All Things Professional

Saturday, July 24, 2004
TRENDWATCHING.COM: global source for hot consumer trends and related new business ideas in 2004.
Hi there
I have just visited this sight. It is like looking through a crystal ball to foresee the trends of the future. Take a look yourself. This is just the sort of information a professional needs to keep ahead of the non-professional types trying to keep up with you.
Regards
Michael

TRENDWATCHING.COM: global source for hot consumer trends and related new business ideas in 2004.
Tuesday, July 20, 2004
" . . . but I am not a professional at anything."
Michael
You might have lots of business experience behind you. Probably got good education and qualifications too. I lost my job at the local council recycle depot three years ago after working the entry booth for twelve years. Now I cannot get another job. I like the idea of you giving me help or advice but I am not professional at anything. I feel beyond help.
Tony
Wellington
New Zealand
 
Dear Tony
Thanks for your candid letter. A couple of things you have raised caught my interest. Working the entry booth at your local recycle depot? I wonder if that means you greeted people as they arrived with their trailers or car boot loads of rubbish etc. If I am right then your role would have included some pretty specialists people skills. I recently visited my own local depot and was taught a few things about conflict resolution skills. The customer informs of me was really paying out about something. The chap at the entry booth remained calm and kept his professional poise while he talked the irate customer through the moment. I bet you had a few of those moments aswell Tony so I do not buy your comment about not being professional at anything. Also it sound like you are feeling a bit sorry for yourself. No offense meant here but "beyond help"?. I have been unemployed before and know all too well the frustrations of getting rejected time after time when applying for work. But . . . but stand up man and take in a deep breath.  Now breath it out and repeat this well known affirmation accredited to French psychologist Emile Coue "Everday in every way I'm getting better and better". What I believe is you can be better day by day when you apply for new work. Can you accept that what ever it is you have to do in this day and this moment you have a choice of how professional you are at doing it. I encourage you to be the most professional Job Searching Tony you can be. If necessary seek assistance from your local Community Group. How is your resume? What is your application approach? No Tony you are not beyond help. No one is. In my mind you have twelve years of people skills just waiting for some lucky employee to discover. Good luck with your projects!
Regards
Michael
 
 

Sunday, July 11, 2004
How can the 80/20 Rule help me be more professional?
Dear Michael
I enjoyed reading about the 80/20 Rule via your link. I have not heard about it before. I would like to apply this principle in my job as a Pharmaceutical Representative. How do you suggest I do this?
Sincerely
"Marlene"
New York, USA


Marlene
Thank you for your question. I am informed that as a Pharmaceutical Representative you promote new medicines to MD's and nurses. As you read the 80/20 Rule maintains that approximately 80% of any input will give you 20% of the output and vice versa so that 20% of any input will convert to 80% of the overall result. What immediately comes to mind for you Marlene is that your total customer data base represents 100% of the customers you currently service. Can you identify which 20% of that list is currently giving you 80% of your business revenue? When you can identify those people and you choose to focus more of your time and energies on servicing those customers you will find a disproportionate size of results coming your way compared to trying to leverage the same results from the 80% group. I love how Pareto's 80/20 Rule helps me work smarter and not harder and I know you will too Marlene!
Regards
Michael
Friday, July 09, 2004
True Professionalism
Pareto's Principle: The 80-20 Rule
Pareto's Principle: The 80-20 Rule

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