More than a living

Do you employ experts? Do you wish you did? What’s the hold up? A review of some past rants on Pride and Workmanship have me wondering,
Does the conferring title of “expert” on members of your team result in a higher quality of work?
I’m inclined to think it does.
Right or wrong, when I am invested in […]

Rick and I were recently having a conversation about the value of a consultant or contractor’s time, and how the concept of “consultative value” may or may not translate into a meaningful bill rate. Rick observed that too often the line of tactical versus strategic advice is backwards, with “strategic” insights being given away for […]

Day One at a new company – who will you be here? What will your work say about you?
Not that you can’t be the same person you were yesterday – that person got you hired after all. But how will you be more of who you are? The best version of what you can be?
Remember, […]

You’re special.
And I don’t mean that in a touchy feely way. Although if you feel like you need it, go ahead and take it that way.
But take it this way, as well:
You’re special. You’re not general.
You’re special in what you demand. You’re special in how you present yourself. You’ve  had your share of ups and […]

So, prior to our CSS search, the last time I had to do any significant due diligence on a potential co-worker was roughly two years ago. And then, I was hiring for a position on the other side of the desk. So, it was an employee, not a contractor.
It dawned on me, this morning, how […]

I work with contractors and consultants in nearly every aspect of my life. How is it that the idea of “workmanship,” or the pride of a job well done, can vary so greatly among the masses that work as independent contractors and consultants?
I’ve done a few remodels over the last few years, and find that […]

I love my daily dose of Systematic HR. A great reflection on millennial talent resonates.
I think that “life indeed is the pursuit, not the fulfillment of one’s work life” is a key point that Gen Xers had to slowly stumble into, whereas Gen Ys have had the advantage of watching their Baby Boomer parents discover […]

Rick’s “Hiring decisions, when mistakes keep on giving and giving and giving” really changes the way I think about the hiring process.

Is this hire so good that they really grow your brand?
Do they enhance your corporate value when they go out and network in the marketplace?
Do past co-workers in new companies increase the likelihood that […]

Are you a Product or a Brand?
We have repeatedly said, “Yes”, but this is worth considering when thinking about how you contemplate your Product Management versus Brand issue:
[Tom] Peters uses the word “brand” and [Chris] Brogan uses the word “product.” That’s a critical distinction in my eyes. The problem with you as […]

Speaking of Personal Brand equity, I found this little measure of your brand, recycled (but posted!) from Tom Peters:
He offers what he calls a PBE or Personal Brand Equity Test (see below). Take some time to answer the following questions. If you’re not sure what you’re known for or what you should be known […]