8567 - can you guess what this number is?
The number of hits on Google for a random search? A street address? The last four digits of a telephone number? A car part number? The number of times I have told my children to, "sit still" at the dinner table in the last year?
No - to all of the above.
This number represents the number of text messages sent and received by my 15 year old step daughter in the month of November. There are 30 days in November - that's about 285 text messages a day! When I saw this on our cell phone bill I realized I am not young anymore. Even though I FEEL 23 I am not. And as a member of the Generation X - I am in the, "older generation." The "older generation according" to Generation Y/Millennium Generation that is.
After getting over the fact that my 15 year is able to physically send and receive that many (8,567!) TEXT messages in one day and still have an A average in high school I started thinking about generations and the differences. I found the following You Tube video about technology and the young on a blog and thought I'd share it here. Watch it - you'll be amazed and entertained.
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12/24/07
12/16/07
One Job for the Rest of My Life? Not at Sodexo!
Seriously - just because you start your career in one job doesn't mean you have to stay in that job for the rest of your lives like bees - did you view the clip?!
And, we certainly will not work you to death - did you view the clip?!
It doesn't matter what position you start in at Sodexo, the decision of where to go from there is yours. We are committed to continuous learning and have high performance expectations for employees. We look to develop staff from within the company by providing sufficient resources, rewards and encouragement to encourage your growth and with locations across North America, you can build the career you want almost anywhere you want to.
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12/14/07
Attracting the Generation Y...
Attracting and Retaining Generation Y employees... is this easier said than done? I was thinking about the HUGE difference between the college experience of (the now) 2008 compared to the college experience of 1988 when I was in college. I didn't have a computer. I had a typewriter, just like the one in the picture above, or I had to go to the computer lab to type up my handwritten papers. We took notes in college with pen and paper. Students now have computers to take notes. And email... I didn't have email in college. I didn't even really know what email was when I took my first "real" job in 1994 but, I learned fast and now I can't live without it! I didn't have a cell phone - in fact, I didn't get my first cell phone until 1997! Do you remember trying to find a pay phone while driving?
You get my point.
The Generation Y – also known as the Millennial Generation – have technology in their favor and there are nearly 80 million of them! They were between 1979 and 1999 and the youngest members of this generation are still in elementary school while the older of this bunch are already in the workforce. And, as the baby boomers start retiring (the first one filed for social security about 4 months ago) Generation Y "kids" will become (some already are) the "players" in our workforce. They are the managers, supervisors and executives of tomorrow.*
So how do we attract and retain the Generation Y? We learn more about them. We learn from them. We trust them. We try to understand them. We put ourselves in their shoes.
I found a great white paper on exactly this subject this morning by Yahoo! Hot Jobs. It is a must-read for recruiters, employers, employees, parents, teachers, Generation X'ers, and Baby Boomers! So grab a cup of coffee, download the PDF document, and read about our future leaders. You will not be disappointed.
* Source for the post:
"WHAT MILLENNIAL WORKERS WANT: How to Attract and Retain Gen Y Employees," by Robert Half International and Yahoo! Hot Jobs.
You get my point.
The Generation Y – also known as the Millennial Generation – have technology in their favor and there are nearly 80 million of them! They were between 1979 and 1999 and the youngest members of this generation are still in elementary school while the older of this bunch are already in the workforce. And, as the baby boomers start retiring (the first one filed for social security about 4 months ago) Generation Y "kids" will become (some already are) the "players" in our workforce. They are the managers, supervisors and executives of tomorrow.*
So how do we attract and retain the Generation Y? We learn more about them. We learn from them. We trust them. We try to understand them. We put ourselves in their shoes.
I found a great white paper on exactly this subject this morning by Yahoo! Hot Jobs. It is a must-read for recruiters, employers, employees, parents, teachers, Generation X'ers, and Baby Boomers! So grab a cup of coffee, download the PDF document, and read about our future leaders. You will not be disappointed.
* Source for the post:
"WHAT MILLENNIAL WORKERS WANT: How to Attract and Retain Gen Y Employees," by Robert Half International and Yahoo! Hot Jobs.
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12/13/07
Same old same old...
Do you ever feel like you are doing the same thing over and over and over again in your current career. Or do you ever feel like you are spinning your wheel or just running in circles?
Well.. then make a change! You can start your new career with Sodexho today!
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12/12/07
Work it Out!
Staying fit takes time and dedicaion - we all know this, right? Some people really love working out. Some people don't mind it. Some people work out because they know they have to. Some people work out because they can't handle the guilt of not working out. If there was an EASY button for working out would you press it? Every day? Every once in a while? Or never?
Well - we all know there is no EASY button for staying fit and working out. You just have to do it. You have to exercise and you have to eat healthy. Easier said than done in today's world of cell phones, internet, email and 300+ cable channels, right? .
I read an article last night in the December issue of Entrepreneur Magazine about staying fit while you are glued to your desk at work. It was interesting - it even sounded like it could be fun... what do you think?
Flow: You can perform these seven five-minute video exercises while sitting at your desk; the software program reminds you when it's time to shake your limbs and get the blood flowing. It also has a nutrition guide to promote healthy eating habits.
StretchWare: Bob Anderson, author of Stretching in the Office, has developed software that demonstrates stretching exercises you can do at work. Choose your routines and set the program--which can be purchased or downloaded for $24.95--to remind you when it's time for a workout.
Yoga at Work Video Classes: Become a member of this site and you can watch instructional videos online. The videos vary from short yoga exercises, such as the five-minute "Seated Worktime Energy Flow," to "Worktime Energy Flow Extended," which lasts 11 minutes.
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12/11/07
Do you mean it?
"Say what you mean. Mean what you say. And, don't be mean when you say it."
--Marilyn Sherman
Keynote Speaker and Author
--Marilyn Sherman
Keynote Speaker and Author
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You Deserve My Respect
At our (Sodexo's Talent Acquisition Group) annual meeting this year we had the pleasure of hearing a great speaker, Marilyn Sherman, for one of our keynote speeches and for one of our breakout sessions. She was one of the most entertaining and inspiring speakers I have ever listened to and I learned so much. I wish I had the benefit of hearing her speak three years ago when I found myself in a less than happy situation at a previous job. I now know that I made several communication mistakes in dealing with one particular difficult person and I let the situation get out of hand. I was frustrated, hurt, confused and defeated. I learned that I failed to set my boundaries with this person and the end result - me leaving the job - was inevitable.
Back to Marilyn. In her breakout session she offered us what she referred to as "money lines." These are important responses to difficult situations that we need to exercise at just the right moment. Here are Marilyn's money lines - do not forget them!
1. "I need 5 minutes." When do you use this line? When someone - a coworker has crossed the line and is no longer treating you with respect. Take the 5 minutes to calm down and to gather your thoughts so you don't lash out and say something you might regret. Don't ask if you can have 5 minutes - tell them you need 5 minutes. Don't even say, "OK?" Just walk away.
2. "You deserve my respect right now and I am unable to give it to you. I need 5 minutes." If this person is pushing you after you tell them (not ask them) for 5 minutes simply, but firmly say this to them and walk away. Again, the goal is to give yourself a minute to regroup and avoid saying something that will come back to haunt you in the future.
3. "So that I know what I need to do next. Help me understand. What are you thinking?" And then shut up. Let the person who is ranting to explain what they are ranting about. Gain understanding before you make your next move. Try to open the lines of communication at this point so you can avoid further confusion.
4. "That sounded like an insult, was that your intent?" Now THIS is my favorite. How many times have you been in a conversation - either in a group or with one person - and you swear a comment spoken was a dig and meant directly for you because of the sarcastic tone of delivery. Most people will be surprised by this statement and more than likely they will turn it around and make it sound like you are paranoid and then you simply say it again... "That sounded like an insult, was that your intent?" Perfect!
Part of what made Marilyn a great speaker was her humor and the other part was her willingness to share. She had wonderful examples to get her point across. If you ever have the opportunity to hear her speak - jump on it. You will not be disappointed!!
Back to Marilyn. In her breakout session she offered us what she referred to as "money lines." These are important responses to difficult situations that we need to exercise at just the right moment. Here are Marilyn's money lines - do not forget them!
1. "I need 5 minutes." When do you use this line? When someone - a coworker has crossed the line and is no longer treating you with respect. Take the 5 minutes to calm down and to gather your thoughts so you don't lash out and say something you might regret. Don't ask if you can have 5 minutes - tell them you need 5 minutes. Don't even say, "OK?" Just walk away.
2. "You deserve my respect right now and I am unable to give it to you. I need 5 minutes." If this person is pushing you after you tell them (not ask them) for 5 minutes simply, but firmly say this to them and walk away. Again, the goal is to give yourself a minute to regroup and avoid saying something that will come back to haunt you in the future.
3. "So that I know what I need to do next. Help me understand. What are you thinking?" And then shut up. Let the person who is ranting to explain what they are ranting about. Gain understanding before you make your next move. Try to open the lines of communication at this point so you can avoid further confusion.
4. "That sounded like an insult, was that your intent?" Now THIS is my favorite. How many times have you been in a conversation - either in a group or with one person - and you swear a comment spoken was a dig and meant directly for you because of the sarcastic tone of delivery. Most people will be surprised by this statement and more than likely they will turn it around and make it sound like you are paranoid and then you simply say it again... "That sounded like an insult, was that your intent?" Perfect!
Part of what made Marilyn a great speaker was her humor and the other part was her willingness to share. She had wonderful examples to get her point across. If you ever have the opportunity to hear her speak - jump on it. You will not be disappointed!!
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12/9/07
Future Leaders - College Interns
So what did you think of our intern video from my last post?
Did you read that our interns are paid?
I remember interning for Sony Music while in college - not only did they have me copying (not writing - copying) press releases and play lists and I acted as their personal delivery girl - I didn't get paid! I guess the trade off for me was I had an opportunity to go to concerts for free all year and meet and greet aging rock stars. I remember meeting Steve Perry from Journey (am I dating myself?) and at an average 5'7" I towered over him like an amazon woman. The minute I saw him I wanted to start singing the song, "Open Arms!"
As an intern with Sodexho you won't be meeting aging rock stars, but you will be gaining valuable professional experience. And, just like like your career at Sodexho, the internship you choose is up to you. And what college student doesn't want to get paid while they are earning credits? That's multi-tasking at it's best!
Check out our intern brochure!
Did you read that our interns are paid?
I remember interning for Sony Music while in college - not only did they have me copying (not writing - copying) press releases and play lists and I acted as their personal delivery girl - I didn't get paid! I guess the trade off for me was I had an opportunity to go to concerts for free all year and meet and greet aging rock stars. I remember meeting Steve Perry from Journey (am I dating myself?) and at an average 5'7" I towered over him like an amazon woman. The minute I saw him I wanted to start singing the song, "Open Arms!"
As an intern with Sodexho you won't be meeting aging rock stars, but you will be gaining valuable professional experience. And, just like like your career at Sodexho, the internship you choose is up to you. And what college student doesn't want to get paid while they are earning credits? That's multi-tasking at it's best!
Check out our intern brochure!
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12/8/07
Hiring College Students - College Inernships
As a Sodexo intern, you’ll work 40 hour weeks, for ten weeks, earning $460 per week! You can't get better than that can you?
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12/6/07
Why should we blog?
There are people who blog and there are people who do not blog. I blog. When I joined Sodexo's Talent Acquisition Group - this is my 5th week with them by the way - I knew I wanted to start a blog. I see the value in blogging. The conversations I have had in my virtual world of blogging have been educational and entertaining. Blogging is one of my hobbies - like reading, boating, hunting or shopping. Blogging is like an open invitation to join the discussion - some of these people you know - some you do not. So how do you convince the non-bloggers the value in blogging? You start a blog and invite them into your mind to join the discussion!
The Talent Acquisition Group for Sodexo, Inc. is a group of Human Resource professionals with an expertise in finding the right employees to fill open positions within the company for the United States. The team is committed to finding the best qualified candidates for careers with Sodexo and I was hired to help the team do just that through marketing.
Welcome... now let's talk!
The Talent Acquisition Group for Sodexo, Inc. is a group of Human Resource professionals with an expertise in finding the right employees to fill open positions within the company for the United States. The team is committed to finding the best qualified candidates for careers with Sodexo and I was hired to help the team do just that through marketing.
Welcome... now let's talk!
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12/5/07
Who is Sodexo?
Sodexo is the leading food and facilities management services company in North America and a member of Sodexo Alliance. Every day more than 120,000 Sodexho employees work to improve the quality of daily life for our clients and customers all over the U.S. and Canada. Sodexho Inc. offers innovative outsourcing solutions to more than 6,000 corporations, health care, long term care and retirement centers, schools, college campuses, military and remote sites throughout North America. Sodexo USA proudly serves as the official food service provider for the US Marine Corps.
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12/1/07
Sodexo Careers Blog goes public!
The Talent Acquisition Group of Sodexo is excited to announce the public launch of their new recruitment blog.
The purpose of this blog is to inform, entertain, and most of all generate an energetic buzz about our recruiting team. We invite you and your friends to experience our culture and to learn how you can become a valued member of our team.
The purpose of this blog is to inform, entertain, and most of all generate an energetic buzz about our recruiting team. We invite you and your friends to experience our culture and to learn how you can become a valued member of our team.
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