CEO Inc.

CEO Inc. is pleased to announce their chosen May Charity of the Month recipient as Bless Back Worldwide. First organized after the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti in 2010, Bless Back Worldwide takes the concept of “re-gifting” to a new level and elevated purpose.  As the CEO Inc. Charity of the Month, they will receive a portion of the company’s profits for the month of May.

Bless Back Worldwide sends people and their unique passions, gifts, and resources on “Bless Back” trips to change the world. Bless Back volunteers share the blessings they have been given with those oppressed, impoverished, orphaned, widowed, hurting, and suffering.  And when we “Bless Back” those in need, the world changes. It gets better. And not just for those we serve, but for those who serve.

Bless Back Worldwide is made up of a large number of volunteers that not only travel with “Bless Back” trips overseas, but also serve locally in the Charlotte, NC area. To learn more about this amazing organization, please visit their website at www.blessbackworldwide.org.

Do you have what it takes to be a truly strategic thinker or do you get lost in the day to day grind? Find out with a review of this short list that highlights what the best business strategists master. There’s even a strategic aptitude test where you can test your own strategic prowess (or your company’s). Very informative article from Paul J.H. Shoemaker of Inc. Magazine. To read the article, click HERE!

There’s been an unsettling trend in business over the last decade or so to make every member of the workforce appear and feel just as important as the President or CEO. Receptionists are now the “Director of First Impressions,” while our janitors became “Custodial Engineers.” Now I truly have all the respect in the world for the hardworking people who hold these challenging and important positions but let’s keep it real—directors and engineers they are not. Not surprisingly, this phenomenon of rebranding and exaggerating basic functions has now spilled over to the average resume and in particular on LinkedIn profiles.

Now I do not mean to disparage LinkedIn and in fact my company uses it a lot. But there are flaws in the system that both hiring companies and job seekers need to be aware of.  At the core there simply seems to be no methodology in place for monitoring accuracy and frankly, with over 160 million subscribers, maybe that’s just not realistic.

And let’s be honest– anyone with half a brain is going to produce a resume that paints them in the best light possible, and as a recruiter I would encourage them to do so. There is indeed an art to a properly crafted professional profile that can mean the difference between getting the interview or not. But that’s a far cry from what I’m seeing which I would politely label flagrant misrepresentations, and more directly— flat out fraud.

Titles are exaggerated to the point of pure fiction. Job functions and experiences are grossly overinflated. Work dates are incorrect or worse—complete fabrications. References are even bogus or at best guilty of the “I’ll endorse you if you endorse me” game. I often can’t tell if some of these people just have amazing, albeit misguided, imaginations, or if they’re in fact that delusional. Consider this a wake-up call.

First, to recruiters and hiring managers—take nothing at face value. Crosscheck references and throw out the tit-for-tat lovefests in favor of real conversations and fact-finding with former employers. Probe deeper than ever before with questions that quickly weed out exaggerations and fiction. Funny thing—the worst liars almost always choke at the slightest confrontation. (I see you were a manager—how many people did you manage? What was the first name of your top producer? That silence or stumbling you hear is the sound of lying.)

Candidates—I beseech you to cut out the dramatics. Get real about who you are, what you’ve done and where you’ve been. Endorsements from your fellow cubemates mean nothing to me. And if you failed at something along the way, be honest about it. One of my favorite questions is to ask candidates to describe one of their failures. If they can’t come up with one, I know I’m dealing either with an ego bigger than the both of us or a person incapable of insight and self-reflection. Either quality is too toxic for me to hire.

There’s a somewhat sarcastic saying that goes, “This I know, because the Internet tells me so.”  Given the current environment and resulting difficulties, recruiters have to be cautious, sharper, and on top of their game more than ever before. Ronald Regan’s signature phrase was “trust, but verify.” While that has always been a mantra of the recruiting industry on some level, today I’m afraid we must make it our standard policy.

Deborah Millhouse CPC, CTS, CSP / President, CEO Inc.

How’d you like a one-on-one with business leaders the caliber of Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, Sheryl Sandberg, Marissa Mayer, and Richard Branson? While we can’t quite offer you that, Business Insider compiled the next best thing– 22 top executives from all over the world offering up the best advice they’ve ever received from people they admired and trusted. Some are enlightening while others startling simplistic and reminders to not overcomplicate things. All are worth reading so click HERE.

Carrie Hindmarsh is CEO of M&C Saatchi Group’s advertising agency and has spent 21 years in the industry.  In this Wall Street Journal article she shares “Five Lessons About Women in Business” she has learned over the years and during her journey to the boardroom. To read the article click HERE.

On April 25, 2012, the EEOC approved new revisions to their guidelines regarding the use of Arrest and Conviction Records in the Hiring Process. The EEOC released the Enforcement Guidance on the Consideration of Arrest and Conviction Records in Employment Decisions. This guidance is directed toward employers and EEOC enforcement staff. It addresses the use of arrest records, the factors an employer should consider when using criminal conviction history information, and when and how an employer should ask an applicant about their criminal history.  To read the complete guidance, click here.

We encourage employers to review this document thoroughly and consider how this guidance will affect your employment / hiring policies and procedures.

CEO Inc will continue to provide you updates on this topic through email and on our website as we learn more about this guidance.

Six seconds isn’t very long to make an impression. But believe it or not, that’s the average amount of time a recruiter or potential employer will scan over your resume before deciding if you’ve got a shot. Obviously it becomes crucial that job candidates have their resume in top form to survive such a brutal elimination round. Vivian Giang of Business Insider has some remarkable insights into exactly what recruiters look at during those precious six seconds.  Read the full article HERE.

Several recent surveys of CFOs and credit managers paint a picture of cautious optimism when it comes to the U.S. economy. While it’s not a ringing endorsement that happy days are here again like we’d all like to hear, there is some genuinely positive data to support the idea that America is getting back on track and headed down the right road.  Including a look at the March Credit Manager’s Index, the following article from Business Finance Magazine gives a good bit of insight into why finance pros are letting out small sighs of relief.  Read the entire article HERE.

Eliza Browning with Crane and Company writes a compelling and important reminder for us all—manners matter. Especially in business.

The word may sound stodgy. But courtesy and manners are still essential–particularly in business. The word “etiquette” gets a bad rap. For one thing, it sounds stodgy and pretentious. And rules that are socially or morally prescribed seem intrusive to our sense of individuality and freedom.

But the concept of etiquette is still essential, especially now—and particularly in business. New communication platforms, like Facebook and Linked In, have blurred the lines of appropriateness and we’re all left wondering how to navigate unchartered social territory.

Boil it down and etiquette is really all about making people feel good. It’s not about rules or telling people what to do, or not to do, it’s about ensuring some basic social comforts.

So here are a few business etiquette rules that matter now—whatever you want to call them.

1. Send a Thank You Note

I work at a paper company that manufactures stationery and I’m shocked at how infrequently people send thank you notes after interviewing with me. If you’re not sending a follow-up thank you note to Crane, you’re not sending it anywhere.

But the art of the thank you note should never die. If you have a job interview, or if you’re visiting clients or meeting new business partners—especially if you want the job, or the contract or deal—take the time to write a note. You’ll differentiate yourself by doing so and it will reflect well on your company too.

2. Know the Names

It’s just as important to know your peers or employees as it is to develop relationships with clients, vendors or management. Reach out to people in your company, regardless of their roles, and acknowledge what they do.

My great-grandfather ran a large manufacturing plant. He would take his daughter (my grandmother) through the plant; she recalled that he knew everyone’s name—his deputy, his workers, and the man who took out the trash.

We spend too much of our time these days looking up – impressing senior management. But it’s worth stepping back and acknowledging and getting to know all of the integral people who work hard to make your business run.

3. Observe the ‘Elevator Rule’

When meeting with clients or potential business partners off-site, don’t discuss your impressions of the meeting with your colleagues until the elevator has reached the bottom floor and you’re walking out of the building. That’s true even if you’re the only ones in the elevator.

Call it superstitious or call it polite—but either way, don’t risk damaging your reputation by rehashing the conversation as soon as you walk away.

4. Focus on the Face, Not the Screen

It’s hard not to be distracted these days. We have a plethora of devices to keep us occupied; emails and phone calls come through at all hours; and we all think we have to multitask to feel efficient and productive.

But that’s not true: When you’re in a meeting or listening to someone speak, turn off the phone. Don’t check your email. Pay attention and be present.

When I worked in news, everyone was attached to a BlackBerry, constantly checking the influx of alerts. But my executive producer rarely used hers—and for this reason, she stood out. She was present and was never distracted in editorial meetings or discussions with the staff. And it didn’t make her any less of a success.

5. Don’t Judge

We all have our vices—and we all have room for improvement. One of the most important parts of modern-day etiquette is not to criticize others.

You may disagree with how another person handles a specific situation, but rise above and recognize that everyone is trying their best. It’s not your duty to judge others based on what you feel is right. You are only responsible for yourself.

We live in a world where both people and businesses are concerned about brand awareness. Individuals want to stand out and be liked and accepted by their peers–both socially and professionally.

The digital landscape has made it even more difficult to know whether or not you’re crossing a line, but I think it’s simple. Etiquette is positive. It’s a way of being—not a set of rules or dos and don’ts.

So before you create that hashtag, post on someone’s Facebook page or text someone mid-meeting, remember the fundamentals: Will this make someone feel good?

And remember the elemental act of putting pen to paper and writing a note. You’ll make a lasting impression that a shout-out on Twitter or a Facebook wall mention can’t even touch.

Source: Ink.com

Body language reveals so much– especially during a big job interview. Paul Michael offers some brilliant insights in this article that appeared on Wisebread.com.

Question — how much of what you “say” is actually interpreted through body language and tone of voice? Well, if we are to believe Albert Mehrabian, almost all of it.

Professor Albert Mehrabian has stated that only 7% of a message is conveyed verbally, through words. The other 93% is split between tone of voice (38%) and body language (55%). In fact, it’s widely known as the 7-38-55 rule.

Now, you may take or leave that kind of statistic, as it clearly cannot be true in all cases. And furthermore, it cannot include the written word. If it did, authors would not sell books, and we would never sign contracts!

But even so, it’s true that tone of voice and body language can betray our real feelings. And in a job interview, it’s important to take control of your body language as much as possible. After all, even though you may say all the right things, your body can be telling the interviewer a completely different story.

Here then are 10 body language mistakes to avoid. Keep them in mind before your next interview, and keep them under control when you’re in the hot seat.

1. Don’t Make a Feeble First Impression

It’s been said that employers can spot the right candidate within 30 seconds, and that’s all about body language. Be confident, but not arrogant. Walk in with a smile, without fiddling with anything you’re wearing, and give a firm handshake. Firm, by the way, means just that; enough pressure to say you mean business, but not the Vulcan death grip that so many men (and some women) try and impose. Also, a floppy “dead fish” handshake is just as bad, if not worse. And if you’re sweating from nerves (or something else), wipe your hands before entering the room. That sweaty palm will not do you any favors.

2. Stop Touching Your Face!

Did you see the movie Contagion by Steven Soderbergh? A doctor played by Kate Winslet states that the average person touches their face between 2,000 and 3,000 times every day! You’ve probably touched it a few times while reading this article. Now, while you can’t stop yourself from doing this all the time, you must stop during the interview. We’re all guilty of touching our nose, our lips, and our forehead, but these all imply that we’re either nervous or dishonest. Perhaps we associate nose touching and dishonesty with Pinocchio. Also, you’re then going to shake hands again at the end of the interview. Any germophobics (think Donald Trump or Howie Mandell) will not be pleased that you’ve had your hands on your mouth and nose for the last half hour.

3. Don’t Do the Leg Wobble

Look around you today and see how often you spot the leg wobble. It comes in many forms. Some people will be seated at a table and will jiggle one leg up and down beneath it. Some will cross their legs and jiggle one foot. And some will have both legs going at once. It can be due to nervous energy, restless leg syndrome, or just bad habit. But whether you do it a little or a lot, do not do it in an interview. The message you’re sending is loud and clear — I’m anxious, and I can’t wait to get out of here. And a potential employer does not want to know that you can’t wait to be out of his or her presence.

4. It’s a Cliché Because It’s True: Don’t Cross Your Arms

You’ve heard it before, and you’ll hear it again — and there’s a good reason. When you cross your arms, you are saying that you are closed off, closed minded, defensive, or just plain bored. It doesn’t matter if you find it the most comfortable way to hold your arms; this is an interview, and it’s not a good idea to practice the most widely known negative piece of body language in front of a potential employer.

5. Don’t Sit Up Too Straight, but Don’t Slouch Either

Have you ever been sat opposite someone who sat up so straight that you just couldn’t relax around them? It’s a strange feeling. They’re not really doing anything wrong; in fact, they’re displaying good posture, but at the same time it just seems like they’re being stiff and prudish. You don’t want to seem this way in front of the interviewer, and you also don’t want to make them feel uncomfortable around you, either. After all, who wants to work with someone who makes them feel awkward? So relax. Sit up straight, but not so straight it looks like you’re craning your neck to the ceiling. And of course, don’t be so relaxed that you slouch. This looks messy, disrespectful, and lazy.

6. Props Are for Magicians and Comedians

You may very well have your hands full when you enter the room. This can be unavoidable, especially when going from one interview to another. If you can, go to the interview with everything you need in one suitcase or bag. When you’re called to the interview, rise gracefully and pick it up from the side of your chair, then sit it down beside you when you sit for the interview. If you’re playing a balancing act with pens, organizers, your cell phone, resumes, and other paraphernalia, you look ill-at-ease, clumsy, and unprepared. And if you start dropping things, you make it even worse.

7. Eye Contact Is Good; Staring Is Not

It can be difficult to remember every point in a list, and some people will jot down memory aids and take them literally. One such point is “maintain eye contact.” Before you know it, you’re staring down the interviewer with a gaze that could put a statue to shame. As with all things in life, do this in moderation. You don’t want to have your eyes wandering the room looking for an exit, but you also don’t want to fix a laser-like stare into the interviewer’s soul. Janine Driver, a body language expert with the nickname “the lyin’ tamer,” suggests that 60% eye contact is ideal, looking at the upper triangle of the other person’s face (this goes from the left to right eyebrow, crossing the bridge of the nose). If there’s more than one person in the room, make eye contact with each person. And don’t stare at the mouth or forehead. In fact, don’t stare, period. Remember to blink, please! 

8. Watch Those Hands

If you’re following rule number four and rule number two, you may be wondering what on earth to do with your hands. This can be especially true if you’re someone who uses his or her hands a lot when talking, to express enthusiasm or to convey a point. Well, that’s fine. After all, if it helps you elaborate upon what you’re saying, and it’s also a part of who you actually are, then don’t mess with a good thing. But be careful. Mark Bowden, author of the book Winning Body Language, suggests keeping your hands and arms in the “truth plane.” Ideally, this is an area that fans out 180 degrees from your navel, stopping below the collarbone. Keeping gestures within this place keeps your hands away from your face, as noted earlier, and shows that you are calm, centered, and controlled. So, by all means use your hands, but don’t go mad.

9. Don’t Be a Nodding Dog

People often believe that nodding in agreement at everything the interviewer says will stand them in good stead. That’s not actually the case. While it’s all well and good to nod in agreement when you do genuinely agree with something, you need to avoid the “nodding dog syndrome.” Nodding in agreement with everything, regardless of the message, makes you look somewhat sycophantic, perhaps even spineless. Even worse, if you’re not paying attention and then get asked a question related to the issue you were nodding about, you could look like a real idiot. “Why on earth were you agreeing with something that you had no idea about?” Keep the nodding under control. Of course, on the other end of the spectrum, shaking your head should be kept to a bare minimum. No one wants to be sat opposite someone so disagreeable, and it’s also a sign of trying to dominate others.

10. Don’t Keep Your Distance or Get in Their Faces

In most interviews, you’ll be sat on one side of a desk with the interviewer sat on the other. This is standard practice, but with body language you can change this dynamic with both good and bad outcomes. For a start, if you purposefully shift your chair away from the desk, perhaps crossing your legs, then you’re putting more distance between you and your potential employer. This is a suggestion of distrust or nervousness. Similarly, if you bring the chair up too close to the desk and start leaning over, you are being intimidating and also showing that you have something to hide. So stay at a comfortable distance from the desk, showing enough of your upper body to indicate that you have nothing to hide. If there’s no desk, follow the same rules. Don’t get so close that your breath is in their face, but don’t back off so far that you’re clearly trying to avoid them.

Of course, as with all lists, remember not to be so focused on this advice that you forget the main reason you’re in the room. Practice before the interview, don’t jot this down on the palm of your hand and become a body language robot. Be relaxed, be natural, and for the most part, be yourself.

Source: Wisebread.com