Walking the

Hello again, faithful readers (and for those of you logging in hoping to see another webcomic adventure of "That QR Code Guy", you'll be pleased to hear that yes indeed, another installment is forthcoming in the next few days, so - keep checking back).

If you'll recall, waaay back when I first got started with Stalking the Job, I mentioned that when attempting a one-man guerrilla-marketing initiative, it's best to keep things on as even a keel as possible - smile, walk tall, be ready, willing & able to engage people constructively - and to avoid any and all hassles as regards private property. Simply put, this means that should the security guards on duty in a particular building come to have a chat with you about where you may or may not stand, walk or be seen it's always the best policy to cheerfully comply. After all, they're only doing their jobs; chances are there's someone situated higher up the chain putting the squeeze on them.

In order to avoid this situation cropping up too often, I've made a point of keeping my QR code campaign outdoors and at street-level to as great an extent as I can. My intent is to try connecting with interested parties - not to make a nuisance of myself. That being said, walking around the city in the blustering cold of February can be a truly punishing experience, and on occasion, it's been necessary to duck indoors to warm up and/or to locate (and make use of) toilet facilities. Trouble is, to do that requires either the purchase of a cup of coffee or a foray into Toronto's underground PATH system of interconnected shopping concourses and food courts, hidden away beneath the central banking towers of the downtown core.

On a day like today, however... a dark winter's day (the sort of day that can't make up its' mind whether to snow or rain so instead it manages both, with a gale-force wind thrown for good measure), it seemed appropriate to throw caution to the wind and bend my own rules a little. Yes, faithful readers - I walked the PATH.

It's bewildering down there, I don't mind telling you. Like a shopping mall, there are no clocks on the walls to let you know what time it is; the passageways twist and turn and with nothing of the streetscape visible from two or three stories below ground, it's easy to lose your bearings. More than once I found myself having to retrace my steps after finding my way to a dead-end service corridor.

It's also crowded! Now I know why King & Bay isn't nearly as much a sea of humanity at lunchtime as it might otherwise be. There must be (literally) tens of thousands of office workers in the downtown core who bypass the elements entirely by remaining inside the PATH system from the moment they exit the subway or GO train in the morning until it's time to head home. I must have been a mildly bewildering presence down there amongst these subterranean people, as I caught many heads turning (and at least a few people fishing in their pockets for their Blackberries).

Truth be told, I am somewhat uncomfortable in environments like shopping malls or movie theatres. It's not that I'm claustrophobic, or even agoraphobic - it's just that I have come to be somewhat wary of crowds, especially in emergency situations. You can't predict how a given agglomeration of human beings will react in the case of say, a fire. And if the exit points from a pedestrian maze aren't clearly marked, well...  let's just say that my slightly exaggerated sense of personal safety will always trump a willingness on my part to move happily along with the herd. There's only so much time I'm willing to spend inside before a keenly-felt need to return outside takes hold. Irrational? Perhaps... but as my grandmother always said, "better safe than sorry".

Returning to the surface world, my journeying once again took me west, through the Entertainment District and onwards to Bathurst Street. I some fun waving back to the people peering out their windows at TAXI, on Wellington - chatted with a few minions outside the CBC building on John Street - and was able to provide some snappy comebacks to more than a few cold and wet passersby. Somewhere along the line, however, a telltale moistness between the toes of my right foot told me my third pair of shoes this month might be on the threshold of failure. I'll have to keep an eye (or maybe a foot) on that! Also, the wind shear on certain streets was so great that it tore one of the adhesive velcro tabs on my sandwich board right off the underlying canvasboard (not to worry, I have plenty of spare velcro at  home and have already effected repairs). So, with the wind pulling crazily at the sandwich board, the prospect of returning partway home via the PATH had a definite appeal.

Don't mess with Metro Hall.

After re-entering the PATH via Metro Hall, however, I was accosted by a security guard, an earnest young man who demanded I remove my sandwich board as he felt that I was "soliciting" on private premises. I explained politely that I was not selling anything, had no interest in remaining on the premises, and asked courteously for him to direct me to the closest underground exit that would take me eastward. With that, he seemed more relieved than anything - though I've made a mental note not to return to that portion of the PATH in future. The rest of the trip back was uneventful, but I tried remaining cognizant of my surroundings with relation to the size of my footprint (the dimensions of the sandwich board can sometimes make for awkward situations, particularly in doorways and on escalators). By the time I found myself beneath First Canadian Place, I'd managed to once again get myself completely lost. With the experience at Metro Hall still fresh, I was loathe to find myself in the same situation and so, spying a group of security guards standing together on the edge of a cluster of shops, I decided to brazen it out a bit. Rather than shying away from them for fear of being asked to leave, I fairly bounded up to them (full of cheer and goodwill) and asked them how to get to the King Street subway station.

And you know? It worked like a charm! Not only were they helpful, they actually started whipping out their phones to give me a scan. I'm not entirely sure, but I think I might've inadvertently discovered how to side-step issues with building security guards - the key being to simply (and as always, politely) tap them for information. After all, a man asking for directions out is not a man looking to linger. And as good as their word, I was able to use their instructions to find my way to Yonge & King, where I exited to make my way home - footsore, sure - but not nearly quite so chilled to the bone as most days.

For Stalking the Job, this is John Currie (That QR Code Guy) signing off. As ever, faithful readers - I'll be seeing you.

Have you seen That QR Code Guy?

If you're one of the many who've snapped a photo of me while I've been out Stalking the Job, I'd love to hear from you! Send in your photos - I'll make a point of featuring them here. Here's one from earlier today:

Taken on Wellington Street February 29th 2012 @iamryanbooth

The 8 Qualities That Make a Great Employee Remarkable

Reposted from the original article at inc.com:

Eight Qualities of Remarkable Employees

Great employees are reliable, dependable, proactive, diligent, great leaders and great followers... they possess a wide range of easily-defined—but hard to find—qualities.

A few hit the next level. Some employees are remarkable, possessing qualities that may not appear on performance appraisals but nonetheless make a major impact on performance.

Here are eight qualities of remarkable employees:

1. They ignore job descriptions. The smaller the company, the more important it is that employees can think on their feet, adapt quickly to shifting priorities, and do whatever it takes, regardless of role or position, to get things done.

When a key customer's project is in jeopardy, remarkable employees know without being told there's a problem and jump in without being asked—even if it's not their job.

2. They’re eccentric... The best employees are often a little different: quirky, sometimes irreverent, even delighted to be unusual. They seem slightly odd, but in a really good way. Unusual personalities shake things up, make work more fun, and transform a plain-vanilla group into a team with flair and flavor.

People who aren't afraid to be different naturally stretch boundaries and challenge the status quo, and they often come up with the best ideas.

3. But they know when to dial it back. An unusual personality is a lot of fun... until it isn't. When a major challenge pops up or a situation gets stressful, the best employees stop expressing their individuality and fit seamlessly into the team.

Remarkable employees know when to play and when to be serious; when to be irreverent and when to conform; and when to challenge and when to back off. It’s a tough balance to strike, but a rare few can walk that fine line with ease.

4. They publicly praise... Praise from a boss feels good. Praise from a peer feels awesome, especially when you look up to that person.

Remarkable employees recognize the contributions of others, especially in group settings where the impact of their words is even greater.

5. And they privately complain. We all want employees to bring issues forward, but some problems are better handled in private. Great employees often get more latitude to bring up controversial subjects in a group setting because their performance allows greater freedom.

Remarkable employees come to you before or after a meeting to discuss a sensitive issue, knowing that bringing it up in a group setting could set off a firestorm.

6. They speak when others won’t. Some employees are hesitant to speak up in meetings. Some are even hesitant to speak up privately.

An employee once asked me a question about potential layoffs. After the meeting I said to him, “Why did you ask about that? You already know what's going on.” He said, “I do, but a lot of other people don't, and they're afraid to ask. I thought it would help if they heard the answer from you.”

Remarkable employees have an innate feel for the issues and concerns of those around them, and step up to ask questions or raise important issues when others hesitate.

7. They like to prove others wrong. Self-motivation often springs from a desire to show that doubters are wrong. The kid without a college degree or the woman who was told she didn't have leadership potential often possess a burning desire to prove other people wrong.

Education, intelligence, talent, and skill are important, but drive is critical. Remarkable employees are driven by something deeper and more personal than just the desire to do a good job.

8. They’re always fiddling. Some people are rarely satisfied (I mean that in a good way) and are constantly tinkering with something: Reworking a timeline, adjusting a process, tweaking a workflow.

Great employees follow processes. Remarkable employees find ways to make those processes even better, not only because they are expected to… but because they just can't help it.

Stalking the Job presents: The Continuing Adventures of That QR Code Guy

You Gotta Look Sharp...!

Good afternoon, faithful readers. It is a dark and windswept Friday, with the temperature hovering around freezing, and a sky full of cold rain and sleet. What better type of day to stay indoors, while continuing to scheme my schemes for surmounting the job-market in Toronto? In fact I plan to use some of my time later today to work on the fourth installment of "The Adventures of That QR Code Guy", as I've been receiving a few inquiries about the upcoming comic.

Yesterday was a good day - warm, sunny in the morning and early afternoon - just the sort of weather that puts an extra bounce in my step. And bounce I did; bounced, skipped, whistled and moved my feet to the rhythms in my head. I say, "in my head" because I choose not to use use an .mp3 player while out and about on the streets of the city. Some have told me they couldn't imagine doing what I'm doing without their iPod, that they'd find themselves bored beyond belief, but I've found that it's absolutely critical to be fully aware of my environment at all times (and that includes being able to hear what's going on around me).

 

That QR Code Guy (as captured by @baldean ) walking north at the corner of King & Bay in Toronto.

In the downtown core, it pays to be mindful of the ebb and flow of oncoming traffic, of fast-moving electric carts and of the ever-present sidewalk-cyclists who'll unexpectedly approach from behind. There've also been a number occasions where, in passing, I've heard people quietly murmur to each other that they'd like to try scanning my QR code. Of course, I'm only too happy to oblige - except when crossing an intersection, that is.

Having taken on the persona of That QR Code Guy, I am to all intents and purposes, the sole ambassador of my personal brand. Yes, the whole point of my campaign is to use the QR code to prompt passersby into satisfying their curiousity... but, as the code represents me - my work - and my stated desire to contribute, in a meaningful fashion, to an organization that values creativity and initiative - it is solely my responsibility to engage the members of the public. Were I to choose to simply walk around with buds stuffed in my ears, I would in a sense be "dialing-in" my presence. No, the approach I've found works best is to be there, not just in body but in spirit.

To no small extent, this idea of "being there" also dictates both how I comport myself and how I present myself in public. As I've had occasion to say (to more than one person), were I to walk around slouching and slumping my shoulders while staring at the ground, I can't imagine any passersby bothering to find out just what it is that I'm up to. Instead I walk tall - chest out, shoulders erect and with my head held high  - always exuding an air of quiet self-assurance and approachability.

As Joe Jackson said many, many years ago, "you gotta look sharp". And it's true! On the coldest mornings this month (those days that I simply could not walk out of the house wearing just my suit-jacket and sandwich board) my reel saw fewer overall views on my YouTube channel, and I think it was due in part to not looking as polished in my winter jacket and scarf as I do in my suit. People certainly seem to be less inclined to satisfy their curiousity if your grooming and/or personal appearance is not as well-considered as it could be. And, comfy though they may be this also means leaving the running shoes at home. Proper black leather walking shoes convey something entirely different than a pair of Reeboks!

So, before heading out the door into the downtown core I always make sure I'm scrubbed, shaven, well-dressed, and in possession of as many necessities (business cards, breath gum, et cetera) as needed for an eight-hour day of walking and talking.

Now on a cold day like today I'd be severely disinclined to go bopping down the street to a James Brown rhythm, but yesterday I definitely had my inner groove on. And you know, it seems to have worked in my favour; the reel saw a decided uptick in views. But I think it also served me in another manner - see, there are those who (being too shy to ask or even to scan) have assumed I must be some sort of protestor. By letting myself relax and stepping into a swinging pattern of walking, I'm letting people know that whatever it is that I'm up to, it's probably nothing to do with politics, war, religion or the zombie apocalypse. By playing the clown (to a certain extent), I'm putting them at their ease. I'm telling them that it's alright to scan me, that I'm a nice guy - someone who isn't about to launch into a lecture, or pester them for donations.

One of the things I've learned is that scans do not necessarily equal views on my YouTube channel, at least not immediately. When checking through YouTube analytics, I'll see a number of views coming up via mobile devices during the overnight periods, when I'm all tucked in and snoring up a storm. I've come to the conclusion that people are tending (more often than not) to bookmark the video after scanning the QR code, so they can view it later on. And this is, of course entirely fine... though I'll admit I wish I could be on-hand to answer any questions they might have, either about the campaign or about my goals. One such exchange this week netted me an offer from a complete stranger to personally convey my CV and related materials to the appropriate parties at one of the larger banking corporations downtown. Just that experience alone underscored for me that this somewhat-radical approach of mine is not at all a novelty, but rather an innovation in this current job-market.

Is it the right approach for anyone else? Is Toronto about to explode with men in black fedoras wearing life-sized QR codes? Most likely not - but if it ever comes about, well... they'll have to look sharp.

For Stalking the Job, this is John Currie - and as always, I'll see you around.

What is Your Unique Value, and Can You Articulate It?

Reposted from the original article at forbes.com:

Mastering the Art of Authentic Confident Self-Promotion

 

People are too busy today to go out of their way to find you, recognize and reward you. The good news is, however, that you can create the visibility and credibility you need to move your career forward. You can control how others perceive you in the work environment. You can learn to communicate to others what value you bring to the table. In short, you can be visible, take credit for your accomplishments, showcase your skills, and build your reputation both inside and outside your company to strengthen your subject matter expertise.

1. Understand your value proposition.
 This is the foundation of authentic self-promotion and gives you the confidence you need to talk about yourself in a positive manner. Identify your strengths. How they have helped you in the past and how are these strengths helping you now in your current position?

What are your accomplishments? What do these say about you?

2. Communicate your value
Create your personal value proposition or value statement so that you can clearly articulate your value to others. Think strategically and identify your web of influence or power network inside and outside your organization in order to advance your career. Build and leverage these relationships and create a plan to communicate and be consistently visible to these contacts.

Self-promote in ways that management cares about by speaking the language of business outcomes when talking about your accomplishments.

3.  Demonstrate Your Value.
Once you understand your value, you can demonstrate your value to others to establish your credibility. Here are some suggestions:

• Volunteer and take on high profile projects at work or in your community. This gives you the opportunity to show your leadership and ability to work well with a team.
• Community involvement can be a great way to showcase your abilities and meet influential people at the same time.
• Sit on non-profit boards.
• Speak up in meetings and let your opinion be known.
• Take credit for your accomplishments.
• Use assertive communication.
• Write a blog that showcases your expertise.
• Teach a course at a local college or continuing education program.
• Submit articles to become a subject matter expert.
• Find opportunities to do radio/TV  interviews.

Guiltless self-promotion comes from a true understanding of who you are and what unique value you bring to your job, your community, and the world.

What is your unique value? Can you articulate it?