5-Minute Resume (CV) Makeover: From Plain to Eye-Catching in 3 Easy Steps

The 5-Minute Resume (CV) Makeover: From Plain to Eye-Catching in 3 Easy Steps!

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My Resume Philosophy: A Few Initial Thoughts on Cruciality of Appearance

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I’ve said these two things before as pertains to resumes and I’ll say them again:

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1) When it comes to resumes, you never get a second chance to make a first impression!

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2) In these ultra-competitive times when every job-opening elicits hundreds of resumes, in addition to proper structure and descriptive, well-written content, a resume must stand out from the crowd in an eye-catching manner.

The Numbers Game:

When one thinks of the sheer volume of resumes which arrive in the inbox of a Human Resources manager, it is essential to make this potentially door-opening document of salesmanship and marketing stand out! It’s vital to never forget that each and every time you send out your resume, you are attempting to sell yourself!

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You will certainly find those purists in the resume-writing community who balk at the idea of going beyond the traditional, those who state that resumes should be based entirely on merit and not on eye-catching extras. I agree completely that resumes should present merit in the form of experience, education, skills and abilities. The problem is that all of your competitors for the position are also presenting meritorious resumes. Something extra might be called for, but the key word here is “subtle.”

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By way of links, you will find “Page 1” of two resumes in this blog article and learn how to write a CV with no experience. In terms of wording, they are 100% identical…absolutely no differences whatsoever. It is a fictitious resume which I have designed for illustrative purposes only. The point here is to see what some subtle, easy-to-make changes can do to make a resume more attention-grabbing.

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Resume #1: Well-Written and Descriptive but Risks Getting Lost in the Crowd

The first resume is in the form of the vast majority which are both submitted for job-openings and submitted to me for proofreading, editing and general “fixing.”  As you can see by clicking the following link and viewing the document, there is really nothing about its appearance which makes it stand out; it is one which for all intents and purposes risks getting lost among the hordes of others. It is black and white and written in “Times New Roman” font throughout.

Link:  http://bit.ly/dvYcCH(When page loads…could take 15 seconds… press “Open”)

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Resume #2: Same Wording, Brand-New Look!

The second resume, identical to the first in all written aspects, has been slightly and subtly altered to give a more eye-catching appearance. As such, the following changes have been implemented:

1) Fonts have been changed from “Times New Roman” to “Baskerville Old Face” and “Book Antiqua,” font styles which I personally find very eye-pleasing when it comes to resumes. They are easily readable and go beyond the blandness of NTR. I have gotten some great feedback from HR people regarding these choices.

2) The white background has been changed to one which contains subtle color and texture. This can be done very easily in WORD by clicking “Format” – “Background” – “Fill Effects.”

3) A watermark of the resume-owner’s name has been inserted. On printed resumes and documents of the past, a watermark has always been seen as an official mark, one which signifies importance and a bit of adornment. It is the reason why, in times past, people would spend significantly more for watermarked paper. Applied to an electronic document, the effect is no-less eye-catching. Nothing like your very own name splashed across your resume to instill some instant name recognition among the HR staff. A watermark can easily be applied to any resume with the following steps in WORD: “Format” – “Background” – “Printed Watermark.”

By clicking the following link, you can see the effect that the subtle changes listed above have had on the original document:

Link:  http://bit.ly/a1NZGm (When page loads, press “Open”)

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I hope that you have found the tips and advice contained in this posting to be useful. If so, you are cordially invited to read my previous post “Yonatan’s 5 Fundamental Principles for Constructing That Winning Resume” by clicking the following link: http://jobshuk.com/yoni67/blog/2010/02/11/5-tips-for-constructing-that-winning-resume/

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And as always, “Thank You” for visiting my blog and for taking the time to read what I have written!

 

“Change Ahead” roadsign courtesy of www.flickr.com

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Having difficulty getting your resume in order? Overwhelmed and completely frustrated by the task ahead? Just don’t have the time? Then…

 

 Worrying. 

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My name is Yonatan Maisel. I am a professional writer, published author and business blogger.

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If you are seeking an experienced, proficient, skilled writer for your writing needs, I believe that you have come to the right place! I specialize in giving my clients that “personal touch” and in injecting vibrancy, vitality, enthusiasm and creativity into all of my written work! From resumes to corporate bios, from research to speeches, from ghost-blogging to web-content and much more…I will deliver a quality product at a very reasonable price. By clicking the following link http://jobshuk.com/yoni67 you will be redirected to my profile where you will find a summary of the services which I provide as well as a link to my website where my portfolio, testimonials and pricing can be found.  

 

 

 

Bring Out the Shakespeare in You and Write Your Business to Success

Release Your Innate Business-Shakespeare: How and Why Writing is the Most Indispensable Tool in the Business Arsenal 

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The Catch-22: To one degree or another, almost everyone can write:

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It’s a funny thing about my profession: writing. The fact is almost anyone can do it! The rather unique fact that just about anyone can do it is one of the things which makes it a challenge to attract clients.

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The same can’t be said about most professions. With no training, either formal or self-taught, one could not just step into the role of graphic-artist. A person like me who types 15 words per-minute using two fingers could not just start a career in transcription. Airline pilots, mercifully have great vision and nerves of steel in addition to precision training. Thankfully, those who practice medicine are highly-trained, qualified and licensed. And let’s face it, my experience watching Law and Order gives me absolutely no credentials whatsoever to begin a career as an attorney.

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The fact is, however, that most people who have achieved professional level, regardless of their field of endeavor, have acquired the knowledge, familiarity of rules and principles, and experience necessary to write. The average grade-school curriculum does not generally include cartography, electrical engineering, kinesiology or optometry. Once you get to college, you can choose to study one of these professions, but at that point it is on an elective basis. The difference with writing is that from an early age, right through university years, the average student spends an inordinate amount of time writing.

To writers like me, the fact that most anyone can write is generally seen as a professional detriment. Most people are reluctant to hire others to perform work which they themselves, to one degree or another, are capable of performing. To you, it can and should be seen as an indispensable tool…as a gift!

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Writing is a natural skill-set, which by design or by default, most everyone has. It is a gift for you to utilize in all of your business-related pursuits. What does your writing enable you to do? Market. Sell. Merchandise. Attract. Persuade. Affect. Convey. Communicate. Network. Correspond effectively with others. The possibilities are nearly endless!

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"6 Great Business-Related Things You Can Do With Your Writing Abilities":

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1) Create a finely-crafted, well-written resume (CV) which grabs attention and opens doors.

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2) Begin a business blog. Speak with words about you and your business. Entertain your readers. Create thought-provoking pieces which capture the attention and imagination. Draw your readers into your business-web. Speak in no uncertain terms of why they should turn to you for their professional needs. A business blog is free. I consider it to be the greatest and most cost-effective marketing tool which exists!  

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3) Write business articles. Use this wonderful tool to demonstrate your business-acumen, skills, knowledge and abilities. Show that you are an expert in your field. Offer tips and advice to others. Then upload and bookmark links to your articles on business-article sites so readers and prospective clients alike can find them and find you!

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4) Create informative profiles on job-search sites which clearly spell out your talents, abilities, experience, skill-sets and knowledge. Paint a picture of yourself with words. Humanize yourself. Go beyond the basics which most people include. Market and sell yourself effectively with nothing more than witty strokes of your keyboard!

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5) Design clever advertisements and marketing campaigns. Create short pieces which are informative, well-written and catchy. Post them to community forums and on bulletin boards. Use these free opportunities to direct those in need of the services which you provide right to your front door!

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6) A Website: the keystone of your business! If, like me, you want to create one by yourself, there are many programs which simplify the process, but you’ll have to do the writing. Keep in mind, a descriptive website with a clearly-defined, concise message acts as a client-magnet. Make sure to proofread! One with errors, misspellings and an unclear message can prove disastrous.

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"5 Free Tools Which Can Enhance Your Business-Writing Abilities":

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1) Your imagination! This is particularly useful when it comes to a blog and business articles. Relate your life-experiences, interests, thoughts and feelings and integrate them into your written work. Express your vision, wisdom and insight. Entertain. Become a story-teller! Transform yourself into the William Shakespeare or John Steinbeck of the business world. Use one of the single most important tools at your disposal to advance your business: CREATIVITY!

 

2) Online Dictionaries and "Spell-Check." Gone are the days, thankfully, when looking up correct spellings entailed paging through a huge book. All you need to avoid misspellings are these two easy-to-use tools. Use them to eliminate unwanted errors. A good online dictionary can be found at www.dictionary.com.

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3) An Online Thesaurus. Again, no more paging through a huge book or making trips to the library. Go to an online site, plug in a word, and watch in delight as words which are similar in meaning (synonyms) pop right out for your consideration and use! Try www.thesaurus.com.

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4) "Power-Word" lists. Google the phrases "resume power words" or "professional power words." The Web is full of such lists which enable you to replace bland, mundane words such as did, joined, helped and sped-up with power-words such as effected, consolidated, facilitated and streamlined.

5) A List of 50 Topics to Write About in Your Business Blog! It is my original creation which you can see by clicking the following link: http://jobshuk.com/yoni67/blog/2010/01/17/50-topics-to-write-about-in-your-business-blog/

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As always, "Thank You" for visiting my blog and for taking the time to read what I have written! The blog, going strong for six months now, is updated twice weekly, so stop by again for regular posts on everything business!  

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Having trouble writing your business to success?

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Overwhelmed and completely frustrated by the task ahead?

Is English your second-language?

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Just don’t have the time? Then…

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Worrying…

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That’s where I enter the picture!

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My name is Yonatan Maisel. I am a professional writer, published author and business-blogger

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If you are seeking an experienced, proficient, skilled writer for your writing needs, I believe that you have come to the right place! I specialize in giving my clients that "personal touch" and in injecting vibrancy, vitality, enthusiasm and creativity into all of my written work! From resumes to corporate bios, from research to speeches, from ghost-blogging to web-content and much more…I will deliver a quality product at a very reasonable price. By clicking the following link http://jobshuk.com/yoni67 you will be redirected to my profile where you will find a summary of the services which I provide as well as a link to my website where my portfolio, testimonials and pricing can be found.  

 

*Inkwell and gift pictures courtesy of www.istockphoto.com

5 Tips for Constructing That Winning Resume

Yonatan’s 5 Fundamental Principles for Constructing That Winning Resume

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As I professional writer, the "bread and butter" of my time spent working for others is in resume preparation. As such, I have put together my "top-five tips" for those who wish to prepare their resume on their own. The list could easily have been my "top-fifty tips" as resume preparation is a complex task. These are the five issues which I deem most important and which address the most common mistakes which I find out there.

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1) Size Matters! With resumes, one of the biggest problems which I see is "too much." In the world of resumes and CVs, less is often more. Think of when someone you know is telling a very long story which you don’t have time to hear in full. How do you respond? Typically by asking "What’s the bottom line?" or "What’s the point you’re trying to make?" That is what a resume is about! Making a point and getting to the crux of the matter, not bogging the reader down with unnecessary and irrelevant details. Words to remember when constructing your resume are concise, succinct, summarized and comprehensive. Relevant facts should be included, but in the name of space, only those which provide insight into your abilities, skills and experience. Leave out the extras.

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2) "What Have You Done for Me Lately?" It’s both a hit song by Janet Jackson and a golden rule for resume preparation. The logic is if you performed a job fifteen, twenty, or thirty years ago, the systems, technology and skill-sets have changed so much that today it is no longer considered to be very relevant. Your resume should not go back any more than 5-10 years unless you are an academic or medical practitioner. Many resumes which are turned over to me for fixing go back to the 1970s and 1980s. Many are 3-6 pages in length. This is a big "no-no!" Emphasis must be placed on the most recent positions. As you go further back in time, the work is less relevant and the details should diminish in scope.

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3) The Sixty-Second Rule. Think about the person in the human resources office who will be reviewing your resume. But don’t just think of your resume…envision the hundreds of others which are also in the inbox of the person in question. Yes, for almost every opening these days there are literally hundreds of applicants. For the purpose of this article, I spoke with three human resource heads and asked them the amount of time which they allot to each resume. The answer? You guessed it: sixty seconds. That is the amount of time you have to make an impression! It’s a further reason to keep things brief yet encompassing. For the sixty second scan your resume will initially receive, 1-2 pages is both optimal and more than enough. 

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4) Eye-Catching Catches Eyes! Developmental psychologists agree that people learn from a very young age to be attracted to the unusual, the eye-catching and the extraordinary. If you have any doubt, give your child two balls to choose from: one plain white and the other with colors and stripes. It is a foregone conclusion which one he or she will choose. This proclivity to choose the eye-catching travels right with us into adulthood and has definite implications on our resumes. WORD allows subtle background colors to be injected into documents as well as textures and watermarks. A myriad of subtle font changes are also available. Use them…make your resume stand out from the crowd!

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5) "You Never Get a Second Chance to Make a First Impression." Experts disagree who first uttered this gem of a quote; some say Will Rogers while others attribute it to Oscar Wilde. Regardless, it is a critical issue when putting together your resume. Upon finishing, check for errors, proper formatting and misspellings.

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question_mark.jpg question mark image by Clally_bucket

Then ask yourself these crucial questions: Does it convey enthusiasm? Is it dynamic? Does it present you as a go-getter? Does it truly represent you, your abilities, skills and experience? Then ask yourself one final question…the most important question of all. If you were the person sitting in the H.R. office, would you hire you? If you have answered "No" to any of these questions, it’s either time to go back to the drawing board or consult a professional.

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One Final Tip:

In order to produce a dynamic, descriptive resume you will need dynamic, descriptive words. The big kind which H.R. people the world over just love to see. Just Google the phrase "resume power words" or "resume action words" and you will find no shortage of sites which provide the words you need.

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As always, "Thank You" for visiting my blog and for taking the time to read what I have written! The blog, going strong for six months now, is updated twice weekly, so stop by again for regular posts on everything business! 

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  Having trouble preparing your resume? No time to do it? Feeling overwhelmed by the task ahead?

Hello. My name is Yonatan Maisel. I am a professional writer, published author and business-blogger.

If you are seeking an experienced, proficient, skilled writer for your writing needs, I believe that you have come to the right place! I specialize in giving my clients that "personal touch" and in injecting vibrancy, vitality, enthusiasm and creativity into all of my written work! From resumes to corporate bios, from research to speeches, from ghost-blogging to web-content and much more…I will deliver a quality product at a very reasonable price. By clicking the following link http://jobshuk.com/yoni67 you will be redirected to my profile where you will find a summary of the services which I provide as well as a link to my website where my portfolio, testimonials and pricing can be found. 

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Dear Reader, it is my hope that you found this article to be useful, informative and/or entertaining. If so, you are cordially invited to read my previous posting, "Almost Everything I know About Business I learned While Fishing" by clicking the following link: http://jobshuk.com/yoni67/blog/2010/02/08/almost-everything-i-know-about-business-i-learned-while-fishing/

 

 

The Spud Webb Business Model: How a 5’6″ Player Soared to Greatness in the NBA

The Spud Webb Business Model: How a 5’6" Player Soared to Greatness in the NBA…and How it Can Impact Your Business! 

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Against the Odds:

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Manute Bol, formerly of the Washington Bullets is 7’7". Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets is 7’6". There are in fact a slew of NBA players, current and former, who have topped the 7-foot mark. Weight is another determining factor in the aggressive, physical game of basketball. Charles Barkley, the "Round Mound of Rebound," tipped the scales at nearly 300 lbs.; Shaquille O’Neal is well over that.

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There are two things I have no doubt about. In basketball, size is an advantage. And when all is said and done, basketball is a business! Fail to perform, and you’ll quickly be looking for another job.

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Enter the 5’6" 135lb. Spud Webb:

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Spud Webb was an outstanding player at Wilmer-Hutchins High School in Dallas, Texas where he averaged over 25 points per-game. Upon graduation, however, while other standout players were being recruited by big-time college programs, interest in the 5’6” Webb was almost non-existent.

Despite his phenomenal abilities, a player of his short stature was seen as a detriment. Midland College, a small, two-year Junior College in Midland, Texas reluctantly took a chance. In 1982, Webb’s leadership, skill and determination were integral components in leading Midland to the Junior College National Championship. His incredible 36-point performance in the game led Sports Illustrated to run a feature story on him…and in the blink of an eye, he was catapulted to national prominence.

His two years at Midland over, Spud Webb caught the attention of the coaching staff at powerful North Carolina State University; offered a scholarship for his final two years of college by Coach Jim Valvano, Webb thrived!

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Webb was drafted in the fourth-round of the NBA’s 1985 draft. During his incredible 12 seasons as a pro, he played for the Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings, Minnesota Timberwolves and Orlando Magic. Competing against players who oftentimes stood more than two-feet taller, the beloved Webb averaged 9.9 points per-game and piled up over 4,000 assists!

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The following is my Spud Webb Business-Model:

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1) David can Slay Goliath! Whatever your field of endeavor, whether small business-owner or freelancer, unless you have reached the pinnacle of your profession, you will be competing against larger businesses. The good news is that with hard work, knowledge and attitude, you can succeed. You might not put the giants out of business, but there is no reason why you can’t carve out a nice profitable niche for yourself! 

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2) A Standout Performance can Bring Instant Recognition. Just like Spud Webb in the Junior College National Championship Game in which he scored 36 points, an excellent job can bring recognition and acclaim quite quickly. One exceptionally completed project can open the floodgates of praise, recommendations, word-of-mouth and testimonials.

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3) Fortitude, Persistence and Determination are Keys to Success. When facing larger, more-established, more entrenched competitors, some of whom have greater name-recognition, the situation demands strength and perseverance. The road might be long and achieving success might take time, but by consistently delivering a quality product, people will take notice.

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4) Fans Cheer for the Underdog! People love to see the little guy come out ahead. They are enthralled by seeing the underdog, against all odds, triumph. It’s true in sports, it’s true in life and it’s true in business. It’s the reason why many people drive right past the "Golden Arches" of McDonalds and head straight to their local diner for a good home-cooked meal! When starting out in business, or while trying to build a name and brand, it is imperative to remember that people love personalized service, something which is quite often missing from the big guys. Give prospective customers reasons to shy away from the biggies and give their business to you! 

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5) Pay Little Attention to Your Detractors. I’m willing to bet that early in life, many people told Spud Webb to forget all about basketball. To give up his passion and dream. "You’re too short…you’re just setting yourself up for disappointment and failure," were words he might have heard. Had he listened, he might have been Spud Webb the lawyer, Spud Webb the chef or Spud Webb the shoe salesman. But he didn’t give up; he ignored the cynics! The only thing he paid attention to was the fire in his heart, his inner-desire and his unshakeable dream. In business, detractors can be people, statistics, almost-daily newspaper headlines which scream of recession and bankruptcy, and our own doubts. The reasons not to go into business are few. The reasons to do so and to dream of success are much more numerous!

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The above images are shown courtesy of the National Basketball Association and Atlanta Hawks respectively. The Spud Webb Business-Model was written by Yonatan Maisel with the utmost respect of and for Spud Webb but not with his consent or endorsement.

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Hello. My name is Yonatan Maisel. I am a professional writer, published author and business-blogger.

Whether you are just starting out in business or have reached the status of giant, if you are seeking an experienced, professional writer with a track-record of success and customer satisfaction, I believe you have come to the right place.

I specialize in giving my clients that "personal touch" and in injecting vibrancy, vitality, enthusiasm and creativity into all of my written work! From resumes to corporate bios, from research to speeches, from ghost-blogging to web-content and much more…I will deliver a quality product at a very reasonable price. By clicking the following link http://jobshuk.com/yoni67 you will be redirected to my profile where you will find a summary of the services which I provide as well as a link to my website where my portfolio, testimonials and pricing can be found. 

Almost Everything I Know About Business I Learned While Fishing

Almost Everything I Know About Business I Learned While Fishing

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I got to thinking today about my childhood and some of the lessons which it provided me, lessons which can so easily and readily be applied to the world of business.

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The particular memories which spring to mind are those associated with fishing. Those relaxing, carefree days angling with my friends in such Eastern Pennsylvania locales as the Delaware and Lehigh Rivers, the Bushkill Creek, Spruce Run and Lake Wallenpaupack.

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It’s been over twenty-five years since the last time I went out, cast my line out with my Zebco rod and reel, but just reminiscing about it now evokes the pleasant memories of fishing seasons past. The thoughts, smells and sensations are almost tangible all these years later. The chill in the air, the russet leaves, the lapping of the water on the pier or against a boat, the hope of landing a big one and the absolute thrill of getting a tug on the line and imagining the fight ahead to land the beast.

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I believe that fishing, and the basics, principles and rules of fishing, are integral parts of what businesspeople of all types can utilize on a daily basis. Whether small business-owners, freelancers, independents, telemarketers or salespersons, perhaps these points will provide some insight into landing that next client or customer:

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1)      Find a Good Spot. In fishing, it’s vitally important to know where they’re biting. Fishermen "test" the waters to see where the fish are. Commercial fisherman use SONAR to scan the depths for schools of fish. If they’re not biting in a particular area, it can be a frustrating exercise in futility to remain in that particular place. As Businesspeople it is important to "test" the waters to see where prospective clients are. It’s about finding those who might be interested in our goods and services, targeting them with information, ads and marketing campaigns and attempting to attract them. Often it is necessary to narrow down the search to certain targeted or niche areas. In this way, we too can have a "Business SONAR," allowing us to seek out and focus on those groups most likely to utilize our products and services.

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2)      Watch Out for the Competition. When fishing, it is a good idea to avoid crowds where you are forced to play the numbers game while vying with others for the limited resources. In the melee which typically ensues nerves become frayed and lines become tangled. As Businesspeople it is worth remembering that an overcrowded and saturated marketplace can necessitate an effective strategy. Be creative, take steps to outshine and outperform the competition, deliver a quality product…and rather than always battling for the limited number of customers, search out niche markets which have not yet become crowded.

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3)      Use the Correct Bait. In fishing, try using a worm with fish that are attracted to lures, or lures with fish that prefer worms and spend an entire day without a bite. It’s crucial to know what trout, bass, pike, etc. fancy for their next meal. As Businesspeople it is important to use "bait" (sorry if the word has a negative connotation in this context). Bait, at least as far as I’m concerned is the sum-total of all the tools we have at our disposal to attract prospective customers to us and our businesses: websites, blogs, portfolios, testimonials, word-of-mouth, articles and more. But remember, in business as in fishing, there are those customers who prefer simplicity, the worm so to speak, and those who prefer a fancier, eye-catching lure!

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4)      Pay Attention to the Season. Try fishing out of season and don’t be too surprised if an officer from the Fish and Game Commission or Forestry Service presents you with a very large fine. The cost will be heavy! As Businesspeople we too must be aware of seasons. If you are a freelancer like me, you can probably divide seasons into "uptime" and "downtime." It is important to remember there are steps you can take to minimize downtime and to remain productive during it. If you are in a merchandising or marketing business such as selling winter coats, perhaps the time has come to diversify your product line. It’s all about keeping busy, earning a decent living and paying the bills.

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5)      Hooking and Reeling In. In fishing, hooking a fish can be a tricky process. When you feel a nibble, a too-quick yank of the line can mean losing the fish. The same holds true for reeling in: although you might be tempted to do it quickly, if you’re too aggressive, you might just reel in an empty hook! It takes patience and requires waiting for the right moment when the fish has become enticed. As Businesspeople it can also be a tricky process. Being too aggressive or assertive can turn off prospective customers, whereas a lackadaisical approach can mean losing the opportunity. Get to know your customers and your prospective customer base. Demonstrate what you have to offer. Produce samples from your portfolio and testimonials from satisfied customers. Let them know why you are the perfect person for the job. And develop and refine a systematic approach for success.

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6)      The "Big One" vs. a Bunch of Small Ones. In fishing, every angler dreams of that once-in-a-lifetime monster. That enormous trophy fish or the one which can be cooked by the side of a crackling fire and feed the entire family. As Businesspeople it is also nice to land that huge contract or customer. But it is essential to keep in mind that wasting an enormous amount of time and effort on one biggie can be frustrating, counter-productive and exhausting. Most times several smaller clients can be just as good as the big one that gets away.

Wishing you business success, happiness and health, and as always, "Thank You" for taking the time to read what I have written!

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The image used above is not subject to copyright protection

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Hello. My name is Yonatan Maisel. I am a professional writer, published author and business-blogger.

If you are seeking an experienced, proficient, skilled writer for your writing needs, I believe that you have come to the right place! I specialize in giving my clients that "personal touch" and in injecting vibrancy, vitality, enthusiasm and creativity into all of my written work! From resumes to corporate bios, from research to speeches, from ghost-blogging to web-content and much more…I will deliver a quality product at a very reasonable price. By clicking the following link http://jobshuk.com/yoni67 you will be redirected to my profile where you will find a summary of the services which I provide as well as a link to my website where my portfolio, testimonials and pricing can be found. 

Contemplations at Oskar Schindler’s Jerusalem Gravesite Yesterday

Contemplations at Oskar Schindler’s Jerusalem Gravesite Yesterday

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Reflecting on the Legacy of the Man, the Businessman and Life Itself…

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Having an extra hour yesterday after leaving Jerusalem’s Western Wall with my brother-in-law who is visiting from America, I decided to take him to a place which I, myself, have been meaning to visit since immigrating to Israel thirteen years ago. To a grave. The grave of a man. A businessman. A war-profiteer. A member of the Nazi party. And alas, when all is said and done, a man to whom thousands and thousands of  holocaust survivors, their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren owe not just a debt of gratitude, but very existence itself. Yes, Oskar Schindler.

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Since being immortalized in Steven Spielberg’s 1993 blockbuster, Schindler’s List, much has been written about the man. Written by his supporters and those whom he saved. And written by his detractors, castigators and critics. All translated into thoughts which were running through my head as we made our way down the hillside in search of the grave. Why did he do it? What motivated him? Was it truly an act of unfathomable kindness and humanity? Or did he, knowing the war would be lost, seek to save his own hide? I was asking myself those very same questions which historians have asked and will probably continue to analyze until the end of time.

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It took Steven and I a full half-hour to find the grave. The huge neon-sign of my mind’s-eye proclaiming "Here Rests Oskar Schindler" didn’t exist. The grave is an ordinary one nestled amongst hundreds of others. Like them, it is covered by an ordinary gray slab. The difference with Schindler’s, and the key to finding it, were the many hundreds of small stones which rest atop his. For those unfamiliar with the tradition: in Judaism the traditional placing of a stone on the grave of a deceased person is a mark of honor, reverence and homage. It allows those who did not participate in the burial itself to do so symbolically.

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After silently contemplating "Schindler the Man" I shifted mental gears to "Schindler the Businessman."

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Schindler, Business Ethics, Acts of Humanity and Goodness for Goodness Sake:

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…and with that, I began to contemplate the acts of other famous businesspeople. Oprah Winfrey and her highly-publicized school for underprivileged girls in South Africa. Bill Gates’ multi-billion dollar contributions to third-world healthcare. Brad Pitt and his Make it Right Foundation which is dedicated to building affordable, environmentally-friendly housing for those who lost everything as a result of Hurricane Katrina. CEO Aaron Feuerstein, who spent $25 million of his own money to pay the salaries of his thousands of employees while their factory, destroyed by fire, was being rebuilt. These are just a few examples. And I pondered a phenomenon which continues to befuddle me: the fact that almost every publicized act of goodness which a businessperson or corporation performs is inevitably followed by questions from pundits and detractors. What mysterious factors could be behind the act itself? Tax-breaks? Publicity? Egocentrism? Public Relations? There must always, seemingly, be an agenda.

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As I stood beside Schindler’s grave, the brilliant, warm Jerusalem sun giving no inkling or clue of the snowstorm which is scheduled to hit the city tomorrow, I arrived at my answer. Why did Schindler do it? What motivated him? Did he have ulterior motives? Was it business? It didn’t matter! Why did he do it? I don’t care. The only thing that matters is that he did do it! While the vast majority of others who were in positions of influence and had the means to help didn’t, this remarkable man, for whatever reasons, did! Isn’t that enough?

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Newspaper headlines and television news scream of corruption, greed and callousness which are both rife and rampant in the business world. Bernie Madoff. Ponzi schemes. Multimillion dollar bonuses for executives at bankrupt AIG. Enron. Fraud. Bribery. Graft. Extortion. It can be depressing, distressing and disheartening.

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Perhaps when we see those far-too-rare glimpses of greatness, acts of incredible charity and the granting of happiness, health and human life by those with the means, capacity and wherewithal to make a difference, we should stop looking past the act itself. The endless scrutiny and examination of motives and agenda should end before they begin. I’ve reviewed some commentary today on kindness. Bill Gates gives for tax write-offs. Oprah gives because maybe she has future political aspirations. Brad Pitt has a giant ego. I don’t care! The important thing is that they do good! Rather than being examined for flaws, their examples have the capacity to let each and every one of us, both as human beings and businesspeople, through introspection ask ourselves, "What small things can I do to make the world a better place?’

Whatever lay behind Oskar Schindler’s decision to stand up and act, at risk to his own life, there are by some estimates, tens of thousands of human beings whose very existence would not have been possible without his incredible acts.

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They were the acts of a rare breed of human being. And a businessman. 

I’m glad I visited his grave…the opportunity and the privilege have provided me with newfound clarity. 

____________________________________

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Visiting Israel soon? Already here? Thinking of visiting Oskar Schindler’s grave? When departing the Western Wall through the Dung Gate, turn right. Follow the road up the hill approximately 1/4 mile. When you see the Diaspora Yeshiva on your right, proceed another 100-150 feet. On your left you will see a small arched gate with a tiny black and white sign which reads "To Oskar Schindler’s Grave." Enter the cemetery and proceed down to the second level. Look for the gravestone with hundreds of small stones resting atop it. That’s Oskar Schindler’s.

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*** I was saddened to see that the pictures we took of Schindler’s grave were accidentally erased from my camera. As such, the above image of Schindler’s grave is presented courtesy of flickr.com 

An Unorthodox Way to Land That Next Project: Start Without Being Hired

An Unorthodox Way to Land That Next Project: Start Without Being Hired

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I have now done it for the second time in my life as a freelancer…started working for someone without having been hired to do so…

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Facing some unwanted downtime last week (I am a professional writer), I decided to again try a rather unorthodox approach to landing my next project. It is something I tried back in July of 2009, an approach whose successful outcome was the catalyst for one of my blog postings soon thereafter.

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Hand holding light bulb on the beige background by shadphotos. 

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The idea is a simple one:

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Begin a job without actually having been hired. Without actually being interviewed. Without, for that matter, any prior contact with the prospective client. Sound crazy? It’s not…last time around it got me a 65-hour project! My goal this time around was to see if what happened last time was a fluke, a quirk, a "one-hit-wonder" as the saying goes in the music industry. Or is there really something more to it? Is it a practical way to bypass the competition, get one’s foot in the proverbial door and land that next project?

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Sitting in my office, having just returned from a walk with my dog on a blustery, chilly, rainy mid-morning here in Jerusalem, I began to brainstorm. I, once again began to think of ways to extricate myself from that dreaded scourge of freelancers the world over; yes, the dreaded "D-word": downtime! That’s when my mind flashed back to six months ago: the first time I began a job without the minor annoyance of actually being hired.

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I began, just like last time, to peruse websites which I could work on. What I was looking for were examples which were obviously not written by professionals. I was seeking out those with numerous grammatical errors, misspellings, areas which needed clarification, sections which should have been self-explanatory but weren’t, and those which could have used better, more stylized, more marketable words, language and syntax to appeal to prospective customers. Within twenty minutes, I had found my "mark."

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The company website itself was six pages in total, including the standard "Homepage," "About us," "Pricing," "Testimonials," etc. I chose one page in particular, "About us" which I believed could have been improved markedly. This page which should have been telling the reading audience about the dynamic team which comprised the management of the company in question was instead bland, boring and non-descriptive.

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So I sat down and began to type. Within twenty minutes I had rearranged the page with all of the information I had at my disposal; to my mind all of the relevant information had already been there. It was just a question of "spicing" things up with more descriptive and relevant terminology (vocational "power-words" as we in the writing business like to call them) and "humanizing" the short corporate-style bios of the team (what I like to refer to as making 2-dimensional personal descriptions into living, breathing, human entities).

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When I had finished, just as I had done half-a-year before, I attached the newly-created "About us" page to an email and wrote the following letter which has been abbreviated for the purpose of keeping this blog article as short as possible:

 

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Dear Ms. "Anonymous",

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My name is Yonatan Maisel. I am a professional writer. I beg your pardon in advance for the unsanctioned initiative I have taken in trying to bring to fruition the full potential of your website.

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Attached to this email you will find a new version of your website’s "About us" page. I would like to state in advance that the work which I have performed is "on the house," a demonstration of what I believe I can bring to your company; for it, you owe me not a dime. If you choose not to contact me, I will fully understand. If, however, you might be interested in having me do for your entire website what I have done for the demo page, all at a very reasonable price, then you may contact me at the following email address: yo*****@******************ip.com.

Regards,

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Yonatan Maisel

 

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To ensure that the email would not be discarded as Spam, I followed up with a phone call to the company secretary, requesting her to notify her boss of the importance of the contents.

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I am pleased to say that within 48 hours of sending the email, I received a positive reply. Half –an-hour and one phone call later, we had arrived at a proposed price for completion of the project. This morning, I finished the project.

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I believe that in almost any profession the unsanctioned beginning of work without being hired is possible. I further believe that it is an excellent tool to break out of the "downtime-blues!" As such, I have come up with the following steps:

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1) Find a business or person which/whom you would like to work for.

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2) Get your mind into the "sample mentality." Think of an ice-cream parlor which uses sample spoonfuls to entice customers to make a purchase. What type of sample can you offer?

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3) Make your mind up that what you are about to do is not a waste of time. If you succeed, you could land your next job. If it doesn’t work, you have only used up a few hours of your life!

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4) Provide a sample to the person or business in question.

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5) Let the person know that what you have completed is a sample/demo and that it comes with no obligation whatsoever.

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6) Politely let the person know that if they are interested, you will be happy to continue with the task right where you let off.

 

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It might take a bit of creativity to come up with ideas. If you are a caterer, perhaps send a free meal or two at lunchtime to the boss of a company you would like to cater for. If you are a graphic-artist, design part of a new company logo for a company you would like to be associated with. But, if you are a painter, don’t paint half of your neighbors house without asking!

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I have used this idea twice in my professional life when faced with downtime. As far as I’m concerned, it’s a simple idea: take the initiative, bypass the competition, show a prospective employer what you have to offer and dare them to hire you! It has worked twice. Whether or not it is a fluke or purely luck is anyone’s guess. Perhaps if necessary, I will try it a third time…

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If you find yourself stuck in some unwanted downtime, why not give it a try?

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The picture of the businessman is used with the permission of fotosearch.com. The image of the light-bulb is the property of flickr.com.

_____________________________________________

 

Hello. My name is Yonatan Maisel. I am a professional writer, published author and business-blogger.

If you are seeking an experienced, proficient, skilled writer for your writing needs, I believe that you have come to the right place! I specialize in giving my clients that "personal touch" and in injecting vibrancy, vitality, enthusiasm and creativity into all of my written work! From resumes to corporate bios, from research to speeches, from ghost-blogging to web-content and much more…I will deliver a quality product at a very reasonable price. By clicking the following link http://jobshuk.com/yoni67 you will be redirected to my profile where you will find a summary of the services which I provide as well as a link to my website where my portfolio, testimonials and pricing can be found. 

The Einstein Business Conundrum: Imagination vs. Knowledge at Work

The Einstein Business Conundrum: Imagination vs. Knowledge

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It is one of the most famous quotes from one of the 20th century’s greatest thinkers:

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"Imagination is more important than knowledge."

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When I think of this quote, particularly about the "imagination" part, I always think of another quote, that of the late U.S. Attorney General, Robert F. Kennedy, who stated, "There are those who look at things the way they are and ask why? I dream of things that never were and ask why not?"

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Imagination:

Imagination is a powerful force in life as it is in business. In Einstein’s case it allowed him to make some of the most remarkable scientific breakthroughs in history, breakthroughs which changed the way we think, and led to achievements thought impossible prior to his emergence onto the world stage. From his contributions in "The Manhattan Project," which brought an end to WWII without an invasion of the Japanese mainland (an invasion which experts believe could have resulted in up to 500,000 American casualties) to his "Theory of Relativity," Albert Einstein excelled in the theoretical. It was, yes, the ability to, to borrow the words of Robert Francis Kennedy, "dream of things that never were and ask ‘why not’?" It was the power to imagine!

There is no doubt that imagination is a driving force in business. It is the well-spring of new and better ideas. It is the catalyst and impetus for methods that let one business or businessperson excel over the competition. It is the spark which sets in motion ideas which are newer, better, more efficient, more aesthetic, more cost-efficient, more creative, more marketable, more profitable and more popular.

As businesspeople, imagination can allow us to do things such as:

  • Create a clever marketing campaign which draws prospective clients away from the competition and to us
  • Conceive of ideas which don’t yet exist and bring them to realization
  • Find and develop niches
  • Improve on existing ideas by making them more user-friendly, customer-oriented, efficient, effective and simplistic
  • Present novel thoughts and ideas in blogs and business articles…thoughts and ideas which have the potential to capture the imagination of those who might hire us
  • Present marketing tools such as websites and profiles which, through their creativity, draw clients to us and our businesseses
  • Conceive of what the future might hold for our industry and profession and plan accordingly for the change to come

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Knowledge:

But what of knowledge? Sure Einstein had the insight and vision to imagine physical entities and ideas which were not even visible…those which were visible only in the theoretical and in the recesses of the parts of his brain which controlled imagination. Imagination is great, but where would Einstein be without a thorough knowledge, mastery in fact, of mathematics, physics, astronomy, chemistry, electromagnetism and engineering? Would imagination alone have been enough to split the atom or conceive of things I don’t have the faintest understanding of such as relativity, quantum theory, the time-space continuum, wormholes and gravitational-redshift? It’s obvious that something else is necessary.

As businesspeople, knowledge allows us to do things such as:

  • Learn and apply the basic fundamental principles inherent in our field of endeavor
  • Perform work without, or with minimal mistakes and errors
  • Remain up-to-date and relevant within our profession
  • Adhere to professional standards
  • Meet the expectations of those who entrust us by hiring us
  • Present a product which consistently meets the highest level of quality

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My conclusion: 

It is for me, uncomfortable, disquieting and unsettling to disagree with one of history’s greatest thinkers. But do so I must. Dear Albert, I believe you were wrong. Knowledge is the factor which allows us to succeed, be productive and excel in the profession in which we choose to practice. Imagination is the factor which allows us to find the creativity, vision and thought necessary to set ourselves apart from our competitors.

But rather than one being more important than the other, as you Mr. Einstein asserted, I believe that each is of equal importance and each, in equal doses, can provide a businessperson with all of the tools necessary to realize their dreams and find success.

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 It doesn’t take a genius to realize that!

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_____________________________________________

Hello! My name is Yonatan Maisel. I am a professional writer, published author and business-blogger.

If you are seeking an experienced, proficient, skilled writer for your writing needs, I believe that you have come to the right place! I specialize in giving my clients that "personal touch" and in injecting vibrancy, vitality, enthusiasm, creativity and imagination into all of my written work! From resumes to corporate bios, from research to speeches, from ghost-blogging to web-content and much more…I will deliver a quality product at a very reasonable price. By clicking the following link http://jobshuk.com/yoni67 you will be redirected to my profile where you will find a summary of the services which I provide as well as a link to my website where my portfolio, testimonials and pricing can be found.

50 Topics to Write About in Your Business Blog!

50 Topics to Write About in Your Business Blog

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I was recently asked by a colleague for a list of subjects to write about in a business blog. She had been biz-blogging for months and was going through a drought; no ideas were coming to her mind. I took it as a challenge; the catalyst to brainstorm. Although there are many topics that I have not included, here is a list of prospective subjects I have come up with, listed in no particular order. Some are subjects I have written about in my own blog, others are ones I have never thought of until now and will be using in future posts.

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Whether starting a business blog, or as a cure for writers-block, I hope you find the list to be useful:

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1) A professional profile of yourself

2) A profile of your business

3) A profile of the industry in which you work

4) Factors, qualities and characteristics that set you apart from your competitors

5) A personal/professional success story

6) A recent project which you have completed

7) Awards, recognition and/or accolades you have received recently

8) A current event or news story which you can relate to you or your business

9) Tips for your prospective customers

10) Advice for your prospective customers

11) Tips and advice for others who practice your profession

12) "How-to" information for your readers

13) Business aspects of your profession

14) Financial aspects of your profession

15) Licensing, legal and professional aspects of your profession

16) Inspirational thoughts for professionals

17) Things you have learned to help you succeed

18) Ways to increase sales and profitability

19) A marketing plan which you have found to be successful

20) A sales plan which you have found to be successful

21) Social Media issues, factors and advice

22) Goal-setting

23) Industry predictions and trends

24) Brainstorming ideas and techniques

25) Networking

26) Psychological issues: success, failure, rebounding, frustration, motivation

27) Balancing family and work

28) Communication

29) Business lessons you have learned from a movie

30) Business lessons you have learned from a book

31) Business lessons you have learned from a famous business personality

32) Business lessons you have learned from a famous historical figure

33) Sports and business

33) Great songs to listen to while working

34) Constructive criticism: giving and receiving

35) The client/service-provider relationship

36) Tips and advice on writing a business blog

37) Professional myths vs. reality

38) Creativity

39) Technology and your business/profession

40) Finding and exploiting niches

41) Coping with downtime

42) Issues for freelancers

43) "Do’s" and "don’ts" of your profession

44) Customer-service and quality issues

45) Resume and portfolio tips for others in your field

46) Public-relations

47) Teamwork and conflict resolution

48) Building a business from scratch

49) Letting go: recreation, relaxation and vacation ideas

50) Cultural, gender, ethnic and geographical aspects of your profession

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One of the assumptions which many people who have asked my advice on business-blogging hold to is that every business article which one writes needs to be directly related to one’s own business. This is simply not true! All that you need is a minor connection to your business, a "tie-in" so to speak.

The goals of business-blogging can/should be: entertaining, educating, informing, building rapport, connecting on a professional level, connecting on an emotional level, networking and relationship building, providing tips, dispensing advice and selling yourself. Writing a blog is about putting yourself on the professional map. It’s about creating and maintaining a name for yourself: "branding" yourself so-to-speak. It’s about setting yourself apart from the competition by saying to others, "Hey, here I am!"

And remember: whatever subject you choose to blog about, use your articles as a forum to sell yourself. I have yet to meet the business blogger who does it purely for enjoyment. Every effective business blog needs a "sales-pitch." Whether it’s contained in the article itself or as a final paragraph or "by-line," tell the reader, either overtly or covertly, what you have to offer them. Put a link to your website and/or profile. Paint a portrait of yourself and your services. Give yourself a public pat-on-the-back. It’s no time to be shy!

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One final thought: be consistent in your blogging. Keep in mind that the average blogger stops completely after three weeks. When a prospective customer views your blog and sees that it has been months and months since your last posting, it can easily be construed as a sign of inconsistency. So push yourself to write! 1-3 hours each week is all it takes to maintain a regular blog.

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Wishing you success in your business blogging!

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_____________________________________________

Hello. My name is Yonatan Maisel. I am a professional writer, published author and business-blogger.

If you are seeking an experienced, proficient, skilled writer for your writing needs, I believe that you have come to the right place! I specialize in giving my clients that "personal touch" and in injecting vibrancy, vitality, enthusiasm and creativity into all of my written work! From resumes to corporate bios, from research to speeches, from ghost-blogging to web-content and much more…I will deliver a quality product at a very reasonable price. By clicking the following link http://jobshuk.com/yoni67 you will be redirected to my profile where you will find a summary of the services which I provide as well as a link to my website where my portfolio, testimonials and pricing can be found. 

The CEO Hall of Honor: Profiles in Kindness, Humanity and Greatness!

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The CEO Hall of Honor: Profiles in Leadership, Humanity and Greatness! 

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This is an article about good bosses.

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Actually great bosses!

Well, truth be told, I stand corrected: it’s about bosses who have done the absolutely unbelievable! Bosses who not only treated employees like human-beings, they treated them like kings and queens! Bosses who, through their astonishing, mind-boggling acts of humanity, morality, courage, passion and leadership, have earned themselves the status of LEGEND! 

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Having decided on my own to establish the “CEO Hall of Honor,” (in case you’re wondering: CEO Hall of Fame is already trademarked) these are my three nominees!

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H. Ross Perot

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Many know H. Ross Perot for his failed, though charismatic, candidacies for the United States Presidency in 1992 and 1996.

But did you know that in 1979, while CEO of Electronic Data Systems (EDS), two of his employees, Paul Chiapparone and Bill Gaylord were kidnapped in Iran and held for trial in prison. Paul and Bill:

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They were hostages amidst the turmoil, tumult, violence, fear and uncertainty that was Iran during the Islamic Revolution of 1979!

When the U.S. government proved unsuccessful in securing the release of the two, Perot hatched a plan to rescue them: Operation “HOTFOOT” (Help Our Two Friends out of Tehran). Perot organized a rescue mission composed of ex-military members of EDS and led by legendary U.S. Army Colonel Arthur D. “Bull” Simons. Unbelievably, Perot himself, posing as an NBC film courier, slipped into Iran and ultimately succeeded in entering the prison. While there, he passed a secret message to his two jailed employees informing them that he would mount a covert rescue operation to free them soon. In later interviews after being freed, the two spoke publicly of the utter shock and disbelief they felt at the sight of their own boss in an Iranian prison, during the Islamic Revolution, and the comfort and assurance it gave them.

On February 11th, following the exile of the deposed Shah and Ayatollah Khomeini’s return to Iran, angry crowds stormed the prison; in the melee which ensued, Chiapparone and Gaylord were secured and spirited into hiding by Perot’s team of covert commandos. In a daring, death-defying move, they were transported through the rugged, mountainous terrain of Iran and finally snuck across the border into Turkey where the jubilant Perot met them!  This incredible true-life story was documented in Ken Follet’s “On Wings of Eagles.”

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Leonard Abess Jr.

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In November 2008, Leonard Abess Jr., CEO of City National Bancshares of Miami, sold an 83% stake of the company to the Spanish Banking conglomerate Caja Madrid. The deal netted Abess Jr. a cool $60 Million.

So what did Abess Jr. do with the proceeds of his massive financial windfall? A new luxury yacht with  an huge sign made by FL Yacht Signs? A fleet of Ferraris? A mega-mansion in Malibu? Nope, not this guy! He gave the entire sum to his employees in the form of bonuses! That’s right, from janitors to bank-tellers to secretaries to managers, every single employee received a bonus ranging from tens-of-thousand of dollars to hundreds-of-thousands. But did Abess Jr. stop there? No. He even went so far as to track down over seventy former employees to whom he also gave the bonuses. So full of humility was Abess Jr., that he avoided being present at the bank on the day the bonuses were dispensed! Explaining later his motivation for this almost unbelievable act of kindness toward his dedicated employees, he remarked:

 ”Those people who joined me and stayed with me at the bank with no promise of equity — I always thought some day I’m going to surprise them. I sure as heck don’t need the money.”

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Aaron Feuerstein

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Aaron Feuerstein was the CEO and owner of Lawrence, Massachusetts-based Malden Mills when the factory went up in flames and burned to the ground on the night of December 11, 1995.

With nearly 3,000 desperate company employees out of a job and without a paycheck, Feuerstein knew he had to act. Aaron Feuerstein selflessly invested in the heath, well-being and welfare of his dedicated employees, spending $25 Million of his own money to keep them on the payroll while the destroyed factory was being rebuilt.

Citing the Talmud as the impetus for his incredibly generous act of kindness and compassion, Feuerstein stated to Parade Magazine:

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“I have a responsibility to the worker, both blue-collar and white-collar. I have an equal responsibility to the community. It would have been unconscionable to put 3,000 people on the streets and deliver a deathblow to the cities of Lawrence and Methuen. Maybe on paper our company is worthless to Wall Street, but I can tell you it’s worth more.” 

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_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

 

Hello! My name is Yonatan Maisel. Nope, in case you are wondering: I’m not a CEO. I’m not a boss. And I have not achieved even an iota of a fraction of the greatness of those profiled above. I am, however, a professional writer, published author and business-blogger.

If you are seeking an experienced, proficient, skilled writer for your writing needs, I believe that you have come to the right place! I specialize in giving my clients that “personal touch” and in injecting vibrancy, vitality, enthusiasm and creativity into all of my written work! From resumes to corporate bios, from research to speeches, from ghost-blogging to web-content and much more…I will deliver a quality product at a very reasonable price. By clicking the following link http://jobshuk.com/yoni67 you will be redirected to my portfolio where you will find a summary of the services which I provide as well as a link to my website where my portfolio, testimonials and pricing can be found.