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Career Tips - Issue # 12 (March 2005) FREE bimonthly newsletter dedicated to your career development. You'll need about 10 minutes to read this newsletter. The Law of Least Effort What would you do in the following situations: No. 1: You've to reach the 10th floor in an office tower. You've two options: A: Climb up the stairs B: Use an elevator No. 2: You've to communicate with a friend. You've two options: A: Send a letter B: Send an e-mail No. 3: You want to withdraw money. You've two options: A: Visit a bank B: Use an ATM There is nothing tricky about these questions and the answers are so obvious. But do you realise the not-so-obvious phenomenon underlying our everyday choices: We like to spend least effort in accomplishing our objectives? And this tendency is so strong that many of the technologies, products and services are aimed at helping us achieve just that: least effort! Some examples: auto-redial function on your phone, escalators, automatic vending machines, word processor, Internet banking, credit cards... By nature, we love to take the path of least effort. If you can recognise this simple truth, you can put yourself in an advantageous position in many ways. >>CAREER TIP: When you are dealing with others, say, a potential employer, your boss, clients, vendors, colleagues or even family members, always remember that the person(s) on the other side would like to take the path of least effort. For job seekers, that means: Not mass-mailing your resume arbitrarily to everyone. By doing so, you take the path of least effort but create more work for those who have to review your ONE-SIZE-FIT-ALL resume. And that's why, it hardly works. Tailor your resume to the needs of each potential employer. It also means preparing your resume such that the other people can quickly make out who you are and how you fit into their requirements. Long, jargon-filled, complicated resumes stuffed with superfluous information add to the effort of reviewers and, therefore, fail to get an interview call. It also means not presenting yourself in interviews as a bundle of degrees, certificates, designations, functions and responsibilities but as a solution to the specific problems/aspirations of your potential employer. The bottom line: To be a success in the job market, ask yourself, "How can I help a potential employer take the path of least effort?" In the context of daily work, it means: Working in such a manner that your boss to has to spend least effort in dealing with you. That means delivering work before he follows up; anticipating and addressing his concerns; and meeting, if not exceeding, his expectations. And, of course, not giving him unpleasant surprises. Slowly, you'll see how much he starts valuing your association more. Similarly, make sure your customers enjoy the path of least effort while dealing with you. Be available when they call. Be a prompt solution to their urgent problems. Again, you'll find they would love it. The bottom line: To be in the good books of your boss, customers and even colleagues, ask yourself, "How can I help them take the path of least effort?" Of course, when it comes to your vendors and subordinates, tell them clearly that their success lies in helping you spend least effort while dealing with them. Ultimately, the key is to decide in every situation which of the two options is more beneficial for you: take the path least effort yourself or let the other person take it. Straight Talk: It Stinks! Donald Trump, the real estate magnate, once asked an executive to brief him on the feasibility of a new property development project. The executive had been to the site of potential new development and had carried out a detailed investigation. The executive started to describe the pros and cons in details. But after he had spoken for about ten minutes, Trump interrupted him and asked, "Can you tell in ten words or less what you think of this project?" The executive replied, "It stinks!" He had still eight words left but the discussion ended there. Trump decided to drop the project. Trump's career advice: Practice straight talk. Conveying your message in few words is a highly prized skill. You must have heard about "elevator pitch." EP is one-minute speech that venture capitalists expect to hear from entrepreneurs seeking capital. Imagine, deals worth millions of dollars are decided based on what is said in a minute's time-the time you normally spend in an elevator ride. Why can't people hear more? Why the excessive emphasis on squeezing the message to few words? The logic is if you can't say it in few words, you don't know what you're talking about. >>CAREER TIP: Before you walk up to an important person to make a proposal or brief him, think about what you want to convey and how can you do that in minimum possible words. Initially, you'll find it is difficult because you'll have to deal with the clutter that clogs our thinking. But slowly, with practice, you'll find it an interesting and rewarding habit. If it stinks, just say that. No more! Will be back after two weeks. Atul Mathur FORWARD IT: Would you like to share what you've just read with any of your friends? Click below to send a link to your friends. To SUBSCRIBE to this newsletter, send a blank e-mail to:subscribe Career Tips ***Copyright 2005 Atul Mathur*** |
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