It s a shame I've been sitting on this book for about two years now. A friend of mine gave me Never Eat Alone , by Keith Ferrazzi a couple years ago (thanks Rey), and it s been on my bookcase ever since. It was resting there not because I didn't want to read it, but because I already had so many others in the pipeline. I finally got around to reading it last month and I definitely recommend it. In very simple terms, Ferrazzi explains why networking is important and how to do it. From how to make call lists to planning dinners to personal branding to goal setting, it s all here. He also maintains a valuable blog .
Inevitably there will be times when you have setbacks or things don t go your way. Maybe you didn't get a job you thought you were sure to get. Maybe you lost a job unexpectedly, didn't win a contract, or lost a major client. Your car always seems to break down right after you've had some other unexpected expense. These kinds of situations immediately place us in crisis. They don t feel good, but sometimes they re what we need in order to grow. The beautiful thing about crises is that they force us to take a step back and reevaluate what s going on in our lives and rediscover what we truly want and need. When we get over that initial shock and feeling of disappointment, we might realize that maybe that job wasn't really the best for us anyway. Maybe, just maybe, that wasn't what you really wanted to spend your life doing. Maybe that friend was holding you back instead of pushing you forward. The way I deal with crises of these sorts is simple: If something doesn't go my way professionally, I try to create a situation that would be more rewarding than the situation originally planned. A while ago, I was offered a job that looked very promising. After I accepted the offer, they pushed the start date back three times, later informing me (via e-mail) that they wanted to bring me on in the near future but I should feel free to explore other options. I was extremely disappointed. I felt disrespected and angry, but decided to make the best of the situation and follow my dream of working internationally. I then flew to Santiago, Chile and had great professional and personal experiences I wouldn't have had otherwise. Later, reflecting back on the original opportunity, I realized that working for a company that avoids a start date three times and then can t pick up the phone to explain the situation is probably not where I need to spend my time. Use setbacks as an opportunity to put your goals in order and act on them. In the moment, it s difficult to look at a setback as temporary, but they are. They happen to everybody. It s how you respond to them that will determine how they affect you.
SEATTLE, Nov. 08 /CSRwire/ – The Bainbridge Graduate Institute, a pioneer in offering Sustainable MBA programs, announced three new certificate programs designed for working executives seeking to develop skills in the areas of three emerging markets: Sustainable Built Environment, Sustainable Food and Agriculture and Sustainable Energy Solutions.
These new programs expand the overall offerings of BGI to provide students with a deeper understanding of the rapidly evolving sustainability landscape and further prepare them to offer smart and sustainable business solutions in these three growing industries.
“BGI is tailoring these new programs for those currently working in these important sectors as well as aspiring entrepreneurs,” commented BGI Dean, John Gardner. “These certificates distinguish themselves not only as the current state of the art – but importantly, they engage and guide students on how to design new business models that will enable breakthrough success”.
BGI crafted these four-quarter, one-year, graduate certification to stimulate innovation and creativity in the design and operation of businesses that pursue a more sustainable world. Developing skilled, experienced managers with an integrated knowledge of sustainability is a core value that BGI brings to the business world.
BGI’s Certificate in Sustainable Food and Agricultural Systems will offer an integrated examination of food and agricultural systems in the U.S. and the broader movement toward sustainable practices, innovation and whole-systems development. Students will benefit from integrated examination of food systems both globally and in the US, and examine business opportunities at a local, national and global level.
Students completing the Certificate in Sustainable Built Environment will learn how to create new products and services for the design and construction sector, as well as understand the development, finance and real estate sectors from a green perspective. The certificate will equip students with the knowledge required for a career in green building and development by exploring the systemic, philosophical and historical forces that have given rise to the field. The program will also examine the technological, political and economic forces shaping its current and future development, providing a solid overview of the trends favoring a shift to a more sustainable built environment.
The Certificate in Sustainable Energy Solutions will teach students the necessary skills needed to manage and innovate in this sector including the structure and economics of the energy business, the promise and pitfalls of emerging renewable sources of energy, and how energy is consumed. The course series provides an overview of the terms, concepts, the technologies and the framework needed to take a concept or idea for a new venture through the final steps to making the “pitch” in the sustainable energy marketplace.
Starting winter 2012, these twelve credit programs will be taught by the leaders and pioneers of each industry including Dr. Bryan Wilson, Jimmy Jia, Jason McLennan, Tony D’Onofrio and BGI Dean, John Gardner.
The Sustainable Built Environment program will be offered at the Gold LEED certified IslandWood campus located on Bainbridge Island and the Sustainable Energy Solutions and Food and Agriculture Certificate programs will be offered at the Seattle Learning Site, conveniently located in downtown Seattle and asynchronous distance learning between sessions incorporating a variety of learning methodologies.
About The Bainbridge Graduate Institute
The Bainbridge Graduate Institute (BGI) was the first school to offer an MBA in Sustainable business. Founded in 2002, BGI offers evening and weekend MBA and Certificate programs that thoroughly integrate environmental and social responsibility into every subject of the traditional core business curriculum. BGI works to help other business schools become more sustainable.
For more information, please contact: Aly Tibbetss Director of Admissions and Enrollment (206) 780-6232.