life balance

“If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.” —Mother Teresa


Mother Teresa quote about love, family, and work-life balance

"You will never feel truly satisfied by work until you are satisfied by life.” —Heather Schuck


Heather Schuck quote about work-life balance

"The best and safest thing is to keep a balance in your life, acknowledge the great powers around us and in us. If you can do that, and live that way, you are really a wise man." —Euripides


Euripides quote about work-life balance

"In art and dream may you proceed with abandon. In life may you proceed with balance and stealth." —Patti Smith


Patti Smith quote about art and work-life balance

"Balance provides the chance for longevity. You can be a champion at work and at home." —Tony Dungy


Tony Dungy quote about football, being a champion, and work-life balance

"The hardest thing to find in life is balance—especially, the more success you have, the more you look to the other side of the gate." —Celine Dion


Celine Dion quote about work-life balance

"I think what I'm going to do is get more balance in my life to still be able to go out and play the hard rock 'n' roll..." —Joan Jett


Joan Jett quote about work-life balance

"Part of keeping work and life in balance is surrounding yourself with people that have similar aspirations." —Damon Dash


Damon Dash quote about work-life balance

"When you have balance in your life, work becomes an entirely different experience. There is a passion that moves you to a whole new level of fulfillment and gratitude, and that's when you can do your best...for yourself and for others.” —Cara Delevingne


Cara Delevingne quote about work-life balance

We hope you found these work-life balance quotes enlightening. Please share with someone you know who needs a little inspiration today.

Need help with your career?

Become a member to learn how to UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!


We hope you found these work-life balance quotes to be enlightening. Please share with someone you know who needs a little inspiration today.

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12 Fascinating Quotes About Work-Life Balance



Pride Month is the perfect time to show extra support for your LGBTQ+ colleagues. It's also an ideal time to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community at your company and get involved in local LGBTQ+ charities and initiatives.

Need some ideas for how to best celebrate Pride Month at the office? We've got you covered! Here's how to celebrate and support your LGBTQ+ colleagues at work this June:

Get Some Fun Pride Swag


Employee wears Pride merchandise at work

A great way to kick off Pride Month is with some fun office swag! Whether you're working remotely or in the office, wearing Pride merch is a fun way to show your support for the LGBTQ+ individuals at your company.

Throw a tie-dyeing party where everyone can make their own Pride t-shirts, or buy matching Pride merch for every employee. Then, invite everyone to wear their merch at work. Depending on your company's dress code, this could mean employees will wear Pride merch whenever they want to or on specific days such as casual Fridays. Plus, with matching Pride merch, you'll have something to wear if you volunteer as a company during Pride Month.

Plan Pride-Themed Events (In Person & Virtual)


Man celebrates Pride Month at work

With many companies now allowing remote work, it may be tricky to plan a Pride-themed event in which every employee can participate. Thankfully, there are lots of ways to host events and fun activities for your employees, both in person and virtual.

Pride-themed bingo nights, parades, trivia, lunches, bake-offs, movie nights, and happy hours are all events and activities that would be fun for the office and can be adapted for the remote workforce. When in doubt, a Pride-themed party is a classic event in need of no explanation that could incorporate a few of the activities mentioned above.

Volunteer At Organizations Supporting Local LGBTQ+ Initiatives


Employees attend a Gay Pride Parade during Pride Month

While wearing matching Pride merch (or not!), your company should make it a priority to go the extra mile to show your support for all of your LGBTQ+ employees. A great way to do this is by going out in your community to volunteer at local organizations supporting LGBTQ+ initiatives.

Volunteering and doing other types of community service not only brings the workforce together but also strengthens your employer branding, which could then help you attract the right types of job candidates. If you make an effort to support the LGBTQ+ community, you'll likely receive a number of resumes from qualified LGBTQ+ members and allies who are passionate about your mission and values and feel they'd be safe and included in your workplace.

Organize A Fundraiser & Donate To LGBTQ+ Charities


Woman celebrates Pride Month at work

Along the same line as the idea above, going the extra mile could also mean organizing a fundraiser and donating to LGBTQ+ charities. Fundraisers are fun events that give employees a chance to be involved and support a cause in a measurable way.

Another way to involve employees in this process is by having them vote on which LGBTQ+ charity to donate the funds to. It's always fun coming together to support a cause knowing you're making a difference!

Celebrating Pride Month at work will help bring your workforce together and make everyone feel included. Support your LGBTQ+ colleagues at work this June with the four fun ideas above!

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How To Celebrate Pride Month At The …



When it comes to business growth, which is more important: driving revenue or optimizing profitability? The truth is that success lies in the balance of both. So how do you find the right balance between driving revenue and optimizing profitability for your business?

In this article, Work It Daily experts from Vistage will discuss the power of balancing revenue and optimizing profit for long-term success as it generates sustainable revenue while controlling costs. Read on to hear these Vistage Chairs explain how this balance allows you to work smarter, not harder, for business growth.

Kirsten Yurich


We’ve all heard the saying, "Revenue is vanity, profit is sanity, and cash is reality." All three are vitally important. But they are also measures of things. Things in business. And it’s these things in our companies that require the attention of leaders. Things like what has changed in the last 30 days in our market landscape that alters our understanding of the future? Did we do what we said we were going to do in the last quarter? What was the numerical impact of the changes we made?

Numbers like revenue, profit, and cash flow help us evaluate the impact of our actions to either understand the past or, more importantly, shape the future.

Of vital importance for a leadership team is to find a common way to communicate about your numbers. Too often there is a disconnect between finance, operations, and strategic leadership. This disconnect will sub-optimize a company’s results.

How can you maximize what you are delivering to the market? Not all products and services are created equally. One basic strategy I have used is to simply make a 2x2 matrix that illustrates the relationship between new/existing customers and new/existing services or products. You then engage your team in a discussion about not only how the numbers bear out this decision, but other key factors such as the current contextual features of the customer market, supply issues, labor issues, and your current capacity to execute in any given quadrant.

Ask your team, “Do we want to provide more of the same services to the same customers? What is the advantage of finding new customers for our existing products?” Moving to another section on the diagram, "What have we been sitting on, waiting to unleash to the market? What new services can we offer our existing customers?”

Some of these answers are considered, shopping in your own closet. What opportunities do we have right in front of us? What are the needs of our current customers that if we meet them offer new revenue streams or increased profit margins?

Of vital importance, however, is knowing the costs and margins of every service and product that falls within each quadrant of that 2x2 matrix. If you don’t, you could select to double down on your least profitable service.

Kirsten Yurich is a former CEO and current Vistage Chair. As a clinician, professor, author, and executive, she leverages this unique blend and creates learning environments for executives to become better leaders, spouses, and parents.

Mike Thorne


Business growth, revenue growth, profit increase, sales increase/growth concept

I like defining what working smarter means to me. It requires a delicate balancing act of "driving revenue" (increasing the amount of money generated through sales and customer acquisition to increase top line and market share) and “optimizing profitability” (efficiency/effectiveness of operations—cost cutting, streamlining processes, and improving productivity).

Sustainable and working smarter businesses do a great job embedding these three disciplines in their businesses vs. applying them when a crisis hits or issues occur.

Cost Management - negotiating better deals with suppliers, optimizing inventory management, implementing energy-saving initiatives, or leveraging technology to automate tasks and improve operational efficiency.

Pricing Strategies - Analyze and adjust pricing strategies to ensure they are aligned with market conditions and customer value perception. Consider factors such as production costs, competitor pricing, customer demand, and perceived value. Implementing dynamic pricing, bundling products or services, or offering tiered pricing options can help optimize profitability while remaining competitive.

Enhance Customer Relationships - Focus on building and nurturing strong customer relationships to drive repeat business and increase customer lifetime value. Providing excellent customer service, personalizing interactions, and implementing loyalty programs can help retain existing customers and attract new ones. Additionally, understanding customer needs and preferences through market research and feedback can lead to targeted marketing efforts and product/service enhancements, ultimately boosting profitability.

These disciplines need to be embedded in your organization and take time. Once you have concrete processes in place for the core business, it is advantageous to explore what opportunities exist for either new customers, new channels, or new products and services. I refer to these as value-added complexity ideas. What is value-added complexity? These are opportunities to leverage existing capabilities and competencies that will stretch the organization but not “ask” it to build something new from scratch.

1. Customer Pain or Opportunity Points - What are your greatest ideas or challenges that they are looking for solutions to or to take advantage of their strengths? Are they core competencies that you have seen other customers solve or that you as an organization have dealt with before? They could be revenue drivers for you or simply ways for you to add value to the relationship. See yourself as a solution provider for your clients and watch opportunities come your way.

2. Partnerships/Licensing/Private-Public Partnerships - Staying with your expertise and studying your clients and seeing where you both could grow together. Instead of being a customer/supplier relationship, what would a partnership look like?

3. Retail 101 Techniques - Online and brick-and-mortar retailers alike think about three things all the time (driving our ticket, our traffic, and our conversion of that traffic). Look at your entire value chain and ask where could you drive more interest. Do your suppliers have customers you could do business with?

I am confident by reimagining your relationships and value equation you will prosper, build sustainability by diversifying, and, ultimately, working smarter will lead to improved profitability and stickiness with customers.

Mike Thorne is a former CEO and current Vistage Chair. He leads and facilitates a group of trusted advisor entrepreneurs and a CEO peer group in New Hampshire and Maine.

Nora Taylor


Financial team in a meeting about driving revenue and optimizing profitability

Driving revenue and optimizing profitability are both important aspects of working smarter for sustainable growth in business. For long-term sustainable growth, they should be worked in tandem. There is no right answer; it is a tricky balancing act, maybe more art than science. However, your highest probability of success is when you begin with defined goals and plans that the team understands.

Companies must focus on driving new opportunities and revenue growth if they want sustained growth—as long as costs are steady; it is difficult to sustain growth if costs are out of control. In my career, I admittedly would focus on profitability in the business development cycle upfront. I would ask the business development or sales team at the time considering an opportunity, “Why?"

  • Why this opportunity?
  • Is it aligned with our goals and strategic plan?
  • What value does it bring?
  • How is it helping us meet our objectives?

Unless there was a compelling business case for going outside the typical profitability parameters established for the business, I tended to err on the conservative side, however, my background is in a more regulated environment.

If there was a solid business case to drive revenue by taking a risk, then I believe you should be bold and take manageable risks. You will need to understand what your manageable risks are.

Remember, working smarter for business growth requires a balanced approach between revenue generation and profitability optimization. Continuously assess and adjust your strategies based on market dynamics, customer feedback, and financial insights to ensure sustainable growth for your business.

Nora Taylor helps CEOs and executives achieve success. As a Vistage Chair, she leads confidential peer advisory groups where the members work together to develop informed decision-making, improved judgment, and confident leadership.

Mark Fackler


Maximum revenue concept

I have a bias. Though there is a balance between driving revenue and optimizing profit, the priority between the two is straightforward: driving revenue far outweighs optimizing profit. Public companies aside, I see this as a stepped approach: drive revenue first and foremost, and optimize profit only after the revenue machine is well tuned.

But first, we must acknowledge that cash is everything. Cash is life. No cash. No company. Focusing on growing revenue is fine if you produce enough cash flow. Focusing on optimizing profit is fine if you produce enough cash flow.

Back to the question at hand, under most circumstances, I believe growing revenue should be the higher priority. Plow as much as you can into sales, marketing, and infrastructure to grow revenue. Let cash flow be your throttle. Growth takes investments. Just like a tree that needs water, nutrients, and sun, companies need sales, marketing, and infrastructure.

Though I stated that optimizing profit comes after the revenue machine is well tuned, that does not mean that money should be wasted in this effort. Be prudent in your employee compensation. Be prudent in your vendor negotiations. Be prudent in your marketing campaigns. Make your investment decisions based on if the investment supports revenue growth either directly or indirectly. Remember, back-office investments in things like accounting, IT, and HR are absolutely necessary to support revenue growth.

Because of my bias, I must conclude with this. Optimizing profit is important work as long as it does not jeopardize future revenue growth. Never stop growing.

Mark Fackler is a retired CEO and currently leads the Vistage CEO group that he was a member of from 1991 to 2002. He is passionate about creating great ROI for his member CEOs.

What's your experience trying to balance driving revenue and optimizing profitability? Join the conversation inside Work It Daily's Executive Program.


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“When can you start working?” is a common question that gets asked in job interviews. But despite this, there’s a lot of misinformation about the right way to approach your answer. This guide will teach you how to develop a great response to this question and keep the interview process moving in the right direction. […]

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What plans do you have for your summer vacation? Will you be working on your tan or enjoying the air conditioning at the mall? These activities might be fun, but they won't help you get ahead in your career.

Instead of the traditional summer activities, try being more proactive this season to jump-start your career. Here are some tips for kick-starting your career this summer:

1. Wake Up Early


Woman wakes up early to look for a job

The first rule for having a proactive summer is to get out of bed. It sounds simple, but you'll be surprised by how many hours you waste lolling about in bed in your pajamas. Setting your alarm to maintain your regular routine will ensure you don't waste time that could otherwise be used pursuing career-advancing activities and having fun.

Just think how much you'll get done with a few hours' head start on the competition!

2. Take On Volunteer Work


Unemployed woman volunteers during the summer

Taking on volunteer work is another valuable way to spend your summer while unemployed or on a break from school. Some students may find volunteer opportunities that naturally fit with their career aspirations. For example, you may like to volunteer in an old people's home or hospice if you want to become a nurse.

However, volunteering can also give you an opportunity to pursue a passion, like helping people with learning disabilities to read or tending to animals in a wildlife sanctuary. Studies suggest that no matter what volunteering position you pursue, it'll increase your chances of finding employment by 27%. That makes it much more productive than the bulk of summer activities.

3. Get A Summer Job


Man on laptop works a summer job

Even a summer job that's unrelated to your desired career can be valuable. As you look for a job, you'll gain interview skills and learn how to cope with rejection. Once you land a summer position, you'll learn how to deal with the public, take on responsibility, and be accountable to others.

A summer job will also help build up your resume. Any work experience is better than no work experience. The fewer job gaps in your resume, the easier it'll be for you to explain why you were unemployed in a job interview too.

4. Start Freelancing


Man on laptop does freelance work during the summer

Your summer vacation gives you the ideal opportunity to get a freelance business off the ground. Consider what skills you have and start marketing them to potential clients. Writing, designing, translating, and computer programming are all talents ideally suited for freelancing.

Several websites also showcase job opportunities for freelance workers. Many feature short-term opportunities that are ideal for students or unemployed professionals looking to gain work experience (and make some money) while hunting for a full-time job. Taking on these roles will help you beef up your resume and build your professional network.

5. Get An Internship


Woman talks to a summer intern

Many companies offer internships to students on their summer vacations. These positions don't often pay well, but they'll give you invaluable work experience and insight into your dream career. You might become even more passionate about your career direction or decide that your chosen career path isn't for you.

Whatever the case, you'll be able to apply what you've learned at school to real-world situations and make valuable connections. The company you're interning for will probably provide you with a reference, and you might even get a job offer out of it.

If you're not a college student, you can still get an internship! Mid-career internships, also known as "minternships," are on the rise. They're perfect for professionals considering a career change but aren't sure if they want to make that leap yet. So, if you're unemployed this summer and want to explore a new career, a minternship could be for you.

6. Shop For A Professional Wardrobe


Happy professionals go shopping for new work outfits

Even shopping at the mall can be productive if you put your time to good use. Rather than searching for another pair of jeans or a cute pair of sunglasses, keep your eyes peeled for a great professional wardrobe.

Every workplace has a different dress code. When going in for job interviews, the general rule of thumb is to dress one level above the current employees. For this reason, it's always a good idea to have a solid professional wardrobe ready. You never know when a job opportunity will pop up!

Don't let another summer pass you by! Put your free time to good use and get a jump-start on your career this season with these six tips.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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6 Tips For Kick-Starting Your Career This …