We enter the workplace for many reasons but we all desire the same result, a Return on our Workplace Investment.  What is the investment?  Why are we making the investment?  How do we earn our return?  We have created a unique workshop titled Workplace ROI that will lead to an understanding of the responsibilities that come with a position in the workplace.  In a 90-minute session we take the audience through a 10-point discussion, the result of which instills understanding, inspiration, and knowledge about the workplace and their role in it.  Workplace ROI produces a better informed employee who is ready to capitalize on his investment, and the workshop produces an employer who appreciates the role of his employee from a more enlightened perspective.  Call 888-881-1660 or e-mail training@outfluence.com to protect your investment – today!

I decided to attend the family church service on Christmas Eve.  Kay was singing with the choir, so I sat alone and observed while also participating. During her message, the Pastor invited the kids to join her at the altar.  Pastor taught them the meaning of Christmas, gave them each a special ornament that contained symbols of the message.  She asked the kids to share with their parents what she taught them, at the end of the day when all of the presents had been opened and all of the food had been enjoyed.  

The youth choir sang a few songs.  They were adorable, of course, and did a great job.  Then they returned to their seats to be with their families.  But I thought it was great at the end of the service, when the adult choir sang the final Christmas Carol, one of the kids ran up to her mother, a member of the adult choir, to sing with her.  Soon, about a dozen more kids, robes flowing, ran up to join the choir.  Spontaneous memory-makers like that are what help to make Christmas extra-special.

In the “Gathering Area” outside the “Great Hall” cookies and drinks were available for the congregants.  As I watched the people gathering and greeting one another, I thought of the Christmas Cantata Kay and I attended a week earlier.  The Cantata featured a small choir of 10 voices, accompanied by an orchestra of less than 10 members.  It was very nicely done and very much representative of small town America.  If you are familiar with the old Andy of Mayberry television series, the scene reminded me of the town concerts the good people of Mayberry used to put on.  It was quaint, with a few missed notes here and there, a mixture of young musicians and seasoned musicians, but as meaningful as any concert delivered in any great hall anywhere in the world.

Christmas is the time of year when being others-focused takes center stage.  We sing for others, we bake for others, we build things for others, we pray for others, we travel to visit others, we donate to causes, we serve others.  Why are we so intensely others-focused for Christmas?  Because it makes us feel good.  And because we know it makes others happy.  It’s a simple life here in small town America.  Merry Christmas.

Among life’s little challenges is getting, and keeping, a job.    

In Workplace ROI, we coach people to view employment as an investment.  People enter the workplace for many reasons but we all desire the same result:  a return on our workplace investment.  What is the investment?  Why do we want to make the investment?  How do we earn our return?  The answers to these questions are found in the 10 lessons that comprise Workplace ROI. 

Three of the 10 lessons are:

• Faith
• Delayed Gratification
• Do the right thing

Faith – The employer and the employee come together trusting that each will honor their commitments.  The employer is responsible for the success of the new employee and the employer is responsible for the success of every other employee in the company.  The employer is also responsible to the achievement of the mission of the company, which may occasionally in the short term be antithetical to the success of the employee.  The employee has a role to play in the overall success of the company.  The employee likely will not always be included in decisions that will impact the employee’s job in the company.  Therefore, the employee will have to demonstrate faith in the company’s leadership.  Faith will often rest on observation, interpretation, and awareness by the employee of the actions of the employer.  Misunderstanding of actions can lead to lack of faith and ultimately to the demise of the employer/employee relationship.  Faith is a silent activity reliant on one’s ability to accurately interpret the 70% of communication that is conducted in silence. 

Delayed Gratification  -  According to WebMD, “Researchers from Yale University looked at why there is a connection between delayed gratification and intelligence, concluding it has to do with a particular part of the brain, the anterior prefrontal cortex. This part of the brain helps people to manage complex problems and deal with simultaneous goals, leading to better self-control. The study has been published in Psychological Science.”  The ability to forego something desired today for something better tomorrow is the definition of delayed gratification.  In the workplace self-control, and patience, are virtues that are vital to attaining a return on investment.

Do the right thing – We have certainly seen plenty of examples of the opposite behavior in the workplace.  Specific companies such as Tyco, Enron, WorldCom, and Wall Street banks and investment firms as well as religious institutions and government institutions have all failed to do the right thing in recent years.  What is “the right thing?”  The right thing is behavior and it is determined by values, work ethic, awareness, and courage. 

Your career success, your financial rewards, your family stability, the quality of your life experience is dependent on your knowledge of Workplace ROI.    

South River High School in Edgewater, Maryland will kick-off its Signature program on February 13, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. at the school.  The South River Signature, as selected by the students and the community, is Global Communications and Public Affairs.  Outfluence has been a consultant to the program.

An author described this scene as she departed a social event at the Tower of London:  “As I walked down the winding stairs of the Tower, I realized that I was the last person to leave.  It was very quiet except for my footsteps.  As I rounded the staircase I came upon a small window.  The bright face of the moon lit the steps before me.  Suddenly it occurred to me that centuries ago another person traversing the same steps as I saw the same view that I was enjoying tonight.  I felt that I was in the presence of the past.”

Tomorrow, Kay and I will join a group of educators and business leaders who seek to illuminate career steps for high school students.  Our goal is to make learning exciting for the students and, most importantly, focused in career paths the students have identified for themselves. 

The particular students we will be planning for tomorrow are interested in communications.  The Outfluence team has developed several specific programs for the students and will add more.  Today’s students are already global communicators, thanks to technology.  Now they are interested in learning the finer points of communication, face-to-face and silent communication. 

The exciting part of the programs we are developing is that following a bit of coaching, the programs will be student-driven.  Students don’t only want to learn how; they want to know why, and they want to be hands-on learners.  Leaders of the school systems in America and beyond recognize the need to improve the quality of communication at all levels.  The Outfluence programs not only teach the “how” to improve the quality of communication but we teach the “why.”  Today’s students want focus.  They want to learn tangible skills that they can apply in the workplace. 

Years from today the students-turned-adults will be able to revisit their steps and see “the same view” that they saw when they were in high school.  They will see teenagers following the same path to better communication as they learned.  They will be in the “presence of the past” enjoying a view they helped to create.

What do you say when you aren’t even talking? You might be surprised. 

The way you act, look, sound, dress and even move tells people more about you than words ever could. If you are like most people, your silent message changes depending on who is “listening”. The difference between getting ahead and falling behind is often not just how much you know. 

Your success often depends on how you speak without saying a word! 

Because you have faster ways to connect and more information available, you make decisions at the speed of light. So do other people you’ll meet, as you start to get out on your own. 

The tips below will set you apart from the crowd, and give you a head-start. See how many of these you already know. Pay attention to other people—see if they use these ideas, or if they don’t—and also see how Silent Marketing works all the time, either for or against you. 

1. Quality Eye Contact: “I can tell if someone is lying to me when they won’t look me in the eye.” Have you ever heard that? Making eye contact for three seconds when you are introduced tells the other person I am honest. I want to get to know you. You can trust me. I have confidence. Remember, though, strong eye contact beyond three seconds can be threatening, and will make the other person uncomfortable. 

2. Smile: “She lights up the room when she smiles.” Do you know someone like that? Have you ever heard anyone say that about you? Smiles make someone approachable, and it puts you in control. It’s easier to start a conversation with a smile—it helps the other person relax. 

3. Handshake: Ever shake hands with someone with sweaty hands or boneless fingers? Is that a good memory? If not, leave people with a better impression of yourself than that. A firm—not hand-breaking—handshake shows that you have confidence in yourself, and consider yourself an equal. 

4. Equal Treatment: if you’ve ever been treated unfairly because of your age, you know how it feels to be seen as less important. Make sure you treat everyone you meet equally; you never know who might be able to help you later. 

5. Words: the language you use says more about you than you think. Save the slang for your friends; people rate your intelligence by your vocabulary. Words are tools; use them the right way and they’ll help you. Use them the wrong way, and you could get hurt. 

6. Read: “Knowledge is power.” Every time you open a book, you open your mind. Do it for yourself; what you read becomes yours. You’ll sound smarter, because you are smarter. 

7. Be the solution, not the problem: Kids are better at finding solutions than adults, because they have fresh ideas. Instead of looking at how bad the problem is, flip it and find an answer; one no one else has thought of before. If it’s a big problem, find other people who want an answer too. If you start looking at possibilities, the problems vanish. There are always options. The best new solutions will come from kids your age. 

8. Inspire your performance: inspiration means “to breathe in”, or give something life. It makes you reach a little higher, try a little harder. Other people are watching you, waiting for you to take the lead—because they are scared. When we see someone else working hard for a goal, it wakes something up in all of us. 

9. Take measured chances: Risk. Nothing happens without some level of it; you have to decide if the reward is worth the potential cost. Healthy risk doesn’t put you in danger, but it does make you step out and take a chance. No one grows without pushing their own boundaries a little. 

10. Listen more; speak less: it’s been proven that you can’t hear someone else when you are speaking. Don’t be afraid of silence; it can be a great teacher. When you speak, ask yourself first, “What does this add to the conversation?” Ask more questions than you give answers. Try to understand someone else first and you will be better understood. 

11. Make mistakes, and own them: just like with risk, no one grows or learns without making mistakes. The key is to admit your mistakes and don’t blame someone else. It’s hard to do—but it shows more character than trying to shift responsibility. It might be hard in the short term, but in the long run, it’s the best thing to do. 

12. Write well: once it’s in print, it’s eternal. With the internet, something you write can be reposted a world away with the click of a mouse. If you use chat or instant messages, you know you use chat-speak; but in the real world, that will work against you. Take time to make sure what you write is clear; that the words are spelled correctly, and used in the right way. Just like “Words” category: people make decisions about how smart you are by how you use words, written as well as spoken. 

Also, make sure you don’t put anything in print you wouldn’t want your grandmother to read. 

13. Honor promises: if you say it, then do it. One broken promise can take a hundred kept ones to fix. Be careful not to promise something unless you are sure you can deliver. 

14. Dress the part: you know sloppy sweats are ok for hanging with your friends; they don’t work for the workplace. Find out what the dress code is, and follow it. If you have a question about whether something is appropriate before you walk out the door, it probably isn’t. Own at least two good changes of business clothing for interviews and meetings. 

15. Think before you speak: give at least two seconds of air between the other person’s last words, and your first ones. That’s two deep breaths. Use that time—or more—to carefully put your words together. You can’t take back a comment once it’s past your lips—the time to stop it might be before it starts. 

16. Control emotions: decisions made when you are angry or hurt are usually not good ones, because they aren’t made by logic. Anyone who can push your buttons actually has control over you. Remember, “No one can get your goat if they don’t know where it’s tied.” By showing that you are in control of disappointment, frustration or anger, you show that you are in control of yourself. 

17. Speak with dignity: yelling, cursing, bullying or threatening are all signs of bad self esteem; these things push people away instead of pulling them in. The calmest people are seen to be the strongest, because they have inner power. Respect is earned when it is given, even if you disagree with the person talking to you. Remember the words of the song, “No matter what they took from me, they couldn’t take away my dignity.”  You own it. It belongs to you, and it can never be taken away unless you give it away. 

18. Compliment sincerely and often: everyone needs to be told they are doing a good job. People will remember you longer by the way you make them feel, not by the things you tell them about yourself. By lifting people up, you automatically will be lifted with them. Keep it real. A genuine compliment is worth more than money. 

19. Pick up the pace: high energy is contagious. Walk faster, get your blood moving, and join the dance. Watch people go by; the ones with their heads up and purpose in their step are going places. 

20. Courtesy: today’s fast-paced, instant gratification, in-your-face-lifestyle makes it hard to remember simple good manners. Please and thank-you; holding doors open for someone, listening to a speaker instead of talking in a meeting—all of these show courtesy. Show respect and it will come back to you, many times over. People notice and it matters!

If you liked these ideas, you might want to purchase few copies of this inexpensive booklet sure to enhance any teen’s life:  RoCOMM,  Real WOrld COMMunication for Teens.

The economy is getting slightly better.  Job opportunities are opening up a bit.  Here is the first in a series of Weekly Pearls that we published several months ago.  We called the series The Job Seeker. 

Laura Bristow, Director of Education at The Medix School, said this about our e-book, Outfuence for Job Seekers, “Outfluence for Job Seekers is a good handbook for anyone contemplating a job change or who is already engaged in the job search process.  Job Seekers highlights aspects of job hunting that you don’t usually think about, which I find very valuable.  The book offers a number of creative communication techniques to consider.”

 The Job Seeker

 Today is a great day to look for a job!  Here’s what you do:  put on a conservative, professional-looking set of clothing, shine up your shoes, and head out to a coffee shop or a mall area where you know local businesspersons frequent.  Get yourself a cup of your favorite morning beverage.  Sit down amongst the folks and begin to meet people.  As you are standing in line waiting to place or receive your order, be sure to strike up a conversation with someone near you.  Be confident, friendly, complimentary, and most importantly be yourself.  Don’t be loud.  Always be respectful.  Listen more than you talk.  Make good eye contact.  Don’t be afraid to smile. 

You don’t want to be too aggressive.  You don’t want to appear desperate.  You just want to get to know people.  When you meet someone you really like and you determine that they come into the establishment often, make sure you return at the same time on future days.  Get to know them better.  Over time you will get comfortable enough to begin talking about opportunities.  It won’t take long.

Of course, if you meet someone with whom you connect right away don’t hesitate to ask if there are employment opportunities where they work, or in their company if you discover that you are speaking to the owner.  Company owners are always searching for people who are:

• energetic,
• self-starters,
• good communicators,
• flexible,
• and team players. 

You want to display these qualities.  These are all qualities that you can communicate silently.  You can find more information about silent communication in this website.

As a job seeker you have to find ways to differentiate yourself from the crowded playing field of job seekers.  I’ve told you what employers are looking for and I have told you where to get information about differentiating yourself.  If you need coaching, our Outfluence coaches can help you in person, over the phone, or via e-mail.  The cost is minimal; the result is the job-seeker’s edge.  Call  Al directly at 410-365-0742 for more information. 

Every day needs to be inspired, and you are the only one who can inspire your day today.  Go out and inspire today by helping someone, meeting someone, or doing something special that will move you closer to your goals.

Al Betz is one of several local businesspersons consulting with South River High School in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.  The consulting assignment is focused on providing students with the skills and the tools to be successful in the 21st Century.  A Signature is a theme chosen by a school and its surrounding community to connect classroom instruction with real-world situations and workforce-relevant skills.  The Signature selected for South River High School is Global Communications and Public Affairs.  The students have expressed a particular interest in learning about the soft skills which are often not a part of today’s school curriculum.  Outfluence, LLC will offer the students programs in Constant  Messaging®, Silent Communication, and Inspired Performance, each components of soft communication skills.

Al and Kay Betz have been named, along with Silicon Valley entrepreneur and author Robert J. Sherwood, Julie Ziglar, daughter of famed motivational speaker Zig Ziglar, and others, to the founding Board of Advisors of the United States of America Blended Family Association.  The mission of the Association is to unite, to serve, and to advocate for blended families living in the United States.  Outfluence, LLC is also a corporate partner of the USA BFA.  Additional information about the Association can be found at www.USABFA.com.

365 Thank Yous is the name of the book.  The back cover describes it as an “inspiring, true story about how a simple, old-fashioned act – writing thank-you notes – led a hopeless, angry, middle-aged man out of despair and into a wonderful life.”  The author began to put others first in his life and found joy in sharing, and receiving, gratitude. 

Putting others first does not mean sacrificing one’s own dreams and desires.  In the Outfluence vernacular putting others first means to be aware of the needs of the other living things in your life and to act thoughtfully toward them.

A Baltimore radio icon is most likely celebrating his final Thanksgiving with his family this week.  He is battling an insidious form of cancer.  He has received hundreds, maybe thousands, of “thank you” notes  from his listeners.  As he said, “I don’t fear death.  I’m just not ready to go yet.”  Imagine, though, how wonderful the feeling of knowing the impact he has had on so many lives.

A community of rabid college football fans discovers evil in the program.  One of their revered coaches has been accused of molesting young boys, possibly for decades.  No one in the college community stood up for the boys, despite having knowledge of the evil preying on them.  Finally, someone did speak out and started a torrent of activity in support of the boys.  Investigations are under way, jobs have been terminated, people have been arrested.  But good is winning out over evil as at least one nonprofit organization forms and raises hundreds of thousands of dollars in its first few weeks in support of programs to assist victims of molestation.  Others have created programs of awareness.  Others still are speaking out about child abuse and delivering the silent message to the boys that your community cares and wants to do something to rid itself and the world of this evil.  We all say to the courageous leaders who are stepping forward to respond to evil:   thank you.

A high school administrator told me this week that she wants business leaders to ignite the desire to learn and to make learning even more exciting for her students than it already is.  Students want to see a path to their future or they will drop out of school.  This school administrator is coordinating a county-wide innovative program whose goal is to connect classroom instruction with real-world situations and workforce-relevant skills.  There is a lot to be thankful for in this community . . . thoughtful administrators, teachers, parents, business leaders, and students.      

Thanksgiving 2011 comes at a time of great turmoil and change in all of our lives, yet we still have much to be thankful for.  It’s comforting to see people remembering old friends, fighting for goodness, and moving forward.  To all I say thank you, and Happy Thanksgiving.