First the joke: how much time have we all spent in pubs and cocktail bars looking for the 'perfect other' and how many of us have ever found him or her there? One good friend did meet his wife this way except that he tried first to 'meet' her sister who said, "I'm in a relationship, but you should meet my sister." Been married 38 years to said sister. Networking produces results. As you consider where to research for career opportunities, please be empathetic to the team on t

One of my favorite films about the sales profession, if there is such a thing as making a science out of the art or technique of selling, is Glengarry Glen Ross. Segue Alert! Selling is like any other complicated endeavor such as golf or gardening or cooking, the good ones have much in common even though there are innumerable ways to pursue the craft or to be successful in the pursuit. And selling is different than finance or operations or other necessarily process-driven pro

I transitioned 17 years ago and would like for you to benefit from my highly indirect path to success, especially if you are a senior 0-4 or above. What is the O-4+ hurdle to transition? Primarily because we are arrogant (probably for good reasons, accustomed to being in charge having held extremely sensitive positions in highly operational positions. I began my transition having been a successful nuclear submarine officer, Jointly-Trained and most recently leading a $15B glo

Last summer I spoke with a health-care recruiter in Chicago re one of us looking for a senior position at the mid-point of his career. I described this client in the 3 categories that we recommend for transitioning junior officers: Technical Training, Leadership Experience and the Capacity to Get Things Done With Imperfect Information (feel free to re-word this 3rd category). The recruiter complimented this Bridging categorization, offering that the hiring criteria for senior

It's my list, meaning that it's only one person's opinion of the too many published and too few worthy books describing paths to success in business. An updated and readable overview of the technical underpinnings of the Internet and its accomplice the World Wide Web, The Innovators by Walter Isaacson. I enjoyed his authorized biography of Steve Jobs as well. An easy read where one can peruse the book at sections of interest. The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman. Written in 2

It's important to be situationally aware in three areas: 1. the role that you seek. Sales, Project Management or Product Management. One should be conversant with the tools of the trade. Of course, the Internet offers a wealth of such information. 2. the industry of the company that you are pursuing. One should research both the company and its competitors. 3. the marketplace and the economy, as all companies of all sizes are affected by macro and micro economic conditions, e