Monthly Archives: November 2013

Investing in 2014 – Part 2 of 2 – Opening Up a New Market!

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In Part 1 of this series, Investing in Organizational and Personal Career (link) I explored the need to focus on career development both within your organizations for all your people as well as for your own personal growth. In addition I introduced a new affiliate relationship and featured links to two interesting articles on the web – on why people hate their jobs and career and financial advice for young professionals. Link to last week’s blog to get caught up on this topic. Now looking ahead to 2014, part 2 of this series is about opening up new markets in 2014, and I want to propose a focus on one of the fastest growing and most dynamic segments, the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) market.

Are you prepared to serve this two lesbian customers with dignity and respect?

Are you prepared to serve this two lesbian customers with dignity and respect?

Just looking within the United States alone, many diversity market place studies place the LGBT disposable income at between $700 – $800B! Even though the number of LGBT people may be smaller than numbers of Asians, Blacks or Hispanics in the US, the disposable income is in the same range. The primary reason is that at least for now, a smaller percentage of LGBT people are raising children (which costs a whole lot of money), which provides more money available for other purchasing decisions. Maybe you should plan to expand into this market in 2014!

One other very important point about the LGBT marketplace is that it is frequently more “brand-loyal” to companies that reach out to them and treat them with respect, and more “brand-punishing” to those companies that do very little to recognize the LGBT community or that even treat them negatively. It seems that on a monthly basis, there is some company that is highly publicized for a misstep with the LGBT community, or one that has done something very special to support the community.

But it goes beyond just the end-consumer! This LGBT market discussion is also important to consider in B2B (or business to business) interactions. Companies that primarily sell to other companies need to be acutely aware that key decision makers they are calling on could be LGBT or strong supporters. Plus an increasing number of very large firms look at potential suppliers’ diversity policies as part of their buying criteria. And many include LGBT-owned businesses as part of their supplier diversity mix and are corporate partners of the NLGCC (National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.)

I am now an affiliate partner of LGBT Marketing and Communications expert Jenn T. Grace, offering "How to Authentically Market to the Gay Community"

I am now an affiliate partner of LGBT Marketing and Communications expert Jenn T. Grace, offering “How to Authentically Market to the Gay Community”


Through my consulting practice, I can assist you in your LGBT corporate diversity strategy and training; take a look at my services (link) and also take my 13-question GLBT Diversity quiz to see how your organization rates as LGBT-inclusive.

And now through an affiliate partnership with Jenn T. Grace – you can gain the marketing and communications expertise via the “How to Authentically Market to the Gay Community.” Check out the details on my affiliates web page (link) or to start now, link to Jenn’s free introductory video series.

I am hoping to see the economy to continue to improve in 2014, but in addition to growing with that wave, don’t you want to grow faster than the market? Consider a special effort to court and win LGBT business in 2014!

Investing in 2014 – Part 1 of 2 – Organizational and Personal Career

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Includes links to an affiliate resource and a two very interesting articles on the web – on why people hate their jobs and career and financial advice for young professionals. Read on!


We are almost to the end of 2013; most organizations and many people individually are setting plans, priorities and budgets for 2014. In this two part series, I will start with organizational and personal career development and next week will look at investing in opening up a new market (you will have to wait to next week to see what that market is.)

Most corporations' largest expense is in its people costs!

Most corporations’ largest expense is in its people costs!


Starting with organizational investment in career development – I keep writing about how people costs are most company’s largest expenditure and they do not seem to do enough to leverage and protect this investment. Over the past three years, a record number of employees surveyed are either not engaged or negatively / destructively engaged at their jobs. This article on “Granted Blog” (link) discusses in depth why so many people hate their jobs.

Companies must invest more to keep their people engaged and contributing to their very best. Managers and executives need to be trained on how to manage people with respect in ways that spur them on to reach new heights (yes – the Granted Blog article does list bad bosses as one of the top reasons for people hating their work.)

The second top reason is misalignment of people and their jobs to their skills and aspirations. In addition to breeding great managers, companies may want to look at providing a robust program to inspire and encourage employees to take a longer view of their careers and be enthused to stay in a company for 5 or 10 years or longer. Check out my own innovative “Total Engagement Career Mapping Services” program for engaging employees in career planning and development.

And as we enter into 2014, not only do organizations need to look at the career management issue, but the New Year is a good time for each person to individually take stock at where they are career-wise and even life-wise. Do you feel you are headed in a positive growing direction in your vocation? Do you need to enhance your own plans for managing your life and career? One very interesting article (link) in which I am quoted is loaded with financial and career advice for young professionals (actually great info that can be useful for people of all generations!) It is called “Ask the Experts: Money Management for Young Professionals” by “The Insider.”

Total Engagement Consulting is a new affiliate of Karen Tax & Associates

Total Engagement Consulting is a new affiliate of Karen Tax & Associates


Since my consulting practice focuses on businesses and organizations, I have entered into an affiliation with Karen Tax & Associates and their IAM Learning Community and IAM Career SMART! to address individual needs. These programs are designed for those in large companies all the way through individual entrepreneurs seeking holistic strategies for business, career and life. You can read more on my affiliates page, or to immediately start with a free assessment to determine how aligned your career is with your life – link here!

Resolve in 2014 to invest more both in your organization’s development of its people talent and resources, and in your own personal career and life growth!