“Everything comes to those who hustle while they wait.”

A creative career management programme that starts with the individual

Overview

• The new world of work

• Implications - for employers - for individuals

• Creative approach to Life Work Planning

• The Work Sharp™ Programme

The new world of work

“The job as we know it is disappearing.”

William Bridges, Jobshift

Old rules no longer apply

• Lifelong Employment?

• What we are seeing now– Massive job losses– Existing jobs becoming less secure– New jobs, occupations and fields emerging

Implications for the Workplace

• Individuals, Organisations & State must develop a new vision of work

• Despite job insecurity …

Despite job losses …

There is still work out there

• Traditional approaches to work are becoming

less and

less

useful

Some Challenging Thoughts...

• Unemployed individuals shouldn’t be idle while organisations & institutions integrate their job creation efforts

• Skills training and entrepreneurial initiatives that don’t honour the individual are doomed to fail

• Most people fail to communicate well regarding career needs and skills they offer

• First build self-esteem - opportunities follow

Work Sharp as a Creative Approach

• New vision of Work as Art (A creative expression of the self)– Exercises encourage self-discovery– Enhances self-esteem / honours diversity

• Individual responsible for own career mngt– Personal insights used to establish career plan

• Equips indivs & orgs for the new world of work– Explores alternative and creative ways to work

Origins of Work Sharp™

• GSP&DM - Wits University - Faculty of Mgmt– Internship Programme 1994 - 1998– Graduate Temporary Placement Programme 1996

• Corporate Retrenchment Programmes 1999

• Wilgespruit Fellowship Centre / Sowetan – Nation Building & Job Creation initiatives

• Richard Bolles “Parachute Workshop” USA 1999

Work Sharp™ Outcomes

Identify skills, hidden abilities, talents Express what motivates them Use creative career management techniques Communicate career needs Gather career-relevant information Prepare for a variety of interviews Develop a strategic career plan

Successful delegates will be able to:

Work Sharp™ Methodology

Highly interactive sessions comprise:

Facilitator input General discussion Exercises for individuals, pairs, groups Learning review / reflection / presentation Tasks on organisational practices,

procedures and culture. Continuous action plan development

Aims of Exercises and Activities

• To discover:– personal knowledge + skills + values and

preferences + the value of diversity

• To build:– self-esteem + communication + networks

• To practice:– information-gathering + interviewing + personal

branding + drafting and implementing an action plan

Applications

• Designed for use in:

– Progressive HR programmes

– Retrenchment interventions

– Job creation initiatives

– Start-up entrepreneur programmes

– Career counselling

Establish a Support Group

• Operates as a “Job Club”• Meets regularly• Provides ongoing support

– motivational talks and activities– information sharing– “how to” sessions (CV

writing / interviewing skills / setting up a consultancy / going freelance / setting up own business)

Closing thought

“Work is more than a matter of keeping busy all day. It must feed the soul as well.”

Richard N. Bolles - author of What Color is your Parachute?