The blog for all things Apochromatik.
Farther, Faster…
Is your annual review approaching?
Performance reviews are just around the corner in many firms and organizations. We often hear that people are “too busy” to prepare for their review. As we always say, that’s like saying “I was so busy packing for vacation that I didn’t have time to book a plane ticket.” Your review may be the one time all year when you and your boss both carve out time to sit and talk about your career. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by.
Got Accountability? | VOTW 102219
This week’s Video of the Week is a classic, comedic reminder of a fundamental truth: even when the source of a problem is obvious, we may still need support and accountability to change it.
Check it out.
You are More than a Worm
Have you ever heard the expression, “to a worm in horseradish, the world is horseradish”?
If you haven’t, it may take a minute to process. (My first reaction was “why would a worm be in horseradish? Is it like having a worm in tequila?”) Another way to think about it is that when you’re in the thick of a situation – whether temporary or long-term – it can be impossible to see more than what is immediately in front of you. That can be a reasonable perspective; if a bear is charging you, it’s a huge asset to be able to focus on getting out of the way without being distracted by thoughts of a long-term crisis. But putting your head down and focusing on the things right around you it is not a good long-term strategy.
Future in Focus 2020 and Hustle & Flow | VOTW 101519
For this week’s Video of the Week, check out the newest episode of the Hustle & Flow podcast with Heather Hubbard. Heather interviews Apcohromatik’s Keith R. Sbiral and Amy M. Gardner. The trio discussed a range of topics, including Apochromatik’s Future in Focus 2020 Masterminds, specifically the two cohorts for attorneys who want to succeed as a partner or change jobs/careers.
6 Tips to Keep Clients Happy
Landing clients is one thing. Keeping them happy is another. Last week we addressed what to do when you’ve disappointed a client. This week, we’re sharing six tips to help you keep clients happy in the first place.Here are seven tips to turn around a disappointed client, and to make sure even those who leave say good things about you.
Make Your Clients Happy | VOTW 100819
Last week we gave you 7 Tips to Turn Around a Disappointed Client, today the Video of the Week addresses making your clients happy clients. Malcom Gladwell takes a look at the research of Howard Moskowitz in making people happy by listening to their diversity of human beings.
7 Tips to Turn Around a Disappointed Client
Whether you’re an accountant, attorney, bus driver, business owner, or teacher, you have clients. Next week we’ll focus on how to keep those clients happy. At some point, though, no matter how hard you try, you will inevitably disappoint and even lose clients, whether for a reason you can agree with (maybe they need a service you can’t provide) or one you can’t (they aren’t happy with the services you’ve provided). How you treat disappointed clients not only reflects on you and your business, but also can impact whether they come back and what they say about you to others.
Here are seven tips to turn around a disappointed client, and to make sure even those who leave say good things about you.
Apochromatik Book Bundle 3: Feedback
Today we continue our discussion on feedback. We are releasing Apochromatik’s third book bundle. This book bundle will focus on feedback.
First, the disclaimers: These are books we’ve read recently; this isn’t a “best of feedback” book list.
Live Webinar This Thursday | VOTW 100119
This week’s Video of the Week is a live webinar this Thursday.
Join Apochromatik’s Amy M. Gardner for a free webinar on how to effectively give feedback the recipient needs to hear.
Job Search Month: 6 tips to a successful salary negotiation
Negotiating your compensation package with a new job can be complicated, which is why we shy away from avoiding one-size-fits-all advice on this topic. Instead, due to requests, we offer one-on-one negotiation coaching, and a popular negotiation presentation delivered as a live program or online webinar well-suited to professional organizations.
Job Search Month: Negotiations | VOTW 092419
As we wrap up job search month, this week we’re turning to the step that seems to cause some of the most stress for candidates: salary negotiations. We’ll share actionable tips on Thursday, but until then, this week’s Video of the Week features pricing consultant Casey Brown who explains that “No one will ever pay you what you’re worth. They’ll only ever pay you what they think you’re worth.“ And that, she explains, is why you have to be able to communicate your value.
Job Search Month: Interviewing Skills and Small Talk
September is job search month, and this week we’re focusing on interviews. Below we’ve collected a number of resources to help you prepare for all types of job interviews. But here’s a tip that will take less time to implement than reading any of those resources.
Job Search Month: Interviewing | VOTW 091719
September is a great time to jumpstart your job search, as Vault recently discussed, observing "September is a great time to catch that last wave of recruiting before the New Year.” We started off the month focusing on networking, last week we moved to application materials, and this week we’re focusing on the next step of the job search process: interviewing.
Job Search Month: Using Your Résumé and Cover Letter to Market Yourself
What is the one thing you know most about?
What is your number one field of expertise?
What does the culmination of your experiences create?
You might find it surprising that I actually know the answers to each of these questions.
Job Search Month: Your Application Materials | VOTW 091019
Fall is always a busy time in hiring, which makes September a great time to jumpstart your job search. If you are considering a change, you’ll want to watch the blog as we tackle a different aspect of the job search process each week throughout September. Last week we started where your search should: networking. This week we’ll address application materials.
Job Search Month: Networking
September is a great time to jump start your job search, so throughout the month, we’re focusing on different elements of the process.
This week, we’re starting where your search should: networking. Whether or not you’re looking for a new position, no one has ever regretted having a strong network. From client referrals to moral support to, yes, help finding a new job, your network is an important asset you must invest in. In fact, studies show that 70 percent of jobs are filled through a networking contact, and the average annual income for workers who got their job with a referral is 6% higher than those who didn’t.
The Apochromatik blog is back! Job Search | VOTW 090319
The Apochromatik blog is back!
Throughout the month of September, we’re focusing on the job search process.
September is a great time to jump start your job search. Without vacation plans and nice weather to distract you, it’s harder to ignore that you’re merely tolerating your job and due (or overdue) for a change. It’s also an ideal time to make progress before the holidays and end of year slowdown.
7 Strategies to Manage Stress, Burnout, and Anxiety During the Job Search
“Kate” has it all together. We’ve worked to ensure her resume is excellent. Her cover letters are customized and strong. She is focused in her job search. She knows that networking is (usually) where the jobs are, and has worked to build an engaged and supportive network.
But . . . she’s at that point where she’s waiting to receive an offer for a job, waiting on another interview that needed to be rescheduled, waiting for a couple of key people in her network to come back from vacation and make introductions. And she’s hit a wall. She is tired from the stress of job interviews, networking, tired of working to find her next job at the same time she’s working ridiculous hours at the current job, tired of also doing her share at home, anxious about how much longer she’ll have to continue enduring this process. . . .