When I graduated back in the 80’s, I was groomed to dive right into Engineering. I was certainly not a straight-A student, but I took all the college prep type classes and was in the top 25% of my class. So……for any current high school students wondering…..twenty years later, what was the best (most applicable class) that I ever took? You’ll be surprised.

It started in 9th grade when I scheduled a study hall into my day (negative, it wasn’t study hall). After a few minutes of study hall, the toughest meanest teacher in the school (that was his reputation) walked into the study hall. I don’t remember his name, so I’ll call him Mr. Tough. Mr. Tough asked “Is there anybody in here who would like to switch from study hall to keyboarding?” I was sitting with my friend Dave and for some reason unknown to us, we raised our hands and said we’d be interested. Mr. Tough asked “Did you guys take Basic Keyboarding?” We said we took the basic 8 week class in 8th grade. He said that there was actually another 1 year class, but to come on in and he’d get us set up anyways. We were the only volunteers.

Dave and I walked into the class and the first thing we noticed…..there wasn’t another guy in the class. There were about 20 girls all of them sophomores and up. Ok, since this is a clean blog, I’ll just say that thoughts of my yet-to-begin dating status crossed my mind (but that wasn’t why this was the best class). We sat down at the electric typewriter that we were assigned (typewriters back then….not computers). Mr. Tough had everyone turn to the page of some book and begin typing. The room was a buzz with the chatter of 20 girls typing 30 words a minute along with Dave and me barely finding the letters on the keyboard (maybe 5 words a minute). Mr. Tough told us not to worry about it as he would grade us on a separate scale.

As the semester went on, I learned to type faster and faster. Mr. Tough would have us put a piece of paper over the top of our hands so that we couldn’t hunt and peck for the hard symbols like “$” or “&” or “!”. By the end, both of us were topping out at 30 words a minute with perfect accuracy and never looking at the keyboard.

Of all the classes that I completed in high school including calculus, computer programming, English, and history, this one keyboarding class (instead of study hall) started me on my way to typing 60 or 70 words (including #’s and symbols) per minute. Twenty years later, this has paid off handsomely when responding to emails, drafting project charters, and creating presentations. My calculus has long been forgotten. As you can tell by my articles, my English is far from perfect. By typing quickly, I can concentrate on the response or draft and the words just appear on the screen (just like when I write this blog).

If I can make any recommendation to the younger generation, learn to type the “right” way (fingers on the home row I think they call it – basically fingers on ASDF JKL;). You may be able to hunt and peck quickly, but to get to the fastest speeds, you’ll need the solid foundation.

I actually moved after that first semester of my freshman year…..so none of those dating ideas ever materialized….once again verifying that typing was the key benefit.

A side note for all those engineers that are wondering why calculus isn’t tops on my list, I eventually switched to computer science and then again into product development. I do think that math and computer science have taught me how to quickly learn and problem solve, but the linkage is a bit more vague.

For those of us who travel, work from multiple offices, or work from home, there are several critical weapons for productivity. Certainly, you need to have a laptop and a strong cell phone signal. Those are just minimum requirements for business.

If you spend any amount of time on the phone, then you are most likely aware of the Bluetooth capability. In case, you aren’t….just look around at all the people that seemingly are walking around talking to themselves and have a strange contraption on their ear (like a big bulky hearing aid). I tried that little single ear gadget and found that road-noise and co-workers talking was too distracting in the ear that didn’t have the gadget. Basically, the mixing inputs didn’t allow me to operate at 100% efficiency. However, about 2 years ago, I spent the best $80-$90 ever. I bought the Motorola H 98689 T820 Bluetooth Stereo Headset (Black). Essentially, they are just an extension of my cell phone minus the wires to each ear. I bought mine from buy.com and at the time there didn’t seem to be many choices.

Since I spend many hours a day on conference calls, if this device was anything less than perfect, it would eventually end up in storage (the back of my desk drawer). However, the battery life allows me to use them all day long (I just plug in the charger each night). Though there is no visible microphone wrapped around, I have never had anyone say they can’t hear me. Also, there is a volume control, so that I can crank up the sound if there is someone speak softly on the conference call. I don’t think I could ever go back to using a cell phone for any more than 10 minutes without these headphones.

The only downside is that I don’t believe these portray the “cool” look. They just look like you are walking around with a pair of headphones listening to music. One of my co-workers said that I had the “Princess Leia” look. Like I had a bun on each ear.
Princess Leia “Bun” Look
I just pulled these up on Amazon and shockingly you can still buy the same version that I have. It is down to $39.99. With over 200 reviews, it is getting 3.5 stars out of 5 which surprised me. I looked at some of the reasons that people didn’t like these and there are comments about not being comfortable when running, someone else had the earpad come off, and someone said they had a small head so they were uncomfortable. I can only speak from my experience that I’ve had these things for years and would give them 5 stars. However, I’m using them for work and while driving, as opposed to jogging or anything like that.

As an add-on suggestion, my wife bought me an iPod adapter that broadcasts the signal to Bluetooth. It connected easily with the HT820’s and I just play my music to the headphones. If a call comes in, I hear an alert signal. When I answer the cellphone, it automatically pauses the music and puts the voice through. Pretty neat product integration. There probably are all kinds of devices, but the one she gave me is the Sony Bluetooth Wireless Transmitter for iPod (White)($42.89 and 4.5 stars out of 5 after 12 reviews).

If your spouse spends a lot of time on conference calls (especially while traveling), get them an HT820 from Motorola. Throw in the iPod Transmitter if they use the iPod as well. For a total of $85, I believe they will really appreciate it (unless they have a small head or something).

Though this sounds kind “sale” oriented, I don’t work for Motorola, Apple, or Sony. I just found these products (especially the headphones) valuable enough to repeat to any friends or family looking for gifts. Believe me, I have many more stories of poor experiences….but am somewhat hesitant to post those kinds of things.

As I’ve researched different styles of blogs and content, just wanted to let all my friends and family know of an excellent blog with great money saving tips. Check out getrichslowly.org

I think the author started blogging on the side and eventually became a full-time blogger. When you were in high school, I bet your guidance counselor never suggested blogging as a career.

On the getrichslowly.org website, he did an article on the Getting Things Done book and provides some great templates (and I just copied mine out of the book). Here is a link to his article.

If you’ve ever thought blogging was just a goofy hobby (kind of what I always thought), check out his website’s progression over 3 years. I can see why he has over 70,000 subscribers. I’ll just state that Getting Rich shouldn’t be your primary goal in life….but being financially secure (via career, budgeting, being frugal, investing) can certainly support more important goals such as family, giving to charity (helping others), and having a positive impact on the world around you.

I hope I’m allowed to provide links to other people’s blogs.

A few weeks ago I wrote an article called Overwhelmed with Stuff about a great book called Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen. There is a key workflow diagram that summarizes the process on page 36. I find this amazing, but this book as of right this second (7:45 PM EST on a Friday night) ranks #61 in all of Amazon sales. The book came out 6 years ago. Wouldn’t you think more recent books would have passed it up?

After some research to find a nice electronic copy that I could print (rather than make a photocopy), I found a few great sites that explain the whole process (kind of the Cliff notes version….but I still recommend you own the book).

First, there is a great article (more in-depth than mine) at the Get Rich Slowly blog.

Within the article there are two printable summary sheets. Check them out.

I’m also anxiously awaiting my order for Allen’s latest book.

The Amazon reviewers haven’t been terribly kind to his latest with it averaging 3.5 stars after 6 reviews. However, the original book has a solid 4.5 stars after 484 reviews.

As I sit at a McDonalds writing this (while “watching” my children), I can’t help but see the groupings of tomorrow’s corporate future. With ten to twelve children running, climbing, screaming, and occasionally crying, I can see a corporate parallel.

If you ever watch the kids at these Play Places, there are not necessarily twelve kids running in separate directions. There are groups that move together. Typically, one kid (usually a little older but not always) is the leader. He or she will have some followers. The group will move somewhat cohesively up the stairs, down the slides, and into the formerly dreaded (now ball-less) ball-pit until running into another obstacle. Obstacles consists of two possibilities, either the lone child (usually a 2 year old that can barely make it up the stairs but is afraid to try the catwalk) or another group where leaders run into each other head-to-head.

In sense, the same thing happens in corporate America. There are groups (sometimes cross-functional) within an organization. They move nimbly through various tasks and projects until running into obstacles. Obstacles could be a lone opponent (or technological issue) or more likely another group seeking a different objective yet competing for the same resources. One group will subside or be forced to subside and let the other group pass.

The next thing I notice is that each child checks with their parent every little bit. My kids yell “Hey Dad….Look at Me!!!” or “Can I get another ice cream now?”. The amount of independence varies from child to child. Some kids check in every trip down the slide….then catch up with their group. Others just yell from two stories up (which is a bit annoying).

This same thing happens in corporate America. Individuals and teams check in with higher ups or executive sponsors. Sometimes, they are shouting from the top-of-the-world, “Look what I (or we) have done!!!”. Other times, they are asking for more resources (money or people).

Bullies and Baggage……As I look up at this specific play place, I see two teen boys that are climbing amongst the children. There should be a specific rule. If you are old enough to have facial hair, you should not be climbing with preschoolers. I don’t sense any ill intent…..it just seems a bit strange. Another type I see is the child that is a “bully” or bully wannabe. They tell other kids to get out of the way…..unless they run into one of these teenagers where they quickly say “Excuse Me”. Baggage are the poor little ones that get hung up on the platforms unable to climb any higher and afraid to drop down to the next lower platform. They scream and their parents come to the netting (or sometimes climb in) and instruct/help them out of the situation.

Are there people in areas they shouldn’t be in corporate America? Are there bullies? Are there baggage? Of course there are. Part of learning an organization is learning how to get things down…..when to bully things through and when to ask for help….and trying to avoid becoming the baggage.

Need to run…..my kids are demanding resources and their executive sponsor is being bullied.

I’ve read many Business and Organization books. Several are must-reads which I will cover at some point. However, in the past few years, there is one that I find fantastic for techniques on organizing all the incoming stressors of life. This includes work, family, volunteer, personal interest, and any other kind of activity that you can think of.

The book is called Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity
by David Allen

As I’ve experimented with different techniques for productivity (mostly at work), I’ve sometimes kept up and other times fallen behind. Like most of you, when you have everything organized and your in-box empty, there is an incredible feeling of control and quick response to the next thing coming. However, if your inbox holds 100’s of emails and your voicemail is full, there is a feeling of being overwhelmed.

Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity provides a system for handling the multitude of requests/questions/action items coming into your life. If you complete two key objectives, you can focus on the task at hand (without constantly thinking of something else that you should be doing). That focus is critical for being critical and effective. The two objectives are capturing all the things that need to be done and discipling yourself to make front-end decisions about the next steps for those things. David Allen provides a small chart (I have it taped on my laptop and in my cubicle) that takes “stuff” into various buckets such as Projects, Waiting, Calendar, Next Actions, Trash, Someday, and Reference.

Most business books I read and highlight once. Maybe later I review my highlights. This book is one of the few that I’ve read a few times over and actually made a short document of my summary notes that I print and review. I can also absolutely attest to the fact that when I follow the techniques provided, my productivity is optimal. When I’ve fallen out of using these techniques, my productivity suffers (so I try to always keep up on it).

As I was preparing to write this quick review, I checked David Allen’s website www.davidco.com and his other books. He is coming out with a new book next week which I just pre-ordered. It’s called Making It All Work: Winning at the Game of Work and Business of Life. I can’t recommend this one yet…until after I have read and applied it….

I’m a person that always checks the Amazon bestseller list and reviews. Getting Things Done has 480 reviews and is rated 4.5 stars out of 5. Even though it came out in 2002, it is actually ranked #95 in book sales at this very moment which is kind of hard to believe. It’s $9.43 (for a new book) at the moment…. I know it’s almost Christmas, but snag this book and read it or give it to your overwhelmed spouse as a gift. One of the best times to get organized is in the downtime between Christmas and New Years.

If you know of other books that are even better, let me know.

Back in 2001, I was a recruiter (headhunter) working for a large company in Portland, Maine. Though I didn’t stay in the industry long, I learned much about finding a job and what goes on behind the scenes. My experience was with large companies which is where a recruiting firm would seek business.

If you are looking for a job, here is the best way to get in the door (strictly my opinion and experience). With many people looking for jobs (like 2001), every job posting will receive many resumes (I’d get 100’s for a position). There is no possible way that an HR person or recruiter can go through 100’s. They all start looking the same (what’s the difference between a 3.62 GPA and a 3.75 GPA really? Or 12 years experience vs 15 years experience?). Also, if there are 100 resumes for a position, what are the odds that your resume is the best? Probably not likely unless you went to Harvard, graduated with a 4.0, have 20 years experience, and will work for nothing. You need to differentiate yourself.

You need to be aggressive. After sending your resume via email (a token step), you need to do some research on the company (maybe 30-60 minutes worth). You just need to know some basics. What business are they in? Making computers, selling Bananas, or insurance. You need to know if they just filed for bankruptcy or laid off 1000 people (and haven’t refreshed their job board). Figure out some intelligent questions that you’d like to ask about the position. Things like which software development software do they use or do they track inventory via FIFO or LIFO (specific to your field of expertise).

Here is where aggressiveness starts (and you differentiate yourself and you leave 95% of the other applicants in the dust). Call the company. Ask to speak to the hiring manager. If you get the general switchboard, just ask for someone in IT or Sales or Finance (or whatever your field is). You may not get the right person the first time, but you’ll usually get someone. Explain that you’ve posted for a job in whichever field and you are looking for the hiring manager. Many times the person that you are speaking with will know (or at least get you closer to the right person….remember six degrees of separation). If you reach a dead end, call again and restart the process. How bad do you really want the job? These are techniques that recruiters use to find jobs for the people they represent.

When you finally reach the hiring manager, you need to explain that you have applied for the job via the correct process, but have some questions you’d like to ask to make sure it is the right job for you. Ask if the person has time for you to stop in and do an informational interview (maybe just 30 minutes). If so, set it up. If not, can you schedule 30 minutes over the phone. In person is the highly preferable way. Ask for their email address, so you can send your latest resume (chances are they haven’t received it from HR yet).

What have you done? You’ve established yourself as a go-getter. As a recruiter, I would receive 100’s of resumes…..and follow-up calls from less than 5% of the people. Many times, when someone called, I’d have no idea who they were (never even seen their resume or didn’t remember it). I’d have them send it immediately and that person (even if their resume was average) would leave a positive impression on me. I’m talking about a few calls to find the right person and differentiate yourself from the rest of the job hunters.

This technique will not overcome poor interviewing skills or a sloppy resume. If you find yourself under or over qualified for a position in the informational interview (your interviewer will probably feel the same way), go ahead and just say so. Ask if there is another more appropriate position for you in the company.