AMA Edgewise » AMA Edgewise

Itrsquo;s tough for corporations to strike the right chord of corporate responsibility todayrsquo;s fickle economic climate. While more companies are starting green initiatives to project a positive public image, they are also cutting back on employee development. Carol Sanford, CEO of InterOctave Development Group and author The Responsible Business: Reimagining Sustainability and Success, contends that this kind of dissension creates a less than harmonious corporate culture, which ultimately leads to failure. In this episode of Edgewise, Carol explains that creating sustainability is not about outlining strategies and processes to hopefully yield return. Itrsquo;s about identifying your business mantra and making sure every aspect of the business is conducted in this spirit. Carol Sanford has been leading major consulting efforts in both Fortune 500 and new economy businesses for over 25 years. She has worked for companies such as Colgate, DuPont, Weyerhaeuser, Yahoo, Silicon Graphic, Agilent and many others. Carol has 25 years of global experience helping businesses and organizations build consciousness capability to position themselves strategically, develop leadership to execute strategy, and redesign work to gain and keep competitive advantage in the marketplace and community. She is the founding Executive Director of the Institute for Strategic Leadership at Washington State University rsquo;s Vancouver campus. Carol has published over 100 works in 10 languages, including a column in Executive Excellence, Stephen Coveyrsquo;s newsletter. For additional training on this topic, consider these AMA seminars: * Developing and Executing a Customer-centric Strategy * Motivating for Results * Win! How to Engage and Energize Your Employees To learn more, read these AMACOM Books: *Green Tech, by Lawrence Webber, Michael Wallace *Where We Stand, by Seymour Garte *Investing in a Sustainable World, by Matthew J. Kiernan

How many brilliant projects have you begun in your mind? In this episode of Edgewise, author Steven Pressfield discusses his latest book, Do the Work, which is geared to be a mental boot camp that kick starts artists and entrepreneurs out of their heads and into action. Steven takes on public enemy #1, resistance, which comes in the form of fear of failure for some, or research paralysis for others. Stevenrsquo;s goal is to have you is to recognize your limiting thoughts and behaviors, fight them, and get the work DONE. While he targets creative people, the ideas are applicable to anyone relying on inner strength to execute a meaningful endeavor. Steven helps us think of resistance as the rest-stop on your creative path. You know itrsquo;s coming up. So, are you going to stop and get the Cinnabon? Or hold out and accelerate down your road to success. Steven Pressfield is the author of the hugely successful historical novels Gates of Fire, Tides of War, and Last of the Amazons. His debut novel, The Legend of Bagger Vance, was made into a movie starring Matt Damon and Will Smith in 2000. He lives in California. For additional training on this topic, consider these AMA seminars: *Motivating for Results *Developing Leaders at All Levels: Fostering Initiative and Accountability *The 8th Habitreg;: From Effectiveness to Greatness To learn more, read these AMACOM Books: *One Foot Out the Door, by Judith M. Bardwick, Ph.D. *Inspiring Your People for Maximum Performance, by Alexander Hiam *Spiral Up, by Jane C. Linder

In todayrsquo;s job market, applicants are often focused on submitting resume after resume and less on crafting a solid CV for each position. In this episode of Edgewise, Americarsquo;s top recruiter, Tony Beshara, tells how to prime your resume and put it in the hands of decision-makers. Tony has collected his findings from 30 years of perusing resumes and cover letters into his latest book, Unbeatable Resumes(AMACOM), breaking down the approach to a cross section of career levels, job titles, and job functions. Tony not only specifies the critical components of stand-out resume, he arms applicants with strategies to get themselves out of the application abyss into an actual interview, and even how to master awkward questions. Tony Beshara,is a 30-year veteran of the placement and recruitment field, and owner of Babich and Associates, a job placement firm. He has appeared numerous times on the nationally syndicated ldquo;Dr. Phil Show.rdquo; Tony is recognized as the #1 recruiter in America by the industry's leading journal, The Fordyce Letter. Since 1973, he has placed more than 7,000 people on a one-on-one basis, in more than 100 different job categories. His candidates have accepted positions earning minimum wage and salaries up to more than a million dollars a year. Tony is the author of Acing the Interview, The Job Search Solution, and the recently released Unbeatable Resumes (AMACOM). To learn more, read this AMACOM Books: *Unbeatable Resumes, by Tony Beshara

Exxon is to kerosene as Nintendo Wii is to Atari. In his book Capturing New Markets, Stephen Wunker expounds on the premise that with every successful new product, platform or medium, comes an underrepresented audience to be tapped into. Stephen explicitly explains how to leverage innovation for market domination. Stephen Wunker is Managing Director, New Markets Advisors. Collaborating with companies ranging from start-ups to large corporations, he helps clients develop new ideas, evaluate growth opportunities, and improve how they organize to pursue innovation. Prior to becoming a consultant in this field, Stephen built and sold two companies mdash; a telecom start-up and a corporate venture for one of Africarsquo;s largest cellular carriers. Stephen also led case teams at the leading consulting firm Bain #38; Company. He has written dozens of articles for publications including Forbes and BusinessWeek, and his television appearances include Bloomberg and the BBC. He has been a Visiting Executive at Dartmouthrsquo;s Tuck School of Business. Stephen has an MBA from Harvard Business School, a Masterrsquo;s in Public Administration from Columbia University, and a BA in public policy, cum laude, from Princeton.

Social media has emerged over the last decade as the most prominent online presence; very few websites are static pages with no updates or interaction anymore. These breakthroughs in technology are supposed to make communication easier but there can be so many different brands and platforms available, the choice of provider can be daunting. However, our guest Elizabeth Harrin points out that not every option to communicate requires thousands of dollars and long meetings with IT: blogs and wikis are free, easy, and widespread. A simple but effective technological approach can make all the difference to internal communication and to the customer base as well. Elizabeth Harrin, BA (Hons), MA, MBCS, is an award-winning blogger and the author of Social Media for Project Managers. Elizabeth is a PRINCE2 Practitioner, a member of PMI, and a program manager living and working in London. She has a decade of experience in projects. Elizabeth has led a variety of IT and process improvement projects including e-commerce and communications developments. She is also experienced in managing business change, having spent eight years working in financial services (including two based in Paris, France). She is a founding member of PMIrsquo;s New Media Council. As well as working as a practicing project and program manager, Elizabeth runs The Otobos Group, a business writing consultancy. Elizabethrsquo;s previous book is Project Management in the Real World , a case-study based book covering what project managers really need to know to make their projects successful. She also writes the blog A Girlrsquo;s Guide to Project Management. For additional training on this topic, consider these AMA seminars: *Social Media for Managers: New Tools for Communication, Innovation and Collaboration *Leveraging Social Media to Engage Customers and Build Your Brand *Developing Your Collaborative Skills To learn more, read these AMACOM Books: *The Art of Connecting, by Claire Raines, Lara Ewing *The Web Conferencing Book, by Sue Spielman, Liz Winfeld *Managing Online Forums, by Patrick O'Keefe

In devising a strategy to bolster the nationrsquo;s eroded educational framework, Anthony Miller, Chief Operating Officer of the U.S. Department of Education, pulls from his business background as well as international research on the processes and metrics employed by other countries to raise the academic bar. At the core of Tonyrsquo;s blueprint, is the alignment of student achievement goals and initiatives with budgets and operating plans, and making critical investments in training teachers, particularly in the use of technology and collaboration tools to facilitate communication and maximize targeted learning. Tony also discusses partnerships between major corporations and higher education systems, and the importance of deploying such initiatives to equip students with the competencies most essential to competing and exceling in the 21st century global workplace. Tony Miller is the Deputy Secretary and Chief Operating Officer at the U.S. Department of Education. In this role, he manages a broad range of operational, management and program functions. Prior to joining the Department in 2009, Tony was an operating partner with Silver Lake, a leading private equity firm. From 2003 to 2006, he was with LRN Corporation, a compliance software and eLearning company, where he was executive vice president of operations. Prior to LRN, he worked for 10 years at McKinsey Company, where he was a partner specializing in growth strategies, operating performance improvement and restructuring for companies throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. Tony began his professional career with Delco Electronics, a subsidiary of GM Hughes Electronics, where he managed regional channel marketing. In addition to his private-sector operating experience, Tony advised the Los Angeles Unified School District from 1997 to 2000, developing student achievement goals and strategies, aligning budgets and operating plans, and designing metrics and processes for overseeing district-wide performance. He undertook similar work with the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District in 2001. Through his service as an ex-officio member of the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education Budget and Finance Committee in 2002ndash;03, he deepened his understanding of state funding and school district budgeting matters. Tony Miller is a graduate of Purdue University and holds a Master's in Business Administration from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. For additional training on this topic, consider these AMA seminars: *Kirkpatrickrsquo;s Four Levels: Increasing Training Effectiveness Through Evaluation *Training the Trainer *Strategic Agility and Resilience: Embracing Change to Drive Growth To learn more, read these AMACOM Books: *The Corporate University Handbook: Designing, Managing, and Growing a Successful Program, by Mark Allen *The Power of Business Process Improvement: 10 Simple Steps to Increase Effectiveness, Efficiency, and Adaptability, by Susan Page *Designing Dynamic Organizations, by Jay Galbraith, Diane Downey and Amy Kate

In today's fickle economy, senior executives are no longer relying solely on ROI in their purchase planning. In his book Key to the C-suite, Michael Nick outlines the additional financial metrics being used to make buying decisions and empowers sales professionals with the tools to communicate within this new landscape. He explains how to skillfully articulate your value to their bottom line and how to build a business case by assessing your value inventory and leveraging new tools like Linked in to gain a leg up of insight on the client. Michael Nick is president and founder of ROI4Sales, Inc. and author of ROI Selling, Why Johnny Canrsquo;t Sell, and How to Create the Perfect ROI. He is a nationally recognized expert in value estimation and ROI and conducts several public workshops and seminars throughout the year. Michael published a research paper sponsored by Microsoft Dynamics, which became the most downloaded white paper in Microsoft history with over 20,000 downloads. Michaelrsquo;s expertise has extended internationally with companies like Oracle, Great Plains, Hewlett Packard, AutoDesk, MacGregor, Rockwell Automation, GEAC, CheckFree Corporation, Comdata, TSYS, NextGen and S1 Corporation and has tens of thousands of sales people worldwide using ROI Selling techniques from ROI4Sales, Inc. For additional training on this topic, consider these AMA seminars: *Measuring and Maximizing Marketing ROI *Strategic Sales Negotiations *Selling to Major Accounts-A Strategic Approach To learn more, read these AMACOM Books: * The Zero-Turnover Sales Force, by Doug McLeod * ProActive Sales Management, by William "Skip" Miller * Red-Hot Selling, by Paul S. Goldner

Innovationmdash;itrsquo;s more than a ubiquitous term for the shiny, new, and different. Jane Stevenson, co-author of Breaking Away: How Great Leaders Create Innovation that Drives Sustainable Growth--and Why Others Fail, mines the minds of high profile executives and shares the gems that spark success. She defines four categories of innovation and the characteristics of leaders within them. She also details how companies like Google #38; GE use metrics and algorithms to forecast trends, and how CEOS can embrace the ideas of risk and failure along the trajectory to success. Jane Stevenson is Vice Chairman, Board and CEO Services in Korn/Ferry Internationalrsquo;s Atlanta office. She is an industry expert on recruiting leaders of growth and innovation. A pioneer in the field, she was responsible for bringing in many of the first Chief Innovation Officers and CEOs who focused on growth through innovation. She is an accomplished public speaker and is frequently consulted by Business Week, Fortune, Forbes, and the Wall Street Journal to discuss trends and issues relating to innovation and general management. For additional training on this topic, consider these AMA seminars: *Creativity and Innovation: Unleash Your Potential for Great Succes *Leading Innovation * Moving from an Operational Manager to a Strategic Thinker To learn more, read these AMACOM Books: *The Seeds of Innovation: Cultivating the Synergy That Fosters New ideas, Elaine Dundon *Coolfarming: Turn Your Great Idea into the Next Big Thing, by Peter Gloor * Getting to Innovation: How Asking the Right Questions Generates the Great Ideas Your Company Needs, by Arthur B. VanGundy

According to Josh Bersin, learning technology expert, the decrease in spending on learning and development in the corporate sector due to the economic downturn is starting to creep its way back up, and technology is at the forefront. In this episode of Edgwise, Josh discusses how companies including Cisco, GE, and Apple approach the training and development of their talent. Josh defines trends of high impact learning cultures, informal training initiatives, Blended Learning, and how they can be a cost-effective conduit to optimizing employee execution. Josh also shares the single most important component of effective corporate training programs and how executives should be supporting and facilitating the learning taking place in their organizations. Josh Bersin is the founder #38; CEO of Bersin and Associates, a leading provider of research and consulting services in e-learning technology and implementation. Josh has been quoted on talent management expertise in BusinessWeek, Harvard Business Review, The Wall Street Journal, Investorrsquo;s Business Daily, on BBC Radio and National Public Radio.In 2010, Bersin was named by HR Examiner magazine among the ldquo;Top 100 Influencers in HRrdquo; and the ldquo;Top 25 Online Influencers in Talent Management.rdquo; Bersin also serves on the editorial advisory board for Workforce Solutions magazine and as a volunteer on the scholarship committee for the SHRM Foundation. Josh is also a columnist for Chief Learning Officer magazine and author of The Training Measurement Book: Best Practices, Proven Methodologies, and Practical Approaches, and The Blended Learning Book: Best Practices, Proven Methodologies, and Lessons Learned. For additional training on this topic, consider these AMA seminars: *Kirkpatrickrsquo;s Four Levels: Increasing Training Effectiveness Through Evaluation *Developing Your Collaborative Skills *AMArsquo;s 2-day Course on Corporate Performance Management To learn more, read these AMACOM Books: *e-Learning 2.0: Proven Practices and Emerging Technologies to Achieve Real Results, by Anita Rosen *Training on Trial: How Workplace Learning Must Reinvent Itself to Remain Relevant, by James D. Kirkpatrick, Ph.D *The AMA Guide to Management Development, by Daniel R. Tobin, Ph.D #38; Margaret Pettingell

Strategy Execution is the crux of success in business. So why do less than half of companies polled in a recent Booz Allen survey feel they are meeting their targets? Dr. James Morgan, shares insight from his 30 years of experience of sharpening strategic visions and implementing methods to see them through. He details the pitfalls and the core tenets of strategic planning and execution. Listen, take notes, and start winning! Dr. James R. Morgan is President of Strategy Dynamics, Inc. He has over two decades of experience in strategic planning, organizational culture, structured change management, and the implementation of Best Practices in Strategic Management for senior leadership clients. Consulting services provide participating organizations with recognized expertise in the development of both strategy and process. Prior to forming Strategic Dynamics, Dr. Morgan served as Chief Operating Officer for Milwaukee Insurance and as a Senior Manager with Price-Waterhouse Coopers. Dr. Morgan has a PhD from Capella University in Minneapolis, an MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a BBA from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. For additional training on this topic, consider these AMA seminars: *Project Scope and Requirements Management *Strategy Execution: Getting It Done *Strategic Planning To learn more, read these AMACOM Books: *The Power of Strategic Commitment: Achieving Extraordinary Results Through Total Alignment and Engagement , by Josh Leibner, Gershon Mader, Alan Weiss, Ph.D *Team-Based Strategic Planning: A Complete Guide to Structuring, Facilitating Implementing the Process, by C. Davis Fogg *Making Sense of Strategy, by Tony Manning

Standing out in the world of webinars can be challenging. Content abounds and attention spans are ever-fleeting. Online presentation guru, Roger Courville, discusses how to effectively leverage nuances of the virtual space to convey your message and win audiences. From graphic design to communication models and culture, Roger highlights the key elements to creating and delivering stimulating online programs. Roger Courville is author of The Virtual Presenterrsquo;s Handbook, contributing author to Business Expert Guide to Small Business Success, and an internationally sought-after speaker on using virtual eye contact and body language in Webinars. He is Principal at 1080 Group, a training and coaching firm helping executives design and deliver interactive Webinar presentations and programs. The 1080 Group team has a collective experience that includes hundreds of clients, thousands of Web seminars, and more than a million Web seminar attendees. For additional training on this topic, consider these AMA seminars: *Leading Virtual and Remote Teams * Leveraging Social Media to Engage Customers and Build Your Brand To learn more, read these AMACOM Books: * Creating Web-Based Training: A Step-by-Step Guide to Designing Effective E-Learning , by Joseph T. Sinclair, Lani W. Sinclair, Ph. D., Joseph G. Lansing * The On-Demand Brand: 10 Rules for Digital Marketing Success in an Anytime, Everywhere World , by Rick Mathieson * e-Learning 2.0: Proven Practices and Emerging Technologies to Achieve Real Results , by Anita Rosen

Whether personal or professional, conflict is inevitable. In her book Conflict 101: A Manager's Guide to Resolving Problems So Everyone Can Get Back to Work (AMACOM) Susan Shearouse shares insight from her 20 years of experience in mitigating disagreements as a conflict resolution strategist. Susan discusses the importance of trust, how assumptions lead to false perceptions, and using the ldquo;Satisfaction Trianglerdquo; as a conflict arbitration tool. Susan Shearouse has provided facilitation, mediation, technical assistance, training in conflict resolution processes, group decision-making processes, managing change, sexual harassment awareness and organizational effectiveness to organizations and individuals since 1990. She is an adjunct staff member for the American Arbitration Association, McNamara and Associates, Inc. and an associate of Resolution Dynamics, Inc. In addition, she has served as Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Specialist for the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services (FMCS) and as adjunct faculty in Georgetown Universityrsquo;s MBA program. Susan earned a Master of Science in Conflict Resolution from George Mason University in 1988, and was Executive Director of the National Conference on Peacemaking and Conflict Resolution (NCPCR). She is on the Advisory Board of the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University. For additional training on this topic, consider these AMA seminars: *Responding to Conflict: Strategies for Improved Communication *Confronting the Tough Stuff: Management Skills for Supervisors * Standing Strong in Difficult Workplace Situations To learn more, read these AMACOM Books: * Conflict 101: A Manager's Guide to Resolving Problems So Everyone Can Get Back to Work, by Susan H. Shearouse * The Conflict and Communication Activity Book: 30 High-Impact Training Exercises for Adult Learners, by Bill Withers #38; Keami D. Lewis * Listening to Conflict: Finding Constructive Solutions to Workplace Disputes, by Erik J. Van Slyke

David Livermore, author of The Cultural Intelligence Difference, due out this month, defines Cultural Intelligence Quotient (CQ) as onersquo;s ability to function effectively across national, ethnic, and organizational cultures. From a misinterpreted gesture, to an email in lieu of a phone call, there are implicit actions, rules, and guidelines that differ from countries or even corporations, that can make a profound professional impression. Knowledge of these nuances isnrsquo;t innate, regardless of skill-level, IQ, or EQ. But CQ can be learned. David outlines the four areas of CQ and why your proficiency in them can be the defining factor in your career progress. David Livermore is a thought leader in Cultural Intelligence (CQ) and global leadership. He has been interviewed and referenced by major news sources such as CBS News, NBC, Forbes, The New York Times, USA Today, and The Wall Street Journal. His previous book, Leading with Cultural Intelligence, was named a best-seller in business by The Washington Post. Hersquo;s president and partner at the Cultural Intelligence Center in East Lansing, Michigan and a visiting research fellow at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. Dave has done training and consulting with leaders in 100 countries across the Americas, Africa, Asia, Australia, and Europe. For additional training on this topic, consider these AMA seminars: *The 21st Century Global Leader * Communicating Up, Down and Across the Organization * The Human and Cultural Aspects of M#38;A To learn more, read these AMACOM Books: *The Cultural Intelligence Difference: Master the One Skill You Can't Do Without in Today's Global Economy, by David Livermore, Ph.D. * Leading with Cultural Intelligence: The New Secret to Success , by David Livermore, Ph.D. *The Diversity Training Activity Book: 50 Activities for Promoting Communication and Understanding at Work, by Jonamay Lambert #38; Selma Myers

According to Jennifer Kahnweiler, author of The Introverted Leader: Building on Your Quiet Strength, introversion is a trait shared by societyrsquo;s most distinguished leaders: Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, and President Obama. In this episode of Edgewise, she provides tips on how to harness attributes commonly associated with introversion, such as calm temperament, depth of focus, and thoughtful communication to lead effectively. Jennifer also delves into the introvert/extrovert dynamic across corporate hierarchy, how introverts are embracing social media to build their brands, and the surprising truth about introverts and corporate power. Jennifer B. Kahnweiler, Ph.D., is the founder and owner of AboutYOU, Inc., a career consulting firm for professionals and organizations. She has more than 25 years' experience in consulting across a wide range of industries. Dr. Kahnweiler has been an internal consultant for GE Capital, AGL Resources and the U.S. Department of Education. External consulting assignments have included projects with the Department of Homeland Security, Turner Broadcasting, AT#38;T and the Coca-Cola Company. Other recent clients include Capital One, Tyco International, Cooper Tire, Glaxo SmithKline, Emory University and Duke Energy. Dr. Kahnweiler is coauthor of Shaping Your HR Role: Succeeding in Today's Organizations, and she writes a column for AARP The Magazine. In addition, Dr. Kahnweiler regularly delivers seminars in the Administrative Professional Portfolio at AMA. For additional training on this topic, consider these AMA seminars: *Building an Informal Network: How Work Really Gets Done * Communicating Up, Down and Across the Organization * Building Better Work Relationships: New Techniques for Results-oriented Communication To learn more, read these AMACOM Books: * 12 Steps to Power Presence: How to Assert Your Authority to Lead, by John Baldoni *The Interpersonal Skills Toolkit, by Terry Gillen *The Voice of Success: A Woman's Guide to a Powerful and Persuasive Voice, by Joni Wilson

Work + produce = reward. This is thought to be the algorithm that inspires efficiency across the workforce. In this episode of Edgewise, best-selling author Dan Pink discusses his findings, based on over 40 years of research: that the stimulus for success isnrsquo;t just the almighty dollar, but the presence of autonomy, mastery, and purpose in an employees work life. Dan shares tactics to tap into and harness onersquo;s personal rhythm of productivity, to empower peak performance and to make lasting contributions to within an organization. Dan is the author of New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling books including ldquo;Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Usrdquo;, ldquo;A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Futurerdquo;, ldquo;The Adventures of Johnny Bunko: The Last Career Guide Yoursquo;ll Ever Needrdquo;, and ldquo;Free Agent Nation: The Future of Working for Yourselfrdquo;. Dan's articles on business and technology appear in the New York Times, Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and Wired, where he is a contributing editor, and he has provided analysis of business trends on CNN, CNBC, ABC, NPR, and other networks in the U.S. and abroad. Dan served from 1995 to 1997 as chief speechwriter to Vice President Al Gore. He also worked as an aide to U.S. Labor Secretary Robert Reich and in other positions in politics and government. Dan received a BA from Northwestern University and a JD from Yale Law School. To his lasting joy, he has never practiced law. For additional training on this topic, consider these AMA seminars: *The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Peoplereg; 3-Day Signature Program *Motivating for Results *Successfully Managing People To learn more, read these AMACOM Books: *True Greatness: Mastering the Inner Game of Business Success, by Kevin Elko, Bill Beausay *Primal Management: Unraveling the Secrets of Human Nature to Drive High Performance , by Paul Herr *Facilitating Project Performance Improvement, by Jerry Julian