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Tips for Attracting, Retaining and Growing Your Millennial Workforce

August 28, 2012 By Leave a Comment

By Terri Klass, Judy Lindenberger and Jean-Baptiste Marchais

"Millenials at work"Part two of Next Generation: What They Want and Need from the Workplace

  • Articulate your employer brand – communicate internally and externally what it means to work for your organization

  • Have a clear statement about corporate responsibility – make this part of your employer brand and be committed to deliver the promise

  • Think creatively about how technology can be used to engage Millennials e.g. avatars, internal networking sites, etc.

  • Create an on-boarding experience for Millennials that helps them learn your company culture

  • Be crystal clear about company policies such as social media

  • Set clear performance expectations and explain why something needs to be done

  • Use e-mail and voicemail as primary tools when you cannot meet face-to-face

  • Don’t force utilization of the chain of command

  • Don’t talk down to them – they will resent it

  • Provide them with feedback – early and often

  • Hold them accountable and let them know when they have screwed up

  • Tell them what they do well

  • Judge them by what they accomplish rather than the number of hours they put in

  • Encourage them to share their ideas with you

  • Listen

  • Invest in personal development and training – explore coaching/mentoring programs
  • Provide variety and fresh challenges – consider promoting cycles of experience in other parts of the organization
  • Teach your Millennials to become problem solvers
  • Tell stories, share your wisdom, or teach them something you wish you would have known when you were their age
  • Think creatively about reward strategies and what motivates Millennials. For example, is it time to shift from cash bonuses and cars to other things?

A Millennial case study:

Jennifer, a recent college graduate, is bright and hardworking. She has been working in a marketing department with a consumer products organization for about a year. Although she likes her job, she does not enjoy doing anything that she considers menial. She was planning on bringing this up to her boss at her annual performance review this week but was blown away when her boss told her that she had some areas that she needed to improve. She is upset because she wished she knew about her weaker performance areas earlier. She thinks that her boss has not done a good job of providing her with useful feedback to grow. Even though the market is tough, Jennifer thinks she should look for another job. She talks to her parents and friends about her concerns and starts to do online research about other marketing positions. In a few weeks, she sets up interviews with other organizations and takes off several days to go on interviews. Her boss calls her in and gives her a warning about taking so much time off. Jennifer is angry that her boss gave her a warning. She accepts a new job she was offered and hands in her resignation the following day.

What could Jennifer’s boss have done differently in managing and coaching her Millennial employee, Jennifer? Jennifer’s boss needed to provide more frequent feedback to Jennifer and be clear from the start about what areas she needed to work on. Her boss should never have saved up all the performance issues for the annual review. Her boss could have gotten input from Jennifer about her ideas regarding her job responsibilities and encouraged Jennifer to find a mentor. Her boss should have set a meeting up for follow up after the review.

What could have helped Jennifer? She needs to understand that all jobs have both interesting and menial components to them. She needs to learn not to overreact to a negative performance review and look at it as an opportunity to grow in her job. She could have set up a series of follow-up meetings with her boss and sought coaching from more experienced co-workers.

Organizations today need to understand and support each generation. Providing training on the differences between the generations will reduce conflict and improve communication and interaction. Offering mentoring programs will help grow all of your employees. Don’t delay. Your success depends on it.

For more information, contact Judy Lindenberger at info@lindenbergergroup or Terri Klass at terri@terriklassconsulting.com.

Filed Under: Featured, Featured Bottom, Mentoring, Relationships, Younger Generations Tagged With: , , , , , ,

The Reinvention of Self and Living Life On Purpose

August 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

"Reinventinn and finding Purpose: Boomer Generation"by Christine Laureano

There comes a time in life when the same old way of doing things just doesn’t suffice. Its’ like the saying about, well, getting off the pot!

Reinvention doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, choice, many sleepless nights and conversations with your girlfriends. And then when you’re ready to get serious, you take action.

I know, I know, I hear you. You’ve been there, you’ve tried and you’re still in the same place – and not living close to your dreams.

This is where reinvention takes a turn. It has little to do with sharing conversations with your girlfriends. Though they say they have your best interest at heart, they’ll try to talk you out of living your dream. Why? Because they’re scared that they won’t be able to follow in your footsteps. Doubt and fear rushes in and the holding pattern continues.

It also has little to do with having tried before, spending sleepless night lying in the darkness, tears streaming down your face and praying to God for help to get you out of this mess.

Ok, here’s the turn. That stuff is all good, and by the way God/Spirit/Universe heard you in those dark moments, but were you listening for the answer?

What I’ve learned in my “reinvention” is that it all begins from where you are today – right now. Because what you wanted in the past probably isn’t what you want today. We have lived our lives not really knowing what we want. We think we know, but it actually turns out that what we thought we wanted was really someone else’s dream, somewhat else’s desire, someone else’s want.

The reinvention of self is about knowing exactly what you want – YOU, not your kids, not your spouse, not your mom or dad. It isn’t easy, believe me. I’ve been stuck there too until I let loose, thought outside the box and began to dream big.

The second part of the reinvention of self is to bring your life into purpose. Remember those tearful nights praying to God? Remember when I asked, are you listening for the answer? What happens in moments of despair and sadness it that we pour our hearts out, promising we’ll do anything to have things change. The next morning, in the light of day we begin the negotiation. We will do what it takes as long as “I’m not uncomfortable”, “as long as I don’t have to do work”, “as long as it’s easy and I can do it between my shows.”

When you are creating your life ON Purpose, listening for the answers means there is no negotiating and waiting for the answer to come “the way you want it.” This is the most difficult for people because it does mean change. It isn’t always easy, but it is always in the best interest of living ON Purpose. Listen for the subtle messages and insights. When synchronicity happens, know that is part of your answer.

Start to “feel” your way through your life rather than always being in “thinking” mode. When you connect with the way you feel, you are connecting with your heart. When you connect with your heart, you connect with your soul. And, when you connect with your soul you begin to uncover the deeper meaning to your life, you uncover your purpose. When you hit gold like this, you shine! You radiate your passion, you radiate your purpose and you become attractive. People can’t help connecting with you because there is an energy that draws them to you!

THAT is living life ON Purpose.

Reinvention will always be interesting. You will always have great stories. And, as you listen to the insights you will live your life ON Purpose.

Business Mentor, ON Purpose Living Coach and Visionary Leader, Christine Laureano collaborates with motivated, soul-inspired women to find the soul of their business and bring life to their brilliant ideas! She shows women how to connect with their core purpose in life so they can confidently build the business want and live their lives ON Purpose. Learn more at www.ChristineLaureano.com

Filed Under: Featured, Featured Bottom, Living on Purpose Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Daily Resource – Work Reimagined

August 25, 2012 By Leave a Comment

"work reimagined by aarp for job placement and recruitment"“Knowing how to network effectively through social media is crucial to your career“, (as quoted in AARP magazine in the Networking News Section entitled “Find Good Jobs Online.” The article talked about a brand new job-finding-site powered by LinkedIn called Work Reimagined.

The article gave some great tips on job-search basics on the site and on social media including:

1. Prepare to connect quickly by developing a brief work bio.  Become adept at telling new contacts in under a minute who you are, what you do best, what sets you apart and what you are looking for.  It goes on to say to focus on your skills not on past jobs.  Be sure to post that bio on your social media pages.

2. Control your online content. Think of it as your online resume’: include details about your skills, qualifications and abilities using the keywords you would in fact search for when looking for a job.  Update your profile and status regularly.

3. Help your job find you.  Follow companies that interest you.  Look for and connect with people in your field/industry. Join in on group discussions.  When you see a job post, find out if you have a connection to the individual or the company.

One thing I like about Work Reimagined is that they have made a commitment to recruit across all age groups.  Good news for Boomers and Seniors!

Filed Under: Daily Resource, Featured Top-Right, Jobs and Careers Tagged With: , , , , ,

Next Generation Leaders: What They Want and Need from the Workplace

August 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment

mentoring millennialsBy Terri Klass, Judy Lindenberger and Jean-Baptiste Marchais

Have you ever wondered what makes the Millennials tick? So did we, so in the fall of 2011, we interviewed Millennials and their managers to learn more about this generation. Because many of our clients struggle with how to best integrate Millennials into the workplace, we interviewed Millennials and their managers through face to face and telephone interviews. The people we interviewed came from a variety of organizations and industries, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to small companies. The survey spanned different industries including the drug industry, engineering, biotechnology and financial services.

Just who are the Millennials?

Born between the years of 1977 – 1997, the Millennials are the youngest generation to enter the workplace. Millennials grew up with school shootings, terrorist attacks, AIDS, the Exxon Valdez spill and the Internet which influenced their view of the world. As children, they experienced everyone getting awards for playing sports and went to school at a time when gold stars were handed out freely. As a result, Millennials want frequent feedback. Millennials grew up with Baby Boomer parents, many who are self-professed workaholics, and therefore desire more work/life balance than their parents had.

They are resourceful and able to multi-task. They can Google, email and write a report at the same time; they can comfortably find information through the Internet. They work well in team environments and are comfortable speaking up. They also want to make an immediate impact in their jobs and move up quickly.

According to the managers who we spoke with, their Millennial employees are energetic and creative. They also are flexible, technology-savvy, resourceful, can retrieve information quickly and efficiently, and are open minded. Millennial employees are not afraid of discovering new things; they want to learn and are eager to try something new.

What Do They Want?

Millennials report that they have a great vision of the world. They consider the world as something positive with a lot of opportunities. Millennials told us things like, “The world has endless possibilities” and “There are so many things to learn and to be exposed to and not enough time to do everything”.

Their attraction to fast-paced environments and their self-confidence allows them to handle multiple tasks without a problem. However, it is important to find a balance regarding workload. Too much of a workload could turn them off, not enough could reduce their enthusiasm. Also, workplace flexibility is a benefit that Millennials value. We heard comments like, “I usually work eleven hours a day but I am satisfied by the fact that my boss doesn’t demand a strict 9 – 5schedule.”

One thing that stood out is that many of the Millennials we spoke to are interested in working for an employer whose corporate ethics match their own. We heard comments like, “I want to work for a company that has the same values that I do.” and, “I would like to work in a company helps the world and uses green technologies”.

What Frustrates Them?

Something we heard over and over again in talking with the Millennials we interviewed is that they want to hear the truth from their bosses, they want feedback and they want it right away. One Millennial commented, “I want honesty, respect, open communication, to be informed constantly, and to learn my manager’s expectations.”

The time to leverage the talents and welcome the Millennials into organizations is now. More experienced workers are rapidly nearing retirement age and their accumulated wisdom and expertise could soon be walking out the door. In addition, Millennials are actively asking for more training, coaching and mentoring opportunities. Bringing together older workers’ experience and Millennials’ creativity can lead to groundbreaking innovations. Here are a few ways to provide mentoring for Millennials:

Create an open mentoring culture where people learn from each other in a wide variety of formal and informal relationships.

Use technology to help people sign up and get connected.

What Gets in the Way?

Managers tell us that Millennials prefer communicating through e-mail; they do not like face to face meetings as much. Millennials tend to lose concentration easily because of technologies, spending time checking texts, e-mails, etc. One manager told us, “They are distracted by technologies and social media.”

Millennials may choose the fastest path to the solution and think they deserve to be promoted quickly. The energy and enthusiasm they can generate can be considered a challenge by their managers. One manager said, “They are highly ambitious, but they have short term goals. They want to reach management quickly and need to be managed very carefully with career paths that keep them from jumping to other companies.”

They are inexperienced at understanding the complexity of politics and process, underestimate them and focus on the short term. A manager said, “They need to understand company policies and work within them as opposed to making up their own rules.” A Millennial said, “I want to understand and manage politics and learn effective project management strategies.”

What do Managers Need to Know to Support and Help Them Develop?

Millennials have a real desire to learn and grow, which is advantageous to organizations because as Baby Boomers and others retire from the workplace there will be a need for Millennials to take over leadership positions more quickly than generations before them. There’s a perfect match between the Millennials’ desire to make an immediate contribution, to be leaders, and to learn and grow in their organizations, and the need for them to quickly take over leadership roles. This means that frequent performance appraisals, mentoring programs, coaching and training will be essential for growing and sustaining leaders. A Millennial said, “I want to know when my manager is happy with the work that is done and if he is expecting more.” Another commented, “I want the opportunity to shadow others and learn about areas outside my scope of responsibility.”

How Can Human Resources Support These Emerging Leaders?

As Millennials move into management and leadership positions, we predict that there will be an emphasis on them asking others for their opinions as opposed to “it’s my way or the highway”. There will be respect for different points of view and different opinions. There will be greater teamwork, a lot of creativity and a lot of having fun as well as working hard.

For more information, contact Judy Lindenberger at info@lindenbergergroup or Terri Klass at terri@terriklassconsulting.com.

Filed Under: Featured, Featured Bottom, Mentoring, Relationships, Younger Generations Tagged With: , , , , , ,

A Bittersweet Parting

July 2, 2012 By 1 Comment

A “Short Story” By D. R. Hamilton

One spring I was called back to Edinburgh for training and the date happened to coincide with my manager’s birthday. Naturally we planned a celebration, but what thrilled me more was that I would meet Mac’s three grown children- a physician and two attorneys. Mac had made no secret of the fact that we were seeing each other and that he found me attractive and interesting.

I was finishing university and working part-time in a pub on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile when I met Mac. It happened that every afternoon this tall distinguished gentleman in his early 80’s would stop in for his customary whiskey after leaving the office. He was well over 6’ tall, solidly built, and his arresting shock of silver grey hair gave him the appearance of an aging lion. Mac was in the real estate investment business and when he understood that I was an American, he plied me with all sorts of questions about US land values. What I didn’t know, I made up. We became friends and I looked forward to his silver pennant sailing through our doors in mid afternoon.

Eventually I did graduate. But before I could make further plans, Mac offered me a job as his North American agent. I’d live and work on the east coast returning to Scotland several times a year for instruction and planning. I felt genuine affection for him as I would for a father.

Mac would make occasional trips to the US, and I’d usually meet him in New York City. Naturally it was not all work and we frequently found ourselves as dinner companions with occasional visits to the opera or symphony which we both enjoyed. I grew to enjoy his company as the reality of our status as employer and employee faded.

By the time I reached 50 years old, I thought I had the world and my place in it all figured out. Now, as I sat across the table from Mac, 30 years my senior, I realized how much I didn’t know. My life experience, sheltered and a little impoverished, seemed a poor comparison to the richly embroidered fabric of his. As a boy, he had helped his father rescue British troops from that terrible debacle at Dunkirk. As a young man, he became a local Laird, building roads and schools for his tenants. He founded and ran several businesses including a whiskey distillery.

He rose above the tragedy of loosing two wives and now seemed at peace with the world. He was such a contrast with the men in my age bracket that I had known. These men were fixated on the latest pill, what the government owed them, the ingratitude of their children and their latest pain. Mac was dynamic. He talked about his latest business plan, the charity that he was supporting, the upcoming symphony, the accomplishments of his 3 adult children and even his latest fly fishing victory. I was falling for this man’s charms and it was going much farther that filial piety.

I noticed that habit and tradition play a big part in a man of this vintage. He always wore a tie, sometimes carried a stick and gloves, and he had a vast collection of hats. On his first trip to New York City, we spent half a day going to every liquor store in midtown to find the exact same single malt whiskey that he drank back home.

“Its nae ‘at Ah hae th’ taste fur the whiskey Lass, but th’ bottle looks sae braw oan th’ table”, he said in his thick brogue.

Once at the symphony as the lights went low, he slipped his hand over mine in my lap. We held hands and he caressed my leg. When the lights came up, I was astonished to see my hose in tatters. It seems his rhinestone cuff links that he always wore had lost a stone, and the setting had snagged and torn my hose. Rhinestone cufflinks-the only flaw I saw in this man.

He was a gallant in the old world sense. When he was with me I felt like a queen. Opening doors and taking my arm came naturally to him. On one occasion we were walking down a city street at night past a group of young toughs in a doorway.

“Hey girl, I got somethin for ya that ole dude don’t have”. Mac sprang at their leader like a tiger. His huge gnarled fist smashed down on the man’s head and literally floored him. Mac took my arm and we strolled off down the street.

“Them ‘at dornt respect their elders will damn well respect their betters” was his only response. I was ashamed to have been frightened, but to see this 80 Year-old guy spring to my defense without a moment’s hesitation. I had turned the corner. I loved this man.

Naturally intimacy eventually entered our relationship. I had felt like a spinster for so long I hardly recognized the feelings. But it was different now. The old athletic lust to satisfy ourselves was gone, replaced by the desire to pleasure our partner. Pleasure was pleasure and the young had no exclusive hold on it. I did learn however, to start early in the evening.

I arrived in Edinburgh for his birthday a day early and spent my time getting my hair styled into the usual layered bob, my nails done and even a trip to the spa for exfoliation. I selected a long red plaid skirt, black turtleneck sweater, and elegant black leather boots- just the thing for a daytime affair at a Scottish manor house in the country. Mac picked me up at the little B & B where I usually stay, and we were off to the countryside. The house at the end of a little country lane overlooking the Firth of Forth was at least 200 years old. Its grey stone walls and tiny crenellated windows gave no clue that little children once played in its shadows, and I was about to meet them.

We swept into a baronial entrance hall to meet the children before a cracking fire that made the stone walls dance a lively jig. The young man was tall and craggy like his father, excepting that his arresting shock of hair was coal black. The elder daughter was tall, slim and elegant, and wore a royal blue velvet skirt that added to her regal appearance.

Surprisingly, the younger daughter was a petite blond who wore a hacking jacket and riding breeches. After the usual paternal greetings, Mac put his arm around my waist to introduce me.

Nothing could have prepared me for the icy reception I received. They offered their hand without an embrace. Their eyes were cold and penetrating and they made no effort to engage me in conversation. Dinner was more of the same. I had overstepped some boundary and my mind raced to identify the problem. I excused myself as early as I possibly could and Mac drove me back home. He was silent and clearly as troubled and bewildered as I.

I guess I figured it out on the plane returning to the US. The children viewed me as an adventuress out to get the old man’s money. Nothing could have been farther from the truth. Marriage would have been so obvious an attempt to enrich myself that I never could have followed through with it. I would have been content to have Mac for the few times a year that we could be together and from all he said, that was his intention as well.

Still the children were troubled and I know this weighed on his heart. I felt I had no right to come between this man and his children at this stage in his life. We would have to end our affair- and that’s exactly what we did.

Some will argue that love should triumph, that the children were selfish, and an old man’s happiness should be paramount. But society judges differently. This man and his family by blood were the most important. I had the good sense to realize that – or perhaps I loved him enough to give him up

 

Filed Under: 1, Featured, Featured Bottom Tagged With: , , ,

Investing 101 After the Age of 50

July 2, 2012 By 2 Comments

Investing your money after 50What you need to know..

By Dr. Eva Mor – Author of “Making the Golden Years Golden”

One of the biggest worries that one over the age of 50 has is what to do with his money, where to invest. Very few of us have the luxury of retiring without any worries.

There are thousands of stocks and dozens of ways to invest. We all want our money to last forever, or at least as long as we need it. We want our money to grow every year, and make a decent percentage yield. And of course, we want steady income.

Now that we know what we want, it is very important to know what we do not want. It is desirable that we do all that is possible in to shy away from losses and trouble.

1) We do not want to invest in a single stock that fluctuates sharply up or down every day. The potential of loss is high and it is not in our favor.

2) We want to stay away from high fees and high commissions; 2 percent or higher are too much.

3) If a broker or financial advisor promises 20 percent or more profit on an annual basis, please show him the door.

4) We do not want to time the market. Investments in the market should be for at least five consecutive years.

5) Do not put everything in one basket. Investments should be diversified in a few options.

6) Private company bonds offer high yields, but they can be too risky.

The key to receive interest/income every single year is based on diversification. It is a good idea for one to invest 40-50 percent of their portfolio in fixed income and the rest in equities.

On the fixed income portion, one should have a mix that includes banks CDs, bonds, annuities (proceed with caution, ask all the questions), Zero coupons bonds, or other investments. The fixed income segment will increase in value about 3-5 percent a year guaranteed.

On the equities portion one should invest in the broad market ETFs index funds. (Exchange Traded-Funds, with very low commissions or expense) Buy a few of the ETFs to cover most of the market.

Here are a few sample ETFs that cover broad segments of the market:

iShares: Spider S&P 500 (Amex SPY). Dow Diamonds ETF (Amex: DIA)

iShares: RUSSELL 2000 Idx (NYSE ARCA:IWM. Midcap SPDR trust; 1 (Amex MDY)

iShares: S&P SC 600 Idx. Powershares: QQQ Trust (NASDAQ GM:QQQ).

The equities above will generate between 5 and15 percent a year on average during the course of five to 10 years. The combination between the fixed income (3-5 percent) and the equities (5 to 15 percent) will generate about 7 percent every year.

It is recommended at the age of 60 to reduce equity holdings by 10 percent every five years and shift it to the fix income portion of your investment.

Warning: Please do not check the market every day. It is in constant flux, and sometimes drops considerable for a short period of time. You will be discouraged and upset if you take a daily approach.

We recommend checking the results by quarters, not daily or a monthly. You are in it for the long haul. The method represented will give you peace of mind; after the first purchases, sit and relax; your next move will be months from now. Let the money work for you. With some patience, you’ll see great results.

To maximize profits one should evaluate the equity portion of the portfolio once a year. Consult with a broker and/or financial advisor to check if there is a need to shift money from one ETF to another.

There are certain years that the large caps (blue chips) such as S&P 500 do better and some years the small ETFs perform better.

When investing for your retirement while you are still working, you can be a little bolder. But when investing after you actually retire, it is wise to be more conservative.

I think it will be wise to repeat that you should be careful. The baby boomers and their parents make a good target for all kinds of schemes, such as annuities that are unsuitable for the seniors, as well as ones with over-hyped investment returns. Be careful and suspicious of any sales pitch that promises unrealistic returns, such as 12 percent or higher.

Before signing up with a broker, check their background, for which you can use the Finra’s Broker Check tool (www.finra.org) . If there any disciplinary actions taken against the broker or if she or he has been moving from one financial institution to another frequently, it should raise a red flag.

Open an account with a reputable and independent financial institution, and never write your investment check to an individual – always write it to the financial institution.

All investment decisions should be made without pressure. When I meet a broker for investment, I never have my checks with me. I go home, think it over, and talk it over with my kids, my husband and my financial adviser. If the broker pressures me to make the decision right there, because the deal will not be there the next day, I walk away from the “deal” as well as the broker.

For more info log onto: www.goldenyearsgolden.com

 

Filed Under: 1, Featured, Featured Bottom, Investing Tagged With: , , , ,

MENOPAUSAL WOMEN SWEATING SLEEPLESSNESS

June 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment

"woman resting"New Survey Has “Eye Opening” Information on Effect of Missed Sleep

Menopausal and perimenopausal sleep issues are affecting women more forcefully and at an earlier age than commonly believed. A full 80% of women ages 35-44 and 65% of those ages 45-54 identifying as perimenopausal or menopausal have experienced sleeplessness that diminishes their quality of life—often caused by night sweats and/or hot flashes that disrupt sleep or inability to fall asleep —according to a survey commissioned by New & Improved Estroven Nighttime®, a safe, multi-symptom menopause relief product that’s now available in retailers nationwide.*†

Occasional sleeplessness is a hallmark of menopause, and the survey’s findings highlight how women entering perimenopause may be most vulnerable to sleep disruption and its associated side effects. Sleep loss has left nearly half of all menopausal women “exhausted,” and 65% feeling “irritable” or “not like themselves.”†

Missing this amount of sleep has consequences beyond just feeling tired, with 57% of women ages 35-44 reported feeling “emotional and overwhelmed,” and 62% of the same group saying that menopausal exhaustion made them too exhausted to spend time with friends and family. Nearly one in three women surveyed said that sleep loss negatively affected their sex and professional lives.†

“We know that sleeplessness is one of the most prevalent and bothersome symptoms for perimenopausal and menopausal women, and this survey highlights just how debilitating that sleep loss can be,” said April Mills, Senior Brand Manager, Menopause at i-Health, the makers of Estroven. “We are finding that women are really suffering when they consistently miss sleep. Fortunately, our reformulated Estroven Nighttime goes beyond reducing hot flashes and night sweats to help provide relief from occasional sleeplessness—making it easier for these women to fall asleep and wake up feeling refreshed.”

New & Improved Estroven Nighttime now contains Melatonin, a clinically proven ingredient found in sleep aids which helps women fall asleep easier, in addition to clinically-proven soy isoflavones to more effectively reduce night sweats and hot flashes.*

To create a community for peri/menopausal women that addresses these distressing symptoms and helps them feel like themselves again, the makers of Estroven have instituted the “Good Sleep Challenge,” encouraging women to try New & Improved Estroven Nighttime for three months, share their progress toward a more restful night’s sleep and automatically be entered for a chance to win a dream spa getaway valued at $5,000. Those who participate will receive a $5 coupon good on their next purchase of Estroven Nighttime (approximately a 50% value). The Good Sleep Challenge was created to empower women by providing a place to connect and encourage one another, share valuable sleep tips and expound on their experiences during this ever-changing time, woman-to-woman. For more information, visit www.estroven.com/challenge.

†Survey Methodology:

This survey was conducted online within the United States by ORC International on behalf of Estroven from April 26th to May 1st, 2012 among 493 U.S. women ages 18 and older who self-identified as perimenopausal or menopausal. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore, no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

Established in 1997, Estroven is the leading dietary supplement brand addressing the symptoms of menopause. Holding the #1 market share position in the U.S., only Estroven has a full line of products that provide safe, multi-symptom menopause relief so women can feel like themselves again.* Each product contains naturally sourced ingredients that go beyond hot flashes and night sweats to relieve another bothersome symptom, i.e., irritability, sleep, energy, memory and concentration issues.* Chosen by nearly a million women for menopause relief each year, Estroven is distributed by i-Health, Inc., of Cromwell, CT.

*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Filed Under: 1, Featured, Featured Bottom, Health and Wellness, Menopause Tagged With: , , , ,

Coffee, Tea or Me?

December 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment

"Coffee, tea or me?By Marcia Barhydt

My title refers to my career as a flight attendant - wonderful years in my life, during which I saw the world, married, had two children, divorced, kept flying. Finally, when flying was just too physically painful to continue, I obtained a position in the airline’s catering office.

This job opened my eyes to a whole new world. I had never operated a computer, had really never worked in an office before and I certainly didn’t have much confidence that I could do a good job. But, in spite of my doubts, I did a very good job because I so loved what I was doing. That took me to the end of my 32 airline years. And that’s when the real changesbegan…

When I decided to retire and start my own company, I must admit I had no idea what I was undertaking. I’d barely worked in the business world, let alone run my own business. But by finding courses to help with the basics of entrepreneurship, I struggled ahead.

I gathered up all my nerve and dived into something new. It was terrifying, but you never know what you can accomplish until you try. When you have a passion for your business, your passion will make you excel almost automatically.

Here are some lessons I learned along the way. 

Be prepared to change. 
I had decided that my business should be about Customer Service (something I really knew well from my airline days) and I soon decided to be a trainer. I spent three months writing my own training programs and then I began to try to sell my programs to prospective clients. Yikes! What an eye-opener! After the first round of turn-downs, I was a little less bright-eyed and bushy-tailed; after the second round I was questioning my ability and after the third round I was almost hostile to the prospects – which isn’t the best attitude to have when selling!

This new life as an entrepreneur was a huge change for me – I had never worked harder for less money, longer hours and more worry. And with no results!

When one method of attack didn’t work, I tried a new method – but I had the tenacity to keep trying until I found the method that works for me.

I stopped cold-calling and started networking. Networking became my salvation, both of my sanity and of my success. And it was something I loved doing. In hindsight, I realize that at first I didn’t choose networking groups that were really right for me. But I learned to recognize when a group wasn’t working for me and moved on to a new group that would be a better fit.

Listen to the advice of others
Listen to others when they make suggestions. Theirideas are gifts. One woman I met suggested that Iwrite and weave my airline stories into my training programs. Well I did, and amazingly it worked, peopleloved these stories. I never thought my new direction would include writing, but I was flexible enough to give it a try and it was very successful.

About the author: At 64, Marcia Barhydt started writing for women over 50. In addition to her column for WE Magazine for Women, Women of a Certain Age, Marcia is a regular contributor to Kalon Women, BoomerCafe and Women’s Post.

Marcia’s new book, Celebrate Age! is a collection of her thoughts, rants, raves and wisdoms learned after 50. For more information on Marcia, visit Visit www.willowtree.ca

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A New Standard in Senior Fitness: Resistance Chair Training

December 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment
"daily workout by older woman"

Photo by Steve Pepple on Flickr

With the skyrocketing costs of health care, baby boomers are not only turning to a healthier diet, but recognizing physical exercise as a way to stay fit and battle the debilitating illnesses that come with age. More specifically, participation in both aerobic and resistance training is now a key component for senior well-being.

Research has shown that significant muscle loss occurs during the aging process. In a study by Nutrition Action, within two months of resistance training, subjects between the ages of 50 and 85 increased their strength by 40 percent and reversed two decades of typical muscle loss.

 

As a senior myself, I participate in aerobic and anaerobic exercise through resistance training and road biking. I know that the debilitations of age can be positively affected through exercise. As a consequence, three years ago I started my own senior fitness training business, Fitness Senior Style, LLC. My clients range from relatively healthy seniors to those who exhibit various health challenges, including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, strokes and dementia. I visit my clients in their homes and bring specialized equipment to exercise them for strength, balance and cognitive fitness.

 

After considerable research, the specialized equipment that my company utilizes is the Resistance Chair by VQ ActionCare, an at-home seated fitness and rehabilitation system. The Resistance Chair is specifically designed for mature adults to increase mobility, strengthen muscles, improve balance and achieve all-around better health. Traveling to and from client homes was made less intensive by the versatility and portability of the Resistance Chair.

 

I meet with more than 20 clients each week, all with specific needs to address. Although my clients range in fitness, the average workout is one hour and is dedicated to Resistance Chair training, focusing on two main areas of improvement: balance and strength. The Resistance Chair works well with clients living with health challenges, as well as seniors that simply wish to get back into shape. Clients adapt easily to the Resistance Chair during training and enjoy using it, as they see and feel the effects it has on their fitness and bodies.

 

Today, senior fitness and health awareness is on the rise, and there are a significant number of seniors who wish to regain their health, stay independent, reduce dependence on medication, and maintain an overall healthy lifestyle. I encourage seniors to join me on the quest to gain back a healthy lifestyle and spread the message that it’s not too late for anyone to get fit again. Seniors can initiate a healthy lifestyle right this very minute, in the comfort of their own home. Here are a few tips to begin in-home resistance training for all types of seniors:

 

Exercise 1:

Facing the back of a chair with both hands lightly holding onto the chair’s back, rise up on your toes as if reaching for a top shelf in your kitchen. Then lower until your heel touches the floor. Perform this exercise for ten repetitions, rest, and then perform once again.

 

 

Exercise 2:

Standing sideways to the chair, place your closest hand lightly upon the chair’s back. Slowly raise your foot by bending the knee until your foot is two inches off the floor. Hold to a count of 5 to 10. Lower your leg and duplicate the movement with your other foot. Repeat raising and alternating both feet five times. Rest and then perform once again.

Exercise 3:

Standing sideways to the chair, place your closest hand lightly upon the chair’s back. Slowly raise your knee until your thigh is parallel with the floor. Hold to a count of 5 to 10. Lower your leg and duplicate the movement with your other knee. Repeat raising and alternating both knees five times. Rest and then perform once again.

By Richard Portugal of Fitness Senior Style, http://fitnessseniorstyle.com/. Richard may be contacted at (201)937-4722 or via email at Richard@fitnessseniorstyle.com. For more information on VQ ActionCare’s Resistance Chair, visit www.vqactioncare.com or www.BuyResistanceChair.com.

 

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’Tis the Season for Saving

December 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Holiday spending17 Tips to Keep Your Holiday Spending Habits off the Naughty List

The holidays are upon us, and in addition to festive time spent with family and friends, for most of us it means a lot of money spent on holiday gifts and other once-a-year expenses. But, warns Leslie Greenman, don’t let this year’s holiday spending ruin all of the saving you’ve done throughout the year. She offers valuable tips on how to keep your holiday spending in check.

Holiday shopping for 2011 is about to kick into full swing. And though many Americans are saving more throughout the year, the holidays offer that all-too-tempting opportunity to let loose and splurge a little. In fact, if you aren’t careful, in November and December you can blow all the good saving intentions you held firm to during the rest of the year. Last year, Consumer Reports found that as of October of 2010 14 million Americans were still paying off credit card charges incurred during the 2009 holiday season. This year, reports Gallup, Americans plan to spend an average of $764 on Christmas.

And while that number is down from pre-recession amounts, it still represents a significant chunk of change for many American families. Leslie Greenman says that in order to curb our bad spending habits during the holidays, we must first understand why we let ourselves splurge in the first place.

“We spend a lot during the holidays because we love giving to our friends and family,” says Greenman, a financial advisor and author of the new book Dating Our Money: A Women’s Guide to Confidence with Money & Men  “Watching someone you love open that perfect gift can be really gratifying. The holidays also give us a guilt-free pass to shop ’til we drop. You don’t have to feel bad about spending because you’re not buying things for yourself, or at least you shouldn’t be! And you can justify it by telling yourself, ‘Well, I have to get gifts for everyone or they’ll be disappointed in me!’”

But, Greenman notes, this psychology of gift giving isn’t good for your financial health.  “The good news is that with careful planning you can give everyone on your list a special holiday without having to pay for it for months and months to come.”

Read on for Greenman’s tips on how to keep your spending and your sanity in check this holiday season:

Get real with yourself about your financials. Before you even make your gift list, you need to have a heart-to-heart with yourself about your financials. “Look at how much you can realistically spend,” advises Greenman. “Then decide whether or not you really need to spend that amount. If it has you feeling anxious then absolutely create a budget that has you spending less. Think about your long-term financial plans. Don’t allow your holiday spending to negatively affect your bigger plans. When you know what your financial picture really looks like, instead of thinking about it as a black hole, you’ll be more inclined to control your spending.”

Don’t fall back on old holiday spending habits. When you’re making your budget, it’s important to remember that spending during the holidays does not stop with gifts. We allow ourselves a little more leeway when it comes to other discretionary spending as well.

Don’t shop when you’ve got the holiday blues. This time of year can bring a lot of joy, but the hectic nature of the season can also be overwhelming. “Avoid shopping when you’re having a down day,” advises Greenman. “Studies have shown that we are willing to spend more when we are sad. So when you’re suffering from the holiday blues, curl up and watch a holiday movie or go do something fun with your kids instead. Save the shopping for a better mood.”

Remember, ’tis the season for relationships. It’s perfectly natural to want to give back to those who give to you, but it’s quite possible that your friends and family will appreciate an end to spending this holiday season just as much as you. Suggest to those on your gift list that you all spend valuable time with one another rather than purchasing gifts this year. For example, suggest to your best friend an afternoon together meeting for coffee and going to a movie. Or treat your parents to a home-cooked meal and some Christmas carols performed by their grandkids.

Establish an “Operation Holiday” plan. If there is no avoiding holiday shopping for you, once you know what your budget is start mapping out your shopping plan. Make the gift list and then think about where you’ll need to go to purchase each present. “Keep your key goals in mind,” advises Greenman. “For example, are you trying to keep each gift under X amount of dollars? Do you want to be finished by a certain time? Avoid a certain shopping area? Again, if you stick perfectly to your plan, I think it’s okay to reward yourself. Just don’t go overboard. For example, if I meet my goal of buying my gifts and staying on budget, I’ll treat myself to a pedicure.”

Finish your shopping early in the season. Though getting out for those late night/early morning hours on Black Friday might not be your thing, it is best to start your holiday shopping as many shopping days before Christmas as you can.

“As the holiday gets closer and you realize you haven’t even made a dent in your list, you’ll start to get desperate,” explains Greenman. “And when you’re desperate, you won’t have as many misgivings about going over budget in order to get your shopping done.”

Set a holiday shopping curfew. You don’t have to go tearing through stores pushing innocent shoppers from your path, but setting a time limit on your shopping will help you stay on budget.

“Keeping in mind that you need to be done by your self-imposed shopping curfew will prevent you from lingering in sections of a store that may have caught your eye but don’t contain any items from your list,” notes Greenman. “It will also help prevent you from spending time shopping for yourself. And because holiday shopping should be fun, take a moment to reward yourself if you do finish by your deadline. Buy yourself a cup of hot chocolate, or better yet, make some for yourself and the kids when you get home. Remember, the less time you spend shopping, the more time you’ll have to spend with friends and family.”

Remember, it’s the thought that counts. You might find the perfect gift for someone but then reject it because you don’t think the price is significant enough to be an adequate gift.

“The reality is that a gift with a lot of thought behind it or shared meaning for you and the person you’re buying for can have a lot more significance than a more expensive gift,” says Greenman. “For example, a special photo of you and a friend in a frame with a special note about how much you enjoyed the time you spent together is a great gift. Or have your kids write down the 10 things they love about their grandparents and include the list in a photo album of the kids. These are all gifts that involve more thought and meaning than just going to the store and buying a gift. And the people receiving them will truly appreciate it.”

Make a list, check it twice, and bring cash! How many times have you walked into a store and immediately found the perfect gift for a friend? Sure, you hadn’t planned on spending that much, but she would love it, so why not? You can just put it on your credit card, right? “Wrong!” says Greenman. “If you use your credit card, you’ll probably end up buying that gift for your friend two or three times over in interest payments. Do not stray from your list. If you do stray, the cost of the non-list item needs to be the same as the one you had already budgeted. Bring only cash with you when you’re shopping so you can stay within your budget.”

Save merrily by trading in your rewards points for gifts or gift cards. You should always, always use your credit cards wisely. Never make purchases on your credit card unless you can pay them off at the end of the month. And during the holidays avoid whipping them out to pay for gifts. But one positive role credit cards can have during the holidays is rewards points.

Point, click, and save. The benefits of online shopping are obvious. You don’t have to battle holiday traffic, it is practically hassle-free, and it’s easier to compare prices. “The prices are also almost always better online,” says Greenman. “You have a greater selection, and usually free shipping is offered around the holidays. And when you use specific search terms, you can avoid being distracted by all of the other items you might want to look at or be tempted to buy if you were shopping in the store.”

Don’t shop for yourself. According to Lab42, last year the average holiday shopper spent $107.50 on themselves. When you’re making it okay for yourself to do a lot of spending, it can be difficult not to stray off your list and buy a couple of things for yourself.

Don’t shop with a holiday budget saboteur. If you prefer doing your shopping with someone else in tow, be sure to choose someone who won’t encourage you to go off budget.

“I can whiz in and out of a mall in 30 minutes if I’m with my son who hates shopping,” says Greenman. “Or bring a girlfriend and be there half a day. Carefully consider who you’re shopping with. Will the person encourage unexpected buying or splurging? If so, you might want to politely decline their invitation. You might also consider who’s going to keep you on track. You might bring along one of your kids because you know you want to show them how to be fiscally responsible and use the opportunity to show them how to stick to a budget.”

Have a Secret Santa-style gift exchange. Depending on the size of your family, buying a gift for each family member can be daunting, especially when you see some of them only once a year!

“There are exceptions, but I think by and large once you reach a certain age—specifically the age where you feel obligated to buy gifts for everyone—the reality of gift giving and receiving sets in,” says Greenman. “My point is that most of the adults in your family will probably be grateful not to have to buy a gift for everyone. Instead, suggest that your family do a gift exchange. At Thanksgiving, have everyone pick a name out of a hat. Then, you buy only for that person. It is a great way to help everyone cut down on unneeded spending. And if you’re just shopping for one, it gives you a lot more time to think about what would make the best gift.”

Don’t be afraid to regift. Take an inventory of regifting possibilities. Are there any gift cards you’ve never used? Any clothes hanging in your closet with the tags still on them? Any gifts you’ve received in years past that you’ve never taken out of the box? If so you might want to consider regifting them.

“Many people avoid regifting because they think it violates some rule of etiquette,” says Greenman. “But when done properly, it can help you find a home for items that you’re never going to use. Sure, there is a line that has to be drawn. If your grandmother got you a sweater that you hate, but she expects to see you wearing, then that’s probably not an item that you should regift. But let’s say a former colleague got you a scarf as part of a Secret Santa exchange at work last year. It’s a perfectly nice scarf, but it’s a color that just doesn’t look good on you. That’s a great item to regift. You’ll get it out of your house, and someone else will love having it.”

Make like Santa’s elves and DIY. Getting crafty during the holidays is fun and can save you a lot of money on gifts. There are any number of options depending on your level of craftiness. “Costco has cute jars filled with cookie dough ingredients,” says Greenman. “We could all do that at home! Bake cookies and place them in a holiday tin for your kids’ teachers. Frame your kids’ artwork for their grandparents. The possibilities are truly endless and truly cost-effective!”

If you’re super savvy, plan (way) ahead. As we’ve touched on above, there are always great deals after Christmas. That means if you can get over your holiday hangover fast enough, you can get a jump-start on buying gifts for next year while also saving a bundle. “My bargain shopper friend buys many of her gifts for the next year’s Christmas during the current year’s after-holiday sales,” says Greenman. “She is always finished shopping by October. If immediately after Christmas is too soon for you to think about the next year, take advantage of other sales throughout the year. For example, there are almost always great sales at Easter, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day.”

“We naturally want to give during the holidays,” says Greenman. “But what’s important to remember is that you can give a lot without spending a lot. Don’t put a price tag on your holidays. Stick to your budget and then be generous with your time and spirit. Once the holidays are over, you’ll be happy you didn’t blow your savings, and you and your family and friends will be fulfilled by the time you all spent together.”

About the Author: When Leslie Greenman’s husband unexpectedly passed on at age 35, she suddenly became a single mother of two boys (ages two and four). Leslie learned how quickly life can change. She went into the financial industry to empower women with the knowledge and confidence to take action and be prepared. Through her tough experiences of becoming suddenly single, she realized how easily women can be misinformed and taken advantage of. Dating Our Money offers women the important information they need to confidently make smart choices with money and men.

 

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