Workshop Testimonials :-)

Heidi and I are very excited that our first workshop "Layoff During Difficult Times - The End or a New Beginning" at the Rexall Health Centre was a success. The location was very accommodating and we want to thank MaryAnne Istiglou who made it possible for us to use this great meeting space at no cost. We also want to acknowledge Marj Andre (http://www.onrichmondhill.com/) for assisting us to advertise the workshop on her website and in her newsletter, and for getting us connected with MaryAnne in the first place.
Great people make great things happen!!! Thank you!

We had 12 people sign up and 9 people showed up. Not bad for our first workshop, which was a freebie - it was very nice weather and the chances were pretty good that people would rather sit on a patio than learn something new.

We want to acknowledge the people who went out of their way to attend our workshop. These are the people who separate themselves from the rest of the job seekers because they took action and showed up.

Here are some of the testimonials we received:

I came to this workshop with an open mind. I didn't know what to expect and I just wanted to give it a try.
Thank you for the invitation. I appreciated your perspectives. I enjoyed a fresh perspective on the job search and the self assessment.
Steve M., Richmond Hill

Thank you for doing such a great inspirational, positive impact workshop. Well laid-out & good information about our goals. I was really very impressed. Nice work.
Carmen M., Aurora

Your workshop was more than just an ordinary workshop. You two inspired me to work on myself to find out my purpose and destination. You are two very talented ladies. Thank you so very much for going above and beyond to show us what is possible and how to do it.
God Bless,
Axel M., Scarborough

I liked your workshop because in contrast to other similar workshops, you provided people with positive energy. Positive energy gives people the power to stand up and continue their efforts in finding work placements. After losing a job usually people's overall confidence level is down; they just got rejected by an employer. It doesn't mater whether the employer was good or bad, people take a layoff as a personal fault. And what you did... You supplied people with energy, positive energy.
Good luck!
Yury F., North York

We will schedule the next workshop soon - stay tuned!

Our first FREE Workshop is on June 15, 2009

I am a firm believer in taking action and we have scheduled the first date for our Workshop "Layoff during Difficult Times - The End or a New Beginning?"

What a journey it has been since October 2008 to put this workshop in place. It was not an easy task to get some media attention and I have to say that persistence pays off in the long run. There is so much complaining and blaming and very few people are willing to create a change for the better. I am very proud and happy that we made it happen and I hope our workshop will benefit as many people as possible.

• Did you lose your job?


• Are you fearful and stuck, looking for guidance?


• Are you ready to be pro-active and make a plan for your life?


• Do you need help identifying and setting your goals?


• Do you want a confidence boost and create more self-awareness?


• Do you know somebody who lost his or her job recently?
• Do you want to move forward and find the right job for YOU?


• Are you willing to communicate this message to employees who are affected?

We provide a supportive and positive learning environment and empower people to achieve their full potential and realize their dreams. It is all about taking action and taking on 100 % responsibility for your life and for your results!

When? June 15, 2009 at 6 pm

Where? Rexall Health Centre, 9625 Yonge Street, Richmond Hill

(south of Major Mackenzie in the Weston Produce Mall)

For further information please email: karin@karicosolutions.com or phone: 647-401-5274

Layoff during Difficult Times - the End or a New Beginning?

Just recently I had a discussion with a friend of mine who said that NOBODY would do anything for free in business. Really?

This is certainly not a valid comment for me and for what I believe in.

There is too much complaining, too much blaming and not enough action! I always like to say that I don't drive the BMW - I am not blaming, moaning and whining. I am a firm believer in taking action and people who know me, can attest that I "walk the talk"!

Please check out the latest article about my commitment for the community and if you know of any laid-off or to be laid-off manufacturing workers in the Toronto area, I would appreciate if you could pass this article on to them!

http://www.yorkregion.com/article/92190

Purpose:

• To offer guidance, emotional support, build up self esteem, provide alternate career options and assistance in finding a potential new direction in life.

Participants learn to:

• Explore various reactions to an instant change
• Face fears and learn how to overcome them
• Discover the power of attitude and positive thinking
• Identify their own inner strengths
• Define goals and an action plan

The value for the learner is to see the importance of having a positive mental attitude and getting clear on what they want going forward. It is a personal growth seminar that will show you what success habits you have to create to get you from where you are to where you want to be. Sometimes losing your job can be a stepping stone to a better opportunity – it’s just a matter of how you look at it.

It is about taking on 100 % responsibility for your life and for your results!


"If you think you're too small to have an impact,
try going to bed with a mosquito in the room."

- Anita Roddick (Founder of the Body Shop)

Leading change for the better....

Just recently I read a really good article in the Globe and Mail and I want to share with you some of the insights on how human nature gets in the way of your change effort:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090504.WBwschachter20090504080344/WBStory/WBwschachter/

We all know that you can't manufacture passion or "motivate" people to feel passionate. You can only discover what ignites your passion and the passions of those around you. You can't say to your employees, "Okay, folks, let's get passionate about what we do." It doesn't work that way. You need to lead by example. Let your employees see your passion and your desire to be the best you can be. Encourage them to be part of a winning team. Acknowledge and reward them for their creativity and innovation.

Ask yourself:

• What can I do to obliterate complacency and foster an environment of creative and innovative thinking?
• Do I really appreciate my employees and regularly thank them for their great work?
• What's my attitude? Is it worth catching?
• How does my company respond to downturns?
• Do we continue to build for the long-term even during difficult times by tapping into the creative solutions that employees have to offer?
• Does my company strive for excellence? Is our goal to do better tomorrow than we did today?
• Do my employees enjoy coming to work? Do they feel that they are part of the "big picture"?

Why Manufacturing?

I cannot stop wondering why so many people think that manufacturing in North America won't survive. Of course it will! There will be fewer companies but the ones who will survive will come out of this recession stronger than ever.

Since I started my business people have been wondering why I chose manufacturing as my niche. However, since the recession hit us, people understand it even less. Everywhere I go and many of the people I meet ask me the same question....... Karin, why manufacturing? Why not approach the government.... , or the banks, ..... or why not just offer coaching and training in general?

Recently it crossed my mind that it is about time that I answer this very valid question on my blog. This way everybody has the opportunity to read how I feel about my chosen niche. This is actually something which is very easy for me to express and I ask you.....

How much integity would I show if I would throw in the towel when confronted with my first challenges?
How much faith in organizations would I show if I would turn my back on an industry I believe in?
How much commitment would I show if I would start forgetting about my passion?
How much dedication would I show if I would not do everything it takes to make my business a success?
How much intelligence would I show if I would forget to serve other people?
How much competence would I show if I would want to be a specialist in everything?
How much loyality would I show if I would forget about the people who believe in me and what my business is all about?
How much creativity would I show if I would walk the same path as everyone else?
How much flexibility would I show if I could not deal with changing times?
How much respect would I show if I would not appreciate the clients I have at the moment?
How much discipline would I show if I would not go above and beyond what people expect of me every single day?
How much trust would I show if I would not believe in the people around me?
How much courage would I show if I would let fear get in my way?
How much humour would I show if I would take myself and life too serious?
But most importantly.....
How much happiness and fulfillment would I experience if I would give up on my values and my beliefs?

Training and coaching in manufacturing environments is my passion. I have important knowledge and experience to share and I am great in what I do. I trust people and this makes them trust me. I have a tremendous love for people and my vision is to help manufacturing organizations and individuals to become the best they can be.

Just recently Heidi and I have received an email from one of the workers who attended our training sessions and I want to share his comments with you.

“You’re doing a great job. All of us guys from the night shift felt emotionally charged after your sessions. No kidding! We became kinder and more supportive to each other. We began seeing each other as members of one family. You did touch some strings in our souls.”

- Sergey Tishkin, CNC Mill Operator

When we receive emails like this, then I know that we are on the right track.

For the record, you now know why I chose manufacturing as my niche.

My perspective on the SAE World Congress in Detroit

Last week Heidi and I went to the SAE World Congress in Detroit. Networking, exploring the news from the automotive front and a meeting with a prospect were on our agenda.

It was quite interesting to see that the SAE was about 30 % smaller than in previous years. Our conversations with people at the booths led us to believe that there were also way less potential clients. On the contrary, we saw a lot of people who dropped off their resumes.

Unfortunately, we did not get to see my fellow countryman Arnold Schwarzenegger who opened the SAE with a keynote speech on Monday. The people we asked about him had only good things to say and all of them were pleasantly surprised at how well prepared and informed he was.

For me it was quite interesting to see the different approaches the automakers take. At GM, there were a lot of marketing people around but they seemed more interested in talking to each other than to the visitors at their booth.

At Ford, they had some really good cars - for small cars, the new Ford Fiesta with the new blue colour for 2010 looked great - but they failed to leave the car doors open so that visitors could experience the "indoor feeling". There was only one marketing guy who was either on the phone or working on his laptop, not even bothering to look up. What a great impression he made on me! Maybe it was also because I am a woman and therefore he did not see the need to answer my questions. I had flashbacks to my car shopping experiences.

Nissan had the most appealing transmission showpiece with different colours to attract curious visitors. The marketing and sales people there approached me immediately in a very friendly manner to promote Nissan and they answered all the questions I had.

However, my personal favourite was Honda. It is not surprising for me to see WHY the Japanese are so far ahead of their North American competitiors. It's their attitude and their indisputable ability to be innovative and creative.



These two guys walked around with a Honda walking assist devise. These are basically supplemental robot legs for humans who have difficulties walking.

They told me that Honda does EVERYTHING that has to do with mobility. Both of them visited the US from Japan and their English was not the best but...... their friendliness and their willingness to answer any question visitors would have, could not have been overlooked by anybody.

Honda had approximately 10 people at their booth, all very friendly, everyone smiling but the smart thing was that although they paid for their booth, these two guys promoted Honda with this unique walking device throughout Cobo Hall.

Hmmm, do you think there may be one or two things we could learn from them?

ME first - TEAM second - VISION last

Correct me if I am wrong but in order to be a successful organization........, shouldn't this be the other way around?

In our work we focus on employee engagement and motivation and it is devastating for me to see that morale in most companies is at an all-time low at the moment. Why?

In my opinion we are faced more with a leadership crisis than with an economic crisis.

Due to the lack of leadership and the lack of communication nobody knows what the future will hold. How can we be productive and go the extra mile if we are paralyzed by fear and worry?

Everybody needs to see the brightness of the future and row in the same direction. Instead, companies are in fire fighting mode and the focus is on problems instead of solutions.

Many people are in it for themselves and for the money. It almost seems to me there is no more loyalty. There are too many fact driven managers and not enough visionary leaders.

It is never one person only who makes a company a success. However, if this leader has emotional intelligence and works with and for the people, miracles can and will happen.

Let's talk to people, get to know the issues, ask questions, try to learn as much as we can from the people and try to involve them to create effective solutions. In order to be respected leaders we have to earn the respect of the people first.

How many of us are really doing that?

VISION first - TEAM second - ME last.......... That's the route we have to choose!