We realize the importance of a personal brand and that of a corporate brand so what about the brand of the country we live in? Simon Houpt, Marketing Reporter for The Globe and Mail writes, What is Canada’s Brand? Canada Day is described as a celebration of a meeting, a union, an agreement about mutual goals over that of the individual. He notes our motto, “Peace, order, and good government”, included in the Constitution Act of 1867 relating it to our DNA and impacting every decision we make.

The majority will agree that there is little that is negative when it comes to Canada’s brand, a country that is well respected and liked around the world as we are recognized for our unique policies in all sectors including peacekeeping.

Is being Canadian reflected in your personal brand? Are you effectively communicating your unique strengths, skills, values and passions? Regardless of our individual attributes, as Canadians we do have a distinct advantage. One which is notable in almost any country in the world by stating a fact that when spoken will inspire admiration, trust and respect. It consists of three words………..

“I am Canadian!”

Now in it’s 15th year, Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 celebrates another year of outstanding Canadian leaders for 2009,  recognized at the rewards gala June 8th, as the best and the brightest in Canadian business and social services from coast to coast.

The Globe and Mail, an ongoing sponsor of this event published, Top 40 under 40written by Christine Varga listing the following recipients of this most prestigious award:   

The Globe and Mail article, Secrets to their Success provides individual quotes from each of these recipients, which are sure to inspire. 

Canada’s Top 40 Under 40, established in 1995, is a national program that uniquely celebrates the achievements of 40 Canadians in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors, who have reached a significant level of success before the age of 40. The 25 members of an independent advisory board, who work in a wide variety of fields, choose the honorees from about 1,100 nominees through a selection process based on five criteria: vision and leadership; innovation and achievement; impact; growth and development strategy; and community involvement and contribution.

We are pleased to have Bill Dennis speaking at the next ExecuNet Meeting, June 23rd, 2010, presenting:

“ Understanding and Succeeding With Interviewers of Different Cultures, Generations, and Personalities”

During career transition, today’s executive experiences a world of widely different types of interviewers and these differences can significantly affect your ability to connect and successfully work with this array of interviewers.

“Understanding and Succeeding With Interviewers of Different Cultures, Generations, and Personalities” is a practical, research-based presentation that will provide you valuable insights into understanding and successfully connecting with interviewers of different cultures, generations, and personalities.

Bill Dennis is a member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers.

Over the past 35 years, Bill has held significant sales and marketing positions at major companies including KPMG, Canadian General Electric, Bell Mobility, and Westinghouse Canada.

Bill also held key management positions at medium-sized firms which were leaders in their industry.

Bill has provided over 4,500 hours of training to Continuing Education students at Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning. He is their most experienced Continuing Education instructor in professional selling skills and strategic marketing.

His academic credentials include a Bachelor of Commerce (Economics) and MBA (Strategic Marketing and Finance).

Bill also recently passed with distinction the “Certified Sales Professional” set of examinations from the Canadian Professional Sales Association.

 Bill Dennis & Associates,

Oakville, Ontario,

905-599-6365,

www.billdennisandassociates.com

bill@billdennisandassociates.com

We are pleased to have Bojan Pavlovic speaking at the Toronto ExecuNet Meeting on Wednesday, May 26th, 2010 presenting:

“The Executive Recruiter, separating fact from fantasy”

Bojan is prepared for a highly interactive discussion on the myths and realities of executive search as a vehicle for managing one’s career. His expertise assures no questions will go unanswered!   

Bojan Pavlovic is a Client Partner based in Korn/Ferry’s Toronto Office. He is also a member of the firm’s Global Technology and Professional Services Practice.

During his tenure with Korn/Ferry, Mr. Pavlovic has successfully completed searches for Emerging Technologies, Consumer Technologies and Professional Services clients.  In addition, he specializes in placing executives within the Program Management Office function across industries.

Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Pavlovic worked in management consulting with Cap Gemini Ernst & Young and CGI focusing on corporate and IT strategy and business process improvement.

Mr. Pavlovic has delivered a number of leadership studies and white papers in talent management trends.

Mr. Pavlovic holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and a Masters of Business Administration from the Schulich School of Business at York University with majors in Strategy and Organizational Behaviour.  He is also a Certified Management Consultant with the Canadian Association of Management Consultants and is fluent in English, French, Spanish and German.

Register for Toronto ExecuNet

We are pleased to have Tim Cork speaking at the Toronto ExecuNet Meeting on Wednesday, April 28th 2010 presenting:

“Netgiving takes the work out of Networking”

• How to network effortlessly everyday
• How to double your network
• Effective networking communication techniques
• The power of attitude and first impressions
• The number one rule to networking and success in life
• How networking enhances career security and advancement in today’s challenging business  environment
• Giving starts the receiving process
• How to soar with the “Eagles”

Tim’s career spans 25 years in the hi-tech, commercial real estate and communications industries where he held progressively senior positions both nationally and internationally with companies like Xerox, Regus, SkyDome and TCS Telecom. He has extensive expertise in major sales initiatives, strategic alliances, people, and change.

Tim is currently the President of NEXCareer, an International provider of Career Transition, Outplacement services and coaching. He is a sought after speaker and has been published in numerous magazines and papers. Known as “The Networking Guru” by The Globe and Mail and “The Career Guru” by the Toronto Sun and Star, he educates, entertains and shares his wisdom with thousands every year.

Tim lives in Toronto with his wife and two children. He uses his name as an acronym for his purpose in life which is to Touch, Inspire and Move people to act on their passions and goals.  His best selling book, “Tapping the Iceberg” focuses on getting Straight A’s (Attitude, Aptitude, & Action) in life through unleashing your possibilities. Tim is on many boards including the THRPA.

You can get more at www.timcork.com or www.nexcareer.com  or google Tim Cork

Register today for April’s ExecuNet meeting with Tim Cork!

Are you over 50? And in career transition? If so, you certainly are not alone which may be one of the reasons why “over 50″ produces more search results when googled than ”career transition”, “job search” or even “social media! The fact that opinions vary widely may also be a contributing factor. There are many who think those over 50 should be seeking retirement and not a job. Most people believe only kids are using Facebook and Twitter even though the majority of users are more apt to be over 50 than under 20. Many over 50 in career transition are facing age discrimination despite a serious labour shortage that is positioning those over 50 as key resources in a diminishing labour pool. Many reports suggest “over 50″ is no longer a discriminatory factor in a job search but a recent survey showed over 90% of headhunters believed that age becomes a significant factor in a hiring decision when a candidate is over 50. 

The following articles won’t solve the obvious discrepancies relating to the topic of “over 50″, however they do offer some valuable career tips, resources, statistics and some interesting information. 

Latest release from the Labour Force Survey, “Men aged 55 and over accounted for all of February’s employment gain.”  

Looking for a job when you’re over 50 years old? ”If you are 50 and are in the market for a job, you are part of an elite and fast expanding market for senior positions. ‘Elite’ because most senior people are highly experienced and valued workers and ‘expanding’ because the market is waking up to recognize the wealth and wisdom of employing seniors.” Lots of tips provided to help along the way. 

Top Employers for Canadians over 50, BD Canada Inc. EPCOR Utilities Inc. Farm Credit Canada / FCC HSBC Bank Canada
McGill University Ontario Public Service Royal Bank of Canada SaskTel Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc.
Wardrop Engineering Inc.

A CNNmoney.com article, Over 50, and zero job offers, “…while age bias certainly exists, “there is far less of it than many people fear,” says Rob Saam, a senior vice president who is head of the career transition practice at outplacement giant Lee Hecht Harrison. “Human resources professionals and hiring managers are well aware of all the research showing that someone 50 or older is likely to stay longer, be more dedicated, and be absent less than the average 30-year-old.”

Jobs for boomers and seniors and the over 50 workforce

Finding a Great Job if You’re Over 50

JobsOver50.com

Canada Feeling Labour Shortage Pains

We are pleased to have Sheila Goldgrab speaking at the Toronto ExecuNet Meeting on March 24th, 2010 presenting:

“Not in Kansas any more”

Whether you are in job transition looking to land a leadership role in an organization or you are currently leading one, the social web has changed what is expected from you. New technological tools have eliminated traditional barriers and are driving a new approach to leadership. The core competencies of achieving results alone are not enough. What we expect from leaders is changing and this has implications for how you spend your time in your job transition. Sheila Goldgrab, Executive Coach and Thought Leader on the subject of leadership in the 2.0 age, shares what‘s changed and why working on your leadership brand while in job transition matters.

 

“It is the duty of every person…to know and consider that (s)he is unique in the world.”  Martin Buber

 

As a Speaker: 

“Sheila’s insights were well articulated and highlighted by practical examples and wonderful stories from her client experiences.” 

“Sheila was clear, engaging, warm, professional and knowledgeable!” 

Exceptional organizations offering ideal working conditions, above average benefits and the most progressive and forward thinking programs are selected for Canada’s Top 100 Employers 2010, now in it’s 10th year. The employers making the list were among 26,000 of Canada’s fastest growing employers which are announced by Maclean’s and The Globe and Mail and published on eluta.ca with the specific reasons they were chosen and a profile. Reasons for Selection included flexible work schedules, training programs, career development, fitness memberships, designated rooms for napping, substantial referral fees for new hires and an employee trout pond and baseball field!

2010 is the 11th anniversary of the 50 Best Employers in Canada which included 8 new organizations with 42 remaining on the list from previous years.  They are recognized as the best companies to work for as rated by their employees.

The research involved in selecting these companies is extensive and certainly of great value to everyone, whether you are an employer, employee or in career transition. Check it out and find out what makes these organizations the best in Canada!

“Leadership is the ability to articulate vision and influence others to move towards achievement.”

In today’s challenging economy our global recovery will be achieved through the actions, courage, determination and responsibility of great leaders! Here are a few inspiring quotes on Leadership: 

“Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.” ~ Peter F. Drucker

“A leader must have the courage to act against an expert’s advice.” ~ James Callaghan

“A leader or a man of action in a crisis almost always acts subconsciously and then thinks of the reasons for his action.” ~ Jawaharlal Nehru

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” ~ John Quincy Adams

“It is the responsibility of intellectuals to speak the truth and expose lies.” ~ Noam Chomsky

“I start with the premise that the function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers.” ~ Ralph Nader

“Leaders are more powerful role models when they learn than when they teach.” ~ Rosabeth Moss Kantor

“A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be.” ~ Rosalynn Carter

“The price of greatness is responsibility.” ~ Winston Churchill

“South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu walked by a construction site on a temporary sidewalk the width of one person. A white man appeared at the other end, recognized Tutu, and said, “I don’t make way for gorillas.” At which Tutu stepped aside, made a deep sweeping gesture, and said, “Ah, yes, but I do.” ~ Walter Wink 

We are pleased to have Bob Woodcock speaking at the Toronto ExecuNet Meeting on November 25, 2009.

Bob Woodcock……….Leadership that guides & inspires
Managing Director, Predictive Success Corporation    

“Maximizing Your Behavioural Fit To Your Desired Role”

Further to Bob Woodcock’s presentation, “Maximizing Your Behavioural Fit To Your Desired Role”, he has offered to complete a Predictive Index profile along with complimentary feedback for anyone that will be attending.

“In preparation for our November 25^th meeting “Maximizing Your Behavioural Fit To Your Desired Role” we would like to extend the invitation to have you complete a behavioural assessment called the Predictive Index®. If you would like the opportunity to complete your own profile please contact Julie Cane at Predictive Success Corporation. Her email address is jcane@predictivesuccess.com. Please identify yourself as being a part of the ExecuNet group attending the session on November 25^th. Once you have completed the Predictive Index® survey, Julie will forward a copy of your profile directly to you. We ask that you bring this along with you on November 25th.”   Bob Woodcock 

Bob Woodcock is a high energy and enthusiastic leader! Identified as a high potential leadership candidate with a  multinational, “50 Best Managed Companies” organization, Bob led a team of 100 to record performance levels, using Predictive Index as a talent management tool.

A certified Predictive Index analyst, Bob has successfully increased employee engagement, reduced turnover and built high performance teams working with a variety of companies across a broad range of industries. The lessons learned by managing in today’s business environment and as an entrepreneur for 13 years are transferable and repeatable. Bob’s mandate is to help build new leaders at every level of the organization. He can be reached at bobw@predictivesuccess.com.

Register today for November’s ExecuNet meeting with Bob Woodcock!