Reinke Faces Life

http://www.jimmyr.com/blog/Online_Education_Free_201_2006.php

Is it the piece of paper or the wisdow that you want? If paper, skip this. If wisdom, here’s free dikw for you.

This reminds me of the Sultan’s Dowry problem.

http://mathworld.wolfram.com/SultansDowryProblem.html

***Begin Quote***

A sultan has granted a commoner a chance to marry one of his n daughters. The commoner will be presented with the daughters one at a time and, when each daughter is presented, the commoner will be told the daughter’s dowry (which is fixed in advance). Upon being presented with a daughter, the commoner must immediately decide whether to accept or reject her (he is not allowed to return to a previously rejected daughter). However, the sultan will allow the marriage to take place only if the commoner picks the daughter with the overall highest dowry. Then what is the commoner’s best strategy, assuming he knows nothing about the distribution of dowries (Mosteller 1987)?

***AND***

The problem is most commonly stated with n==100 daughters, which gives the result that the commoner should wait until he has seen 37 of the daughters, then pick the first daughter with a dowry that is bigger than any preceding one. With this strategy, his odds of choosing the daughter with the highest dowry are surprisingly high: about 37.10% (B. Elbows; Honsberger 1979, pp. 104-110, Mosteller 1987; Havil 2003, p. 136). As the number of daughters increases, this tends towards 1/e approx 36.787…%  (Sloane’s A068985).

***End Quote***

The best thumbnail answer is to listen to about a third and then take the next one that exceeds the highest you’ve heard so far. Not a perfect answer but surprisingly it gets the nod about a third of the time.

So to, the seeker, with an offer in hand, will rarely get a second one to weigh against the offer in hand.

As the inveterate tinkerer, I have some wisdom (I hope it’s wisdom and not barbara striesand) to offer:

(1) I evaluate offers on: (a) actual dollars, (b) commute, (c) “feel”, (d) potential earnings, (e) “potential opportunity”, and (f) “durability”. Being a mathematical kinda fellow, I have established “minimally acceptable” criteria in each dimension.

(2) One dimension doesn’t get to “trump” another dimension. Twice as much money with an arduous commute is not a good trade. I’ve done it I know.

(3) So as not to be labeled “job hopper”, I have to be able to keep the job for at least a year. That looks like two on a resume. That’s durability!

My policy is to take the first offer over the minimum in these six dimensions.

FWIW YMMV
Fjohn

… alwaysbe “findable”.

In my mind, that means never using your employer’s email address in your networking activities. (I have gmail invites if you need them!)

So, that means you shouldn’t use an email you don’t control for networking sites like LinkedIn and Plaxo.

So, that means that you should join and use address synchronization sites like Plaxo.

So, that means you should track and measure the responsiveness of the people in your address book.

IMHO

I have lots of projects and processes that could be worked on endlessly. Looking for fellow alums, networking with LinkedIn, vampiring web data bases. Each of those worked on alone could absorb all the time. It’s not about perfection; it’s about a vast space that can possibly ever be covered. Argh. What happens when there are multiple of those.

I think the trick is to IDENTIFY those black holes of time. Then allocate some amount of time to be spent on that project or process.

In my mind, a project is a series of discrete steps that eventually complete. A process is a series of steps that you wish to perform each time. They are much alike hence confusion. So a project with a huge problem space (i.e., vampire an alumni database of all ~7k records) could be a time hole. So could a process of connect with every new fellow employee (an MSFT Exchange GAL).

Having accepted that there is no possibility of perfection, no possibility of completion, one must be satisfied with just good enough within limits of time available.

An email from a former colleague:
> Curious – do you still have that card scanner device? I was
> just wondering if there is some way to scan my card and
> insert it as a digital picture into Email communications
> for more effective networking, etc.

Sure, still capture every card I get my hands on.

Send one of yours and I’ll scan it for you.

I think the thing still sells for ~200$ I may have a coupon for the new one if you’re interested.

Effective networking? I’m not sure that will make a big deal.

I find that a web page, a blog, using Plaxo, using LinkedIn, and attaching a vcard to message might all be better, more effective, things to do to get networking.

I have a lot of stuff available thru my web site http://reinke.cc and my “I’m not a Nigerian spammer” page http://home.comcast.net/~v2y2r0n27rhj6y/My_generic_survival_pack.htm always get raves.

FJohnR
The Big Turkey

===

p.s.: Offer good to all my favorite turkeys

I’m adding a movie to my turkey watch list!

Last Holiday with Queen Latifa

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/10004662-last_holiday/
Queen Latifah communicates a life-affirming spirit. This joins my list as something that a seeker can take a moral from and use. That message can motivate the seeker into action on what Covery calls “the things that matter most” which should never bump “the things that matter least”. While not as good as “Rudy” or “It’s a wonderful life”, it does communicate an important message.

… … on my blog here. You can Google them, (and just them, thus avoiding all the ranting and raving on various topics), by feeding google “linkedin site:reinkefj.wordpress.com”.

The wordpress gurus told me this one. Didn’t want anyone to think I was smart enough to figure it out myself. Sigh!

I don’t understand baby turkeys. I usually stress “getting connected”. That is a triple cocktail of LinkedIn, Plaxo, and webpage. LinkedIn and Plaxo should be self-explanatory. Once you have a webpage with your own name on it, it’s not long (usually a few hours to at most a few days) before the vacuum cleaner search engines come in, suck it up, and index it. Everybody is worried about “privacy”. Now don’t get me wrong, I am NOT suggesting that one post your SSN on the web or even your real email address. But heck, if you want to be found by a recruiter of any ilk, you have to try a little. Like that joke about “hlep me out here. buy  a ticket”. Arghhh!

http://home.comcast.net/~v2y2r0n27rhj6y/My_generic_survival_pack.htm

http://www.ziggs.com/reg/member/Bio.aspx?uid=17380

Here’s another site, sort of like LinkedIn, that can help you be find-able?

You DO have a formal agenda prepared. Don’t you?

Here’s mine:

CEO overview of the past month, plan versus actual for the quarter in key metrics (i.e., financial, aged contacts, and new trends), and plan for the next month.

CFO will reveiw money, capital, burn rate, and trends.

CIO will review tech projects versus plan, backlogs, and resources.

CMO will review the marketing effort. Dashboard items are: job ads reviewed, submitted on, conversations held.

By then, I have usually expended my hour allocated with these fine people.

(For those of you who are not in on my psychosis, these are my imaginary friends.)

http://tinyurl.com/fmwmm

People Who Drive Silver or Blue Cars Should NOT Read This
by Brian W. Vaszily for http://www.SixWise.com

***Begin Quote***

A “granfalloon” — a term coined by author Kurt Vonnegut in his novel Cat’s Cradle — is a group of two or more people who feel a bond because they share some circumstance that, beneath it all, has little to no real significance. Vonnegut’s shorter definition is “a proud and meaningless association of human beings.”

So, for example, they may feel kinship simply because their first and last names start with the same letters, or they were born in the same state, or they use the same brand of cell phone service … or they drive the same color cars and trucks.

Like the rest of us, you have probably been in many granfalloons – whether long-term or momentarily, you have felt a bond with others just because they shared something with you that, upon even a bit of reflection, you’d realize is actually quite insignificant and doesn’t make for a real connection.

Perhaps one of the most immediately recognizable examples (unless you believe strongly in astrology) is the excited bond you feel with someone when you learn they share your birthday. Wow, cool! But … so what.

Point is, because humans are social beings, it is natural to bond, even if the points that connect you are arbitrary or flat-out worthless and the bond is only fleeting.

As with all the most effective marketing tricks, granfalloon tactics prey on this fundamental human need. They manipulate you into feeling part of a group — centered of course around their product, service, political party, or idea — in order to obtain your allegiance and your money.

***End Quote***

I first read this in the Wall Street Journal’s National Business Employment Weekly.

Since I was out at the time with nothing to lose, I created several granfaloon groups. Same last name, same first name, same middle name, same brith state, same birth year, I forget the others, but I remember I figured out 10.

As an injineer, I need measurements to make me feel like I wasn’t just guessing. So, I also created five control groups of ten people who had nothing I could use as a ganfaloon “hook”. I set the minimum group size as 10; the largest same middle name had about 30.

I USMAILed ALL the people a virtually identical requested for help with my networking profile. The granfaloons had about a 25% response rate; the control had less than 5%.

If you can create a connection, even it is as shallow as “middle name”, you’ll get a chance to let people help you.

p.s., I never had anyone say “you have to be kidding”. Let’s have a contest here about who can come up with the most outrageous fraternal group. You have my entries above!

BUT THE QUESTIONS ARE INTERESTING!

What is your favorite quote and what does it mean to you?

Can you name a couple of organizations that you belong to?

What is your favorite book and why?

Can you name one person who has single handedly influenced you most?

Can you name one event that has single handedly influenced you most?

If there was one person, alive or dead, that you could spend a day with, who would it be? Why?

Can you name the greatest risk you’ve taken that resulted in failure?

What was your most difficult decision in the last year and what made it so difficult?

If you had the opportunity to start your own company what would it be?

What is your favorite color and what do you think it reflects in your personality?

What is your favorite hobby or past time?

Do you have a ‘good luck’ charm? What is it and why is it so special to you?

If you could see into the future or travel backward in time, which would you choose? Why?

In high school, what was your favorite subject and why?

Who or what do you aspire to and why?

Can you name one accomplishment in your life most people might not know about?

Who would you name as the most influential person of mankind up-to-date?

If you could be anything else, what would you be and why?

What was your very first job experience and how did it affect you?

Do you think that you are successful?

Can you name one long-term goal of yours?

If you could give the world one piece of advice, what would it be?

Can you name two aspects of your career that you are most passionate about?

If you could see yourself ten years in the future, what would you be doing?

Can you describe your most significant on the job success in the last five years?

When did you first realize what you wanted to do for a career?

Do you love what you do? Why?

Despite your success, what do you still find difficult in your career?

If you could go back in time, would you do anything differently?

What was the most important decision you have ever made in regards to your career?

Realism is essential in the seeking process.

In my mind, peddling is peddling. You need to “feature” the sales closed. I would think that the “bigness” of the deal is less important as the “length of the tail”. If you can take a “small” deal and demo how “long” it can pay off, I would think that play in Wall Street technology selling. Value that long tail higher than quick hits.

Most of the sales resumes I see emphasize size and quantity of sales aot the value of the tail. When some have followed my advice on the “tail” strategy, they have seen better “pickup”.

I’d think that “sales” is hard to sell.

On the other hand, the sales process is probably just second nature to you salesy types.

Interesting to me that most of the “sales types” that I’ve advised have a hard time applying to themselves as a “product”, “sales person”, and “sales manager”.

Maybe that’s why they wind up talking to me. (“Are you talking to me?” You must really need amateur help!)

The other thing that I always suggest is what I call “bottom fishing”. In the technology sector, I urge seekers not to prematurely just opptys as “too big” (i.e., bigger scope than they feel they can do), “too small” (i.e., smaller scope than they are looking for), “too high” (i.e., level is more than two steps higher than where they currently are), or “too low” (i.e., two levels below where they are today). Learn where you can supply value. Don’t assume!
Even the full-time part-time distinction can cloud the eyes. I know a few tech consultants who have five or ten part-time gigs that build to a lucrative “full time position”.

But I guess you guys don’t need me teaching “keeping eye open and mind alert to signals”.

http://tinyurl.com/ltyuo

***Begin Quote***

>> Are you a W-2 or 1099 Person?

always tell people there are 2 types of workers in the world. Now I dislike putting people into categories (then why now you ask). I just have seen too many of the 2 types and not many of anything that could be a third type. But you will be surprised as to which type I think the majority in.
***End Quote***

I’m a w2! I was trained to be a W2. And, then the rules changed. Arghh!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5128604.stm

Ants ‘use an internal pedometer’
By Rebecca Morelle
Science reporter, BBC News
***Begin Quote***

Desert ants use an internal “pedometer” to measure exact marching distances, according to a study.

***End Quote***

Us turkeys can use an “internal pedometer” to measure our job search steps. That’s the essence of the sales funnel. Do you truly believe that there are a finite number of “no”s that you HAVE to hear to get to hear that one “YES”? If so, then you must have a roadmap to direct you along the way. Otherwise, you’ll be lost in the job search desert. The foraging ants can do it. Why not you? Wouldn’t it be important to know where you have been so you don’t waste time retracing your steps? Wouldn’t be satisfying to know that you have an organized approach that is as efficient as possible? And, I’d like to know how long your journey was.

Perhaps, I have made a mistake. Well, maybe not a mistake, maybe I am advancing to a new level of thinking a la Enstein's quote, "We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them."

I was always pleased with my Outlook structure. I used different email addresses for different purposes. But now I see that the result sometimes is a little muddy. Perhaps, it would be better if certain "inboxes" represented People Gobs. For example all my alum stuff comes in on one email account, networking people on their dedicated accounts, but what about differentiating between strata in that mass of people.

Have to think about that some more?

… … is to get someone, anyone, to talk to you.

In working with a turkey, a colleague, and a friend, they all make the same mistake. They create their sales document from their perspective.

If you start from a Unique Value Equation that you want to sell, then you have to create an ad (i.e., a sales document, which could be a cover letter and or a resume).

Then, the problems start!

Let's begin with the "Objective" section. While I personally think having the word their is redundant, some people like it for "balance". So you can have at a minimum: Objective, Career, and Education. You can have other section as you need them.

You have 15 seconds to induce the reader to read on. So people start rambling on about their objectives. Hey, get a clue. NO ONE CARES ABOUT YOUR OBJECTIVES! The reader cares about their objectives. And, how you are going to solve their problems. So the advertiser, and that's what you are, has to write an "objective" that will fulfill a reader's needs. Your objective is to solve their problem. Any objective that starts with "I" is wrong! It has to start with a "you". Here's one "we" just wrote:

“Delight Customers! Increase everyone’s satisfaction. Improve quality. Motivate a service team in a technical environment.”

How's that? Never once mentioned the word eye! If you had such a problem, would you read further?

Now in considering your 15 seconds of fame, why does everyone INSIST on making the Name Block a huge work of art? 16 point Arrial Dark, with an address, three phone numbers, four email address and two web page addresses. AND a partridge in a pear tree.

Let's assume that you didn't know any better and you put the name block on one line in two point font. You meant 24 but your finger slipped and you didn't notice it. I assert that if you have a compelling resume, the hunter will get a magnifying glass, everyone in the office, and three strangers on the street to find out how to contact you. That will not be a problem. If you are the answer to their prayers, then they will find you. They will make a telemarketer look like a quitter.

The name block imho should be there, because everyone expects it to be there. It should be in point size slightly smaller or the same size as the "objective". Why? Cause we want the reader to spend those precious 15 seconds on your "objective" statement of their needs; not learning that you live in Kalamazoo and AOL is your isp.

This is a pet peeve of mine.

That an one font family with no more than three different sizes. Left justified. Simple bullets.

IMHO YMMV FWIW

Turkey College
Introduction to Being A Turkey
A twelve week methodical overview of Turkey-ism

The course is intended to help turkeys (i.e., recently unemployed) with their thinking? It moves the new turkey from self-pity, depression, self-doubt, stupidity, blindness, and hubris to where they can embrace their inner turkey. By the end of the course, the emerging turkey will be able to: (1) Recognize their starting point, their progress, and what is left to learn. (2) Express their status as a turkey, not from a loser's pov, but from being a worthwhile and productive member of the turkey fraternity. (3) Demonstrate their value: in an elevator introduction, a two minute "tell me all about yourself" spiel, in a value proposition, in a sales document, in an interview, and in helping others. (4) Perhaps, have a new job.

• Week 01: Establishing rapport
• Week 02: Do you really really want help
• Week 03: Process & funnel (Turkey processing plant)
• Week 04: What do you want? (Requiron)
• Week 05: What can you do? (Value Equations)
• Week 06: What can I sell (UVEs 2 USPs)
• Week 07: How do I market a USP? (Sources of leads)
• Week 08: Conversation starters (covers and resumes)
• Week 09: Measuring results (Fill the funnel)
• Week 10: Networking (It ain't what you think!)
• Week 11: Interviewing (Use Role play)
• Week 12: Evaluating Offers ("yes, but")
• Week 13: Wisdom (Knowing what you don't know!)

This formalizes a FREE service offering by The Big Turkey himself. Currently, the course has 4 seats free. Ping the The Big Turkey for current availability or wait listing.

Danger Quicksand
by David St. Lawrence

I'm adding it to my required reading list at my "Turkey College". 

http://www.webpronews.com/blogtalk/blogtalk/wpn-58-20060609YourAttentionPlease.html

***Begin Quote***

He also argued the "brand promise" change that is occurring:
Old brand promise: "We have a great product," or "We are a great vendor"
New brand promise: "I know you, better than anyone else. You can trust me, and us."
***End Quote***

Interesting how the 'new brand promise' fits with the turkey is trying project to their new employer! 

Suggestions For LinkedIn:

When signing up for LinkedIn, the two MOST important thing that you will do, that you can change later, is to pick a email address to be used and your Name for LinkedIn purposes.

Choose an email address that you can NOT possible ever lose access to. Never ever use your current employer's. Stuff (i.e., firing, layoffs, bankruptcies, mergers, system changes) happens! Never use an ISPs; they change to. At best, get your own domain and use its email. You do have your own domain don't you. Mine forwards "literally anything you put here @ reinke.cc" to me! :-) At least, get a gmail free mail account. That email address you chose will be critical to people finding you.

Choose a name for LinkedIn purposes that you can live with for a long time. I suggest getting your email address in your name so that people can contact you directly without relying on the LinkedIn mickey mouse pass a note system. Put your email address as part of your FIRST name. Try to figure out how to do it without the at sign. Sooner or later, the LinkedIn folks are going to figure out why more people are NOT paying to connect.

Write your short description with your email repeated in it. When people search for others and the result is outside their "network", either too far away or not path exists, it only shows the description. If your email is in the description, they can reach you outside of LinkedIn.

Use a dedicated personal email that you can know that an inbound email comes from a LinkedIn buddy. If you use Outlook, set up a rule that alerts and flags such an email. Pay attention to this "channel" of email. It could be your lottery ticket to a new opportunity. I try to respond to every message within one business day. If you fill your inbox with crud, guarantee you'll miss one. I know I have.

Don't put your email address in front of your last name. It then sorts funny, looks "dumb", and people can't find "REINKE" in the R's. It's about being "findable". Staying logical is important.

Fill out the LinkedIn stuff as completely as you can. It helps to make you "memorable". No sense doing anything half way. A job, education, experience, or interest might make some say "Ah Ha!" and that's the effect you want to achieve.

Write endorsements of your contacts WHEN they do the LinkedIn version of the Vulcan Mind Meld with you. Take the time to figure out something that is both truthful and lauditory. Perhaps, they'll do the same for you. Don't ask. That comes off as desperate and cheap!

Measure how often you interact with your LinkedIn connections. (I use average days since last contact!) Use the new Google spreadsheet, you learn, and and at the same time have something novel to chat about in an interview. If you ask nice, I'll share mine with you.

Interact with every contact on a regular interval. I use 90 days. I want to have some MEANINGFUL interaction with each and every LinkedIn contact once per quarter. Note:"Tag, you're it" does NOT qualify.

Remember networking is not about having a grazillion LinkedIn connects that you can NOT even remember any connection with old so and so. Some people are very happy about having 500, 1000, or one fellow that has 8k+! "Scalp hunting" is not networking imho. Networking, even LinkedIn networking, is about having an ONGOING conversation!!

Take the time to load ALL your email contacts into LinkedIn as other colleagues. Then, when one of your contacts joins you'll know, and be able to connect. It's surprising how many connects you can "freshen up" into an conversational status.

Those are my suggestions. Please share yours with me. I'm still learning.

FjohnR
The Big Turkey

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060609/ap_on_fe_st/cat_scares_bear;_ylt=AsAXykSUlgd9JbTaW7C_ipLtiBIF;_ylu=X3oDMTA0cDJlYmhvBHNlYwM-

***Begin Quote***

Jack the cat chases black bear up tree

WEST MILFORD, N.J. – A black bear picked the wrong New Jersey yard for a jaunt earlier this week, running into a territorial tabby who ran the furry beast up a tree — twice.

Jack, a 15-pound orange-and-white cat, keeps a close vigil on his property, chasing small animals when he can, but his owners and neighbors say his latest escapade was surprising.

***End Quote***

Would that I had the pluck of Jack the cat. We all should take the lesson of this particular pair of the Intelligent Designer's creatures. You are what you think! Think you're a giant, you are. Think you're weak, you are. Bluster, like a poker bluff, is good until called.