How to Keep Your Job; Follow these Ten Tips

  • 09.02.15
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How to Keep Your Job; Follow these Ten Tips

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Category : Careers

 If you want to stay employed and be at your career best, you must learn from mistakes, overcome challenges, mitigate your weaknesses, and most importantly, “play off your innate strengths, talents and skills.” You must stay closely in tune to both your present career performance and where you want to take your career in the future.

Additionally, you must know what’s going on in your organization staying as close to the action as possible. You should have a job or position you feel is contributing to the profitability of the organization. You must stay informed, engaged, open to change, and determined to make a positive impact on those around you.

Keeping the above in mind, follow these ten tips.

  1. Most important…Work every day as if you are an entrepreneur and own the company.
  2. Understand that job security is dead, jobs are volatile and updating your skills and gaining new experience is what will keep you both marketable and employed.
  3. Seize opportunities that best fit your strengths, skills and talents. Look for opportunities to volunteer where you can perform at your best and pick your projects wisely.
  4. Always strive to over-perform. Your boss wants individuals who detect and solve problems. Organizations are always looking for people to step up to the challenge and take on new things. Are you that person?
  5. Cultivate and maintain a winning attitude. Winners maintain an optimistic and “realistic outlook” as they move toward their career goals.
  6. Live by positive values. To succeed over the long term, you must know what’s right and wrong, and you must use these standards of behavior every day to keep your career on track.
  7. Take smart risks and create value. You’ve got to take a risk and initiate new and innovative ideas. Not taking a risk to be innovative is a risk in itself.
  8. No pain, no gain. Winners face career obstacles directly, and turn the pain of both “hard and smart work” into the gains needed for a successful career.
  9. Don’t forget the importance of networking. Networking inside your organization can go a long way toward keeping you informed. Information will form your career. It is critical to develop a strong network so that you can stay informed, hear about opportunities and make your move to capitalize on this information.
  10. Look at your performance through the eyes of your supervisor. Ask yourself – If I were my boss, would I keep me?

Following the above Ten Tips will go a long way in helping you keep your present job and advance your career.

 

  • 09.01.15
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Success Stories

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Category : Careers , Leadership , Management

Success Stories from Clients

“Ingbretsen Consulting LLC has the great capacity to clearly define the issues, work effectively to develop consensus on the strategies and orchestrate the solutions required for success. The diligence, passion, and workforce knowledge Ingbretsen Consulting LLC demonstrates through clear and concise insight is exceptional.

The Spokane Area Workforce Development Council is now focusing its energy on the areas that will have the biggest impact on the council’s ability to enhance the workforce of our community thanks to the efforts of Ingbretsen Consulting LLC.”

Steve Dahlstrom
President and CEO of the Spokane Teachers Credit Union,  and Chairman of the Spokane Area Workforce Development Council

 “Ingbretsen Consulting LLC’s, experience, insight and candor were instrumental in helping our community understand its current manufacturing workforce needs and take the steps necessary for future success. Equally important was the skillful handling of engaging all stakeholders in the process of both defining the workforce issues and developing and implementing sound recommendations. Ingbretsen Consulting LLC brings enthusiasm, responsiveness, focus and professional expertise to bear when solving the client’s needs.”

Rich Hadley
Former President and CEO of Greater Spokane Inc. 

 With Roger’s help, our organization raised the performance bar and raised the skills of all of us who occupy a leadership role. His contribution now forms the foundation of the enlightened leadership with which we lead ourselves and others. His impact on the success of the company has been positively felt and will be for years to come.

LeRoy Nosbaum
Past Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer at Itron, Inc.

 Through Roger’s coaching and leadership development process I acquired a better understanding of my strengths and how to capitalize on them. The eye opening experience improved my sense of confidence and I am now thinking more strategically. A wonderful experience!

Roberta A. Brooke
Former Executive Director International Trade Alliance

 Roger’s work with the senior staff at the Spokane Symphony was a big boost to the executive and supervisory effectiveness which we all discovered were needed. None of us had received much formal training when we were promoted to key positions. Roger’s experience, publications, and patient personal approach helped our effectiveness a great deal.

John Hancock
Spokane Symphony recent past Executive Director

 Roger is helping our organization raise the bar in growing an organizational culture of leadership and accountability. Although we are in the early phases of our work with him, we have already seen a solid return on investment. Roger has tremendous passion and knowledge about leadership and the ability to effectively share this with others. Now the leaders he has worked with are passing this same knowledge and passion on to others.

Tom Fritz
Former Chief Executive Officer for Inland Northwest Health Services

 Roger Ingbretsen has helped Cascade Windows using his leadership development programs which are based on practical application and his wealth of personal knowledge. Roger’s current research into the issues that are impacting workforce availability and readiness will assist us in creating career opportunities that attract and retain the best workforce. His innovative approach that combines past experience and futuristic design will position employers for success in the recruiting manufacturing talent. These approaches which are based on current research will be essential for any company wishing to compete successfully in our global economy.

Garman E. Lutz
Past Exec VP & CFO Cascade Windows

Roger’s extensive background and desire to raise leadership awareness and help those in front-line management positions was clearly demonstrated when conducting a series of twelve management workshops at our facility. His understanding and flexibility of working around manufacturing schedules was exceptional. His “real-world – “real-time” understanding of leadership principles and application are right on point.

Randy Quintero
Director, Human Resources Huntwood Industries

 Ingbretsen Consulting LLC provided a very insightful workforce assessment study with recommendations for talent shortage issues in both the Healthcare and Manufacturing sectors of our region. His assessment methods are sound and his recommendations well thought-out and clearly presented. His knowledge and understanding of workforce issues are exceptional.”

Stephanie McKinney
President/CEO Greater Flagstaff Economic Council

 Because of executive coaching confidentiality agreements the following endorsements are offered; but without name association:

  1. Roger has a coaching style that best serves the participant. He has a keen understanding and rich information library of the issues and opportunities, which growth oriented people can tap into. With his coaching, I discovered new ways to view and analyze my strengths and competencies related to personal and professional development.

  2. After twenty years in management, the last ten in executive management, I thought I had all the tools and had faced all the issues. I was wrong. The Leadership Coaching Development Experience helped me look at myself differently, ask new questions and provided me with some innovative tools and thinking. I found myself using this newly discovered knowledge from the very beginning of the program.

  3. Rogers’s leadership development process helped me change the way I viewed my organization. I now have a better understanding on what I should be concerned about and how to more effectively communicate with my group. The leadership development process also provided me better insight on how to detect problems, seize opportunities and take advantage of early wins in innovative thinking.

  • 09.01.15
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Smart Career Choices

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Category : Careers

HOW TO MAKE SMART CAREER CHOICES

We are in the midst of a recession with a high rate of unemployment. With that said, we are also experiencing a lack of preparation by many entering the workforce and those which have been laid off. To deal effectively with gaining the career knowledge required to navigate the ever-changing workplace, takes thought, making smart career choices, a plan, and focus.

Many are now faced with chasing any job, with others not knowing what their next career move will be. If you find yourself in this situation…stop…take some time to think through your possible options. Take the time to examine your strengths, skills, talents, competencies, and aspirations… and what it will take to “reinvent you” so you can best deal with the realities of the market place.

Not only is the workplace itself changing rapidly, but career opportunities are also evolving. When planning your next career move, look for trends that will possibly require your present skills and abilities. Most likely you will need some addition education or training, but it will be focused in the right area. Look for the “sunrise” jobs (the new hot jobs with a growing demand).

The following information may spark some ideas which will help you focus on making smart career choices.

In general, any job that requires personal contact with customers or provides a service that cannot be transferred off shore is a smart career choice. These can be categorized as “high touch relationship jobs.” Examples of these job areas would be: residential care, child care, pharmacist, psychologists, personal/business coaches, and physical therapists, public relations specialists, hospitality specialist, police officer, firefighters, security, sales people, nursing and teaching.

The economy will come back so traditional skilled trades such as carpentry, electrician, plumbing, construction contractors, food processing, quick-turn and custom manufacturing, auto mechanics, maintenance and repair look very good in terms of not moving offshore. Also, cosmetologist, hair stylist, dental hygienists, administrative assistants and computer support specialist are good choices.

Online retail sales will continue to drive home delivery; this will increase the need for drivers, pilots, airplane mechanics, distribution specialists, etc. Retail store positions will decline gradually as Internet shopping continues to grow, but there will always be retail stores and retail positions.

Positions requiring creativity and originality will still be highly valued. The need to write books, screenplays, TV shows, music, and produce the sports our culture enjoys, will continue to drive the entertainment sector.

The retirement population alone is driving the need for replacement workers and is already creating high demand in products and services tailored to this demographic. Home building in retirement areas will be on the increase, home health care services, nursing homes, yard care and the leisure/recreation industry for the 55+ age group will generate a large increase in employment. The increase in the “baby boom” population will also drive a continuing need for surgeons, nurses, and financial specialists.

Many jobs in local, state and federal government will surly continue. Jobs related to the energy field such as engineers, line technicians, and fuel cell sales and distribution specialists will grow.

Our wired society will continue to drive the need for applications engineers, network and technical support technicians for many years.

Last and certainly not least, a vocation in religious institutions and employment in nonprofit organizations will definitely continue. There will be a need for ordained ministers, priest’s, rabbis, and all the jobs associated with religious and nonprofit intuitions such as, executive directors, counselors, program directors, grant writers, fund raisers, lobbyists and administrative support individuals.

As new discoveries are made in medicine, science and technology, new and unnamed jobs will be created. Each major discovery in these fields has spawned new industries, which have created tens of thousands of jobs.

The key to survival and winning in the career game will be your ability to make smart career choices, spot and learn new jobs, and be the best at what you do. Even in tough times, if you have a reputation for being a quick learner and being the best in your field, you will do better than most.

A Very Important Point: In most if not all careers, no matter how secure you feel, you will experience ups and downs due to the economy, unexpected changes in technology and world events. There are no guarantees, but with determination, focus, and learning new skills associated with in-demand career fields, you can make smart career choices and stay employed.

  • 09.01.15
  • 0

Career Guidance

Tags :

Category : Careers

Look to Ingbretsen Consulting LLC to find the answers to successfully navigate through the turbulent times of change and career uncertainty…

Our economy is a mess, and we are in uncharted territory. Most everyone is feeling the pinch, especially if they now find themselves unemployed or wonder if they are the next one to lose their job.

Unfortunately, most people put more planning into their next vacation than they do their career or more realistically their “careers.” I say careers, because you will most likely have many in our constantly changing economy. When the pink slip arrives most people have no idea of what their next move will be. If you are wondering what to do next, now is the time to seriously take the necessary steps to “continuously plan your career.”

This is a very important point. Today is important! Today really matters with regard to your next career. You must begin “today!” to develop and implement an action plan, which will create your future. No one will do this for you. Creating your future is strictly up to you!

The first step is to take some reflective time and assume more personal responsibility to think through your next action so you can take control of your future. Begin to think and act like an independent contractor representing a company called, “You LLC.” LLC stands for… “Limit your Liabilities Constantly.” A liability is working in a job, which has a limited future or anything (training, behaviors, location) that is holding you back from being more successful in the future workplace. The “You LLC” concept speaks to a change in personal mindset in which you think of yourself as a company.

You LLC are a business that sells you… your ideas… and your value to others. You LLC should be a company with a mission and vision statement, goals, values and a strategic plan to meet your desires and the expectations of the market place. Your personal company needs to be agile and quick to respond to change, a company, which gets the best results possible in everything it does. You LLC should be a company, which is flexible, responsible and has a passion to protect and ensure its future survival.

When working for “You LLC” the following six questions can help you focus and take responsibility for your own personal career change process.

  1. What liabilities do I presently have (lack of hard or soft skills, lack of training or education, lack of a solid work ethic or a good attitude, etc.) that I must correct quickly?
  2. What four or five important trends (outsourcing, job going overseas, a slowing demand for my services, etc.) are affecting my job or career plans today?
  3. What are the two most important actions I need to take immediately to ensure I stay ahead of these trends and prepare for a new career?
  4. What are my strengths, talents, competencies and skills, and what am I truly passionate about doing for many years to come?
  5. What sunrise jobs or new career field truly interests me, rather than sticking with a soon to be a sunset and obsolete job?
  6. Based on the above, what will I most likely be doing in six months, one year, three years, and five years from now if I do, or do not, invest in my career options?

When you begin to formalize answers and develop an action plan to address the above questions, you will begin to uniquely equip yourself to meet the changes the future will certainly bring. You will be better prepared to deal with a wider variety of challenges and reduce your level of fear and anxiety. Most importantly the answers will help you design a “survival road map” to effectively guide you through the constant journey of change from the present to the future – from unemployment to employment or from one career to the next.

Are you still looking for career answers?

Call 509.999.7008 or send an e-mail to roger@ingbretsen.com.

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