In This Issue

News from Joan (right)

Toot Your Own Horn (below)

Quotes for the Month

Job Seeking Tips: Help with COBRA after Layoff

Quick Links

News from Joan!

The Music You Love – Free on your computer
My daughter told me about this fabulous free radio station where you just put in a favorite artist or composer and it will select music for you that is the same type. When you get tired of that, just make a new selection. Give it a try www.pandora.com I LOVE IT!

BE AWARE!
Never put anything, including photos and intimate personal information, on a social network site like Face Book or Twitter that you would not want a current or prospective employer, colleague, customer/client, family member or significant other to read now or in the future. Once information about you is on the internet it is nearly impossible to get it back. A client put something on her page at 30 that was embarrassing at 40 and she actually lost a potential position that she really wanted.
*****************

Need a Breakout Speaker for Your Local,
Regional, or National Professional Association
or Business Networking Group?
As a professional speaker and former trainer, Joan will give your organization great ideas and practical tips they can implement immediately. To view a list of topics and in-depth descriptions.


A spam free newsletter written and published by Joan Bolmer, Executive, Business, Career and Personal Coach. For more helpful ideas visit http://www.bolmer.com

Click here to learn more about Joan’s services!

Toot Your Own Horn

When working with clients on their resumes or discussing gaining greater visibility and credit for their work, they often say they are not good at tooting their own horn, as if it is bragging or doing something shameful.

The fact is only you know the problems, obstacles, and issues that have been overcome in the process of doing your job. For all your internal/external clients know, you just push a button and magic happens. As long as your boss hears no complaints from you or others, he or she figures you are doing fine and your boss is off to fight other fires.

When I talk about tooting your own horn, I am not talking about bragging, but about accurately reporting the facts in regard to your accomplishments. Clearly state obstacles you have overcome, giving proper credit to team members and supportive clients who helped you meet the various challenges.

A short monthly report with stats and brief overviews will do. Giving a hard copy to your boss and stakeholders is better than an email that may never get opened or read. This report gives you and your boss a written record of your accomplishments over time, which is great for your yearly performance review as well as building support and recognition with your team and clients. The formula for an accomplishment is: Problem + Action = Benefit to Company/Client.

**************************

What Clients Say about Joan

"Hi Joan,
I did a final calculation of my 2008 invoices for tax purposes and see that my billable income jumped 31% from the previous year. Thank you for your expert coaching, which helped me stay on track toward my goals and accomplish more than I expected, given my multiple volunteer responsibilities and challenges last year."

Susan, Independent Business Owner

************************
THANK YOU FOR YOUR REFERRALS. They are the greatest compliment you could give me.

Schedule a FREE no obligation consultation TODAY! Call 281 293-8864 or email me.

************************

Quotes for the Month

“Having once decided to achieve a certain task, achieve it at all costs of tedium and distaste. The gain in self-confidence of having accomplished a tiresome labor is immense.”
Arnold Bennett

“The man who has confidence in himself gains the confidence of others.”
Hasidic Saying

“It seems to me that people have vast potential. Most people can do extraordinary things if they have the confidence or take the risks. Yet most people don't. They sit in front of the telly and treat life as if it goes on forever.”
Philip Adams

“Every time you don't follow your inner guidance, you feel a loss of energy, loss of power, a sense of spiritual deadness.”
Shakti Gawain

Job Seeking Tips: Help with COBRA after Layoffs
From Briggs and Veselka Co., CPA and Business advisors

“Now, under the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA), employees who are laid off will have help in making COBRA insurance payments for nine months. Employees will pay only 35% of their monthly premiums. Employers will pay 65% - but will be reimbursed through payroll tax credits on their Form 941. (The form has been changed to reflect this for the first quarter of 2009).

These changes apply to employees terminated from September 1, 2008 to December 31, 2009. Eligible employees are those whose adjusted gross income on their 2009 Form 1040 will be less than $125,000 for single filers, and less than $250,000 for joint filers. The nine-month reduced payment period began March 1, 2009.
Individuals terminated between September 1, 2008 and February 17, 2009 who declined COBRA health insurance have the right to opt back in to the insurance plan; however, it must be done before June 17, 2009.”

Consult Briggs & Veselka or your CPA for additional information.

If you want to power up your resume, job search and interview skills, give me a call at 281-293-8864 or email me at joan@bolmer.com for a free consultation.

Quick Links

Write Your Own Report Card

Demonstrating Value to Your Clients and Boss

Political Savvy: Are You In or Out of the Game?

Favorite Resource Links

Check out Joan's paintings and notecards.

Imagination