Monday, February 28, 2011

You only have the right to criticize if you have the will to help -- Be part of the solution …

Abraham Lincoln was born 202 years ago, on February 12th --- his inspiration lives on …

He has a right to criticize, who has a heart to help. - Abraham Lincoln


Some people criticize – non-stop. They pick out problems. They always have a “better” way – or at least they think. But oftentimes, you never hear the better way or a solution – just critique. I happens on all fronts – in life situations, career, political discourse and in business. And – it is largely unproductive. It causes people to disconnect and in work situations, one can be viewed in a negative manner – stubborn, unwilling to change, negative – all labels unproductive to career growth.

It is productive to critique and helpful to others – if one provides another idea, a solution or resolution to a problem. Those who are engaged in helping versus just critiquing are ones who are turned to in times of need. Their opinions are valued. They are asked to step up when there is a need. They are just generally valued.

Oftentimes it is in the presentation – how one communicates their ideas and critique. My wife reminds me of this all the time – You can tell someone anything, no matter how direct and perhaps biting, if you look them in the eye – and smile. Critique delivered with respect commends attention; critique delivered in any other manner commands the opposite.

Think of the situations you have encountered and been a part of in work or life, when you heard the words:

“ It won’t work …..”
“I don’t like it ….”
“We don’t do it that way ….”
… or some other statement that sounds dismissive

Where has that gotten anyone? Likely nowhere. What it can cause is the person with the original idea to be defensive perhaps and certainly deflated. Doesn’t this sound better:

“I think this could work better if you added …..”
“I like your idea in some parts abut I think it could work better if you thought about ……”
“This is a new way for us, and let’s see if we can adapt your idea to the way we do …”

Same critique – married with recommendations. You will get better results – you will be seen as a resource.

Offer opinion and critique, but have a solution. Be valued. It is one of the secrets of leadership – in life and career.

And thank you for reading this. - Dan

Dan Moran
President & Founder
Next-Act
Career Management & Transition Specialists
125 Wolf Road, Suite #128
Albany, NY 12205
Office: 518-261-4212
Cell: 518-641-8968
eFax: 586-279-4212
dmoran@next-act.com

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Job Market Report 2/24/11

Still flat - but March should change that!
_________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release
For Information, Dan Moran 518-641-8968

Albany, NY, February 23 2011

Job Postings Continue Pattern: Flat Past Seven Days Again; Other NYS Markets Drop

(Albany, NY, February 23, 2011) – Job postings in the Capital Region continued to be flat for the third week in a row, demonstrating that the local Regional job market is in a lull of sorts after a healthy run up in January followed by a drop in February. “We saw a very similar trend last February with postings going flat for the month after a nice increase in January 2010. March 2010 was very strong – let’s hope this is what we see this year as well. We still have the uncertainty of the State budget and the potential impact on the Region, compounding the concerns, and I think that remains a factor”, stated Dan Moran, Founder & President of Next-Act (www.next-act.com), a career transition management firm located in Colonie. Moran assists individuals in identifying new careers and also those in the midst of a job search and needing direction. His firm also tracks the job market on a regional and statewide basis.

Across the State, job postings dropped slightly in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and metro NYC. While a smaller market, the Capital Region still outpaces other NYS markets (with the exception of metro NYC). This has been consistent for well over three years.

#Background#

Job postings in the Region are normally in the baseline of 4000 – 4900 on a weekly basis and 7-day rolling average, consistent for this area. Monitoring job postings is a leading indicator of hiring within the following 30-45 days. This methodology is utilized by reading research houses nationally and is employed in the Region by Moran’s firm. For the purpose of reporting, the Region is defined as a 50 mile radius of Albany.

## End##

About Next-Act

Next-Act, a division of DVG, Inc. is a career management & transition firm directed by Dan Moran, the Founder & President of the firm. Moran contributes over thirty years experience in career consulting, business and human resources management. Moran is noted for his expertise in helping today’s “boomers” move on to fulfilling second careers, while helping executives and professionals achieve their career goals. The firm also provides human resources consulting and corporate services to companies. Moran is also a certified facilitator for C.J. Hayden’s Get Clients Now! & Get Hired Now! programs.

For further press information: http://www.next-act.com/press_room.



Dan Moran
President & Founder
Next-Act
Career Management & Transition Specialists
125 Wolf Road, Suite #128
Albany, NY 12205
Office: 518-261-4212
Cell: 518-641-8968
eFax: 586-279-4212
dmoran@next-act.com

Monday, February 21, 2011

Seeking Direction – Don’t Look Out to the Market – Look Inward


“There is nothing wrong with change, if it is in the right direction” – Winston Churchill


I did a radio program this past week, which I do the first and third Tuesdays at 9:00 am on TALK 1300 (www.talk1300.com) with Paul Vandenburgh. I think I struck a nerve with the statement:

People call me and want to meet to talk about the market – job market that is – so they know here to direct their efforts for a career or job search. I sometimes shock them to a degree telling then to not look out for direction, but look inward instead.

I went on to explain what I have learned over 23 years of helping people find their career direction. What I have found, over and over again and proved by the science of career assessment, is that the true secret to finding one’s direction isn’t market based, it is based upon an inward look at key factors:

• Personality
• Interests
• Aptitude
• Temperament
• Reality
• … and of course passion – the driving force of success.

Understanding what motivates you (and what does not), knowing where your true interests, aptitude and temperament lie and having a full understanding of reality (reality = your life situation, finances, family, background, values, motivators et al) is what will help you find your way. Add passion – doing what you love, truly enjoy and find fulfillment in – and you have the direction you need, and the plan to go-to-market. Then, and only then should you begin your search and look at the market – armed with an understanding of what jobs or careers will meet your need and drive you to success.

Okay – if you think you want to repair typewriters , toasters or televisions, it will be a hard ride for sure!

Look inward. Do what you love. Do what fuels your passion. Do what aligns to do. And to hell with what the market it – make a smart opportunity for yourself. And thank you for reading this. - Dan

Dan Moran
President & Founder
Next-Act
Career Management & Transition Specialists
125 Wolf Road, Suite #128
Albany, NY 12205
Office: 518-261-4212
Cell: 518-641-8968
eFax: 586-279-4212
dmoran@next-act.com

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Job Market report - 2/17/11

Still flat - keep pushing!

For Immediate Release
For Information, Dan Moran 518-641-8968

Albany, NY, February 16, 2011

Job Postings Continue to be Flat Past Seven Days in Capital Region

(Albany, NY, February 16, 2011) – Job postings in the Capital Region remained flat again this week, the second week in a row, as the market appears to be in a lull of sorts, likely the result of concerns over the impact of the State budget in the Region. This is following a 12% drop a few weeks ago. “This has happened for the years I have been tracking job market activity Statewide. In the Capital Region, where there is concern, lack of information and uncertain direction in the State budget process and impact, the market tend to cool and employers hold off on hiring to see how things sort out. It is important to remember that the State budget impacts this area significantly with approximately 24% of workers in the region employed in the public sector,” stated Dan Moran, Founder & President of Next-Act (www.next-act.com), a career transition management firm located in Colonie. Moran assists individuals in identifying new careers and also those in the midst of a job search and needing direction. His firm also tracks the job market on a regional and statewide basis.

“Across the State, after a few weeks of increases, job postings dropped slightly in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and metro NYC. While a smaller market, the Capital Region still outpaces other NYS markets (with the exception of metro NYC). This has been consistent for well over three years.

#Background#

Job postings in the Region are normally in the baseline of 4000 – 4900 on a weekly basis and 7-day rolling average, consistent for this area. Monitoring job postings is a leading indicator of hiring within the following 30-45 days. This methodology is utilized by reading research houses nationally and is employed in the Region by Moran’s firm. For the purpose of reporting, the Region is defined as a 50 mile radius of Albany.

## End##

About Next-Act

Next-Act, a division of DVG, Inc. is a career management & transition firm directed by Dan Moran, the Founder & President of the firm. Moran contributes over thirty years experience in career consulting, business and human resources management. Moran is noted for his expertise in helping today’s “boomers” move on to fulfilling second careers, while helping executives and professionals achieve their career goals. The firm also provides human resources consulting and corporate services to companies. Moran is also a certified facilitator for C.J. Hayden’s Get Clients Now! & Get Hired Now! programs.

For further press information: http://www.next-act.com/press_room.



Dan Moran
President & Founder
Next-Act
Career Management & Transition Specialists
125 Wolf Road, Suite #128
Albany, NY 12205
Office: 518-261-4212
Cell: 518-641-8968
eFax: 586-279-4212
dmoran@next-act.com

Monday, February 14, 2011

One Step Away From Being Replaced by a Machine – Tech rules …

Once a new technology rolls over you, if you're not part of the steamroller, you're part of the road.” – Stewart Brand

Over the past few years, with the onslaught of layoffs, plant closings and other grim economic news, many, many workers have become displaced. Now, as business conditions are steadily improving with companies hiring again, those displaced workers are being faced with a grim reality:

They may have been replaced by a machine – and that machine is likely technology.

They are finding that they do not have the new skills required in a skilled job market as they were not retrained or didn’t pursue training on their own. Companies invested to make processes more efficient and profitable over the past few years after being faced with the economic reality that they had to do this to survive – likely enabling processes by improved technology. As a result, the skill set required for the job once held by a lower skilled worker changed leading to their displacement (sounds better than axed). We may very well see a national unemployment rate hovering around 9% for some time – years perhaps – as this technology growth continues.

So what does one do if faced with this situation?

If your job has changed or been eliminated by technology advances, get on the bandwagon – get tech savvy yourself, through training. Jobs will continue to grow with a demand for high-tech workers in information technology, engineering, healthcare and finance to name a few areas. Get in front of this trend – and you can profit from it.

Now time to defer to an expert on this subject, a gentleman I met, Hunter Richards, Accounting Market Analyst for Software Advice. Hunter authors a very interesting blog and recently blogged about this same subject – and he has the data and trends to report to back this up. I encourage you to read this entry which is to the point and brief, which is being republished below with permission from the author.

http://www.softwareadvice.com/articles/accounting/technology-unemployment-and-our-childrens-future1010711/#ixzz1DZZfvn00

Get the message – get tech – savvy that is.

And thank you for reading this. – Dan

PS: To learn more about Hunter’s business, visit: http://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/project-accounting-software-comparison/


Dan Moran
President & Founder
Next-Act
Career Management & Transition Specialists
125 Wolf Road, Suite #128
Albany, NY 12205
Office: 518-261-4212
Cell: 518-641-8968
eFax: 586-279-4212
dmoran@next-act.com

Thursday, February 10, 2011

This Week's Jobs report - And Where the Jobs Are 2011!

For Immediate Release
For Information, Dan Moran 518-641-8968

Albany, NY, February 9, 2011

Job Postings Flat Past Seven Days in Albany – Other NY State Market Show Marked Growth

(Albany, NY, February 9, 2011) – Job postings in the Capital Region remained flat after a drop last week, coming in at just about 4650 while other markets in New York State posted impressive increases. “ It appears that the uncertainty of the State budget is causing employers to be cautious which we have seen in prior years. However, the market is much, much better that the past few years demonstrating that we have been climbing out of the recession and job losses, which is continued welcomed news”, stated Dan Moran, Founder & President of Next-Act (www.next-act.com), a career transition management firm located in Colonie. Moran assists individuals in identifying new careers and also those in the midst of a job search and needing direction. His firm also tracks the job market on a regional and statewide basis.

“Not too often do we see the Capital Region either flat or in a decline and other NY State markets showing increases at the same time, but this has happened the past two weeks indicating that there is a local impact in our Region. Metro New York had a significant increase this past seven days as well Buffalo, which I haven’t seen in few years”. Still, while a smaller market, the Capital Region still outpaces other NYS markets (with the exception of metro NYC). This has been consistent for well over three years.

Where the jobs are: 2011 – National Forecasts Mirror Local Region
“The job market is undergoing a change, and there are new, growth jobs in the market with demand for workers and that demand is forecasted to continue through 2011. It is all about generating revenue and preserving revenue, while building technology for more efficiency – that is where the growth is the strongest and those considering career change or further training should pay heed to this. Of course, healthcare continues to have demands for workers that cannot be filled as trained candidates are not available – there is a shortage in this area”, continued Moran. Careerbuilder.com and other analysts have reported that the following occupations will see robust growth in 2011:

• Healthcare
• Sales
• Information Technology
• Customer Service
• Engineering
• Administrative
• Business Development
• Marketing
• Research/Development
• Accounting/Finance.

In the Capital Region, Moran reports that the trends are very similar when looking at available positions. “One addition in our area which defies national trends – there is good growth in retail positions here in our Region. As well, the expected rebound in construction jobs is much slower and that could be a factor of weather too”.

#Background#

Job postings in the Region are normally in the baseline of 4000 – 4900 on a weekly basis and 7-day rolling average, consistent for this area. Monitoring job postings is a leading indicator of hiring within the following 30-45 days. This methodology is utilized by reading research houses nationally and is employed in the Region by Moran’s firm. For the purpose of reporting, the Region is defined as a 50 mile radius of Albany.

## End##

About Next-Act

Next-Act, a division of DVG, Inc. is a career management & transition firm directed by Dan Moran, the Founder & President of the firm. Moran contributes over thirty years experience in career consulting, business and human resources management. Moran is noted for his expertise in helping today’s “boomers” move on to fulfilling second careers, while helping executives and professionals achieve their career goals. The firm also provides human resources consulting and corporate services to companies. Moran is also a certified facilitator for C.J. Hayden’s Get Clients Now! & Get Hired Now! programs.

For further press information: http://www.next-act.com/press_room.



Dan Moran
President & Founder
Next-Act
Career Management & Transition Specialists
125 Wolf Road, Suite #128
Albany, NY 12205
Office: 518-261-4212
Cell: 518-641-8968
eFax: 586-279-4212
dmoran@next-act.com

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Network ‘Tween the Nachos … Super Sunday it is …

~ Position yourself as a center of influence - the one who knows the movers and shakers. People will respond to that, and you'll soon become what you project. ~
Bob Burg


I will have to admit. I am not a football fan. Never was but love college basketball, baseball and hockey. However, there is one very special Sunday ever year that on some level, everyone is a football fan – Super Bowl Sunday. When else can you eat food that is bad for you, drink beer and know it is your “obligation”?

Everyone gathers for parties – you meet new people, make new friends and your social circle is expanded. You are – yes – networking. This is why I feel that Super Bowl Sunday is the most important networking opportunity you have all year. Where else can you join up with like minded individuals, in a fun setting, devoid of the trappings of a business event and the sliding of business cards to people you may never hear from or see again. The setting is right for good, long standing contacts to be made, if you set your mind to doing so.

I recall a few years back listening to one of my clients tell me about a Super Bowl (SB) gathering she and her husband went to. She was in another room, casually talking to another guest. They realized that they had a common interest. They then agreed to meet for coffee. End game – this new SB friend hooked her up with another person in their company and it lead to a new job. Funny the power of nachos …
So this weekend, Bear and Packer fans alike, have fun – but look for opportunities to meet a new circle of friends and perhaps influencers. See if others who are there may be of help to you; do the same and see if you can help someone else. Make new contacts, follow-up and you may be surprised what can occur.

You never know where the next person you meet can talk you, if you let them. Be open. Be opportunistic. Have fun, and enjoy.

Go (you fill in the blank)!

And thank you for reading this - Dan

Thursday, February 3, 2011

This week's job report - quite a drop - read why!

For Immediate Release
For Information, Dan Moran 518-641-8968

Albany, NY, February 2, 2011

Job Postings Drop 12% in One Week – State Layoff Woes Loom

(Albany, NY, February 2, 2011) – On the heels of the Governor’s announcements of potential state layoffs of 9,000 people, budget cuts affecting education and the healthcare sectors and consolidation of agencies, Capital Region employers reacted as they have in past years when these announcements were made – they paused in posting new jobs and therefore, hiring. “This has been a consistent trend over the past few years when the State employment picture is the source of debate. With close to 24% of the area’s workforce employed in the public sector in some fashion, this is big news and impacts all market segments – including the private sector, education, services, retail, hospitality and more. Employers become concerned over the loss of State business or the impact layoffs will have on the area, and they hold back. We saw this past week, with a 12% drop in one week after weeks of growth – this is concerning, stated Dan Moran, Founder & President of Next-Act (www.next-act.com), a career transition management firm located in Colonie. Moran assists individuals in identifying new careers and also those in the midst of a job search and needing direction. His firm also tracks the job market on a regional and statewide basis.

“Other markets in New York State, with the exception of metro NYC which saw a large decrease as well and is the home to thousands of state workers, actually grew in job postings the past week quite significantly – 10% in some cases , so the impact is significant in the Capital Region. The sooner an overall plan can be hatched in State government, the better. Uncertainty is not what we need now as we climb out of the recession”.

While a smaller market, the Capital Region still outpaces other NYS markets (with the exception of metro NYC). This has been consistent for well over three years.

What a difference a year makes – job market up 47%
While this week’s report is a bit sobering, a year over year review shows that the Capital region’s job market – as measured in jobs postings – was up 47% over January 2010, which is a significant increase and shows that 2011 is probably still shaping up to be a strong year – much stronger than last year when the Region began a slow climb out of an anemic job market at the close of 2009. “ The economist are singing in unison – 2011 will be better than 2010, but don’t expect a sudden explosive growth spurt – it will be consistent and slower through the year”, stated Moran.

#Background#

Job postings in the Region are normally in the baseline of 4000 – 4900 on a weekly basis and 7-day rolling average, consistent for this area. Monitoring job postings is a leading indicator of hiring within the following 30-45 days. This methodology is utilized by reading research houses nationally and is employed in the Region by Moran’s firm. For the purpose of reporting, the Region is defined as a 50 mile radius of Albany.

## End##

About Next-Act

Next-Act, a division of DVG, Inc. is a career management & transition firm directed by Dan Moran, the Founder & President of the firm. Moran contributes over thirty years experience in career consulting, business and human resources management. Moran is noted for his expertise in helping today’s “boomers” move on to fulfilling second careers, while helping executives and professionals achieve their career goals. The firm also provides human resources consulting and corporate services to companies. Moran is also a certified facilitator for C.J. Hayden’s Get Clients Now! & Get Hired Now! programs.

For further press information: http://www.next-act.com/press_room.



Dan Moran
President & Founder
Next-Act
Career Management & Transition Specialists
125 Wolf Road, Suite #128
Albany, NY 12205
Office: 518-261-4212
Cell: 518-641-8968
eFax: 586-279-4212
dmoran@next-act.com