News

Who Should You Have in Your Network?

NETWORK OR SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES!

…that is, if you want to advance your career. We’ve all heard it that way. Maybe it has to do with the 70 percent of jobs found through networking, leaving just 30 percent to good old applications. But networking isn’t only about finding job leads, it’s about building relationships with people who will offer valuable input throughout your career. Your network can offer advice, anecdotes from their own careers, or contact information for people who can help you further—all benefits you’ll look to more often than job leads. So half the battle in successful networking is choosing the people to bring into your fold.

Try adding these key people to your network:

A mentor. Your mentor should be someone who has achieved the level of success that you would like to have. Designate this counselor carefully and hang on to them through your career. They can offer a wealth of wisdom and experience, as well as learning opportunities from their own successes and failures.
An industry insider. This expert lives and breathes your industry. Thanks to their ample experience, they can offer data on past, current, and future industry trends, and can be a great resource for connecting you with other people in the know. This person can also be a great sounding board for your next innovation.
A peer partner. It’s the buddy system for your career journey! When you select a peer partner to walk with you, choose a trusted person in a similar place on a similar career path. Together you can celebrate and commiserate, and learn from each other’s experiences. And since you’re on the same level, you can also share information, resources, and opportunities.

Now it’s time to fill these must-have slots with qualified candidates. Make a spreadsheet of people who would be good in each role; these could be people you know or people you follow but have yet to reach out to. Then work at building valuable business relationships. Make sure your online networking profiles are fresh and active. Be visible and engage in meaningful industry-related discussions. Be ready to go invite someone to discuss their career experiences over coffee or lunch.

While you network, remember you’re building relationships that will support your goals and strengthen your career. And since the strongest relationships are mutually beneficial ones, ask yourself how you can contribute to other people’s networks. Networking is a two-way street! So go out there and build the relationships that will advance your career—OR SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES!

YES! News

The “better” way to conduct layoffs

Layoffs are hard on everyone. Even as business leaders and HR professionals, layoffs are one of the hardest things we have to do. Regrettably, many of us remember this from the all-too-recent pandemic layoffs. Layoffs are a reality we may soon face again as the threat of recession looms. And while we may not have […]

Resolve conflict like a champ

We’re hard-pressed to say conflict resolution is a fun or glamorous part of a Human Resources or leadership role, but it’s one of the most critical parts. How you mediate conflict impacts employee morale and retention, and also shows your leadership abilities and your willingness to tackle the tough stuff. Your conflict resolution skills can […]

Stop! and hire this candidate

It’s easy to criticize potential hires and spot reasons why we shouldn’t hire them. That one is too arrogant, that one lacks technical skills, and that one knows nothing about the company. Process of elimination, right? But too often we fail to recognize the positive reasons why we should hire someone. Positive flags can be […]

Client Testimonials

"Kathi has been an extremely reliable, knowledgeable and indispensable resource for our growing business. Anytime we had a difficult issue or needed to refine, replace or upgrade our HR communication, Kathi provided outstanding support and feedback. She is a wonderful person and an outstanding, solution oriented communicator. I can't recommend her enough to businesses who need assistance with HR strategy and support."

"Kathi is reliable, knowledgeable, and an excellent communicator. She has always been readily available to help us with all of our immediate needs, from handbooks to policies, and notices. We highly recommend her. A great team player."

"SPMD has been partnering with Kathi for almost 4 years. She is a fantastic partner to our design firm. Her experience, knowledge, professionalism and ability to problem solve is the perfect package to fit our business. Over the years she has helped us navigate many employee situations quickly and re-wrote our Employee Handbook. Kathi is always there in a heartbeat when a situation arises and has the answers and advice we need. We highly recommend Kathi!"

“Kathi provided Senior Human Resources leadership to Orqis Medical for over six years. Her effectiveness is immediate, her contributions substantial, and her ability to integrate into the employee base as a consultant outstanding. I highly recommend Kathi to any company looking for senior management help in the HR arena, without the ability to hire a full-time manager. This is a go-to person for any small, medium, or start-up company.”

Free Consultation