What must we do differently?

The news and the debates generated by current events can be pretty defeating.  People losing their jobs, companies filing bankruptcy, outcry over restrictions, food shortages, surging cost of food and more make for a not so encouraging time. 

I have tried, not always successfully, to avoid these discussions.  Sports has always been a refuge for me but following baseball right now is depressing as well due to the strife being caused by the labor negotiations in order to hold a season. 

Today I got lucky and found an inspiring story of how a number of minor league teams are adapting.   You see, they will likely have no season leaving owners with little to do but find ways to adapt and some are doing a great job. 

A minor league team in the Twins organization did an extensive remodel of their clubhouse this past off season.  Stuck with no team to host, they got creative.  In addition to the remodel they decided to add 10 beds and convert the clubhouse to an Airbnb.  For $1500 nightly you can stay at the clubhouse with full use of the facility including batting cages and the field.  What a dream for a family with young children or probably a couple of families.  By the way, they have reservations for every night that they have made this available. 

Another team considered what they could do with their facilities and expertise and realized that on baseball weekends that they served food to over 10,000 people.  They leveraged this and converted their business this season to a take out restaurant with online ordering and delivery of meals to your car in the parking lot.  Business has been robust.

Finally, a third team contracted with the local county to provide meals prepared at the stadium to staff working at drive through Covid19 testing locations.

All of this is a long way to suggest that we can always find ways to succeed.  It may not be the path we intended but we are blessed with the ability to adapt and persevere. 

How to Invest in Outside Skills that Can Get you Hired More Quickly

The following is provided by the MRI Network

If you're on the market for a job and want to boost your skills to get hired more quickly, there are many opportunities available. From going back to school to enrolling in a certificate program via online courses, you can constantly be learning and improving to help yourself standout among what's probably a crowded field of applicants.

According to Forbes, upskilling is a highly important part of your strength as a job candidate. Taking courses and improving your skillsets are one way to accomplish this continuous learning feat.

Why is this the case? "Few people can predict their entire career path. For most, a career is a long and winding road, full of surprising twists and turns, hopefully more positive than negative," according to Forbes. "Upskilling allows employees to gain knowledge in a new arena in which they may excel. This can lead to previously undiscovered talents, passions and, eventually, career paths leading to even more opportunities."

Beyond that, it's important to constantly be learning and improve yourself and your skills because, as Forbes notes, the future is unknown. "Even if an employee loves his or her job, the future is never guaranteed. Industries change, employers are forced to downsize, jobs are replaced by artificial intelligence, etc.," according to the publication "The best way employees can ensure their future is to increase their value to their employer [and other employers] by expanding their knowledge and skillset."

So, what types of specific opportunities are available to learn?

First, you can always consider getting an advanced degree in a part-time capacity. Having an MBA or MA either via an in-person or online program can greatly enhance your marketability during job interviews and even when looking to be promoted at your organization.

In fact, research by Northeastern illustrates just how important degrees beyond a bachelor's can be in today's job market. "More than 16 million Americans--approximately eight percent of the population--have a master's degree, representing a 43 percent increase since 2002. While earning a bachelor's degree used to be enough to establish your career, today this is not the case."

Plus, there's data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics that illustrates this case even more profoundly: 18 percent of all jobs will require a master's degree by 2022.

In addition to more traditional education, you should also consider certificate programs that are available online. For instance, LinkedIn offers courses through their LinkedIn Learning program, which includes thousands of topics taught by leaders in their industries. According to LinkedIn Learning's website, there are over 900 courses in leadership and management topics, over 500 in software development, 400 in business software and more than 650 in data science for you to choose from. Moreover, these courses allow you to earn certificates that you can then add to your LinkedIn profile.

In sum, learning is a huge benefit to your career and your candidacy for a new job in the future. By challenging yourself, you'll unlock even more of your potential - and you'll be an all-star candidate in no-time as a result.

Are you prospecting for gold?

The California Gold Rush took place from 1848-1855 when gold was found at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, CA.  The new gold that was brought to the money supply reinvigorated the American Economy, rapidly accelerated California's path to statehood and dramatically increased the population of the state.   With the COVID19  restrictions on business another gold strike would be a welcomed event.   What are you prepared to do about it?

Most of the people that I provide services for work in Civil Engineering & Environmental Services.  A large percentage of those people are technically inclined, methodical, risk averse and not inclined to be enthusiastic about selling the services of the companies that they work for.  From the period of 2008-2013 we saw that the professionals that flourished during that period were those that found ways to acquire new business from their clients or to sell their company's services to new clients.  We haven't begun to see the fallout from our business closures but it will hit this industry segment pretty dramatically.  As Municipal, County, State and Federal Governments struggle with revenue shortages due to the economic downturn there will be less capital available for infrastructure work like highways, roadways, water treatment plants and more.  Private companies will put expansion plans on hold and land developers will also wait until demand increases before building once again.  Manufacturing will curtail operations leaving less work in the cleanup and/or compliance at their facilities.  Civil Engineers, Geologists and Scientists that provide services to those entities must learn to successfully sell services in order to experience continued income growth and even to remain employed.  Start today by actively discussing issues that are creating problems for your clients.  Look at your company's on call and master service contracts.  Begin to make calls to those clients asking what help that they might need.  You will be surprised that you will start to win new business.  It isn't pleasant,  you will experience rejection, but you have to do it.  Discuss going to client meetings with your boss, attend association meetings (probably by web conference right now), volunteer to participate when your firm is attending pre-bid conferences.  Do everything that you can to help win business.  It will earn recognition, bonuses, promotions, pay increases and help insure that your career continues its' upward trajectory.

Whatever your profession, you will be greatly rewarded by becoming an aggressive advocate and helping your firm to grow their market share.   Now is the time to embrace developing this skill set if you are not already actively selling.

Why would you pass an opportunity to meet an industry leader?

As a recruiter in Civil Engineering and Environmental Services I am accustomed to rejection.  When speaking to those that I hope to recruit the most frequent answer that I encounter is some variation of "I am not looking," or "I am happy where I work."

I understand those sentiments.  We usually establish strong bonds to our companies and coworkers.  In addition,  it takes time that we don't want to invest.  My question is, at what cost to us personally?   Interviews can be a great opportunity to build a new relationship that can lead to future teaming opportunities, a source of referrals and exposure to information and technologies that may not be available within your current sphere of contacts.  There is also the possibility that you may learn that they can provide benefits that your current company may not.

Companies that have an open position and have agreed to retain an Executive Recruiter usually have business pressure that they are looking to alleviate.  They recognize that to continue to deal with that pressure that they will encounter unpleasant things like potentially the loss of a client relationship, excessive overtime costs, costs overruns on projects and more.   For these reasons they will actively attempt to provide a compelling picture as to why you should consider joining them and that may include substantial wage increases, incentives to join their firm, promotions, better benefits, more flexible working arrangements and more.   Yes, I know that you are happy with your current firm but let's be honest with one another, did you know how things would really work out when you joined them?

Change always brings uncertainty.  I understand that better than most and would not encourage you to make a move without properly understanding what is in it for you.  As a matter of fact, when I recruit your for a position, my job doesn't start until you agree to work with me to meet with the company that I am calling on behalf of.  I then need to understand your personal and professional preferences, your strengths and weaknesses and your long and short term goals.  When I initially approach you about considering another firm,  it is as basic as a coffee meeting with a colleague.  Your industry colleague, the person that you are interviewing with, is somebody that you should probably know in your industry, someone that you would benefit from having a relationship with.  The same is true for them in meeting you.  The industry colleague that you are meeting would never expect you to make a change unless you believe that there is a compelling reason to do so.  You see, if they pressure you to make a move that doesn't work out, they have every bit as much risk as you do.

The bottom line is to keep an open mind, make a new contact in your industry and see if that new relationship proves fruitful enough for you to consider collaborating professionally with them at a new firm.  You have noting to lose as you will be making the decisions and at a minimum you will gain a new relationship or perhaps strengthen an existing one.

What are you looking forward to?

Our lives have been impacted in ways that we could have never predicted.  With the changes that we have experienced there is much that I long for.

Since the Covid19 outbreak and shutdown we have only seen our daughter once.  Adele is concerned about spreading the virus to us and has been reluctant to visit or have us visit due to that.  During our 1 visit she insisted on sitting outside to be safe.

Work is almost at a standstill.  My customer base has put most major decisions on  hold leading to a drastic reduction in the sale of the services that I offer.

Our normal routines have been altered tremendously.  My routine included getting up at 5, going to the gym, then to McDonald's to grab a Coke and read quietly before heading off to work for the day.  My gym has closed and restaurants can only serve takeout so that routine has been abandoned.  Unfortunately, so has my exercise routine as I am not great about working out at home and find that I am more disciplined when going to the gym.

Friday night usually includes a stop at the Atascadero Moose Lodge for some drinks with friends and watching a Pirate game on my phone with the other patrons chuckling at the spectacle of me yelling at the phone.  You see, most people here are Dodger or Giant fans but I won't hold that against them.   There are too many advantages to having a local watering hole where you enjoy the company of your friends and the other customers.  I am looking forward to both the Pirates and my Friday night getaway.

Andrea and I usually have a date night on Saturday going to one of a number of local eateries that we enjoy.  That exercise is depressing right now.  We still patronize our favorites and get takeout but listening to the stories of layoffs of staff, the reduction in business and the concerns of the restaurant owners that have become our friends makes the experience not nearly as enjoyable.

We have been very close with our Church family participating actively, but, not during the shutdown.  We enjoyed the camaraderie of attending the Sunday services and the interaction in the community.  Watching our Pastor via Facebook just isn't the same.

In the big picture we are healthy and happy, just feeling disrupted.  Things are beginning to look up as the State of California is beginning to ease restrictions that were unrealistic, summer is nearly here, the weather is great and I am looking forward to smoking chicken, pork and sausage this weekend.  Hopefully Adele joins us, that will make for the perfect day.

I hope this message finds you healthy and happy.  As I move ahead through my day I am trying to keep an attitude of giving thanks rather than focusing on what I miss.   Wish me well!

Dare to be great!

Much has changed in the last 60+ days.  In addition to the health and safety aspects of COVID 19 our lives have been disrupted, our financial stability shaken to its' core and in many places our government has assumed power that was never intended for them to posses.  Entire industries are on the verge of being destroyed and the millions of jobs that they provide along with them.

I would like to believe that as a resilient people that we will rise to overcome this disease, the harm that has been done to our economy and that our liberties will once again be restored.  In addition, I would like to believe that as we have learned new ways of doing many things and that some of this can be turned to create new industries and jobs.  It seems that new protocols are being established for research of infectious disease and the follow up measures including vaccines.  Wouldn't it be great if the same flexibility were extended in the research and treatment of Cancer, Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, MS, Muscular Dystrophy, Heart Disease and more?  I have always believed that American Ingenuity is unduly restrained by regulation and have also believed that as a nation that we are capable of achieving anything that we decide upon.  Growing up in the 1960s I was a witness to the growth our our Space Program with an idea of a trip to the Moon nothing more than a pipe dream in 1958 to an accomplishment of a Moon landing 11 years later. 

As we begin to evolve in our way of life and re-establish our daily routines let's aspire to great things once again!

The Class of 2020

This year's graduating class will have the misfortune of missing out on the Commencement Ceremony and other related festivities.   While I understand the disappointment, this may be a moment that may provide more benefit in learning about life than they may have learned during their time in school.    Life never goes according to plan.   Almost everyone learns that truth as I did soon after graduating high school when the steel industry collapsed, interest rates rose to over 20% and many in my hometown of Pittsburgh were left jobless after decades in the mills.  Shortly after, my father had his 2nd heart attack that left him disabled and ultimately ended his life 14 years later at the age of 69.  As a child I was a regular viewer of Walter Cronkite on CBS and the nightly death toll from Vietnam. My parents lived through the Depression and WWII both losing their mothers as children.  I have seen disease kill and disable millions with the Polio and AIDS Epidemics.  My hope is that our youth never experience these types of horrors but I know that will probably not be the case.

Pretty depressing right?  Well not really.  In addition to these facts is also the fact that the human spirit will always prevail.   In the US we are fortunate to have the freedom to pursue happiness and succeed beyond all dreams.  Need some examples?  Dr. Ben Carson,  Kobe Bryant, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg all come to mind as recent examples.

We are living in unique times but it is no worse than what mankind has struggled with since the beginning of time.  My advise?  Be prepared and get an education in something that has value.  It doesn't need to be a college education but something that pays well and is in high demand.  I would suggest if you do invest in college that it be in a science or technical based field like medicine, engineering, chemistry etc.  Don't want to go to college?  Go to a technical school.  Learn to become a welder, an HVAC Technician, a mechanic, etc. 

In the blink of an eye you will be 60 years old with grown children and wondering where the time went.  Until then make every day count.  Take care of your health, save money, work hard, be a good mother or father and spend time with your family.   Even though you are just beginning your adult life you don't have a minute to waste.  Learn that lesson today.  You will be glad that you did.

Eleven years ago I had the pleasure of celebrating my daughter's graduation.  While you may be having a more muted celebration this year know that your are blessed to live in the US with the opportunities that don't exist elsewhere and that your families, friends, communities and fellow Americans are wishing you blessings, health and happiness.  Congratulations!

How are you adjusting to the "new normal?"

How are you adjusting to the “new normal?”

We have all been affected by the changes brought about by the Covid19 pandemic.  First there was the shutdown, then the reality that we weren't getting back to normal anytime soon,  & now we are all being forced to reevaluate how we will survive the financial turmoil that is likely to follow.  What are your plans?

I'm seeing industries drastically altering their business models.  Restaurants began to capitalize on delivery services, auto dealers offering drop off service for test drives, & auto repair shops picking up vehicles, leaving loaner vehicles & bringing back your car once repaired.  Many grocery services are expanding delivery options and companies are actively promoting safety protocols.  

I recruit for Consulting Firms in Civil Engineering & Environmental Services.  Many of my clients are concerned about reductions in budgets by Government Agencies for Civil Engineering Projects and Private Industry for Environmental Compliance/Cleanup.  One area of opportunity may be for Site Specific Covid19 Related Safety Plans.  

What about your business?  Now is the time to network with industry colleagues, clients, industry experts and more to see what is changing and quickly devise a plan to capitalize.   Don't wait, take action today!!

Change Never Ending

Today I had the pleasure of briefly speaking with a client that I have done business with for 5 years.   Sadly he told me that he recently retired.   I say sadly because we had built a very good relationship & I will miss providing service for him. 

I have a story that I often tell about Jay, a regional leader for a firm that I desired to provide services for.    Jay led their SOCAL group & was the person that I needed to persuade.  For years he hung up on me immediately.    I never stopped & attempted to speak with him several times each year with the same result.  Finally I called & blurted, “You aren’t going to hang up on me are you?”  He asked who was calling and I replied, Tony Ventimiglio & you have hung up on me for years.  Why do you do that?  He chuckled a bit & we had a very nice conversation that led to an agreement to do business & a professional relationship that benefited our companies for years. 

There are some lessons.   First, it’s never over until we quit.   Next is that things change.  Persistence paid off when Jay finally had a business need and I was present.  In addition, I am sure that things have changed again& I that I will have to create a new relationship with his replacement.   I look forward to the challenge!

What I Learned While Getting a Haircut

Last week I had enough and decided that I would wait no longer. The little hair that I have left had become unruly and I was not satisfied with my appearance. There are many things that we can't control about our appearance but good grooming is something that we can.

I made some inquires and was introduced to a barber that is seeing customers. I know, I broke the cardinal rule, but so be it. One of those that I contacted was my barber. No sir, he was sorry but not open. I totally understand and really like him but it did not serve my purposes. I now go to my new barber. Notice that I said "new barber? She made time to see me, practiced safety wearing a mask and gloves, and her place of business was immaculately clean. She is scheduling customers so they don't come to the shop at the same time and is doing a thorough cleaning between customers. In addition, her place of business is more convenient. Now I get that she is not complying with the current orders and I have mixed feelings but......

The moral of the story is that if you aren't taking care of your customers and continuing to pursue prospective customers, somebody else will. Find innovative ways to conduct your business or there won't be business when we "re-open."

Leadership In Action

Earlier this week I had the pleasure of visiting with a good friend that also happens to be the Pastor at my Church.  We spent more than an hour walking, talking & enjoying each other's company.  I first met Randy when we moved to the area nearly 11 years ago.  He was relatively new as the Senior Pastor at the Church we selected.  Our Church had about 50 regular attenders at that time & has now grown to 300+.  I considered that earlier this week & was struck by the magnitude of that accomplishment.  In addition to serving our congregation Randy coaches High School Sports, is the Chaplin for the Local PD and the County Sheriff's Dept., serves in Rotary Club, travels extensively for missions & more.  His example has grown a congregation of the finest group of people that I have been associated with.  Our Church Family does more in the community than I can list in a brief piece and is always proactive to help Church Family & the community.  Randy and many in our congregation ask for little & contribute more than one would think possible.

Leadership is a funny thing.  I was brought up in an era of Vince Lombardi, Chuck Noll and my early mentors were loud, boisterous men that I admired.  My Dad was gruff and said little but demands were high.  I have had the fortune of seeing a different perspective with my friendship with Randy & what he and our Church Family are able to accomplish.   It is truly Leadership in Action.