How Ford can sell more cars in India or The transferable Skills of a sociologist

Transferable skills are determined by analyzing past accomplishments/experiences and using outside-the-box thinking to figure out where else you can apply those skills.

For example…

I was talking to an Insurance Salesmen who was looking to hire other salesmen for his practice. We started talking about the retail banking industry and how it is not as vibrant as it once was (think automated tellers). He felt that someone with teller experience would potentially be a good insurance salesman. The retail bank tellers have solid experience with customer service and up-selling other banking products during a transaction. He said that experience would translate very well into selling insurance products. To me, that is a classic case of transferable skills.

Personally, I like the transferable skill concept because it is liberating. It can help you switch careers/fields without going back to school. It helps an individual understand his/her market value.

While reading a Wall Street Journal article, GM Ford Struggle to Crack India's Market I started to think about the transferable skills of an Sociologists. The article talks about how the American car companies were trying to break into the car market in India.

In India until recently, GM and Ford focused mainly on the pricier sedan segment and bigger sport-utility vehicles, which haven't been as popular as inexpensive hatchbacks.

ONET defines the Sociologist’s work as…

Study human society and social behavior by examining the groups and social institutions that people form, as well as various social, religious, political, and business organizations. May study the behavior and interaction of groups, trace their origin and growth, and analyze the influence of group activities on individual members.(http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/19-3041.00)

Wouldn’t GM and Ford be able to sell more cars in India if they had a Sociologists in their employ? They could have figured out what type of car people in India want? What to name the car? Etc.

The power of Transferable skills, right?

Reading the Wall Street Journal thru a Career Development lenses

 “Former Yale President will lead Coursea”

MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) are truly becoming a significant entity and it is exciting! EdX, Udacity, Coursea, etc. are all MOOC providers that can revolutionize higher education.

Will people’s perceptions change about MOOCs replacing traditional higher education? If yes, how long will that take? Can MOOCs ever completely replace traditional higher education? What about all the student services that come with a diploma? What about the built-in networking? Maybe a MOOC is cheaper, but will it help you land that job?

Which brings me to the next article…

 “Grad Student’s Loans Surge”

It was a short and provocative article about borrowing money for post-secondary education. They illustrated the piece with John Berg’s story who was 150k in debt because of his loans for a doctorate in psychology.  He got a gig at the VA, but it is hard to buy a home at $68,000/year and $1000/month payments.

I don’t believe you can plan out your career years in advance, but how does the cost of higher education factor into someone’s career planning? Is there a breaking point where traditional higher education isn’t worth the cost?

The Tommy Gun and your career

Daniel Pink wrote a wonderful book called

The Adventures of Johnny Bunko: The Last Career Guide You'll Ever Need

It has six insightful and empowering lessons. The last one is entitled

Leave an imprint

“Recognize that your life isn’t infinite and that you should use your limited time here to do something that matters.”

In a different book, I read about  John T. Thompson and his invention, the Thompson submachine gun (or the Tommy Gun). He has an interesting story because his invention was used in several capacities.  When the gun came to market there weren’t any major wars to use it in. WWI had just ended and John Thompson died before the gun was used to “clear trenches” in WWII. Law enforcement agencies and gangsters used the gun. The infamous St. Valentine's Day Massacre utilized Tommy guns.

Did John Thompson feel like he made a positive imprint? Was he disappointed knowing that gangsters like Al Capone used his invention for crime? Thompson never truly got to see the good his gun did in WWII as a “trench sweeper” that helped defeat the Axis. Would that have made a difference?

Career and the Unexpected

 Krumboltz writes that, "The counselor's job is to facilitate the learning of skills, interests, beliefs, values, work habits and personal qualities that enable each client to create a satisfying life in a constantly changing work environment."

 Economic situations, unexpected personal events, unexpected information throw everyone for a curve, right?

How do you look at that curve? Is it a normal aspect of career choice or something that results in a strikeout? 

By viewing unplanned events as opportunities for learning, you are changing the game.

 Not only do you wait for the curve, but perhaps you should take action to generate and find those "curveball" opportunities.

The other day I saw a bank manager in a public forum trying to drum up business. I initiated a conversation about the future of retail banking. His response surprised me and I gained a perspective I did not have before. I also gained his email to follow up with for a couple of my projects. Who knows, right?

9 Ways You Can Create Positive Chance Events For Your Career

1. Take a risk(sometimes)

2. Accept  that no one can predict the future with accuracy

3. Reflect on how unpredictable events have shaped your career in the past

4. Think about how job descriptions are changing, some occupations are becoming obsolete, and unforeseen                          occupations are being created

5. Don’t use magical thinking or reliance on fate

6.Re-frame indecision as open-mindedness

7.Develop an exploratory attitude

8. Develop your skill of asking questions just to know

9. Avoid foreclosing  possibilities with job titles

(Based on the writings of Dr. John Krumboltz and his Planned Happenstance Theory)

Some ways to prepare yourself for a career intervention

Some ways to prepare yourself for a career intervention

•  Seek role models,
•  Expand your knowledge of self

•  Become open to reflecting on your life experience
•  Halt negative thoughts
•  Seek support from family members
•  Formulate realistic expectations

Five Reasons Why Doing An Internship Is Valuable

1. Helps focus your career interests, abilities, values, etc.

2. Gives you a dry-run with the job search process (resumes, networking, interviewing, etc.)

3. Gives you real-life experience that employers value

4. Helps you learn about a company you might be interested in working for in the future

5. Develops your professional network