Saturday September 9, 2006
A Holistic Approach to Career Development

Conference Program Details
(Program and Speakers Subject to Change)

Synopsis:
30-Year HR veteran Richard Katz will provide an overview of the day's events and present a look into the future of the labor market and its impact on the Experienced Professional.

Richard Katz Bio:
Following a successful corporate career as Director of Human Resources for Bullock’s Department Stores, and management consultant with Ernst & Young, Mr. Katz founded Human Resource Marketing Services, Inc. Under his leadership, HRMS created many innovative, technology-driven employment services. In the late 80’s, HRMS created the first half-hour, regularly scheduled employment TV program Meet Your Next Employer. For his pioneering work in the production and airing of Meet Your Next Employer, he won the national Employment Management Association’s Pericles Award for outstanding contribution to the human resources field. In 1993, HRMS launched its government services division, designing and managing job training programs serving over 100 cities, county, state and federal agencies. In 2000, HRMS created Dot.com Job Search, an online and classroom course on Internet job searching. More recently, HRMS launched, www.seasonedpro.com, a new service dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of educated, experienced alumni. Mr. Katz holds a B.S. in Business Administration from UCLA and an M.A. in Industrial Relations from the University of Minnesota

Synopsis:
Interested in putting your hard-earned skills to use to help other people or to advance the public good? If you want to learn about working or volunteering in the nonprofit sector, then this breakout session is for you. A senior executive from a civic organization will provide an overview of this industry, the culture of the non profit/philanthropic sector, where your corporate skills will fit, compensation trade-offs, and how to find the right opportunity.

The process is unlike what you've been taught to do. It is about finding your way through a maze of new options and staying ahead of the revolutionary impacts of technology, the globalization of the workforce shifts in the economy or other dramatic realities of marketplace change. It is not about resumes and endless networking. It is not about knocking on doors that, once open, are now closed because of changes in the marketplace.

Whether you are employed, or unemployed, today… chances are that, like the average professional, you will be faced with the challenge of managing your work life in a future that includes a much longer life span and many more changes than your experience suggests.

Brad Taft Bio:
Brad has over 25 years experience in the recruiting and outplacement fields and is president of the Taft Resource Group, which provides career management services to executives and professionals. His early career was in executive recruiting with firms including Korn/Ferry International, and in the outplacement industry he held senior level consulting, management and marketing positions with three national firms and his own company, Career Transition Group, Inc. He has written numerous articles and has been quoted in publications including the Wall Street Journal, Money, Los Angeles Times and the Employment Law Letter. He has co-authored Boom or Bust!: Career Management Guide for Baby Boomers and Beyond, which was published in January 2006. Brad received a B.A. in Communications and an M.B.A. from the University of Southern California.

Synopsis:
When, how, and why should you work with a headhunter? Learn what a search consultant can and cannot do for you, how to locate and select the best recruiter to help you achieve your particular career goals, and how to maximize that relationship. Two experienced headhunters will present specific strategies for getting the most out of working with a search consultant at every step of the job search process.

Synopsis:
Personal branding is an important concept in career advancement because it allows seasoned professionals the opportunity to describe themselves in terms that people will understand and remember them. This session will show you how to develop a unique and succinct way of describing yourself that is both memorable and consistent to a particular audience at a specific moment in time.

9:30– 10:30 am	Breakout Session #1, Topic 5
	Career Fitness in Turbulent Times: Maintaining Job Search Readiness Presenter: Ron Elsdon, Ph.D. Chemical Engineering, MA Career Development

Synopsis:
Staying career fit means recognizing the signals of change and being well prepared to move in new directions. These are basic survival skills for today’s work world. We will explore the changing work environment, and how to effectively manage career progression and transitions. This includes discovering what really goes on in an organization or department so you can determine fit, and getting a running start in a new position.

Ron Elsdon Bio:
Ron Elsdon brings a wealth of experience to organizational consulting and individual career counseling and coaching. Ron is a founder of Elsdon Organizational Renewal, which focuses on enhancing organizational performance, productivity and effectiveness through revitalized workforce relationships, and New Beginnings Career and College Guidance, which provides caring and personalized help to individuals and families in career guidance, coaching and college planning. Ron led practices for major human resource consulting firms in supporting organizations in improving workforce and leadership effectiveness and senior executives in transition, and has held senior leadership positions in various sectors. Ron recently completed the book “Affiliation in the Workplace: Value Creation in the New Organization” published by Greenwood (2003). Ron is an adjunct faculty member at John F. Kennedy University and has been on the adjunct faculty of Santa Clara University and affiliated with Vanderbilt University. He holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Cambridge University, a Master’s degree in Career Development from John F. Kennedy University, and a first class honors degree in Chemical Engineering from Leeds University.

10:45 – 11:45 am	Breakout Session #2, Topic 1
	How to Communicate Effectively to Succeed in Your Career and in Your Life Speaker: Ronald A. Kaufman, Master Certification in NLP

Synopsis:
One of the most important skills that determine the quality of our lives, whether we succeed or fail, is the ability to communicate effectively. In this interactive presentation, you’ll gain proven, easy-to-use tools and techniques on how to communicate effectively, that you can put to use immediately. You’ll learn how to: eliminate miscommunication, set goals, reframe rejection into reality, replace negative forms of expression with positive alternatives, and increase your persuasiveness. Whether it’s a job interview, promoting a product, or making a speech, these methods will improve the results that you can produce, now!

Ronald A. Kaufman Bio:
Ronald A. Kaufman is a seminar leader, executive coach, and author specializing in communication skills and goal setting. Since 1987, he has been conducting workshops on public speaking, selling skills, negotiation, media skills, job interviewing, motivation, time management, team building, and stress management. He works with clients such as Texas Instruments, Nissan, Dole Foods, News Corp., Sheraton Hotels, Nestle, Xerox, IBM, Baxter International, and Microsoft. Prior to becoming a consultant, Ron was a stockbroker and then became involved in various aspects of the entertainment industry. Ron graduated from Southern Illinois University with a degree in Marketing. In addition, he has a Master Certification in NLP, is a certified trainer in Presentation Skills, and the author of Anatomy of Success.

Synopsis:
In the post 9/11 world, many of us are taking a new look at our values and the need to align them with our career. This session will feature a panel of experts who will discuss the importance of creating a work environment that supports the principles that matter to us. Clearly understanding one’s values and how it aligns with the mission, culture and management style of organizations is key to career satisfaction and success.

10:45 – 11:45 am	Breakout Session #2, Topic 3
	Understanding Your Motivated and Burnout Skills Presenter: Richard Knowdell, MS, NCC, NCCC, CCMF, Career Research & Testing

Synopsis:
The first step in planning a successful career transition is gaining an understanding of the skills you possess which have contributed to your success and satisfaction as well as those that create burnout. Ideally, you want to select a future path that capitalizes on your “Motivated Skills” while minimizing your “Burnout Skills.” Having competency in something isn’t enough. If your responsibilities encompass too many skills that you excel at but don’t enjoy, it is unlikely that you will experience satisfaction.

Richard Knowdell Bio:
During a thirty year career, Dick Knowdell established one of North America's first successful corporate career development programs, instituted an internal employee assistance program, directed a Silicon Valley corporate training and employee development department, established an executive outplacement consulting firm and served as an executive coach. Dick is the President of Career Research & Testing, Inc., author of Building a Career Development Program: Nine Steps for Effective Implementation (1996) and co-author of From Downsizing to Recovery: Strategic Transition Options for Organizations and Individuals (1994). Knowdell teaches courses in Career Assessment Techniques at the University of California, San Diego and Employee Career Development Techniques to human resource professionals at San Jose State University. He is a member of the Board of Examiners of the United States Foreign Service. He has developed four popular career assessment instruments that have been translated into Russian, Spanish, German, Japanese, Dutch, Swedish, French, Vietnamese and Islandic. In 1979 he founded the Career Planning & Adult Development Network and has edited their Newsletter and Journal. Dick is a past president of both the California Career Development Association (CACD) and the Silicon Valley Chapter of the International Association of Career Management Professionals (IACMP).

Synopsis:
Stop feeling apologetic about your years and learn how to present them as an asset to potential employers! Understand the 5 key benefits of maturity and how to highlight them in fielding interview questions that employers are sure to ask ("What are your strengths and weaknesses?") as well as quelling employer concerns that will never be voiced ("Will she be too set in her ways?"). Understand issues from the employers’ point of view, positively adjust your maturity mind set and you will walk into interviews with the confidence and skills to get the job you want

10:45 – 11:45 am	Breakout Session #2, Topic 5
	Career Fitness in Turbulent Times: Maintaining Job Search Readiness Presenter: Ron Elsdon, Ph.D. Chemical Engineering, MA Career Development

Synopsis:
Staying career fit means recognizing the signals of change and being well prepared to move in new directions. These are basic survival skills for today's work world. We will explore the changing work environment, and how to effectively manage career progression and transitions. This includes discovering what really goes on in an organization or department so you can determine fit, and getting a running start in a new position.

Ron Elsdon Bio:
Ron Elsdon brings a wealth of experience to organizational consulting and individual career counseling and coaching. Ron is a founder of Elsdon Organizational Renewal, which focuses on enhancing organizational performance, productivity and effectiveness through revitalized workforce relationships, and New Beginnings Career and College Guidance, which provides caring and personalized help to individuals and families in career guidance, coaching and college planning. Ron led practices for major human resource consulting firms in supporting organizations in improving workforce and leadership effectiveness and senior executives in transition, and has held senior leadership positions in various sectors. Ron recently completed the book “Affiliation in the Workplace: Value Creation in the New Organization” published by Greenwood (2003). Ron is an adjunct faculty member at John F. Kennedy University and has been on the adjunct faculty of Santa Clara University and affiliated with Vanderbilt University. He holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Cambridge University, a Master’s degree in Career Development from John F. Kennedy University, and a first class honors degree in Chemical Engineering from Leeds University.

1:15 – 2:15 pm	Breakout Session #3, Topic 1
	Understanding Your Motivated and Burnout Skills Presenter: Richard Knowdell, MS, NCC, NCCC, CCMF, Career Research & Testing

Synopsis:
The first step in planning a successful career transition is gaining an understanding of the skills you possess which have contributed to your success and satisfaction as well as those that create burnout. Ideally, you want to select a future path that capitalizes on your “Motivated Skills” while minimizing your “Burnout Skills.” Having competency in something isn’t enough. If your responsibilities encompass too many skills that you excel at but don’t enjoy, it is unlikely that you will experience satisfaction.

Richard Knowdell Bio:
During a thirty year career, Dick Knowdell established one of North America's first successful corporate career development programs, instituted an internal employee assistance program, directed a Silicon Valley corporate training and employee development department, established an executive outplacement consulting firm and served as an executive coach. Dick is the President of Career Research & Testing, Inc., author of Building a Career Development Program: Nine Steps for Effective Implementation (1996) and co-author of From Downsizing to Recovery: Strategic Transition Options for Organizations and Individuals (1994). Knowdell teaches courses in Career Assessment Techniques at the University of California, San Diego and Employee Career Development Techniques to human resource professionals at San Jose State University. He is a member of the Board of Examiners of the United States Foreign Service. He has developed four popular career assessment instruments that have been translated into Russian, Spanish, German, Japanese, Dutch, Swedish, French, Vietnamese and Islandic. In 1979 he founded the Career Planning & Adult Development Network and has edited their Newsletter and Journal. Dick is a past president of both the California Career Development Association (CACD) and the Silicon Valley Chapter of the International Association of Career Management Professionals (IACMP).

Synopsis:
A resume is one of the more important job search communication tools. This session will help you understand what managers are looking for when they review a resume as well as ideas on how to improve yours. You will learn how to answer the two key questions every employer asks when they pick up your resume. Additionally, several examples of how seasoned professionals can customize their resume to support future career plans verses past experience will be discussed.

Synopsis:
Learn the most effective methods for buying and/or starting up entrepreneurial ventures. The discussion will include how to decide if entrepreneurship is right for you, identifying and choosing a franchise, selecting and doing the best due diligence when buying an existing business and achieving an effective business start-up.

1:15 – 2:15 pm	Breakout Session #3, Topic 4
	How to Communicate Effectively to Succeed in Your Career and in Your Life Speaker: Ronald A. Kaufman, Master Certification in NLP

Synopsis:
One of the most important skills that determine the quality of our lives, whether we succeed or fail, is the ability to communicate effectively. In this interactive presentation, you'll gain proven, easy-to-use tools and techniques on how to communicate effectively, that you can put to use immediately. You'll learn how to: eliminate miscommunication, set goals, reframe rejection into reality, replace negative forms of expression with positive alternatives, and increase your persuasiveness. Whether it's a job interview, promoting a product, or making a speech, these methods will improve the results that you can produce, now!

Ronald A. Kaufman Bio:
Ronald A. Kaufman is a seminar leader, executive coach, and author specializing in communication skills and goal setting. Since 1987, he has been conducting workshops on public speaking, selling skills, negotiation, media skills, job interviewing, motivation, time management, team building, and stress management. He works with clients such as Texas Instruments, Nissan, Dole Foods, News Corp., Sheraton Hotels, Nestle, Xerox, IBM, Baxter International, and Microsoft. Prior to becoming a consultant, Ron was a stockbroker and then became involved in various aspects of the entertainment industry. Ron graduated from Southern Illinois University with a degree in Marketing. In addition, he has a Master Certification in NLP, is a certified trainer in Presentation Skills, and the author of Anatomy of Success.

Synopsis:
Several experienced alumni will discuss their transition career successes. Audience members will relate to the panelists stories as they describe how they navigated their transitions, including choices, approaches, strategies and techniques.