When I worked for a corporation, we had a corporate training department that offered a long list of in-person and web-based courses and trainings for employees. About once a month I’d scroll through the training calendar looking to further develop my skills (and resume). While there was lots of health and safety, Microsoft office, and IT training, soft skills training…

Have you ever gone to a business networking event, ate cheese and crackers, handed out business cards and come home exhausted? Aghh. I know I have. So how do you grow your business network in an authentic way that resonates with you and your business? You need to harness the power of referrals. This process starts with you referring clients,…

When you were in school, you were likely told to focus on your weakest subjects. For me it was math. No matter how many times the teacher explained the concept, I still didn’t get it. And no amount of tutoring ever got me out of the C range. In Grade 12 a teacher said something to me that changed my…

A couple of weeks ago I posted a Facebook live video. I was talking about the various elections (in Canada and US) and how we can learn the importance of key messaging from the candidates. Who is clear on their message (you know exactly what they stand for)? And who throws out the usual comments like cutting taxes, getting spending…

When I was teaching public relations at a university, my students ended their term with a four-month co-op placement. Many wanted the glamorous or trendy placements at big agencies or companies. For them it was about the status not the position or professional fulfillment. Having worked in glamorous, and not so glamorous organizations, the advice I always gave my students…

When you were a kid, did you dread going back to school or did you count the days, eagerly awaiting seeing your friends? When you finally graduated, were you happy to be done or do you view life as a ongoing learning adventure? The most successful professionals realize life-long learning is key to personal and professional development. As a self-employed…