Month: August 2014

Job Market Reboot: 5 Steps to Career Refresh and Getting Back on the Dream Track

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Theme:– “The Year of ‘Brandemonium’
Where Hopes & Dreams Become Real on Breakout Teams”

Know anybody who’s ever dislocated a limb? For one it can be painful. Plus, it can involve special steps to ensure proper healing. Well, Federal Bank Chair Janet Yellen in a recent speech touched on labor market dislocation. This is workforce displacement, discouragement and high long-term unemployment.

In addition, economic data analysis by Georgetown University found that 40% or roughly 4.6 million of those unemployed are ages 18 – 29. The July Jobs Report showed that around 3.2 million Americans are among the long-term unemployed. Clearly the economy needs a job market reboot and Labor Day reset.

With the unofficial end of summer upon us, BBQ cookouts are sure to be in full swing. There’re job fairs and career moves to follow. Oftentimes economic news is presented from a Wall Street perspective for the stock market. But who’s breaking it down from a Main Street perspective for the block market?

So, here are “5 steps to career refresh and getting back on the dream track” no matter where you are in the labor market whether employed, unemployed or emerging self-employed.

  1. Maximize Awareness:- “Know your dough and know your flow.” This means assessing the many ways you can turn your passion into profit and your pain into something that’s paying. It’s also about doing more of the things that get you in the flow of performance greatness.
  2. Professional Branding:- The idea of having a USP (unique selling proposition) is the same as highlighting your market value. Do you see yourself as Campus CEO, Me Inc. CEO, Urban CEO or Heartbeat CEO? Branding gives you a winner’s edge in being the best value money can buy.
  3. Increase Checking:- A meal’s entrée comes with a “main dish” supported by one or more sides. With your life’s purpose as a menu guide, take your main talent/skill/vision and surround it with one or more supporting sides. This way you build different streams into your checking account.
  4. Dream Living:- Deep inside many of us is a childhood dream wanting to breakout. Dream living isn’t always about becoming the next pop star or celebrity. It could simply be greater fulfillment or significance. Also, the more we help others achieve their dreams the more we achieve the same.
  5. Life Experience:- Is there something from your past experience that could be a setup for your next achievement? That’s really how your highs and lows can serve you well. Even if others can’t relate don’t deny yourself the opportunity of going from stumbling block to mountain top.

Stops and starts in the economy are like dealing with stalled cars on the highway. There’s rubbernecking, detours and block market slowdown. Stops and starts might even happen with your electronic devices. A refresh in market outlook starts with a reboot in purpose and a return to getting back on the dream track.

What Lisa Price Did for ‘Carol’s Daughter’ Danny Meyer Did for ‘Shake Shack’

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Theme:– “The Year of ‘Brandemonium’
Where Hopes & Dreams Become Real on Breakout Teams” (Old-School Flava)

“Lights, Camera, Shack-tion!” That’s the caption on the live stream of Shake Shack. Rumors are the ‘fast-casual’ burger chain is weighing an IPO. Meanwhile, the women’s beauty line of Carol’s Daughter is coming out of Chapter 11. What Lisa Price did for Carol’s Daughter, Danny Meyer did for Shake Shack.

They both had interesting beginnings. Price started making her products in the kitchen of her Brooklyn apartment. Meyer’s idea for a burger joint first started with a hot dog stand in New York. After a period of trial and error then things took off. Their expansion saw an infusion of money from angel investors.

It hasn’t been a ‘cake walk’ of a journey. Ms. Price remembers selling her products at flea markets. Women kept asking about other kinds of products, beyond the one’s she had available. They’ve taken their businesses through the highs and lows by listening to the customers and responding to the market.

The secret to their success holds true for dreamers and career climbers. It’s found in the ‘hustle and flow’ mentality that has seen them through. Carol’s Daughter is bouncing back from bankruptcy with an entrepreneurial spirit. Shake Shack is blazing new trails and reaching new heights with a teamwork ethic.

Carol’s Daughter has grown from nickel and dime sales to multi-million dollar brand. Shake Shack has grown from shakes and fries to an international burger chain. The flagship store in NYC is seen on their live stream with long lines of waiting customers. They both started off with a few dollars and a dream.

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Theme:– “The Year of ‘Brandemonium’
Where Hopes & Dreams Become Real on Breakout Teams” (New-School Flava)

“Lights, Camera, Shack-tion!” Found on their live stream caption. The ‘fast-casual’ burger chain weighing IPO. As told by folks in the know. Meanwhile Carol’s Daughter files Chapter 11 not 9. To turnaround women’s beauty line. Lisa Price is for what ladies purses pack. As Danny Meyer is to the burger Shack.

With interesting beginnings under their belt. And a passion for what in their gut felt. Price started in her Brooklyn kitchen. After putting away the cooking mitten. Meyer’s idea was a hot dog stand. Which began to make money in the grand. After trial and error along the way. Their expansion came on investor day.

Hasn’t been a ‘cake-walk’ to say the least. Had to pinch pennies and forgo the feast. Ms. Price started selling at the flea market. Before landing retail shelves in Target. Women’s feedback pointed to even more. Giving her a sense of customer score. Through highs and lows for moving sales out the door.

Secret to their success true for dreamers. Even for career climbers driving beemers. Found in their ‘hustle and flow’ mentality. And also buzz from well-known celebrity. Carol’s Daughter says bankruptcy is back in the past. Entrepreneurial spirit will make them outlast. As Shake Shack boosts rating with teamwork cast.

Carol’s Daughter no longer just nickel and dime. Now a multi-million dollar brand in its prime. Shake Shack no longer just about french fries. Now an international burger chain on the rise. NYC Flagship store with line of customers in waiting. Both started with a few dollars and a dream in the making.      

Tip: A few dollars and a dream can take you from idea, to emerging startup to breakout enterprise.

Talkback: Who would be willing to invest some dollars and a dream in Shake Shack or other gut idea?

Can Ivanka Trump’s Business Cred Stop the Atlantic City Casino Slide?

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Theme:– “The Year of ‘Brandemonium’
Where Hopes & Dreams Become Real on Breakout Teams” (Old-School Flava)

The electric slide is something you do on the dance floor. It starts with a few steps to the right, then to the left. Some more steps forward and then backward. That’s how it goes for getting your groove on. But business/career reinvention is a little different. So can Ivanka Trump stop the Atlantic City Casino slide?

In the past few years ‘Do-AC’ has been the marketing slogan. The region has seen a drop in revenues as visits fall and casinos close. Mayor Don Guardian knows Atlantic City has seen better days. But he thinks it’s too soon to write them off. Careers, businesses and cities have come back from hard times before.

Think back to the pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson when revenues hit the skid and nosed-dived due to product recalls. The turnaround was gradual and methodical. It’s as if the executive team knew the secret of (re)inventing your brand. Think like a CEO, lead like a Mayor and flow like a MVP champion.

Maybe that’s the formula Atlantic City will have to try. Johnson & Johnson did it through diversifying of business line. The things near to their core were kept and the rest sold or sent to the dump. They also went with a system-wide approach to standardizing the manufacturing platforms across the company.

So Ivanka as Trump EVP might not be the go-to person on casino ops. She’s just as busy honing her entrepreneurial chops. Her passion is with fashion accessories and women’s shoe line. Biz execs know (re)inventing your game/brand takes a value-adding entrepreneurial spirit and team-player work ethic.      

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Theme:– “The Year of ‘Brandemonium’
Where Hopes & Dreams Become Real on Breakout Teams” (New-School Flava)

The electric slide starts to right to the right. Then goes to the left to the left. Forward motion like quick step. Then backward strut is all that’s left-over. Well, biz/career rewind is a different kinda makeover. That’s how you roll shaking your groove hide. But can Ivanka Trump stop the Atlantic City Casino slide?

Past few years ‘Do-AC’ was the slogan. Campaign to change image from the dungeon. A sharp drop in revenues and in visit. With casinos closing minute by minute. Mayor Don Guardian says AC’s seen better days. Knows it’ll take more than a family that prays. For careers, biz and cities to re-invent pay raise.

Think back to pharma company J&J. Revenues hit the skid with no time to play. Turnaround after recalls was more gradual. Going from nose-dive to revamp was methodical. Exec team knew a few secrets for (re)inventing the brand. Think like a CEO, lead like a Mayor and flow like MVP on award stand.

Maybe that’s a formula for Atlantic City to try. No time to complain, point fingers or cry. J&J diversified their business line. Core products stayed close, others spun off the vine. Plus, they went with a system-wide approach to manufacturing. Changing company platforms put them back in the winning.

Ivanka as Trump EVP might not be casino’s head. Those operations in AC being left for dead. She’s just as busy with her own fashion and shoe wear. Honing her entrepreneurial chops year after year. Biz execs know (re)inventing yourself is no picnic. Takes a value-adding entrepreneurial spirit and teamwork ethic. 

Tip: (Re)inventing your career, biz or brand takes a value-adding entrepreneurial spirit and team-player work ethic.

Talkback: So does Atlantic City stand a chance with more competition and the rise in online gaming?

Miss Robbie and ‘Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s’ Took Road Trip for ‘New Day, New Dreams’

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Theme:– “The Year of ‘Brandemonium’
Where Hopes & Dreams Become Real on Breakout Teams” (Old-School Flava)

Oprah and Tyler have a good thing going. Since OWN’s launch she’s forged a strategic partnership with Perry for new programming. Some of the network shows are still getting their stride. Others are taking further steps. So Miss Robbie on a Sweetie Pie’s episode took a road trip for ‘new day, new dreams.’

She’s opening a new location in the blues city of Memphis. That’s not a far way from St. Louis or from her earlier career as a backup singer with Ike & Tina Turner. They travelled from St. Louis to get the location off the ground. Miss Robbie says at her age or any age it’s never too late for a new venture or adventure.

Eleanor Roosevelt once said it this way: “With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.” Miss Robbie and her team are working hard at hiring staff, upgrading operations and meeting the locals. As with any venture, the business side is about how to create, manage and grow the returns stream.

While making plans on the new venture she ran into a setback. An injury from a fall caused her to need surgery. She took time-off to take care of her health. Miss Robbie knows that in life “no pain, no gain.” But it’s also true that “no health, no wealth.” The personal side is about taking care of mind, body and soul.

Miss Robbie will soon be known not just for soul food. She’s also launched a Sweet Tea line. We know how folks down south love their sweet tea. It might be the next best reminder of home-cooking and the human side of everyday living. It’s in leaving a good taste and cherished feeling for life’s best moments. 

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Theme:– “The Year of ‘Brandemonium’
Where Hopes & Dreams Become Real on Breakout Teams” (New-School Flava)

Oprah and Tyler on a roll. Friendship going good says informal poll. Since OWN’s launch we’ve seen. A strategic partnership in between. Some TV shows still getting their stride. Others plotting along for the ride. So Miss Robbie’s Sweetie Pie’s makes a move. With a road trip and ‘new day, new dreams’ groove.

Opening next spot in Memphis blues city. Of jazz sounds and sights looking pretty. Not a far way from the St. Louis hub. Or her days with Ike & Tina in the club.  She chose to move around. In getting the location off the ground. Says at her age not too late for this venture. Or even for having a new life adventure.

Eleanor Roosevelt once said it best. “With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts,” oh yes! Miss Robbie and company working hard at hiring staff. Upgrading the shop, meeting the locals between a laugh. As with any venture or biz team. Gotta create, manage and grow the returns stream.

While doing some of her daily chores. She ran into a setback and some sores. After falling, surgery was the next action. To get back her health satisfaction. Taking time-off during the rain. Knowing in life “no pain, no gain.” Plus, “no health, no wealth” was on her mind. By taking care of body and soul in kind.

Serving more than just soul food. Even if her lingo may seem crude. Launching a Sweet Tea product line. Maybe even thinking about fine wine. Down south folks love their beer and tea. Next best thing to home-cooked meals under a tree. Leaving a good taste of the past. With more cherished feelings that will last.

Tip: The business side of any venture takes creating, managing and growing the value while the personal side takes creating, managing and growing in values.

Talkback: What’s your pick on a typical summer’s day: Sweet Tea or Cold Drink?