Check them out.
http://www.careerjournal.com/jobhunting/networking/
A mixture of what I’m thinking and doing.
I read an interesting article recently in INC. about brand management (http://www.inc.com/magazine/20070101/features-brandmakeover.html ). The branding, PR, and marketing discussion was an interesting read, however, I was struck by an idea the article presented, a passion project. The article described a project that the brand management firm, Deskey, went through to keep its employees fresh and creative.
Most of Deskey’s current projects consist of accounts for large companies that have significant restraints and lack creative flexibility. Most of the folks working at a brand management firm are going to be the creative type who need to keep creatively stimulated in order not to get bored, unproductive, or unhappy. One way Deskey changes this is to inject a passion project into the mix once in a while. The project will have a scope that is outside the bounds of the normal bread and butter projects of the firm. Some key characteristics of the project are that it is relatively short, can involve the whole group, and requires significant creative flexing. The financial requirements of the project are not as critical since the main goal of the project is to allow the team to get up and stretch its legs.
It struck me that these passion projects could be useful for folks other than just the creative/art department. Engineering teams need to stretch their legs and flex their muscle in order to stay awake during an extended project. Ambitious and intelligent engineers will grab onto these projects and run. Engineering is a method for solving complex problems. It is important to keep all of the tools in an engineer’s toolbox sharp. This requires an engineer to occasionally step outside his specialty area that consumes his day. As an added benefit this will identify your more qualified engineers as they step up and grab the reigns during these projects, since by definition a passion project is a change from day to day activity, and change is hard.
I recently renewed my National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) membership. I made the choice to renew it after a speech I gave at toastmasters, in which I revealed that I was an Eagle Scout. This was my first speech, called “The Icebreaker”, in which I discussed myself. After the speech I was given a review that stated “Being an eagle scout states so much about you that you don’t even need to say it, it’s understood.”
The statement hit home, and reminded me of the awards importance. I’m hoping that through NESA that I get a chance to meet new Eagle Scouts and a chance to give back to the Boy Scouts.
I spent the last few days actually trying to come up with a first draft for my personal mission statement. (as part of the 7 habits)
So here it is.
I will strive…
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