The job search process can be competitive. But theres one thing that can help you stand out from the crowd: your personal brand.

Your personal brand is a way to market yourself. It defines how you present and promote yourself to others. This is the message that helps potential employers and colleagues form their impression of you, and helps them remember who you are. As you prepare for life after graduation, here are some tips for establishing your personal brand this semester.

One way to build your personal brand is by connecting who you are to your career goals. First, reflect on some of your successes at CU. What strengths did you apply that helped your success? What tasks did you enjoy? What were you most proud of?

For example, maybe you took the lead on a group project that helped you ace a class. Think about the steps you took that helped you succeed. Did you organize group study sessions for everyone to work together and get things done, showing that you can lead a group? Did you help resolve a disagreement between your peers that demonstrates your ability to navigate different opinions? Consider each experience and how it might relate to your personal brand.

Next, think about your values and goals. How do you want to be perceived by your peers? What can you contribute to a team or company? Maybe its important to you that youre seen as reliable or dependable by your teammates. Perhaps you want to be seen as a leader, or someone who can make important decisions. As you reflect and answer these questions, take note of these specific qualities. Your experiences and past success can help demonstrate these qualities to potential employers, and help shape your personal brand. If its more helpful to talk this out with someone, make an appointment with a career development advisor.

Once you have an idea of your personal brand, dont be afraid to promote it consistently in your job search efforts. As you become visible to others, your message and brand will help them see what you offer.

Start by creating online profiles using job search and networking tools, such as LinkedIn and Handshake. Strategically design and present your brand on your profiles:

Get more tips about establishing your online presence.

Next, connect with professionals in your field of interest through informational interviews. These are informal meetings with career professionals to learn more about what its like to work in a particular position or industry and how to get into the field. These meetings can help you build your network and help influence your personal brand. Start bymaking connections with CU Boulder alumni on LinkedIn.

Continue to communicate your message and brand on your application materials, such as your resume and cover letter. Make sure that you highlight your strengths that are directly applicable to the job you want. Help your resume stand out by including relevant experiences or class projects, skills and the value that you can contribute to the team. This can include volunteering, internships, roles and responsibilities in your student organization, etc.

Be sure to present yourself professionally, including what you choose to wear. This doesnt always mean show up in a suit, but it does mean making sure the clothes you wear reflect the job you want and the brand you want to communicate. Presenting yourself in a professional and respectful way can help you stand out from other candidates. If you arent quite sure how professionals dress in the field youre interested in, consider job shadowing or asking in an informational interview.

As we network and go through the job search process, some of us may feel like we need to put on an act to meet someones expectations. Its normal to feel this way. As you develop your brand, think about how you can be yourself. You can be humble while also being proud of your accomplishments. State your message clearly, honestly and definitively, and with a tone that reflects your brand (enthusiastic, smart, passionate, etc.). Your personal brand is all about you, and the way you present it is up to you.

For more tips and advice with developing your personal brand, make an appointment with a career development advisor.

Link:
How to stand out during the job search - CU Boulder Today

The hottest jobs in 2020 lean heavily on science and technology, but if that's not the career path you're on, there's still one thing you can do to guarantee success in your field.

If you're thinking about looking for a new job or changing career paths, 2020 could be a really good year for you. There are big opportunities opening up in science, technology, and math fields and we're highlighting some of the hottest jobs to get you a little further down the road toward your goals.

The New York Post pointed out something interesting recently and said employers this year are looking at potential hires differently. In the article highlighting the hottest jobs, the Post said things have changed and, "While you still have to have the basics, whats most important is that you are coachable, open to learning and able to work as part of a team.

If we're flexible, able to adapt, and good at finding ways to contribute to a team, that always bodes well, but especially if we want good career things to happen in 2020.

The Hottest Jobs in 2020, according to the New York Post

Artificial intelligence (AI) specialist Employers are looking forhumans who know how to "apply machine learning to catch bad financial transactions, prevent hospital readmissions or tell sales reps which lead is worth chasing." There's no AI degree at Boise State, but employers might be looking for "backgrounds in engineering, computer science or math, and for people who have a keen interest in natural language processing, machine learning, chatbots and more."

Cybersecurity pro There is huge demand in this field and employers are scrambling to find enough people to fill open positions.A college degree may not be necessary, but a vast knowledge of computer viruses and hacker tendencies will be.

Silicon Alley worker This involves moving, but it could put your career on the map. New Yorkis home to as many as 9,000 startups and it's the headquarters for thousands of big companies too. Amazon is setting up shop there and it's looking to hire technical and nontechnical workers, ranging from developers to accountants to digital marketers and salespeople.

Robotics engineer Theres a 40 percent job-growth rate in robotics engineering, and robots that willmake a pizza, conduct a surgery, or paint a carare in the works. You'll need a background in math or physics and degrees in mechanical or software engineering.

Customer success specialists If technology and science aren't your forte, thiscareercould be a little more attainable. Customer success specialistsusually get involved after a product or service has been sold to check on the user experience, educate clients, and to identify opportunities for add-on sales.

Computer, cloud and data engineers and coders The Post says, "Developers write the apps you use, data scientists create algorithms to predict your music picks, cloud engineers make sure that you can access files stored on the Web." This is an area that shows no signs of slowing down, and sometimes you can train right there on the web for free.

The curious types who are always looking to learn something new and who stay coachable will have the most success on any of these career paths. That's the secret. And it's something we can all apply whether it's in a brand new position or in a job that we've had for years. Have a great year, and thanks for listening at work!

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The Key To Career Success in 2020 - KIDO Talk Radio

Kyle Reeves has been on the brink of a breakout game for Niwot all season, and when it finally came in the Cougars' 63-40 win over Northridge on January 7, the talented guard didn't hesitate to reveal the family secret behind his success.

"I was actually playing for my grandmother," the senior said of his 19-point, five-steal performance, both bests as a Cougar. "She's a big part of my life, and I dedicated the game to her. She's taught me so much, and she's just my everything."

Reeves has enjoyed a close relationship with grandmother since early childhood, which he spent growing up in Niwot, but it was another influential family tie that led Reeves to basketball, his other great passion in life.

"My dad played college ball, and I just wanted to keep my father's legacy going, and make it as far as I can," he said. "I tried baseball, soccer, and football, but basketball was really the one that stayed on top. It's in my blood."

That's evident in Reeves' intensity on the court, where he is turning heads as a senior guard for the Cougars, despite being plagued by inconsistency during the early weeks of the season. Over his last three games, he has averaged 13 points while shooting 54 percent from the floor (13-for-24) and 80% from the line (8-of-10). He has also provided a spark on defense, with 10 steals and 12 deflections.

First-year head coach Clay Wittrock said that the senior's "willingness to embrace the changes in offensive and defensive philosophy," is a key factor in Niwot's 7-4 record on the year, even if it had come at the expense of some personal success.

"He has had to make adjustments to his game to be more effective. This is something that can be hard for a player when they have developed a style of play. It is great to see how he has taken some early season struggles and is now using those lessons to be a more consistent contributor on both ends of the floor."

In addition to his father, Reeves counts NBA superstars Kyrie Irving and Russell Westbrook as his basketball role models, the latter for his "transition and athleticism," and the former for his hard work and positive mentality, two traits Reeves said he does his best to model on an off the court.

"It's always keeping positive, always inspiring others to do good things-aim to show that there are no shortcuts in hard work. You always have to work hard to get what you want, and always believe."

That positivity has helped him gain a reputation for kindness among his fellow students at Niwot High, a tribute the modest senior was reluctant to accept.

"I just do what I think is right, and I also try to put myself into another person's perspective-I always try to treat others the way I want to be treated."

Reeves is a member of Niwot's Link Crew and also participated in the Sources of Strength program. On Jan. 9, he was one of four current students to participate in a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the school's recent renovations.

The senior hopes to continue his basketball career in college, but doesn't have any firm offers on the table as yet. He is currently debating between Otero Junior College in La Junta and Humboldt State in California, and is interested in studying botany and horticulture, another inspiration from his grandmother.

"I really want to focus on reforestation and faster ways to regrow plants more naturally... Throughout elementary and middle school, I would take care of as many plants as I could, some being at my grandparents' house, and some being at my house. One specific plant that played a big role in my life is the Venus flytrap."

Reeves also credited Niwot teacher Kane Hollins for fostering his future career ambitions, even if it was indirectly

"He knows how to teach, and he doesn't sugarcoat anything-if you have a question, he'll tell you the reality of it, and why it might happen. He actually speaks to you, not at you."

In the meantime, Reeves is looking forward to finishing his senior basketball season with the teammates that have meant so much to him over the years.

"The main seven seniors on varsity, we've all been playing ball together roughly on the same team since middle school," he said. "So we've had that bond from knowing each other for a long time. We feel more comfortable playing around each other, and that will help us out for the rest of the year."

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Student-Athlete of the Week: Kyle Reeves - Left Hand Valley Courier

Dont let your fears limit your personal freedom

Your personal freedom allows you to follow whatever path you choose. Not fully utilizing your freedom squanders success, while diverting you from your goal. Ironically, a surprising number of people erode their personal freedom through their own thoughts and actions. Freedom is generally thought of as freedom from oppression. Although you may live in a free country, are you oppressing yourself? This happens when you abandon goals by imposing limits on what you believe is possible. Although there are a number of factors which contribute to this phenomenon, they are all ultimately rooted in your mental outlook. When you believe something is possible, you are right. Conversely, when you believe something is impossible, you are also right. Negative self-talk, which delineates all that you cant or wont do, suppresses your personal freedom. You can recapture any lost personal freedom by altering your thinking patterns. Letting go of limiting behavior opens up wonderful new horizons filled with amazing potential. So lets take a look at how to identify and remove personal freedom obstructions. Fear of failure is a major limiting factor. Fear inhibits forward progress. You typically wont even attempt anything where you are afraid of failure. Since there are no guarantees in life, there is always the possibility that you wont get your expected results. However, this is not failure. Failure only occurs when you give up. So, have a commitment to never quit. When something doesnt work out as planned, make an adjustment before giving it another go. Success usually requires several attempts before its realized. Leaving your comfort zone is part of achieving your goals. Achieving goals is part of your personal freedom. Yet, there is often a fear of leaving your comfort zone. Therefore, you must follow your path in spite of any fears you may have. Worry limits your personal freedom by connecting to fear. You worry about that which you are afraid of. Worry is a fixation on worst case scenarios. There is a tendency to avoid anything you worry about. For example, you wont attend college if you are worried about failing. You wont start your own business if you are worried about going bankrupt. You wont buy a house if you are worried about maintenance. You can stop worrying by focusing on positive outcomes instead of all that could go wrong. If you want to go to school, consider all the resources available to help you pass each class. If you want your own business, concentrate on profit making strategies. If you want your own home, look for one which wont require a lot of maintenance. Worrying about what other people say, think, and do is also limiting. Concern about criticism influences your behavior. You will avoid saying or doing something you feel will elicit criticism or ridicule. Ignore what other people say, think, or do. What you say, think, and do is of paramount importance because it impacts your personal freedom. Dont allow your past to limit your freedom. This occurs when a bad experience interferes with your objectives. Just because something didnt work out as anticipated in the past doesnt mean it cant ever work. Many successful business people have overcome one or more business failures. Mistakes are part of the road to success. Not everything you do will turn out as planned. Mistakes limit your personal freedom when you dont learn from them. When something goes wrong, determine what when awry, and why. Then make the necessary adjustments so that the same mistake is not repeated. Guard and protect your personal freedom. It is a precious asset. Eliminate and avoid any behavior which limits your personal freedom.

NOW AVAILABLE: "Dare to Live Without Limits," the book. Visit http://www.BryanGolden.com or your bookstore. Bryan is a management consultant, motivational speaker, author, and adjunct professor. E-mail Bryan at bryan@columnist.com or write him c/o this paper. 2019 Bryan Golden

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Dare to live without limits Week of 1/20/20 - Press Publications Inc.

It's never been more important to understand what makes world-class teams tick. The pace of work continues to accelerateas does its scope and complexity. More business is done globally, with more complex products and services to manufacture and customize, with fiercer competition, and with the composition of work teams continually evolving. The result is that leaders don't have time to experiment to get it right. They need to move up the learning curve fast and foster world-class teams, right now.

In November, Microsoftannounced a project it callsThe Art of Teamwork, inpartnership with design firm Ideo. The company studied dozens of teams from diverse industries along with thelatest research on what makes teams successful in today's workplace, and asked questions like,"What is the right team composition?" "What's the best way to inspire a team to rise to a particularly tricky challenge?" and "What to do when a team encounters interpersonal tensions?"

This joint study revealed fivecore traits of the most successful teams:

A clear team purpose creates shared meaning, which keeps teams focused, aligned, and performing at a peak level. It's an aspiration, not a metric, one that's reflective of the impact the team hopes to make on the world. It's a guiding light that keeps discussions and efforts properly oriented.

On one of my favorite leadership teams I worked on, we collectively developed the purpose statement of "To make every project better and every employee feel empowered." Key to that was it was a collective effort (not a corporate mandate) built from the ground up. It informed how the leadership team acted and made decisions. If our input or actions weren't going to improve a project or leave an employee feeling empowered, we didn't engage in them.

Everyone wants to feel like they belong somewhere, and the best teams have forged a great sense of belonging for each member. Such an identity is a reflection of three things: the team's values, agreements, and rituals.

The common values are collectively agreed on and are brought to life through everyday behaviors.

Agreements center on "how we do things around here" and should be mutually upheld.

And rituals, the repeated behaviors and activities that reinforce the agreements, will help to build cohesion. For example, I put one ritual in place before team meetings I called P:60. We'd go around the table and every member would share, for 60 seconds, something going on in their life outside of work. It createda great sense of cohesion.

Awareness involves self-awareness (which helps people mediate how they show up in working with others), co-awareness (which is being alert to how your interactions affect others), and situational awareness (which requires adjusting to a variety of scenarios in an empathetic, emotionally intelligent manner).

Inclusiveness involves an eagerness to incorporate a breadth of backgrounds and perspectives into a team's daily functioning. It's about respecting differences, not resolving them. Aware and inclusive teams are much more equipped to navigate interpersonal dynamics.

This is all about emotional and psychological safety. Such safety allows team members to feel comfortable bringing their whole, genuine selves to work, to openly share their ideas, and to take more risks. Trust, of course, develops over time, and opens up team members to being vulnerable without fear of being put down or seen as weak. When you feel OK to be vulnerable, you open yourself up to forge deeper connections with teammates who will reciprocate that vulnerability.

The combination of trust and vulnerability means fear of judgment is gone and that team members can participate with full energy, maximum focus, and minimal fear.

Great teams aren't without conflict. In fact, they embrace it. Constructive tension is the result of teams harnessing their differences rather than hiding them or letting them divide a team. It pushes a team's thinking and expands their point of view. It means respectfully disagreeing with teammates versus relentlessly pushing forward your own agenda. It means commending the opposing point of view, not condemning it.

It should be noted that without the other traits as detailed above in place, constructive tension can quickly devolve into destructive tension that tears a team apart.

So now you can take your team from good to great (or from less than good to great). It's a great time to get started.

Published on: Jan 15, 2020

The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.

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In a Recent Study, Microsoft Found That the Most Successful Teams Share These 5 Traits - Inc.

We ladies have to take care of ourselves, says a soft voiceover in an opening scene of Toxic Beauty, Phyllis Ellis documentary on the dangers of unregulated personal care products.

The words come from Jacqueline Fox. The 62-year-old woman from Birmingham, Alabama, died in 2015 from ovarian cancer, which she believed had been caused by her decades-long use of Johnson & Johnson talcum powder.

The film, currently playing select theaters nationwide, centers around the thousands of lawsuits filed against Johnson & Johnson. Scientists, researchers, and women claim that executives at the company have known for decades that their ubiquitous baby powder contains asbestos, but have continued to market their products as safe.

More than that, Toxic Beauty examines the industrys shocking lack of regulations, and the cradle-to-grave marketing that makes many American women believe they need potentially poisonous makeup, skincare, and lotions in order to feel desired and loved.

We shouldnt tell girls to stop using products, Emily Nguyen, a medical student, says in one particularly poignant interview. We should tell the government to stop making harmful products.

The problem is, as the films many advocates prove, there has been no genuine regulating of personal care goods since 1938.

Despite archival footage showing various C-SPAN coverage of Senate hearings led by the likes of John Kerry and Ted Kennedy, the FDA is not required to monitor or pull any dangerous ingredients in beauty products, and there is little policing of brands. Though the European Union has banned 1,328 chemicals in makeup; the United States has nixed a mere 30.

Though the film is anchored by the Johnson & Johnson cases, it also explores the beauty industry in general, showing scenes from last years Nail Salon Protest, where employees from around New York demanded better safety regulations, and raised concerns about toluene, a polish ingredient called hazardous by the CDC for its effects on reproductive health and the nervous system.

Other common components of personal care products considered toxic are phthalates and parabens.

Once parabens, a preservative, become widely acknowledged as dangerous, many companies changed formulas. But, as one cosmetic chemist noted, they replaced parabens with formaldehyde, another irritant. Sometimes, the scientist said, to make sure the label didnt reference formaldehyde for optics sake, companies would add similar, but equally dangerous, preservatives such as DMDM hydantoin or diazolidinyl urea.

Dr. Daniel Cramer, professor of epidemiology and gynecology at Harvard, first pointed to talc as a potential carcinogen in 1982, after a three-year study found that women who use talcum powder on their genitals or pads to feel more fresh faced a higher risk of cancer than those who did not.

Even a decade before, as a New York Times expos published last year found, Johnson & Johnson executives were worried about the presence of asbestos in their talcum powder, with many at the company advising switching ingredients.

This month, New Mexico attorney general Hector Balderas filed a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson, accusing the company of willfully covering up the toxicity of its products, aggressively marketing especially to communities of color.

Representatives for the company continue to stand by their formula as harmless. In the film, Johnson & Johnson CEO Alex Gorsky said in a statement: I take this personally and very seriously, and I know that many of you do too. I want to repeat, reiterate, and reinforce: Johnson & Johnsons baby powder is safe and does not cause cancer. Studies of tens of thousands of women and thousands of men show that talc does not cause cancer or asbestos-related disease. J&Js baby powder has never contained asbestos. Regulators have tested and always found our talc to be asbestos-free. At the end of the day, this is about truth and integrity. We are confident in the safety of our baby powder.

Representatives for the company did not respond to The Daily Beasts request for comment.

Last October, the FDA found that a bottle of the Baby Powder did contain asbestos and recalled the product.

The film alleges that successful lobbying has kept the government off of Johnson & Johnsons backs. Perhaps a bit of sexism helped tooin one montage, the faces of the companys chairpeople, dating back to 1887, flash by. All of them, of course, are men.

So its up to the women impacted by their willful negligence to step in.

The film follows a few of the many who have filed lawsuits against the company, including Mel Lika, a former NATO peacekeeper who died at age 60 from ovarian cancer she credited to her near lifelong use of Shower to Shower.

Theres Deane Berg, a physicians assistant from Sioux Falls, Iowa, dubbed Erin Brockovich by her lawyer Ted Meadows. Berg won a symbolic court victory against Johnson & Johnson, which a jury found guilty of fraud, negligence, and conspiracy. The company did not have to pay anything in damages, a fact Berg chalks up to the jurys gender makeup.

Berg now helps prepare other women for their days in court, and is shown in the film speaking with a group of Canadians who have filed a class action lawsuit. Despite her success, which her lawyer compares to a David and Goliath-type triumph, Berg remains pragmatic when coaching the women. The lawyers will ask you invasive questions about your grooming habits, she says, especially since the ovarian cancer link is believed to be caused by using talc products in the genital area.

Still, Berg and many of the victims, speak of the shame and embarrassment they feel about a situation they cannot control, but is caused by the products they chose to use. I did something wrong to myself, Berg says.

Interspersed throughout the film are old health class PSAs and advertisements dating back 60 years, showing just how ingrained beauty standards have become.

Im going to talk to you this morning about the way you look, one 1940s schoolmarm in victory rolls and Joan Crawford shoulders tells a group of college-age young women. After all, the way we look exerts so much influence on the way we feel, and the way other people feel about us, that it really is so important. As a French chef might say, its a little touch of seasoning that makes a dish just right.

The footage cuts quickly to said seasoninga curdled-looking goop of bubbling pink chemicals that will ultimately make up a face cream, but in an unused state resemble more of the fat cut from steak.

Find beauty in what makes you stronger, find beauty in what you worked really hard for. Im a hardworking woman, I can be influential, and this doesn't have anything to do with how I look

Mymy Nguyen, a Boston University medical student, spends much of the film documenting her detox of over 27 personal care products, which she believes contributed to the benign breast tumor she had removed in college. Nguyen, about to embark on the long journey of becoming a doctor, wants to have children eventuallybut worries her fertility could be impacted, or shortened, by the amount of makeup she uses.

Through this journey of mine, I never felt one hundred percent happy with who I was, Nguyen admits in her final interview. Find beauty in what makes you stronger, find beauty in what you worked really hard for. Im a hardworking woman, I can be influential, and this doesn't have anything to do with how I look.

The late NATO counterintelligence screener Lika also spoke proudly about her work fighting terrorism, collecting evidence of war crimes and holding bad people accountable. She showed Polaroids of her time in the Balkans and Afghanistan, remembering her nickname, Superwoman. In one photo, she smiles at her work desk, looking warm and genuine, the type of person you hope would be your boss.

Then, Lika stopped, put her hand on her head, and wondered, Im sorry, did I lose track of even the question? It just floated through my head right now. She was worn out from the disease she would later die from. In the next scene, Lika is shown sleeping on her couch, bare feet adorned with candy-apple red nail polish.

View post:
'Toxic Beauty' Reveals the Hidden Poisons in Cosmetics and the Legal Battles to Expose Them - The Daily Beast

Updated / Saturday, 18 Jan 2020 18:11

Wexford 1-16 Galway 0-18

Defender Pdraig Foley snatched a dramatic Walsh Cup SH title for Wexford with an injury-time point to dethrone holders Galway in Saturday's decider at MW Hire O'Moore Park, Portlaoise.

After overcoming an early 0-7 to 0-3 deficit, Galway appeared destined to complete back-to-back titles as a personal salvo of 12 points from ace sharpshooter Tadhg Harnan eased them clear by 0-17 to 0-12 after 55 minutes.

But Wexford refused to die, and a Conor McDonald goal two minutes into injury-time tied matters on 1-15 to 0-18 before Foley's winning intervention landed a first outright Cup success since 2018 for the reigning Leinster champions.

The Tribesmen made no fewer than 10 personnel changes from their narrow semi-final success over Dublin as new boss Shane O'Neill continues to size things up ahead of the National League next weekend.

In contrast, Davy Fitzgerald retained 12 of his starting-team from the success over Kilkenny, and Wexford burst clear by 0-7 to 0-3 after 16 minutes with five frees from Jack O'Connor as Aidan Rochford and defender Damien Reck also made their mark.

But Galway forced their way back into contention when tying on 0-7 apiece by the 26th-minute courtesy of free-taker Tdhg Haran (3) and Ja Mannion.

The title-holders maintained the shift in momentum to forge back in front by 0-10 to 0-8 at the break with a couple more Haran frees.

As extended Galway clear by 0-12 to 0-8 on the restart, Davy Fitzgerald moved to liven up a limp Wexford with three substitutions in the 42nd-minute in the shape of experienced trio Shaun Murphy, Rory O'Connor and Paul Morris.

Regardless, they slipped further adrift before a Jack O'Connor free ended Wexford's seventeen-minute drought on 46 minutes to shave the gap to 0-14 to 0-9.

While the Yellowbellies closed to within 0-14 to 0-11, Galway appeared to be holding firm in the face of a rousing finish by the purple-and-gold, with substitute Cathal Dunbar flashing over a goaling chance.

Wexford kept searching and eventually overcame stubborn Galway resistance for Conor McDonald to net the equalising goal in added-time.

Pdraig Foley then saw his free from distance drop short. But the no.5 held his focus to intercept the resultant clearance and fire the decisive point as Wexford stole the show at a venue where they open the league against Laois next weekend.

Wexford: James Lawlor; Gary Molloy, Liam Ryan, Joe OConnor; Kevin Foley; Paudie Foley (0-1), Ross Donohue, Damien Reck (0-1); Aidan Rochford (0-2), Aidan Nolan (0-1); Harry Kehoe, Conor McDonald (1-0), Jack OConnor (0-8, 0-8fs); Michael Dywer, Andrew Shore.

Subs: Liam Og McGovern for Shore (42), Paul Morris for Kehoe (42), Shaun Murphy for D Reck (42), Simon Donohue for R Donohue (48), Cathal Dunbar (0-1) for Dwyer (49), Seamus Casey (0-2, 0-2f) for Jack OConnor (59)

Galway: Darach Fahy; Paul Killeen, Jack Grealish, TJ Brennan; Padraic Mannion, Gearoid McInerney, Adrian Touhy (0-1); Sean Linnane (0-1), Sean Loftus (0-1); Conor Walsh, Tadhg Haran (0-12, 0-11fs), Brian Concannon (0-1); Ja Mannion (0-1), Jason Flynn, Evan Niland.

Subs: Aidan Harte for McInerney (h-t), David Glennon for Linnane (50), Diarmuid Kilcommins for Concannon (50), Thomas Monaghan (0-1) for Walsh (53), Ronan Burke for Brennan (55), Niall Burke for Flynn (57), Brian Concannon for Loftus (67), TJ Brennan for Haran (70 + 1)

Referee: Michael Murtagh (Westmeath)

The rest is here:
Foley the match-winner as Wexford snatch Walsh Cup - RTE.ie

Amid all the jokes of Scotty from Marketing and the general cries of a lack of authentic leadership in the current bushfire crisis, one Australian has used the power of social marketing to raise over $51 million in support of the NSW Rural Fire Service.

This fundraiser is the largest in Facebooks history globally. But even more overwhelmingly, and in the face of large corporations and politician spruiking their own fundraisers, this one has been undertaken by an influencer with a fairly small celebrity profile sharing a personal story on a social media platform, a platform which is supposed to be on the decline.

All jokes about Scotty from marketing aside, there is no clearer demonstration of old school versus modern marketing in this time of crisis. The old school version of marketing, where one controls the narrative and pushes out key messaging to an audience relying on traditional media to form opinions, is not only no longer relevant, it is also clearly ineffective.

Consumers will, however, listen to personal messaging and authenticity from a person they trust backed by actual action. While ScoMo continues to push out messages that arent resonating, Celeste Barber has quietly told a personal story, linked it to action, and gotten the work done, to the point where she has become to unofficial face of the cause.

As many in the industry agree, she has inadvertently reached the leadership trifecta: Trust, connection and authenticity.

There has been a healthy scepticism around influencers and whether they are increasingly just another form of paid shills. Arguably, those who simply take money for product or comment are, and this is reflected in their lack of success. However, as this fundraiser shows, there is still room for influencers who make an emotional connection, are emboldened by a real cause, looking to do real good, all while telling stories in an authentic way.

GroupMdigital strategy and investment Officer, Vanessa Hunt, agreed. In recent years, there has been scepticism around influencers and their true power to effect change, however this example quietens the critics. It shows when positive power comes from an influential person, using their profile and their audience, they can achieve something incredible, she told CMO.

Celeste Barber as the face of this fundraiser speaks to the power of authenticity, and the right influencer aligned with the right cause. It also shows the possibility and opportunity we all have to use social media with purpose and to bring collective power to really change the world."

As Hunt herself feels, many are heartbroken by the unprecedented scale and severity of the bushfires in our region.

"The success ofthe fundraiser, as well as the enormous outpouring of community support across Australia, and the world, to help out those affected is truly overwhelming. We are at the beginning of a long road to rebuild our great country and no doubt that social media will play a huge role in highlighting ways to aid the recovery, she said.

Fitness First head of marketing, Matt Fletcher, agrees the success of the fundraising should be attributed in part to the influencer.

Influencers have the power to inspire a community. The most successful influencers are able to create inspirational movements, he said. As we all know, the most effective marketing always starts with a problem to solve or a change to make, rather than a solution to engineer into our plans.I think Celestes incredible fundraiser shows what can happen when a community is inspired with a problem to help solve. Celeste facilitated her community into remarkable movement.

Publicis Media director of social,Filip Sarna, saw what Barber has done to be been nothing short of incredible.

"Celeste inadvertently provided an early solution to what became an ever-growing need for the public; a trusted identity that the average person could trust with their money," he said. "An influencer alone may not have achieved this. But when you connect three proxies for authenticity, community and trust, you have the underlying ingredients for the momentum that Celeste has inspired. "In choosing where to donate, we seek confirmation that our donations will reach those in need. And so when a trusted individual [Celeste Barber] shares her personal story at the main town square (Facebook), that uses a trusted financial institution [PayPal] to collect donations, she instantly became a proxy to the trust and legitimacy that we fundamentally seek. "Celeste might not see herself as an influencer, but her celebrity status, together with her passionate and personal story-sharing results in her being a beacon of authenticity and authority, and by default a shortcut for our charity-choosing process.

Over at brand consultancy, Kantar, the view is it is both the influencer and the power of authenticity that has made this particular effort such a roaring success.

The key to success in the influencer space is heavily reliant on bringing the brand/message to the community in a genuine and authentic manner, its executive director, media and digital, Mark Henning, said.

Celeste expressed her genuine concern and support for those affected by and helping to fight the fires. In doing so she tapped into a broad public feeling and showed a clear way for people to do something to help. So, yes some of the success is due to Celestes appeal she needed to have a network large enough to get the support started, however the viral success was driven by the authenticity behind the message and action.

Hypetap CEO and founder, Detch Singh, added influencers can be extremely powerful when it comes to doing social good.

Celeste Barber'sfundraising effort is only one of many examples of what we are seeing influencers achieve for the bushfire victims and fire authorities. The combined endeavours of these influencers are a massive contribution to the fundraising effort at large," he said. "Influencers are extremely powerful, particularly when it comes to social good. We've seen it happen across campaigns for government and NGOs where positive messaging can go very far in raising awareness when it aligns with what the influencer stands for.

In the case of Celeste, the direct impact this bushfire has had on her in-laws has allowed her to illustrate how damaging and how real it has been for the community. Being able to tell that story first hand has contributed to how well this has resonated with her audience."

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Analysis: Is the proof of influencer marketing in the pudding? - CMO

by Adam Hickman, Ph.D., and Bryant Ott

The quality of your managers is the single most important factor when building engaged and successful teams.

That's because, among other reasons, your managers account for 70% of the variance in employee engagement.

But another important aspect of what makes a successful team is how your managers provide the conditions for great teamwork.

By studying great managers and their teams for over five decades, Gallup has found that many of the essential elements of employee engagement are the same points of focus that managers use to improve teamwork and collaboration.

Well, according to John C. Maxwell, it makes the dream work.

For managers, that dream is, of course, greater employee engagement and team performance -- the outcomes that drive your company's organic growth.

Successful teamwork starts at the individual level. So, too, does a team's engagement.

When managers lead with a focus on engagement, they give themselves a chance to set each employee up for greater performance in their role.

The impact of scaling this type of performance improvement at the individual level across an entire team is massive.

Many of the essential elements of employee engagement are the same points of focus that managers use to improve teamwork and collaboration.

Our research, based on Q12 survey results from over 1.8 million employees across more than 82,000 teams in organizations spanning nearly 50 industries, finds direct correlations between employee engagement and team- and organizational-level outcomes such as:

Improving these critical performance outcomes in your company is directly related to your managers' ability to foster teamwork through the lens of employee engagement.

Gallup research finds a number of ways managers can build great teams through enhanced teamwork.

1. Start with knowing employees' CliftonStrengths. The best managers use the CliftonStrengths assessment to discover each team member's talents and strengths. Because before a manager can expect their employees to work well together, they have to know what each employee naturally does best.

That doesn't necessarily mean knowing the tasks and jobs each person performs well; it means understanding what makes each employee inherently and uniquely talented.

Plus, when employees are empowered to discover their CliftonStrengths, their managers are equipped to better understand the make-up of the team as a whole. They can make tough and discerning decisions about who can best perform each role as the team evolves and grows. They know which team members lead with specific strengths -- and how to position people accordingly to foster complementary partnerships.

It is those kinds of partnerships that form the foundation for effective teamwork.

2. Ensure that you're being a coach for each employee, and not a boss. Knowing employees' CliftonStrengths doesn't mean much if managers don't give their people the chance to use what makes them uniquely talented in their daily work.

Gallup's Q12 employee engagement survey includes an item that measures exactly how well employees feel their manager sets them up to succeed using their CliftonStrengths:

Q03: At work, I have the opportunity to do what I do best every day.

When employees can strongly agree with that statement, it means they are using their natural talents and strengths to tackle every task and approach every challenge.

It also means they have a manager who understands exactly how they are most likely to succeed in a certain project or a specific role.

And if a full team of employees can strongly agree that they have the opportunity to do what they do best every day, that means they're doing so in conjunction with each other -- a sort of additive effect that can pay massive dividends for collaborative teamwork.

When employees are empowered to discover their CliftonStrengths, their managers are equipped to better understand the make-up of the team as a whole. They can make tough and discerning decisions about who can best perform each role as the team evolves and grows.

3. Lead team members using other key elements of employee engagement. It is vitally important that managers know their employees' CliftonStrengths and use that knowledge to build a team that collaborates and works well together.

But a strengths-based approach is only part of what makes a great team.

Teams composed of employees who can strongly agree that their manager does these things are teams that succeed, period. They have employees who know how to work as a team -- employees who value one another's talents and know how to get the best out of each other to deliver team success.

Great teamwork begins with great managers who lead with a focus on engagement. Create a company full of those kinds of managers to develop an organization full of teams that work together to exceed expectations.

Adam Hickman, Ph.D., is Content Manager at Gallup.

Bryant Ott is a Writer and Content Strategist at Gallup.

Read more:
The Manager's Role in Improving Teamwork in the Workplace - Gallup

Its four years pretty much to the day since I took the editorial lead on a brand that quickly became my world. I lived and breathed everything to do with small and medium business.

The one thing that has stood out for me more than any other is the sheer volume of self-employed people who are inspirational role models for others, even though most dont realise it themselves.

The woman working all night, every night to keep her business afloat while caring for her terminally ill husband so as to pay the family bills; the multiple individuals who have used self-employment to overcome homelessness and built thriving enterprises in the process; the man who lost everything his home and his business to a natural disaster, but worked continuously for several straight days to protect others from facing the same fate.

These are extraordinary actions by people who at first glance appear to be very ordinary. Their stories fill you with the full spectrum of emotions, but for them are simply their every day lives.

But there are a few more everyday traits that are common to business owners and entrepreneurs who are happy, prosperous and have a business of which they are proud.

I can tell you that pretty much every business out there says they have great customer service. Yawn!

If you have to say that, then perhaps youre not really delivering it. Actions speak for themselves, and if your service is actually great, customers will become raving fans you shouldnt have to say your service is great, because customers will see it for themselves.

But service is only one part of that. I guarantee you would be surprised by how many businesses out there forget the core premises that they only exist because customers buy from them. They get comfortable, they potentially continue to get new customers coming in based on their old reputation, all the while their existing customer base are rushing for the exit. At some point, new customers will stop coming in, and then what will they have?

If you take your customers for granted, if you dont adapt to their changing needs and wants, if you dont deliver what you say you will, or if you push a product or service on them that you know isnt really for them, you will lose them perhaps permanently.

Successful business people know this, and make it their mission to always deliver for their customers what is relevant in the here and now. They know that just because a product or service worked well at launch five years ago, doesnt mean its as great as it could be today. They continue to seek and respond to feedback, and place customer retention not necessarily growth ahead of everything else.

Weve all seen the well-worn and repeated stats that the majority of businesses dont survive their first few years. And for some people, it takes multiple goes in business to find the winning formula.

But the ones who have built strong businesses, that deliver them healthy incomes and healthy, happy lifestyle are always the ones who jump in fully. No sitting on the fence with indecision; no tinkering around the edges or doing things half-arsed.

By all means, they do their homework, research and analysis to test an idea before putting it into action, and rely heavily on customer input and feedback throughout the process. Yet once the decision is made to start a business or launch a new offering, they back themselves and give it their absolute all.

Hard work is, by its very definition, hard but its commitment, resilience and tenacity that make that hard work pay off.

The business world sadly has more than its fair share of dodgy operators and nasty acts, all greedily seeking to pocket as much as they can, as fast as they can.

For the most part, the real achievers in business, though, are the ones that people look up to, respect and admire just as much for their persona as their accomplishments.

They are humble, down to earth, warm and friendly with whoever they meet. And they know that what goes around, comes around a smile, a kind word, a piece of advice leave a lasting impression. And you never know when you may in turn need that persons help for something, or if they may become a loyal customer if theyre not already!

This one is perhaps self-explanatory. Be organised. About everything.

People who have their s**t together find it much and I mean MUCH easier to see opportunities as they come along, and to be free from clutter and chaos to orderly develop their plan of attack in seizing said opportunities.

So, to really succeed in your business or professional pursuits, first take stock of how you live and work, declutter, get organised, and then approach the task at hand with an uncluttered mind. If you cant do that yourself, outsource it book a cleaner, seek out a professional organiser, hire a PA. Whatever it takes to get you spending your time on where you can add the most value.

As people whove come before you can attest, its a worthwhile investment, as youll be putting more of your time and better quality time into actually working on your business goals.

Behind every successful person is a great team. But Im not just talking about employees here (although they are a crucial part of the mix).

Having a great team around you means people who work for you, people who work with you think mentors, partners and suppliers, business coaches, industry bodies etc as well as a strong personal support network of family, friends and personal mentors.

Great leaders acknowledge that they cant do everything by themselves, and lean on the support, wisdom, skills and experiences of others to help them reach their goals.

Ive seen first-hand that most people are willing to help and I mean really dig in and help when you need it. But people arent mind readers, which means we need to ask for help.

Regardless of whether that be picking someones brains for advice and insights or getting some bodies on the ground to chip and get something done, most people are open and willing to help if they know that their help is needed.

Youd be surprised what you can actually get by asking the question, or offering to buy someone a coffee to have over a chat!

Adam Zuchetti is the editor of My Business, and has steered the publications editorial direction sinceearly2016.

The two-time Publish Awards finalist has an extensive journalistic career across business, property and finance, including a four-year stint in the UK.Email Adam atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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