For some time now, the Thursday evening group,
Getting From Good to Great, has been learning from the podcast stories on
How I Built This, by Guy Raz. We listen to the stories about the amazing journies of startups and how they succeed in the face of some overwhelming obstacles and spirit-jarring setbacks. Then we debrief the experiences through the same business model frameworks we're using to help individuals create new careers.
There are certain factors we hear over and over and over again.
One of the most consistent factors is that
NO ONE DOES IT ALONE!
In literally every case, founders link up with a trusted partner who both balances their strengths and weaknesses, and offers support through tough times.
Like most of us, the thought of starting a business may be beyond your reach (for the moment). But if your goal is to create a new career after the age of 50, then having the right trusted partners to help you will make all the difference.
Auburn Career Center, 8221 Auburn Ridge Rd, Painesville, OH 44077.
Come meet the Encore NEO Board and Design Team members and learn about the terrific offerings that will be coming available through the Encore NEO Lake County Group!
STANDARD WEEKLY PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE
Most programs are ongoing. You are welcome to join in at any time.
Monday
2:00-3:30 p.m. Job Search Discussion Group
3:30-5:00 p.m. Charting a New Course
Tuesday
2:00-3:30 p.m. Future Freelancers
3:30-5:00 p.m. Freelancers CoLab
Wednesday
(3:00-500 p.m.) Legacy Writers - blog your way to a book.
Thursday
(4:00-5:30 p.m.) Mastering Money and Building Wealth
(6:00-7:30 p.m.) Getting from Good to Great!
Friday
2:00-3:30 p.m. Online Success Team #1 (meeting on SLACK)
3:30-5:00 p.m. Online Success Team #2 (meeting on SLACK)
Programs take place at:
The Federated Family Life Center
16349 Chillicothe Rd, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023
Important note: Google Maps is not accurate in its directions to this location. Instead, you can map yourself to 16381 Chillicothe Road, Chagrin Falls 44023 (St. John Funeral Home). The Federated Family Life Center is adjacent to that address and on the north side. There is good signage. If you have trouble finding us, call 802-760-8344.
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COMING THIS WEEK:
Monday, July 23rd, 2:00-3:30 p.m.
Encore Job Seekers Discussion Group
Format: Individual updates and problem-solving followed by facilitated group discussion on job search strategies and tactics specifically relevant for the age 50+ job seeker.
It's common knowledge a job seeker should follow up after an interview, but did you know it can be extremely helpful to follow up on your job application, too? It can be nerve-wracking to be the first one to establish contact after the faceless online job application process, but standing out from other candidates early on makes a huge difference. Knowing how to follow up on a job application increases your chances of getting hired.
Join us in this dicussion. We need your experiences and insights!
* We also encourage you to visit and sign up at the
https://www.nifty50s.com/ website to receive the best of ongoing job search tips for the age 50+ job seeker.
Monday, July 23rd, 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Charting A New Course - Business Model You
Not sure what you want to do? Join the Club!
Format: Guided work and group discussion to learn the language of business model thinking that we can use to clarify our focus and differentiate ourselves in the marketplace. This material sets a strong foundation whether we are looking for a traditional job, exploring independent work, or launching a business or social enterprise. Resource:
Business Model You, by Tim Clark
This week:
Section 2: REFLECT
Revisit your life direction and consider how you want to align your personal and career aspirations.
Chapter 4: Personality and Environment
(Pages 108-113)
Holland's Six Tendancies
Uncover Your Key Personality Tendancy
Tuesday, July 24th, 2:00-3:30 p.m.
Future Freelancers:
Exploring How to Work for Yourself
Format: An ongoing series that helps participants learn the complete scope of skills, practices, and requirements involved in joining the "Free Agent Nation" as a contractor, project worker, consultant, freelancer, etc. Participants can explore the option of working independently while still looking for traditional employment. Resource: The Freelancer's Bible, by Sara Horowitz.
This Week:
INTRODUCTION: Welcome!
Part 2: GETTING WORK
Chapter 4: Getting Clients
(Pages 101-121)
Getting Right-Minded About Getting Clients
Networking Need-To-Know
Prospecting For Fun and Profit
The Prospecting Road Map
What is Freelancing anyway? It's more than what it used to be and not what you might think! By the end of this series you will understand everything you need to know to be successful as an independent worker.
*
Keep in mind, you can continue looking for a job while you're exploring the option of working independently. In fact, this is one of the best side-door strategies for Encores to gain entry into traditional employment.
Tuesday, July 24th, 3:30-5:00 p.m.
The Freelancer's CoLab
Up your game and stand out from others in your field with more professional approaches with your clients. And, protect yourself from costly mistakes.
Format: This is an ongoing brain-trust group made up of those who have prioritized Freelancing as their primary revenue stream. Members of this group will study more advanced materials and consult to each other around specific issues they encounter in their freelancing practices.
Prerequisite: An initial Personal Business Model Canvas that defines the focus of your freelancing practice. *If you don't have one, we will help you build it.
This week:
Finding the Best Resources to Help Us Leverage Our Client Portfolio
Now, we're going to kick it up another notch and identify the best resources to help us learn how to leverage our client portfolios (The Freelancer's Bible, by Sara Horowitz, Chapter 3).
Join us and add your expertise to the conversation.
Wednesday, July 25th, 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Legacy Writer's Group:
Blog your way to a book! This year-long adventure will
teach you the skills of blogging and associated social media; help you to clarify your area of expertise and build your brand in the marketplace; give you real time feedback from your target market; teach you how to use blogging as a revenue channel; teach you how to write a book; and,establish you as a published author
This week:
We will:
Check in on recent posts/troubleshoot issues
Biblioboard - Getting Started on the E-version of our books
*** Meeting on July 25th at Geauga West Library
Thursday, July 26th, 4:00-5:30 p.m.
Mastering Money and Building Wealth
Format: This facilitated discussion group draws from a wide range of resources to explore the basic mindsets, principles, and practices that will help us make the best choices for our financial futures.
Note: We define
wealth as the number of days you can sustain yourself financially without working.
This week:
This week we continue with the six month foundational program based on The Personal Finance Series by Richard Reis. This series will lead you through and in-depth exploration of what it takes to be successful at saving, earning, and investing money.
Please read and be prepared to discuss the following two letters prior to the program...
Taking our career to the next level by learning from stories of other's successes and failures.
Yes! This applies to your search for
traditional employment as well.
Are you...
currently employed but thinking about the next step?
underemployed - bored and not making what you are due?
unhappy in your current environment?
feel that you are at risk of being laid off?
retiring soon and thinking about the next step?
...then, this weekly program series is for you!
This week:
Assignment: Listen to the story indicated below by clicking on the link provided, or by going to the link for the "How I Built This" podcast and scrolling down the list.
Steve Madden fell in love with the shoe business in the 1970's, when he sold platform shoes at a neighborhood store in Long Island, New York. That was in high school. About 15 years later, he struck out on his own, designing and selling shoes with a high-end look at affordable prices. As his business - and his ambitions - began to grow, he got involved in a securities fraud scheme and wound up serving two and-a-half years in prison. In 2005, he returned to Steve Madden, where he helped the company grow into a business valued at $3 billion.
We'll be discussing this story through the lenses of the Business Model Generation Canvas, Blue Ocean Strategy Map, and Consumption Chain Analysis.
Then, we'll see how our insights might apply to our own Encore Careers.
Friday, July 27th, 2:00-5:00 p.m.
Online (SLACK) Success Teams:
Team #1: 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Team #2: 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Format and process:
These are ongoing support and accountability groups that supercharge each member's progress toward goal achievement.
Groups are limited to 6 members each.
Each member gets 15 minutes to:
Report on progress made toward their goal(s) over the last week
Talk about obstacles they have encountered
Receive feedback and ideas from other group members on how to overcome obstacles
State personal commitments for the coming week.
Participation in Success Teams is
entirely online so you can join in from anywhere you have access to a computer.
If you have an interest in participating, please email me:
We request a $5.00 donation per day (two programs) or $10 for the entire week (six programs), paid at the door.
If you wish to attend but are currently limited with your finances, let us know. You may be able to help our efforts in other ways in exchange for attending programs.
REGISTRATION
Registration is not required for any of our programs - just show up! And, you may join in with any of our series at any time. There is no need to wait until the series starts again.
LOCATION
Unless otherwise specified, all Encore NEO programs are located at:
The Federated Family Life Center
16349 Chillicothe Road
Bainbridge, Ohio 44023
Important note: Google Maps is not accurate in its directions to this location. Instead, you can map yourself to 16381 Chillicothe Road, Chagrin Falls 44023 (St. John Funeral Home). The Federated Family Life Center is adjacent to that address and on the north side. There is good signage.
If you have trouble finding us, call my cell, 802-760-8344.
UPCOMING KEY DATES:
Thursday, August 2nd -
Encore NEO Full Design Team Meeting (8:00 - 9:30 a.m.) Federated Family Life Center, 16349 Chillicothe Road, Bainbridge, OH 44023
Thursday, August 2nd- Encore NEO Board Meeting(10:00 - 11:30 a.m.) Federated Family Life Center, 16349 Chillicothe Road, bainbridge, Ohio 44023.
Tuesday, August 7th - Programs & Services Committee Meeting (8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.) Online with SLACK.
Wednesday, September 12th- Encore NEO Lake County Open House, (1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.) Auburn Career Center, 8221 Auburn Ridge Rd, Painesville, OH 44077
Saturday, November 17th - Independent Living Expo, Metzenbaum School, 8200 Cedar Road, Chesterland, OH 44026.
If you have any questions or an interest in participating with any of the Encore NEO Design Team Initiatives, please feel free to contact me directly - Tim Lybarger, 802-760-8344 (cell).
