Personal branding lessons from the Joker

He’s a joker, a smoker and a mid-night toker. The iconic singer-songwriter Steve Miller has no shortage of tokers in his audience. They were all sitting around me at a recent concert. I met people that have been fans since the late 60’s. That is a loyalty any business would covet, and Miller continues to increase the power of his personal brand. Read more

Free PowerPoint-Tastic Templates – #020: Four Parts

Each week, the Fast Track Tools training company and the Cubicle Ninjas design firm work together to publish a template that makes it easier for you to communicate your ideas. This week, we bring you some interesting imagery to highlight four components of your idea. Read more

Telling the hi-po story in a job interview

No, that is not a misspelling. Please don’t tell the story of a hippopotamus in a job interview unless you are applying to work at the zoo! Hi-po is a term used to describe high performers, and, at most companies, that list exists. If you have been on the list, make it a point to highlight it during your interview process. Read more

Learn how to learn to propel your career

To improve the learning process, climb the learning ladder in stages.

Have you ever learned something the wrong way? For me it was golf. I play occasionally, but never bothered to really learn the basics. Recently, I decided to focus on improving my game. Read more

PowerPoint-Tastic Templates – #019: Three Options

Each week, the Fast Track Tools training company and the Cubicle Ninjas design firm work together to publish a template that makes it easier for you to communicate your ideas. This week, we bring you a layout that helps illustrate various options. It is easier to persuade your listeners if you give them options and highlight the advantages and disadvantages of each choice. Read more

How to run effective meetings: 5 tools to build consensus

Consensus building tools help you get through meeting impasses or inaction.

Don’t let your meeting get bogged down due to an impasse or sudden lack of attendee action. Learn how to retain and combine members’ best contributions and maximize results. Read more

PowerPoint-Tastic Templates – #018: Step 1-2-3

Each week, the Fast Track Tools training company and the Cubicle Ninjas design firm work together to publish a template that makes it easier for you to communicate your ideas. This week, we bring you a simple layout for presenting three parts of a process flow. Read more

How to be ready if your dream job became available tomorrow

The perfect job is out there and, when it appears, you have to be ready. People get promoted, some get fired, companies create new jobs, and you never know when that perfect opportunity will open up. Don’t wait. Be ready for that opportunity. Read more

Your path to success may depend on a mentor

A mentor, whether formal or informal, can help you succeed in life and in your career.

Music was Ray Charles’ single driving force. It catapulted a poor, black, blind, orphaned teenager to a national treasure and an international phenomenon. Through his efforts, rhythm and blues became universally respectable, jazz found a mainstream audience and country and western grew to worldwide popularity. Read more