Chapter 15 Maintaining and Building Skills. Lifelong Learning Management skills require lifelong learning and practice. Management skills require lifelong.

Chapter 15Chapter 15

Maintaining and Building SkillsMaintaining and Building Skills

Lifelong LearningLifelong Learning

Management skills require lifelong learning and Management skills require lifelong learning and practice.practice.

The growing importance and awareness of lifelong The growing importance and awareness of lifelong learning is becoming increasingly clear, as seen in Al learning is becoming increasingly clear, as seen in Al Gore’s proposal during his presidential campaign for Gore’s proposal during his presidential campaign for a tax credit to foster “life-long learning accounts” for a tax credit to foster “life-long learning accounts” for education and training.education and training.

We use this chapter to encourage you to look ahead We use this chapter to encourage you to look ahead toward your career and its associated opportunities toward your career and its associated opportunities and demands.and demands.

Plan for Ongoing Skills LearningPlan for Ongoing Skills Learning

Ongoing SkillsLearning

Map and Track YourSkills Portfolio

Develop a SkillsAction Plan

IdentifyRole Models

Use Self-Management for

Skill Learning

Practice, Practice,Practice

CoordinateYour Skills

Map and Track Your Skills PortfolioMap and Track Your Skills Portfolio Be aware of what is in your skills portfolio and what is Be aware of what is in your skills portfolio and what is

needed.needed. On a regular basis, stop and conduct a self-assessment of On a regular basis, stop and conduct a self-assessment of

your management skills.your management skills. Go back and redo the Self-Assessment Exercises in Go back and redo the Self-Assessment Exercises in

previous chapters to see whether your “before” and “after” previous chapters to see whether your “before” and “after” scores differ and to pinpoint the areas where you need scores differ and to pinpoint the areas where you need more work.more work.

Maintain a written record of your skill development Maintain a written record of your skill development activities and of skills in which you are proficient.activities and of skills in which you are proficient.

When writing or updating your resume, be sure to highlight When writing or updating your resume, be sure to highlight your skill proficiencies.your skill proficiencies.

Develop a Skills Action PlanDevelop a Skills Action Plan Develop a plan for maintaining and reinforcing your Develop a plan for maintaining and reinforcing your

current skills and for developing new skills.current skills and for developing new skills. In developing your plan, recognize that you have to In developing your plan, recognize that you have to

be aiming at a moving target; Wayne Gretzky is be aiming at a moving target; Wayne Gretzky is credited with explaining his success by saying, “I credited with explaining his success by saying, “I skate to where the puck is going, not to where it is.”skate to where the puck is going, not to where it is.”

The puck appears to be going in generally The puck appears to be going in generally predictable directions, although with increasing predictable directions, although with increasing speed.speed.

For instance, demands for interpersonal skills, For instance, demands for interpersonal skills, problem-solving skills, and communication skills will problem-solving skills, and communication skills will almost certainly become even more important in almost certainly become even more important in the future.the future.

Identify Role ModelsIdentify Role Models One good way in which to recognize desirable skills and behaviors One good way in which to recognize desirable skills and behaviors

is to identify role models whose skills you would like to emulate.is to identify role models whose skills you would like to emulate. A role model could be anyone whose behaviors and A role model could be anyone whose behaviors and

accomplishments you’ve admired, such as a boss, famous accomplishments you’ve admired, such as a boss, famous executive, teacher, or parent.executive, teacher, or parent.

Once you’ve decided on a role model, focus on the behaviors of Once you’ve decided on a role model, focus on the behaviors of that person.that person.

Recall that when modeling others, you do not want to simply Recall that when modeling others, you do not want to simply mimic them; rather you want to learn mimic them; rather you want to learn from from them.them.

They may be in different contexts, have different backgrounds, be They may be in different contexts, have different backgrounds, be attending to different goals, and so on.attending to different goals, and so on.

Your task is to develop skills based on their examples and to apply Your task is to develop skills based on their examples and to apply those skills in the ways required in your unique situation.those skills in the ways required in your unique situation.

Coordinate Your SkillsCoordinate Your Skills We have talked about skills as being in a portfolio or tool kit.We have talked about skills as being in a portfolio or tool kit. As with any tools, it is important not just that you learn how As with any tools, it is important not just that you learn how

to use them, but that you use them together in proper ways.to use them, but that you use them together in proper ways. Just as each construction job requires a specific combination Just as each construction job requires a specific combination

of tools, often used in a particular order and in concert with of tools, often used in a particular order and in concert with one another, organizational tasks require a proper balance one another, organizational tasks require a proper balance and combination of skills.and combination of skills.

This suggests that you should take advantage of This suggests that you should take advantage of opportunities for learning, practicing, and using opportunities for learning, practicing, and using management skills that require you to employ them management skills that require you to employ them together.together.

Seek Out Learning OpportunitiesSeek Out Learning OpportunitiesWhile In SchoolWhile In School

LearningOpportunities

In School

Internships

IndependentStudies

StudentOrganizations

TeamProjects

InternshipsInternships Most business schools have internship opportunities to give Most business schools have internship opportunities to give

students the chance to experience realistic business students the chance to experience realistic business environments.environments.

An internship is “any carefully monitored work or service An internship is “any carefully monitored work or service experience in which an individual has intentional learning experience in which an individual has intentional learning goals and reflects actively on what he or she is learning goals and reflects actively on what he or she is learning through the experience.”through the experience.”

Individuals participating in internships receive hands-on Individuals participating in internships receive hands-on training while contributing real, productive work to the training while contributing real, productive work to the organization.organization.

Internships often serve as “trying out periods.”Internships often serve as “trying out periods.” Some internships now provide competitive salaries and Some internships now provide competitive salaries and

benefits.benefits.

Student OrganizationsStudent Organizations Student organizations provide the opportunity to Student organizations provide the opportunity to

participate in many management-related activities, participate in many management-related activities, develop management skills, and adopt leadership roles.develop management skills, and adopt leadership roles.

Sigma Iota EpsilonSigma Iota Epsilon is both an honorary and a is both an honorary and a professional management society. Its goal is to professional management society. Its goal is to stimulate interest and achievement in the field of stimulate interest and achievement in the field of management, to stimulate scholarship in management, management, to stimulate scholarship in management, and to gain recognition of the contribution and value of and to gain recognition of the contribution and value of scholastic achievement in the management discipline.scholastic achievement in the management discipline.

AIESECAIESEC, the world’s largest student organization, is a , the world’s largest student organization, is a global network of 50,000 members across more than 83 global network of 50,000 members across more than 83 countries and territories at more than 800 universities countries and territories at more than 800 universities worldwide. Its primary activity is facilitation of work-worldwide. Its primary activity is facilitation of work-abroad programs between its members countries.abroad programs between its members countries.

View Organizations as Marketplaces View Organizations as Marketplaces for --for --

and Incubators of -- Skillsand Incubators of -- Skills In seeking a job, gather information on which skills are In seeking a job, gather information on which skills are

especially valued in the firms that you consider and what the especially valued in the firms that you consider and what the firm does to help employees develop and reinforce the skills.firm does to help employees develop and reinforce the skills.

The answers will give you valuable information about your The answers will give you valuable information about your “fit” to the firms and may speak volumes about the firms’ “fit” to the firms and may speak volumes about the firms’ cultures.cultures.

Both “Both “supplementary fitsupplementary fit” and “” and “complementary fitcomplementary fit” may ” may be important.be important.

Glean information about valued skills from job interviews, Glean information about valued skills from job interviews, observation, and articles about the firms. Also some firms observation, and articles about the firms. Also some firms may make their skills preferences and requirements explicit.may make their skills preferences and requirements explicit.

““Ideal Profiles” of SkillsIdeal Profiles” of Skills Some firms, such as AT&T, British Airways, BP, Siemens, and Some firms, such as AT&T, British Airways, BP, Siemens, and

the World Bank, have “ideal profiles” of skills for future the World Bank, have “ideal profiles” of skills for future executives.executives.

For example, Siemens has defined 22 desirable For example, Siemens has defined 22 desirable management characteristics under five basic competencies: management characteristics under five basic competencies: understanding, drive, trust, social competence, and what it understanding, drive, trust, social competence, and what it terms a “sixth sense.”terms a “sixth sense.”

Pepsico’s desired competency profile has 18 key dimensions Pepsico’s desired competency profile has 18 key dimensions defining how individuals see the world, think, and act.defining how individuals see the world, think, and act.

Such firms typically use systematic training and Such firms typically use systematic training and development programs to develop managers in ways that fit development programs to develop managers in ways that fit the “ideal profiles.”the “ideal profiles.”

Read Popular Management BooksRead Popular Management Books Books such as Books such as In Search of ExcellenceIn Search of Excellence and and Theory ZTheory Z helped to helped to

spawn a remarkable number of books offering practical advice to spawn a remarkable number of books offering practical advice to managers.managers.

These books may focus on a particular topic, such as organizational These books may focus on a particular topic, such as organizational culture or reward systems, may provide guidance for specific culture or reward systems, may provide guidance for specific career issues, such as entering a management position or making career issues, such as entering a management position or making career moves, or may offer the philosophies of particular career moves, or may offer the philosophies of particular executives, consultants, or business professors.executives, consultants, or business professors.

Some of these books provide excellent advice; they may help you Some of these books provide excellent advice; they may help you learn about particular firms and individuals and see how popular learn about particular firms and individuals and see how popular management tools are being applied.management tools are being applied.

In reading such books, though, maintain a critical eye. Beware of In reading such books, though, maintain a critical eye. Beware of simplistic answers, argument by assertion, and heavy reliance on simplistic answers, argument by assertion, and heavy reliance on anecdote.anecdote.

Read Practitioner-OrientedRead Practitioner-OrientedManagement JournalsManagement Journals

Many journals such as Many journals such as Across the Across the Board, BusinessBoard, Business WeekWeek, and , and FortuneFortune provide excellent information provide excellent information about management and related issues.about management and related issues.

Other journals, such as Other journals, such as Black EnterpriseBlack Enterprise and and Working WomenWorking Women, aim at specific audiences or, , aim at specific audiences or, such as such as Business EuropeBusiness Europe and and China ReviewChina Review, focus , focus on particular geographic areas. on particular geographic areas.

Go to a library or bookstore and look through Go to a library or bookstore and look through issues to see which journals best fit your interests issues to see which journals best fit your interests and style preferences.and style preferences.

Practitioner-Oriented Management Practitioner-Oriented Management JournalsJournals

Some journals are noteworthy in their efforts to bring recent research Some journals are noteworthy in their efforts to bring recent research and theory to practitioner audiences.and theory to practitioner audiences.

Academy of Management Executive (AME)Academy of Management Executive (AME) aims to provide aims to provide practicing executives with relevant management tools and information practicing executives with relevant management tools and information based on recent advances in management theory and researchbased on recent advances in management theory and research . .

California Management Review (CMR)California Management Review (CMR) publishes articles that are publishes articles that are both research-based and address issues of current concern to both research-based and address issues of current concern to managersmanagers. . It emphasizes strategy and organization, global It emphasizes strategy and organization, global competition and competitiveness, and business and public policy.competition and competitiveness, and business and public policy.

Harvard Business Review (HBR)Harvard Business Review (HBR) provides features that describe provides features that describe best-practices and hands-on management techniques, report on best-practices and hands-on management techniques, report on cutting-edge research and its application in real organizations, and cutting-edge research and its application in real organizations, and draw on the experiences of executives, consultants, and other draw on the experiences of executives, consultants, and other experts. experts.

Practitioner-Oriented ManagementPractitioner-Oriented ManagementJournals (Continued)Journals (Continued)

Journal of Management Inquiry (JMI) Journal of Management Inquiry (JMI) publishes the latest publishes the latest research and practice written by top management scholars and research and practice written by top management scholars and professionals. It seeks to provide an outlet for creative, frame-professionals. It seeks to provide an outlet for creative, frame-challenging work.challenging work.

Organizational Dynamics Organizational Dynamics focuses on organizational behavior focuses on organizational behavior and development, human resource management, and strategic and development, human resource management, and strategic management. Its objective is to link leading-edge thought and management. Its objective is to link leading-edge thought and research with management practice.research with management practice.

Sloan Management ReviewSloan Management Review bridges the gap between theory bridges the gap between theory and practice, evaluating and reporting on new research to help and practice, evaluating and reporting on new research to help readers to identify and understand significant trends in readers to identify and understand significant trends in management.management.

Get Involved in Professional Get Involved in Professional AssociationsAssociations

Participation in management-related professional Participation in management-related professional organizations provides contacts, information about new organizations provides contacts, information about new developments, opportunities for interaction at meetings developments, opportunities for interaction at meetings and events, and perhaps the chance to adopt leadership and events, and perhaps the chance to adopt leadership roles.roles.

By visiting the associations’ Web pages, you will get a By visiting the associations’ Web pages, you will get a better sense of the things that they offer (including many better sense of the things that they offer (including many things for nonmembers).things for nonmembers).

In some cases, there are also local and regional branches.In some cases, there are also local and regional branches. Some associations offer special student memberships at Some associations offer special student memberships at

reduced rates.reduced rates.

Some Professional AssociationsSome Professional Associations Academy of Management.Academy of Management. The Academy of The Academy of

Management is a professional society composed of Management is a professional society composed of professors, doctoral students, and consultants and professors, doctoral students, and consultants and managers. The Academy publishes scholarly papers, managers. The Academy publishes scholarly papers, conducts forums for the exchange of knowledge, and conducts forums for the exchange of knowledge, and provides services that enhance the science and practice of provides services that enhance the science and practice of management. management. http://www.aom.pace.edu/http://www.aom.pace.edu/

American Management Association (AMA). American Management Association (AMA). AMA is AMA is the world’s leading membership-based management the world’s leading membership-based management development organization. Customers and members learn development organization. Customers and members learn business skills and best management practices through business skills and best management practices through seminars, conferences, and special events; e-learning and seminars, conferences, and special events; e-learning and self-study courses; customized corporate and government self-study courses; customized corporate and government services, and publications. services, and publications. http://www.amanet.org/index.htmhttp://www.amanet.org/index.htm

Some Professional Associations Some Professional Associations (Continued)(Continued)

American Society for Training American Society for Training and Development (ASTD).and Development (ASTD). ASTD ASTD is the world’s premier professional is the world’s premier professional association and leading resource on association and leading resource on workplace learning and performance workplace learning and performance issues. issues. http://www.astd.org/http://www.astd.org/

Society for Industrial and Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology Organizational Psychology (SIOP). (SIOP). SIOP’s goal is to promote SIOP’s goal is to promote human welfare through the various human welfare through the various applications of psychology to all applications of psychology to all types of organizations. types of organizations. http://www.siop.org/http://www.siop.org/

Some Professional Associations Some Professional Associations (Continued)(Continued)

Society for Human Resource Management Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).(SHRM). SHRM is the world’s largest human SHRM is the world’s largest human resource management association. It provides resource management association. It provides education and information services; conferences education and information services; conferences and seminars; government and media and seminars; government and media representation; online services; and publications. representation; online services; and publications. http://www.astd.org/http://www.astd.org/

WorldatWork.WorldatWork. WorldatWork is a global not-for- WorldatWork is a global not-for-profit professional association dedicated to profit professional association dedicated to knowledge leadership in disciplines associated knowledge leadership in disciplines associated with attracting, retaining, and motivating with attracting, retaining, and motivating employees. employees. http://www.worldatwork.org/http://www.worldatwork.org/

Participate in Local Business andParticipate in Local Business andCommunity ActivitiesCommunity Activities

Participation in local business and community Participation in local business and community activities offers many opportunities for skills activities offers many opportunities for skills development and practice, for developing development and practice, for developing professional contacts, and for personal satisfaction.professional contacts, and for personal satisfaction.

Many firms now include community service Many firms now include community service components in their performance appraisals.components in their performance appraisals.

Five volunteer opportunities to explore include Five volunteer opportunities to explore include Rotary International, the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary International, the Chamber of Commerce, Junior Achievement, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and Junior Achievement, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and Ronald McDonald Houses.Ronald McDonald Houses.

Local BusinessLocal Businessand Community Activitiesand Community Activities

Rotary InternationalRotary International. Rotary is an association of . Rotary is an association of business and professional leaders who are united business and professional leaders who are united worldwide and provide humanitarian service, encourage worldwide and provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and seek to help to high ethical standards in all vocations, and seek to help to build world peace and goodwill. build world peace and goodwill. http://www.rotary.orghttp://www.rotary.org

Chamber of CommerceChamber of Commerce. The U.S. Chamber of . The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest not-for-profit business Commerce is the world’s largest not-for-profit business federation. Managers interested in community service federation. Managers interested in community service might offer to represent their companies at chamber might offer to represent their companies at chamber meetings and perhaps take a leadership position on a meetings and perhaps take a leadership position on a working committee of the chamber. working committee of the chamber. http://www.uschamber.org/default.htmhttp://www.uschamber.org/default.htm

Local Business and CommunityLocal Business and CommunityActivities (Continued)Activities (Continued)

Junior Achievement (JA).Junior Achievement (JA). JA’s mission is to ensure JA’s mission is to ensure that children have an understanding of the free that children have an understanding of the free enterprise system. JA will give its volunteers a enterprise system. JA will give its volunteers a complimentary membership in the American complimentary membership in the American Management Association. Management Association. http://www.ja.org/http://www.ja.org/

Big Brothers/Big Sisters.Big Brothers/Big Sisters. This is the nation’s This is the nation’s largest youth-mentoring organization. Programs largest youth-mentoring organization. Programs match kids with mentors who provide friendship and match kids with mentors who provide friendship and share fun experiences. share fun experiences. http://http://www.bbbsa.orgwww.bbbsa.org//

Ronald McDonald Houses.Ronald McDonald Houses. These provide a “home- These provide a “home-away-from home” for the families of seriously ill away-from home” for the families of seriously ill children receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. children receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. http://www.rmhc.com/http://www.rmhc.com/

Develop and Maintain NetworksDevelop and Maintain Networks

NetworkingNetworking can be critical to success and personal can be critical to success and personal fulfillment.fulfillment.

Networking is much more than amassing a set of Networking is much more than amassing a set of names of people who can be called if you’re looking names of people who can be called if you’re looking for work.for work.

Networks serve many other important roles, Networks serve many other important roles, particularly for skill development.particularly for skill development.

Networks may be physical (made up of people with Networks may be physical (made up of people with whom you physically interact from time to time) or whom you physically interact from time to time) or virtual (consisting of members linked electronically).virtual (consisting of members linked electronically).

Physical NetworksPhysical Networks Physical networks offer many advantages, such Physical networks offer many advantages, such

as the opportunity for personal, face-to-face as the opportunity for personal, face-to-face interaction and social support.interaction and social support.

To develop such networks, start by keeping up To develop such networks, start by keeping up with former classmates and coworkers.with former classmates and coworkers.

Attend local association chapter meetings and Attend local association chapter meetings and seminars.seminars.

Consider joining a management reading club.Consider joining a management reading club. Check to see whether there are local networking Check to see whether there are local networking

groups that fit your needs and interests.groups that fit your needs and interests.

Web Wise: Web Wise:

IndUS EntrepreneursIndUS Entrepreneurs With more than 3,000 members worldwide, IndUS With more than 3,000 members worldwide, IndUS

Entrepreneurs is a powerful networking group led by Entrepreneurs is a powerful networking group led by 200 South Asians who have found success in the U.S.200 South Asians who have found success in the U.S.

IndUS has chapters in major cities in the U.S. and IndUS has chapters in major cities in the U.S. and India, and others are opening in London, Hong Kong, India, and others are opening in London, Hong Kong, Singapore, and elsewhere.Singapore, and elsewhere.

Successful members make presentations, give advice, Successful members make presentations, give advice, and examine business proposals.and examine business proposals.

While most members are South Asian, others are While most members are South Asian, others are welcome.welcome.

The goal is to meet entrepreneurs, discuss ideas, find The goal is to meet entrepreneurs, discuss ideas, find inspiration, and ultimately nurture venture capitalists.inspiration, and ultimately nurture venture capitalists.

Virtual NetworksVirtual Networks

Virtual networks offer the benefits of ease and immediacy of Virtual networks offer the benefits of ease and immediacy of access and broad membership.access and broad membership.

A ready-made form of virtual network is the electronic mailing A ready-made form of virtual network is the electronic mailing list. Typically, for instance, professional associations will list. Typically, for instance, professional associations will maintain listservers for member interaction.maintain listservers for member interaction.

While you are likely to learn a lot by “lurking” on such lists, we While you are likely to learn a lot by “lurking” on such lists, we encourage you to take advantage of these resources by actively encourage you to take advantage of these resources by actively seeking out information.seeking out information.

In addition to joining formal virtual networks, consider forming In addition to joining formal virtual networks, consider forming your own. For example, WebGrrls International was founded by your own. For example, WebGrrls International was founded by Aliza Sherman. She wanted to network with other women, found Aliza Sherman. She wanted to network with other women, found the personal Web pages of women around the world, and started the personal Web pages of women around the world, and started e-mailing them on a regular basis.e-mailing them on a regular basis.

Web Wise: Webgrrls InternationalWeb Wise: Webgrrls International

Many websites serve as networking hubs.Many websites serve as networking hubs. Webgrrls, a networking group of women Webgrrls, a networking group of women

online, represents all corners of the work online, represents all corners of the work world.world.

Members look to the group for mentors, Members look to the group for mentors, for solutions to particular problems, to for solutions to particular problems, to network for job opportunities, and to network for job opportunities, and to continue their education.continue their education.

Webgrrls chapters also offer the chance Webgrrls chapters also offer the chance to meet with others to share ideas, to meet with others to share ideas, experiences, and information.experiences, and information.

http://www.webgrrls.com

Some Guidelines for Developing Some Guidelines for Developing NetworksNetworks

Treat the process of developing a network much like a Treat the process of developing a network much like a team-building exercise.team-building exercise.

Include members with important skills, perspectives, and Include members with important skills, perspectives, and contacts.contacts.

Work to build diversity of all kinds into the network, Work to build diversity of all kinds into the network, including members from varying cultures.including members from varying cultures.

Update the network over time to ensure that it is viable Update the network over time to ensure that it is viable and responsive to emerging needs.and responsive to emerging needs.

As the network founder, you have the chance to maintain As the network founder, you have the chance to maintain a central network position and to take on leadership roles.a central network position and to take on leadership roles.

Whether you are a network founder or member, be sure Whether you are a network founder or member, be sure to contribute your skills, time, and insights to other to contribute your skills, time, and insights to other members.members.

Lighten Up: PetworkingLighten Up: Petworking

Just below the Eleanor Roosevelt statue in the West Just below the Eleanor Roosevelt statue in the West Seventy-Second Street entrance to Riverside Park is Seventy-Second Street entrance to Riverside Park is a 16,000-square-foot space that might be New York a 16,000-square-foot space that might be New York City’s best-kept networking secret.City’s best-kept networking secret.

This is the dog-meet-dog world of “petworking,” This is the dog-meet-dog world of “petworking,” where people look for work as they walk their pets.where people look for work as they walk their pets.

In this and other dog-gathering spots in the city, In this and other dog-gathering spots in the city, leads about jobs are shared along with dog biscuits.leads about jobs are shared along with dog biscuits.

Bash Dibra, author of Bash Dibra, author of DogspeakDogspeak, explains that “Dogs , explains that “Dogs are social creatures and thus they force interaction.”are social creatures and thus they force interaction.”

Work Outside Your Job DescriptionWork Outside Your Job Description Your job description defines the required scope of your job Your job description defines the required scope of your job

activities, but it is not meant as a cage.activities, but it is not meant as a cage. Extra-role behaviors are increasingly important in Extra-role behaviors are increasingly important in

organizations; they are often crucial to organizational organizations; they are often crucial to organizational performance and member satisfaction, and they are likely performance and member satisfaction, and they are likely to be viewed favorably.to be viewed favorably.

Search for new learning opportunities at work and look for Search for new learning opportunities at work and look for projects that would be enjoyable and would provide projects that would be enjoyable and would provide valuable information.valuable information.

Make sure that your boss and others are aware of your Make sure that your boss and others are aware of your interest in learning and be proactive in pursuing skill-interest in learning and be proactive in pursuing skill-enhancing opportunities.enhancing opportunities.

Seek Varied AssignmentsSeek Varied Assignments Mobility can take many forms, not just Mobility can take many forms, not just verticalvertical but also but also

radial radial (toward or away from the “inner circle”) and (toward or away from the “inner circle”) and circumferential circumferential (to a different function, program, or product (to a different function, program, or product in the organization).in the organization).

Moves at the same level in the organization can yield fresh Moves at the same level in the organization can yield fresh perspectives, new insights into how the firm functions, perspectives, new insights into how the firm functions, heightened visibility, and skill-learning opportunities.heightened visibility, and skill-learning opportunities.

Explore options for job rotation, especially to positions that Explore options for job rotation, especially to positions that offer the potential to add skills to your portfolio.offer the potential to add skills to your portfolio.

Depending on your personal characteristics and the nature Depending on your personal characteristics and the nature of your organization, global assignments may provide of your organization, global assignments may provide especially rich learning opportunities.especially rich learning opportunities.

Make Use of the Resources of theMake Use of the Resources of theWorld Wide WebWorld Wide Web

Continue experimenting with the Web as a learning resource.Continue experimenting with the Web as a learning resource. Go back and try any Web Wise and Working the Web activities Go back and try any Web Wise and Working the Web activities

in this book that you haven’t had an opportunity to complete.in this book that you haven’t had an opportunity to complete. Use the Web to explore professional associations, journals, Use the Web to explore professional associations, journals,

and other resources as discussed in this chapter.and other resources as discussed in this chapter. Run searches on specific management topics.Run searches on specific management topics. Use databases such as ABI-Inform and ProQuest to search for Use databases such as ABI-Inform and ProQuest to search for

information about specific topics, companies, or individuals, or information about specific topics, companies, or individuals, or some combination (such as leadership at GE). some combination (such as leadership at GE).

Explore Continuing Education OptionsExplore Continuing Education Options

An important part of your lifelong learning will be An important part of your lifelong learning will be continuing education. The opportunities for continuing education. The opportunities for continuing education have exploded in number and continuing education have exploded in number and form.form.

While pursuing advanced degrees once required While pursuing advanced degrees once required difficult trade-offs, colleges and universities have difficult trade-offs, colleges and universities have become more flexible in their offerings.become more flexible in their offerings.

About 2 million students worldwide are enrolled in About 2 million students worldwide are enrolled in distance education courses from providers in the distance education courses from providers in the United States and Canada.United States and Canada.

About 80% of U.S. colleges and universities offer About 80% of U.S. colleges and universities offer online classes.online classes.

The number of corporate universities is skyrocketingThe number of corporate universities is skyrocketing..

Motorola UniversityLeadership Team