It's a BIG world; Go Get It !
Brand new: A Guide to Social Finance - yahoo!
How long have we waited for this? I am thrilled that Social Innovation Generation (national) and socialfinance.ca and a whole bunch of other leaders in the field have created a 'Guide' to social finance. Covering a lot of the topics and leaving room to add, this is going to be the place for people to access what they need.
In a conversation with Joanna Reynolds, coordinator on the effort, she mentioned that they've designed it for 3 speeds: you can grab some info in 1 min, take a look around in 3 and do a deep dive, and maybe never leave at around 5 min. Love, love this set-up. For all the times that I've just wanted a definition, it could take me an hour to find a sentence. Now it will only be a minute. For someone wanting to get familiar with a concept, how about 3 min to get the gist? And finally, if you're really into this stuff and maybe carry it around on your Sony e-Reader (I won't mention any names), you'll be able to go directly to what you need and assimilate it quickly and start off down the path of wherever you were heading. Fantastic stuff!
This Wed. May 25th, there will be a live webinar for anyone wanting to learn more about the Guide. You can register at
Guide to Social Finance. How cool it that ?!?
The Value of Internships
There's much to be said for getting fantastic workers for free or at a fraction of the cost but people have to remember, and honour, that these are suppose to be reciprocal arrangements and interns are not gophers or the top elite slumming for some fun; when you get an intern 'worth their salt' , make sure you spice up their career life.
Internships are fast becoming a company's way to get their communications plans done specifically through social media but what's happening is that, seen as a cheap or no-cost method to achieving success (meaning more profit), businesses are not learning how to operate the social media themselves. Throw in a lack of attention to identifying and developing the interns' career needs and you can see why the employment site CanadianCareers.com prefaces their list of internship positions with the words, "There are lots of internships out there but some of the good ones are a little hard to find."
Personally, I think just about every project I work on could do with an intern but truthfully, I don't have the time to train AND to learn and so I must limit the number of people I bring on. Usually, I'm looking for the best and brightest who can self-manage with little direction. I'm good at strategy, planning and development and I need people who can 'run with it' when I say 'Go'. I give them mentorship, access to my networks and I try to help them get full-time jobs as the internships are winding down. I realize that I am like every other employer; we all want the same things in these types of employees but are we willing to give enough to get them?
When I was younger, 'internships' were summer jobs, work/study research projects funded through the universities and financial aid or working in some relatives office for minimum wage and really feeling like the 'hired help' (not valued). It's a shame that many businesses are continuing to do this, because nowadays, interns have skills that we don't and if we don't train and challenge them, they'll walk away with a 'good riddance' attitude and the businesses? Big loss.
Modern business means relationships. It means valuing people for what they put in and having the humility to admit that someone who is more than half one's age could probably run the business cheaper and more effectively but they just don't know how.
What we teach is the context, the specifics of product development or service delivery and the cycles of business. You can only get that through experience, so make sure that the best and brightest are lining up to get their experience with you. Become the best and brightest facilitator of interns. As long as you keep your end of the bargain, you'll get 'opening night sell-out crowd attendance' and the benefits will be measurable. And maybe, they just might recommend you on facebook. Likes!
So Fine Canada applauds the Women in Leadership Foundation for 10 Years of Success
The Women in Leadership Foundation (WIL) has been an outstanding champion of encouraging women in business. By developing a national mentor program, an Aboriginal Women‘s Leadership Forum, a National Speakers Series and networking and gala events, WIL continues to work hard to inspire and celebrate women’s success. This year, it held its 6th Annual BC Women in Business Luncheon. Presented by TD Bank Financial Group, this luncheon is a part of the Women in Leadership National Spotlight Speaker Series and showcases female role models who share their journeys of success and inspiration.
On Mother’s Day, Sunday May 7th, So Fine Canada will honour the Women in Leadership Foundation’s 10 years of excellence in helping women to achieve their personal and professional goals by airing the speakers’ presentations on this year’s theme ‘Our Story, Our Success’. Go online to hear the BC Women in Business Luncheon with guests:
Sandy Cimoroni — Senior Vice President, Financial Planning — TD Waterhouse
Janet Wood — Executive Vice President, Maintenance Go-To-Market — SAP
Moderator: Rita Rogers — Senior Manager — Canucks Sports and Entertainment
Listen in on www.talkradiounlimited.com to hear fantastic examples of ‘pivotal moments’ which impacted the success of each of these highly regarded business women and learn new ways to help you achieve your own personal and business goals.
So Fine Canada airs Sundays at 1 pm (est) and 10 am (Pacific). It is the ‘Hear > See > Click > Social Finance in the country. Go online to http://www.talkradiounlimited.com/ and listen in by using the onscreen media player. Listeners are encouraged to call in and ask questions. On Air Call-ins:(612) 293-4262
