Inside The Edge
About
The DeVenney Code
Enjoy the unraveling of the business world's deepest darkest secrets from the comfort of your desk with “The DeVenney Code”. Michael’s opinions on both major and less covered business topics can be enlightening, refreshing, and humorous. Gain some perspective on topics that you may have never considered before, and challenge yourself to consistently “think outside the box”.
“The DeVenney Code” is your way to the inside scoop.
| Read. Please. |
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The average age people stop learning new things is 29 years old. I need someone who knows new things. That is what your clients say, your bosses say, and the influencers around you say. The ability to find and interpret new information is what creates value in our knowledge economy. Reading generates new perspectives and ideas that can present possibilities. We are attracted to someone who can add value to our situation – if you just know the same thing you knew before what value can you provide for me? Most people stop reading or just read newspapers and current events. I truly believe being successful and a leader start with your ability to read and build your knowledge. Current events are interesting but the foundation of value creation is building your knowledge through focused reading. Each person should have a learning goal to build their expertise in the subject area that interests them and builds their career. Your first step is to clarify the target for your expertise. What is the area that will build your success and add value to the people you want to influence? With the target area clarified, source your material. Look for books, publications and journals that deal with your area of interest. The simplest way to find material is the web – go to www.amazon.com and enter your subject area and you have hundreds and thousands of reading possibilities (even on tape or other channels if you don’t like to read). Now, you are in business. You should set aside two hours each week for reading on your area of interest. Two hours is achievable for any person serious and committed to being successful and adding value so no whining. If you read in your area of interest two hours each week consistently you become a subject expert within two years. You gain consistent new knowledge and perspectives that you can bring to your clients, your colleagues and your organization to provide new opportunities. A key point here as well is to interpret what you read – take notes, highlight important points, or whatever other method you need to think about what you have taken in. If you are someone that consistently broadens their knowledge base and forms interpretations and perspectives on what you learn, you provide incredible value to the world around you. People talk about the law of attraction – I think this is what is attractive in the workplace. You will be sought out for the value you add through your dynamic knowledge and perspectives. Don’t stop reading. Pick a subject area and then source books, web courses and journals on your area. Set aside two hours each week for reading and reflecting and add increasing value to those around you. |