May 29, 2008
Careers: Social Networking --not just for kids anymore...
MySpace...Facebook... Orkut.. LinkedIn..Simply Hired ... Friendster.. Bebo ... Twitter...Ning...
Arrghhh... Like a hall-of-mirrors for narcissists or a gossip-fence for those with too much time on their hands, it seems like not a day goes by when a new Social Network site doesn't hit the cyberwaves. So frenetic is this trend - too many players? - that it's widely acknowledged the providers have a hard time making a buck. Simply put, they need lots of eyeballs to hit their (members') pages, or advertisers will continue balking at paying higher fees. (while advertisers are predicted to increase spending 700% by 2012, according to eMarketer, most of this is stemming from more users and providers - not increased revs per Ad...)
Still, deft career seekers would be remiss not to jump on this bandwagon - as have politicians, corporate CEO's and other mover/shakers. Why? Because Social Networking works - or can work - to enhance your image, message and connections. With 400 million members already (and 70 million blogs) in the world, it's impossible to ignore the impact of social networking - even if the industry is heading into a nasty shakeout. Consider LinkedIn's relationship with Simply Hired, a clever marriage of the world's largest business networking and biggest job search-engine. There's real synergy there, and job seekers (or networkers)can communicate effectively with their affiliated community, leveraging surveys, research, articles and all kinds of timely/relevant advice.
Don't let the kiddie-candy distract you - there's real gold in Social Networking; or shall we say, Online Business Networking.
May 27, 2008
Careers: Global Considerations in Choosing Your Employer
So much emphasis is placed upon helping interviewees "sell" themselves to prospective employers, we sometimes forget that interviewing is a two-way street - that the candidates have every right to vet their interviewing partners. Which only makes sense, considering we spend 1/3 - 1/2 of our waking lives working for The Man (or increasingly these days, The Woman).
No where does this vetting take on such urgency as in the need to assess a company's status (or preparation) for going global. In previous posts (May 8 - "They're Here - Are We Ready?), I've mentioned that with the growing interconnectivity of global employers, vendors, customers, employees, business partners, media, affiliates and even governments, the so-called Global Workplace (or "Multicultural Office") is already here now - even if you're going to be sitting home in your jammies with a PC, modem and iPhone.
Not that small businesses aren't taking notice: I saw a stat recently (source unknown)that said 65% of small businesses are only doing business within the U.S., yet 92% of them would like to be doing global business. Which is sound advice - since according to the Small Business Association 96% of all exporters are small businesss.
What should a prospective employee be looking for when screening candidate employers? Well, for starters, if you stroll by Co. XYZ's booth at the job fair and they can't describe two or three things they're doing to "go global", then keep walking - they're dying on the vine and don't even know it.
You could also ask:
1. How many of XYZ's "people on the ground" (employees or channels/middlemen) know that culture; preferably, are of that culture...
2. Do XYZ's financial planners know how to calculate Cost/Benefits (or Return On Investment) of foreign ventures - which requires understanding currencies, laws and regulations, different worker productivity standards (working environment, how many holidays, etc.), risks of strikes and work stoppage, political climates, transport logistics, etc., etc. ?
3. Is that firm active with local chambers of commerce, trade associations, and governmental agencies that help to facilitate trade relations?
4. Does the firm dedicate resources - language/cultural training,libraries (Do's and Taboo's books), staff/partner presentations, etc. - to prepare employees for cross-cultural / international dealings?
This just scratches the surface. But hopefully if a career seeker is already clear on what he/she wants to do with their life, then a logical next step is to join a company that's connected to a bigger playing field - because they're going to be the survivors in coming decades.
No where does this vetting take on such urgency as in the need to assess a company's status (or preparation) for going global. In previous posts (May 8 - "They're Here - Are We Ready?), I've mentioned that with the growing interconnectivity of global employers, vendors, customers, employees, business partners, media, affiliates and even governments, the so-called Global Workplace (or "Multicultural Office") is already here now - even if you're going to be sitting home in your jammies with a PC, modem and iPhone.
Not that small businesses aren't taking notice: I saw a stat recently (source unknown)that said 65% of small businesses are only doing business within the U.S., yet 92% of them would like to be doing global business. Which is sound advice - since according to the Small Business Association 96% of all exporters are small businesss.
What should a prospective employee be looking for when screening candidate employers? Well, for starters, if you stroll by Co. XYZ's booth at the job fair and they can't describe two or three things they're doing to "go global", then keep walking - they're dying on the vine and don't even know it.
You could also ask:
1. How many of XYZ's "people on the ground" (employees or channels/middlemen) know that culture; preferably, are of that culture...
2. Do XYZ's financial planners know how to calculate Cost/Benefits (or Return On Investment) of foreign ventures - which requires understanding currencies, laws and regulations, different worker productivity standards (working environment, how many holidays, etc.), risks of strikes and work stoppage, political climates, transport logistics, etc., etc. ?
3. Is that firm active with local chambers of commerce, trade associations, and governmental agencies that help to facilitate trade relations?
4. Does the firm dedicate resources - language/cultural training,libraries (Do's and Taboo's books), staff/partner presentations, etc. - to prepare employees for cross-cultural / international dealings?
This just scratches the surface. But hopefully if a career seeker is already clear on what he/she wants to do with their life, then a logical next step is to join a company that's connected to a bigger playing field - because they're going to be the survivors in coming decades.
May 19, 2008
Careers: The Global Classroom
Here in Arizona, like many states, an intense ideological - and budgetary - battle has been going on about whether or not to fund global studies initiatives in our schools. Much of the resistance is based on sound fiscally conservative principles - where the funding will come from, what other curriculum might have to give way; and, the concern that these new classes dont' take precedence over U.S. history and government classes.
Unfortunately, much resistance also comes from those who have stated the pursuit of global studies schools and programs in Arizona were “dangerous,” “un-American” and “a step toward a U.N. takeover.”
Really? In a world where little Johnny or Susie may end up with a German boss; a Japanese employer; Brazilian partners; Indonesian customers; South African vendors; or investors from Dubai? All who think and act differently than we do? In a world that's already "connected" commercially and vocationally, the xenophobia of these elected officials is lamentable.
Last week's New York Times (May 16th, "In All the Classes, the World in All Its Variety") ran a revealing article about how school systems in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, North Carolina and Indiana (some operating under grants from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, some self-funded from their legistlatures) are seriously preparing students for the future that's already here now.
For example, students might have to produce research papers on North Korea's nuclear program, or the Taliban's role in the opium trade. Other projects include creating bilingual books with counterparts in Mexico; or grade-schoolers learning comparative economics by charting the multinational production of a pencil and representing G8 countries in a mock summit.
Here in Arizona, we move ahead, slowly and grudgingly... at present, the legislature has allowed some wiggle room for global studies programs - as long as they're funded by philanthropy, corporation sponsorship, etc. Perhaps that's best - but it speaks volumes about the old adage "when the people lead, the leaders will follow."
Unfortunately, much resistance also comes from those who have stated the pursuit of global studies schools and programs in Arizona were “dangerous,” “un-American” and “a step toward a U.N. takeover.”
Really? In a world where little Johnny or Susie may end up with a German boss; a Japanese employer; Brazilian partners; Indonesian customers; South African vendors; or investors from Dubai? All who think and act differently than we do? In a world that's already "connected" commercially and vocationally, the xenophobia of these elected officials is lamentable.
Last week's New York Times (May 16th, "In All the Classes, the World in All Its Variety") ran a revealing article about how school systems in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, North Carolina and Indiana (some operating under grants from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, some self-funded from their legistlatures) are seriously preparing students for the future that's already here now.
For example, students might have to produce research papers on North Korea's nuclear program, or the Taliban's role in the opium trade. Other projects include creating bilingual books with counterparts in Mexico; or grade-schoolers learning comparative economics by charting the multinational production of a pencil and representing G8 countries in a mock summit.
Here in Arizona, we move ahead, slowly and grudgingly... at present, the legislature has allowed some wiggle room for global studies programs - as long as they're funded by philanthropy, corporation sponsorship, etc. Perhaps that's best - but it speaks volumes about the old adage "when the people lead, the leaders will follow."
May 16, 2008
Careers: International Relations opportunities
It used to be that majoring in International Relations meant you were bound for a career with the State Service, or perhaps slogging it out with an NGO (Non-governmental organization). The latter, in particular, could often be disillusioning - under the patina of "saving the world" often came less-than-invigorating administrative/secretarial/maintenance chores.
Thankfully IR majors have a lot more to look forward to these days, courtesy of the shrinking world. Any organization, public/private, for-profit or non-profit that conducts business, cultural exchanges or diplomacy across borders needs people with a global studies/initiatives background.
In the public world, it's no longer just the State Dept. (or CIA) looking for such skills. Think Agriculture, Commerce, Peace Corps, USAID, US Information Agency and Defense, just to name a few departments. In the private world, large multinationals (or smaller companies wanting to "go global") need people with language skills (translators and interpretors) and cultural know-how in order to foster successful relationships with potential customers, vendors, employees, investors, political allies and business affiliates. Think-tanks, universities, private foundations and other research centers likewise are increasingly needing IR talent - because these days, leaving the global component off of one's business/marketing plan, teachings or research will prove to be a self-limiting and ultimately fatal decision.
Internships, or at a minimum student exchange and/or foreign travel, can certainly help in the preparations. My nephew, a student at George Washington University, finagled an internship last summer working for a British MP (Member of Parliament). This page-like assigment allowed him to pick up exciting international experience, make incredible networking connections, gather a few school credits, get paid, and of course, party-it-up in London for a summer... not a bad gig, all in all!
Thankfully IR majors have a lot more to look forward to these days, courtesy of the shrinking world. Any organization, public/private, for-profit or non-profit that conducts business, cultural exchanges or diplomacy across borders needs people with a global studies/initiatives background.
In the public world, it's no longer just the State Dept. (or CIA) looking for such skills. Think Agriculture, Commerce, Peace Corps, USAID, US Information Agency and Defense, just to name a few departments. In the private world, large multinationals (or smaller companies wanting to "go global") need people with language skills (translators and interpretors) and cultural know-how in order to foster successful relationships with potential customers, vendors, employees, investors, political allies and business affiliates. Think-tanks, universities, private foundations and other research centers likewise are increasingly needing IR talent - because these days, leaving the global component off of one's business/marketing plan, teachings or research will prove to be a self-limiting and ultimately fatal decision.
Internships, or at a minimum student exchange and/or foreign travel, can certainly help in the preparations. My nephew, a student at George Washington University, finagled an internship last summer working for a British MP (Member of Parliament). This page-like assigment allowed him to pick up exciting international experience, make incredible networking connections, gather a few school credits, get paid, and of course, party-it-up in London for a summer... not a bad gig, all in all!
May 15, 2008
Careers - Brand You in a world of TMI
When Tom Peters first coined the idea of Brand You - the mindset and practice of differentiating ourselves in our vocational (and personal !) lives - it seemed like just one more common sense cool-tool to help us stand out in the herd.
In the world of TMI - Too Much Information - Brand You is practically a field survival manual. After all, how do we get noticed in a world of 120 million websites, 30 billion active server pages, 70 million blogs, 200,000 new books each year (U.S. only), etc., etc. ???
Anyone who's ever submitted a resume into those blackholes called Careerbuilders or Monster knows that even the slickest CVs with optimized search words simply earn you the right to throw your hat in the ring with 200 - or 2,000 - other stellar (or not) applicants.
After recently rereading The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing and Selling the Invisible, two cornerstones of modern branding, it struck me that more than ever companies and individuals need that extra edge to make others (customers, employers, etc.) stand up and take notice - and recognize their value (e.g. the benefits they provide).
Ironically, many of your young people are already grasping the subtleties of self-branding; albeit unconsciously, through social networking - what are all those likes/dislikes and "favorites" on MySpace and Facebook if not a way of differentiating (and associating)- branding - oneself? Meetup groups take it a step further with the physical community, building bonds that in addition to "good company" can provide (directly or indirectly) pathways to self-expression, resource connection - even employment?
My whimsical suggestion to educators, particularly those teaching business/marketing or "The Arts": have your charges create a Coat-of-Arms. They'll have a blast with the creativity aspect of it; and you get to vicariously prod them into examining their values, aspirations, strengths and the mirror-to-the-world they want to project. It's amazing how much of this won't change over time - even if their career choices, friends and physical locales do. More importantly, they get one step closer to tapping into to their Most Wonderful Uniqueness - a quality that's bound to reap dividends as they search for the holy grail of their "right" career.
In the world of TMI - Too Much Information - Brand You is practically a field survival manual. After all, how do we get noticed in a world of 120 million websites, 30 billion active server pages, 70 million blogs, 200,000 new books each year (U.S. only), etc., etc. ???
Anyone who's ever submitted a resume into those blackholes called Careerbuilders or Monster knows that even the slickest CVs with optimized search words simply earn you the right to throw your hat in the ring with 200 - or 2,000 - other stellar (or not) applicants.
After recently rereading The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing and Selling the Invisible, two cornerstones of modern branding, it struck me that more than ever companies and individuals need that extra edge to make others (customers, employers, etc.) stand up and take notice - and recognize their value (e.g. the benefits they provide).
Ironically, many of your young people are already grasping the subtleties of self-branding; albeit unconsciously, through social networking - what are all those likes/dislikes and "favorites" on MySpace and Facebook if not a way of differentiating (and associating)- branding - oneself? Meetup groups take it a step further with the physical community, building bonds that in addition to "good company" can provide (directly or indirectly) pathways to self-expression, resource connection - even employment?
My whimsical suggestion to educators, particularly those teaching business/marketing or "The Arts": have your charges create a Coat-of-Arms. They'll have a blast with the creativity aspect of it; and you get to vicariously prod them into examining their values, aspirations, strengths and the mirror-to-the-world they want to project. It's amazing how much of this won't change over time - even if their career choices, friends and physical locales do. More importantly, they get one step closer to tapping into to their Most Wonderful Uniqueness - a quality that's bound to reap dividends as they search for the holy grail of their "right" career.
May 11, 2008
Careers & Gen Y / "Millennial" Global Illiteracy
Globalization strikes me as being kind of like the weather: It can be good; it can be bad; and it can be downright ugly. But like the weather, it's here now - whether we like it or not. To quote some long-dead anonymous historian, however, "ignorance is not bliss." Neither is apathy.
A few posts ago I referred to a survey by the National Geographic Society in 2006 about the geographic literacy of American people - in particular, the 18-24 year old age group. What this statisticaly valid survey found was that:
* 88% couldn't find Afghanistan on a map... 63% couldn't locate Saudi Arabia and Iraq... England? 65% No...Israel? 75% No... New York City? 50% No... the United States!? 10% No...
Furthermore, over 60% thought the population of the U.S. exceeded 750 million - and 30% said 2 billion (in fact, it's 300 million - only four and a half percent of the world's population!). 75% thought English was the world's most spoken language - although nearly twice as many speak Mandarin Chinese, and nearly as many speak Spanish and Hindi. Oh, and nearly half (48%)thought that Muslims comprised the majority of Indians - although Hindus outnumber them 9 to 1.
I guess some folks might claim that in a world where cyberspace is the final frontier, that being able to read a map is Old School. My reticence in buying this might stem from the closet-cartographer in me; or maybe from all the latitude and longitude lines I've crossed in my world romps.
Still, it seems like a potential nasty outcome for the home team when the visitors - increasingly sophisticated (and motivated) vendors, customers, lenders, affiliates, employees, employers and competitors - know a hell of a lot more about us than we do about them.. especially when we can't find our own ballfield...
It might not be our young folks' fault, but their careers are in for a nasty shock if our school curriculum, social organziations and parents don't start thinking a whole lot more about how to push our curiosity out further than the smothering arms of Uncle Sam's borders.
Being "nice" has nothing to do with it - being aware, informed and connected has everything to do with it.
A few posts ago I referred to a survey by the National Geographic Society in 2006 about the geographic literacy of American people - in particular, the 18-24 year old age group. What this statisticaly valid survey found was that:
* 88% couldn't find Afghanistan on a map... 63% couldn't locate Saudi Arabia and Iraq... England? 65% No...Israel? 75% No... New York City? 50% No... the United States!? 10% No...
Furthermore, over 60% thought the population of the U.S. exceeded 750 million - and 30% said 2 billion (in fact, it's 300 million - only four and a half percent of the world's population!). 75% thought English was the world's most spoken language - although nearly twice as many speak Mandarin Chinese, and nearly as many speak Spanish and Hindi. Oh, and nearly half (48%)thought that Muslims comprised the majority of Indians - although Hindus outnumber them 9 to 1.
I guess some folks might claim that in a world where cyberspace is the final frontier, that being able to read a map is Old School. My reticence in buying this might stem from the closet-cartographer in me; or maybe from all the latitude and longitude lines I've crossed in my world romps.
Still, it seems like a potential nasty outcome for the home team when the visitors - increasingly sophisticated (and motivated) vendors, customers, lenders, affiliates, employees, employers and competitors - know a hell of a lot more about us than we do about them.. especially when we can't find our own ballfield...
It might not be our young folks' fault, but their careers are in for a nasty shock if our school curriculum, social organziations and parents don't start thinking a whole lot more about how to push our curiosity out further than the smothering arms of Uncle Sam's borders.
Being "nice" has nothing to do with it - being aware, informed and connected has everything to do with it.
May 9, 2008
Careers: Vocation Vacations - Sign of the Times
Brian Kurth of Vocation Vacations has certainly found a way to tap into early 21st Century career angst.
His brilliantly simple mission (and business strategy) is to cater to people's vocational restlessness by letting them "kick the tires" of their dream jobs. What's your fancy - race car driving? pastry chef? landscape architect? a voice-over artist? a sommelier? He's got you covered.
Kurth has assembled an ever-growing network of professionals in careers mainstream, bohemian and in some cases, well, eccentric perhaps... at present count about 150 different vocations are covered, but growing rapidly. Over a 1-3 day period, these learned maestros will hold your hand, answer questions, calibrate your aptitude, give you insider secrets about how to prepare (including your resume and how to network), and in many cases put you in the cockpit.. or kitchen...or laboratory... OK, so maybe you can't do brain surgery or air traffic controlling on Day 1, but you'll sure get a feel for it.
About 75% of Kurth's clients are seriously considering changing careers, apparently. In fact, USA Today quotes a survey by RoperReports that found almost as many people want "learning" as "relaxation" in their leisure planning. Whether Boomer mobility or Gen X/Y entitlement, he's onto something. Hey, the dude's even been on Oprah.
What's interesting is that Vocation Vacations to date has had nearly zilch competition, something which will surely change. In any case, expect to see Kurth's selected career offerings, professional mentors - and customers - grow appreciably. It looks like "passion, profit and fun" never go out of style.
His brilliantly simple mission (and business strategy) is to cater to people's vocational restlessness by letting them "kick the tires" of their dream jobs. What's your fancy - race car driving? pastry chef? landscape architect? a voice-over artist? a sommelier? He's got you covered.
Kurth has assembled an ever-growing network of professionals in careers mainstream, bohemian and in some cases, well, eccentric perhaps... at present count about 150 different vocations are covered, but growing rapidly. Over a 1-3 day period, these learned maestros will hold your hand, answer questions, calibrate your aptitude, give you insider secrets about how to prepare (including your resume and how to network), and in many cases put you in the cockpit.. or kitchen...or laboratory... OK, so maybe you can't do brain surgery or air traffic controlling on Day 1, but you'll sure get a feel for it.
About 75% of Kurth's clients are seriously considering changing careers, apparently. In fact, USA Today quotes a survey by RoperReports that found almost as many people want "learning" as "relaxation" in their leisure planning. Whether Boomer mobility or Gen X/Y entitlement, he's onto something. Hey, the dude's even been on Oprah.
What's interesting is that Vocation Vacations to date has had nearly zilch competition, something which will surely change. In any case, expect to see Kurth's selected career offerings, professional mentors - and customers - grow appreciably. It looks like "passion, profit and fun" never go out of style.
May 8, 2008
Careers: "They're Here" - Are We Ready?
Greetings Educators, Career Professionals, Employers and Students,
My blog's mission is to help prepare career seekers for passionate, profitable and fun careers in what can only be called The Global Workplace - or perhaps, the "Multicultural Office."
It seems to me that we're sort of living in a precarious Best of Times / Worst of Times scenario for America's industrial, educational and civic leadership. The so-called "Death of Distance" brought on by converging technologies, lowering trade barriers and easier (and in some cases cheaper!) travel is creating a world full of opportunities and challenges. Since our future corporate, civic, clerical and community leaders are going to be dealing with this in ways we can barely imagine, it only makes sense to help prepare them for those opportunities and challenges.
The good news: There's never been a better time for career seekers to empower, enrich, and enjoy themselves "on the job." For example, while forecasts vary wildly, there's strong arguments that nanotechnology and the Green "movement" will be trillion$ industries in coming years; with product/service ramifications for millions of new jobs. (That will be the theme of one of my next blogs). And it's not just new technologies, but brand new roles created by changing political, economic and social factors. Can you say "retail climatologist?" - "neural marketer" - "cyber criminilogist" - "virtual concierge" ?? It's a long list... :>)
The bad news: Not only is the precipitous decline in our youths' test scores well documented (29th and 34th place out of 35, respectively in science and math, according to the international Organization for Economic and Cooperative Development), but turns out we're equally naive in our "geographic" awareness, as exemplified by National Geographic's 2006 survey of American 18-24 year olds... you know, the same ones getting ready to enter the workforce, having children and going off to fight wars in places that they literally can't find on a map.
So what's the big deal? Well, "They" - our global neighbors - are already "Here", now. They're moving aggressively into new industries and alliances, graduating well-educated, motivated students. They represent potential customers, vendors, partners, investors - and competitors. And guess what? Like the story of the Blind Men and the Elephant - they all "see" through different perspectives. Unfortunately, we know a lot less about them than they do about us - which is a trend we must reverse...
So back to the mission. I guess I come from the school that says if you want people to change, one must appeal to their higher interests and emotional hot-buttons. Which is why my public persona is as an "Edutainer", using stories, lessons learned and intriguing trivia to light a fire. Maybe it's from six continents of rambling around, or maybe from my obsession with goings-on in the world, but I'm convinced that we can definitely turn this challenge around by helping kids - and adults - to become more aware, informed and connected to ways that will excite, and embolden and enrich, them. The trick is to get the iPod out of their ear and CSI turned off, and the only way to do that is to replace those opiates with even stronger "attractors."
For example, in coming posts, I'll talk about Hot New Careers that even most guidance counselors and job fairs aren't talking about yet. These already exist, in both traditional and new fields - and many pay very, very well.
We'll also talk about how to prosper in the "Multicultural Office" - how to create productive relationships and avoid cross-cultural collisions with all those folks who see, think and act differently than us.
And we'll talk about emerging new practices (business and social), such as Conscientious Capitalism , Microcredit Lending, and Voluntourism that are truly "Lifting the World' and providing Win-Win-Win scenarios for all involved.
My blog's mission is to help prepare career seekers for passionate, profitable and fun careers in what can only be called The Global Workplace - or perhaps, the "Multicultural Office."
It seems to me that we're sort of living in a precarious Best of Times / Worst of Times scenario for America's industrial, educational and civic leadership. The so-called "Death of Distance" brought on by converging technologies, lowering trade barriers and easier (and in some cases cheaper!) travel is creating a world full of opportunities and challenges. Since our future corporate, civic, clerical and community leaders are going to be dealing with this in ways we can barely imagine, it only makes sense to help prepare them for those opportunities and challenges.
The good news: There's never been a better time for career seekers to empower, enrich, and enjoy themselves "on the job." For example, while forecasts vary wildly, there's strong arguments that nanotechnology and the Green "movement" will be trillion$ industries in coming years; with product/service ramifications for millions of new jobs. (That will be the theme of one of my next blogs). And it's not just new technologies, but brand new roles created by changing political, economic and social factors. Can you say "retail climatologist?" - "neural marketer" - "cyber criminilogist" - "virtual concierge" ?? It's a long list... :>)
The bad news: Not only is the precipitous decline in our youths' test scores well documented (29th and 34th place out of 35, respectively in science and math, according to the international Organization for Economic and Cooperative Development), but turns out we're equally naive in our "geographic" awareness, as exemplified by National Geographic's 2006 survey of American 18-24 year olds... you know, the same ones getting ready to enter the workforce, having children and going off to fight wars in places that they literally can't find on a map.
So what's the big deal? Well, "They" - our global neighbors - are already "Here", now. They're moving aggressively into new industries and alliances, graduating well-educated, motivated students. They represent potential customers, vendors, partners, investors - and competitors. And guess what? Like the story of the Blind Men and the Elephant - they all "see" through different perspectives. Unfortunately, we know a lot less about them than they do about us - which is a trend we must reverse...
So back to the mission. I guess I come from the school that says if you want people to change, one must appeal to their higher interests and emotional hot-buttons. Which is why my public persona is as an "Edutainer", using stories, lessons learned and intriguing trivia to light a fire. Maybe it's from six continents of rambling around, or maybe from my obsession with goings-on in the world, but I'm convinced that we can definitely turn this challenge around by helping kids - and adults - to become more aware, informed and connected to ways that will excite, and embolden and enrich, them. The trick is to get the iPod out of their ear and CSI turned off, and the only way to do that is to replace those opiates with even stronger "attractors."
For example, in coming posts, I'll talk about Hot New Careers that even most guidance counselors and job fairs aren't talking about yet. These already exist, in both traditional and new fields - and many pay very, very well.
We'll also talk about how to prosper in the "Multicultural Office" - how to create productive relationships and avoid cross-cultural collisions with all those folks who see, think and act differently than us.
And we'll talk about emerging new practices (business and social), such as Conscientious Capitalism , Microcredit Lending, and Voluntourism that are truly "Lifting the World' and providing Win-Win-Win scenarios for all involved.
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