Living the Free Agent Rules

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Living the Free Agent Rules

• Deb Bass/Michael Wagner
• 2005 Omaha Chamber Academy
• www.bass-inc.com
• www.whiterabbitgroup.com

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In The Global Economy, The Information Age Is
Moving To The Relationship Age

• What is it? Text vs. context
• What does it mean for the employee/employer?
• How can you prepare yourself?
• How can you position your career or your
  business?
• Dont lose sight of the forest for the trees.

3
Traditional American Workforce Climate

• Vanishing company employee with increasing
  focus on employability
• Rapid technology changes
• MA, bankruptcies and reorgs
• Businesses and industries are coming and going
  faster than before.
• While you the worker are in demand, your job is
  more insecure than ever.

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Big Box Of Colors With The Built-In Sharpener
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Understanding the Free Agent Rules

• Its as much a matter of mindset as mobility
• Dont camp too far from the revenue stream.

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To Far From The Revenue Stream?
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2005 Workforce/Place Trends

• Employment Market Turbulence
• Shift To Sellers Market in Labor
• Fluid International Job Movement
• Evaporation of Retirement
• Training/Education Will Accelerate
• Herman Trend Alert 2004

8

The Coming Job Boom
September 2003 Business 2.0
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2005 Workforce/Place Trends

• Crippling Leadership Deficit
• Flexible Employment Gaining Popularity
• Casual Is Here To Stay
• Advantage of Agility
• Increase of Independent Workers
• Herman Trend Alert 2004

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Future Survival Skills (Children Need Not Apply)

• Ability to make decisions with insufficient
  information - info doubles q 100 days
• Ability to manage contradictory, equally valid
  solutions to problems
• Flexibility and the ability to thrive in changing
  environments

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Future Survival Skills

• Listening skills connected to the ability to take
  action, neither is enough alone
• A view of the customer as the only point of
  action - personal touch paramount
• Risk takers who thrive in an OK to fail
  environment

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Future Survival Skills

• Those who function well in diverse environments
• Understanding that education is lifelong
• Possess personal career development plans
• Can play well with others in the sandbox

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Consulting Adds Color

• Provides career options
• Broadens your experience
• Expands networking contacts
• Builds skills/transitioning confidence

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Construct And Practice Your Vision (Career
Physical Therapy)

• Take baby steps
• Review the classified ads
• Take your boss to lunch
• Send personal note cards
• Practice saying I want your job.
• Women In Business And Industry, Summer 2002

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Creating The Game Plan

• Vision
• Mission
• Values

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Dont Get Yourself Stuck

• Financially
• Self image
• Relationally

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Do You Have What It Takes? (Adults Only)

• Do what you say you will do
• Stay positive, no whining allowed
• Seek to understand the big picture ask why?
• Dont expect others to do your work
• Situate yourself to be a risk taker
• Dont think it will come easy

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What Does The Future Hold??

• Old vs. new

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What Does The Future Hold??

• Old vs. new

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What Does The Future Hold??

• Old vs. new

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What Does The Future Hold??

• Old vs. new

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What Does The Future Hold??

• Old vs. new

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What Does The Future Hold??

• Old vs. new

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What Does The Future Hold??

• Old vs. new

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If youre not busy being born, youre busy dying
Bob Dylan

• Now is the time to be
• more assertive, more visible, more influential.

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Questions and Discussion

• Bass Associates, Inc., a HunTel Company
• 2027 Dodge St. Suite 500
• Omaha, NE 68102
• Voice 402.346.1505
• dbass_at_bass-inc.com
• White Rabbit Group
• 2045 Grand Avenue, Suite A
• West Des Moines, IA 50265
• Voice 515.371.7711
• mike_at_whiterabbitgroup.com