EXECUTIVE COACH KEYNOTE SPEAKER ON "INTERGENERATIONAL COMMUNICATION IN THE WORKPLACE"

Last Thursday I was honored to be the Keynote Speaker at the Northwest Career Educators
and Employees Association's 10th Annual Conference in Vancouver, Washington.
http://www.nceea.org Enjoyed the interaction with the audience a great deal.

What a terrific, energetic group of people. The great thing is that all the various generations were represented on the Board that did a terrific job of planning. There were people from as far away as New York.

Since I was the first speaker of the conference, I was pleased to be able to stay around and talk individually with attendees and attend a couple of break-out sessions. I had a great opportunity to grow too.

During the Awards Luncheon I had the opportunity to learn how colleges/universities were not only working with students on projects, but were helping to enhance the community at the same time. Students/participants that received awards went far beyond textbook learning for they did outstanding projects that included: persistence, networking and creativity.

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION TIP:

If you are traveling to another city, go to your home Internet Page. Put in the city that is in
your plans and add it to your personal weather section. Then you can watch the temperature, including the ability to get a 10-day advance forecast. Definitely helps with your wardrobe planning.

Download a free copy of "55 Networking Tips" on my website. http://www.kathycondon.info

EXECUTIVE COACH ATTENDS PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY BUSINESS BRIEFING BREAKFAST SERIES --- "New Employee On-boarding."

"On-boarding" -- take note of the spelling and capitalization. Molly Lambright, Director of Employee Enablement at Microsoft Corporation told the assembled group that hours had been spent on coming up with the meaning of the concept and special attention was paid to the spelling in order to develop continuity through the company.

On-boarding begins before an employee is recruited. A clear definition of the the duties and responsibilities of the position are meticulously developed. Recruiters are screened to make sure they are in tune with the culture of the company so they can attract employees that will work well within the environment.

The Manager is the primary lead on the recruitment process. Once the person is hired, the Manager introduces the new recruit to his team members, instead of delegating this job to his assistant. A mentor is assigned to the new employee so that she has someone to turn to ask questions about the "hidden cultural rules."

If necessary, a coach is assigned to help the employee learn needed leadership skills, which normally would focus on communication skills to enhance her effectiveness.

To sum it up -- "On-boarding" is a program to stay with a new employee and give her the tools she needs to be effective. Corporations have figured out that the investment up front in their new employees means, better retention and skilled employees help the bottom line grow.

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EXECUTIVE COACH PROUD TO PRESENT LEADERSHIP SKILLS SEMINAR AND KEYNOTE ON COMMUNICATING WITH X GENERATION AT ROTARY LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

It was a real honor for me, a Rotarian of 16 years, to be asked to present at the Rotary Leadership Conference in Battle Ground, Washington.

Back to the basics--proved to be a great way to tackle this complex subject. It was interesting, I looked up "leadership" in Webster's Dictionary and this is what it said,"The quality of a leader: capacity to lead." Real helpful!!!!!

After some thought, I decided to outline eight key traits that contribute to the development of a real leader that is respected by his/her employees. By using examples, I was able to keep the audience with me and soon they were contributing their great information.

The question was asked how does one develop character? My answer was over a period of time that you are honest/truthful, dependable and your actions match your words. One of the participants said "I have another truth pill to add to the equation" -- when you make a mistake admit it and ask for help. This response is one of the reasons I enjoy presenting....people have so many great things to add from their experiences.

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION TIP:

It seems that one has to be very careful with her wireless connections when traveling. Most hotels have a fixed rate, yet, now there are popping up connections that profess to be able to have you connect for as low as $1.95 per day. Often these services are merely scams set up to get your credit card information. It is best to stick with hotel charges.

EXECUTIVE COACH PROVIDES TRAINING ON JOB RENTION IN LANCASTER COUNTY

Last Thursday I was fortunate to be one of the trainers in Palmdale, Calfornia for the Cooperative of California State Department of Rehabilitation and California State Department of Mental Health. The subject was "Job Retention." The eighteen people in the seminar represented a wide breadth of organizations that serve people in this valley of 600,000.

My role is to help people who work with people who have disabilities strengthen their connection with employers. I have learned not to assume anything for often we have forgotten great communication tools or feel like they are no longer relevant.

A. I stress the importance of handshakes and how to do them correctly. (This is often one of the most popular exercises of the seminar. I am finding out if the person was not taught by their parents, they may have never learned how to do a great handshake.)

B. I teach them how to read the newspaper so they can find great networking events.

C. I illustrate how to approach people at events and how to start and carry on conversations.

D. The importance of handwritten notes is stressed. Yes, I even include examples of what they could write in them--Employers appreciate them so much for it is rare for them to receive anything personal. (Avoid email thank yous--they are deleted quickly - Handwritten notes get posted and passed around the office. )

E. I illustrate how "Cold Calls" should not be their main approach. Instead I teach them how to build relationships that result in employers listening more carefully to them.

My overall theme is the the importance of asking questions so they can learn what the employer really needs. I stress: "It does not hurt to ask: It is all about communication."

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION TIP:

The next time you go to the post office and have letter or package to mail, look around to see if there is a self-serve postage machine. No longer do I have to stand in lines or think about what day it is to avoid the crowd. After you try it once and get the system down, you will be thrilled with the convenience and the time you save.

EXECUTIVE COACH AND CAREER FACILITATOR SPEAKS IN SAN FRANCISCO

Last week I was pleased to be a speaker on Intergenerational Communication at the California State Workability Conference in San Francisco. My goal was an overflow audience and I am pleased to say that is what happened.

It was great for this group was very open, had great questions and shared their own stories and ideas. The Conference Team was gracious -- can't say enough good things about the experience. The conversations after my presentation were extremely informative. It pointed out to me once again the importance of staying around and talking to people after you speak or do a training--often that is where your own real learning begins.

I flew into the Oakland Airport and decided to take the mass transit system BART to downtown San Francisco. From the airport you have to take a bus to the first BART station---$3 exact change is required. Then you go to a machine and get a card so you can go through the turntables......My cost from the first station to downtown San Francisco was a total of $3.35.

Instead of a $30 one-way shuttle ride, I made the one-way trip for $6.35 and it was easy and relaxing.

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION TIP:

When you travel to new cities, make notes about the airport transportation, the hotel and your favorite place to go to dinner. Keep the information in your contact program -- the next time you visit the city you will have access to some helpful information.