Understanding How Your Military Skills Can Work in Business

• 1. UnderstandingHow Your Military SkillsCan Work in Business Izzy AbbassCommander Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1

2. Agenda1. VETERAN SNAPSHOT: Todays Veteran & Transition Issues2. VALUE OF A VETERAN: What Skills do todays Veterans Possess3. LOST IN TRANSLATION: Going from Milspeak to Civspeak4. SELL YOURSELF: Digital/social media to sell yourself and your skills Izzy Abbass Army Veteran - Infantry Commander of VFW Post 1 20 year Experience in Telecommunications Board of Project Sanctuary, Fisher House Denver Co-Chair of Colorado Veterans in Higher Education 10/24/2012VFW Post 1 - "The First Post"2 3. SnapShot of todayS Veteran Total military personnel 2.9 Million or .928% of the USpopulation & 1.6 Million have deployed to OEF/OIF. Women are approaching 15% of our total active forces and20% of our reserves Over 800,000 men and women have used the Post 9-11 GIBill since it was signed and in Colorado 24,000+ enrolled National unemployment rate is 7.8%; Overall for Veterans the rate is 6.7% Post 9/11 Vets it is 9.7% and for 18-24 Vets 14.5% 19% of those who have deployed have PTSD and 20% haveTBI10/24/2012 VFW Post 1 - "The First Post" 3 4. How largeparts ofSociety ViewVeterans10/24/2012 VFW Post 1 - "The First Post" 4 5. In reality, vast majority aresuccessfully making the transition to civilian life What veterans want to do is to continue being constructivemembers of society.10/24/2012 VFW Post 1 - "The First Post"5 6. What StrengthS doeS todaySVeteran Bring? Accelerated Learning Curve Pressured Adaptation Leadership Focus at all levels of the service Teamwork Dependable and Depending-On mentality Loyalty Show them you have their back, theyll have yours Procedural Systems Exist for a Reason Technology and Globalization Not just buzz words Conscious of Health & Safety Another Focus Triumph Over Adversity!10/24/2012VFW Post 1 - "The First Post" 6 7. Building your ownThe evidence suggests a strong association between militaryservice and successful entrepreneurship, and veterans tend tobe more likely than non-veterans to start businesses.Oklahoma State UniversityEmployees of Veteran-owned VeteransVeteran-ownedfirmsfirms 21.2 million2.4 million5.8 million$1.2 trillion in sales10/24/2012 VFW Post 1 - "The First Post" 7 8. How do you do it?Business Concepts how do I know if my idea is a viable one andwhat do I need to consider? Business Plan Funding Marketing Accounting Operations Human Resources Legal Issues Key to effectiveness in all of these is being able to communicate your strengths and knowledge in a coherent manner.10/24/2012 VFW Post 1 - "The First Post" 8 9. Translating yourexperience1. Capture everything you have been tasked with doing experience & results on one document same as a resume Military and Civilian experience Volunteer Activities Associations and Volunteer work.2. Assume those you are talking to banks, investors, lawyers, customers - know nothing about the military Avoid acronyms and military technical specs3. Focus on key leadership principals Management/Supervision Monetary management Project based results10/24/2012 VFW Post 1 - "The First Post" 9 10. Translating your experience Use the STAR method for presenting the information.Situation What was happening who, what, when, whereTask What was the problem or expectationAction What did you doResult What was the outcome 11. examples Infantry Squad Leader Responsible for the accountability, supervision and training of 5 soldiers of varyingskill levels; responsible for the operational readiness, maintenance and accountabilityof 4 Bradley Fighting Vehicles Weapons Trainer, NBC NCO found two weapons caches, eliminated 55 rounds of UXO from enemy use, patrolledover 100km of hostile territory United States Army Team Manager Responsible for the operation and maintaining of equipment worth in excess of $12.5Million Managed team of 5 and provided tactical and technical guidance under adverseconditions to meet objectives. Managed security over a large geographic area (100 km) and successfully completedtasks in support of this mission.10/24/2012 VFW Post 1 - "The First Post" 11 12. Create a digital profileApplies to both you and eventually your business Personal Profile Starts with LinkedIn Applies to lawyers, surveyors, artists, students Everyone! This is NOT Facebook Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are part of your digital profile You may decide to have two accounts one for family and friends and one forbusiness but be careful. Business Profile Nature of your business will determine amount of focus between LinkedIn, Facebook,Instagram, Twitter. etc. Use all forms but monitor each for effectivenesss Dont put out information just to put it out - make it meaningful and relevant You can have fun but be fun in a smart way with a tie to a goal10/24/2012 VFW Post 1 - "The First Post"12 13. Personal digital profile LinkedIn Dos Connect with former managers, co-workers, classmates and service buddies Look at colleagues LinkedIn profiles. Get recommendations from past bosses and co-workers who have insight Get lots of recommendations Use LinkedIn Answers to demonstrate your experience and knowledge LinkedIN - Donts An incomplete profile Bad Photo no face or unprofessional Private Profiles No Recommendations No Connections Obvious lack of interactivity on LinkedIn No LinkedIn groups or use of LinkedIn Applications No Contact Settings or Personal Information No website, blog, or Twitter links10/24/2012VFW Post 1 - "The First Post"13 14. examples10/24/2012VFW Post 1 - "The First Post" 14 15. examples10/24/2012VFW Post 1 - "The First Post" 15 16. examples10/24/2012VFW Post 1 - "The First Post" 16 17. Business digital profileLinkedIn Build a profile for your company no matter how small or big Look at other companies for ideas Once you launch, participate in discussions Use LinkedIn Answers to demonstrate your experience and knowledgeFacebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc Keep reminding people in your network what you are up to as a business - Just finished a beautiful kitchen remodel that really opened up the space. - Wow managed to save three years of photos on a crashed computer for a client. Made his day and reinforced why I love doing this. Send out relevant updates not just for the sake of sending You can and typically should have a business and personal profile10/24/2012VFW Post 1 - "The First Post" 17 18. examples10/24/2012VFW Post 1 - "The First Post" 18 19. examples10/24/2012VFW Post 1 - "The First Post" 19 20. Questions & Discussion Izzy Abbass Commander, VFW Post 1 [email protected]/24/2012VFW Post 1 - "The First Post" 20