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Monday, May 30, 2016

Framing Your World | Changing Your Bad Days to Good Days

If you don't get it at first, God will repeat it until you do. 


At work, since about last October 2015, things at work got bad overnight. Leadership has much such a series of bad choices since then, that our work environment has become stressful to the point of nervous breakdown for people. At least two people are now on Zanex, several have left, and I'm on the verge of both.

At lunch the other day, I met with an adviser to discuss my situation at work. Should I leave, should I stay, what do I do? She said a lot of great things, but one thing she said stuck out as something I could immediately apply.

You need to Re-Frame your idea of what success means.

People, males especially, often view their value as being successful.

I was viewing success at work by the tasks I was completing, staying ahead, being efficient. My work situation has changed to the point that getting ahead is no longer an option. I used to get my research cases closed in an average of 5 days, not it's closer to 65 days.

I need to Re-Frame what success means to me. Maybe in today's climate, success means getting one case closed. Maybe it just means doing through a whole day not speaking negatively.

Today I was watching the sermon message The Frame Game, by Pastor Steven Furtick.



He said something like this:
"Some of you are going to go to work tomorrow and you'll be totally different. They are going to ask you what changed, did you get a promotion? No, I didn't get a promotion, I just got a new frame." 
David was looking at the same giant as his big brothers, but he was using a different frame. I have had an emotional habit of viewing life as hard, and ugly, and difficult. Depression has followed me all my life.

Camera Frame


Sometimes you need to take a life full of distraction and bring the camera shot into a closer view. There could be stuff going on all around you, but you just need to bring the focus in closer, to ignore all that stuff.

Sometimes you need a wide shot. You're so focused on this ONE thing you hate, this ONE hurt toe, that you are not considering all the things that are working well for you, the things you enjoy, the 9 working toes...

Sometimes you need to remove things from your frame.


YOU are the director of your shot... 


It's time to re-frame. 

What could you Re-Frame in your life today?


********


Story Teller | Creative | INFJ | Intellection | Learner | Ideation | Achiever | Input | Multipotentialite

New here?


Written May 30, 2016 by Darrell G Wolfe

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Sunday, May 29, 2016

Announcement: Change Complete | Evolution Begins Here


Hello Followers,


Many of you came to me for a variety of reasons. As a Multipotentialite I've struggled with having any real focus. I thought I could get one unifying theme for all of my writing to fit on one site... I couldn't.

Therefore, I am separating my content, writing, studies, etc, into Niche Specific sites. This will allow me to focus on as many topics as I want to; while allowing my followers to pick from only those topics that interest them.

New Site

DarrellWolfe.Com (HERE) is live, and will act as my single point of entry for referred traffic. When I want to tell someone to check me out, I will hand out one card, one link, point everyone into one direction.

I have listed all of my sites (and will continue to list others as my interests continue to expand) on The Hub page. In the future, as I publish books, videos, podcasts, and other material, DarrellWolfe.Com will be the One Stop Shop for all of my crazy ideas.

Where's the old content?

With the exception of Banking Basics (HERE), which I've purposefully kept separate from my name (as I'm still working in that industry); I have carried through the same web template and branding elements into every site for flow and consistency.

Make sure to check out my NEW Start Here/About page (HERE)... to see if this is the blog you want to continue to follow. Also check out The Hub for all of the Niche Specific options. The main ones I will put into this post for your review.

Thanks for your patience as I work through this change.

----

Story Teller | Creative | INFJ | Intellection | Learner | Ideation | Achiever | Input | Multipotentialite


Here is a list of the Specific Sites I've created for you:


My Blog


Niche Sites

These are sites I built specifically with the audience in mind, in order to provide targeted information and specific topics.

  • Banking Basics for Believers
    • Your inside information on banking, money, and finance... from one Insiders' perspective.
    • Telling you everything you need to know, a few things they won't tell you, and some things they don't want you to know.
  • Your Topos
    • Creating your strategic position of opportunity and influence.
  • LIFE in Review
    • Exploring Family, Fun, and Food (review and travel blog)
  • Wolfe For Office
    • Liberty, Reason, & Compassion
    • If I were running for office... these are my thoughts and views on all things related to politics, policies, and government.

Journals

These are my Web-Journals. When I study a particular topic, I like to tear it apart. I tend to loose notebooks. It's easier for me to post my studies online, then I can retrieve (& search) them easily. These are not written with a reader in mind, just myself. I post them publicly for those who may find them helpful anyway.


  • Towdah Audio
    • My Music and Audio journal. I've been a musician and volunteer Audio Board Technician for many years (off and on). I enjoy music and audio. This is my journal for what that mood strikes.
  • Empowered to Prosper
    • My bible study journal. Unfiltered, fresh from the study room. 
    • I typically only post here when I'm getting into a study, but I've always intended to use it more often.
  • AuthorFun 
    • My Fiction writing practice journal. I may post daily for a while, and go months without posting. 


  • I Have... Ennui
    • One Man's Journey through the vallue of the shadow of depression...

Written May 29, 2016 by Darrell G Wolfe

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Friday, May 27, 2016

Interviews 3 | Know Yourself

Nosce Te Ipsum - Know Thyself


This phrase primarily means to know your strengths and weaknesses.
Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought to. Romans 12:3
This common phrase doesn’t mean to put yourself down, as some religious folks would have you believe. Rather, it asks that you know who you are and who you aren’t. 

Know the gifting(s) God has placed inside of you and also what he hasn’t called you to. By doing so you are able to narrow down the position that fit you and those that do not.

Know your strengths

You have been given strengths and giftings by God. He has enabled you to be particularly good at certain things. If you know what those strengths are then you can boldly assert what they are and be confident in your answers.

If you are not sure what your strengths and giftings are, check out another article I wrote called "Discovery | Finding Your Place In God's Plan".

Maybe you are strong at something but not as strong as you want to say you are. Don’t be tempted to overstate your strengths. If you are hired into a position for stating you are stronger at something than you are it will be found out quickly.

Know your areas of opportunity


Humility isn’t about putting yourself down. It’s about knowing what you can and can’t do, and being honest about both.

You have areas that you are growing in.

  • There are things that you aren’t good at. Nobody is good at everything. 
  • There are things that you are good at, but you don't enjoy. That's important to know too.
  • Some areas you will be strong in at a future date, but you just aren’t there yet. 

If you know these areas of opportunity and are strategically honest about them you will either know to avoid certain positions, or you will be able to communicate how these areas are not dis-qualifiers to your new desired position.

Example: I talk a lot.
That makes me a GREAT writer and blogger. When I was given assignments to write 500 words about something, I didn’t struggle to get up to 500 words, I struggled to get back DOWN to 500 words and edit out the un-necessary. 
This meant that as a call center rep I often struggled with handle time. They wanted my average calls to come to 255 seconds or less. I was always pushing over 300-350, on a good day. After I left they actually raised the goal to 300, oh well…

Interviewers may ask what my weakness are (Areas of Opportunity). This isn't as common these days, but the question is still out there. Sell yourself by showing that you know your areas of opportunity, and you are actively working on them.

I could tell the interviewer that: I talk too much and can’t seem to figure out how to lower it… that doesn’t quite sell my opportunity.
OR
I could tell the interviewer that: I enjoy meeting new people and getting to know them. I am honestly interested in people and want their best interest. I also have a strong desire to have things done right and not half done. As a result I sometimes take longer on calls than my counterparts. I am actively working on finding ways to say less, not ask certain questions that open the conversation up or encourage long stories. I'm also working on asking more direct questions that allow me to build rapport and enjoy the interaction, without taking a long time to do it.
One highlights weakness and one highlights area of opportunity.


The important questions:


Answer these questions for yourself so that you can articulate it to the interviewer:

  • How am I the BEST fit for this position? 
  • How am I going to add value to this company, department, or team?

I am a great fit for this position because…
I am a great fit for this position because I have 4 years of background in banking related sales. I have sold in person and over the phone. I know my customers and ask great questions. I am not only able to meet their needs with the best products and services but I am able to uncover other needs they didn’t realize they had. 
Just the other day someone came in to order checks and I was able to uncover for her that her mortgage rate was 7% and current rates are in the low 4% range. She was hooked up with my mortgage partner and refinanced into a 4.32%. It dropped her monthly payment and will cut years off of her loan. She was ecstatic!

Homework Assignment:

  • List for yourself your top 3 areas of strength and top 3 areas of opportunity. 
  • Practice talking to yourself or a training partner about these 6 areas.



See Also:

Darrell Wolfe, Topos Consultant

Written May 27, 2016 by Darrell G Wolfe

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Interviews 2 | Know the Job Description

Knowing the Position, Title, and Job Description are key

You must know the position for which you are applying.

Applying for a position and then declining it can begin to look bad for you if you do it over and over with the same company. You will look like a flake. 

Many times the employers don’t make this easy. They post job descriptions but not salary levels and you are left to fend for yourself asking: “Is this a fit for me?"

Where do you start?

Narrow Your Search

If you know what you are looking for in a job, then you will be able to weed through the countless job offers on the internet and in the newspaper more easily.

You can spend your time pushing for the jobs you really want and not wasting your time on interviews for positions you won’t enjoy.

Research

Take time to research the positions you apply for, before applying.

If you are not sure that you are a great fit, find out first (or at least develop an educated guess). There are so many tools on the internet now for understanding job descriptions and fields.

Take some time to research the Job Description. Look for key words, required, preferred skills, and job duties. Try to determine if you have these skills from another job. It's always important that you had the job title previously, just the skill.

For example, you may see a Job Description that requires 2 years compliance experience. You've never worked in the that job title, but have you had any duties that required you to be exposed to, in charge of, or relating to compliance to company rules and regulations. Every team lead has had to be aware of the regulations, and ensure their teams are in compliance.

Then tailor you resume to the job description. 


Put that experience in your resume, and talk to it in the interviews.

The resume will not only help you when you meet the recruiters and interviewers; but, it will help you get past the screeners. If your resume doesn't open the screeners door, your interview skills won't have a chance to be used.


Network

Get to know people within the field (in person or through social sites like Linked In).

Ask questions, people love to talk about themselves and what they do. Do you have any friends or contacts in that field, or better yet in that company? Ask questions. Introduce yourself to the managers at the company if possible.

If it’s a large company that has multiple offices don’t be afraid to just walk into one of the branches, even if it’s not the one you are thinking of working at, and introduce yourself to the manager, ask them if you could have a few minutes of their time.

Tell them that you are thinking of coming to work for the company and that you are interested in finding out more about the inner working and what it takes.

Ask Good Questions


  • What does the day in the life of an employee of XYZ look like? 
  • What attributes make a great employee in your field? 
  • What things do people often struggle with as they first come on board? 

Think through the places you’ve worked, what you liked and didn’t like. Ask questions that will help you understand if this is a place you want to work.

I realized recently that I prefer a company that follows a modern model for vacation, where all the hours are lumped into one box and you use them as you see fit.

I was quite put out upon working for a company that still separated personal vs vacation vs sick time and punished you for using sick time when they offered it and wouldn’t let you use it for anything else or pay you out if you didn’t use it. This felt to me very double minded. I chose to leave that company and go back to a company that had a more straight forward way of dealing with time off.

You may have things about your personality that won’t fit certain companies or departments within a company.

It would be best for you do know before you formally apply or interview that the company fits in your “Must Have’s” and “Must Not Haves‘”.


Details

After you have determined that the company and position fits you, learn details about the position. Learn the shop talk. Find out terms that are used within the industry or field.

The more you know about the position, and the more you know about how you can fit the position, the better. You should be able to personally relate the skills and personality traits you posses to the position.


See Also:

Darrell Wolfe, Topos Consultant

Written May 27, 2016 by Darrell G Wolfe

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Interviews 1 | Concrete and Specific

Concrete and Specific:

One of the key elements to mastering the interview process is knowing how to give Concrete and Specific Answers to every question that is asked.

Consider the following example:
The interviewer is asking the same questions to 15 different candidates. Marvin who is looking for a trainer asks one question that he is more interested in than all the rest: “Tell me about a time you worked with another worker who was under preforming?”
Then 14 candidates come in with answers that sound something like this:
” Once I worked with someone who was struggling in their sales stats. I gave her suggestions about how to profile for sales and ask open ended questions. She improved so dramatically within the two sessions we worked together that her supervisor emailed me a thank you note.”
Then candidate 15 comes in and is asked the same question with a very different answer:
“Last month, I worked with Rachel. She had worked four hours that day and only had one sale so far. Her position is to take incoming calls. The first thing I did was take some time to understand her struggle. I asked whether she was having more trouble identifying opportunities to sell or how to word them. She replied that both were equally troublesome to her. So I had her walk me through the call she had just gotten finished with. We reviewed the account together and I showed her the five places I always look on each call for clues. I also pointed out six sales possibilities that could have saved this customer money and time. We pulled up some previous calls and reviewed each account. I roll played with her to help her practice saying the information to me first, and help her tweak things to her style. Then we took some live calls together. The first set of calls I profiled with her and walked her through each account and what I saw and narrowed the best sale for that call. The next set of calls I had her walk me through each account. Then I sat back and let her work on her last set standing by to answer questions. Then I made a plan with her to check in at the end and see how she did. By the end of the day she had moved from a 2% sales rate, of sales per call with one sale, to a 15% sales rate with 9 sales. This was still below our goal, but much better than she had been doing. I checked in with her three times in the following 4 weeks and found she moved from a Month To Date of 12% to 19% to 23%. This is not a top performers data but well within our accepted range. I received a personal email from her supervisor thanking me for my work and letting me know that she was still preforming at the levels expected, and credited me with having provided her with the tools she needed.

Stand Out
Which of these answers would the interviewer see as identifying the candidate he is looking for? Of course the second. But the first is the type of answer that most people give. Or they will throw out five examples, all on which are at that basic surface level. 

The concrete and specific answer technique means:

  • You are giving specific answers. 
    • HOW did you help? 
    • WHICH open ended questions? 
    • WHICH employee, or if privacy is an issue give something. “I worked with someone from an my team.” 
    • WHEN did you do this?
    • What screens did you look at with team member? 
As much detail as you can without being a chatter box (talking too much). Stick to details that pertain to the questions. The color of Rachel’s shirt doesn’t matter, unless you specifically used that to “build rapport” with her. 

Details are important. Use details that highlight something you feel is something you did well in that situation that had a direct positive result.


You are giving concrete answers. 
  • “She had a low sales rate that day”, does not cut it. 
  • “She had a 2% sales rate that day with only one sale in her first four hours of her shift” is concrete. 

This approach nails down exactly what we are talking about here. It gives the interviewer, Marvin, a place to frame and understand the situation and relate it to situations either similar to ones he had, or similar to ones he might expect you’d be in.




See Also:

Darrell Wolfe, Topos Consultant

Written May 27, 2016 by Darrell G Wolfe

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Interviews | An Introduction


Interview Skills- An Introduction

Interviewing is one of the most important skills one can have in the workplace, especially if you are in a large corporation (where they've eliminated personal relationships as much as possible).

You cannot move in or up without passing the interview. Yet as important as it is, few people ever take the time to study material on the skills needed to master that process. They go in to an interview, answer the questions as best as they can and hope for the best. 

However, there IS a process. There is a technique to interviewing. It’s just as important as your resume’, skills, experience, and accomplishments.

The Right Fit

Even interviewing your very best or THE very best doesn’t mean you will get the position. You may be the very best salesman in the company and that may come out swimmingly in the interview. But the fact is the person is not JUST looking for someone who is great at their job. They will also be looking for someone who will make a good “Fit” for that particular position. 

For Example: 

Let's say the position is a supervisor working directly under a manager:
  • A manager who is one of the top sales performers in a company and has been since he was an entry level employee may not be all that interested that his second in command having sales skills above average. He’s already got that nailed. Rather, maybe he would be interested in someone with the skill to help him keep the team on task, and do paperwork, and understand procedures.
  • A manager who is friendly and outgoing but doesn’t know computers may need someone who has skills with Excel.
  • A manager who is good with data bases and numbers may need someone who can rally the troops and lift moral.
  • A manager who knows “Business” but may not know the specifics of this job because that manager was hired from outside may need someone who knows the nuts and bolts, because they've been here awhile.

There are several categories of skills required to obtain a good interview, some of the more important ones that we will explore are:

Written May 27, 2016 by Darrell G Wolfe

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Financial Training Course (Future Project Needs Your Help)

Banking Basics - Financial Training Course


I'm considering the idea of developing a Banking Basics training course. It could consist of basic things a person would need to know to be financially successful. 

I want this to be simple enough to hear once and walk away with something small to read to remember the points. Maybe 1-3 courses and if there are more than one course they should be stand alone, you don't need to take them in order and you don't need to take all three to benefit from one.
  • Money Management (Balancing, Budgeting, and Basics of Money as a Tool)
  • Savings and Investing (Buying the future one dollar at a time)(Including Retirement)
  • Using Credit (Maybe teach on credit if they want to build it or use it for select things)
Over the past 10+ years, I've helped people one on one with these topics. I can build meaningful material, cover it in a quick class and provide an impact to others. Let's break it down into more detail.

Money Management
  • Money as a tool, what's for/not for, money not bad or good. Money = Time
  • How a bank account works, registers, processing, posting, etc.
  • Overdraft Prevention NOT Overdraft Protection
  • Debit Card Overdraft Service
  • Overdraft Protection
  • Bill Pay
  • Recurring Debit Card Transactions
  • Envelope System/Multiple Accounts
Saving and Investing
  • Why pay $35,000 for a $20,000 car that looses value?
  • Small steps, savings, investing, purchases, time. 
  • Property Rent V Own
  • 15 Year Mortgage
  • Retirement 30-50% income boost by owning home. 
  • IRA, 401K, Roth V Traditional
Using Credit
  • Best option, live without credit
  • IF you must or feel that you want to engage in credit, here are the things you need to know. 
  • FICO Building
  • Score Breakdown
  • Credit Cards are Transaction Tools NOT Borrowing Tools
  • Buy less home
  • Borrow strategically

I would like YOUR help:
  • Do you have any thoughts on this idea? 
  • What topics would YOU want to see covered?
  • Is there any question you have about money or banking basics that I have no already answered on this site? Check out the links on my Ask The Insider page to see what I've already written about.

If you have ideas, comment on the Ask The Insider page, or email me at: YourMoneyIsHis@outlook.com


The Insider

Written May 27, 2016 by Darrell G Wolfe

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Reading Lately.... (read <> endorse)

Historical Theology: An Introduction to the History of Christian Thought
The Wisdom of Your Body: Finding Healing, Wholeness, and Connection through Embodied Living
This Present Darkness
By Grace and Banners Fallen: Prologue to A Memory of Light
Knife of Dreams
A Memory of Light
The Path of Daggers
He Who Fights with Monsters 10
He Who Fights with Monsters 9
He Who Fights With Monsters 8
He Who Fights with Monsters 6
He Who Fights With Monsters 7
He Who Fights with Monsters 5
He Who Fights with Monsters 4
He Who Fights with Monsters 3
He Who Fights with Monsters 2
He Who Fights with Monsters
[ { ENDER'S GAME } ] by Card, Orson Scott (AUTHOR) Oct-31-2006 [ Hardcover ]
J.R.R. Tolkien 4-Book Boxed Set: The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings
The Horse and His Boy


Darrell Wolfe's favorite books »

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