The Globe and Mail reported this morning, Opposition Leader Jack Layton dead at 61. All hopes that he could resume his leadership role in September are gone, replaced by a sense of loss shared by millions across the country and afar.

Jack Layton may be gone but he leaves a legacy, a personal brand and a political brand that will live on for generations and one which will undoubtedly inspire many future leaders, for Jack Layton is the quintessence of leadership. He will be missed but never forgotten.

St Patrick’s Day is a day filled with celebrations of Irish culture. Chances are you too are wearing green attire, you’ve seen a few shamrocks, someone has mentioned the luck o’ the Irish and you may or may not be looking forward to the annual toast of green beer among friends.

It is an international celebration to be enjoyed by all and brings with it some enlightening quotes:

“St. Patrick’s Day is an enchanted time – a day to begin transforming winter’s dreams into summer’s magic.” ~ Adrienne Cook

“Remember even if you loose all, keep your good name; for if you loose that you are worthless.” ~ Irish Proverb

“May you have warm words on a cold evening, a full moon on a dark night, and the road downhill all the way to your door.” Irish Blessing

“May you live as long as you want and never want as long as you live.” ~ Irish saying

“Here’s to you and yours and to mine and ours. And if mine and ours ever come across to you and yours, I hope you and yours will do as much for mine and ours as mine and ours have done for you and yours!” ~ Irish toast

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Another year is coming to a close and we would like to take this time to thank so many clients, associates, colleagues, new acquaintances and old. The very best of wishes are being sent your way for a wonderful holiday season and a very prosperous career! Please visit our blog and subscribe to our blog posts covering a variety of topics and career tips. If there is any information you would like to see to assist you in managing your executive career we would be pleased to welcome your suggestions, comments or questions!

We would also like to thank everyone for all of the positive feedback received from the many speaking engagements, ExecuNet networking meetings and professional career services that have been offered throughout the year. The driving force behind Elite Resumes is your career success! Please take advantage of a free resume critique from a Certified Professional Resume Writer!

Wishing you a very safe and happy holiday, the very best in the New Year and to all, a very successful career!

Elite Resumes

Martin Buckland @MartinBuckland

Barbara Mackie @BarbaraMackie

If there is one day of the year that truly puts everything in perspective, it is Remembrance Day. A day to be thankful for all of the choices we are free to make and appreciate those who fought to give us that freedom. Today is November 11th and “lest we forget” will continue to be a day for generations to come to remember the many family members, friends and strangers who were willing to sacrifice their lives for the life we have today.

It is unimaginable to think of where we could be today without those who fought for us and our country, so we just remember, and be oh so thankful on this day, Remembrance Day, Veteran’s Day.

Canadian Business

John Manzoni, President & CEO, Talisman Energy Inc.

Linda Hasenfratz, CEO, Linamar Corp.

Michael Lee-Chin, Founder & Chairman, Portland Holdings Inc.

John Beck, Chairman & CEO, Aecon Group Inc.

Sarah Morgan-Silvester, Chancellor, University of British Columbia

Annette Verschuren, President, Home Depot Canada

Jim Shaw, CEO, Shaw Communications Inc.

G. Raymond Chang, Chairman, CI Financial Corp.; Chancellor, Ryerson University

Donald Sobey, Chair Emeritus, Empire Co. Ltd.

Bonnie Brooks, CEO, The Bay

Monique Leroux, Chair & CEO, Desjardins Group

David Sobey, Chair Emeritus, Sobeys Inc.

Clive Beddoe, Founder & Chairman, WestJet Airlines

Donald Stewart, CEO, Sun Life Financial Inc.

Remi Marcoux, Founder, Transcontinental Inc.

Rebecca MacDonald, Founder & Executive Chair, Just Energy Income Fund

Robert DeLuce, President & CEO, Porter Airlines

Nadir Mohamed, President & CEO, Rogers Communications Inc.

Heather Reisman, Founder & CEO, Indigo Books & Music Inc.

Rick George, President & CEO, Suncor Energy Inc.

Each of these 20, successful Canadian leaders shared insight and advice providing a consistent message best summed up by Steve Maich, Editor and Associate Publisher, CANADIAN BUSINESS, “almost all spoke about the importance of listening, of empowering and instilling both confidence and pride in those around you. In the end, all our success is bound up in the success of others. Nobody triumphs alone, and leaders can not lead unless others consent to be led”.

Contact Martin Buckland for information on the Executive Career Management Services available at Elite Resumes. 

Media consumption has increased an hour per day over the past two years according to a recent Ipsos OTX Study. This means we now spend one-half of our waking days interacting with media which exceeds the amount of time we spend sleeping or working! This is a significant increase according to a past study  over the previous 8 years, which showed media consumption had increased 2 hours per day. 

Internet usage along with mobile devices are key factors in the increase in media consumption. More TV is now consumed online, cell phone ownership since 2009 decreased from 81% to 65% and 24% now own web-enabled smartphones. Social networking sites continue to grow and studies show 77% are active on at least one social network and 36% are members on at least 2 or more networking sites. 

Mitch Joel also commented on this study saying, “It’s our ability to fill those smaller time slots (like any idle moment of waiting in your life) with some form of media/entertainment (be it a quick glance of a Twitter feed or checking the sport scores on your mobile device). The more we continue to untether and be free of fixed locations, the more we will continue to see this trend in media consumption rise.”

How much time are you spending online?

There are also those parents or adult sons and daughters that have spent their summers in an active job search successfully edging out the competition to  land their next job and get back to work. Hot Tips for a Summer Job Search was good advice for many as 14 clients of Elite Resumes have recently acquired new positions. In a highly competitive labour market it is an accomplishment to be acknowledged and celebrated! New starts are not without some apprehension but at the same time begin with the greatest of expectations that these new positions will be a positive move towards a rewarding and successful career.

Many new challenges and opportunities will be presented as the school year or the new job progresses. The ability to recognize, respond appropriately, be decisive and follow through with viable action plans and attainable goals will be the foundation for your advancement in your academic endeavours or your career. The following tips and quotes are meant as inspiration for those back to school and back to work to achieve the best possible results:

Resilience ”You may have a fresh start at any moment you choose, for this thing that we call “failure” is not the falling down, but the staying down.” ~ Mary Pickford

Persistence ”Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.” ~ Henry Ford

Vision “Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare.” ~ Unknown

Positive Thinking “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” ~ Winston Churchill

Enthusiasm “A mediocre idea that generates enthusiasm will go further than a great idea that inspires no one.” ~ Unknown

Personal Branding Back to school for your personal brand ~ Paul Copcutt

Support  There will always be those who are happy to support, encourage or share in your success. Whether it be a friend, family member, colleague, teacher or professional coach, ask for support when you need it.

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!”

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.

“ 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