Think of a swimming test that requires you to tread water for a long time in one place. To stay afloat, you must continuously move your arms and legs around.
It’s similar to what many people have had to do to survive one of the worst economic downturns our country has faced. They’ve had to flail their arms and legs to keep their head above water, and even though the recession reportedly ended around mid-year in 2009, we’re only now seeing signs that the economy is beginning to get back on track.
Until then, employers will continue to assess the value that each employee brings to their company or organization. That’s why it’s important to determine what you can do to enhance your professional value so you’re viewed as one of the "expert swimmers" in 2011.
The First Step
Regardless of your job status—whether you’re presently employed or searching for a new job—it’s important to continue enhancing your skills and abilities and to stay on top of new technology and best practices in the industry.
The first step is to do your own performance review. Use your most current job description, or if you’re unemployed, use the job description from a position that matches with the direction you want to take. Highlight the capabilities and skills you’d like to expand or acquire and then use this information to create a professional enhancement list. With each of the areas listed below, you’ll find an example of a skill to enhance and methods to achieve this.
Expand Your Tactical Capabilities
Tactical elements such as food and beverage, audiovisual equipment, meeting room set-up, and speaker management are the core of any meeting or event. If you thrive on managing these aspects of a program, then look for ways to expand your skills and abilities.
Skill to enhance: Increase your knowledge of food and wine pairing.
Increase your knowledge of food and wine pairing.
Solutions: Find out if the local chapter of a professional association such as the National Association of Catering Executives (NACE) is offering educational workshops on this topic. Community colleges and local cooking schools are also good places to look for mini-courses on food and beverage.
Find out if the local chapter of a professional association such as the National Association of Catering Executives (NACE) is offering educational workshops on this topic. Community colleges and local cooking schools are also good places to look for mini-courses on food and beverage.Increase Your Technical Skills
As we’ve become increasingly dependent on technology, most jobs require a degree of proficiency with word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software. Some positions require expertise with desktop publishing software, while others require individuals who can design event websites and manage the site’s content. Having expertise using social media is becoming an increasingly important method skill as companies and organizations understand the value of marketing their meetings and events through this online communication stream.
Skill to enhance: Expanding your software capabilities.
Expanding your software capabilities.
Solutions: Some employers offer in-house computer training, while others provide financial assistance for professional development. A number of colleges and universities offer computer classes through their extended learning or community education programs. Local park and recreation departments frequently offer these types of classes. For computer training geared toward the meetings industry, look for workshops offered by James Spellos (www.meeting-u.com).
Some employers offer in-house computer training, while others provide financial assistance for professional development. A number of colleges and universities offer computer classes through their extended learning or community education programs. Local park and recreation departments frequently offer these types of classes. For computer training geared toward the meetings industry, look for workshops offered by James Spellos ().Enhance Your Leadership Capabilities
A popular theory is that people aren’t born as leaders, they acquire the necessary skills they need to become one. Leadership comes in different sizes and scope. Having good leadership skills is important whether you’re managing a team of on-site staff at a meeting or you’re overseeing a department of 10 meeting planners. The key is being able to direct, support and encourage others to produce their best work.
Skill to enhance: Leadership capabilities.
Leadership capabilities.
Solutions: There are a number of ways to acquire leadership skills. Volunteering—whether through a professional association or a local non-profit organization—is a great way to gain valuable leadership skills. Begin by joining a committee and then work your way up to a co-chair or chair position; take it a step further and become part of the organization’s board of directors. If you’re interested in taking leadership courses, professional associations such as the American Society for Association Executives (ASAE) offer Thought Leader Sessions during its Annual Meeting and Exposition. Well-known experts from the business community offer new and innovative ways to expand your leadership capabilities. ASAE also offers a two-year Leadership Academy that offers online and in-person sessions for emerging leaders.
There are a number of ways to acquire leadership skills. Volunteering—whether through a professional association or a local non-profit organization—is a great way to gain valuable leadership skills. Begin by joining a committee and then work your way up to a co-chair or chair position; take it a step further and become part of the organization’s board of directors. If you’re interested in taking leadership courses, professional associations such as the American Society for Association Executives (ASAE) offer Thought Leader Sessions during its Annual Meeting and Exposition. Well-known experts from the business community offer new and innovative ways to expand your leadership capabilities. ASAE also offers a two-year Leadership Academy that offers online and in-person sessions for emerging leaders.Once you’ve decided on the skills and experience you want to acquire for the year, create your professional enhancement list and share it with your manager so they’re aware of your goals and how you plan to achieve them. If you’re unemployed, find someone in the industry that you respect and ask that person to be your sounding board. Document your progress and share that information with this person on a regular basis.
Sheryl Sookman, CMP, is principal of The MeetingConnection, a company that offers placement services, career coaching, and resume design assistance to individuals in the meetings industry. Sookman presents workshops, keynote speeches and webinars on career-focused and employment-related issues. Her book on career strategies and resume design, titled Who’s In Charge of Your Career? Creating a Strategy for Success is available through www.amazon.com in hard cover and as an e-book. You can reach her by e-mail at sheryl@themeetingconnection.com or at 415.892.1394.
Who’s In Charge of Your Career? Creating a Strategy for Successwww.amazon.com
