Coaching Through Crisis

It’s hard to read the paper, watch the news, listen to the radio, or just have a conversation with a person without hearing about how bad things are in the world.  Never has it been more important for individuals and companies to invest in themselves and their people.  A well trained coach can be a great way to help individuals to channel the negative energy that is all around into more productive outlets.  What impact would it have on your ability to focus on what things you can control and how you can use the current environment as a learning tool to catapult your personal development.  How much productivity has been lost in companies as employees show up wondering if their company is the next to fall?  How will they have enough to retire or pay for their kids college when their investments have been decimated?  It is in a company’s best interest to invest in development programs that can help their employees develop the tool that will keep them focused and productive in an unstable environment.  Coaching and training are two areas that provide a great return on investment.

The Job Interview: The Most Important Sale

Whether or not you are in sales as a profession, you have sold when you are successful in a job interview.  The skills that are important when in sales are the same skills that can decide whether you get an offer or a rejection letter. First, know your customer.  Doing homework on your potential employer demonstrates your professionalism.  Have a list of questions prepared about the company, the position, the opportunities that the job provides etc…  Demonstrate how your background addresses the needs of the position.  Use specific examples when descrbing how you can exceed the expectations of the position. Test for buy-in by asking the interviewer how they feel you would fit in their organization.  If they can explain where you can help, you know you are on the right track.  Remember to ask for the job.  At the very least you ask to get to the next level in the interview.  If this makes you feel uncomfortable, realize that you do not have the job at this point and you have nothing to lose.  Let it fly!