RESUME BUILDERS

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ROM TIME TO time, you run across individuals that volunteer to join every cause known to man. They enjoy having the title or reputation of being involved. Many times, the level of involvement is diminished by the mere volume of activities for which they have volunteered.

Peter Drucker was never more right than when he wrote "Concentration is the key to economic results ... no other principal of effectiveness is violated as constantly as the basic principal of concentration. Our motto seems to be: Let's Do a Little Bit of Everything!"

This dilutes the efforts of everything that we do. Why do you think that medical practice is so specialized? Most brain surgeons can't perform hair transplants. Most plumbers can't do electrical work. Undertakers can't deliver babies. Simply, none of us can master every subject!

We need to seek out volunteer activities that have value; something that is interesting and in an area where we can contribute. Nothing upsets me more than to be on a board or committee with folks who don't carry their part of the load. They only want to add another line to their resume.

When someone asks you to do something, whether a favor or chore, ask yourself two questions: First, "Is it something I have to do?" And second, "Is it something I want to do?" You just might learn to say "no" more often. In the process, you'll begin to create more time for things that matter. And it may make you a happier and more genuine person because when you say "yes", it's less likely to be out of obligation.

It's important to remember that our lives are made up of 1,440 minutes each day. Our time is precious, and we can learn to treat it as such.

Bill Dresser, a Senior Manager for a telephone company I worked for, gave me a book many years ago while I was working my way through the Chairs of United Way. The book addressed the subject of volunteers that did not carry their load. It pointed out that such individuals should be removed from the team; basically, it was about the method to fire a volunteer. Team members that don't contribute cost others time and energy.

One of the things that we implemented on a number of boards on which I have served was an attendance page. If you missed two unexcused meetings within a twelve-month period, you were dropped from the board.

It is important that we learn to say "NO" when asked to participate in activities that will not add value to you personally or help promote your business. There will be plenty of other opportunities in the future. Don't be a resume builder!

As a small business owner, you are required to wear many hats. One of the most important is the hiring of you team. Most companies will advertise and review the resumes they receive before scheduling an interview. I have studied the value of a resume. It is interesting to notice thought-out my life, the changes that have been made regarding the information and format that is recommended to be used when preparing resumes.

Not so many years ago, a detailed history of all your accomplishments: the more the better, were important. Today, it is recommended that the content be limited to one page.

Education, previous occupation, community involvement and your reason for wanting to work for the new Company is all that matters!

The most important factor is to be honest and sincere. Never present a false image.

KNOW IT ALL'S

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AVE YOU EVER had a conversation with someone that would always do a "one-up" on you? In other words, no matter what subject that you brought up, they always knew more about it than you? Many times, they will make themselves the subject matter expert and try to convince you and those around of their superior knowledge.

A few years ago, such a person moved to our community. If you told a story about some experience that you had encountered, he would immediately answer with his own version of the same experience. He had flown all types of airplanes, caught every kind of fish, owned just about every type of automobile, dated more women and owned every kind of business that you could image.

One afternoon, a group of us gathered for a social meeting. We decided that we would play a game with our new friend. Each of us picked a topic that we would bring up at our meeting. One old timer said that he was going to talk about a tractor dealership of which he was once part owner. You guessed it, no sooner than the topic was brought up, the new comer began to tell us about a tractor dealership that he once owned.

It is not easy to relax and enjoy true fellowship with folks that always know more than you. Interestingly enough, if we are not careful, we can fall into the same trap. If we correct others when they are talking, we may be labeled with an "I know more than you" title. Often it is very difficult to refrain from correcting a statement that we know is incorrect. However, most of the time it is better to correct people in private and praise folks in public.

My wife has this art mastered. She is my greatest critic. She started early in our relationship. Many times, after we have been out for some special event, on the way home she will ask me a question regarding a topic that had been discussed earlier. Based on my response, she will tactfully share her knowledge of the subject. Most of the time, we both learned from these encounters.

It is not necessary to correct every mistake that we witness. Sometimes the difference is not worth the hassle. After all, each of us is entitled to our interpretation of life's experiences. I was in a class once when the instructor asked of us to write down the definition of chocolate. It was amazing as we each read our thoughts, how different our answers...