Dear Clients and Friends,

Turn on the news today and it's all ominous talk about the recession and advice on how to protect your portfolio of investments in the economic downturn.

While useful information, these reports often overlook what is actually your top financial investment: your own career. Think about it. Your job, above all else, is what gives you financial stability.

Have you recession-proofed your career?

Do you know how to grow your career in a shrinking market?

 In this newsletter I have outlined steps you need to take to effectively plan for a recession. You'll learn how to build your skills in a cost-efficient way during a recession, the best way to evaluate yourself and your career path, and how to strategically position yourself so you are an indispensable asset to your organization and industry. I also focus on how to use 100-day plans as an effective recession-proofing technique in this month's Success Tip.


Let's get started!

Your Partner in Success,

Charmaine McClarie

President, McClarie Group


6 Strategies for Recession-Proofing Your Career

 Listening to the recession news these days can leave all of us on the edge of our seats, worried about whether our comfortable Aeron chairs and the jobs we perform while seated in them may be taken away in less than a moment's notice. Instead of channeling your energy into worrying, route it instead into action. Help ensure both you and your job are protected with the following six recession-proofing strategies .

 Strategy #1: Know where your organization is headed
Now, more than ever, is it essential to understand the direction your organization is moving in. Get this information by listening to quarterly analyst reports with your CEO. The analyst cross-examination of your CEO will often tell you more than any 100 page report ever will. Analysts' reports paint a bigger, more objective picture of where your company is going so you can determine how you fit in to the vision. When listening to these reports, think strategically about how this direction will impact you. You may realize that the project you are working on won't likely go anywhere or that you'll need development in a certain area to really align yourself with the company moving forward. Every client I’ve worked with who has followed my advice and started listening to these reports has been more on target and ahead of their peers—and that's the only place you want to be during a recession.

Strategy #2: Volunteer for assignments
Whatever the direction your organization is moving in, volunteer for long term projects that are aligned with the future direction of the organization. In today's global economy, recognize that the chances are high that this growth will fall outside the US. If you hear during the analyst report that your company is focused on overseas business development, explore whether any international assignments may be opening up that match your skillset. Executives who take international assignments can build technical and people skills that make them better managers, stronger leaders, and more valuable assets in their organizations—all of which help make your job more recession-proof.

Strategy #3: Increase your visibility
Now is not the time to be a well-kept secret in your organization. Make sure you are taking daily steps to be seen and heard as leader. To increase your visibility, you need witnesses—people who can speak to the value of the work you do—and you need these witnesses to span levels, departments and functions. Here is a three-step process to create witnesses:

  1. Ask yourself, how do influential people make themselves seen and heard in this organization? What does it take to be respected?

  2. Next, identify who you want as your witnesses. In other words, who has the power, influence and connections to help you accomplish your goals and reinforce your value in the workplace?

  3. Finally, plan how you’ll turn these individuals into witnesses for your work. Craft effective messages that will resonate with each of your witnesses and allow them to communicate your value to others in the organization. Begin connecting with your witnesses by email, over the phone, or over lunch to discuss the projects you are working on.


Strategy #4: Think of yourself as an internal consultant
Thinking like an employee means working on projects to the best of your ability. Thinking like a consultant means choosing projects that will best showcase your abilities and make the greatest impact on the organization. Question whatever you are doing and challenge yourself to do the projects that really make the difference and take your work to the next level. When you think like an internal consultant, you stop completing tasks and start executing strategy. Executing strategy is a hallmark sign of a leadership and a good way not only to keep your job during a recession, but also to line yourself up for promotion.

Strategy #5: Make sure you're on the right career track
The hardest job to recession-proof is the job that's not right for you in the first place. Why? If you don't enjoy what you do, you're more likely to experience job burn-out and will have a harder time bringing enthusiasm and your full self to the job. When jobs are being cut, she who has that undying passion for the work she does and he who has an relentless supply of natural energy which he channels into his projects are more likely to keep their jobs.

It's time to have that conversation with yourself about whether what you're doing is what you should be doing or want to be doing. Be introspective. Be honest. Be real. This is exactly what Dave Neuman PhD., Director of Organizational Development for Yum! Brands Inc. did when he decided to redirect his career and take a significant demotion from a senior level HR position. Over time, Dave came to realize that he was no longer passionate about his work. He knew that his strengths and passions were better applied in a different role. Three years later Dave enjoys coming to work every day. I'm certain his love for his job and general enthusiasm shows strongly in the work he does and the impact he has at Yum! Brands Inc. The decision is not always an easy one, but it is essential. As Dave notes,

"The important thing in making a decision like that is to take your ego out of the equation. When ego gets in the way, you’ll tell yourself anything to continue with a high-status job, even if it's wrong for you and doesn't capitalize on your strengths."

The book Now, Discover Your Strengths, by Marcus Buckingham and Donald Clifton, is a great resource to help you identify what it is you enjoy and how you can best turn your strengths into a fulfilling career. Visit our recommended reading section to learn more about this book and read how other McClarie Group clients have benefitted from it.

Strategy #6: Upgrade your education
Last, remember that now is a good time to upgrade your education and take classes so you can further develop your expertise. If you are in a career you enjoy, honing your skills will better protect your current job and position you for advancement in your career track. If you decide you don't like what you do, by going back to school you can ensure that when the market changes you are perfectly positioned for your new future.

Many people think they can't afford to get more education during a recession, yet this is often one of the best times to do so. If you need financial support, check with your organization to see if they provide education reimbursement. Alternatively, use Google to search for scholarships, grants and aid. You'll likely be surprised by what's available. Finally, remember that during a recession the best investment is in yourself, so consider putting personal funds toward your education. Unlike the housing market, your value will only increase as you acquire more skills.

 To hire Charmaine for executive coaching, workshops or keynote speaking, contact us at: (323) 224-6820.

Speaking of Success Tip #6: Using 100-Day Plans to Further Protect Your Career


The book You're in Charge--Now What? by Thomas Neff and James Critin is generally credited with having coined the term and importance of 100-day plans. 100-day plans are detailed strategic plans designed to ensure that executives make the highest impact in their first few months on the job. While aimed largely at CEOs, the advice is relevant to all executives and equally applicable whether it's day 257 or day one on the job.

My suggestions for developing a 100-day plan are as follows:

  1. Develop your go-forward strategy in detail for the next 100 days
  2. Set goals that are SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, & Time-Attuned
  3. Identify your quick, easy wins (highest organizational impact for the least energy) and tackle a few of these first
  4. Ensure progress on your longer-term wins by breaking-out goals into smaller components and having mini-milestones
  5. Drive results, and
  6. Increase your visibility with your boss and others in the organization. Create strategic witnesses for the results you create with this 100-day plan.

Review your 100-day plan and renew it again in 100 days. If you treat every 100 days on the job as if it was your first 100, you'll be continually focused on proving yourself and proving to your organization why they should keep you around.

About this newsletter. McClarie Group sends occasional newsletters to clients, colleagues and friends of McClarie Group with tips for turning your potential into power. If you'd prefer not to receive this information, click the link below.

McClarie Group

1930 N. Main St. Los Angeles, CA 90031
Tel. (323) 224-6820 - Fax (323) 224-6758
 www.mcclariegroup.com / charmaine@mcclariegroup.com