Sunday, December 30, 2012

It’s Pert Near 2013 – You’re Up!

Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” -Maria Robinson

 In a scant number of hours, it will be 2013 (or it may be already - depends upon when you are reading this) – a New Year full of promise, opportunity and challenges – it you are up to them.

 2012  was a tough year for many as we:

 … Tried to figure out where this economy was going, went or what have you.

 .. Wrestled with an unsettled job market very slow in the first half of the year, better in the second half and then the brakes were put on in December with fears of the fiscal cliff and pesky high unemployment.

 … Grieved over and over again as we witnessed shameful and senseless acts of violence killing children and adults alike and shaking our country to its core.

 … Witnessed the impact of mother nature as we rebuilt in our nearby Schoharie County and watched the devastation of Sandy.

 … Said goodbye to family members and notables in our country who left us in 2012.

 Tough. Very tough. Bye bye!

 So how do you start 2013 on a strong note?


Everything I mentioned  was out of our control to a great degree, but we paid for it. I have always been a believer of “Control what you can control; change what you can change. Let the other stuff go”.
 Here are five things you can do, control right now and set you up for a better 2013  before the New Year bell rings:
  •  Set three goals for 2013 – that can measured and have meaning. The key – write them down; set up how you will measure your success. Goals such a Identify my ideal career by 5/31/2012 … Get out of this horrible relationship by 3/15/2013 … Find a new job with purpose by 6/30/2013. Be specific!
  •  Post your goals where they are never out of sight – on your mirror, on your desk, in your car. If out of sight, they will become out of mind.

  • State your intentions to others – your significant other, friends, etc. and ask them to as well, hold you accountable!

  • Live your goals – and your dreams. Never be controlled by another – never!
  •  Celebrate your achievements – achieve a goal – celebrate. Party; buy something for yourself or your family. Remember how it felt – and do it again.

THANK YOU for a wonderful year and for your support in reading my blog ( and telling me about my typos!). May 2013 be your best year –or should I say – may you make 2013 your best year!

 And thank you for reading this. -Dan

 Dan Moran
President & Founder
Next-Act:
Career Management & Transition Specialists
Corporate Management Services
Celebrating 24 years providing career& corporate management services in 2012!
125 Wolf Road, Suite #128
Albany, NY 12205
Phone: 518-641-8968
eFax: 586-279-4212
dmoran@next-act.com
Visit the Assessment Center: next-act.com/assessment-center.cfm
Manage Performance & Achievement: next-act.com/prescriptive-performance-analysis.cfm

Friday, December 28, 2012

Job Market Report 12 28 12

As expected - way down this holiday week ...
_____________________________________________________________________________



For Immediate release

December 26, 2012

Job Postings Plummet During Holiday Week – Fully Expected

(Albany, NY,  December 26, 2012) –  Job postings dropped significantly to just about 1250 from 1700 the week before the effect of the holiday. “The market usually drops as business activity winds down this week and this is likely to continue if history proves me right”, stated Dan Moran, of Next-Act (www.next-act.com), a career transition management firm located in Colonie. “This is a double whammy this year – the holiday week and strong concern over the fiscal cliff crisis that has been keeping the job market very cool

Other markets in NYS reported similar results . The Capital Region continues to still outpace Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse, all larger markets with more employers and population.  

National Job Scene

As of 12/26/12, there were,  on a seven-day-average,  437,495   national job postings, down from 557,000 the week prior showing similar effects.

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. In 2012, his firm will celebrate 24 years in business. 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.com
Career Management & Transition Specialists
Celebrating 24-years of helping others in 2012!
125 Wolf Road, Suite #128
Albany, NY 12205
Office: 518-261-4212
Cell: 518-641-8968
eFax: 586-279-4212


Sunday, December 23, 2012

Give yourself a gift - the gift of permission ... “Dream and give yourself permission to envision a You that you choose to be.” - Joy Page As I write this, it is just a few days before Christmas and we, as a country and society, continue to reel over the tragedy in Newtown, CT that will be forever in our minds. Many say it is hard to be in the spirit of the season given what has happened and I must admit on many occasions I do feel the same. But – we must go on and be examples to those angels and adults who are no longer with us – and to their families. I thought I would share a blog and article I wrote sometime ago which is one of the cornerstones of my practice – giving yourself a gift – the gift of permission to succeed. I hope you enjoy and find the motivation to give yourself the ultimate gift that can define your success for the rest of your life! Happy holidays in whatever manner you celebrate. Be safe and rested and ready to make 2013 roar! Please also remember the souls we have lost and the survivors, first-responders, teachers and community of Newtown. Best, Dan _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ All too often we meet people who have ability, smarts, experience and talent – but they just don’t seem to be able to move forward in their career, or life. They are stuck – stuck for one most important reason – they have failed to give themselves permission to achieve, to do something for themselves, to make a difference in their life. So they remain stuck, but so full of potential. Sometimes it is just accepting – or giving yourself permission – to be imperfect. That imperfect trait should not hold you back, and it can if you let it. Stop sweating the fact that there are many different things you wish were different about your life -- rather focus on what you have to offer and let the other “noise” go. Perhaps it may seem to be selfish to do for yourself. Perhaps there are other needs that appear to be more pressing. Perhaps it is peer or family pressure. Where ever is, – let it loose, and give yourself permission to be what you want to be and do what you want to do, and celebrate every goal on your way. Once you accept this, your whole outlook will change, obstacles will become opportunities, problems will become just new challenges. To be cliché – you will view the glass as half-full, not half-empty. With this new found attitude , set your goals and plan, and celebrate along the way: • Change Your Mindset – Don’t think “oh well, just another interview ..” , rather think “… great, another opportunity to meet someone, learn and impress”. Think “… wow – so many more opportunities” versus“… oh no, more resumes to send and jobs to apply to”. Rather than dread going to a networking opportunity, change your mind to welcoming the opportunity as you may be able to help someone else! • Celebrate Every Goal – Small and Large – Live in the moment and celebrate when you have achieved a goal, no matter what it is. It could be just finishing your To-Do list earlier in the day – go out and do something fun and reward yourself. It could be nailing an interview on your calendar or closing a sales --- or getting through and connecting with someone you have been chasing – celebrate; reward yourself. • Compliment Yourself – If you look in the mirror and like what you see, give yourself a compliment -- a real boost. If you do good for someone, compliment yourself. It is okay to say “Damn ... I am good!” • Commit – to Yourself & Those Around You - Commit to not falling back into the trap of self-denial. It won’t be roses every day, and there will be setbacks. This is when resilience becomes so important. Being resilient will give you the drive to overcome setbacks that may occur along the way. The definition of resilient from Merriam-Webster is telling: re-sil-ent: adverb; capable of withstanding shock without deformation or rupture; tending to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change. Giving yourself the gift of permission will make for a memorable holiday season – for years to come. My best to you at this festive time of the year --- and thank you for reading this. - Dan Dan Moran President & Founder Next-Act: Career Management & Transition Specialists Corporate Management Services Celebrating 24 years providing career & corporate management services in 2012! 125 Wolf Road, Suite #128 Albany, NY 12205 Phone: 518-641-8968 eFax: 586-279-4212 dmoran@next-act.com Visit the Assessment Center: next-act.com/assessment-center.cfm Manage Performance & Achievement: next-act.com/prescriptive-performance-analysis.cfm




“Dream and give yourself permission to envision a You that you choose to be.” - Joy Page


As I write this, it is just a few days before Christmas and we, as a country and society, continue to reel over the tragedy in Newtown, CT that will be forever in our minds. Many say it is hard to be in the spirit of the season given what has happened and I must admit on many occasions I do feel the same. But – we must go on and be examples to those angels and adults who are no longer with us – and to their families. 

I thought I would share a blog and article I wrote sometime ago which is one of the cornerstones of my practice – giving yourself a gift – the gift of permission to succeed. I hope you enjoy and find the motivation to give yourself the ultimate gift that can define your success for the rest of your life!
Happy holidays in whatever manner you celebrate. Be safe and rested and ready to make 2013 roar!
Please also remember the souls we have lost and the survivors, first-responders, teachers and community of Newtown.
Best,
Dan
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
All too often we meet people who have ability, smarts, experience and talent – but they just don’t seem to be able to move forward in their career, or life.  They are stuck – stuck for one most important reason – they have failed to give themselves permission to achieve, to do something for themselves, to make a difference in their life. So they remain stuck, but so full of potential.

Sometimes it is just accepting – or giving yourself permission – to be imperfect.  That imperfect trait should not hold you back, and it can if you let it. Stop sweating the fact that there are many different things you wish were different about your life  -- rather focus on what you have to offer and let the other “noise”  go.

Perhaps it may seem to be selfish to do for yourself. Perhaps there are other needs that appear to be more pressing. Perhaps it is peer or family pressure. Where ever is, Рlet it loose, and give yourself permission to be what you want to be and do what you want to do, and celebrate every goal on your way. Once you accept this, your whole outlook will change, obstacles will become opportunities, problems will become just new challenges. To be clich̩ Рyou will view the glass as half-full, not half-empty.

With this new found attitude , set your goals and plan, and celebrate along the way:

Change Your Mindset – Don’t think “oh well, just another interview ..” , rather think “… great,  another opportunity to meet someone, learn and impress”. Think “… wow – so many more opportunities” versus“… oh no, more resumes to send and jobs to apply to”. Rather than dread going to a networking opportunity, change your mind to welcoming the opportunity as you may be able to help someone else!

Celebrate Every Goal – Small and Large – Live in the moment and celebrate when you have achieved a goal, no matter what it is. It could be just finishing your To-Do list earlier in the day – go out and do something fun and reward yourself.  It could be nailing an interview on your calendar or closing a sales ---  or getting through and connecting with someone you have been chasing – celebrate; reward yourself.

Compliment Yourself – If you look in the mirror and like what you see, give yourself a compliment --  a real boost. If you do good for someone, compliment yourself. It is okay to say “Damn ... I am good!”

Commit – to Yourself & Those Around You -  Commit to not falling back into the trap of self-denial. It won’t be roses every day, and there will be setbacks.  This is when resilience becomes so important.  Being resilient will give you the drive to overcome setbacks that may occur along the way. The definition of resilient from Merriam-Webster is telling: re-sil-ent: adverb; capable of withstanding shock without deformation or rupture; tending to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change.

Giving yourself the gift of permission  will make for a memorable holiday season – for years to come. My best to you at this festive time of the year --- and thank you for reading this. - Dan


Dan Moran
President & Founder
Next-Act:
Career Management & Transition Specialists
Corporate Management Services
Celebrating 24 years providing career & corporate management services in 2012!
125 Wolf Road, Suite #128
Albany, NY 12205
Phone: 518-641-8968
eFax: 586-279-4212
dmoran@next-act.com
Visit the Assessment Center: next-act.com/assessment-center.cfm
Manage Performance & Achievement: next-act.com/prescriptive-performance-analysis.cfm

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Give Thanks ...

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” – John F. Kennedy, 35th President of the United States

We are knee deep in into Holiday season and all its trappings. It is difficult to find a few moments for one’s self with the events, shopping and what have you.

Life is hectic. The demands of one’s job, life and all that revolves around us can be a whirlwind at times. And at times, very nerve wracking and unsettling. I wrote about this quite some time ago and thought, giving the season, that is it time to repeat the important thought of giving thanks.

It is important to stop dead in your tracks – pause, reflect, give thanks and be grateful for what you have and who you know.  It gives a new and fresh perspective.

Perhaps it is the boss you have that you like – sometimes and not others. The special group of co-workers you spend your day with. Your friends and business associates. Great clients. The folks who work in your favorite stores. Your doctor and the medical professionals who work to keep you healthy. The list can go one.

Being recognized with the simple words of “Thank You” can put a shine on someone’s face for weeks, and they will remember that and of course, you. Who do you think about when asked for a referral – the person who was nice to you, grateful and professional – that is who. So yes, it is important on a long-term basis as well.

But where do you start? A few ideas:

• Remember that mentor – the person you go to for advice and feedback with a phone call or personal visit just to say thanks. The person who as a reference for you now or in the past as well – just say thanks.
• Think about the special person who helped you solve a problem at work or at home. Maybe it was advice they gave; maybe an action of some type. It happened in the past – bring it to the present by acknowledging, showing your gratitude and saying thanks.

• Give back to your network of contacts – reach out, say thanks and ask how you can help them. In Harvey Mackay’s book, Dig Your Well Before You Are Thirsty (http://store.harveymackay.com/product_p/48543-3.htm), a highly recommended book on networking, he makes a very strong point: don’t just take from your network of contacts, always see how you can help them and then do so.

• In the hectic world of healthcare, where there never seems to be a break, think about those who help you give care to a patient or attend to a families need. The ones that perhaps are not recognized, or work in the shadows so to speak – but are still ever so important.  Perhaps it is the contact who is helping you along in your healthcare career.

You may send a note, a holiday card, make a quick but impactful phone call or stop by – it doesn’t matter how – just say thanks.

Giving thanks and showing your gratitude will bring rewards back to you as well. You will be remembered and thought of when a new opportunity opens up for a job or in business, community or socially. And – you will feel good too.

That  feel good feeling is truly motivating and will take you to new heights.

And thank you for reading this. - Dan

Dan Moran
President & Founder
Next-Act:
Career Management & Transition Specialists
Corporate Management Services
Celebrating 24 years providing career& corporate management services in 2012!
125 Wolf Road, Suite #128
Albany, NY 12205
Phone: 518-641-8968
eFax: 586-279-4212
dmoran@next-act.com
Visit the Assessment Center: next-act.com/assessment-center.cfm
Manage Performance & Achievement: next-act.com/prescriptive-performance-analysis.cfm

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Job Market report December 12 2012

Caught on the "cliff" ...
_______________________________________



For Immediate release

December 12, 2012

Job Postings Flatten – Likely Fiscal Cliff Effect

(Albany, NY,  December 12, 2012) –  Job postings, after an increase just after Thanksgiving, have flattened out consistent with national reports that employers are holding back on hiring waiting for direction from Washington on the fiscal cliff issue. “We are at a critical moment – employers are holding back on filling immediate positions with approximately 45% stating that they have put a hold on hiring due to the potential impact of the fiscal cliff and as well until employers fully understand the affordable healthcare impact on their businesses”, stated Dan Moran, of Next-Act (www.next-act.com), a career transition management firm located in Colonie.

“This is not what we want to see now and very concerning. There is news of the effect of the Affordable Health Plan surfacing that is very concerning to the small business which can results in fees imposed on employers that are just being revealed. However, to those in the market for a job, you should not put your resume on the shelf – hopefully this is  short term problem so plant your seeds now for the new year – don’t wait!”.

Job postings in the Region were 1577 vs, 1561 the week prior.  “We are rather fortunate however – other markets in NYS were hammered with job activity down 25% plus.  “We still see the strength of our market and all the activity holding us up”. The Capital Region continues to still outpace Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse, all larger markets with more employers and population.  

National Job Scene

As of 12/12/12, there were,  on a seven-day-average,  503. 500  national job postings down slightly from the week before signaling weakness in a time when we should be seeing strong increases.  The top five areas for the most jobs per capita still continue to remain unchanged: San Jose, CA, Washington DC, Boston, MA, Raleigh, NC and Oklahoma City, OK. There is one job posting per unemployed person in each of these markets meaning the market is much less competitive.  

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. In 2012, his firm will celebrate 24 years in business. 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.com
Career Management & Transition Specialists
Celebrating 24-years of helping others in 2012!
125 Wolf Road, Suite #128
Albany, NY 12205
Office: 518-261-4212
Cell: 518-641-8968
eFax: 586-279-4212