Sunday, March 22, 2009
Infusion of Two Projects
We are planning on infusing two of the longest running projects that we have. The Barter Game and Cheat Your Neighbor Cheat Yourself (CYNCY) are very important projects. The Barter Game teaches students market economics and the importance of free markets through a hands-on activity that involves trading resources with other students in order to get the materials needed to build a candy airplane. CYNCY teaches students through fun worksheets that stealing and cheating hurt everyone including them. By adding the fun and excitement of the Barter Game to the life lessons of CYNCY and pooling the two projects resources together, we will have an even greater impact.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Second Chance
Second Chance is a project under the Community Impact branch. It is a workshop program that is designed to teach adults the fundamentals of financial management. On March 12th, Second Chance went into the Christian Center Rescue Mission (CCRM) to work with adult males willing to learn. This first workshop covered the basics of planning, setting goals, and budgeting. At the end of the session, it was apparent that this material was very needed, but some of the men seemed at times to have more debt or expenses then income. Yes, budgeting is fundamental to stable finances, but if you do not have the skills to go out and make an income then budgeting does not seem practical to help your current position. So, we opened up the last part of the workshop to hear what really would be beneficial for these men. In almost all of the men's goals was the desire to obtain a college education. These men desire to learn how to get the funding need to pay for college and get the skills needed to succeed. This is where SIFE is made great. We have projects that are able to change and adapt to the needs of those we wish and do impact. Our next workshop will be completely devoted to the steps and resources needed to secure college funding.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Flagship Enterprise Center Consulting Services Showcase
Five Flagship Enterprise Center firms and Anderson University Students in Free Enterprise will celebrate their work with twenty-five students at the Flagship Enterprise Center Consulting Services Showcase on Thursday March 12, 2009 at 5:30PM. The event will be held in Reardon Auditorium where five teams of five students will present the consulting work they have performed to a panel of business and community leaders.
“This event will serve as a capstone to the marketing, accounting, and website development projects that our students have completed,” says Bethany Masters, SIFE Vice President of Entrepreneurial Impact. “This program is beneficial to the students because they are able to pair practical experience with their classroom learning.” The program has been in existence for five years and has impacted a total of twenty-four firms in the Madison County area.
Flagship clients involved in the Showcase include Community Networks, Global Student Solutions, ID Graphics, Point of Service Technologies, and SecureWebManagers. These firms were chosen to participate in the program because of their willingness to work with students and their potential for success in their business.
Community Networks is a company that provides a link between advertisers and companies looking to use digital signage for promotion. Second, Global Student Solutions works to set up a support system to serve and equip international students during their time in the United States. Point of Service Technologies offers a unique drug testing system to provide a quick, accurate, and cost effective way to determine if a patient is using illegal or prescription drugs . SecureWebManager, LLC and owner Mike Kovaleski have developed a state-of-the-art system to provide a more secure way for users to manage log-in names and passwords for the various internet services they use. Finally, screen-printing company ID Graphics will be utilizing SIFE’s consulting talents for the second year in a row.
This event is open to the public. For more information or to RSVP, contact Bethany Masters at bfmasters@anderson.edu or visit sife.anderson.edu/showcase for more information.
Friday, February 13, 2009
SIFE.org Scholarships
If you have been an active member in SIFE, you should consider looking at one of the available scholarships. Log into your SIFE.org account and click on the link on the left.
The deadline is quickly approaching for most of the scholarships. Make sure and check it out today.
The deadline is quickly approaching for most of the scholarships. Make sure and check it out today.
Register for the SIFE USA Regional Competition
Instructions are on our website at: http://sife.anderson.edu/regionals.htm
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
The Job Fair
The project Finish Line First Steps held a job fair for local high school students in Mounds Mall from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. this past Saturday. Seven local companies came out to help critique as well as potentially hire students. Fifty-eight students came and had the chance to interview with each of the companies as well as get tips on their individual resumés. This job fair was held after SIFE students went into Anderson High School and Highland High School and taught interview preparation and etiquette, resumé building, and how to properly fill out an application. Anderson high schools have a graduation rate around 54% which is 23% lower then the state average. These students are in desperate need of practical skills and knowledge on obtaining a job that fits them and their needs. The job fair allowed this, and the companies did a great job of bringing the interview to the students level. I have to say a thank you for all the local companies that attended and Finish Line for their sponsorship of this project. It is because of their commitment to see the community grow that made in impact in the lives of local high school students.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
The Office of....
Some great things have been happening this year in our new section of SIFE, Environmental Impact. We have 3 projects this year that are committed to helping students, citizens, and businesses make more environmentally sustainable decisions. Our key project for this division is "Print Less Anderson". The name of this project is a bit deceiving as one might think that this project is about using less paper (or really printing less). But this project is much much more!
Under student leadership and direction, this project is creating its own Environmental Standard. An environmental standard is some type of policy or initiative that regulates how people and organizations treat the environment. There are standards that are unique to states, our country and some standards that are accepted globally. So we are making our own policy of how our local businesses here in Anderson can treat the environment. We are calling this standard, "The Anderson Green Seal of Approval".
One might think that creating this Seal of Approval would be an extremely difficult task and that getting businesses to change based on a student initiative would be near impossible. Well do not fret; our SIFE team has the FULL support from Kris Ockomon, better known to the community as Mayor Kris Ockomon.
Creating this standard is very exciting and we are almost complete with our initial phases. Soon we will be taking our new Environmental Standard to the community and we expect to start seeing certified green businesses becoming visible as soon as next semester. What is even more exciting is that this project has job creating potential. And when I say potential, I actually mean that one job has already been created....so we expect a few more :)
At the recommendation of our SIFE team, the Mayor has created a new department in his administration, "The Office of Environmental Sustainability". The Mayor is setting aside an office space within City Hall, providing a couple of computers, and a printing accounting for this new department. The Office of... will be staffed by SIFE students and a City Official Task Force. In addition to this new "Office" the Mayor approved our proposal to have an internship position created for the project manager of "Print Less Anderson". That’s right; the project manager next year will be on city payroll and play an essential part in not only developing and furthering the Green Seal but also an important role in the new partnership that SIFE now shares with the city.
If you're interested in getting involved and having an economic and environmental impact in the businesses which we recruit, shoot us an email!
tlbaden@anderson.edu
ajtaylor2@anderson.edu
Under student leadership and direction, this project is creating its own Environmental Standard. An environmental standard is some type of policy or initiative that regulates how people and organizations treat the environment. There are standards that are unique to states, our country and some standards that are accepted globally. So we are making our own policy of how our local businesses here in Anderson can treat the environment. We are calling this standard, "The Anderson Green Seal of Approval".
One might think that creating this Seal of Approval would be an extremely difficult task and that getting businesses to change based on a student initiative would be near impossible. Well do not fret; our SIFE team has the FULL support from Kris Ockomon, better known to the community as Mayor Kris Ockomon.
Creating this standard is very exciting and we are almost complete with our initial phases. Soon we will be taking our new Environmental Standard to the community and we expect to start seeing certified green businesses becoming visible as soon as next semester. What is even more exciting is that this project has job creating potential. And when I say potential, I actually mean that one job has already been created....so we expect a few more :)
At the recommendation of our SIFE team, the Mayor has created a new department in his administration, "The Office of Environmental Sustainability". The Mayor is setting aside an office space within City Hall, providing a couple of computers, and a printing accounting for this new department. The Office of... will be staffed by SIFE students and a City Official Task Force. In addition to this new "Office" the Mayor approved our proposal to have an internship position created for the project manager of "Print Less Anderson". That’s right; the project manager next year will be on city payroll and play an essential part in not only developing and furthering the Green Seal but also an important role in the new partnership that SIFE now shares with the city.
If you're interested in getting involved and having an economic and environmental impact in the businesses which we recruit, shoot us an email!
tlbaden@anderson.edu
ajtaylor2@anderson.edu
Thursday, January 29, 2009
The Best Business Books Ever
...at least according to one website.
If you are looking for a good book to keep you interested in the business sector, you might want to check out this list.
http://blogs.bnet.com/ceo/?p=1705&tag=nl.rSINGLE
Some of the books included are:
Built to Last – Jim Collins and Jerry Porras
Emotional Intelligence – Daniel Goleman
One Minute Manager – Kenneth Blanchard & Spencer Johnson
The Great Crash 1929 – J.K. Galbraith
When Giants Learn to Dance – Rosabeth Moss Kanter
If you do get to read some of these, you'll have to let us know what you think.
If you are looking for a good book to keep you interested in the business sector, you might want to check out this list.
http://blogs.bnet.com/ceo/?p=1705&tag=nl.rSINGLE
Some of the books included are:
Built to Last – Jim Collins and Jerry Porras
Emotional Intelligence – Daniel Goleman
One Minute Manager – Kenneth Blanchard & Spencer Johnson
The Great Crash 1929 – J.K. Galbraith
When Giants Learn to Dance – Rosabeth Moss Kanter
If you do get to read some of these, you'll have to let us know what you think.
#1 Globally Savvy or Internationally Challenged?
by Jennifer Kushell, co-founder YSN.com
This past year, YSN decided to get a closer look at SIFE students around the globe to better understand the next generation of young people launching their careers. In case you haven’t heard, you’re not alone: Over the next 10 years, over 1 billion young people will enter the workforce. Think of them as your peers, or even as your competition, but either way, it’s time to ask yourself if you’re ready. Are you globally savvy or internationally challenged? Are you ready to join the new world order?
The Global Career Mindset Study was the first of its kind, surveying students from 50 countries. The most compelling finding? 55% of students are looking abroad to launch their careers. Only 20% were planning on looking for work locally. What’s more, they’re skilled, they’re ambitious, they’re hungry for new opportunities to show the world what they can do, and they’re savvy — about politics, geography, world affairs, culture, and the business skills that the top employers are looking for in young talent.
Between the recent economic turmoil and the workforce crisis, finding and keeping great jobs is going to require a lot more of you.
My best advice: Think like an economist, act like an entrepreneur and set your sights globally.
It’s time to expect more from yourself if you want to give yourself every possible advantage as you launch your career. The rules are changing fast, and it’s not enough to keep up with them — because they’re being re-written as you read this.
This past year, YSN decided to get a closer look at SIFE students around the globe to better understand the next generation of young people launching their careers. In case you haven’t heard, you’re not alone: Over the next 10 years, over 1 billion young people will enter the workforce. Think of them as your peers, or even as your competition, but either way, it’s time to ask yourself if you’re ready. Are you globally savvy or internationally challenged? Are you ready to join the new world order?
The Global Career Mindset Study was the first of its kind, surveying students from 50 countries. The most compelling finding? 55% of students are looking abroad to launch their careers. Only 20% were planning on looking for work locally. What’s more, they’re skilled, they’re ambitious, they’re hungry for new opportunities to show the world what they can do, and they’re savvy — about politics, geography, world affairs, culture, and the business skills that the top employers are looking for in young talent.
Between the recent economic turmoil and the workforce crisis, finding and keeping great jobs is going to require a lot more of you.
My best advice: Think like an economist, act like an entrepreneur and set your sights globally.
It’s time to expect more from yourself if you want to give yourself every possible advantage as you launch your career. The rules are changing fast, and it’s not enough to keep up with them — because they’re being re-written as you read this.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Do All Entrepreneurs Want to Make Money?
As VP of the Entrepreneurial Impact branch of AU's SIFE, I have met many entrepreneurs with some really unique ideas about how to make a living. Their ideas run from selling coupons to solving complex political and social issues such as drug abuse. However, one unique company that SIFE Consulting Services has worked with this year is Global Student Solutions (GSS) affiliated with the Anderson Business Incubator. Scott Martin, the president and founder of GSS seeks not primarily to make money, but to help students from abroad who plan to study in the United States for college. Scott's passion for students, mixed with his international experience, birthed the idea that he can help international students all around the country through technology to provide support for those students as they encounter a new cultural and academic experience.
When Consulting manager Nathaniel Boggs and his team began their project with GSS in late September, Scott was just starting to make his dream a reality. With the help of the Consulting team, Scott has begun to set up an accounting system and research opportunities for funding his venture. Although helping students in Scott's first priority, SIFE students have been able to help him get the financial side of his organization in order. Our students have learned that nonprofit organizations must be financially successful so that they may be successful in fulfilling their purpose. For more information about GSS and Scott Martin, the founder, visit Global Student Solutions' website here.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Mulunda Miaka Orphanage Accounting
The SIFE Give a Chicken Campaign has been a great success, and is directly benefiting Mulunda Miaka Orphanage in Zambia, Africa (www.mmorphanage.org). Over Christmas break I met with an accountant, Jeremy, who was traveling to Zambia with his wife, a doctor who was to work at Mukinge Hospital, located near Mulunda Miaka Orphanage. Jeremy was concerned that he would not have much to do for their month long stay, but I quickly assured him this would not be the case. Though Mulunda Miaka Orphanage has been in development for several years, a solid accounting system has not been put in place. Jeremy is meeting this need, training Pam, the founder, as well as several board members, in how to effectively use QuickBooks to keep track of their financial records. Jeremy is also implementing a double back up system to ensure that if one computer fails, the financial data will still be safe. Thanks to Jeremy's work, Mulunda Miaka Orphanage has taken another step towards long term sustainability.
-Chad Schubert
Vice President of SIFE Global Impact
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
#2 Your Industry, Your Playground
by Jennifer Kushell, co-founder YSN.com
Early in my career, after I'd helped my first few hundred people discover new career paths, businesses and organizations to launch into, I found myself wondering why different industries fascinated me so much. It didn't matter whether the topic was entertainment, finance, apparel, aerospace, publishing, technology, food service, fitness or stranger stuff like neutraceuticals, biofuels or nanotechnology! Every industry was a totally different world that had different experts, jobs, media, events, publications, education centers, trends, definitions of success, terminology and even dress codes! And every single one was packed with opportunities as limitless as your imagination.
As if all that wasn't intriguing enough, there were endless ways you could find or invent opportunities in any combination of industries. For example, take animals. With a traditional eye, you'd probably think your career options might include pet stores, veterinary medicine, breading and boarding. But cross a love of animals with all the other ways you could serve them and their owners and you get clothing for pets (apparel), gourmet pet bakeries (food service), organic health supplements (neutraceuticals), magazines and books (publishing), animal tracking devices (technology), and so on. With a little creativity you could have a field day coming up with ways to play in this world.
Then one day, my good friend Bob Cohen from the Harvard Office of Career Services explained to me the difference between "function" and "industry." Simply put, function is what you do, industry is where you do it. Your industry, he explained, is your playground. It's the world where you can have the most fun doing what you do best.
I realized right then that one of the biggest things holding people back from loving what they do is not knowing what industries they should (or should I say want to) be in. And the simplest way to figure this out, if it isn’t already obvious, is to get someone to think about what they love doing. If you love playing video games, consider working in the video game industry. If you love music, there’s a whole other industry to play in. What you do in that industry is a question of function. You can be a writer in any industry, right? You can be doctor in any industry. An accountant. A teacher. A marketer. A salesman. The world really is like one big candy store of options and opportunities! You just need to find your industry…then dive in.
Once you’ve identified your playground, it’s just a matter of getting yourself into the middle of all the action. Join the trade associations, subscribe to the blogs and newsletters, buy the top magazines, attend the conferences and events, follow the hottest experts and stay on top of the trends. For more information on how to Master Your Universe, check out the 10-minute podcast from our NY Times Bestseller, Secrets of the Young & Successful.
Think of your industry as your playground and this powerful secret of the young & successful will cause a paradigm shift that can instantly turn your career exploration into an adventure.
Early in my career, after I'd helped my first few hundred people discover new career paths, businesses and organizations to launch into, I found myself wondering why different industries fascinated me so much. It didn't matter whether the topic was entertainment, finance, apparel, aerospace, publishing, technology, food service, fitness or stranger stuff like neutraceuticals, biofuels or nanotechnology! Every industry was a totally different world that had different experts, jobs, media, events, publications, education centers, trends, definitions of success, terminology and even dress codes! And every single one was packed with opportunities as limitless as your imagination.
As if all that wasn't intriguing enough, there were endless ways you could find or invent opportunities in any combination of industries. For example, take animals. With a traditional eye, you'd probably think your career options might include pet stores, veterinary medicine, breading and boarding. But cross a love of animals with all the other ways you could serve them and their owners and you get clothing for pets (apparel), gourmet pet bakeries (food service), organic health supplements (neutraceuticals), magazines and books (publishing), animal tracking devices (technology), and so on. With a little creativity you could have a field day coming up with ways to play in this world.
Then one day, my good friend Bob Cohen from the Harvard Office of Career Services explained to me the difference between "function" and "industry." Simply put, function is what you do, industry is where you do it. Your industry, he explained, is your playground. It's the world where you can have the most fun doing what you do best.
I realized right then that one of the biggest things holding people back from loving what they do is not knowing what industries they should (or should I say want to) be in. And the simplest way to figure this out, if it isn’t already obvious, is to get someone to think about what they love doing. If you love playing video games, consider working in the video game industry. If you love music, there’s a whole other industry to play in. What you do in that industry is a question of function. You can be a writer in any industry, right? You can be doctor in any industry. An accountant. A teacher. A marketer. A salesman. The world really is like one big candy store of options and opportunities! You just need to find your industry…then dive in.
Once you’ve identified your playground, it’s just a matter of getting yourself into the middle of all the action. Join the trade associations, subscribe to the blogs and newsletters, buy the top magazines, attend the conferences and events, follow the hottest experts and stay on top of the trends. For more information on how to Master Your Universe, check out the 10-minute podcast from our NY Times Bestseller, Secrets of the Young & Successful.
Think of your industry as your playground and this powerful secret of the young & successful will cause a paradigm shift that can instantly turn your career exploration into an adventure.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
#3 Google Yourself!
by Jennifer Kushell, co-founder YSN.com
Let’s face it, we’ve all done things we’d prefer to keep private — from embarrassing 6th grade photos of your “awkward stage,” to that crazy weekend that really should NOT be documented, but instead go to the grave with you and your best friend.
The Internet offers many amazing opportunities, but the reality is, it can also take them away from us.
Have you ever tried to google yourself? You should! It’s not just a vanity thing either. Today, investigating yourself online is what we like to call an ONLINE AUDIT.
Think about this: You’re in the process of just launching or building your career. Maybe you’re in your own business, or the officer of an organization. Maybe you’re in the midst of pitching yourself as an applicant against a sea of others eager for the same opportunity. When you’re looking to learn more about someone, you look for them online, right? Well, so do most other people!
What do others find when they search for you?
NOTHING
If I go to google someone and nothing comes up, my first thought is “haven’t they done anything notable in their lives?" At the very least, I expect to see sports photos, or school photos, or an online profile (business or social) that says they’re engaged in the outside world. If they’ve reached a certain level of success, I assume I’ll find a bio, a web site, or something that acknowledges their career, their journey so far. Finding nothing doesn’t even really say NOTHING. In some instances, it actually says a lot.
STRICTLY SOCIAL
If someone is only visible via social sites and party recaps, you’d better bet I’m going to look a lot more closely for any signs of what they do on the professional side. Who knows what I’ll come across then!
SCARY STUFF
I don’t think we need to go into too much detail here, but anything that could possibly be construed as inappropriate, rude, mean, indecent, incriminating, or in poor taste can become a big problem for you. It’s not just your friends who can see this stuff (unless you’re profiles are set on private – but that’s no guarantee either.) People lose important opportunities and potential relationships every day because of what people find. If you’re not sure how others may interpret something about you, share it with some close friends to get their impression. Then pull it down, or beg your friend to remove anything questionable. Write to companies that post information on you that’s too personal or erroneous. Clear the record, and make a real effort to clean up your image online.
In every one of these instances what’s missing is your PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY. Who are you and what have you accomplished? What are you aspiring to do with your life? What do you really want recruiters, your employer, colleagues, educators, mentors, big contacts, and even your family to know abut you? This is the information that people really should find about you.
Let’s face it, we’ve all done things we’d prefer to keep private — from embarrassing 6th grade photos of your “awkward stage,” to that crazy weekend that really should NOT be documented, but instead go to the grave with you and your best friend.
The Internet offers many amazing opportunities, but the reality is, it can also take them away from us.
Have you ever tried to google yourself? You should! It’s not just a vanity thing either. Today, investigating yourself online is what we like to call an ONLINE AUDIT.
Think about this: You’re in the process of just launching or building your career. Maybe you’re in your own business, or the officer of an organization. Maybe you’re in the midst of pitching yourself as an applicant against a sea of others eager for the same opportunity. When you’re looking to learn more about someone, you look for them online, right? Well, so do most other people!
What do others find when they search for you?
NOTHING
If I go to google someone and nothing comes up, my first thought is “haven’t they done anything notable in their lives?" At the very least, I expect to see sports photos, or school photos, or an online profile (business or social) that says they’re engaged in the outside world. If they’ve reached a certain level of success, I assume I’ll find a bio, a web site, or something that acknowledges their career, their journey so far. Finding nothing doesn’t even really say NOTHING. In some instances, it actually says a lot.
STRICTLY SOCIAL
If someone is only visible via social sites and party recaps, you’d better bet I’m going to look a lot more closely for any signs of what they do on the professional side. Who knows what I’ll come across then!
SCARY STUFF
I don’t think we need to go into too much detail here, but anything that could possibly be construed as inappropriate, rude, mean, indecent, incriminating, or in poor taste can become a big problem for you. It’s not just your friends who can see this stuff (unless you’re profiles are set on private – but that’s no guarantee either.) People lose important opportunities and potential relationships every day because of what people find. If you’re not sure how others may interpret something about you, share it with some close friends to get their impression. Then pull it down, or beg your friend to remove anything questionable. Write to companies that post information on you that’s too personal or erroneous. Clear the record, and make a real effort to clean up your image online.
In every one of these instances what’s missing is your PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY. Who are you and what have you accomplished? What are you aspiring to do with your life? What do you really want recruiters, your employer, colleagues, educators, mentors, big contacts, and even your family to know abut you? This is the information that people really should find about you.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
#4 Get Your Priorities Straight
by Jennifer Kushell, co-founder YSN.com
“Get your priorities straight!” is typically a comment or barb that comes hurling towards you in the heat/fog of bad judgment; but at YSN we rarely hear it talked about as a tool to empower you, make you happier…and of course, make you more successful. If you really think about it, having a clear sense of YOUR priorities, at any point in your life, is critical to making the right choices to keep you on the right path for YOU.
Think of your priorities as your own personal decision-making filter. Any time you have a decision to make that involves allocating your time, money or energy — from where to spend the weekend to how to spend the next few years of your life — run the idea through this PRIORITY FILTER.
Take the next 3 minutes and a pick out your top 5 priorities from the list below.
ACHIEVEMENT (sense of accomplishment)
ADVANCEMENT (promotions)
ADVENTURE (new and challenging experiences)
AFFECTION (love, caring)
COMPETITIVENESS (winning, taking risks)
COOPERATION (working well with others)
CREATIVITY (being imaginative, innovative)
ECONOMIC SECURITY (financial stability, independence)
FAME (being famous, well-known)
FREEDOM (autonomy, independence)
FRIENDSHIP (close relations with others)
INTEGRITY (honesty, standing up for one’s beliefs)
INVOLVEMENT (participating, belonging)
LOCATION (city/country, near family/friends)
LOYALTY (duty, respect, obedience)
ORDER (tranquility, stability, conformity)
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT (use of potential)
PLEASURE (fun, laughs, leisurely lifestyle)
POWER (control, authority, influence over others)
PRESTIGE (reputation, image, status)
RECOGNITION (acknowledgement of worth)
RESPONSIBILITY (accountable for results)
SELF-RESPECT (personal pride, identity)
VARIETY (diversity of projects, newness)
WEALTH (making money, getting rich)
Now you’ve got your own PRIORITY FILTER. Keep the list in your wallet, on your wall, in your desk…wherever you can see it often and refer to it quickly. But first, take it for a spin. Test it out on your current job. Or if you’re a student, test your current life against it. It should tell you a lot!
“Get your priorities straight!” is typically a comment or barb that comes hurling towards you in the heat/fog of bad judgment; but at YSN we rarely hear it talked about as a tool to empower you, make you happier…and of course, make you more successful. If you really think about it, having a clear sense of YOUR priorities, at any point in your life, is critical to making the right choices to keep you on the right path for YOU.
Think of your priorities as your own personal decision-making filter. Any time you have a decision to make that involves allocating your time, money or energy — from where to spend the weekend to how to spend the next few years of your life — run the idea through this PRIORITY FILTER.
Take the next 3 minutes and a pick out your top 5 priorities from the list below.
ACHIEVEMENT (sense of accomplishment)
ADVANCEMENT (promotions)
ADVENTURE (new and challenging experiences)
AFFECTION (love, caring)
COMPETITIVENESS (winning, taking risks)
COOPERATION (working well with others)
CREATIVITY (being imaginative, innovative)
ECONOMIC SECURITY (financial stability, independence)
FAME (being famous, well-known)
FREEDOM (autonomy, independence)
FRIENDSHIP (close relations with others)
INTEGRITY (honesty, standing up for one’s beliefs)
INVOLVEMENT (participating, belonging)
LOCATION (city/country, near family/friends)
LOYALTY (duty, respect, obedience)
ORDER (tranquility, stability, conformity)
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT (use of potential)
PLEASURE (fun, laughs, leisurely lifestyle)
POWER (control, authority, influence over others)
PRESTIGE (reputation, image, status)
RECOGNITION (acknowledgement of worth)
RESPONSIBILITY (accountable for results)
SELF-RESPECT (personal pride, identity)
VARIETY (diversity of projects, newness)
WEALTH (making money, getting rich)
Now you’ve got your own PRIORITY FILTER. Keep the list in your wallet, on your wall, in your desk…wherever you can see it often and refer to it quickly. But first, take it for a spin. Test it out on your current job. Or if you’re a student, test your current life against it. It should tell you a lot!
Monday, January 5, 2009
400 Chicken Goal Reached!
December 22, 2008
Anderson University SIFE’s global impact project and key project for market economic, Give A Chicken, has reached its 400 chicken goal four months ahead of its original, seven month timeframe. Under the direction of Ambrosia Davidson, project manager, and Chad Schubert, Vice President for Global Impact, the Give A Chicken project is designed to provide financial sustainability for the Mulunda Miaka Orphanage in Zambia, Africa.
A goal launched in September 2008 and set to run through March 2009, has recently received a $1200 donation from Purdue University’s Organizational Leadership and Supervision (OLS) program (through a partnership with their SIFE team), under the supervision of Dr. Scott R. Homan.
The Applied Leadership course, OLS 274, is an introduction to applied leadership in the context of organizational functions, structures, and operations. The course intends to teach professional habits of mind that are critical for all organizational leaders such as a daily consumption of global business news. In a salesmanship exercise, 600 students had the opportunity to go out and sell the idea of sponsoring a chicken or portion of a chicken on the behalf of Give A Chicken. Through their hands-on promotion of the orphanage and the Give A Chicken project, students raised $1200 toward the Give A Chicken project.
This $1200 donation is in addition to a $450 donation raised by the IU Kokomo SIFE team on a two-day fundraiser earlier in the semester, and the donations of over 50 people during the first four months of the project.
In light of the early success of the project, the SIFE team has decided to expand the goals of the Give A Chicken project. What started as providing the two full batches of broiler chickens will look to provide chicken houses and layer chickens in 2009. Further details will be unveiled in mid-January of what specific goals and opportunities will be available for donors to assist the Mulunda Miaka Orphanage in Zambia, Africa.
Please visit www.giveAchicken.com for more details and for donation opportunities.
Anderson University SIFE’s global impact project and key project for market economic, Give A Chicken, has reached its 400 chicken goal four months ahead of its original, seven month timeframe. Under the direction of Ambrosia Davidson, project manager, and Chad Schubert, Vice President for Global Impact, the Give A Chicken project is designed to provide financial sustainability for the Mulunda Miaka Orphanage in Zambia, Africa.
A goal launched in September 2008 and set to run through March 2009, has recently received a $1200 donation from Purdue University’s Organizational Leadership and Supervision (OLS) program (through a partnership with their SIFE team), under the supervision of Dr. Scott R. Homan.
The Applied Leadership course, OLS 274, is an introduction to applied leadership in the context of organizational functions, structures, and operations. The course intends to teach professional habits of mind that are critical for all organizational leaders such as a daily consumption of global business news. In a salesmanship exercise, 600 students had the opportunity to go out and sell the idea of sponsoring a chicken or portion of a chicken on the behalf of Give A Chicken. Through their hands-on promotion of the orphanage and the Give A Chicken project, students raised $1200 toward the Give A Chicken project.
This $1200 donation is in addition to a $450 donation raised by the IU Kokomo SIFE team on a two-day fundraiser earlier in the semester, and the donations of over 50 people during the first four months of the project.
In light of the early success of the project, the SIFE team has decided to expand the goals of the Give A Chicken project. What started as providing the two full batches of broiler chickens will look to provide chicken houses and layer chickens in 2009. Further details will be unveiled in mid-January of what specific goals and opportunities will be available for donors to assist the Mulunda Miaka Orphanage in Zambia, Africa.
Please visit www.giveAchicken.com for more details and for donation opportunities.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Goals. Got Any?
Tip #5: Setting Goals
by Jennifer Kushell, co-founder YSN.com
Before you head out to your New Year’s party or start popping the champagne, make sure you take a little time to contemplate what you hope to accomplish in 2009. Sure, this year hasn’t ended quite as well as any of us had planned, but it doesn’t mean that we can’t give ourselves every possible advantage moving into this next one. And, after all, that’s what YSN is here for – to help you find the success you’ve only dreamed of…without waiting a lifetime!
You’ve heard it before – people who set goals for themselves consistently achieve more than those who don’t. So, let’s be frank, do you have them or don’t you? Vague thoughts and half-baked answers don’t count. Writing down our goals is something we all know will make us more successful…but somehow we don’t always get around to it. Let’s change!
Don’t put it off, start the process now. If this ends up being all you do — hey, it’s something, which is always better than nothing. If you want to take this to the next level - consider using our “GOOD to MASTER Goal Setting Guide” below!
GOOD: List 3-5 Goals
If you could only choose a few things that would make or break your next year, what would they be? What would you like to accomplish beyond all else? Make them as detailed as possible.
BETTER: Now Add Timelines/Deadlines
Attaching deadlines to the things you’d like to accomplish is an even better tactic to achieving what you want in life. Break your goals into the following increments: 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, and 5 years. Keep going if you feel inspired! Include no more than 3-5 goals under each category to keep it manageable.
BEST: Categorize By Topic/Area of Life
None of our lives are one dimensional, so why should our goals be? Your life is complicated, with lots of priorities and demands on your time and energy. If you’re not making the progress you’d like to, or you want to ensure you can optimize your success in every area, then break your goals into your biggest life categories/areas: Work, family, finance, education, health, happiness, social, spiritual, love, etc. Again, focus on adding 3-5 goals to each category that matters to you.
Jedi Masters: 188-Year Plan
Ever consider your 188-year plan? Our friend Curtis Estes does! Seriously! Curtis is the author of Your Life By Design and one of the top financial advisors in the US who counsels some of the most successful people out there on leaving their legacy. He claims that the average person can’t remember their great grandparents’ names…let alone what they did with their lives.
That means in 188 years, most people won’t remember any of us…unless we do something about it. Building a 188-year plan sounds insane at first, but Curtis swears this is the key to building a lasting legacy, and we just love the idea of that! Try it for yourself, or check out Curtis’ plan to see goal setting from a real master.
by Jennifer Kushell, co-founder YSN.com
Before you head out to your New Year’s party or start popping the champagne, make sure you take a little time to contemplate what you hope to accomplish in 2009. Sure, this year hasn’t ended quite as well as any of us had planned, but it doesn’t mean that we can’t give ourselves every possible advantage moving into this next one. And, after all, that’s what YSN is here for – to help you find the success you’ve only dreamed of…without waiting a lifetime!
You’ve heard it before – people who set goals for themselves consistently achieve more than those who don’t. So, let’s be frank, do you have them or don’t you? Vague thoughts and half-baked answers don’t count. Writing down our goals is something we all know will make us more successful…but somehow we don’t always get around to it. Let’s change!
Don’t put it off, start the process now. If this ends up being all you do — hey, it’s something, which is always better than nothing. If you want to take this to the next level - consider using our “GOOD to MASTER Goal Setting Guide” below!
GOOD: List 3-5 Goals
If you could only choose a few things that would make or break your next year, what would they be? What would you like to accomplish beyond all else? Make them as detailed as possible.
BETTER: Now Add Timelines/Deadlines
Attaching deadlines to the things you’d like to accomplish is an even better tactic to achieving what you want in life. Break your goals into the following increments: 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, and 5 years. Keep going if you feel inspired! Include no more than 3-5 goals under each category to keep it manageable.
BEST: Categorize By Topic/Area of Life
None of our lives are one dimensional, so why should our goals be? Your life is complicated, with lots of priorities and demands on your time and energy. If you’re not making the progress you’d like to, or you want to ensure you can optimize your success in every area, then break your goals into your biggest life categories/areas: Work, family, finance, education, health, happiness, social, spiritual, love, etc. Again, focus on adding 3-5 goals to each category that matters to you.
Jedi Masters: 188-Year Plan
Ever consider your 188-year plan? Our friend Curtis Estes does! Seriously! Curtis is the author of Your Life By Design and one of the top financial advisors in the US who counsels some of the most successful people out there on leaving their legacy. He claims that the average person can’t remember their great grandparents’ names…let alone what they did with their lives.
That means in 188 years, most people won’t remember any of us…unless we do something about it. Building a 188-year plan sounds insane at first, but Curtis swears this is the key to building a lasting legacy, and we just love the idea of that! Try it for yourself, or check out Curtis’ plan to see goal setting from a real master.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Build A Killer Network
Tip #6: Build Your Contacts
by Jennifer Kushell, co-founder YSN.com
Having a great network of friends and contacts can totally change how happy and successful you are. When you’re in trouble, struggling, or experiencing a rough patch, your network will be there to help you get through it.
Check out 5 great tips on how to build your network from our speaking tour with American Express.
A few ground rules for savvy networking:
- Realize your life will get more interesting as you expand your network.
- Have fun.
- Don’t always have an agenda.
- Make it a point to meet interesting people everywhere you go.
- Make sure you surround yourself with successful people. Collect a broad mix of great mentors along the way who can teach you about a variety of areas.
- Keep a list of people you want to meet (or the types of people i.e. entrepreneurs, doctors, MBA grads, non profit leaders) and share it with your more connected friends who may be able to refer you to people in their networks.
Always try to help others whenever you can. Just do it because it’s good to do it. Wonderful things do sometimes come back to grace you too. Allow me to explain.
In the Podcast of our book Secrets of the Young & Successful we spoke about How to Meet Anyone.
Here are the audio links in two sections:
Manage Your Network
As you start to meet more and more people, the biggest piece of advice we can offer is to make sure you capture all of their critical contact info right away, keep it in one place, and make sure it’s digital. Then keep it up to date and back it all up regularly.
Spend the time and money (if you can) to invest in a simple online database, PDA (personal digital assistant) or mobile device that can hold all the information you collect on your contacts (from name to birthday, cell, city/state…whatever is most appropriate).
Then make sure you stay in touch, taking good care of your people and treating them well. Check out our tips on how to Create Your Own Networking Event. Make sure you take care of your network too, and show them ongoing love and attention. We've got some tips on that too with our blog post on how to Keep Those Contacts.
Meet Powerful and Influential People
In every business, industry and society, there’s a group of people who are considered the power players -- the movers and shakers. They make the decisions that affect hundreds, thousands, sometimes millions of lives. Having access to them can get you a voice in their circles. Building relationships with them can get you in the game and make you a part of the action. Getting to almost anyone you want to meet is possible, you just need to know a few secrets, and a new perspective on the whole thing -- what we like to call the House on the Hill (audio podcast).
When you finally get the chance to meet someone really great, make sure you don’t blow it! Check out our top 5 tips (from TONS of experience!) on how NOT to miss another opportunity.
And whatever you do, don’t forget the gatekeepers!
by Jennifer Kushell, co-founder YSN.com
Having a great network of friends and contacts can totally change how happy and successful you are. When you’re in trouble, struggling, or experiencing a rough patch, your network will be there to help you get through it.
Check out 5 great tips on how to build your network from our speaking tour with American Express.
A few ground rules for savvy networking:
- Realize your life will get more interesting as you expand your network.
- Have fun.
- Don’t always have an agenda.
- Make it a point to meet interesting people everywhere you go.
- Make sure you surround yourself with successful people. Collect a broad mix of great mentors along the way who can teach you about a variety of areas.
- Keep a list of people you want to meet (or the types of people i.e. entrepreneurs, doctors, MBA grads, non profit leaders) and share it with your more connected friends who may be able to refer you to people in their networks.
Always try to help others whenever you can. Just do it because it’s good to do it. Wonderful things do sometimes come back to grace you too. Allow me to explain.
In the Podcast of our book Secrets of the Young & Successful we spoke about How to Meet Anyone.
Here are the audio links in two sections:
Manage Your Network
As you start to meet more and more people, the biggest piece of advice we can offer is to make sure you capture all of their critical contact info right away, keep it in one place, and make sure it’s digital. Then keep it up to date and back it all up regularly.
Spend the time and money (if you can) to invest in a simple online database, PDA (personal digital assistant) or mobile device that can hold all the information you collect on your contacts (from name to birthday, cell, city/state…whatever is most appropriate).
Then make sure you stay in touch, taking good care of your people and treating them well. Check out our tips on how to Create Your Own Networking Event. Make sure you take care of your network too, and show them ongoing love and attention. We've got some tips on that too with our blog post on how to Keep Those Contacts.
Meet Powerful and Influential People
In every business, industry and society, there’s a group of people who are considered the power players -- the movers and shakers. They make the decisions that affect hundreds, thousands, sometimes millions of lives. Having access to them can get you a voice in their circles. Building relationships with them can get you in the game and make you a part of the action. Getting to almost anyone you want to meet is possible, you just need to know a few secrets, and a new perspective on the whole thing -- what we like to call the House on the Hill (audio podcast).
When you finally get the chance to meet someone really great, make sure you don’t blow it! Check out our top 5 tips (from TONS of experience!) on how NOT to miss another opportunity.
And whatever you do, don’t forget the gatekeepers!
Monday, December 15, 2008
SIFE Competition Preview
Significant to what SIFE does throughout the year, is our regional and national competitions that takes place in the spring. We work all year to develop the strongest and most impactful program in our community. We take that information with us to compete against top SIFE programs at colleges and universities throughout the country.
SIFE has a uploaded some video to YouTube of what these events are like. Check out these videos here.
Here is a presentation made by Graceland University, the 2006 USA National Championship team.
SIFE has a uploaded some video to YouTube of what these events are like. Check out these videos here.
Here is a presentation made by Graceland University, the 2006 USA National Championship team.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
SIFE.org
Have you taken a few minutes to check out SIFE's official website?
Log onto www.sife.org to see what the bigger SIFE organization is about. While you are there, take a minute and register as a SIFE student. This is necessary for our team and for competition purposes.
There are a lot of great resources and content if you take the time to look it over.
Kyle
Log onto www.sife.org to see what the bigger SIFE organization is about. While you are there, take a minute and register as a SIFE student. This is necessary for our team and for competition purposes.
There are a lot of great resources and content if you take the time to look it over.
Kyle
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