Recommendations for students entering the workforce to be successfully employed.

I have been blessed with high-quality education since I was young, at both public and private schools. This education includes a post-high school education and a Master’s degree. But, despite what many think, having a top-notch education isn’t always a fast track to getting a great job immediately after graduation. 

I learned quickly after entering the workforce that a great company needs to have team spirit, and that a great employee needs to foster that spirit. After years of working for companies and now over 20 years leading my own marketing agency, I have truly learned the importance of knowing and nurturing great working environments. In this blog post I will show you what great companies have in common and how to find the right company for you.

What is “team spirit”?

You may have heard the term “team spirit” in regards to your school’s sports teams, or any chapters or clubs you may be a part of. But, what does team spirit mean in a professional setting?

Great companies have leadership that understands the importance of quality of life for every member of the organization.  A company can show this through respectful and fair communication with clear work tasks and job descriptions.     

Great companies know that human capital is one of the most valuable assets that create collaboration, innovation, productivity, and efficiency. All leadership members must understand how important this is to the company to obtain great success. This is what makes up team spirit and a good leader makes it a priority to nurture that positive environment daily. 

At Cazarin Interactive, we prioritize clear communication, which forges great comradery and team spirit.  It has taken years to truly learn how to implement it effectively and sustain it daily.

My advice to young professionals is to understand this fact and create an approach that is congruent with the desire to be part of a great team.  When interviewing for jobs, search for a team that is collaborative, productive and efficient.  Aim to join a team with great spirit. This is where you will be happy and provide your best work.

Where do I fit?

Now that you know what team spirit means, you have to decide where it truly fits in your life. Not every company you apply to will be a great fit for you. You can begin by understanding your strengths and weaknesses and by taking an introspective look at what truly makes you unique. Once you have done this, you will have a stronger feeling about which organizations have your type of team spirit, and which ones don’t.

If I were to go back and give my younger, newly-graduated self some pieces of advice, these would be my seven tips.

The 7 keys to a great professional life

Self Awareness

Understand yourself by identifying your strengths and weaknesses. How can you best contribute to a team? Understanding yourself requires being open to feedback.

Empathy and Communication Skills 

Understand that there are different points of view to every situation. Use humility, gratefulness, and empathy in your communication with other members of the team.

Balance in your Life

In order for you to be a great team player, you need to have balance. Use the 7 F’s of Future, Faith, Fitness, Finances, Friends, Fun, and Family. Measure these every quarter and adjust accordingly when you see imbalances.

Time is a Valuable Resource

Time is a resource that can’t be purchased. Time is finite. Use it in the best way possible. Create amazing memories, help others, and take care of yourself and your family. 

Authenticity – Be the Best Version of Yourself

Once you are able to put your ego aside, you will be able to communicate in an authentic way and interactions will be much more effective.

Continue to Learn

There is so much to learn. Open your mind to other possibilities, other perspectives, and find the best ways for you to learn.

Joy & Happiness 

Keep this always in mind: What brings you joy and happiness will guide you to make the best decisions for yourself.

Qualities of a Great Company

The more you understand and practice those 7 keys to a great professional life, your vision of a great company will become clearer. These are the main things that companies with great team spirit and camaraderie do:

• Include Others: Include employees in decisions when possible.  When employees feel included in the decision-making process, they embrace the change and help to make the transition to acceptance smooth.
• Be Positive: Always look at the positive side of any issue.
• Strong Leadership: These leaders understand the importance of team spirit.All managers at a great company understand and forge team spirit by having respect, listening skills, and proper communication.
• Resiliency: Resilient teams consistently deliver superior results. You can see this in companies that retain employees and that have built a positive reputation in the marketplace.

Final Takeaways

When someone chooses my company, Cazarin Interactive, as their marketing partner, our team becomes a part of their company as an extension of the marketing and sales department.  We understand team spirit.  We help to develop brand identity, messaging, and implement an ongoing marketing strategy that will help businesses grow in a healthy manner. If it weren’t for my understanding of the 7 key values to professionalism and the importance of team spirit, Cazarin Interactive would not be the great company that it is today.

Resources: 

• https://www.cazarin.com/Fusion-for-Marketing-creative-advertising/ 
• Marketing Fusion Brochure

Question:

Do you want to utilize our Marketing Fusion (™) and see real growth in your business? Contact our marketing department today. 

Marketing@cazarin.com  

Advice for those who are struggling with their business.

I am a business professional and entrepreneur who has worked hard to beat the odds. I successfully launched Cazarin Interactive almost 23 years ago and the solid education I have gained over the years has given me the experience needed to be able to help others improve their businesses.

My experience includes a BIS degree in Computer Science and Management Information Systems and a Masters degree from Carlson School of Business with a concentration in marketing. I am also a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 program.

It’s been said that most businesses fail within the first 5 years. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), this isn’t necessarily true. 

Data from the BLS shows that approximately 20% of new businesses fail during the first two years, 45% during the first five years, and 65% during the first 10 years. Only 25% of new businesses make it to 15 years or more.

Having clarity on your professional vision is key.

I can tell you with confidence that this information is extremely valuable.  I have gained this information from books, business professionals talks, personal experiences, personal interviews, high-level education, and spiritual principles.  

Create a solid VISION – a plan that describes your goals for your company for the next 3 to 5 years.  Create a plan that is as visual as possible by using meaningful images, photos, inspirational quotes, etc.  In your plan, define the following:

• Why are you in business?
• Goals for annual gross revenues
• What are the core values of the company?
• How many employees do you desire to have 
• What will you offer your employees? 
  • Culture
  • Compensation
  • Flexibility
• What does your complete team want to be

Let’s break these down a little further.

Why are you in business

Many people go into business for themselves because they want to become millionaires. I simply wanted to have good financial income. The reason I started Cazarin Interactive was because I felt that working for myself and being my own boss was the right decision for me. As an educated professional, I wanted to forge my own destiny and have a high quality of life aligned with my personal values.

Annual gross revenues

How can you decide on gross revenues when you have not sold anything? It doesn’t matter as long as you have a goal and an objective. The better question is: Do you know what you want your company to accomplish in the next three years?

Core values of the company

Define your core values and live them.  When you are all aligned, you build “Team Spirit”.  As a leader of Cazarin Interactive, my goal is to create the vision for the company to get on the right path to fulfilling goals by creating an unwavering guide. I am the Vision Architect to make sure we harness the team spirit.

The values at Cazarin Interactive are:

• • Integrity
  • Commitment to Quality
  • Value Relationships
  • Operate with Vision and Purpose
  • Value Collaboration
  • Great Atmosphere for our Staff

How many employees you desire to have 

I was encouraged to grow our company in the early 2000’s .  I didn’t want to do it.  We had investors ready, but I had experienced chaos in a previous company after we reached 20 employees. With under 20 people in a company, it was a close group and we had a lot of fun.  Once it grew over, the social dynamic changed.  For me, the number is 20 and this has always been the maximum.

What do you offer the staff?

Culture, friendliness, positivity, and quality of life are items that can’t be purchased.  

Compensation, many times, is a low priority if you have a great culture.  It is VERY important of course but can become lower in the priority if you have a great culture.

Flexibility, the ability to work from home, and odd hours have to be possible for more and more people these days.  If you have the right systems, this can work.

What does your complete team want to be

This is OUR VISION: 

• • To be a premier digital marketing agency where both staff and clients enjoy working together in a creative environment filled with happy people.

Please note, we are complex individuals. The above suggestions are a foundation to create a business with great team spirit working towards a vision.  The profit is a manifestation of doing the above correctly.

Tips 

Where do you start? – Try to make an inventory of what you are missing.  Talk to other professionals and business coaches to make sure you understand what you are lacking.

Decisions under fear – Don’t make important decisions under fear, more than likely, you will regret it.

Calm – Remain calm at all times. As a leader, you have to keep a solid foundation for the business.  Learn to meditate, decrease stress, etc.  If you are calm, you will be able to find answers.  Reach on your spiritual beliefs to get answers.  

Resources: 

1. Goldman Sachs 10,000 program application
2. Cazarin Interactive – Digital Marketing
3. Top 6 reasons businesses fail

Question:

What is the vision for your company in the next 3 years?

Let us know if we can help you in any way.

Marketing@cazarin.com 

Advice for those who are thinking about marriage or those who are struggling with their marriage.

I am not an expert on marriage, nor do I have education on the subject. However, my experience and knowledge gained during my 30 years of marriage has given me some tips that can help others.

This blog is an attempt to share this information with others in the hope that you have some tools and tips to help you in your own relationships.

This is my experience in marriage and helping others:

1. Married for 30 years, I have been married to an amazing person since April, 1991.  We have three wonderful daughters.
    
2. Church Marriage preparation.  We have helped over 10 couples prepare for marriage through our church’s  marriage preparation program called “Prepare”.

3. Culturally different, Our marriage is culturally and ethnically different.  My wife was born and raised in Minnesota from German and, Irish heritage.  I was born in Mexico City and, came to study to Minnesota at an early age in high school then college.  I am from Mexican and Italian heritage.  Our three daughters were born in the USA.

These are facts that can’t be ignored.

• Relationships are hard and there are always ups and downs.
• About 40% to 50% of marriages in the United States end in divorce.
• Although the divorce rate is dropping, too many couples will end in divorce.

A positive outlook on marriage and a set of fundamental values between one another, however, can help maintain a healthy and long-lasting relationship.

How I Formed my Outlook on Marriage as a Partnership

I was born in the 60’s and grew up in the 70’s under a patriarchal culture.  This culture believes that the man works and provides for the family.  The woman should stay home, take care of the house and, children, and obey the husband at all times.  Please understand this was how my parents raised me and what I saw as I grew up.  I  don’t agree with this type of marriage myself today, but this was my experience.

I came to the USA as an exchange student in high school, my American parents were very different from my home country.  My American mom went out with girlfriends to bars and dancing places.  I remember a conversation my American parents had in which my mom told my dad she had gone dancing and a guy came to ask her to dance. My American dad replied with sincerity, “I hope you had a good time.”  

I almost fainted because, my American dad said hope you had a good time.  I can tell you this would never happen in my Mexican culture.  That action would have been grounds for divorce in Mexico.

I was very lucky to make great friends here in the USA.  Some of those great friends included in particular the parents of one of my girlfriends, Bill and Nancy.  They influenced my views on marriage and relationships.  They gave me the principles for a marriage as a partnership. These are the fundamentals that they taught me by being around them and observing their marriage.  Bill was my friend and best man at my wedding for 25 years until he passed away, Nancy is still a friend of mine and my family:

• Together we make a team.
• We will help each other to be the best version of ourselves.
• We will support each other at all times.
• Nobody is more important  than the other person.
• We will make decisions together.

Those lessons carried into my last 30 years of marriage and now my wife and I have established 10 vital pieces of advice that we share with people looking to get married or struggling with their marriage

Final Takeaway:

• You are the architect of your own destiny.  Make the best by having very good communication with your partner.

Resources: 

1. Podcast for Marriage as a Partnership
2. Marriage Tips from Mary and Ricardo
3. CDC Statistics on Marriage

Question:

What type of marriage do you have or want to have?

Let us know if we can help you in any way.

Marketing@cazarin.com  

Gift:  Maia wanted to share her cookies with her friends and teachers.

On a recent Sunday evening, my cousin and his family decided to teach their daughter Maia how to make butter cookies. Maia is only eight years old and had a desire to learn something new. My cousin’s family has been affected like most people during COVID-19 and thought this would be a good way to spend time together and teach their daughter something new.

They baked a few dozen cookies and decorated each one. Maia then asked her parents if she could share the cookies with her friends. They created small packages filled with a few cookies and a loving message from Maia and delivered the cookies directly to the mailboxes of her friends and teachers.

After her friends received the cookies and tasted them, they started to call and ask to acquire more… and voila! One Smart Cookie was born.  Maia, with help from her mom, came up with a name, a handwritten “company card”, and designed a logo to accompany the orders.   Within a few days, orders for cookies were rolling in. Maia and her parents jumped back into the kitchen and began baking more cookies and have now upgraded to five different shapes: cactus, flowers, circles, bunnies, and hearts.

Maia writes hand-made cards to accompany each of the cookie packages. They have the name, a logo she created, phone number, and price for additional orders.

When I talked to Maia about her new venture, she told me that she enjoys making the cookies and has made over $112 in one week.  

Maia started her business by trying to share her cookies with her friends and teachers during this pandemic, and it’s growing into something bigger. Asking her parents what they liked most about this new adventure, they shared that Maia has taken initiative in making the cookies and only utilizes them for baking now.

Resources :::::

One Act of Kindness: www.oneactofkindness.org

Questions:::::

What are you doing to spend time with your loved ones during this time?

What would you do if you want to create a business?

Track Results

There is truth in the old saying that 50 percent of your marketing money is wasted, but you just don’t know which 50 percent. That’s why it is so important to track results.

By tracking, you can figure out what marketing effort is working and what isn’t. When you know that, you can fine-tune your message or channel. Good marketing requires that you follow this recipe: Implement, review, fine-tune and repeat.

In the early 1990’s I was working for a large company and a consultant was brought  to help us to increase sales and increase customer satisfaction.

Since I like stories, I must use one of my stories to illustrate this point.  I usually tear off when I think of it. I hope you like it!

The consultant explained that we all have different personalities and expectations.  For those of us who are Type A personality we expect that someone would start working on our task as soon as we communicate it.  

Recently I went to have my eyes checked, my prescription had changed and ordered glasses.  The person who took my order said it will be two weeks before you can have your glasses. I am type A and asked for a shorter timeline.  She said no, I told her I would pay extra. She said no, I agreed to wait for two weeks. My glasses arrived in seven days, I was very happy about it!

Resources :::::  

         Dale Carnegie Institute

Questions:::::

      Do you believe we all can exceed customer expectations?      

      What is your preferred way of communication?

     What does asap mean to you?

I was part of the team selecting the children to be operated. There were about 75 families wanting to have the operation, we had enough resources and time for 35 surgeries, but 37 were selected. We all agreed to work extra time and do whatever it was needed.

I had to wear scrubs which made me look like one of the surgeons and early on, families would refer to me as Dr. Ricardo. The first couple times I corrected them indicating I was just a translator. Since it happened so often, I let them call me Dr. Ricardo ?

As I walked through the floor which had 37 beds in this large floor, Pedro’s mother held my arm and said: Dr. Ricardo, I have to share a story with you. Please share it with the rest of your team. Pedro came out of surgery at about 9:00 pm and I was by his side, he slept deeply and woke up at about midnight and yield at me and said “Mom do I speak ok now?” She answered yes honey you do. Pedro then said: “Great, I thought it was just a dream”. He was approaching puberty, he wanted to be heard and to be similar to all of the other kids. HIs mother then told me, Pedro woke up again at 3:00 am and 7:00 am and the same thing happened. He kept thinking it was a dream, but he now speaks like everyone else ? Her last words were thanks for changing my son’s life for the better…. As she said this, a warm feeling came into me, my heart rejoiced. I knew at that moment, she was right, we had changed Pedro’s life. It was very rewarding to me. A few minutes later I shared the story with my team. My team said, Ricardo, thanks for the story. It was a very exhausting experience but well worth it!  We changed children’s lives …