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Tips from the GEN Yers – The ENTREPRENEURIAL GENERATION

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What makes the new generation more entrepreneurial than the previous ones? It is basically a combination of inspiration from the gen-Xers and also of having the advantage of being exposed to the technology and electronic gadgets at a very early age. Education also plays an important role in molding the new entrepreneurs to success. Many business schools are solely devoting their course structure to harness the best potential of the budding entrepreneurs.

Quoting an article in the INC magazine:
No wonder that a recent study by The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor shows that 18- to 24-year-olds in the United States are starting businesses at a faster rate than 35- to 44-year-olds. The college campus is now a fertile breeding ground for company builders. “Forty percent or more of students who come into our undergraduate entrepreneurship program as freshmen already have a business,” says Jeff Cornwall, the Massey Chair in Entrepreneurship at Belmont University in Nashville. “It’s a whole new world.”

What can make or what makes them successful today?
In an article in the Entrepreneur magazine, titled Young Millionaires, I saw some very interesting and inspiring insights from these gen Y millionaires see if these form the basis for your next business idea:

The success story ended with a section titles: Follow their Lead, here’s a compilation of some words of wisdom and advice from this article;

  • Do something creative–but still in line with your product philosophy–to distinguish yourself to buyers.
  • Use your youth to your advantage by introducing something new into the market.
  • Raise the standard and you’ll find that you’ll never go out of style.
  • Give your customers a voice, and they just might use it to spread the word about your business.
  • Stay focused and don’t lose sight of why you’re in business.
  • Chat up your new business every chance you get, as you never know where leads will come from.
  • Knowledgeable team members can help you grow your business to new heights.
  • No matter how fast your company grows, stay focused on keeping your product quality standards high.
  • Don’t let a good thing pass you by. Seize the right opportunity, and you just might become the market leader.
  • Just because you haven’t taken the cookie-cutter path to entrepreneurship doesn’t mean you can’t make your business a success.
  • Let your passion be the driving force in your business.
  • When you fill a hole in the market with a quality product, customers will take notice.
  • Surround yourself with entrepreneurial-minded employees and you’ll gain a creative, dedicated work force and a constant infusion of innovative ideas.
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Interview Question – What are your long term career goals?

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How honest can you be with the answer when you are confronted with this question either in an interview or during the annual performance review? Or, how would you answer this question at an interview at a company where you see yourself working for a short time only?

I have come across some Millennial newcomers to the workplace who have expressed their desire to be in a company only for a couple of years at the maximum where they want to use the company’s name on their resume as a springboard to jump to another more reputed one. So how conducive can be your long-term goal plans for the company in such a situation? And more so are you ready to prepared well to answer this question – with a diplomatic honesty (!)?

Even if you are tempted so say so, but it is best not to blurt out, “I do not plan that far along, my goals are short-term only.” or “I don’t have any.”

Recruiters or managers do look for your ability to manage your own goals and also have some insight on short-term as well as long-term goals. When answering this question keep in mind that the long-term goals you talk about are not the personal goals but those career goals which relates to or somewhat matches with the offered position or division’s objectives or perhaps the overall vision of the company.

While answering this question also keep in mind that you would/could be asked for the short term projections as well. Your short-term and long-term goals must be on similar lines and not totally divergent else cross-grilling and consecutively dishonest statements could result from your side.

Long-term goals usually refer to looking ahead 5 years from now. A similar question that is asked during interviews is: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Short-term goals are your existing current goals, usually in the time frame of six months to one year.

You may not present a very clear picture if you don’t have one on these question. But a planned answer shows that you are diligent towards your career and shows your focus and positive approach towards your career development.

TIP on answering the long-term goal questions:

A pleasing answer is something like,
“My long-term goals are towards making a positive impact in the company though my expertise and ethics. I also look forward to develop myself in leadership areas through experience and training offered by the company.”

At this time you could also share your larger vision if you see yourself being the head of the division or even the CEO one day.

TIP on answering the short-term goal questions:

A good answer would be:
“I see myself developing my skills through your training and development programs. I hope the company policies support internal training and reimbursement of work related courses offered by university extensions etc. Can you please tell me something about how employees in this division are progressing towards more learning and promotions?“

By turning the answer around to a question to the interviewer you have taken control of the situation and are now proceeding towards the second stage of the interview process.

But be sure that whatever you prepare or say relates to where you want to see yourself as a successful individual in the future. An honest reply may take you to success and accolades than a fabricated one on which you have some chances of tripping over when you counter yourself with other inconsistent answers. Try your best to tie in the answers to the company’s interest and objectives.

And of course it depends and also on how you want to project yourself.


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Working in the Earthquake Country

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The Silicon Valley in California is the breeding ground of remarkable technology, leading research and outstanding innovation, but now and then the Bay Area gets reminded that it also dwells on an unstable ground. The moderate earthquake today was a reminder of this very fact. Although moderate and with no visible or reported affects, the Bay Area Earthquake was a shaker for many and also a gentle reminder to be on alert in case the big one strikes on day.

A few months back I had a post titled: “How to act in an Emergency – Important Tips a Working Mother must know!”
It is perhaps just to refresh our minds on these very important tips, quoting this post once more here:

Disasters or emergencies, human caused or natural, if we know how to act and are prepared for the same, it might result in getting to know the news on the well-being of our loved ones and also can help in getting to them faster, in case you are at work when the disaster strikes.

Important Phone Numbers

Always have on your cell phone your child’s school phone number or an emergency contact that they provide you. In most places the emergency contact number is 911, but check with your local authorities if it is different. Also have with you your child’s doctor’s phone number. And of course, those of your close neighbors and relatives in the area.

What your Child must know

  • If of a preschool age or more, your child must know his/her full name, parents name and preferably the house address and phone number. Always instruct your child not to go with any stranger even if there is chaos around and stay put where they are. If they have a cell phone have the required necessary numbers stored beforehand. Teach your child to call 9-1-1 and what to say once the call is placed.
  • Ask your child to participate and be attentive during the fire drills at schools. All drills must be taken seriously and not playfully.
  • Show them how to find a safe place under the desk or on in a corner in case of an earthquake or similar disasters.
  • Train them not to panic in a difficult situation and to think before they act.

Getting to your Kids / Family

Post disaster; if you head to get to your child, first hear the news on the radio / TV or the read for instructions online (if available) to know about the road conditions and the traffic congestions. Avoid those areas if possible and resist going on bridge even though there may be no present indication of damage. Don’t be an obstruction to emergency vehicles on the roads.

If the roads and conditions are bad, don’t panic, your child would be safer at school and you could be getting yourself in trouble if you head out and get stuck before somewhere in between before getting to your destination, either to the school or your house. Also, the school might instruct you whether you should come to pick up the child or not, it depends on their policies and procedures after a disaster, consult them before following your first instinct of driving to get there as fast as possible.

Talk with your spouse or family members on a plan of action in case of disasters and emergencies.

Disaster Supply Kit @ Home

Gather a supply kit with food and water rationing as well as medical kit at home in an accessible place. Keep a small kit in your car.

Some information on the Earthquake Supply kits can be seen at these websites:

Important Emergency Websites
Read your country’s emergency preparedness websites for information and up-to-date directions for such cases. Some in US are:

Would you like to share other resources? Please comment.

Careerbright – Career Article and Information for Professionals and Working Women
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How Men Stifle a Career Woman’s Growth

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The stories here are real life examples, I have changed the names to hide and respect the identity of those who have been through these experiences. The three stories here span across three different cultures. Since this blog aims at solutions to problems and issues, I have listed some personal opinions on how the men in their lives could have helped them in that particular situation.

Husband of a woman who is rejoining work after maternity leave: “Honey, you really do not need to work. We can live very well on one income, it would be best if you leave your job and look after the baby. I have drafted a resignation letter for you, why don’t you send it after a talk with your manager?”
While discussing this with me, Raji sobbed as she mumbled, “He didn’t even ask me if I wanted to continue with the job and my career.” Already on an emotional roller coaster after the baby’s delivery, she feels it would be too much for her to oppose his thoughts since her husband is on a very demanding job working more than 10 hours a day.

  • How you could have helped in contributing constructively towards her return to work:
    Even though this husband’s intentions might have been good, it certainly would have been much more empathetic of him if only he had paused to ask her first: “Do you want to want to join work now or want to take an extended leave? How can I help you as you now plan to join work and we have a little baby at home?” Or simply opening to a discussion would help, “let’s discuss the options we have right now.”

Cathy was always interested in starting her own business and the dreams of entrepreneurship were always close to her. A few years back, not without a lot of struggle she did manage to launch her own business and it was such an achievement to her. She would discuss with great energy and enthusiasm with her husband on her future dreams to take it big and wanted to involve him in her plans and future course of action. Far from being supportive, her husband never missed a chance to tell her how some of her past plans had failed, it was not only discouragement but he emphasized now and then how dominating she was becoming. All the altercations drew them apart resulting in a divorce hardly a year after she had launched her business.
Cathy still misses him and wishes only if he had been supportive and understood that is was her passion speaking and not her dominance over him.

  • How Cathy’s husband could have supported her entrepreneurial dreams:
    It is not uncommon to see different career aspirations and goals between spouses, the essence of a healthy marriage lies in how well you can respect the other person’s self-growth efforts and also on how well you can manage with your own egos in case the woman does better than the husband. Instead of bombarding her with discouragement, Cathy’s husband could have taken time to analyze why he feels so about her starting on the entrepreneurial path. Is it because of his personal insecurities or because of the fear of losing her to her greater cause? Good effective communication, avoiding accusations and self analysis before judgement are essential aspects in maintaining marital bliss.

Zeba had struggled during her school years to get good grades; it was only during high school that she truly enjoyed learning at school. She managed to complete college even though it took her more time than others. Now at age 30 she is all set to continue further studies, a course that she is very passionate about and wants to pursue a career thereafter. Her father is much opposed to her joining college at this age, he says, “It is time you got married and settled down. You could not do well at school what makes you think you would not be a failure now?” He is not willing to support her financially if she does not comply with his direction of thoughts and actions. She now itches to cut off relations with her father and move on to continue education; she is trying to support her college fees by working two or three part jobs. It is draining her emotionally and physically but her fighting spirit is one to be reckoned at.

  • How Zeba’s father could have helped her move towards her dreams:
    Often parents miss out on discussing their financial situation with kids, it is essential and so is a supportive and encouraging communication. Zeba’s father could have taken time to talk with her on her getting back to school dream and instead of blocking the communication by accusations and discouragement, the right approach is to respect the other person’s thoughts and ideas and also discuss practically on why he would not be able to support her financially if that was the main reason for his disapproval.
    Even a few words of encouragement can help do wonders for the so called “under-achievers”. When a woman gets emotional support, she can achieve the unachievable.

A note to all fathers, husbands, partners -You can be our heroes, you can be the wind beneath our wings. All you have to have is empathy, understanding and respect of what we do.
A little help and support from a spouse or trust from a father can help shape the destiny of a woman and be the pavers to her progress towards her career dreams.

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