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Thank you for conducting the “Managers Managing Millennials” training for the management team at Winston & Strawn. The group was impressed by the material presented and your engaging training style. The issues surrounding this new generation entering the workforce will impact every business, and we are grateful for your guidance and insight. We look forward to our next training session.

Mark O. Stull
Director of Administration
Winston & Strawn LLP
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A New Year, A New You - 8 Ways to Revitalize Your Career in 2008

As 2007 draws to a close and 2008 is a clean slate, take a look at the following eight simple changes that, when implemented, will significantly impact on your business plan, whether you are in a solo, group or corporate environment.

By making just two or three changes, you will see results. If you want to play in the big leagues, try all eight for eight weeks and I promise, your business will improve dramatically.

#1 Be Smarter
Read more every day. A new 2007 National Endowment for the Arts report indicates that you are a better, smarter, more successful person if you read.

What to read? For starters, try: Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Boston Business Journal, Business Week, Pink Magazine, Financial Times, Inc., Fast Company

Business Proposition: Share articles with clients and potential clients. This is an excellent way to stay in touch (see #6 below) and show them how smart you are!

#2 Be Present
Stop multitasking and stay in the moment. Studies show that our brains are unable to concentrate on two things at once.

Interruptions by email, IM and phone calls waste lots of time and energy, not to mention the time it takes to resume your thought process prior to the interruption.

• Only check e-mail twice a day if possible
• Once an hour at the most
• Limit Internet activity, such as shopping, social networking and surfing
• Arrange phone hours to suit your schedule – not everyone else’s

Business Proposition: Productivity increases and stress and frustration are reduced when YOU manage YOUR time.

#3 Be Organized
Take the time to clean and organize your office/work area during the holiday lull. Commit to spending 10-15 minutes per day, each day, to file and put things in their proper place. Dis-organization slowly eats away at you, subconsciously, and is an energy drain.

Think about where you spend time – are those areas clean and organized?

Office, Home, Bedroom, Car

Business Proposition: Clients expect a clean and neat office and an organized professional.

#4 Be Dependable
Be known as the person clients and co-workers can count on. Your word is your bond. Don’t take on too much, but what you take on, be sure you deliver.

Let your manager know when you’ve:

• completed a task or assignment
• found the answer
• have a question

Remember to always close the loop

Business Proposition: Clients (internal and external) love it when you under-promise and over-deliver.

#5 Be Beautiful
Are you putting your very best self forward? When was the last time you had a makeover? How about your hair? Make-up? If it’s been over five years, it’s time! It’s true – you have less than thirty seconds to make a first impression.

Business Proposition: Attractive, confident people are more successful. This doesn’t mean you have to look like Angelina Jolie or Matt Damon, but by looking your absolute best, your confidence will shine through.

#6 Be Connected
Make networking a priority in 2008. Concentrate on helping others – one of the great keys to success! Join a new organization and participate. If you’re shy, volunteer to help with planning or hosting events.

Remember: You’ve got to give to get. You cannot expect an introduction, referral, or piece of business from a new contact until you’ve given them something of value. Can you send them a book, website link, article, introduction, or idea first?

Business Proposition: In order to grow your business, you must grow your circle of influence.

#7 Be Thankful
Cultivate an attitude of gratitude. This will surely make you stand out from the crowd!

• Keep a gratitude journal and count your blessings
• Thank your friends and family on a regular basis
• Thank your clients for their continued support

Business Proposition: An open and thankful heart will allow prosperity to flow into your life.

#8 Be Fearless
“Feel the fear, and do it anyway.” Susan Jeffers, PhD

Take time this holiday season to consider: What would you do now in your career if you knew you could notfail? Make a list of steps to take in order to realize that goal in 2008.