Always Be Networking | A Workplace Blog

Always Be Networking

By: Beth Schaefer    Director, Institute for Professional Development

My friend and career coach, Kathryn Johnson, once told me that you should always be networking for your next job – even if you are happy with your current one.  If you are dissatisfied with your current role, then networking is all the more important.

Broaden your idea of networking and consider using these 8 strategies suggested by Monster.com.  These same strategies work even if you wish to move within your organization.  Of course, I am partial to #6 – in addition to learning gaining new skills, it can serve as a great platform for networking – especially for those who prefer a smaller crowd and do not want to “work the room.”

  1. Use your name as your brand, especially in email
  2. Meet an employer’s need
  3. Maintain a smart online profile
  4. Ask for help
  5. Become active in a professional association
  6. Take a class or get a certificate
  7. Take on a new project at work
  8. Be flexible

Some say that standing still is the same as moving backwards.  Do not stand still in your career.  Use these strategies to be constantly cultivating your career options.

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Patrick Salaski

Patrick Salaski

Title/Position
Instructor, Metropolitan State University

Expert Areas: 

  • Strategy Execution
  • Mergers/Acquisitions
  • Business Architecture Practice Creation

Education/Professional Certificates:  

  • Business Architecture Certification – Business Architecture Guild
  • Master of Business Administration (MBA) – Minnesota State University, Mankato
  • Bachelor of Science – St. Cloud State University

Relevant experience to topic areas:  

  • Directed the growth and on-going management of a Business Architecture Practice for a Fortune 500 company
  • Helped guide the development of a Business Architecture practice for healthcare organizations
  • Part of a team that has led the post-merger activities for two mega mergers in the Healthcare Industry (Medica/Express-Scripts and Covidien/Medtronic)

Philosophy of training in a nutshell:   

I love to share my knowledge and experience with others and teach by example.  I also feel like I can help facilitate learning by helping people connect concepts with reality.

Why instructor is excited about teaching at Metro State:   

The courses at Metro State provide a strong balance of industry-leading concepts and theories with practical, real-world application through case studies, class related discussions and instructors that are recognized thought-leaders focused on delivering on the promise of business architecture services for local, leading companies.

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Jeannette Grace

Jeannette Grace

Title/Position
Instructor, Metropolitan State University

Expert Areas: 

  • Communication
  • Customer Service
  • Employee Engagement
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Teambuilding
  • Psychological Safety
  • Emotional Intelligence

Education/Professional Certificates:  

  • MA: Communication from Bethel University
  • BA: Professional Communication from Metro State
  • AAS: Sales & Management from St. Cloud Community and Technical College
  • Foundations of Positive Psychology Certification: University of Pennsylvania
  • Certified Qualified Administrator of Intercultural Development Inventory®

Relevant experience to topic areas:  

  • Author of G Factor: 8 Secrets to Increasing Your Gravitational Pull at Work
  • Worked as Professional Relations Representative for medical practice
  • Managed a private optometric practice

Some of the organizations that Jeannette has trained include:

  • City of Minneapolis
  • Boston Scientific
  • CH Robinson
  • Scott County
  • League of Minnesota Cities
  • MnDOT
  • Bailiwick
  • Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis
  • Danfoss
  • Wagner Spray Tech
  • Room & Board
  • Minnesota Bankers Association
  • Holiday Companies

Philosophy of training in a nutshell:   
Learning should be fun, inspiring, and useful. I create the opportunity for growth and then let the learner own the action.

Why instructor is excited about teaching at Metro State:   

  • First, as an alumnus of Metro State, I believe in the quality education they provide.
  • Second, the Institute for Professional Development is forward-thinking and focused on providing information and skills to businesses and their people on the front end of the trends.
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Mandy Spiess

Mandy Spiess

 Title/Position
Instructor, Metropolitan State University

Expert Areas: 

Identifying, designing, and implementing organizational strategy and operational improvements.

Education/Professional Certificates:  

  • Business Architecture Certification – Business Architecture Guild
  • Business Architecture Certificate from Metropolitan State University – St. Paul, MN
  • Master’s degree in organizational leadership from Regis University – Denver, CO
  • Bachelor’s of Business Administration from University of Minnesota – Minneapolis, MN
  • Certification in process improvement Process Management International
  • Certification in training US Army – Total Army Instructor Trainer Course (TAITC)
  • Certification in project management (PMP) from Project Management Institute (PMI)
  • Certification in program management (PgMP) from US Program Management Office

Relevant experience to topic areas:  

  • 23 years of experience in a broad range of industries including:
    • Financial services
    • Manufacturing
    • Military
    • Legal services
    • Healthcare / Non-Profit
  • Chief of Operations with the US Army
  • Senior director of IT-PMO and Quality Services at MoneyGram International
  • Vice President of Client Services at Rust Consulting
  • Director, Enterprise Portfolio Management Office (EPMO) at Be the Match
  • Business Architecture Consultant with Target
  • Business Architecture Consultant with Medtronic
  • Vice President with Beneficiary Services of Prudential Financial

Philosophy of training in a nutshell:   

Training should be interactive, collaborative and engaging and should leave all participants feeling energized and empowered to put their new gained knowledge to use.

Why instructor is excited about teaching at Metro State:   

Teaching enables me to be able to not share my knowledge and experience but also learn from others who have the benefit of completely different perspectives and viewpoints. As an instructor I realize that I am also a student and that the learning process is always in both directions. And being able to teach at a local organization like Metro State is extremely rewarding because you have a direct impact and connection directly within your own community and business environment.

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Why change initiatives fail: it’s not me, it’s you … except when it’s not | A Workplace Blog

 

By Beth Schaefer
Director, Institute for Professional Development

As leaders, we blame resisters when change initiatives are not embraced.

Our reasoning:

  • People are scared
  • People are lazy
  • People are set in their ways and do not want to experience discomfort

Yet, have YOU ever been critical of a proposed change? Do YOU consider yourself lazy or afraid of the future? By admitting that other reasons for change resistance exist, you can more effectively lead people through the change phases.

Often these are the real reasons people resist change:

  1. People are unaware that there is a business need for the change.
    Take time to get buy-in. Make sure people know the “why” not just the “what” and “how.”
  2. There is too much change: people do have a limit on how much change they can deal with at one time.
    Check the culture and be aware of other big initiatives. Timing matters.
  3. Bad communication: people just do not know what is going on.
    Change can bring new procedures, new reporting structures, and/or new employees.
    Make sure communication is clear and people know what to expect.
  4. Been there … Done that. Believe it or not, most people have a history of being a part of a change initiative that they worked hard on, but was never followed through to implementation. Too many bad experiences leave people leery that this next new big thing will not even be around long enough to worry about.
    Be patient and communicate what is being done differently this time to ensure success.

 

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ERP with SAP: Removing the Mystery

ERP should be more than operational software.

If used correctly, ERP moves IT from the Operations domain to being an integral part of an organization’s Business decisions. This one-hour webinar will provide the first steps for you to bridge the gap between IT and Business.

If you are in IT, you will gain an understanding of how you can impact business, and if you are in Business, you will gain an understanding of how ERP software analytics can influence business decisions.

Although this webinar will view ERP through the SAP lens, the broader concepts can be applied to any ERP software.

  • Recognize the components that are part of a standard ERP system
  • Identify how SAP enhances your Business Process Integration
  • Become aware of how ERP affects Business Intelligence
  • Understand the common misconceptions on SAP business capabilities

About the Presenter

William Gamble is an instructor and expert in IT Management by Business, ERP, Risk Management and Business Audits.

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Your current position: Pinnacle or Plateau? | A Workplace Blog

By: Beth Schaefer
Director, Institute for Professional Development

You finished your degree … you have a new position … you have an enhanced paycheck … Ahhh, time to relax. Wait!

This is not the time to kick back and put up your heels.

Letting a new job or position is a step in your career, not a stopping point – which is why Stephen Covey places professional development in his time management chart. Covey defines four quadrants of time management: Quadrant II is Important, but Not Urgent. The activities in Quadrant II include:

  • Preparation
  • Planning
  • Prevention
  • Relationship Building
  • Personal Development

Although Quadrant II activities are important because they are not urgent, we tend to postpone them.  Don’t!  These are the types of activities that, in the long run, will make you more valuable to an organization than just handling crises and putting out fires.

Here are 7 actions you can take to ensure that you remain relevant and keep your career moving forward:

1. Have a vision. Where do you see yourself in five years?

2. Develop a path. What broad steps do you take to achieve your vision?

3. Make the most of opportunities. What projects in your organization are going undone for which you could volunteer?

4. Become a better communicator. Are you able to listen to others so that you not only hear their words, but understand their motivation?

5. Commit to your education. What classes or professional events and conferences should you be attending?

6. Interview Role Models. Who works in roles that you would like to have, and what can you learn from their career journeys?

7. Make professional development a priority. Where can you carve out time each week for Quadrant II activities?

Your organization is practicing continuous improvement. Are YOU? Get started, today. Schedule a time on your calendar to assess your opportunities and plan your first action.


References:
7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
Professional Development tips: take control of your professional career @ www.BCJobs.ca
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