In This Issue

News & Notes:  How to Become a Millionaire

Manager's Tip Sheet:  Understanding Gen-Y Employees

Personal Tip Sheet: Five Networking Tips for Shy People  

Difficult Conversations:  What Was Your Name?        

Workshops, Products, and Services: 

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News & Notes:  How to Become a Millionaire

  

What better time than tax season to reevaluate your wealth building skills?   Of course "wealth" is a relative term.   For most people, financial wealth immediately comes to mind, yet without abundant skills, motivation, interests, values, purpose and meaningful relationships, financial wealth is impossible!  

 

I just finished reading The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America's Wealthy by Stanley and Danko (Pocket Books, 1998).   It's no surprise to me that those who have achieved millionaire status did so by possessing extraordinary people skills.    

 

The authors pose this question:   How do you define risk?   One wealthy entrepreneur answered, "Having only one source of income."   What's your answer?   My definition is having a limited skill set.   If you're not continually investing in your growth, you are on shaky ground.   Start today by improving your communication skills through personal coaching or training.   Your future is worth it!   Besides, career development can be tax deductible, what more incentive do you need?           

Until next time,

Susan Fee

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Manager's Tip Sheet: Understanding Gen-Y Employees

Today's workplace spans four generations grouped by world-shaping events, popular culture, childhood heroes, and the same early work experiences.   As a college educator, I interact closely with Gen-Y students (born 1977-1994) and I have observed some notable trends.   If you manage or work with this age group, it's helpful to know what has shaped their attitudes and beliefs so that you can communicate with them more effectively.     

 

Technology.   Gen-Y employees are superior multi-taskers and the internet has given them a global vision of business.   You can benefit from their knowledge by encouraging them to educate you on the latest trends.   On the downside, relying on technology has decreased skills in interpersonal communication and conflict resolution.   You will need to establish etiquette guidelines for appropriate use of email, cell phones, texting, iPods, and face-to-face communication.   Consider that many are bloggers with MySpace accounts.   Communicate clear policies about what workplace information can and cannot be shared.   Complete an online search on potential hires.   You might be surprised what it turns up!  

       

Parental involvement.   They are close to their parents and talk to them daily.   The term "helicopter parent" evolved from the tendencies of these parents to become over-involved in every aspect of a child's life.   Be prepared for these employees to delay a decision until they consult with their parents, or for a parent to intervene.   You will need to set clear boundaries about dealing with an employee, and not the parent.   (Read more about this in the 3/16/06 WSJ article "Helicopter Parents Go to Work.")     

 

High achievers.   Their resumes include impressive academic achievements and civic participation.   Many of these achievements came by way of an overscheduled childhood where parents shuttled kids from soccer to piano lessons.   This generation had little downtime and as a result, rarely made their own decisions.   Therefore, they will wait for managers to give directions.   This does not mean they are lazy or lack motivation.   Expect to spend more time coaching and training.   (Read more on coaching versus managing in the March 2006 Communication Tip Sheet .)  

 

 

Age diversity impacts hiring and retention plans, work policies, training methods, teams, and leadership strategies.   Learn more about bridging the generation gap in your workplace with Susan Fee's customized training.       

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Personal Tip Sheet:  Five Networking Tips for Shy People

Do you dread attending social or professional events where you must enter a room of strangers and start networking?   Unless you're a total extrovert, the experience can be quite uncomfortable, even for me.   Here are five tips that will help you enter a room with confidence.

 

Watch nametag placement .   Help others to remember your name by wearing your nametag high on your right shoulder so that when you're shaking hands, they can easily read it.   It's embarrassing to meet someone and have to search for their nametag, especially if you've placed it in an inappropriate place like too low on your chest or on your hip!  

 

Eat at home.   Assume you will be meeting new people and shaking hands.   If the first thing you do is load up a plate of food and get a drink, your right hand won't be free to greet them creating a potentially awkward moment.  

 

Approach the single person.   Assuming you don't know anyone, search for a person standing alone.   Make eye contact and smile.   It's likely that this person is just as uncomfortable as you are and will appreciate being approached.   

 

Be prepared.   Before leaving home, prepare at least three conversation topics that you could discuss.   Start with the event - what is bringing these people together?   What's your related experience or what questions could you ask someone about it?   Knowing that you have something to talk about will ease your nerves.

 

Act as host.   Learn the other person's name by repeating it immediately. (Read below for tips on remembering names.)   When a new person arrives, make introductions and share something about the person you just met.   Instead of worrying about what to say next, focus on other people.   Show interest by asking questions about what they do or what brought them to the event.

 

Click here for more tips on how to make a positive first impression.

 

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Difficult Conversations:  "What Was Your Name?"

Q:  I have trouble remembering names.  What should I say to someone whom I've met but whose name I've forgotten?

A:  First, stop telling yourself and announcing to others that you can't remember names.   It's like saying, "I'm telling you right upfront, you are not important to me."   Hardly a good first impression!   I'm guessing that you can rattle off your home phone number, cell phone, work phone, bank pin, and social security number without missing a beat, right?   So, you definitely have the brain power to remember a name.  

                                                                                                  

In the future, choose to remember names; it will make you more attentive.   As soon as you are introduced, repeat the name and associate it with something memorable.   It could be a physical feature or interesting personal tidbit.   If you forget, be honest.   Start by offering your name and say, "My name is Susan Fee.   I know we've met before, please remind me of your name."   If you met thirty seconds ago, you can say something like, "I'm sorry, my mind just went blank.   Would you please tell me your name again?"   Of course this tactic only works once in a conversation!              

 

Send your Difficult Conversation questions to:   Susan_Fee@msn.com .  

   

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Workshops, Products, and Services

Upcoming Workshops and Appearances.   

"Work With a Jerk?"

WKYC TV (Channel 3 Cleveland , OH )

Good Company

April 6, 2006 10:00-11:00 am EST

"Work With a Jerk?"

Professional Women's Institute, LCC

April 10, 2006

Kirtland , OH

Products and Services

Perfect High School Graduation Gift!    

 

Roommates can make or break a college experience.   Few young adults expect to have conflict and have little or no experience solving personality differences.   Prepare them for success now by purchasing a copy of Susan's hit college survival book My Roommate Is Driving Me Crazy!   Solve Conflicts, Set Boundaries, and Survive the College Roommate from Hell.    

Interested in booking training or coaching in 2006?  Let me know how I can help, Susan_Fee@msn.com. 

Susan Fee is a licensed counselor, business and personal coach, and college adjunct faculty member.  She is the author of Positive First Impressions:  83 Ways to Establish Confidence, Competence, and Trust, Dealing with Difficult People:  83 Ways to Stay Calm, Composed, and in Control, and the college survival guide My Roommate Is Driving Me Crazy!  Solve Conflicts, Set Boundaries, and Survive the College Roommate from Hell!  (Adams Media).  She can be reached through her Web site at www.susanfee.com or by email at Susan_Fee@msn.com. 

 

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, 2005