Transforming Your Technical Skills

Transforming Your Technical Skills Transforming Your Technical Skills Transforming Your Technical Skills ASME recently released a new book, Thriving in the 21st Century Economy, on how technical professionals can transform their skills in a global economy. This 183-page book is perfect for early career engineers to help them develop a logical approach towards a successful career.This book is very timely for understanding the link between education and employment in a binary economy. The authors provide a lucid framework for technical professionals to become T-shaped systems thinkers, who can get in-depth as well as work on a wider bandwidth, as required, Dr. James C. Spohrer, Director, IBM University Programs World-Wide (IBM UP), Innovation Champion, IBM Almaden Research Center, San Jose, CA, USAWhat you will not find in the book is how to find a job, how to improve your resume or how to ace an interview. It talks about using all of your professional skills that you may have acquired starting from your high school experience. Its about collating all the knowledge obtained in your work experience making you relevant and valuable that is in turn rewarding.It cleverly points out that, although you may have learned project management, spent time developing strategies and guided by your manager, you are responsible for your career long-term growth and advancement. In a recent National Academy of Engineering survey, four out five engineers believe that employers should have a responsibility to ensure continuous education for their engineers. In reality, self-help is best and technical professions should take ownership of their future in a strategic way just as business and corporations rely on strategy for long-term success.The authors start with the premise that the 21st century technical professional should not merely respond to the request of services. Instead, identify a need, describe it as an opportunity with a solution, develop the complete solution, implement it, and make sure the outcomes are impactful and realized.The evolution of new business models has introduced a landscape of binary organizations one that is relentlessly focused on creating new solutions, putting solutions into practice as soon as possible and the other engaged in constant replicate for known solutions. The demand for advanced technical skills has also evolved.The multilayered organizations of the past (where New Solution creation and replication were part of a continuum) are giving way to two sets of flat organizations that have fewer levels of hierarchy. Since these organizations have few layers, and their structure is binary, the career path for 21st century professionals is no longer a well-established progression within a company. Doing your job well in one company and growing with the company, or staying put in one place for lifelong employment, are no longer the options. Instead, professionals have to be more nimble and entrepreneurial They will be rewarded for the identification, development, and implementation of a constant stream of New Solutions.These parallel sets of organizations are also globalemployers will be using resources from across the globe as well as serving customers worldwide. In the past, technical professionals could focus on the structure, alignment, and organization of resources readily available through their employers. These employers also relied heavily on their long-term resourcesexperienced technical professionalsto create such structure and resources inside the company. With their access to global resources, employers now have multiple pathways to access and create resource structures across the globe. This implies that technical professionals will also require dual strategies They have to use the employer-provided structures and organizational resources, and also create their own network and resources from global sourcesThe authors see the binary nature of employment and the demand for either well-qualifie d technical professionals who can create New Solutions, or for low-skilled, low-wage technicians who work in highly structured and standardized assignments focusing on replicating those solutions. This evolution in the binary nature of employment is widespread.Check Out Chapter 1Pre-Order your copy today Chapters in this book will titelbild the concept of a Binary Economy, Tools necessary for Sustainable Jobs and Careers, Skills to Identify and Foster New Solutions, Knowledge Integration, Achieving the Maximum Impact Across the Globe, and Stakeholder Roles.About AuthorsDr. K. (Subbu) Subramanian, President of STIMS Institute Inc., a Knowledge Integration company. After obtaining his Sc.D. from MIT, Dr. Subramanian has pursued a career in industry. Dr. Subramanian has worked for more than 34 years in various positions in the industrial sector.Professor U. Srinivasa Rangan, Lukic Chair, Professorship in Strategy and Global Studies at Babson College, Wellesley, MA, got his doctorate fr om Harvard Business School. His teaching, consulting, and research focus on competitive strategy, globalization, and alliances.

How writing changed my life and career

How writing changed my life and careerHow writing changed my life and careerIve been making a living as a writer for three years now. But Ive been writing since I was 16. That means I didnt get any visible benefits from it for years.Why did I still continue writing all those years?Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreIts therapeuticWe all drive urselves crazy with excessive thinking at times. But when you put your thoughts into words, they become less scary. When you write down what scares you, you will automatically work on a solution. Sometimes the solution is acceptance. But you need to write those things down first.It improves your self-disciplineLiving a life of pleasure is simple. Everyone can Netflix and chill. Its easy to hang out all the time. But those easy things will not give you inner satisfaction. The reason that we dont do anything useful with our precious time is that we lack self-discipline. But when you write every day, you strengthen your discipline.You can use that better self-discipline to achieve virtually anything in life.You become a better persuaderWriting is nothing more than persuading the reader with words. But your tools are limited- you can only use words to tell a story. And when you write for yourself, youre trying to convince yourself of your own thoughts. So the more you write, the better you become at persuasion.You improve your self-knowledgeNothing will help you to get to know yourself more than translating your thoughts into words. When you force yourself to write every day, you automatically become more aware of your thoughts.And self-awareness is one of the most important skills that predict career success.It helps you to make better decisionsToo often, we do something without fully understanding why we do it. Think about it. How often do you answer I dont know when someone asks you Why did you do that? Thats the sign of weak thinking. Sure, we dont know everything. But we must be aware of that too. And when you write about your decision-making process, you will automatically become more aware of the why.I can see the benefits. But how did those things improve your career?Here you goWhen I was at University,I nailed all my papers and essays. And by the time I had to write my Masters thesis, I was already a pro. While my fellow students were procrastinating and sometimes took a full year to write their thesis, I finished mine in 4 months.When I wanted to get a job,I was invited to interview for almost every job I applied to. I wrote persuasive cover letters that recruiters could not resist.When I worked in sales,I was the top performing salesperson in the first year. All my sales were the result of my ability to write good pitch emails.When I started my business,I quickly formulated the mission and vision of the company. That helped us to identify our clients and serve them better.When I started my b log,I wrote more than100 articlesin my first year. That helped me to reach 2 million people in less than a year. Without a doubt, the ability to share my ideas with you is the thing I appreciate the most.When I started offering online courses,I made six figures in my second year because of my ability to write quality course material. And I could communicate the benefits of the courses in an effective way.There are way more successful writers than me. Look, you can do these things too. Maybe youre already doing great in your career. Or maybe you want to improve it, change careers, start a business, make more money, etc.It doesnt matter who you are or where you are in your career. Writing is one of the few skills in life that everyone can benefit from. Im not quick to make such a statement. And you cant say that about many other things life.How do I get started?Here are 7 tips that can help you with thatSet a goalWhy do you want to write? Pick a specific goal. Improve self-discipline? Become a better persuader? Turn it into a career? Write a book? Get clear on why you want to write.Read studydeparture by stealing other peoples writing styles.Its a strategy I learned from Austin Kleon.Stealing is an effective way to develop your own style. Plus, when you can steal ideas, you can never use the excuse of I dont have any inspiration. But take the craft of writing seriously. Study it as much as you can byreading booksand taking courses/workshops.Set a daily reminder to writeNothing is more important to a writer than having a routine. First, think about what time is the best for you to write. In the morning or evening? Before/after the kids are awake? Then, set a daily reminder on your phone- when it goes off, sit down and write.Pick an app that makes it easyDepending on your goal, pick software that makes it easy. To write a book, I prefer Word. I use Day One for journaling. And I use Ulysses to write my articles. No need to overcomplicate things. But makes sure you pick a specific app that you dedicate to a specific goal.Take notes throughout the dayIf you run into a good idea while youre at the supermarket, make a note of it. From now on, youre a writer. And everything that happens in your life is material. So make sure you capture everything.Set the bar lowYour goal is to write onlyone true sentence. Just one. The beauty of that goal is that the first sentence that comes up in your mind is always the truest of them all. So never say that your writing sucks. Avoid aiming for setting goals like, I want to write 1000 words a day. Thats too absolute. Instead, strive for writing one sentence. Then, keep going.Remove distractionsAll you want is 30 minutes of undisturbed time. Thats all. So turn your phone indo not disturb mode, turn off your wifi, and start writing. You dont need to do more research. Onlywrite.Often, people give advice like, Just get started And theres truth in that. Starting is important.But heres the thing Everyone can write fo r a day- or two, or three. But there are very few people who write consistently for years. But you need to write for a long time to see the actual benefits.So dont just get started. Keep going.This article originally appeared on Darius Foroux.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Tips for Women for Choosing the Right Business Attire

Tips for Women for Choosing the Right Business AttireTips for Women for Choosing the Right Business AttireWorking from home has many advantages including the ability to attend conference calls in your sweats and send emails at 2 a.m. while in pajamas. But at some point, you will most likely have meetings with clients, investors, donors, or other geschftlicher umgang professionals and you will have to dress like a grownup. Competing in small business requires many important skills, and knowing how to dress for a business situation is one of those essential skills. Overdressing can be seen as trying too hard (and construed as unprofessional), while under-dressing will appear as though you do not care about getting the job. The right attitude, combined with the right attire, can help you seal the deal in face-to-face situations. Dont Be a Showoff In many industries how you dress is critical. For example, if you design and sell clothing to womens specialty stores, showing up wearing something from your product line may sound like a good idea, but the wrong outfit will cost you the contract. It is better to bring product samples than to serve as a model for your clothing line. Your attire should not upstage an event or the person you are meeting with. You want to be remembered for your business sense and not for your lacy top or stilettos. Accessories should also be kept modest and tasteful, so keep the Rolex at home. International Standard Business Attire The voreingestellt suit mucksmuschenstill has a strong place in the professional world. Tailored dresses, as well as skirts with a blouse and jacket, can also serve as standard business attire for women. Standard business attire is more polished and professional-looking than casual dress. When in doubt, stick with standard business attire. Business Casual The term business casual means different things to different companies. In some companies, it may be acceptable for women to wear capri pants or long shirts- but avoid unterstellung for formal business dealings. You want to project an image that you are a serious businesswoman- not a mom coming from your childs play date or a single woman coming from the gym. How to Dress for Business Success For business meetings and events, women should consider the following guidelines for business attire Wear Tailored Clothing Tailored clothing always looks better. It pays to invest in just a few high-quality outfits that are interchangeable than in several poor quality outfits.Color and Patterns Conservative colors and fabrics remain a standard in business attire for women. Wear dark gray or navy pants and suits. Women can also wear black if the clothing is professional. Cocktail dresses are not appropriate for business meetings.Avoid Color and Pattern Extremes You want to make a statement about your business, not a personal statement expressing your passion for purple polka dots. Plaids and subtle patterns that appear solid from across a room are conservative and safest. Wide stripes and fabrics with high sheen are too distracting for business meetings. Pants and Suits Pants are fine, but stick to tailored pants with a crease. Khaki, twill, and corduroy are good fabric choices for business casual but stay away from denim and heavy cotton materials. Pants and suits made from wool and wool blends are good standard business attire and work for all seasons. Try to avoid synthetic fabrics like rayon and polyester blends which lack quality and can wrinkle. Make sure pants are clean, pressed, and wrinkle-free. The hem should cover the ankle but not drape to the floor. Even if you have a lovely figure, stay away from pants that are too tight. Skirts and Dresses The right color and material are important, but the right length is critical. If you sit in a chair and exposure too much thigh with your legs crossed (or uncrossed), the outfit is too short. If your skirt has a slit, it should be small, centered in the back, and no higher than the back of your knee. High slits in skirts are never appropriate. A slit should not impair mobility (such as walking and climbing stairs). If you cannot walk comfortably in a skirt, it is too small or too tight. Shirts and Sweaters The first rule is, dont show cleavage. Blouses should be tailored and coordinate with the rest of your outfit. Fine-gauge knit shells are fine but make sure the top is not see-through or too form-fitting.Bras and Panties Undergarments should support your figure and not show through clothing. If your panty line shows through, that means your clothing is too tight.Shoes Closed-toed pumps in a color that compliments your outfit are best. Do not wear chunky heels, flat soled-shoes, stilettos, or shoes with too much height. It is important to wear shoes that fit well so you can walk comfortably. Try and select a shoe color that coordinates with the color of your purse. If youre uncertain about how to dress for a meeting, you should treat all f ace-to-face business contact as you would a job interview. Dress appropriately, in standard business attire. And, if you are invited to a business social event, it is acceptable to ask what the dress code is.