Diversity on-the-job seems to be growing… no matter the occupation you hold. Whether it is the list of expectations contained in a job description… or pops-up as one of those “Other Duties As Assigned”… expanding the duties of many employees has become a more standard mode-of-operation.

So is there anything specific one can do to better prepare for this workforce expansion area?  Well maybe a quick review of: What’s In YOUR Professional TOOL BOX?… is a good place to start.

First it is important to understand that your Professional TOOL BOX is not just a copy of your resumé and related credentials. Rather your TOOL BOX is a physical and mental container of products, information and materials that exemplify why you are solid, growing professional. Consider a personal FACT SHEET that contributes to concepts that make you special in the workplace. Something different than a resumé but highlights similar growth achievements and your potential assets to the organization?!

Next I believe your TOOL BOX should contain a list of unique values you offer to any job. Do others know what YOU consider important employment and responsibility values? Also rather than a standard list of professional references… how about an extended list of teachers that have made a difference in your world and/or colleagues that you have partnered/worked with to make a product/service better or more profitable?

A computer and cell phone in your professional TOOL BOX would be more than logical and appropriate… as long as they were always up-to-date and flexible enough for any progressive opportunity that may occur. Today’s world demands more adaptability, critical foresight, managed patience and a pre-packaged TOOL BOX of confidence.

So seriously challenge yourself today and ask:  What’s In YOUR Professional TOOL BOX?

Sometimes the “right” TRIPLE III TIME topic seems to find me… just when I need it most.

This week was the official start of classes for the community college I teach American Government & Politics for. And as always I began my “restart” planning by searching for some of my old class beginnings notes. But because my filing system has gotten worse every year… I felt a strong “anxiety pain” when I couldn’t’ find any of my old stuff! However, weirdly I pulled out an article I had copied long ago by Richard St. John (a very successful marketer) that was titled: Be A Success By Playing The Long Game. And in it I had highlighted a quote that said:  “Success is NOT a “one and done” deal… but something that requires continuous energy and passion!”

Well guess what… I drafted a brand new set of class start-up notes and yes they were more accurate, current and full of modern energy and passion about the political world we live in. But how does this experience translate into a cool TRIPLE III TIME message? Well in basic terms I guess what I am trying to say is to never assume what worked in the past is good enough going forward. Think about it. If you want to be continuously successful in whatever you do… you must always remember what actions you took to be successful in the past… and be equally creative and innovative and unique for your organizational or company “long-game.”

Bottomline: Sometimes people sit back and feel good in their past success “comfort zone” and actually stop doing special things that made them a “stand-out” in the first place. So, was I falling into that “comfort zone” by using my old class start-up notes from past years for NEW students? YES! I guess old habits don’t change quick.

Therefore… we all need to remember that innovative and creative Success Requires CONTINUOUS Energy & Passion!  Don’t substitute old options for groups that deserve your best newness everyday… EVERYDAY!

Many times as people age and they think back about their careers…achievements…family highlights…and/or special events that they were part of…they become involved in actions of sharing these unique occurrences with others as a form of “Giving Back”.  And just to be clear about what “Giving Back” is all about…here is a Google definition:

“The act of giving back is the altruistic dedication of your time, resources, money, or skills to support, improve, or uplift your community or society at large, often driven by a sense of gratitude for your own opportunities or success.”

I can’t remember at what point in my life/career I started making “Giving Back” a regular priority…but for sure I will admit that age 60 comes to mind!  But now in retrospect…I  realize and try to let everyone know:  “Giving Back”…Does NOT Have To Wait!  It should not be just a “retirement time thing”!

Think about a high school senior telling 6th graders about the challenges and benefits of playing sports or being involved with music programs?  Or young adults sharing their beginning jobs stories with teenagers and the benefit of showing up on time…stepping up for special assignments and/or learning more about the business/organization that employs them.

“Giving Back”…Does NOT Have To Wait!

Volunteering to help a senior citizen with their yard work or a veteran that needs a better ramp to enter their home can be an any-age opportunity.  Or maybe tutoring an elementary student…not because you are a retired teacher…but because you are a middle-aged person studying to become a teacher!  Or in any occupational area…when you “go-the-extra-mile” and complete a project ahead of schedule and quietly give the “new-be’s” a solid work ethic example to follow.

Never have a doubt that YOU have the potential to make a difference by “Giving Back” whenever you can…no matter your age, work history or family situation.  And always remember:  “Giving Back”…Does NOT Have To Wait!

“Change is the law of life.  And those who look only to the past or present… are certain to miss the future.” (President John F. Kennedy)

I guess because JOBS have been the biggest focal point of my professional career… it is not surprising that as I read President Kennedy’s quote… my mind seemed to be drawn to the concern that: “Start-Up” Jobs Are Fading.

Think about it.

Basic retail business check-out clerks are being replaced by “Self-Check-Out” stations.  With the growth of “drive-thru” restaurants (of any size) and drive-thru coffee shops… in-person/walk-in “I will take you order” personnel are no longer needed. And as profit margins get tighter in every industry… the opportunity for intern-like positions which require a little more professional time and direction… are also being quietly sacrificed.  So as change now drives our JOBS systems so much, so fast… there no longer seems to be critical start-up time for job learnings, experience growth and responsibility building?!

It would be great if I had a futuristic TRIPLE III TIME message that would be the ideal corrective action for the: “Start-Up” Jobs Are Fading challenge… but I don’t. However, instead I would like to suggest to anyone… ANYONE job hunting today to take a more entrepreneurial approach to building and selling yourself to the world-of-work. Consider the following:

• Draft a JOB-START-UP proposal for yourself.
• Think about volunteer days or even hours just to gain entry into a business/agency.
• Be sure to identify areas that YOU could benefit the employer as a job candidate.
• Start with small tasks and build on areas you are good at. This action could motivate the employer to suggest higher value activities to try-out.  
• Don’t be hesitant to identify skill areas that YOU want to develop as a JOBS candidate and include them in your JOB-START-UP proposal.
• Finally if your JOB-START-UP proposal contains a payment possibility for volunteering… consider a simple “help me with gas payment” as an option.

This TRIPLE III TIME message is not traditional… not easy… but does offer a progressive view of the future. YOU are your own business.

As a consultant offering professional development advice and workshop information to clients… there are not two terms that I stress more than:  Promises & Deadlines!

Think about it!??

Effectively and efficiently keeping personal, business and/or organizational Promises that you make very strongly impacts the trust factor that people apply to you as a professional.  Likewise, with the always important “just-in-time” specifications that are connected to the delivery of all products and services in our everyday world… meeting agreed upon Deadlines often defines your status in the marketplace!

So how are YOU with regard to:  Promises & Deadlines!?

• If you Promise to arrive at 5pm to help coach a little league team… are you on time?
• If the Deadline for your credit card bill is March 15^th…  do you send it early or miss the Deadline and pay more interest?
• If you Promise to come to work early for a special meeting… are you there?
• If the Deadline for applying for a credit for purchasing necessary workplace supplies is tomorrow…are you late?
• If you Promise to take good notes on a project and share them… are you reliable?
• If the Deadline for approving changes in personnel duties and responsibilities is  February 1^st…does everyone get your message in time?
• If you Promise to design a new product flyer by the end of the month…are people still waiting?
• If the Deadline for calling all family members about an upcoming event was last week… do some get left out?
• If you Promise to quickly review and approve staff time off…is it a priority?
• If the Deadline for submitting required performance reports has passed… are you concerned?

The Promises & Deadlines questions are offered just to prompt areas of concern.  However, I have to encourage everyone to work hard to maintain that Promises made Promises kept professional standard.  And also remember… Deadlines are established because time matters!

As I have continued to work with some really fun personalities over the past few years…one thing we talked about is building a personal/professional PORTFOLIO! No, this is not an idea to replace your resume as you look at and consider your fit in different jobs.  Rather Building YOUR PORTFOLIO should be a collection of work and hobby examples that reflect the extent of your life skill-set.  And as you can guess I stressed that it should be ever changing, growing, historical yet up-to-date to accurately display how your career, business, hobby, achievements and interests have evolved.

What does GOOGLE say about PORTFOLIOS:

“Essentially, it’s a comprehensive showcase demonstrating capabilities, achievements, and holdings, adaptable for creative fields (art, writing, design), finance, or career development.”

Reflectively when pressed to discuss what I would put into my PORTFOLIO… I was quick to recall the binder of innovations I had dreamed-up in my Director days that my good friend and co-worker D.S. had put together for me. And like so many others considering PORTFOLIO building, I had to admit: “I’m not sure where I put all that cool stuff!” So remember this statement from Clark University:

“Save everything you create and decide later what you want to include in your portfolio. Some items may be more relevant to the work you’ll do in one position than another, so it helps to have a variety of samples. You can present your materials in your own creative style.”

Bottomline: Remember always that primarily the PORTFOLIO you build is for YOU!  Next, try to include your entire history of creations, professional awards, formal and informal education achievements and job experiences. I believe you will find that your always semi-completed PORTFOLIO document will be a valuable asset as you continue forward.

Finally… TAKE YOUR TIME!  You didn’t build your PORTFOLIO entries in a day… so it doesn’t have to be completed in a day.

This week classes have started at Alpena Community College and as always during my first American Government & Politics class everyone must introduce themselves…including me!  Well as I described my workforce/job training career time…a very wise young lady asked a great, thoughtful question.  It went like this:

“Sir, I currently work at a regular fast-food job and if I wanted to make it feel like More Than Just-A-Job…what would you tell me?”

Well first I gave her a very strong “that’s a wonderful question young lady” statement…and then offered a brief list which I shortened into a very basic TOP 10 of More Than Just-A-Job priorities:

1. Do you do the minimum in the job you have?
2. Do you arrive for work early and stay a little later…or watch the clock?
3. Do you communicate well with everyone?
4. Do you try to be a good promoting person for your company/group?
5. Do you do your own research to know the maximum about the company you work for?
6. Do you ask for direction regarding any new training that would make you a better employee?
7. Do you expand your area of work to learn more…or wait to be told?
8. Do you help new employees because “it’s the right thing to do”?
9. Do you appear on a leader-list as someone to ask for help and new ideas?
10. Do you represent someone who would naturally be growing toward a promotion or a raise in pay?

As you can assume…my responses started a fun series of additional questions and discussion.  However, I needed to steer back to introduction time in the classroom!

Bottomline:  This More Than Just-A-Job TOP 10 in many ways is a timeless list of important employment priorities.  The class will get more “words-of-wisdom” about jobs during the semester.  Can you add to the list??

Let me start this first 2026 TRIPLE III TIME message with a historic proclamation:  “I am not big on New Year Resolutions!”  And I am sure I am not alone on this personal position…but at the same time I know there are many who at least make an honest attempt to save money…lose weight…communicate better…you know the list.  So maybe it is professional time to toss out a Resolution idea that might help everyone.  Let’s think about a special TRIPLE III TIME commitment to:  “FINISH THE PROMISE!”

First, I want everyone to think about this Resolution mostly as a quality-building customer service.  More often today I have witnessed and felt very frustrated when a company/organization did not “FINISH THE PROMISE!” for a service/product that was agreed upon.  Think about times when a return call was not received, a repair not made, service order not completed, visit not arranged, and/or payment not sent on time.  Do any of these actions impact quality customer service?

Quality customer service does not come naturally.  Customers should NOT have to call and remind you of the product/service responsibilities you/they have agreed to and maybe have even been paid for.  Quality customer service is as important as an accurate invoice or having the right signature on a contract.  Quality customer service should also not drive individuals to wonder if a product/service will be delivered on time.  Rather in both cases if a company/organization/individual prioritizes a “FINISH THE PROMISE!” performance practice everyday…every time…pure quality will follow.

Bottomline:  Let’s all make a “FINISH THE PROMISE!” 2026 Customer Service Resolution.  Make it an “across-the-board” personal and professional commitment…and I promise the benefits will follow.

Well… yesterday was Christmas.  I hope every part of it worked out GREAT for everyone.  A lot of clean-up in homes is probably an important first consideration but while you pick up all of the present wrappings… how about a few professional WHAT NEXT thoughts?  Yes, I realize that 2026 is still a few days away…and there will be ample time for future thoughts then.  But in this unique “in-between” time my TRIPLE III TIME mindset is pushing me to encourage everyone to take a “soft”:  PRE-2026 Taking Stock of Your Priorities consideration moment. 

And just for traditions sake…here’s a TOP 10 list of questions to help in your PRE-2026 Taking Stock of Your Priorities “study”. 

1. What single VERY IMPORTANT accomplishment did you NOT achieve in 2025? 

2. Who in your family or friend or colleague lists did you NOT connect with? 

3. What question do you wish you had asked your supervisor at work? 

4. Is there a home improvement project that is still on the “to-do” list? 

5. Have you decided what form of professional development would work best for you in 2026? 

6. Is there still a fun trip that was planned…that is still planned? 

7. What action in 2025 made you feel successful…and can it happen again? 

8. Did you remember that a good idea can only be good if you share it? 

9. Did you grow into new personal/professional partnerships? 

10. Did you improve as a leader, communicator, and/or innovator? 

Have fun with your PRE-2026 Taking Stock of Your Priorities consideration moments.  Give yourself “righteous” credit where it is appropriate and make WHAT NEXT 2026 priorities that challenge you.