Archive for May, 2016

Networking for Fun and Profit

Posted: May 26, 2016 in Business, Careers, Education, Meetings
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At every stage of your career it is important that you build and maintain your network. Your network is people you meet who may assist with your career and business development. Your network may help with a project, provide advice, introduce you to someone, or they may think of you when they hear of a job opportunity you’re suited to.

Your network may include: current and past colleagues, friends and people you know socially who know what is going on in particular organisations and industries, former secondary school friends and people you met while doing tertiary study.

You can increase your network by meeting and being introduced to relevant people. Attend relevant events and connect with people on social media; LinkedIn is perfect for business networks. Ensure you follow up with people you meet who may be able to assist you.

Networking is a skill you can develop with practice – the more networking you do, the easier it will become. Here are some tips to help:

  1. Before you attend an event, make a plan and prepare your elevator speech; be able to describe yourself and your business clearly and concisely.
  2. Determine what you want to achieve from the event; who do you want to meet, and what do you want to educate people about?
  3. While at events watch and listen to others to find out what techniques people use, and what suits you.
  4. Be positive; you want to be someone who people want to talk to again.
  5. Follow up after the event. When following up be mindful and respect the time of the person you are meeting.

A final tip “the secret to successful networking” is to seek out ways to help others first, then see what they can do for you later – once they owe you one!

And remember to maintain your network by keeping in touch. Share information, keep up-to-date, ask for relevant introductions and introduce people as required.

Should you consider e-Learning?

Posted: May 24, 2016 in Careers, Education, elearning
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Do YOU want an engaging and productive learning experience?

Are YOU comfortable using your Laptop, Tablet or Mobile phone to access courseware?

Is self-paced learning important to YOU?

e-learning offers you all this as well as the support of real-time trainers, peer support and independent learning.

You learn at your own pace at a time that suits your lifestyle. Unlike classroom-based learning, you do not have to keep up with others and will not lose interest, as the content is relevant, interactive and practical.

You may access the e-learning content as you work through a course, or you may access blended learning – a mix of online and face-to-face learning.

In the past decade, online education has increased in popularity among students of all ages. This is mainly because studying online enables flexibility: students can study at any time from anywhere at their own pace, allowing them to comfortably work through their courseware.

In a nutshell studying online

  1. Flexibility and convenience. Students can study anywhere there is a computer and access to the internet, and can create their study schedules around existing commitments. Some courses enable students to talk with trainers and peers, via online chat, phone, email and forums.
  2. Online learning allows a more student-centered approach. Because every student has their own way of learning, studying online may help in ensuring that material is completely understood before moving on to the next component.
  3. Individuals are able to access education providers, programs and courses which are not available in the area where they live.

Five types of leaders…

Posted: May 19, 2016 in Careers, Education, Leadership
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Which one are YOU?

A leader is someone with particular skills who is able to encourage, motivate and lead a team to get a job done.

Traits of leaders include

– self-awareness,

– self-direction,

– social skills,

– vision,

– the ability to motivate.

So do You possess any of these traits, if you do then the following should help you work out what type of leader are you?

Doer – you achieve, you arrange, you have consistency in your approach, you are disciplined and focused on the task at hand, you restore what has gone wrong.

Influential – you communicate, you compete, you are sure of yourself and your decisions, you convince others of your plans.

Linking – You are adaptable, you develop connections and as a result you are well connected, you promote harmony by including individuals and positively achieving outcomes.

Tactical – you contextualise and analyse the future, you are an ideas person with a good grasp of reality, you are a calculating, intellectual learner.

Ceremonial – you are the face of your business, you allow others to do ground work while presenting the facts, you are formal and ritualistic in your approach to business dealings.

Can leaders change style based on the situation? Can you improve certain characteristics to become a more effective leader?

Traditional Marketers Need to Upgrade to Digital…NOW!

Posted: May 10, 2016 in Careers, Digital, Marketing
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WHY?

You may ask.

Did you know that at least 2 out of 3 marketers have moved at least 30% of their budgets from traditional to digital? (quote courtesy DMI)

 

As the digital transformation continues to make a fundamental impact across every industry, traditional techniques are no longer enough to sustain a successful marketing strategy.

Traditional ad revenues are plummeting as organizations continue to invest more in digital, and there is an urgent requirement for digital expertise within marketing departments.

The development of digital skills is essential if you want to develop your competitive edge and guarantee career progression.

Globally Certified Professional Diploma have resulted in 88% of Professional Digital Marketing Diploma graduates are in senior management roles.