Question

Topic: Career/Training

Can You Help Me Help A Good Friend Find Work?

Posted by telemoxie on 3/16/2006 at 9:45 AM ET 5000 Points
Some years ago, I worked for a fellow at a software company. To make a long story short, he was in an auto accident which involved head injuries over ten years ago, and his recovery has been slow but steady.

In an attempt to provide for his family, he has been offered a steady stream of "get rich quick" type commission based jobs, none of which have worked out. Today, he works selling appliances at a major retailer, and has held that job for several years. He works weekends, and has one or two days "free" during the week.

He has asked me to help him re-enter the professional work force, and I'd very much like your help. I give this person my highest personal recommendation. Several years ago, when I needed to close a couple of multi-million dollar deals in the telecommunications industry, I brought him in to handle the negotiations with major international corporations. He did a great job.

I believe he still has problems with memory, but his strategic skills, insight, and business judgement are very good. When he worked for me 5 years ago, he would struggle if given too many assignments at once, but if he had one thing to focus on, he did a great job.

He has been disappointed and beaten down by a stream of charlatans who have promised big bucks and delivered nothing. I'm not suggesting some "pie in the sky" offer - but I'm wondering if anyone out there knows of any low risk, guaranteed money tasks which he might work on a part-time basis (e.g. 4-8 hours per week).

He has helped me with some editing, I believe he has the experience to help coach young sales folks. In my opinion, he is a better salesperson and negotiator than lead generator - but it is hard to do sales one day per week. He is anxious and willing to work hard - and for the right opportunity, he could be diamond in the rough.

Any ideas? Thanks so much, Dave Krehbiel aka TeleMoxie
To continue reading this question and the solution, sign up ... it's free!
SUBSCRIBE
Or, SIGN IN

RESPONSES

  • Posted on 3/16/2006 at 10:05 AM Accepted
    I don't have a position available myself, but he should check out the www.craigslist.org . He can post a available service for editing or he can browse for specific projects being offered. If he can write, he'll have even more opportunities there.

    He'll want to set up a PayPal account to receive up-front payments (30%-50%) for projects. The beauty of his ability to help with editing and even proposals is that he can do this in any of the cities listed.

    The other place I'd check out is local organizations that help disabled people find jobs. I believe there is a tax credit for people who hire disabled employees. Just another thought.

    Let him know he's made it to our prayer list, as well.

    And thanks for helping out our fellow mankind.
  • Posted by telemoxie on 3/16/2006 at 12:13 PM Author
    Thanks for the suggestions about my friend (who lives in Northern, Virginia in the US by the way) starting a business, and posting resumes, and probably needing to create a web site, and filing for TAX id numbers, and signing up for PayPal, and responding to online bids, and doing many things which are complex for anyone, let alone someone with a head injury...

    ... but do we really have to set the bar so high that my buddy can't reach it? Do you think there is anyone out there who has more work than they can do, who needs some qualified help, and who might say, "Hey, I'll give that guy a shot, I have a project, I can write a check."
  • Posted by telemoxie on 3/16/2006 at 12:31 PM Author
    4guys - I do not think the issue of "how much" is as important as the issues of "how long" and "how certain".

    For example, I can't speak for my buddy, but I would suggest to him that he entertain the idea of working for you for a half a day a week for eight weeks, for $100 per week to start. After the eight weeks, you could consider whether this made sense for you in the longer term.

    I have an office he could work from if he likes, I can help handle the billing and admin issues... thanks Winnie for teh offer of advice, we'll take you up on that - and we can have him FOCUS on helping you increase your sales, rather than spending his time responding to online bids and negotiating. (He's a good negotiator, but he's also already working 5 days a week).
  • Posted by darcy.moen on 3/20/2006 at 8:03 PM Accepted
    I would like to propose that the board owners open up a new category on Marketing Profs...namely Sales/Selling.

    I know, its so obvious...but why not? More often than not, many questions and responses in most of the heading come down to someone, somewhere, selling something....without someone to close the deal...nothing would get sold. Advertise and market all you want, but without a sales force, you have nothing.

    I came to this board during a low time in my life, and it was the interaction and advice I WAS able to give that gave me ability to pick up and move on. I think that our injured friend not only needs to heal, but, could work out his talents offering advice on this board to others. He could post at his own pace, and build reputation points.

    I know there are others who need advice, and there are others who can offer it.

    What do you say Val and other moderators, care to open it up?

    Just a suggestion too good for the suggestion box...

    Darcy Moen

    https://www.marketingprofs.com/ea/profile.asp?userID=337044

  • Posted by telemoxie on 3/22/2006 at 6:16 AM Author
    Great comments so far, please keep them coming.
  • Posted on 3/22/2006 at 10:59 AM Accepted
    join linkedin.com
    its a networking tool in which people actually post jobs and help each other thru
    basic membershif is free and it still offers most features
    an awful lot of recruiters are linked in as well
    try it
    jas
  • Posted by Chris Blackman on 3/22/2006 at 5:32 PM Accepted
    Dave

    First, congratulations on having the courage to put yourself out there to help a friend in need, and for posting his situation so sensitively.

    I feel kind of helpless to assist much, being some twelve thousand miles away. Perhaps, though, I can help to focus the dialogue here by asking some questions.

    I understand your friend would be a good sales coach, mentor or trainer, but I don't get much of a mental fix on any other skills he might have.

    Can you give the people here a bit more direction as to his skills and capabilities in a range of areas, for example:

    - Mobility: If required, can he get around the place reasonably quickly and easily, or does he require significantly more time to get to a meeting than, say, a conventionally-abled person?

    - Vision: How's his eyesight? Does he have a sharp eye for detail and good colour vision?

    - Travel: If required, is he able to travel unaided with overnights away from home?

    - Speech: Does he have a clear speaking style with good projection? Any additional language capabilities? Does he have a strong, resonant voice that might be useful in a telephone sales role? Could he maybe get work as a voice-over artist in local radio or AV production?

    - Stamina: Can he maintain a solid pace, e.g. six productive hours a day, several days a week?

    - Numeracy: Could he design spreadsheets for business models, for example?

    - Design/Creativity: Can he make up convincing PowerPoint presentations, can he draw or paint? Can he use a still or movie camera competently?

    - Software/Systems: What software packages is he reasonably expert with? Is he well-versed with the internet? Does he have access to broadband?

    Retraining: One other thought - if any of the above skill questions provoke an idea about a role that he might fill IF he possessed the necessary skills, are there any government-funded retraining programs for people who have had his kind of injuries?

    I'll keep watching this thread to see if anything else comes to mind. All the best to you and your buddy.

    Cheers

    ChrisB
  • Posted on 3/23/2006 at 7:19 AM Accepted
    I want to add - what a great friend to have a friend like yourself - it is restoration in the faith and courage of humanity. I cannot help but I can be happy to know that there are such "wonderful" people out there whom are taking the time to give and share without expectation. I am grateful that this site exists.
  • Posted by Corpcommer on 3/23/2006 at 12:30 PM Accepted
    Dave -

    I applaud your efforts and wish your friend the best.

    Our colleagues have given much good advice and thought provoking insight. Your friend will probably need to research government programs (assistance and grants), companies or professional organizations, etc. Feel free to give him my link, which has various free resources for businesses and consumers.

    This is a webpage I'm building (for now called HELPFUL BUSINESS AND CONSUMER INFORMATION) to access some of the best informational resources from one place: https://goodsource.tripod.com

    He should look at the Business, General Information and Government categories. In particular, tell him to check the Career Resource Library.

    Let me know if anything on my resources page has been helpful. Good luck.

    MC - Corpcommer
  • Posted by telemoxie on 3/27/2006 at 12:11 PM Author
    Thanks very much, everyone, for your suggestions. The sentiment seems to be that my friend should try something a bit entrepreneurial, rather than more traditional employment.

    I've asked my friend to sign up and offer some feedback and comments. I'll give him a few days to do this, and then I'll close the question.
  • Posted by telemoxie on 3/29/2006 at 8:18 PM Author
    My buddy has asked me to thank you for your insights and information. It has stimulated some important thought and discussions. This process has helped my friend realize that he does not want to be a marketing consultant at all. What he really wants to do is to open a BBQ restaurant.

    Again, thanks very much, and take care.
BACK TO TOP

Post a Comment

Related Discussions

Community Info

Top 25 Experts
(Career/Training)