Originally published September 3, 2012 This summer has been my summer of learning, growing, and – if all goes well – increasing my marketability. In an ever-changing and often difficult job market, many internal and external factors affect a job candidate’s value to prospective employers. I’ve made this summer and fall my certificate period. I…
Originally published September 1, 2012 I’m nearing the end of a long stretch on a project I first undertook 16 months ago. I went in with few preconceived notions, and I leave with no misguided perceptions about the work. Still, there has been a nagging question in the back of my mind: What, if anything,…
Originally published May 16, 2012 Today’s page comes not from any particular individual’s book, but from all those math textbooks that urge students to show their work in solving simple to complex math equations. This message can apply to anyone, and I direct my comments today to entrepreneurs and other leaders. In particular, this page…
Originally published October 20, 2011 A parent who had watched me nearly crumble under pressures of competition from another after-school services provider at her child’s school asked me, “How come I don’t see you signing up more parents?” I told her the well had pretty much run dry; it seemed every parent I approached had…
Originally published October 8, 2011 Whenever I have to take public transportation to a new or unfamiliar location, I visit SEPTA’s website and click on “Plan My Trip.” On the next screen, I enter my starting point, destination, and approximate departure or arrival time. The website generates the buses, trains, and trolleys I can take…
Originally published October 4, 2011 Whenever I wanted to purchase some new techno-gizmo – phone, laptop, tablet – I’d use the very crude, unrefined method of printing pictures of it and posting them around my home and office. These were constant reminders of my current focus, or obsession, depending on how well you knew me….
Anyone who knows me knows I’m an efficiency hound. A year ago, during my annual performance evaluation at work, I listed among my team goals “to develop with my supervisor the most efficient nonprofit finance team in the region”, a goal I borrowed from a former supervisor with a different employer. My current supervisor was…