Came across this piece of research in the newsletter mailed to me by Women Mean Business magazine so I'm not going to even attempt to take any credit for the direct lift of content below. It makes for interesting reading.

According to the results of a study by workplace psychologists OPP, women are making career decisions based on more solid information than their male colleagues.
Around a quarter (24&) of men reported they leave their careers to luck compared
to one in five women. The research was undertaken amongst 553 line managers and
1,002 general workers in the UK in May 2009. More than one in four (26%) men even
admit that opportunism is one of the most important factors when making career
decisions, compared to 19% of women.

Women are more likely to base career choices on their core abilities than men
are (47% compared with 41%). Women are also significantly more likely to use
psychometric tests to find out about a variety of factors, such as how to use natural
skills to greater effect (55%,) how personality impacts on colleagues (34%) and
even to identify their ideal vocation (22%).

The OPP study also looked at how line managers make decisions about people and,
revealed a silver lining for men. Women in more senior positions are much more
likely than men to trust their gut instinct when it comes to people decisions (42%
as compared with 36%). The result is a greater number of female line managers regretting the decisions they make. Only 22% of women would make the same people decisions if given a second chance, compared with 34% of men.

Well tomorrow's Think2Act conference takes place tomorrow and promises to be an excellent free event for anyone who has recently been made redundant or seeking change.

Mayo's Open Coffee Club are hosting their next event on Wednesday July 1st in the Civic Centre in Belmullet.

The 121 Marketing Network on LinkedIn will be having their First Wednesday event this Wednesday July 1st in the Mint Bar in the Westin Hotel in Dublin city centre. I wrote a case study about the founder a few months back and definitely worth a visit.

Digital Tonic #10 takes place this Thursday July 2nd in Bar Number 3, 3 Fade Street in Dublin city centre. Digital Tonic is a free networking event for digital media professionals in Ireland.

Next Wednesday, July 8th, ICAD are hosting a creative coffee collective inviting anyone who has been made redundant, freelancers and/or people available to meet and chat at 11 in the Radisson on Golden Lane to explore how ICAD could be of help during these tough times.

While on Wednesday evening,there is the inaugural free Business Networking event in Bewleys Hotel in Ballsbridge at 6 p.m. The plan is to run monthly events for a year and it's strictly for business owners only.

So that should keep you busy for the next two weeks, for the record Flexitimers is not affiliated with any of the events and hope they are worthwhile. If you'd like to be included in this round-up, feel free to email me your events two weeks in advance.
Get out there and make your own luck and enjoy yourself. A smile costs nothing!

Labels: Recession, Redundancy, social networking

Some people call it character forming, others the hard way, we're talking about the jobs we've all have had to do to get to where we are now. So Flexitimers thought it would be a bit of fun to start a discussion on facebook for people to share their worst ever job stories. On your marks, get set, Go. I've posted the Flemish deep freeze stage. What's yours? Join the discussion on facebook.

Came across an article on Business World via the Irish Business and Professional Network on LinkedIn. It talks about Confidence in Action a new initiative - a series of FREE seminars aiming to help companies and individuals navigate their way around this recession. So far events have been organised for Dublin, Cork and Limerick starting in September. They've assembled a very impressive line up of speakers ranging from economists,entrepreneurs and media hacks. It's a morning til night affair starting with breakfast at 9 and ending with networking from 6-7. All seminars are free but you have to register, you also have to register for each seminar individually. My registration submission returned an error but I think it's worth trying again. Maybe see you there.

Labels: Flexitimers, Recession, Redundancy, self-employed, small business

I've been in correspondence with George Michalski over the past few months who is involved in LifeWise - a dedicated website for the over 50s in Ireland. I have to say I really like this idea, LifeWise.ie provides an exciting range of products and services to suit the lifestyle of the Irish over-50s. Categories such as Health, Leisure, Travel, Finance and Retail feature editorials and special offers. They've lots of interesting news and blog posts such as advice for those recently made redundant offering tips and advice. Recession is a tough time for all of us but I think it can be particularly tough for the over 50s who may feel it's too late to retrain. I really hope George's site takes off and we at Flexitimers wish them all the best.

Labels: Recession, Redundancy

Just created a Flexitimers page on facebook so you're all very welcome to join us, add or start to discussions and generally network with other flexitimers throughout Ireland.

Heard about this conference via the Dublin City Enterprise Board Newsletter.
National College of Ireland will host and sponsor Think2Act, a free conference for people who have recently been made redundant or are considering taking new steps in their career. The conference which takes place on Tuesday 30 June will encompass the theme of 'change', seeks to change the recession mindset through expert advice and transformational coaching. It's FREE and has lots of advice and tips for people seeking change including experts in career coaching and psychology. Really worth a visit.


For further information, visit the conference page or contact:
Contact Details:
Dr. Celine Mullins
celine.mullins@a4b.ie
0863637019
Eibhlin Johnston
Eibhlin@thinkcoaching.ie
087 8583564

Labels: jobs, Recession, Redundancy, self-employed, small business