Tag Archives: Goals

By Nancy Mann Jackson

Last month, more than 165,500 people were laid off in the United States, according to a report released last week by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Many of those job losses were part of mass layoffs; some 391 mass layoff events were reported in the manufacturing sector alone. A look at national headlines shows that layoffs continue and aren’t expected to slow down anytime soon.

If you are (or suspect you might become) one of the unlucky laid-off American workers, it might be a good time to consider diversifying your income sources. In her book, One Person/Multiple Careers, Marci Alboher popularized the term “slasher” for those who can’t answer the question “What do you do?” with a single word or phrase. For the book, she interviewed hundreds of people pursuing multiple careers simultaneously, from lawyer/chefs to surgeon/playwrights and mom/CEOs, and found that many of today’s most fulfilling lives are the ones filled with slashes.

While some people prefer “slashing” to maintain control of their own work lives and keep things interesting, others resort to working in various jobs out of necessity. Even if slashing isn’t your first choice for a career, now might be a good time to open your mind to the possibilities. Here are five ideas to help you start the process of finding your own potential slash career:

1. Write thank you notes. When dealing with a layoff, gratitude may not come naturally. But Alboher says it’s a good time to send handwritten thank you notes to the people who have helped you in your career thus far. You never know; touching base with supportive people from your past may spark ideas of your own or inspire them to call you up with a new opportunity.

2. Mine your passions. Have you always dreamed of being a chef? Doing stand-up comedy? Owning a bookstore? If you have a nagging dream that just won’t go away, now is a good time to pursue it. Even if you don’t launch a full-time business, consider taking a part-time position that would get you closer to your ultimate goal. When a new job opportunity arises, you’ll be a slasher.

3. Take a course. Money may be tight, but you have lots of time on your hands. Why not splurge for a community college class on photography, cooking, writing, speaking, music or some other topic in which you’re interested? Get to know your instructor and brainstorm ideas to make money with your new skill. Maybe you could bake and sell cakes for children’s birthday parties, perform at a neighborhood club, or sell your photos on a stock photography website.

4. Leave your job on good terms. If you suspect you may be laid off, don’t leave in a huff. Instead, “continue to do good work, and touch base with those in the senior ranks who may be able to give you some insights about what is going on,” writes Alboher in the New York Times. Making positive connections with superiors may keep you on their minds if they ever need a consultant with your skill set.

5. Fulfill a need. Is there a product or service you wish you could purchase but isn’t available? Maybe you want organic dog food you can afford, or an easy way to change the oil in your car on your own. If so, chances are other people share your desire for this product or service. So why not figure out how to make or provide it, and you’ve got yourself a side business.

The Glassdoor Team is a small yet seasoned group of individuals looking to provide greater transparency into one of the most important aspects of our lives – our jobs. Contributions to the blog are designed to present a unique perspective on current events, offer commentary on the inside workings on specific jobs at a multitude of companies, and provide details on the latest happenings from within Glassdoor.

Nancy Mann Jackson is an award-winning journalist and corporate communicator who writes regularly about small business, parenting and workplace issues. Since 2001, she has worked as a freelance writer and has written hundreds of articles for publications including Working Mother, CNNMoney.com, Entrepreneur.com, MyBusiness and dozens of others. She also writes and edits annual reports, blogs, and newsletters for companies in industries including finance, technology and construction. Nancy is also a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors.

Goals are set to encourage you to stretch beyond what is within your easy reach.  One large caution for Sales Managers this year: do not allow your team to use 2009 as a benchmark for 2010’s achievement.  As a Sales Manager, now is the time to recreate the vision.  Now is the time to redefine success from a clean slate.  The most successful sales professionals have heard the mantra, “Belief, Action, Results, and Motivation.”  Now is the time to readdress this mantra as you adjust expectation. 

Belief:

Your sales representatives need to believe that the goals they have set are achievable.  Typically, your team’s perspective on what is “achievable” is undoubtedly skewed.  Your challenge will be to identify the number or the correct criteria that defines success for this year.  Once you find that goal, i.e. revenue number, reduce it to the ridiculous so representatives can understand the specific production expected each month/each week and what activity equates to this achievement.  In our meetings with Sales Professionals, it is shocking how many candidates don’t understand their compensation plan or how they are measured.  These representatives find it impossible to run for an undefined or misunderstood target and as a result, lose belief. 

Action:

A common mistake while setting goals is the lack of plan or strategy behind a goal.  45% of American adults make one or more resolutions each year, however only three weeks into the year; 75% of those resolutions will have already been forgotten.* Without a structured plan to execute on, it is impossible to achieve goals.  A quarter of the year could easily pass without you ever really knowing, you are actually doing nothing to make goal achievement possible. Sit down with your representatives and build out a specific plan.  Define the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that discuss the action needed in order to achieve the goal.  Once the plan is constructed, take action, set expectations and inspect to ensure success.

Results:

2010 is not 2009.  Hold your team to higher standards but celebrate the small wins to create momentum and excitement straight out of the gates.  This is crucial.  Everything must feel different for your representatives to close the door on 2009 and it must be immediate.  Your energy and excitement as a manager will be contagious and your team will run hard which will result in success. 

Motivation:

By celebrating the small wins, your representative’s confidence will build.   This motivation will fuel the continuation of this cycle.  Where there are extra funds, make the investment in bringing back sales spiffs and bonuses.  Build out a different, more aggressive compensation plan.  These actions will show your confidence and commitment to putting together a good year and supporting your sales representatives.   If dedicated and diligent, after 12 months you will be sitting down with your representatives at the end of the year discussing all that was achieved.

May I propose a New Year’s Resolution that will positively impact more people than just yourself:  Be more than just a Sales Manager.  Be a Mentor that inspires.  If you are a manager, you have risen to that level because you know how to set and achieve goals.  Take an uninterrupted hour and listen to your teams desires.  Help them build a plan to achieve their goals.  Meet with them regularly to go over progress.  Care.  Sales may be a numbers game, but it is people that either achieve or don’t achieve that number.  Care about them.  Spend a little extra time.  I challenge you to see where it gets your team at the end of the year. 

Cheers to a great 2010!!!!!  

*http://www.proactivechange.com/resolutions/statistics.htm