Yes, I couldn't stay away from this one this week.
It's the you tube test of listening to the audio for whether you hear the word Yanny, or Laurel.
If you haven't seen or listened to it yet, here's the link below (note: best experienced with one or two other people listening along to see what they hear.)
As an instructor in listening and communication skills, I don't know what amuses me more: the powerful confirmation of the phenomenon of differing perceptions; or, the astonished reactions that people have to these differing perceptions. If people can listen to exactly the same audio and come up with so clearly differing interpretations of what they hear, well - then what can we trust about our own perceptions?
Exactly. Hence the need for both humility and the avoidance of judging others for
where they stand on anything! Our perceptions are our reality and theirs are theirs.
The only way to bridge the divide is through open, honest, respectful, and non-judgemental dialogue. It's a life's work to learn it. And, it's a life's condemnation to fear, frustration, and conflict to not learn it.
Heads Up!
Memorial Day Update!
There will be no programming on Monday, May 28th due to Memorial Day.
and,
The new Encore NEO Website is scheduled to launch on Monday, May 21st! Watch for it!
and,
Engaging Baby Boomers in Solving Community Problems
The Cleveland Foundation Common Ground Event
Encore NEO teams up with The Cleveland Foundation to host a discussion on:
June 24th, 2:00-4:00 pm
Lakeland Community College
(More information to follow)
STANDARD WEEKLY PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE
All 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.
==========================================
COMING THIS WEEK:
Monday, May 21st, 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.
This week:
Seeing the Invisible
There are interests your potential employer care about that they aren't saying, and probably won't say unless you get them to. If you want to stand out as a preferred candidate you need to find out what those things are.
But how? That's what we'll be taking about this coming Monday - how to uncover and address the underlying interests of your potential employer.
Join us. 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, May 21st, 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 1: CANVAS
Learn to use the key tool for describing and analyzing organizational and personal business models.
Chapter 3: The Personal Business Model Canvas
(Pages 62-65)
Customers
Value Provided
Tuesday, May 22nd, 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 1: GETTING STARTED
Chapter 1: Seven Start-up Steps
(Pages 21-32)
Step 1: Know Why You're Freelancing
Step 2: Figure Out Your Key Strengths
Step 3: Figure Out Yur Customer's Needs
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, May 22nd, 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:
Value-Based Fees: How to Charge - and Get - What You're Worth, A Guide for Serious Consultants, by Alan Weiss, PH.D.
Chapter 9: Setting Fees for Nonconsulting Opportunities
(Pages 196-204)
Exploring New Lucrative Fields
And Now for Some Perspective
Chapter ROI
Wednesday, May 23rd, 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're meeting online again this week)
Agenda for our meeting Wed., May 23rd:
Starting our manuscripts - creating a hardcopy notebook of what our books will eventually look like.
*** Meeting this week SLACK Online
Thursday, May 24th, 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:
Ongoing Summary and Discussion of the Principles of Effective Money Management.
Pogue's Basics: Money - Essential Tips and
Shortcuts (That no one bothers to tell you).
And...
Introduction to additional resources.
Thursday, May 24th, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Getting from Good to Great!
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 going to the link for the "How I Built This" podcast and scrolling down the list.
Barbara Corcoran grew up in a working-class Irish Catholic family in Jersey - with nine brothers and sisters. But she used her charisma to conquer the streets of Manhattan and build the real estate company, The Corcoran Group. She then reinvented herself as a shark - on Shark Tank.
(Note: If you have not listened to the podcast in advance of the session, we will listen to it together starting at 5:30).
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, May 25th, 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.
These groups are just starting so
seats are available. Participation 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 (Tim Lybarger) at
[email protected].
PROGRAMMING FEES
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:
Wednesday, May 23rd - Independent Living Design Team (1:00-2:30 p.m.) Metzenbaum School, 8200 Cedar Rd, Chesterland, OH 44024
Thursday, June 7th - Encore NEO Board Meeting (9:00-11:00 a.m.) Federated family Life Center, 16349 Chillicothe Rd, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023
Saturday, November 10th - 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.
