<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><?xml-stylesheet href="http://www.blogger.com/styles/atom.css" type="text/css"?><feed xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom' xmlns:openSearch='http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/' xmlns:georss='http://www.georss.org/georss' xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133396933624354163</id><updated>2011-11-21T03:41:11.348-05:00</updated><category term='action planning'/><category term='Job Search strategies and tools'/><category term='business success'/><category term='Leadership'/><category term='The Art of Career Survival'/><category term='career marketing and branding'/><category term='Job Search Teleclasses January 2010'/><category term='new year'/><category term='network'/><category term='Career transition tips'/><category term='Business Development'/><category term='Business Improvement Strategies'/><category term='New Direction'/><category term='Business and Career Research Strategies'/><category term='a new direction.'/><title type='text'>Take It To The Next Level</title><subtitle type='html'>Helping Navigate the Seas of Change. Finding the courage and confidence to move to the next level in business, work and life.</subtitle><link rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://lifepathcentral.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/9133396933624354163/posts/default?max-results=100'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://lifepathcentral.blogspot.com/'/><link rel='hub' href='http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/'/><author><name>Bette Novak</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/00421416719437353883</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1nwe1BKQUBE/SduekriDjOI/AAAAAAAAAAo/EVotOaouAX0/S220/Bette%27s+Business+Portrait+August+2007+001Compressed+Copy.jpg'/></author><generator version='7.00' uri='http://www.blogger.com'>Blogger</generator><openSearch:totalResults>15</openSearch:totalResults><openSearch:startIndex>1</openSearch:startIndex><openSearch:itemsPerPage>100</openSearch:itemsPerPage><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133396933624354163.post-8949328919312569092</id><published>2011-07-19T10:11:00.007-04:00</published><updated>2011-07-19T10:40:23.021-04:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Job Search strategies and tools'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='career marketing and branding'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='a new direction.'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='The Art of Career Survival'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Career transition tips'/><title type='text'>New Year! New Game! New Direction!</title><content type='html'>Hello and welcome,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It has been many months since I posted a blog article on this site. From the end of 2010 to now, July 2011, I have been in the process of changing my business' direction. I have been working with VIP business coaching clients, but my main focus has been helping the long term unemployed, the recent jobless, career transitioners, and recent college grads plan and make changes in their search for a job.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Most of that time, I worked with my husband, Marty and my virtual assistant, Lee as well as other coaches and special experts to:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;li&gt;Launch a new website about "The Art of Career Survival". &lt;/li&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;li&gt;Write a book, &lt;em&gt;The Art of Career Survival: Navigate Your Job Search in Tough Times!&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;li&gt;Converting our book to a training program for community leaders who want to help their unemployed and underemployed citizens and constituents navigate their way through the job search and career change process.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;li&gt;Creating and producing webinar bundles on finding job matches and interviewing.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;li&gt;Public Speaking to various organizations about job search strategies and tools that can make a difference in searching for a job.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;li&gt;Offer &lt;em&gt;The Career Survival News&lt;/em&gt;, our blog and ezine. &lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;p&gt;Now, Marty is transferring our original workbook, &lt;em&gt;The Art of Career Survival&lt;/em&gt;, to a printed trade paperback version. We plan to publish in the last quarter of 2011. An e-book version is available now.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;p&gt;To learn more about our career transitions coaching and job search support services, please go to &lt;a href="http://www.theartofcareersurvival.com/"&gt;http://www.theartofcareersurvival.com/&lt;/a&gt;. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;p&gt;Last, we will be re-designing this blog site to match our newest website, &lt;a href="http://www.lifepathassociates.com/"&gt;http://www.lifepathassociates.com/&lt;/a&gt;. This website will be our central hub to LifePath Associates' business growth and career transitions coaching. Also this website will be the main website for our business growth and expansion coaching and consulting to business owners and corporate managers. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;p&gt;Thank you and to a new beginning and taking LifePath Associates to the next level in 2011 - 2012. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;p&gt;Have a wonderful year!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;p&gt;Bette&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9133396933624354163-8949328919312569092?l=lifepathcentral.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://lifepathcentral.blogspot.com/feeds/8949328919312569092/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=9133396933624354163&amp;postID=8949328919312569092' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/9133396933624354163/posts/default/8949328919312569092'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/9133396933624354163/posts/default/8949328919312569092'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://lifepathcentral.blogspot.com/2011/07/new-year-new-game-new-direction.html' title='New Year! New Game! New Direction!'/><author><name>Bette Novak</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/00421416719437353883</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1nwe1BKQUBE/SduekriDjOI/AAAAAAAAAAo/EVotOaouAX0/S220/Bette%27s+Business+Portrait+August+2007+001Compressed+Copy.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133396933624354163.post-7538856103261527808</id><published>2010-10-27T12:59:00.016-04:00</published><updated>2010-10-29T16:16:06.236-04:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='network'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='business success'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='new year'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='action planning'/><title type='text'>Take It to the Next Level: Are You and Your Business Prepared for 2011?</title><content type='html'>Are you and your business prepared for 2011? That question has been going around in my head recently; my friends and business colleagues are asking the same question. I wanted to know what the next step would be for my coaching business, &lt;em&gt;LifePath Associates LLC&lt;/em&gt;, and an event offered me ideas.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I attended a Mastermind Dialogue group sponsored by my local chamber of commerce. They presented three different business experts to share their advice on "how businesses can fail" and what to do to prevent failure (the implied remainder of that statement).&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The first speaker was an experienced business coach and consultant. He was trained to use several tools such as the Six Sigma Model. He shared a diagram that he uses with his clients - a great visual model that showed us what business owners need in order to grow and maintain a successfully performing business. He emphsized that you needed all the parts of the model to be aligned if you wanted to prevent business failure. Should any of the parts be out of alignment, it could spell performance failure or at least make your chances of business success extremely difficult.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The second speaker shared how he used his expertise as an executive turnaround and project management consultant to lead, organize, and deliver national and international large scale project and events such as the last G-20 Summit in western Pennsylvania. It was fascinating to hear how his business success relied upon leadership as well as hiring and managing competent people to design and produce the events. He emphasized that working with competent people and building strong alliances and coalitions was critical to business success. He stressed that if a CEO or owner believes that they need to work alone, then they can cause a failure.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The last speaker was a Regional Vice President who had attained his position by working up through the ranks of his current employer and company. He works to help others succeed in business - their own franchise business. He represents an international franchisor and he recruits and mentors franchisees in a large region in the United States. A couple of his franchisee attended the meeting - one was his top producer. He shared information about how marketing online and through direct mail were both important to business success - doing one exclusively weakened the businesses ability to attract and maintain customers.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Why am I sharing this story with you? Whay are these ideas important?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Because it became evident that small businesses can still be and are successful in this tough economy. At the very least they can use this time to re-evaluate their company; the business practices they use; the way they connect and partner with their workforce and business colleagues; and how they manage their finances. Once they conduct this analysis, they adjust their operations and marketing plans to strengthen their market position and continue to build a successful business.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I left the meeting encouraged about the future of small business. I acquired more ideas and action steps that I want to take in my coaching business so I can help more clients succeed in 2011.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In summary, the lessons I learned that morning:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Make time to network with others.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Invest time in learning more and reviewing your business and life.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;You derive positive energy when you build connections and alliances with others.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;Here is my challenge to you is that you use the end of 2010, November and December, as a springboard to prepare your business for success in 2011. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Please share your comments or add ideas below to the ones shared in this article. Thank you and let's rock in 2011!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9133396933624354163-7538856103261527808?l=lifepathcentral.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://lifepathcentral.blogspot.com/feeds/7538856103261527808/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=9133396933624354163&amp;postID=7538856103261527808' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/9133396933624354163/posts/default/7538856103261527808'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/9133396933624354163/posts/default/7538856103261527808'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://lifepathcentral.blogspot.com/2010/10/take-it-to-next-level-are-you-and-your.html' title='Take It to the Next Level: Are You and Your Business Prepared for 2011?'/><author><name>Bette Novak</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/00421416719437353883</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1nwe1BKQUBE/SduekriDjOI/AAAAAAAAAAo/EVotOaouAX0/S220/Bette%27s+Business+Portrait+August+2007+001Compressed+Copy.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133396933624354163.post-3090142904049484329</id><published>2010-08-11T22:25:00.005-04:00</published><updated>2010-08-11T22:42:08.500-04:00</updated><title type='text'>Take Your Business to the Next Level: Don't Shut Yourself Off</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"&gt;Everyday I hear such "doom and gloom" news about small businesses and what may affect our future. As an owner of a small business, I find that I have to fight the urge to "hide" away from the rest of the world; stop networking because it costs money and time that I feel takes away from my work. And then I get this big surprise and a person calls me and asks about my coaching services; one that she or he saw via my social media networks and/or met at a women in business luncheon offered by my chamber of commerce or women's networking group. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"&gt;When you are thinking that the future of small business, your small business may be bleak. Stop those thoughts, because small business owners are creative, hard-working and skilled people who believe in self-reliance, innovation, and committment to succeed. There are customers out there, we may just have to work harder to identify them and communicate how we can help them, what problem we can help them solve, and/or how much time we can save them in their hectic life. Last, there are many people out there who believe in you and your business. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"&gt;When you get stuck or feel like you are shutting down because of negative outside forces that you can't control, then work on those things you can control - you and your business. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9133396933624354163-3090142904049484329?l=lifepathcentral.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://lifepathcentral.blogspot.com/feeds/3090142904049484329/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=9133396933624354163&amp;postID=3090142904049484329' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/9133396933624354163/posts/default/3090142904049484329'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/9133396933624354163/posts/default/3090142904049484329'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://lifepathcentral.blogspot.com/2010/08/take-your-business-to-next-level-dont.html' title='Take Your Business to the Next Level: Don&apos;t Shut Yourself Off'/><author><name>Bette Novak</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/00421416719437353883</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1nwe1BKQUBE/SduekriDjOI/AAAAAAAAAAo/EVotOaouAX0/S220/Bette%27s+Business+Portrait+August+2007+001Compressed+Copy.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133396933624354163.post-6371352006267977148</id><published>2010-04-10T15:13:00.004-04:00</published><updated>2010-04-10T15:33:34.268-04:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Leadership'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Business Improvement Strategies'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Business Development'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='New Direction'/><title type='text'>Taking LifePath Associates to the Next Level Leads to Change</title><content type='html'>&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Take It to the Next Level &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt;is an important mindset for success. Sometimes when you embrace that mindset, you realize that you and your business and life may be heading towards great change.&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Well, 2009 into 2010 reflects a time of powerful change for me and my company, &lt;span class="Apple-style-span"  style="color:#339999;"&gt;&lt;b&gt;LifePath Associates LLC&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt;.  We have chosen to use this blog to offer a place for entrepreneurs and business leaders to find information and a forum to discuss topics and ideas that affect "Taking It [you and your business] to the Next Level." &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"  style="color:#339999;"&gt;&lt;b&gt;LifePath Associates LLC &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt;and I have chosen to create a website that will also have blog articles that focus on topics from our newest book,  &lt;span class="Apple-style-span"  style="color:#009900;"&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;The Art of Career Survival: Navigating the Job Search, Even in Tough Times &lt;span class="Apple-style-span"  style="color:#000000;"&gt;(2010)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt;. &lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt; If you are interested in this information, please go to www.artofcareersurvival.com.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;On this site, I would like to seek discussions on leadership and business development topics. These topics would include models, strategies, skills, resources etc. that successful business owners and their companies use to remain strong and abundant during these tough times. &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Please keep a eye open for our first blog article (May 2010) supporting LPA's  new direction on this blog site.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;If you have any questions or want to suggest some topic areas that need some discussion, I would like to hear from you. Please send your questions and suggestions in a comment to this post or send me an email to bznovak@verizon.net.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Happy Springtime.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9133396933624354163-6371352006267977148?l=lifepathcentral.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://lifepathcentral.blogspot.com/feeds/6371352006267977148/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=9133396933624354163&amp;postID=6371352006267977148' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/9133396933624354163/posts/default/6371352006267977148'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/9133396933624354163/posts/default/6371352006267977148'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://lifepathcentral.blogspot.com/2010/04/taking-lifepath-associates-to-next.html' title='Taking LifePath Associates to the Next Level Leads to Change'/><author><name>Bette Novak</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/00421416719437353883</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1nwe1BKQUBE/SduekriDjOI/AAAAAAAAAAo/EVotOaouAX0/S220/Bette%27s+Business+Portrait+August+2007+001Compressed+Copy.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133396933624354163.post-935417556615269373</id><published>2010-01-07T20:20:00.005-05:00</published><updated>2010-01-07T20:27:06.957-05:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Job Search Teleclasses January 2010'/><title type='text'>New Teleclasses on Job Search 2010 Starting January 12 and 19!</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;Hello and Happy New Year!!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;I hope that you have started 2010 with a big boost of energy. I am excited to announce that I am opening up my business year 2010 with a series of free preview teleclasses on the theme "Kick Start Your 2010 Job Search". &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;Read and Register NOW!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;10436. Is Your Job Search Off Track? Give it a check up to boost its energy for 2010.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;One Tuesday, January 12, 2010 from 7- 8 p.m. Eastern/NY. Tuition: Free&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;2010 is just around the corner and jobs are still hard to find unless you have a strong job search campaign and tools. There are five strategies and tips that you can use to give your job search a "check up" and a "tune up" to compete in a continuing tough market and economy. Learn one key strategy or tip for each of these job search actions: organization is key to successful start up; strong resume get interviews; networking nuances make a difference; understand the power of two different interviews; and letters emails or phone calls - which is more effective? Learning the "art of career survival" can help your navigate the job search, even in tough times.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.teleclass.com/classdetail.lasso?-database=teleclass.class&amp;amp;-layout=lasso&amp;amp;-op=eq&amp;amp;id.class=28249&amp;amp;-search"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;http://www.teleclass.com/classdetail.lasso?-database=teleclass.class&amp;amp;-layout=lasso&amp;amp;-op=eq&amp;amp;id.class=28249&amp;amp;-search&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;10417. How to Survive Layoffs and Career Change: 3 Strategies to Fast Track You Back into the Job Game&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;One Tuesday, January 19, 2010 from 7-8pm Eastern/NY. Tuition: Free&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;If you have lost your job, want to change your career or advise job seekers, join us to discuss 3 critical strategies that will boost you back onto your job search game. Having an action plan and a set of strategies and tools that you can use any time you need to make a career change. Benefits for coming to this teleclass will include you being able to: Create your new fast track job search game plan. Identify tools and mindsets that boost your energy to get positive results. Identify new strategies that are critical to job search success. Understand how to set yourself apart from the other job seekers. Start creating and putting into place a job search game plan that you can use any time.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.teleclass.com/classdetail.lasso?-database=teleclass.class&amp;amp;-layout=lasso&amp;amp;-op=eq&amp;amp;id.class=28265&amp;amp;-search"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;http://www.teleclass.com/classdetail.lasso?-database=teleclass.class&amp;amp;-layout=lasso&amp;amp;-op=eq&amp;amp;id.class=28265&amp;amp;-search&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;Let's go get 'em this year and find a job we love.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;Bette&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9133396933624354163-935417556615269373?l=lifepathcentral.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://lifepathcentral.blogspot.com/feeds/935417556615269373/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=9133396933624354163&amp;postID=935417556615269373' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/9133396933624354163/posts/default/935417556615269373'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/9133396933624354163/posts/default/935417556615269373'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://lifepathcentral.blogspot.com/2010/01/new-teleclasses-on-job-search-2010.html' title='New Teleclasses on Job Search 2010 Starting January 12 and 19!'/><author><name>Bette Novak</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/00421416719437353883</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1nwe1BKQUBE/SduekriDjOI/AAAAAAAAAAo/EVotOaouAX0/S220/Bette%27s+Business+Portrait+August+2007+001Compressed+Copy.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133396933624354163.post-1875272366527056548</id><published>2009-11-18T11:11:00.002-05:00</published><updated>2009-11-18T11:16:18.992-05:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Business and Career Research Strategies'/><title type='text'>Take it to the Next Level: 3 Market Research Resources that Boost Competitiveness in Business and Careers.</title><content type='html'>Successful business owners and career professionals who sustain a competitive edge consistently rely on research and analysis of the market to make decisions and implement strategies that get results. As a business owner, I schedule time within my business schedule to conduct market research and analyze data to see how it will affect my coaching services. Most important, I encourage and guide my clients to use those skills in growing their businesses or in finding a new job.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;When I talk to people who own businesses, want to start a business, or are seeking a new job, I find that they have researched and analyzed their competition in the business or job markets. As a professional business and career coach, I recommend that they:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;· Use the Internet as an information source&lt;br /&gt;· Read business periodicals and newspapers&lt;br /&gt;· Network strategically&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The reasons behind using these three resources are different and distinct; they also have important similarities. Understanding how to use these resources to analyze the marketplace, showcase your unique strengths and work hard to overcome the competition can be major assets to your success.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;· &lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Search and use the internet&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Online technology is a quick way to search for trends, news, and data. If you own a business, you can “scope out” your competition and see if there are other companies, products and services that you and your business need to add. If your products and services compliment another company’s, you can think about building an alliance or joint venture with them.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The Internet provides job seekers and career changers access to job postings, tools, and resources that can enhance their job search techniques and strategies. Among the resources available are online career support organizations and listings of professionals who can help job seekers personally, e.g., career coaches, resume advisers, recruiters, training programs and videos, etc.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Most importantly, business owners and job seekers can get current, critical data that will help them create their contact approach to get their foot in the front door.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;· &lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Read business periodicals and newspapers &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Today, I renewed my most valuable resource, the business journal in my city. The site &lt;a href="http://www.bizjournal.com/"&gt;http://www.bizjournal.com/&lt;/a&gt; offers 40 or so business newspapers that are published weekly in print and online. I use my city’s business journal to help me read about up and down trends in my cities’ market, which businesses are succeeding, and who are the “mover and shakers” spotlighted and honored for achieving leadership success. I look at the list of events different professional and local groups are offering and register to attend them. I read advice articles on how to growing a business or how to conduct an effective job search.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;About six months a go I started reading the Wall Street Journal. I start by reviewing the “agenda” on the left side of the front page. It provides an overview of the story along with the section and page location of the story, so I can quickly turn to those that interest me. Sometimes, I can see a trend or forecast that has helped either my business or those of my clients. Your area also may have a great local newspaper. Look in the business section for information.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;As for magazines, I am careful about buying and reading them for a couple of reasons. First, there are so many to choose from. Second, magazine articles may take as much as three months to appear in print, making the information stale by the time you read it. But some issues of magazine offer educational CDs while others offer special reports. Look at magazines that can help your business or your job search.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;·&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt; Network strategically&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Networking with individuals, groups and organizations is extremely important to promoting you, your business, and your career experience if you are seeking a job. How you do it is the issue.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I networked by: (1) joining professional organizations whose purpose is to network with other business professionals and give out referrals; (2) joining professional associations with a large membership, educational and developmental resources, and different network groups, and (3) co-starting different personal network and development groups in both career change and/or business development. Sometimes this was necessary because I could not find a group that addressed my needs as well as the needs of others with similar goals.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Recently a group of small private business owners got together and started our own business development group that meets once a month. At each meeting we briefly introduce ourselves and tell a short commercial about our business, but most of the time is spent on a business topic will help us grow our businesses and help each other. Try it yourself.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Please post your thoughts and comments in a post. Also, if you want to publish this blog article or print to share, please keep this copyright permission statement with the article. These articles in &lt;a href="http://lifepathcentral.blogspot.com/"&gt;http://lifepathcentral.blogspot.com/&lt;/a&gt; are joyfully shared to help others, but not to be used for profit or selling to others. Copyright 2009 Bette Novak, LifePath Associates LLC.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9133396933624354163-1875272366527056548?l=lifepathcentral.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://lifepathcentral.blogspot.com/feeds/1875272366527056548/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=9133396933624354163&amp;postID=1875272366527056548' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/9133396933624354163/posts/default/1875272366527056548'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/9133396933624354163/posts/default/1875272366527056548'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://lifepathcentral.blogspot.com/2009/11/take-it-to-next-level-3-market-research.html' title='Take it to the Next Level: 3 Market Research Resources that Boost Competitiveness in Business and Careers.'/><author><name>Bette Novak</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/00421416719437353883</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1nwe1BKQUBE/SduekriDjOI/AAAAAAAAAAo/EVotOaouAX0/S220/Bette%27s+Business+Portrait+August+2007+001Compressed+Copy.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133396933624354163.post-3328139142578620720</id><published>2009-10-06T11:56:00.017-04:00</published><updated>2009-10-06T14:29:11.477-04:00</updated><title type='text'>Take It to the Next Level - Economy Going UP and I Am Still Unemployed; Now What Can I Do?</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;I read a recent article in the Wall Street Journal and it is stuck in my brain. The article said that “Bernake [Federal Reserve Chairman] sees an end to recession...but doesn’t see many new jobs soon.”&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So what does that mean to those of you who are still looking for a job? It means that we still need to do our own work to search and find jobs in a competitive and tough market place. I work with people who are frustrated and worried about getting a job soon. To help them see what they can do to boost their job search, I use two check lists that help them see a system in searching for a job. I divided the two check lists into terms of traditional and non-traditional job search strategies. I define non-traditional in terms of new and creative job search strategies that are emerging or those that job seekers over look.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I want to share these check lists. Each shows the top 5 strategies.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Traditional Job Search Strategies&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Resumes &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;(Chronological, Funtional or Combination)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Network/Referrals &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;(friends, colleagues, family and professional organzations)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Research Job Postings&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; (online, newspapers, professional magazines, etc.)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Skilled Interview and Job Offer Negotiations&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:Arial;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Follow-up and Correspondence &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;(cover letters, thank you notes, broadcast letters, cold call letters, etc.)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Non-traditional/New Job Search Strategies&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Online Connecting and Networking&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; (Online Job Posting Site and Social Media Networks such as LinkedIn and Facebook) &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Electronic Career Marketing Website&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; (your own electronic portfolio) &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Job Fairs and Special Events&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; (“Pink Slip” Parties) &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Personal Professional Business Card&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; (your mini-resume or calling card to help others remember you and refer you to job opportunities) &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Informational Interviews&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; (make contact, learn about different jobs, and create a connection and build rapport to get good quality referrals) &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;These are only 10 strategies that will help you re-energize your job search. There are many more considerations and ideas that you may use too. One extra strategy is “branding you”. It can be a key element to market yourself so you stand out from your competition. Another extra strategy is to find a “survivor job”. It is recommended by some of the nationally known headhunters and recruiters interviewed on major news station. Finding a “survivor job” is a temporary employment solution that accomplishes two things: (1) provides income to meet your life expenses and (2) it helps people get out of the house and keeps them open to meeting people who can refer them onto a job opportunity in their chosen career.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Seeking a job can be seen as a challenge and an opportunity to reflect and grow, or it can be seen as a crisis and nightmare. Seek the positive path. You will find your reward.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Please post your thoughts and comments in a post. Also, if you want to publish this blog article or print to share, please keep this copyright permission statement with the article. These articles in &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://lifepathcentral.blogspot.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt;http://lifepathcentral.blogspot.com/&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:arial;"&gt; are joyfully shared to help others, but not to be used for profit or selling to others. Copyright 2009 Bette Novak, LifePath Associates LLC. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9133396933624354163-3328139142578620720?l=lifepathcentral.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://lifepathcentral.blogspot.com/feeds/3328139142578620720/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=9133396933624354163&amp;postID=3328139142578620720' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/9133396933624354163/posts/default/3328139142578620720'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/9133396933624354163/posts/default/3328139142578620720'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://lifepathcentral.blogspot.com/2009/10/take-it-to-next-level-economy-going-up.html' title='Take It to the Next Level - Economy Going UP and I Am Still Unemployed; Now What Can I Do?'/><author><name>Bette Novak</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/00421416719437353883</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1nwe1BKQUBE/SduekriDjOI/AAAAAAAAAAo/EVotOaouAX0/S220/Bette%27s+Business+Portrait+August+2007+001Compressed+Copy.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133396933624354163.post-1215555999612153334</id><published>2009-06-03T12:31:00.000-04:00</published><updated>2009-06-03T12:34:07.581-04:00</updated><title type='text'>Take It to the Next Level by Remembering Others</title><content type='html'>I hope that the Memorial Day weekend was a special one for all you who observe it and that you recovered from all the food and activities. I certainly did and I realized that it had been a long time since I really celebrated this holiday with others.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt; While I was enjoying my friends and family during the weekend at a BBQ or two, I also thought of those that were no longer here…those brave men and women who had fallen in war time and those who are now serving our country over seas.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I was fortunate enough to celebrate Memorial Day with a number of veterans, especially my father-in-law, who survived some of the bitterest and bloodiest battled in the European theater during World War II.  My own father, a navy veteran, died may years ago and so this day brings up memories of his life, too.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I thought that “remembering others” is a way to take it to the next level in our lives and that remembering them will inspire us to draw on the same strengths that they had and use our own strengths to meet and overcome the challenges that we are experiencing today.  Some of those challenges that may apply to our life and business:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;• Needing a vision and mission to follow&lt;br /&gt;• Managing our budgets and reducing or eliminating debts&lt;br /&gt;• Saving for our future needs&lt;br /&gt;• Helping others who are having trouble in these times&lt;br /&gt;• Valuing people &lt;br /&gt;• Continuously learn and remain curious; ask questions, take part in the answers and create and implement solutions.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;My wish is that you will share your stories about “remembering others” and how they have influenced you in “taking it to the next level” in your life, career and business. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Let the summer begin!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;If you want to talk about any of these ideas or need some help working in this current environment, please don’t hesitate to contact me, Bette Novak, Business-Life Coach at bznovak@verizon.net to schedule a 30 minute complimentary coaching session.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If you want to publish this blog article or print to share, please keep this copyright permission statement with the article. These articles in www.lifepathcentral.blogspot.com are joyfully shared to help others, but not to used for profit or selling by others. Copyright 2009 Bette Novak, LifePath Associates LLC.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9133396933624354163-1215555999612153334?l=lifepathcentral.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://lifepathcentral.blogspot.com/feeds/1215555999612153334/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=9133396933624354163&amp;postID=1215555999612153334' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/9133396933624354163/posts/default/1215555999612153334'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/9133396933624354163/posts/default/1215555999612153334'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://lifepathcentral.blogspot.com/2009/06/take-it-to-next-level-by-remembering.html' title='Take It to the Next Level by Remembering Others'/><author><name>Bette Novak</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/00421416719437353883</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1nwe1BKQUBE/SduekriDjOI/AAAAAAAAAAo/EVotOaouAX0/S220/Bette%27s+Business+Portrait+August+2007+001Compressed+Copy.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133396933624354163.post-4451236145211182588</id><published>2009-05-18T21:31:00.000-04:00</published><updated>2009-05-18T21:32:41.790-04:00</updated><title type='text'>Take It to the Next Level: Dealing with Recession into Recovery</title><content type='html'>A note:  I will write about career change and job search in the next article.  The news this week gave me a lot to think about and so I decided to change the focus of this week’s blog article to this topic. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I am sure that you have felt some optimism when you hear that:&lt;br /&gt;• Layoffs have decreased according to the recent figures.&lt;br /&gt;• Realtors say that they have seen an increase in home sales.&lt;br /&gt;• The White House is looking at programs that no longer help us and so     decreasing spending.&lt;br /&gt;• Help in Education and Re-Training may be appearing soon.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So what does that mean to those of you who have lost your job, are seeking employment, trying to change to a stronger career, and just keep yourself upbeat and healthy? &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;What it says to me is:&lt;br /&gt;1. You need to be in charge of your recovery and finding a job that you want to do and have some long term employment opportunities.&lt;br /&gt;2. Figure out your own “system” for recovering yourself financially, being more careful about your spending , understanding what the basics are required to live (food, shelter, good health, medical, keeping friends and family close and maintain your spirituality- religious or non-religious).&lt;br /&gt;3. Try to learn more about our government, current and past (our founding fathers times).   Understand what your role should be as a citizen of this country and what you can do to continue to make this the nation that we believe in.&lt;br /&gt;4. Find opportunities to continually learn and grow that are affordable and that benefits your personal and professional/business goals and aspirations.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I have traveled that road to:&lt;br /&gt;• Overcome my financial woes and become more solvent, able to pay off bills each month, have money in the bank at the end of the month, build and save money for our retirement and if needed for emergencies.  Be more careful about spending. &lt;br /&gt;• Get help to improve and sustain better health and a good weight and exercise program.  Still working on both. Eating out hardly at all, eating in and cooking more naturally and healthily. Putting in a garden again this year with loads of green veggies and herbs with a few fruits.&lt;br /&gt;• Keeping in touch with friends, family and colleagues.  It is not just business, but it also helps gain more balance in energy, self-awareness and the comfort of connecting with others.&lt;br /&gt;• Continuously learning and re-evaluating how my business is doing.  Creating plans and setting new goals for this coming year that will take my business to the next level of a six digit income.  Also learning the new technologies such as social media networking. Still working on that…&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Good luck in creating your own personal recovery plan to get out of your recession.  &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If you want to talk about any of these ideas or need some help working in this current environment, please don’t hesitate to contact me, Bette Novak, Business-Life Coach at bznovak@verizon.net to schedule a 30 minute complimentary coaching session.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If you want to publish this blog article or print to share, please keep this copyright permission statement with the article. These articles in www.lifepathcentral.blogspot.com are joyfully shared to help others, but not to used for profit or selling by others. Copyright 2009 Bette Novak, LifePath Associates LLC.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9133396933624354163-4451236145211182588?l=lifepathcentral.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://lifepathcentral.blogspot.com/feeds/4451236145211182588/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=9133396933624354163&amp;postID=4451236145211182588' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/9133396933624354163/posts/default/4451236145211182588'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/9133396933624354163/posts/default/4451236145211182588'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://lifepathcentral.blogspot.com/2009/05/take-it-to-next-level-dealing-with.html' title='Take It to the Next Level: Dealing with Recession into Recovery'/><author><name>Bette Novak</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/00421416719437353883</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1nwe1BKQUBE/SduekriDjOI/AAAAAAAAAAo/EVotOaouAX0/S220/Bette%27s+Business+Portrait+August+2007+001Compressed+Copy.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133396933624354163.post-5701364970033891095</id><published>2009-04-30T10:17:00.000-04:00</published><updated>2009-04-30T10:19:49.182-04:00</updated><title type='text'>Take It to the Next Level – First the Recession, Now What?</title><content type='html'>“First the Recession, Now What…?” I’ve been hearing this statement-question from many people.  First we had to battle the down turn in the economy, the falling down of Wall Street and the crisis in the auto industry and spending from Congress…just as we feel that we may have started dealing with all of these challenges…next comes a possible if not rapidly escalating pandemic of swine flu.  Yikes. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I don’t know about you, but at this point I am being extremely careful, not paranoid.  I have asthma and so I have to be watchful.  However, I am lucky.  I can conduct my coaching business from home, via the internet and telephone. And so, I am working on the part of my plans that says, “Now is the time to conduct more teleclasses, to start virtual coaching groups, and create more interactive places on my web and blog.”  &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So I am taking action and scheduling more teleclasses from May through the summer; and I have completed for publishing two workbooks. One for career changers and job search as well as another one that helps coaches, entrepreneurs and small business owners to prepare a “wow factor” 60-minute marketing workshop that attracts 20 plus potential clients.  Also, I will be designing an eCourse to be launched at the end of May – A Surprise to be announced soon.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If you are doing this too, please consider conducting these after the swine flu has gone away.  Planning, preparation and practice are the keys to succeeding with these workshops and launching you comprehensive job search.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So what are you doing to take you and your business to the next level?  I know that I would love to hear what you are doing and so would others.  Write your comments and share your stories and advice.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Next time, we will talk more about what Career Changers and Job Seekers can do during these challenging times.  Look for this article during the week of May 4th.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If you want to talk about any of these ideas or need some help working in this current environment, please don’t hesitate to contact me, Bette Novak, Business-Life Coach at bznovak@verizon.net to schedule a 30 minute complimentary coaching session.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If you want to publish this blog article or print to share, please keep this copyright permission statement with the article.  These articles in www.lifepathcentral.blogspot.com are joyfully shared to help others, but not to used for profit or selling by others.  Copyright 2009 Bette Novak, LifePath Associates LLC.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9133396933624354163-5701364970033891095?l=lifepathcentral.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://lifepathcentral.blogspot.com/feeds/5701364970033891095/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=9133396933624354163&amp;postID=5701364970033891095' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/9133396933624354163/posts/default/5701364970033891095'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/9133396933624354163/posts/default/5701364970033891095'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://lifepathcentral.blogspot.com/2009/04/take-it-to-next-level-first-recession.html' title='Take It to the Next Level – First the Recession, Now What?'/><author><name>Bette Novak</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/00421416719437353883</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1nwe1BKQUBE/SduekriDjOI/AAAAAAAAAAo/EVotOaouAX0/S220/Bette%27s+Business+Portrait+August+2007+001Compressed+Copy.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133396933624354163.post-527316003313068141</id><published>2009-04-13T18:23:00.002-04:00</published><updated>2009-04-13T18:37:35.329-04:00</updated><title type='text'>Take it to the Next Level: Patience with Technology</title><content type='html'>Hello.  Today has been a lesson in patience, espcially with a person like me who likes the technology when it is up and running and really gets upset when it goes down or breaks.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This morning, I turned on my little red Blackberry Smartphone and realized there was not light on the screen and then when it did come on, no movement on the track ball.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Well 4 hours later, I now have:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;1. Gotten a new BB 8830 in silver (the store did not have any red).&lt;br /&gt;2. The Blackberry server or system was down and being fixed.&lt;br /&gt;3. I had to spend some amount of time talking to very nice techical support person with VerizonWireless, who helped me upload my email boxes inspite of the up/down again system.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Phew, I thought, "Thank goodness" for patience and perseverence and counting to 10 a number of times.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I didn't realize how being "off the cell phone and PDA grid" could be so stressful.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I did take time to learn how to manage email better, so I don't blow another track ball deleting each email separately.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;And I found that I can get a red phone in October.  I like red because I can see it better in my purse.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I know that this story sounds a little trite, but I think that we all go through some sort of technology stressout.  It is good that we know how and whom to go to the help us through it.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So enjoy the technology that you have and develop patience, because you too may need it some time.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Wishing you a profitable week and I invite you to send comments about any of the "Taking it to the Next Level" blog messages that are written here.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Next week, I hope to announce some exciting new things happening with LifePath Associates LLC and what it has to offer career changers and job seekers and entrepreneurs who want to start up or grow their business.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Bette Z. Novak&lt;br /&gt;Business-Life Coach&lt;br /&gt;LifePath Associates LLC&lt;br /&gt;Helping Navigate the Seas of Change&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9133396933624354163-527316003313068141?l=lifepathcentral.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://lifepathcentral.blogspot.com/feeds/527316003313068141/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=9133396933624354163&amp;postID=527316003313068141' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/9133396933624354163/posts/default/527316003313068141'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/9133396933624354163/posts/default/527316003313068141'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://lifepathcentral.blogspot.com/2009/04/take-it-to-next-level-patience-with.html' title='Take it to the Next Level: Patience with Technology'/><author><name>Bette Novak</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/00421416719437353883</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1nwe1BKQUBE/SduekriDjOI/AAAAAAAAAAo/EVotOaouAX0/S220/Bette%27s+Business+Portrait+August+2007+001Compressed+Copy.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133396933624354163.post-5687131420145539071</id><published>2009-04-07T14:45:00.003-04:00</published><updated>2009-04-07T15:10:26.057-04:00</updated><title type='text'>Taking It to the Next Level...is being able to start again</title><content type='html'>Hello!  I realize that you have been wondering why is this blog being neglected? Because, sometimes "Taking it to the Next Level" in your business, career and life means that you have to reflect, redirect and start over again...and that is what LifePath Associates LLC and I did in late 2008 to now, April 2009.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I am committed now to writing more often on this blog and would like you to share your ideas, thoughts, responses etc. about what you are doing in your business, career and life to "Take it to the Next Level". &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Here are 3 things that I am doing:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Business -- Being clearer about who I serve and how they will benefti by working with me as their coach and contracting with LifePath Associates LLC for business and organization consulting.  As coaches and consultants, we are here to &lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;help you navigate the seas of change &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt; with purpose, passion and from a position of strength, integrity and marketability.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Career -- Complete the creation of a career guide that offers you a "down to earth" and fun to read job search in a workbook style.  &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Marketing and Delivery -- Preparing a fairly comprehensive marketing and delivery of coaching and consulting services, specially created tools to help you market and brand you and your business in different effective ways.  The "branding and marketing" also applies to people experience career transition and job search.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Look for more on this blog site; a new website; training online, teleclass, and/or workshop; and coaching packages for individuals and groups.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;My challenge to you and I invite you to share your story is to answer this question:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;Since the beginning of 2009, What have I been doing to "take it to the next level" in my business, career and/or life?&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Talk to you soon.  &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Bette&lt;br /&gt;Bette Z. Novak&lt;br /&gt;LifePath Associates LLC&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9133396933624354163-5687131420145539071?l=lifepathcentral.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://lifepathcentral.blogspot.com/feeds/5687131420145539071/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=9133396933624354163&amp;postID=5687131420145539071' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/9133396933624354163/posts/default/5687131420145539071'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/9133396933624354163/posts/default/5687131420145539071'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://lifepathcentral.blogspot.com/2009/04/taking-it-to-next-levelis-being-able-to.html' title='Taking It to the Next Level...is being able to start again'/><author><name>Bette Novak</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/00421416719437353883</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1nwe1BKQUBE/SduekriDjOI/AAAAAAAAAAo/EVotOaouAX0/S220/Bette%27s+Business+Portrait+August+2007+001Compressed+Copy.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133396933624354163.post-7509010941994776694</id><published>2008-06-07T21:27:00.000-04:00</published><updated>2008-06-07T21:29:18.490-04:00</updated><title type='text'>“Taking It to the Next Level” in a Turbulent Job Market</title><content type='html'>I survived tough job markets in the 1970’s, 1980’s and now it has come around again in 2008.  If you look at my experience, it appears that tough job markets seem to cycle through almost every decade, and “Talking It to the Next Level” in a turbulent job market means to me that we need to learn how to be flexible, self-reliant, creative, open-minded and introspective (self-examining).  &lt;br /&gt;Most of all, we need to be prepared.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;What do we need to be prepared for?  &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We need to be prepared to:&lt;br /&gt;• Believe in yourself&lt;br /&gt;• Refresh your resume and references&lt;br /&gt;• Write strong and clear cover letters&lt;br /&gt;• Look at your strengths, talents, and skills that you love to use&lt;br /&gt;• Keep true to your values and find value matches in you job and future employers&lt;br /&gt;• “Think Outside of Your Box” and explore other possibilities and job opportunities &lt;br /&gt;• Always send a “Thank You “ note&lt;br /&gt;• Keep your life in balance and good health&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;“Taking It to the Next Level” in a turbulent job market can be quite a challenge and a major growth period for those of us who are thrown into it.  The experience can be very exciting and the outcomes can be dynamic and rewarding. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Please send me your comments or thoughts about, “What does taking it to the next level in a turbulent job market mean to you?”  I look forward to hearing from you as you post your thoughts and ideas on this blog.  &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Please look for more on this subject in future blog articles.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9133396933624354163-7509010941994776694?l=lifepathcentral.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://lifepathcentral.blogspot.com/feeds/7509010941994776694/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=9133396933624354163&amp;postID=7509010941994776694' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/9133396933624354163/posts/default/7509010941994776694'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/9133396933624354163/posts/default/7509010941994776694'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://lifepathcentral.blogspot.com/2008/06/taking-it-to-next-level-in-turbulent.html' title='“Taking It to the Next Level” in a Turbulent Job Market'/><author><name>Bette Novak</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/00421416719437353883</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1nwe1BKQUBE/SduekriDjOI/AAAAAAAAAAo/EVotOaouAX0/S220/Bette%27s+Business+Portrait+August+2007+001Compressed+Copy.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133396933624354163.post-6495895537945985907</id><published>2008-04-29T22:02:00.001-04:00</published><updated>2008-04-29T22:06:00.172-04:00</updated><title type='text'>What IS “Taking It To The Next Level?”</title><content type='html'>Taking It to the Next Level is a call to action for people who want to move forward in their life, career, and/or business and achieve goals, happiness and success.  I have found that when I move forward and take action to move my business goals to their next level, I feel highly energized and very satisfied with life and myself.  That positive energy flows outward and it reflects on others around me.  They gain an additional energy push and work on things that they had not been able to do so before.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;That is the reason that I love to coach people and see them find their dreams, figure out what they need to get there and then go for it…they “take themselves to the next level.”  I get so energized when people searching for that special job or career find it and keep it.  I like to share the happiness that one feels when they have met their profit margin or added a new service to their business or created a product that they can market and sell while they are asleep, giving them passive income so they can work smarter and not harder.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9133396933624354163-6495895537945985907?l=lifepathcentral.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://lifepathcentral.blogspot.com/feeds/6495895537945985907/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=9133396933624354163&amp;postID=6495895537945985907' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/9133396933624354163/posts/default/6495895537945985907'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/9133396933624354163/posts/default/6495895537945985907'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://lifepathcentral.blogspot.com/2008/04/what-is-taking-it-to-next-level.html' title='What IS “Taking It To The Next Level?”'/><author><name>Bette Novak</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/00421416719437353883</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1nwe1BKQUBE/SduekriDjOI/AAAAAAAAAAo/EVotOaouAX0/S220/Bette%27s+Business+Portrait+August+2007+001Compressed+Copy.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133396933624354163.post-8114403487795164670</id><published>2008-03-29T12:47:00.006-04:00</published><updated>2008-03-29T13:07:29.934-04:00</updated><title type='text'>Welcome to Taking It To The Next Level</title><content type='html'>Welcome to this special blog. I want this space to be a place where you feel comfortable sharing your thoughts and ideas about your successes in managing change in your business, your work and career, while keeping your life in balance. Some of the topics that you will be invited to share yourself :&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;li&gt;Leading a small business in economically difficult times&lt;/li&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;li&gt;Managing and maintaining a strong career profile and plan&lt;/li&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;li&gt;Keep your life balanced and low in stress&lt;/li&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;li&gt;Overcome your fear of marketing &lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9133396933624354163-8114403487795164670?l=lifepathcentral.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://lifepathcentral.blogspot.com/feeds/8114403487795164670/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=9133396933624354163&amp;postID=8114403487795164670' title='4 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/9133396933624354163/posts/default/8114403487795164670'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/9133396933624354163/posts/default/8114403487795164670'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://lifepathcentral.blogspot.com/2008/03/welcome-to-taking-it-to-next-level.html' title='Welcome to Taking It To The Next Level'/><author><name>Bette Novak</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/00421416719437353883</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1nwe1BKQUBE/SduekriDjOI/AAAAAAAAAAo/EVotOaouAX0/S220/Bette%27s+Business+Portrait+August+2007+001Compressed+Copy.jpg'/></author><thr:total>4</thr:total></entry></feed>
