by Fronetics | Jan 6, 2015 | Blog, Logistics, Strategy, Supply Chain, Talent
The start of a new year generally brings with it a host of resolutions. For individuals finding and landing a new job, or advancing in their current job are common resolutions. For companies, identifying talent, hiring, and retaining great talent are typical goals for the new year.
At Fronetics we work with clients to understand and execute on talent acquisition, performance management, learning and development, and succession management. We also work with clients to design and develop roles and responsibilities, on leadership development, mentoring and counseling, and on performance management and compensation strategies.
Throughout 2014 we have created content focused on talent. Topics have included: networking; how to identify and hire top top talent; and how to solve the supply chain talent crisis. We have identified the most popular talent blog posts of 2014, #1 receiving the most pageviews.
Here are the top talent blog posts of 2014
Kathryn Minshew, founder and CEO of The Muse and The Daily Muse, began a piece for the Harvard Business Blog Network with this sage advice: “Network Your Face Off.” The truth and value of this statement cannot be underestimated. Here are 5 reasons why networking is essential and why connections matter. Read the full blog post.
CrossFitters recognize that good outcomes only come with hard work, and lots of it. For that reason, it generally attracts people who are willing to make sacrifices and go the extra mile to get results both in the gym and at work. If you want to hire top performers who have staying power hire people who do CrossFit. Here are eight reasons why CrossFitters make great employees. Read the full blog post.
The supply chain industry has a talent crisis. The question is: how can we solve this crisis? To answer this question I turned to Rodney Apple, founder of the SCM Talent Group. Apple has worked as a supply chain recruiter for the majority of his 19+ year career within the staffing industry and he has filled more than 1,000 positions within the industry ranging from executive-level in Fortune 500 headquarters settings to leadership and staff-level roles across large networks of manufacturing and distribution facilities within North America. Apple’s role affords him the ability to witness the talent crisis from the perspective of the industry, the company, and the job seeker. Read the full blog post.
Here’s the thing – the supply chain industry is perceived by those outside the industry as having no “wow” factor whatsoever. If the supply chain industry is going to attract new and qualified talent, it needs a face lift. It is time for the supply chain industry to re- brand itself. Read the full blog post.
Wouldn’t it be nice if great talent looked like Waldo? If great talent looked like Waldo we could simply look at the pool of candidates and be able to identify them by their telltale red and white striped shirt. Unfortunately, great talent doesn’t show itself like our friend Waldo. Given this, how can the supply chain industry spot great talent? Read the full blog post.
Be honest. How does your company approach talent acquisition? Is it viewed as a cost center or is it viewed as a strategic department, crucial to the success and growth of your business? If your answer is the former, it is time to rethink your approach. Read the full blog post.
With more than 240 million active users, LinkedIn is one of the largest social media networks. LinkedIn is an incredible tool for networking and professional development. LinkedIn is also an essential component in a job search strategy. Optimizing your LinkedIn profile is crucial to your success. Read the full blog post.
If the supply chain industry is going to attract new and qualified talent, it needs a face lift. The industry needs to be proactive. It needs to communicate what it is, what is currently happening within the industry, and what is in store for the future. Who is responsible for making change possible? You. Read the full blog post.
After the ball has dropped and after the champagne has been drunk, the New Year will begin. Forty-five percent of American’s will start the New Year with at least one resolution. Whether or not you are typically a resolution-maker, the New Year is a great time to evaluate your career and set goals. Here are nine career resolutions everyone should make. Read the full blog post.
Whining. Just writing the word makes me cringe. Whining is a truly unattractive characteristic. It is unattractive in children and it is even more unattractive when adults partake. One of the reasons why whining is just so unattractive is that it is ineffective and it can make a brilliant leader look like, well, like a blithering child. Read the full blog post.
by Fronetics | Dec 24, 2014 | Blog, Marketing, Social Media, Talent
LinkedIn is the largest social network for professionals. There are more than 332 million users – and this number is growing rapidly. An average of 2 users joins LinkedIn every second.
There is the perception that LinkedIn is only for job seekers, and that a red flag will be raised if those who are employed update their profile. Neither is accurate.
Here are 6 reasons you need to be on LinkedIn even though you have a job:
Your personal brand matters
People are looking at your LinkedIn profile to learn more about you. And it isn’t just recruiters or potential employers looking on LinkedIn. Clients, colleagues, and even your current employer look to your LinkedIn for information on who you are, what you have done, and what you do.
Because your personal brand matters, take the time to optimize your LinkedIn profile.
Network, network, network
Networking is often thought of as a (dreaded) job search action item. However, thinking about networking in this manner will leave you at a disadvantage. Networking is an action item necessary for your professional and personal growth.
LinkedIn is an incredible network building tool. Leverage it and “Network your face off.”
Industry groups
Being involved in relevant LinkedIn groups will help you grow your network. It will also help you stay up-to-date on what is happening within your industry, and give you the opportunity to get involved in the conversation.
News
Company and individuals are posting content, and having conversations on LinkedIn every day. These conversations and the content posted are chock full of relevant news.
Be a brand ambassador
Is your company hiring? Share the posting with your connections. Also, take the time to look through your connections; is there anyone who might be a good fit for the position? If so, reach out to them. Bonus: your company may compensate you for referring a candidate if they are hired.
Opportunities
You may not be looking for a new position, but what if the perfect position fell into your lap? If you are active on LinkedIn and have optimized your profile, you may find that people begin reaching out to you and present you with opportunities.
Have a job? Be active on LinkedIn. Not being active is more likely to raise a red flag.
by Fronetics | Dec 3, 2014 | Blog, Strategy, Talent
Where is your career going? If you feel like you are stuck in a career rut, here are five tips to pull yourself out:
1. Focus on the short-term, not your career path.
When it comes to a career path, one plus one doesn’t necessarily equal two anymore. The nature of business and the career landscape is evolving at lighting speed and making it nearly impossible to map out a five- or 10-year career path. So rather than trying to map out a long-term plan, optimize for one to two years.
Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO, Expedia, Inc., offers this sage advice: “Look for the right opportunities, stay flexible, have some idea of what direction you are headed in, but don’t lock into a long-term direction because chances are that the world will change up on you.”
2. Speak up.
Does anyone know you want to switch department or roles, or is it your secret? Are you the only who knows that you want to move up the ladder within your company? If so, you need to speak up and let people know what’s on your mind. Talk with your boss, talk with the manager in the role/department in which you are interested, and talk with HR. If you let people know your desires, your desires will be much more likely to be realized.
3. Prove yourself.
Don’t think — act. If you want to take on additional responsibilities, you need to show that you are capable. If you want to move into a new role, prove that you have the skills to do so. Actions speak loudly.
4. Network.
Networking opens doors. Networking begets opportunities that benefit and feed your career, professional development, and personal interests. And if you are interested in finding a new job, networking will help you do just that. Studies have shown that the majority of candidates find jobs via their networks.
5. Quit.
If you are truly unhappy — quit. When you make the mental decision that you are going to leave your job, most likely you’ll feel a weight has been lifted. With the weight gone you will be able to more easily determine your next steps and find a new position. Note I said mental decision. It is best to give your actual notice after you find a new position.
Getting your career going in a positive direction will benefit you and your organization. It’s never the wrong time to make some moves designed to get yourself out of a career rut.
by Fronetics | Nov 19, 2014 | Blog, Leadership, Marketing, Social Media, Strategy, Talent
Networking is often thought of as a (dreaded) job search action item. However, thinking about networking in this manner will leave you at a disadvantage. Networking is an action item necessary for your professional and personal growth.
Those who view networking as more than just a job search must, gain a competitive edge over those who turn to networking only when they are making a job/career change. Glen Llopis puts it this way:
“The more you procrastinate, the more you will find yourself disconnected from the opportunities that may potentially advance your career or allow you to meet the right people.”
How and why does networking matter? Here are five reasons why networking is essential and why connections matter:
- Research has shown that the larger the network, the larger the salary
- Networks beget jobs
- Networks bring opportunities that benefit and feed your career, professional development, and personal interests.
- Networks make people smarter
- Networks make people happy
Moreover, Kathryn Minshew, founder and CEO of The Muse and The Daily Muse, points out that:
“Networks are powerful, and when done right leave you surrounded by a core of individuals who are all rooting for your success and happy to help you.”
One of the greatest networking tools for professionals is LinkedIn. So before you begin, make sure you optimize your LinkedIn profile for success.
by Fronetics | Nov 6, 2014 | Blog, Internet of Things, Marketing, Social Media, Supply Chain
I was recently introduced to a new social network: Procurious. Procurious is a niche social network and online community created for procurement and supply chain professionals. It is a wealth of information, resources, and opportunity.
Developed by procurement and supply chain professionals, Procurious offers a wealth of resources and opportunity for those within the industries. It not only includes a social networking platform which can be leveraged for networking, communication, and sharing of knowledge, it also provides a comprehensive listing of events happening throughout the globe, on-line learning, a blog, and a news feed. In short, it can be seen as a go-to resource for procurement and supply chain professionals.
Procurious is markedly global – Members come from 70+ countries. Given the global nature of the procurement and supply chain industries, the global nature of Procurious is inherently valuable. Moreover, as the supply chain industry faces a talent gap and suffers from misperceptions, Procurious puts a much needed “fresh face” on procurement.
“We know that the procurement and supply chain profession has struggled to overcome outdated stereotypes and it’s time we join forces to become more collectively valued. By empowering our future procurement and supply chain leaders, we aim to change the face of the profession from the inside out.”
Why join the network? Here are four reasons:
After a four month beta period, Procurious launched in early 2014. Since the launch, the network has realized positive growth:
- 2000+ members
- Members from 70+ Countries
- Members come from the private and public sector, including from some of the world’s largest businesses, such as: Apple, Telstra, Lloyd’s Banking Group, Alcoa, Rio Tinto, NHS, Schweppes and IBM
- 20+ online learning modules – all currently free to access
As I have discussed before, not only is it impossible for you and your business to be present on every social network, it is also not a good use of time and resources. Instead, you need to identify which social networks (or even which social network) is right for you and for business.
Procurious is worth checking out. It is free to join and, at this time, all online learning and resources are free. Register at www.procurious.com
