Today I learned something

Today I learned that no matter what organization or profession or society of individuals you represent there will always be two and three sides if you will that will speak ill of who you represent! I have been an advocate for Podiatrists, Psychologists, Chiropractors, Pharmacists, Nutritonalists, Public Insurance Adjusters, and the list continues. I have served in public office I have lobbied for the above names associations and what I learned today that there will always be those who will not see the value in the profession you represent! I am not discouraged or in anyway dejected, you see the take away here is simply this:

1. Believe in who you allign yourself with.

2. Represent the Issues not the profession.

3. Feel the passion of what the profession is trying to accomplish.

4. Be sincere and honest in what you do!

If you cannot follow these simple steps - then advocacy is not for you!

Economy Picking Up

Traveling to Florida today for a business meeting I have seem something that I have not seen for a long
Time - Business Travel is up and
It appears employers are beginning
To hire once again.

If you are not yet employed
Don't give up - begin sending
Resumes out and although you will
Not get a response on every mailing
You can be assured you will get
At least 1 response. Rule of thumb, for every
10 letters you mail - 1 is
Bound to respond! Try it and see
I am sure you will be glad
You did!

You know when it is time - 3 Principles to Follow

I have managed successfully many national and state associations.  The past 12 years I managed effectively  a state association and during that time have encountered much joy, happiness and heartache.   Building something is the joy, seeing it functuion is oure happiness, watching it change as a result of negative people is the heartache!  Let me explain.  If you stay anywhere for a period of time you will generate detractors to your management style.  It is human nature it is what it is.  My recommendation is to follow these three principles:

1. Embrace change head on - accept the fact that what you accomplished was what was needed at that time and new horizons are ahead of you!
2. Don't wallow in the heartache - move on and move up!  Your skills have prepared you well to take on the next challenge!
3. Leave with dignity and respect!  It is not personal it is business and in business change is good for an organization and for you.

Summary:

If you are in a current position more than 5 years it is time to rethink your future before it is rethought for you!

Best in Life Always

Gene

Board Members and their Role

I have served on many boards both for profit and not for profit and I have served board members as president, ceo and executive vice president for a not for profit and for profit board.  My belief is simply this.  No matter the type of board you serve on you will always encounter a multitude of personalites and egos that will cause great distress when there is no need for it to ever happen.

You see, all it takes is one Board Member who believes his or her idea is the "only idea" and you create a level of organized chaos that can tear down the goals and objectives of a board.  Board Members are people who have real lives and responsibilites too, so they will only allow themselves to take so much and if the negativity of one board member persists you can be sure two things will occur:

1.  A Board Member will withdraw and not contribute in that they will feel their opinion would not be well received

2.  A Board Member will stop being helpful and may even stop attending scheduled meetings which will result in a gradual way of saying goodbye farwell!

Don't let one of two negative Board Members ruin your Board.  Confront them - educate them on what you see and feel and begin an open dialouge where you professionally confront them when they are going to far with their issues especially if the majority of the board is not willing to vote or accept what is being debated.  Do not allow negative board members to take control of your issues - let them know you are watching and keenly observing them and if they continue you will call for their removal from a committee or board position.

Boards of all venues are in a critical way with the economy being what it is.  Spend your time on planning the future not debating the past issues.

Move forward and keep your Board Members on notice that you will not tolerate insubbordination or negativtity - a Board member is an ambassador of the organization and they need to act and demonstrate that they care first about their organization and do so by being proactive!

Veno interviews Auditor General Jack Wagner

It was a personal honor and pleasure to interview the Honorable Auditor Jack Wagner who is also a candidate for Governor of Pennsylvania.  I am interviewing all Candidates for Governor in The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and plan to complete all interviews by end of February 2010.

Why not call a legislator or a business person you admire and is  successful to ask them how they achieved career success.

Let's face it we all want to be asked a question that we believe can help a colleague or a friend.  So an interview is the best way to achieve results.

Back To Basics

To be successful in a competitive industry such as association management, one needs to do things differently. You simply have to swim up stream! You can never allow yourself to drift along especially in today's downturn economy. If you are an executive of a for profit company or an association director the rules have changed and so must you.

Managing any business today is like flying a plane without automatic pilot. Take control of the yoke and begin soaring as you navigate through the difficult times ahead. If you get shot down that is okay, you see I always say, "You cannot get shot down if you are not flying"!

Now take off and set your plans to achieve and believe that the future is yours to have,

Best of Life Always,

gene

Take Charge of Your Career

With the uncertainty in today's economic climate are you prepared to take charge of your career before it is too late? We have seen downsizing, right sizing and now what I like to call it, "Capsizing" of Careers and Business Employment on a grand scale. Don't be caught in the employment situation where one day you find your position no longer is needed and in many cases as we have seen in 2009 they are eliminated!

Boost Camp is one sure fire way to "Take Charge" of your future by preparing your mindset to acquire security and create career changing opportunities so you will never be left with out direction in your career.

Best of Life Always,

Gene
www.geneveno.com