Saturday, October 14, 2006

Finding Your Path - Insight for the Masses

In a small town in Missouri lies a sleeping giant of employment. Problem is, it doesn't support the demand for the workforce needed to sustain its tourism and normal activities.
The need for employees extends to communities within 60 miles of the town, compounding the problem. With a population of 6000, Branson, Missouri has more than 57,000 theater seats. This doesn't take into account other attractions and shopping. Branson has recently undergone a major retail expansion, which added another 5,000 job openings. If you are breathing you can get a job in Branson - at least, that's the assumption.
The reality is that many businesses are grossly understaffed because they can't find qualified help. On the flip side, potential employees go from place to place looking for work, but are being turned down. It's a situation that frustrates everyone. How is this possible? you ask.
Mitch Raymer is a human resources expert who has worked in this challenging market for 14 years. He has graciously shared his insight and trade secrets in his new book, "Finding Your Path: Your Path to a Job."Mitch's experience and advice can benefit employers and employees alike. He has hired hundreds of applicants and interviewed thousands along the way, and has helped build a multi-million dollar company. Many books have been written that tell companies how to lure the best potential employees; many more books have been written for people seeking jobs with these companies. These books have one thing in common: they are written for professionals, those with college degrees who want a career stategy.
What about all the other jobs? Those in the service or retail fields, blue collar jobs, those that involve basic people skills but do not require college degrees. No one has written a book for these workers - until now.
Your Path To A Job gives these potential hires a plan to prepare for their future, and gives them the opportunity to make their best shot. Mitch enlightens us with an attitude that there are no failures, only the failure to recognize that each experience is a golden nugget of knowledge for the next step in one's search for a job. Too many potential employees go to an interview without the tools necessary to give them their "best shot." You can log onto Mitch's blog and learn more......
Finding Your Pathâ„¢

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

Making Hay While the Sun Shines

Today, I can only cringe as I recall hearing my mother open the lower compartment of the freezer in the kitchen as I was growing up in the 50's. If I didn't awake at first call for breakfast, she would take a large serving spoon and scrape the ice crystals off the top of the freezer until it was full. She then proceeded to my bedroom, yanked the covers off and tossed the icy mass onto my bare skin!"You have to make hay while the sun shines!" she yelled.I came out of that bed so fast, the curtains that covered the closet swayed as I sprinted past them on my way to the kitchen.My mother, Bonnie Claire, was the reason I did so well as an athlete. Her encouragement and creative antics kept me alert and prepared for life.Today around our family there are several "Bonnie" stories floating. She is stricken with Alzeimers but continues to keep us all in stitches with a good belly laugh. Her long term memory is still sharp."Making hay while the sun shines" is just a reminder that we are to take advantage of all our opportunities in life and don't squelch the opportunities we are given every day.