One of the lead stories in the newspaper today - the NSW government has rejected a submission by its judges to be able to work on until 75 rather than 72. The editor opines quite correctly (I can't believe I'd actually find myself agreeing with a Murdoch press but stranger things are happening these days!) - that the judgement should be made on ability rather than age - here, here!!
I'd be very pleased to hear from US readers on this matter, I've read that US Supreme Court Justices, once appointed, can stay on the bench until they so desire to step down, or mother nature takes its course. Is this appropriate? or not?
The news article claims age precedence in pilots here in Australia where a cut off of 55 applies owing to the physical nature of the job duties are deemed to excessive - I guess just the same as it would be in the Armed Forces and possibly many other very physical professions.
Yet again I ask though? Is this limitation appropriate or borne of a bygone era that assumed frailness in all once they reach a certain age.
With London 2012 looming, I was called to note by my daughter who was aghast upon learning that women runners in the early Olympic games were prevented from competing because of "their fragility and tenderness" - they obviously hadn't heard of the grunting female tennis players of the new game had they!
Till next time...
Dom
Tuesday, 29 May 2012
Tuesday, 22 May 2012
Are we up to date?
Doing the rounds of CeBIT today in Sydney's Darling Harbour - for a booming economy it still feels somewhat quiet. Disheartened by the politicians this morning and their prattle - it is still clear to me that many (and they are of my era), simply don't fully comprehend the magnitude of change possible through technology and access - for another time in another blog!
From an aging worker's perspective I note that older technologies (telephony, data infrastructure, hardware) had a smattering of all ages manning the stands, however the key observation was around the newer web based offerings and applications that I noticed a distinct lack of grey hair - why?
I can say that having to learn new tricks now that I'm almost 52 is not easy. I'm not sure if its an age thing or complexity issue related to the times we live in. I can remember my reading list being far smaller when I first started in this game, yet now, I find myself reading prodigiously every day, and still feeling like I know nothing about new technologies, emerging trends, new companies etc.
I have to admit I don't always get why social media is SO big, but I certainly do understand numbers, and when you total up the market cap of social media companies today, its seriously big money, and there are plenty of people out there investing - and that's why I keep reading, learning, and trying to understand the opportunities around these trends.
So how are you keeping up? Personally, I subscribe to a number of daily newsletters, some paid, most are free to keep me informed of my market interests, I read my daily newspapers as well as NY Post, and a number of start up related newsletters (which is my interest). There is a plethora of paid educational courses out there, disturbingly, I understand from a very good friend at the Australian Graduate School of Management that Australian senior managers are amoung the lowest trained executives in the world, and many fail to keep their education up to date with refreshers etc. I am meeting with this person early next month, and I look forward to posting about that discussion.
What's good? what's not so good when it comes to "keeping up", and are things that much different from when we first started our business careers, or is it because our brains are now addled owing to age :-)!!
Best
Dom
From an aging worker's perspective I note that older technologies (telephony, data infrastructure, hardware) had a smattering of all ages manning the stands, however the key observation was around the newer web based offerings and applications that I noticed a distinct lack of grey hair - why?
I can say that having to learn new tricks now that I'm almost 52 is not easy. I'm not sure if its an age thing or complexity issue related to the times we live in. I can remember my reading list being far smaller when I first started in this game, yet now, I find myself reading prodigiously every day, and still feeling like I know nothing about new technologies, emerging trends, new companies etc.
I have to admit I don't always get why social media is SO big, but I certainly do understand numbers, and when you total up the market cap of social media companies today, its seriously big money, and there are plenty of people out there investing - and that's why I keep reading, learning, and trying to understand the opportunities around these trends.
So how are you keeping up? Personally, I subscribe to a number of daily newsletters, some paid, most are free to keep me informed of my market interests, I read my daily newspapers as well as NY Post, and a number of start up related newsletters (which is my interest). There is a plethora of paid educational courses out there, disturbingly, I understand from a very good friend at the Australian Graduate School of Management that Australian senior managers are amoung the lowest trained executives in the world, and many fail to keep their education up to date with refreshers etc. I am meeting with this person early next month, and I look forward to posting about that discussion.
What's good? what's not so good when it comes to "keeping up", and are things that much different from when we first started our business careers, or is it because our brains are now addled owing to age :-)!!
Best
Dom
Monday, 21 May 2012
Thinking young is fine, just do not pretend you are...
Trust you had a great weekend - we rarely buy the weekend paper in our household, but my wife occasionally indulges the extravagance to read the extended coverage pieces, and since having started this blog, I find myself also combing through the paper with a watchful eye toward a contribution of worth to this ongoing tome.
This weekend just gone has uncovered a gem from the Sydney Morning Herald, courtesy of Philip Clarke (who was a regular on our local ABC radio as well). In this piece, we are taken through a wonderful journey of "hiking in the middle age hinterland", trying to understand how and when we became old - or older! PC ponders that it's a period between 40 and 60 - and that "learning to keep putting one foot in front of the another is a great life skill".
For me, it guess it was my kids reminding me at every opportunity of my encroaching baldness. What is it for you I wonder? What triggers the mind to say "gee I'm not as spritely as I used to be?" the extra kilos on the scale, the faster quickening of the heart beat on the tread mill, or the lack of low rider jeans in your wardrobe (I am eternally grateful for that one though).
In my last post, I discussed how being old is an attitude, not grey hair, well I had to laugh when reading this piece because its byline was "Thinking young is fine, just do not pretend you are..." , and when applying these thoughts to this blog, very salient advice.
Dying ones hair, wearing very updated kit, or trying to talk the same language at Gen Y, will very quickly be found out, and treated accordingly.
"there's nothing funnier than a bloke in a wig" Roddy Doyle - "or a comb over" Domenic Nicholas.
enjoy the read from the SMH.
Have a great day!
Dom
This weekend just gone has uncovered a gem from the Sydney Morning Herald, courtesy of Philip Clarke (who was a regular on our local ABC radio as well). In this piece, we are taken through a wonderful journey of "hiking in the middle age hinterland", trying to understand how and when we became old - or older! PC ponders that it's a period between 40 and 60 - and that "learning to keep putting one foot in front of the another is a great life skill".
For me, it guess it was my kids reminding me at every opportunity of my encroaching baldness. What is it for you I wonder? What triggers the mind to say "gee I'm not as spritely as I used to be?" the extra kilos on the scale, the faster quickening of the heart beat on the tread mill, or the lack of low rider jeans in your wardrobe (I am eternally grateful for that one though).
In my last post, I discussed how being old is an attitude, not grey hair, well I had to laugh when reading this piece because its byline was "Thinking young is fine, just do not pretend you are..." , and when applying these thoughts to this blog, very salient advice.
Dying ones hair, wearing very updated kit, or trying to talk the same language at Gen Y, will very quickly be found out, and treated accordingly.
"there's nothing funnier than a bloke in a wig" Roddy Doyle - "or a comb over" Domenic Nicholas.
enjoy the read from the SMH.
Have a great day!
Dom
Friday, 18 May 2012
Old is an attitude - its not grey hair
'[O]ld'
here has nothing to do with grey hair. ... '[O]ld' is a mentality of doing the
same thing you've always done hoping to get the results that once put you at
the top of your game," Herbold writes. ThoughtLeaders blog
Yes, it's all about attitude.
So when you come across someone making assumptions about you because of your age, its a handy reminder to yourself - are you doing the same things you did 5, 10 or even 20 years ago?, and expecting the same results? And if you are still in that rut, do you really expect younger managers to look at you wistfully and say "gee I wish I had that person working for me!"
I wish to leave you with a thought regarding a webinar I watched about a year ago, at the beginning of the webinar it asked some simple questions ...
1. When was the last time you positively reacted to a cold phone call from a sales person?
2. When was the last time you positively reacted to a direct mail piece?
3. When was the last time you researched a purchase on the internet?
4. When was the last time you bought something on the internet?
If you answered predominantly "no" to 1 & 2, and "yes" to 3 & 4, simply ask yourself are you and your business still operating in the same outdated way or have you woken up to smell the coffee?
This webinar truly woke me up - I have to keep changing - ALL THE TIME!
Is it comfortable, hell NO!
Do have a choice, hell NO!
Because if I don't change, if I don't keep up, I'm going to end up with all the other dinosaurs on the scrap heap - and if you are being continually told your too old, not "up with the times", then look in the mirror and start doing something about it - one person at a time!
We ain't done yet! :-)
Have a great weekend.
Dom
Yes, it's all about attitude.
So when you come across someone making assumptions about you because of your age, its a handy reminder to yourself - are you doing the same things you did 5, 10 or even 20 years ago?, and expecting the same results? And if you are still in that rut, do you really expect younger managers to look at you wistfully and say "gee I wish I had that person working for me!"
I wish to leave you with a thought regarding a webinar I watched about a year ago, at the beginning of the webinar it asked some simple questions ...
1. When was the last time you positively reacted to a cold phone call from a sales person?
2. When was the last time you positively reacted to a direct mail piece?
3. When was the last time you researched a purchase on the internet?
4. When was the last time you bought something on the internet?
If you answered predominantly "no" to 1 & 2, and "yes" to 3 & 4, simply ask yourself are you and your business still operating in the same outdated way or have you woken up to smell the coffee?
This webinar truly woke me up - I have to keep changing - ALL THE TIME!
Is it comfortable, hell NO!
Do have a choice, hell NO!
Because if I don't change, if I don't keep up, I'm going to end up with all the other dinosaurs on the scrap heap - and if you are being continually told your too old, not "up with the times", then look in the mirror and start doing something about it - one person at a time!
We ain't done yet! :-)
Have a great weekend.
Dom
Tuesday, 15 May 2012
Opportunities for Older Workers
Things are a little quiet presently ... I met with another "older aged" worker today is happens to also be looking for the "next big thing". He is an investor/entrepreneur who hails from Israel, and has lived in the US for quite sometime.
He had some interesting insights into the Australian start up scene, and how potentially older workers can go out and "make their own way", rather than relying on others.
Some thoughts about how the Australian physce doesn't tolerate failure, whereas the US culture expects it to some degree, if you haven't failed, you haven't been trying hard enough! A subject for another day and how the more experienced worker can provide valuable insight to younger organisations?
Anyways, I'm off to talk to some young entrepreneurs who may be looking for some assistance akin to one of my recent blogs and how the older worker can be a big value add to a start up .....
More on that after tomorrow.
Enjoy your day.
Dom
He had some interesting insights into the Australian start up scene, and how potentially older workers can go out and "make their own way", rather than relying on others.
Some thoughts about how the Australian physce doesn't tolerate failure, whereas the US culture expects it to some degree, if you haven't failed, you haven't been trying hard enough! A subject for another day and how the more experienced worker can provide valuable insight to younger organisations?
Anyways, I'm off to talk to some young entrepreneurs who may be looking for some assistance akin to one of my recent blogs and how the older worker can be a big value add to a start up .....
More on that after tomorrow.
Enjoy your day.
Dom
Monday, 14 May 2012
The real unemployment figure (cont'd)
The underlying statistics of unemployment - again a timely piece in last week's Sydney Morning Herald that suggests "employed" can mean as little as doing 1 hour / month - please don't spend the proceeds all at once, the economy won't be able to handle the rush!!
I promised I'd follow up on last Friday's blog in relation to the real figures pertaining to older age un/employment.
As it turns out, my summation was backed up by the good people at the Australian Bureau of Statistics who provided me the specifics (very prompt customer service by the way!).
And while you can sit there reading the numbers, saying, "well the number is consistent with the rest of the population, the number they don't talk about is the "Participation Rate". The age bracket goes from 35-44, then 45-54, and 55 - 59. Participation is constant through the ages at ~85%, but takes a 10% dip after 55 to 75%, and then a further 20% to 55% at age 60.
So a high level read of this statistic tells us that from 55 years old through to retirement, something like almost HALF of the available workforce stops appearing on the register as "participating".
One could surmise we have a lot of wealthy "I've made my money, and I'm done!" early retirees, or we have far too many out there really looking for work, illegible for benefits, or living off their remaining assets before they can retire.
Let's see if we can start addressing this missing ~50% of the ageing population and get them gainfully employed.
Great to see the blog readership is increasing, please share this with other interested people.
Have a great day.
Dom
I promised I'd follow up on last Friday's blog in relation to the real figures pertaining to older age un/employment.
As it turns out, my summation was backed up by the good people at the Australian Bureau of Statistics who provided me the specifics (very prompt customer service by the way!).
And while you can sit there reading the numbers, saying, "well the number is consistent with the rest of the population, the number they don't talk about is the "Participation Rate". The age bracket goes from 35-44, then 45-54, and 55 - 59. Participation is constant through the ages at ~85%, but takes a 10% dip after 55 to 75%, and then a further 20% to 55% at age 60.
So a high level read of this statistic tells us that from 55 years old through to retirement, something like almost HALF of the available workforce stops appearing on the register as "participating".
One could surmise we have a lot of wealthy "I've made my money, and I'm done!" early retirees, or we have far too many out there really looking for work, illegible for benefits, or living off their remaining assets before they can retire.
Let's see if we can start addressing this missing ~50% of the ageing population and get them gainfully employed.
Great to see the blog readership is increasing, please share this with other interested people.
Have a great day.
Dom
Friday, 11 May 2012
What is the real figure?
Thanks Seb for putting on a great do last night at Blue Chilli's office opening. More on that next week.
Again, mixing in with a bunch of very interesting people, a thought occured to me regarding the true number of people unemployed in Australia that are over 50. How real is the figure?
Frankly, I don't presently know, but I strongly suspect what ever the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) tells us is most likely waaaay out. Why? Here's my reasoning...
1. Most professional over 50's will have amassed a certain amount of assets, goods, chattels etc, and hopefully some cash/superannuation (401K for our US readers). When applying for unemployment benefits here, you have to have your assests assessed before you can succesfully get the benefit. This level is not a huge amount, and you have to fully use up any termination payment or any other declared benefit before you can claim.
2. The process of applying for the payment is long, tiresome and in my own personal experience a very big hit on the self esteem meter.
3. You then have to undertake a constant "activity test" to ensure ongoing payment, and if you are offered a job (any job), whether you like it or not, you have to take it, or lose the benefit.
Certainly for me, and a number of professionals I've met in recent years, these "tests" and the very demeaning nature of applying for unemployment benefits ensures many of us never turn up to make the claim. Other than a small percentage of totally lazy people, once you've tried to get unemployment benefits, you will truly believe that the vast majority of people that are on them, are their through no choice of their own, and would dearly love to have paid, meaningful work.
I rang the ABS today to find out because I'm unable to find the age breakdown for the moment, the very nice person on the phone tells me it does exist, and will send it to me. When I get it, I'll post it and I'd be pleased to hear your opinion on how true that number might be.
Have a great weekend to all.
Dom
Again, mixing in with a bunch of very interesting people, a thought occured to me regarding the true number of people unemployed in Australia that are over 50. How real is the figure?
Frankly, I don't presently know, but I strongly suspect what ever the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) tells us is most likely waaaay out. Why? Here's my reasoning...
1. Most professional over 50's will have amassed a certain amount of assets, goods, chattels etc, and hopefully some cash/superannuation (401K for our US readers). When applying for unemployment benefits here, you have to have your assests assessed before you can succesfully get the benefit. This level is not a huge amount, and you have to fully use up any termination payment or any other declared benefit before you can claim.
2. The process of applying for the payment is long, tiresome and in my own personal experience a very big hit on the self esteem meter.
3. You then have to undertake a constant "activity test" to ensure ongoing payment, and if you are offered a job (any job), whether you like it or not, you have to take it, or lose the benefit.
Certainly for me, and a number of professionals I've met in recent years, these "tests" and the very demeaning nature of applying for unemployment benefits ensures many of us never turn up to make the claim. Other than a small percentage of totally lazy people, once you've tried to get unemployment benefits, you will truly believe that the vast majority of people that are on them, are their through no choice of their own, and would dearly love to have paid, meaningful work.
I rang the ABS today to find out because I'm unable to find the age breakdown for the moment, the very nice person on the phone tells me it does exist, and will send it to me. When I get it, I'll post it and I'd be pleased to hear your opinion on how true that number might be.
Have a great weekend to all.
Dom
Thursday, 10 May 2012
Would You Hire Meryl Streep?
I found this recent article in my real Linkedin account (I'm not using my real name as I stated in my very first post), and it honestly made me laugh out loud. The idea that anyone would NOT consider hiring Meryl Streep for a film based on her age (62) is just plain stupid!
The writer correctly points out all the lame excuses that are rolled out as to why hiring managers won't consider older workers - and in the end, it just makes hiring managers look increasingly stupid and lazy - but does that get us older workers anywhere calling the HR person stupid?
"No" is the short and very accurate answer.
(It reminds of a great scene in "To Sir, With Love", Sidney Poitier pointing out to a young student who has an arrogant, entitled attitude when applying for a job - sure he "stuck it to the man!", but still walked out without the job.)
So again, I ask - how do we change the perception of older workers being set in their ways? lacking energy or drive to succeed? unable or unwilling to take on new challenges or new technologies?
One person at a time is how we get things changed.
This blog is proving an excellent fillip for me I must admit - its difficult sometimes to keep getting out there, but I must. There is no way in hell can I secure any work for myself by hanging around in my own cave.
So getting out there and talking about this Blog is a great conversation starter for me - maybe it can be for you too.
And I find that everyone I talk to is incredibly supportive, understanding and agrees that ageism shouldn't happen - so far so good - only a few million people to go!!
And remember, from conversations many things can open up - including opportunities...
Keep smiling and get out there to enjoy the great weather Sydney is presently dishing up. I'll be reporting back from a start up event tonight - looking forward to it!
Have a great day.
Dom
The writer correctly points out all the lame excuses that are rolled out as to why hiring managers won't consider older workers - and in the end, it just makes hiring managers look increasingly stupid and lazy - but does that get us older workers anywhere calling the HR person stupid?
"No" is the short and very accurate answer.
(It reminds of a great scene in "To Sir, With Love", Sidney Poitier pointing out to a young student who has an arrogant, entitled attitude when applying for a job - sure he "stuck it to the man!", but still walked out without the job.)
So again, I ask - how do we change the perception of older workers being set in their ways? lacking energy or drive to succeed? unable or unwilling to take on new challenges or new technologies?
One person at a time is how we get things changed.
This blog is proving an excellent fillip for me I must admit - its difficult sometimes to keep getting out there, but I must. There is no way in hell can I secure any work for myself by hanging around in my own cave.
So getting out there and talking about this Blog is a great conversation starter for me - maybe it can be for you too.
And I find that everyone I talk to is incredibly supportive, understanding and agrees that ageism shouldn't happen - so far so good - only a few million people to go!!
And remember, from conversations many things can open up - including opportunities...
Keep smiling and get out there to enjoy the great weather Sydney is presently dishing up. I'll be reporting back from a start up event tonight - looking forward to it!
Have a great day.
Dom
Wednesday, 9 May 2012
Start Ups and Aged Workers
Thanks for spending some time with me yesterday, Sebastien Eckersley-Maslin, CEO of BlueChilli.
Further to my recent blog on start ups, entrepreneurs and aged workers, Seb had some interesting viewpoints to share with me, and many supporting my previous posts on why the aged worker should be strongly considered in start ups.
"You can't buy experience" - so while there are predominantly younger developers / engineers out there trying their hand at start ups (and notably mainly men), they are craving for mentors / coaches / counsellors. Seb stressed very strongly they "super hungry for advice" and very welcoming of older participants in their ventures.
Seb warns though its not for everyone.
If you are in the situation of financial stress, many of the start ups are not in a position to pay hard ca$h up front, and therein lies some problems. The younger market that Seb comes across is living at home, or don't have commitments (kids, mortgages, marriages etc), and so while their flexibility is very high, their pockets aren't necessarily that deep - but that's where potentially we the older worker comes in...
I keep thinking of that scene in The Social Network where Zuckerberg has taken the team out to the valley and they are embedded in a rented house, coding, partying/drinking, gaming and generally having a great time while putting in huge days - I'd have a hard time explaining that to my wife in my current situation! :-).
These young entrepreneurs are looking for an older perspective on business, small and/or large, and they understand and appreciate the battle scars that older workers have. I was frankly surprised to find Seb's attitude far more open than I'd anticipated (very pleasantly so).
I'm heading to a networking event tomorrow night where I'm hoping to meet a bunch of entrepreneurs and listen (I might learn something!).
In the meantime, Seb gave me great resources to check out which I'll feed out over time. First of all, check out Pushstart for those of interested in becoming a mentor (I know I am).
Have a great day.
Dom
Further to my recent blog on start ups, entrepreneurs and aged workers, Seb had some interesting viewpoints to share with me, and many supporting my previous posts on why the aged worker should be strongly considered in start ups.
"You can't buy experience" - so while there are predominantly younger developers / engineers out there trying their hand at start ups (and notably mainly men), they are craving for mentors / coaches / counsellors. Seb stressed very strongly they "super hungry for advice" and very welcoming of older participants in their ventures.
Seb warns though its not for everyone.
If you are in the situation of financial stress, many of the start ups are not in a position to pay hard ca$h up front, and therein lies some problems. The younger market that Seb comes across is living at home, or don't have commitments (kids, mortgages, marriages etc), and so while their flexibility is very high, their pockets aren't necessarily that deep - but that's where potentially we the older worker comes in...
I keep thinking of that scene in The Social Network where Zuckerberg has taken the team out to the valley and they are embedded in a rented house, coding, partying/drinking, gaming and generally having a great time while putting in huge days - I'd have a hard time explaining that to my wife in my current situation! :-).
These young entrepreneurs are looking for an older perspective on business, small and/or large, and they understand and appreciate the battle scars that older workers have. I was frankly surprised to find Seb's attitude far more open than I'd anticipated (very pleasantly so).
I'm heading to a networking event tomorrow night where I'm hoping to meet a bunch of entrepreneurs and listen (I might learn something!).
In the meantime, Seb gave me great resources to check out which I'll feed out over time. First of all, check out Pushstart for those of interested in becoming a mentor (I know I am).
Have a great day.
Dom
Tuesday, 8 May 2012
Women are from Venus, Men are from Mars
An interesting perspective for today to consider ...
Talking to a colleague from my Directors Course, Jenny*, from the financial services industry, she had this to tell me about age perspectives...
Travelling to and from home to work, Jenny has the wonderful priviledge to commute by ferry across Sydney Harbour. She notices that the men on board are tired, listless, bored and just "over it". Jenny is 49, a marketing degree qualified professional full of vim and zest for life, and she believes that men at this "pivot age" present themselves as "done and over it", whereas women are the exact opposite.
"How so?" I asked?
Well women are far more nuturing and supportive of each other - maybe part of their motherly nature? They are excited by the prospect of professional work in their "hinter years" after potentially child raising in between gaining their professional qualifications and returning to the work force. (I also know enough professional women that never had kids - and they are full of beans!)
Whereas men are not - we've been in it for the long haul with no break (unless forced upon us). Jenny mentioned a recent women's only networking event where two former recently retrenched executives were invited and fully introduced and welcomed into the event with a view to finding them a new job/role - how refreshing! I thought, does this happen with men?
To be honest, I don't know! I'm not a "go to the pub" kind of guy and socialising around alcohol has never really been my thing (is that possibly why I'm out of work? because I don't fit into the "mens" scene?). I've not personally witnessed this supportive nature in my male colleagues at work or industry associations.
This has got me thinking now as the notion that an over 45 year old male is "tired and over it" is not new, I've heard this in the few job interviews I've been fortunate to front in recent times.
So my challenge is how to challenge and confront this perception - I can't deny it doesn't exist, given I've now had a number of data points to validate it - so how to nullify / neutralise this view so that as a "mature age worker", and a male at that - I need to be seen as full of life, vim, and ready to take on the next challenge - and not to be put out to pasture!
I'll ponder this, and welcome your ideas / comments.....
Enjoy your day!
Dom
Talking to a colleague from my Directors Course, Jenny*, from the financial services industry, she had this to tell me about age perspectives...
Travelling to and from home to work, Jenny has the wonderful priviledge to commute by ferry across Sydney Harbour. She notices that the men on board are tired, listless, bored and just "over it". Jenny is 49, a marketing degree qualified professional full of vim and zest for life, and she believes that men at this "pivot age" present themselves as "done and over it", whereas women are the exact opposite.
"How so?" I asked?
Well women are far more nuturing and supportive of each other - maybe part of their motherly nature? They are excited by the prospect of professional work in their "hinter years" after potentially child raising in between gaining their professional qualifications and returning to the work force. (I also know enough professional women that never had kids - and they are full of beans!)
Whereas men are not - we've been in it for the long haul with no break (unless forced upon us). Jenny mentioned a recent women's only networking event where two former recently retrenched executives were invited and fully introduced and welcomed into the event with a view to finding them a new job/role - how refreshing! I thought, does this happen with men?
To be honest, I don't know! I'm not a "go to the pub" kind of guy and socialising around alcohol has never really been my thing (is that possibly why I'm out of work? because I don't fit into the "mens" scene?). I've not personally witnessed this supportive nature in my male colleagues at work or industry associations.
This has got me thinking now as the notion that an over 45 year old male is "tired and over it" is not new, I've heard this in the few job interviews I've been fortunate to front in recent times.
So my challenge is how to challenge and confront this perception - I can't deny it doesn't exist, given I've now had a number of data points to validate it - so how to nullify / neutralise this view so that as a "mature age worker", and a male at that - I need to be seen as full of life, vim, and ready to take on the next challenge - and not to be put out to pasture!
I'll ponder this, and welcome your ideas / comments.....
Enjoy your day!
Dom
Monday, 7 May 2012
AIM Review of Skills Shortage and the Older Work Force
How timely, waking this morning and turning on ABC News 24, there was a video piece being done by the morning news team in an interview with a representative of the Australian Institute of Management (www.aim.com.au). Key points from this piece:
1. There is presently a skills shortage in corporate Australia, primarily around engineering and project managers.
2. Most hiring managers are totally ignoring the older workforce when considering new hires.
3. Many companies are resorting to 457 visas (for international readers, these are working visas for technically qualified immigrants)
4. Much is being lost/wasted by not considering local over 50's work force.
You could have knocked me over with a feather while I was listening to this. Given I've just started this blog, believing nobody was noticing - well they are! So this is encouraging.....
I've been trying to find the links to the ABC (www.abc.net.au) for the video archive, but it doesn't appear to be up just yet, but when it is, I will post it. .
Coming up this week, I'm interviewing:
As always, look forward to your comments and feedback, and how we can make this blog better.
Have a great day.
Dom
1. There is presently a skills shortage in corporate Australia, primarily around engineering and project managers.
2. Most hiring managers are totally ignoring the older workforce when considering new hires.
3. Many companies are resorting to 457 visas (for international readers, these are working visas for technically qualified immigrants)
4. Much is being lost/wasted by not considering local over 50's work force.
You could have knocked me over with a feather while I was listening to this. Given I've just started this blog, believing nobody was noticing - well they are! So this is encouraging.....
I've been trying to find the links to the ABC (www.abc.net.au) for the video archive, but it doesn't appear to be up just yet, but when it is, I will post it. .
Coming up this week, I'm interviewing:
- More of my similar age colleagues some who luckily are still in work, and some not.
- A dynamic 20 something entrepreneur and getting his take on the innovation scene, and the prospects for ageing workers,
- The conjoint professor of a leading Australian university who was recently commenting on the dilemma facing education of senior executive ranks of Australian corporations and ageism in hiring practises.
As always, look forward to your comments and feedback, and how we can make this blog better.
Have a great day.
Dom
Friday, 4 May 2012
Dead Man Walking
Thanks *Frank* for spending some time with me yesterday over lunch.
I met Frank last year
while doing a Company Directors course.
(One of my many strategies to make myself more appealing to prospective
hiring managers.)
Anyway, I start telling Frank about my new
blog and my aspirations around it.
It turns out that he has recently turned 50 himself -
life is good. Kids are great, having a
wow of a time, and all is going swimmingly, but...
Frank knows he is on a short rope at his job. Working in the finance
industry as a fund manager, part of his job description is to actually do
himself out of a job and wrap up the fund he is presently running. So what's next ...?
Well he doesn't have to worry about it
until this time next year because there is still much to do, but I then posed
some interesting questions to Frank that I'd like you, the reader to ask yourself (no
matter what your age).
What would be your situation if you were
suddenly brought into an office by HR or your manager and told the following:
"the market is tough out there, and we
have to make some tough decisions, please know this is nothing personal, it's
just business, but we have to let you go"
Don't think it will happen to you? I hope you're right!
But for those of us in
the "danger zone" of lets say 45 and older, I'd like to pose a
challenge to you today (as I did to Frank at the close of our lunch).
If you had to leave your employ tomorrow,
what would you do? and how employable are you?
So let's try this experiment ...
- Grab your resume and dust it off (if you haven't done this recently, this again is a sobering exercise)
- Sanatise the resume so that you are not using your personal details, and put in your entire career details (yes all of it)
- Start applying for jobs you'd like to do and see how many responses you potentially get for an interview/first round discussion as a totally cold applicant/candidate.
I'd be very pleased to hear back from
anyone out there trying this experiment to share the details.
Finally .. look around your office - when was the last time your company hired someone over 50?
So remembering my blog is not about fear and loathing. I wish to positively engage with this community to work through how we can be better considered, better prepared and knowledgeable. Today's exercise is about pragmatism and being prepared - not scared and maudlin.
I'm enjoying the wonderful Sydney autumn weather that is now making up for the summer we never had! Have a great weekend.
Dom
A great read from someone who recently turned 60 - way to go!
Thursday, 3 May 2012
Older Entrepreneurs Start Companies too ...
In my daily reading, I try to keep up to date on my industry, politics, who's who in the zoo etc., and I also love to track start ups and all things innovative.
Start ups are like a drug to me, I had my first taste in 1998 with a software company that was eventually bought during the Internet bubble for US$2B. While I didn't fully understand stock options contained in my employment contract at the time (stock options are not something that Australian companies hand out - we still don't understand the notion of sharing the wealth to those in the company that actually create it - but that's for another day/blog!) - I learned very quickly when it came time to cash out - WOW!
So, I continued in the start up arena, and continue to look around to see if there are opportunities for older entrepreneurs in today's environment. I found this neat article today http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-04-30/older-entrepreneurs-start-companies-too - have a look.
Why should young start up companies consider older people in their organisations? Here is some great reasons:
1. we usually have money. When you watch "The Social Network", I squirm to think that Zuckerberg scrambled for $17k from Eduardo Saverin (according to Sorkin's screenplay). Given the amount of equity a lot of over 50's people have, bringing together reasonable amounts of capital is not an issue.
2. we know the pitfalls of business. We have scars, lots of them! And there is no better way to learn in business than from other people's mistakes. I have personally lost my house once in my 6 start ups thus far, so I know better than most what "risk" means. Older people have the wisdom to advise / counsel and be far less judgemental. Age gives you added benefit of being able to sort out idiots a lot faster, and not deal with them.
3. we have contacts / networks. "You can't put an old head on new shoulders" - so true, so outsource it! There is nothing wrong with having an older set of people on advisory boards to assist young entrepreneurs. Check out the Australian Institute of Company Directors (www.companydirectors.com.au), there are ton load of very qualified people looking to fill roles and assist - many of them will consider pro bono, or sweat equity arrangements in exchange for their time/experience.
4. we like innovation too. We know the industry and we know people. And people still buy from people today, and doing it over the internet or on a portal is no different. We can smell a good deal even if its brand new and innovative.
5. we present credibility / stability to outsider investors. With some diversity in your hiring and board composition, you show outsiders that you are flexible, and it also provides some sense of security to potential investors that there's some older blood in the bunch of stallions out there trying to change the world. Have a look at Facebook's board and top level executives, a lot are much older than Zuckerberg.
Can you think of other reasons why young start ups should strongly consider adding older, over 50 aged workers to their roster??
Let me know ... I'm sure if I get any opportunities, I be sure to share them with you all.
Have a great day.
Dom
Start ups are like a drug to me, I had my first taste in 1998 with a software company that was eventually bought during the Internet bubble for US$2B. While I didn't fully understand stock options contained in my employment contract at the time (stock options are not something that Australian companies hand out - we still don't understand the notion of sharing the wealth to those in the company that actually create it - but that's for another day/blog!) - I learned very quickly when it came time to cash out - WOW!
So, I continued in the start up arena, and continue to look around to see if there are opportunities for older entrepreneurs in today's environment. I found this neat article today http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-04-30/older-entrepreneurs-start-companies-too - have a look.
Why should young start up companies consider older people in their organisations? Here is some great reasons:
1. we usually have money. When you watch "The Social Network", I squirm to think that Zuckerberg scrambled for $17k from Eduardo Saverin (according to Sorkin's screenplay). Given the amount of equity a lot of over 50's people have, bringing together reasonable amounts of capital is not an issue.
2. we know the pitfalls of business. We have scars, lots of them! And there is no better way to learn in business than from other people's mistakes. I have personally lost my house once in my 6 start ups thus far, so I know better than most what "risk" means. Older people have the wisdom to advise / counsel and be far less judgemental. Age gives you added benefit of being able to sort out idiots a lot faster, and not deal with them.
3. we have contacts / networks. "You can't put an old head on new shoulders" - so true, so outsource it! There is nothing wrong with having an older set of people on advisory boards to assist young entrepreneurs. Check out the Australian Institute of Company Directors (www.companydirectors.com.au), there are ton load of very qualified people looking to fill roles and assist - many of them will consider pro bono, or sweat equity arrangements in exchange for their time/experience.
4. we like innovation too. We know the industry and we know people. And people still buy from people today, and doing it over the internet or on a portal is no different. We can smell a good deal even if its brand new and innovative.
5. we present credibility / stability to outsider investors. With some diversity in your hiring and board composition, you show outsiders that you are flexible, and it also provides some sense of security to potential investors that there's some older blood in the bunch of stallions out there trying to change the world. Have a look at Facebook's board and top level executives, a lot are much older than Zuckerberg.
Can you think of other reasons why young start ups should strongly consider adding older, over 50 aged workers to their roster??
Let me know ... I'm sure if I get any opportunities, I be sure to share them with you all.
Have a great day.
Dom
Wednesday, 2 May 2012
I'm Officially Old according to Government sources ...
The aged worker is becoming increasingly the subject of more political attention - why, I guess because we vote!
Unlike in the US, voting is actually compulsory here in Australia (yes really!), if you don't vote, you are fined $55 (that includes $5 for GST). I know many of my American friends and business associates I used to deal with thought this law was akin to communism, but that's maybe for another day on another blog...
So, there is discussion now about an incentive to pay employers to hire older workers (in the last election, the Opposition priced this at $3250).
My question is would it work? Financial incentives / disincentives are usually an excellent way to stimulate behaviour, but are we in for unintended consequences of a well intentioned tax incentive, or could it be manna from heaven for those of us who may not otherwise be considered?
A vexed question for me - in my mind, it makes it abundantly clear now that I'm OLD - the Government says so!! But I wonder if that will necessarily implant the idea even further into the minds of potential hiring managers that they may not want to go down this path.
Sure ~$3k is nothing to sneeze at, but what of compliance, reporting and waiting the 6 months before you get your hands on the cash? I'm more concerned about the message that it potentially sends out to the market - that we need special assistance, that we are now part of the "special needs" minorities that need extra attention.
Am I over reacting - I don't know - tell me what you think - because, in my heart, I'd much more prefer that I be selected on merit and competance than on the basis of a Government handout. Age should never come into - ability should be the primary factor.
While a very strong supporter of well intentioned Equal Employment legislation both here and abroad, women still get the rough end of the pineapple because they are women, and the law hasn't necessarily changed that - individuals make the difference, and individuals have to make the choice.
Soooo, to sign off my blog today, let's start with the first step - all you hiring managers out there, try to clear the scitoma that says "that person is too old", and start opening your mind, one person at a time.
That's a start .... and I'm a great believer in starts!!
Have a great day.
Dom
Unlike in the US, voting is actually compulsory here in Australia (yes really!), if you don't vote, you are fined $55 (that includes $5 for GST). I know many of my American friends and business associates I used to deal with thought this law was akin to communism, but that's maybe for another day on another blog...
So, there is discussion now about an incentive to pay employers to hire older workers (in the last election, the Opposition priced this at $3250).
My question is would it work? Financial incentives / disincentives are usually an excellent way to stimulate behaviour, but are we in for unintended consequences of a well intentioned tax incentive, or could it be manna from heaven for those of us who may not otherwise be considered?
A vexed question for me - in my mind, it makes it abundantly clear now that I'm OLD - the Government says so!! But I wonder if that will necessarily implant the idea even further into the minds of potential hiring managers that they may not want to go down this path.
Sure ~$3k is nothing to sneeze at, but what of compliance, reporting and waiting the 6 months before you get your hands on the cash? I'm more concerned about the message that it potentially sends out to the market - that we need special assistance, that we are now part of the "special needs" minorities that need extra attention.
Am I over reacting - I don't know - tell me what you think - because, in my heart, I'd much more prefer that I be selected on merit and competance than on the basis of a Government handout. Age should never come into - ability should be the primary factor.
While a very strong supporter of well intentioned Equal Employment legislation both here and abroad, women still get the rough end of the pineapple because they are women, and the law hasn't necessarily changed that - individuals make the difference, and individuals have to make the choice.
Soooo, to sign off my blog today, let's start with the first step - all you hiring managers out there, try to clear the scitoma that says "that person is too old", and start opening your mind, one person at a time.
That's a start .... and I'm a great believer in starts!!
Have a great day.
Dom
Tuesday, 1 May 2012
Today is the First Day of the Rest of my Life ...
I have finally put pen (keytab) to paper and started a blog.
From the start, I will tell you candidly that my real name is not Domenic Nicholas.
So why the pseudonym?
Because I'm looking for work - any kind of work that I'm suitably qualified for - and I don't want prospective employers to know that I'm over 50 - that's why!
I'm tired of being told "you have too much experience", or "you're too senior for this role" or "we need a more dynamic person"... and so on.
But this blog is NOT about whining about where I'm at in my life.
This blog is about all the positive things that being over 50 can be all about.
This blog is about sharing my experiences with others in a similar situation, and seeing if we can do something about it.
This blog is about empowering and enabling all the over 50's out there looking for work, and all those under 50 that appear to be blind to the array of excellent talent waiting to be employed.
The Australian Government has determined that our retiring age is 67, yet the employment statistics are damning those of us over 50 to the scrap heap wondering what we are to do between now and retirement.
The reason I named my blog, is my credo for pushing ahead:
I look forward to hearing from you here, or on Twitter, Facebook or email (yes we do know how to use the internet - people our age invented it!!)
Dom
From the start, I will tell you candidly that my real name is not Domenic Nicholas.
So why the pseudonym?
Because I'm looking for work - any kind of work that I'm suitably qualified for - and I don't want prospective employers to know that I'm over 50 - that's why!
I'm tired of being told "you have too much experience", or "you're too senior for this role" or "we need a more dynamic person"... and so on.
But this blog is NOT about whining about where I'm at in my life.
This blog is about all the positive things that being over 50 can be all about.
This blog is about sharing my experiences with others in a similar situation, and seeing if we can do something about it.
This blog is about empowering and enabling all the over 50's out there looking for work, and all those under 50 that appear to be blind to the array of excellent talent waiting to be employed.
The Australian Government has determined that our retiring age is 67, yet the employment statistics are damning those of us over 50 to the scrap heap wondering what we are to do between now and retirement.
The reason I named my blog, is my credo for pushing ahead:
I may be over 50, but I'm not done yet.
I look forward to hearing from you here, or on Twitter, Facebook or email (yes we do know how to use the internet - people our age invented it!!)
Dom
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