Posts Tagged ‘seniors’

Re-thinking Retirment

July 16th, 2010

When we think “retirement” the traditional model has been to “sit back, stop work, and maybe travel the world”. But according to the US Small Business Administration, that tradition might be changing.

A recent article on the USSBA website, says that “For many Americans born between 1946 and 1964, retirement has a very different meaning than it did a generation ago. According to a recent USA Today/Gallup poll, 63% of non-retired adults in the United States plan to work in retirement; two-thirds say enjoyment of work is the key reason.” (see full article here).

But did you catch that? ENJOYMENT of work is the key reason. Well, you’d think that was a no brainer. Of course we have to enjoy work to do it on into retirement, right? Well, maybe it is really that we need to re-adjust our thinkers surrounding what WORK really needs to be.

We have responsibilities that need to be met, and having a job and money help us meet those requirements, but if we plan well (and we do a job we LOVE), then we don’t have to live for retirment. In fact, once we reach “retirement age” we will actually WANT to keep on working.

Think Mother Theresa or Ghandi. Not really into that kind of work? Ok, what about Clint Eastwood or Paul Newman? All of these people are examples of people who worked on into their age-ed years. All of them were mid-project when they passed.Working at something they loved.

Start now, plan ahead, and re-think your retirement.

Christopher Meyer Wins IEM Seniors Video Award

April 28th, 2010

The IEM 2010 graduating seniors were all in the running for the best video award this year. There were several good videos, and the decision was close, but in the end the award went to

Christopher Meyer.

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Most striking about Christopher’s video was how much he had changed throughout his time with IEM. Coming in to the IEM program, Christopher had said “I am here to get better at giving presentations.” We were doing some short clips on marketing the IEM program, asking current students to give testimonials and even in that short interview Christopher was obviously intelligent with a lot to share, but ultimately his ideas got buried under an exterior that was shy and reserved.

(Watch Christopher’s Video interview here to compare)

Wow, but what a change has taken place in this IEM client. Here he is now, close to a year later, and he is not only giving good presentations, but creating informational videos helping other people find good presentation skills as well.

His idea, grademypresentation.com helps anyone who cares to share their presentation get good feedback on their speeches. The idea is that if you aren’t sure about your presentation skills, or if you would like to get better, the website offers a virtual sounding board for you to “try out” your presentation on a willing–and contributing—audience. At the end of your presentation, presentors are rated on their speech and presentation as well as to offer helpful tips and hints about the presentation overall.

The idea is simple, but extraordinary. Which is what IEM is all about.

Congratulations Christopher! You’ve done a great job.

Click here to watch Christopher’s winning video

on the IEM alumni page.

And Don’t forget to check out his website, and his new company:

grademypresentation.com.