Career Acceleration Notes (CAN)

Are you related to Barack Obama? Hillary Clinton? Dick Cheney? Social Networking and Genomics...

Sharing this interesting post from a loyal reader of Technology Review, the Institute's magazine about innovation that is mailed to alumni.

Emily Singer, a well-respected science & technology writer, reported on a number of start-up companies that have generated debate centered on medical applications. Apart from learning whether you are related to a Democrat or a Republican, consumers can learn about their genetic risk compared to the general population for diseases such as: Alzheimer's, diabetes, and cancer.

Feel free to contact this MIT alum/guest blogger via his e-mail address (dkatz9@alum.mit.edu) or via this blog.  Furthermore, "since you don't need a weatherman to tell which way the wind blows," see what a brilliant weatherman can do for Climatronics Corp.
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Are you related to Barack Obama?  Well, a new social networking web site offers you the possibility of finding out!  The new web site, 23andMe, offers genome-wide DNA testing directly to consumers. People who order the $999 kit send in a sample of spit and, in return, receive an analysis of nearly 600,000 genetic variations linked to disease and other factors, such as ancestry, height, and eye color.

23andMe is one of the many dynamic companies located in Mountain View, CA. This start-up is also launching a genome-sharing tool that allows people to compare their genome with those of family members, friends, and even strangers who have offered up their DNA data.  While mostly for fun right now, the company hopes to be able to collect enough data to allow statistical studies using the genetic information.

While the sharing aspect is optional, Greg Feero (chief of genomic health care at the National Human Genome Research Center in MD) has raised the bar by suggesting that this work will be more successful if we create "...a space for public participation in developing science."  Of course there are many caveats and limits involved in the analysis, gathering, and labeling of genetic data.

Perhaps you should learn more about this new application of social networking, and be careful where you spit!

Contributed by David I. Katz

Online Identity & Social Networking Tools: Nonprofit Group Hug

The Collaborative of the Suburban Chamber of Commerce has scheduled an additional session to concentrate on the power of LinkedIn.com. The initial session was well-attended and well-received. Thanks to feedback of participants and the effort of Management Consultant, Sandi Philips, the nonprofit "group's hug" will result in a follow-up session to be held on Wednesday, April 2 from 8-10am.

The agenda for the initial session included Online Identity and Social Networking for Nonprofits.  The most effective social networking tool for businesses and nonprofits, LinkedIn.com, was too large a topic to start last week; LinkedIn will dominate the discussion when we meet again at the Upper Moreland Library, Willow Grove, PA.

The first session allowed participants to share their existing knowledge and request more information re:

• Risks of Social Networking - personal and professional
• Choosing the proper tool
• Sharing information
• Preserving authenticity

These issues, and additional resources targeted to meet the strategic planning needs of nonprofits, will be covered in the next session.  Those who participated in and/or registered for the first meeting will receive new handouts via e-mail. Those who cannot attend are encourage to refer to the LinkedIn Blog  or blog with author Jason Alba (see my sidebar). Visitors may click on this link to purchase useful books on Relationship Marketing, including Jason's Facebook and LinkedIn books, directly from the publisher.

Participants who wish to share comments or ask specific questions are encouraged to do so on this blog. Those interested in attending Wednesday's program should pre-register by phoning: 215.947.4427 or via e-mail to: Karen@CareerAcceleration.net or KevinWinters@comcast.net (mention The Collaborative.) There are six seats left; please reserve early for this FREE program.

FREE: LinkedIn.com & Social Networking Seminar

Join us for a FREE interactive program to learn about the benefits of social networking for nonprofit organizations and staff.  This program is sponsored by The Collaborative, an affiliate of the Suburban Chamber of Commerce, located in Eastern Montgomery County, PA.    

The mission of The Collaborative is to develop and nurture partnerships between businesses and non-profit organizations. The program will be held at the Upper Moreland Free Library so that participants may bring their laptop computers and participate in the session via wireless Internet access. Everyone who attends and wants to join a social network will receive an invitation from the speakers. 

Our presenters are:
Karen Katz, M.Ed., CCM, of Career Acceleration Network, (CAN) LLC; and
Kevin Winters, MBA, Founder/Principal Consultant, All Seasons Web Solutions

The agenda will include: · What is "Social Networking?"
· Who engages in this type of networking?
· What are the principal forums for "Social Networking?"
· Who benefits from this type of networking?
· Why has this form of networking become popular?
· For whom is this networking effective?

After the presentation, a demonstration will follow to take participants through the LinkedIn.com site, and
· Show sample profiles
· Explain settings, preferences
· Discuss online and offline behavior, etiquette, and consequences

This event will be held Wednesday, March 26, 2008 from 8 to 10 AM at the The Upper Moreland Free Library,109 Park Avenue, Willow Grove, PA

Collaborative Roundtables are free and open to interested parties. To RSVP (requested, not required) call the Suburban Chamber at 215-657-2227. 

Network locally; Think globally, installment 2

Again I'm posting FREE or inexpensive networking opportunities in the Greater Philadelphia-area; you'll find similar calendar options throughout the country.  This calendar was extrapolated from the Philadelphia Business Journal, one of the Biz Journal regional online or print resources that belongs in the tool bag of professionals and executives.  Building personal reciprocal relationships and establishing an online identity takes precedence over attending events like these; the idea is to find authentic ways to network locally and think globally.

Business Calendar - Philadelphia Business Journal

Monday, March 10

The Consultants Guide to LinkedIn Success. 7:30-9am, Merrill Lynch, 724 W. Lancaster Ave., Wane, PA. FREE. For information & registration, call 610-993-0894

Tuesday, March 11

How to Use Success Stories to Win More Business. 7:30am, Plymouth Country Club, 846 Sandy St., Plymouth Meeting.  Sales & Marketing Executives of Philadelphia.  Cost = $25. For registration & information, call 215-396-3310

Wednesday, March 12

Your Customers have Changed...Have you? 11:30am-1pm,  PineCrest Country Club, 101 Country  Club Drive, Lansdale. North Penn Chamber of Commerce.  Cost = $20 for members; $30 for nonmembers. For information & registration, e-mail to:  info@northpenn.org

Thursday, March 13

Bouncing Back in 2008. 8-9:15am.  Lower Bucks Family YWCA, 601 S. Oxford Valley Rd., Fairless Hills. Lower Bucks County Chamber of Commerce.  FREE with advance registration.  For information & registration, send e-mail to:  chamber@lbccc.org

Career Fair. 2-7pm, Holiday Inn in West Chester, 943 S. High St., West Chester. Exton Region Chamber of Commerce. FREE.  For information & registration, call 610-363-7746

Pricing it Perfect. 11:30am-1:30pm, AstraZeneca, 690 Lee Road, Suite 100, Wayne, PA.  NAWBO (National Assoc. of Women Business Owners), Philadelphia Chapter.  Cost = $15 members; $25 nonmembers.  For information, visit www.gonawbophilly.org

Friday, March 14

Market Research 101: Focus Groups, Taste Tests and More. Noon - 1:30pm, North Penn Chamber of Commerce Board Room, 229 S. Broad St., Lansdale, PA.  FREE.  For information & registration, e-mail to: info@northpenn.org

To review the Business Calendar posted by the Philadelphia Inquirer every Monday, visit my web site:  , or go directly to the Inquirer Business section. 

Is it necessary to run a campaign to achieve career change?

My two favorite indoor "sports" are careers and politics; a recent book written by Chris Matthews makes some interesting observations about the intersection of these endeavors.

Life's A Campaign: What Politics Has Taught Me About Friendship, Rivalry, Reputation, and Success is the latest book written by this journalist and TV pundit;  it is already 2 days overdue at the library, so I need to share some thoughts with you now...

Matthews, (who later pledges to work on his listening skills!), suggests that:

    "The whole trick of life is therefore to (a) find people who like you on first meeting, (b) put effort into winning over those people you can, and (c) recognize those whom, to use Donald Trump's phrase, you need to 'work around.'  This is what politicians call campaigning.  It's something you'll find you have to do in life even if you never run in a single election."

What about it - do successful candidates employ similar strategies when seeking career change or transition?  Are we correct to refer to the job search process as a campaign? 

• Clearly, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are candidates for the same job?  Have you ever competed with a "friendly foe" for the same job?  What happened to the relationship after the position was filled?  While it is not likely that the outcome of such a contest will result in a "win-win," must the outcome produce a winner and a loser?
  
• How are the voters and/or the press doing in fulfilling the role of "hiring managers?"
  
• What role will the Super Delegates play?  Are they the Senior Management team or CEO?

What can career changers and job seekers learn from the experience of these political candidates?