I started my podcast to help manufacturing leaders. My goal was to help them create a compelling future for themselves, their teams and organization. And so, I focused on leadership skills, organizational skills, learning, development and technology. While these are still issues, what I found is that the #1 issue is talent and workforce. 

Many people are already working on bringing new talent into the workforce. And so, I decided to focus on the “experienced” workforce that is on the sidelines either by choice – or not by choice – who could provide the needed expertise and skills, especially for small and medium-sized companies.

4 Steps to Help You Start and Encore Career

1. Develop your mindset as an entrepreneur.

Have a growth mindset. Be both an expert and a learner, the master and the apprentice.

2. Define your Expertise and Create the Value statement that you will share with people

This goes beyond your job titles. What have people asked you about? Create your ideal customer or your avatar. Help people not make the mistakes that you’ve seen and keep new talent from getting derailed. What are the leadership and conversational skills that they need to master?

3. Explore what your need in your Encore Career Toolbox 

• People skills - Create your message. Decide how you will connect. Learn to listen. 

• Technology skills - Decide on your home base. Decide how you will use social media. Select tech tools - blog, podcast, video.

• Business skills - Consulting business basics, LLC, liability insurance, accounting & taxes 

• Marketing skills - Discover where your customers are. Uncover their pain points. Discover how you can help them solve their “bleeding neck wound.” 

4. Decide how you will create your practice plan

Create your blueprint. Think about what's the next best step. Schedule your work and define the key actions you need to do to move forward.