3 Ways to Appear Older than you Really Are

A couple of weeks ago Penelope and I went to a meeting in Milwaukee with a group of potential investors. After the meeting, we went upstairs to grab a drink while the group discussed a few things. One of the guys came upstairs to shake our hands and say goodbye. He said to Penelope, "You were great. You remind me exactly of my 25-year-old daughter!"

Needless to say, I was doing everything I could to keep from bursting out in laughter, and Penelope had a look of shock on her face. We later came to find out that the group thought Penelope and I were roughly the same age, and some even thought I was older than her! (I'm actually 23 and she is 41.)

While most women love to hear they look much younger than they are, it's not necessarily a good thing when you're trying to get people to invest in your start-up company. People seem to think that if you're older you have a better chance of being successful. I don't think it's true, but it's something you have to deal with as a young professional.

Here are 3 ways to make people think you're older than you actually are.

Dress up, but don't blend in

When I gave my first speech I wore a blue collared shirt and black slacks. The point was to dress up and look like the group of Human Resource professionals I was talking to. It totally backfired.

First, I don't really feel comfortable in slacks and a shirt, it's not me. And by trying to blend in with the rest of the group, it was obvious that I was much younger than they were. My pants were a little baggier, my shirt was kind of flashy, and I had my patented 5 o'clock shadow. Something was obviously off.

Since then I've come up with my own look. I dress up, but I do it in my own way by wearing nice jeans, a button down shirt and a blazer. I feel totally comfortable in this outfit and it lets people know that I'm comfortable standing out, while still dressing up. Wear what makes you most comfortable and your confidence will be unmistakable.

Answer questions with confidence, even if you're lying

Older business folks love to ask tough questions to see what kind of answer you're going to give. It's kind of like an interview every time you meet with a new group. So think of it like an interview and give an answer.The actual answer you give, whether in front of a group or talking one on one, is much less important than how you say it. Make something up if you have to.

One of the most common questions I get is, "What's your role in the company?" The truth is that in a three-person company, everyone does everything, but that answer can only get you in trouble. So one day I will say I manage finances and day to day operations and the next day I will say that I manage production. Both answers are right, but I'm much better off giving one simple answer and saying it with confidence.

Avoid "kid conversations" at all costs!

Unless you have children, it's imperative that you avoid the conversation about children. Older people love to talk about their children. I know I will do the same when I have kids, but these conversations can only get you into trouble if you are young. This was my downfall at IBM.

Every time my co-workers at IBM brought up their kids' little league tournament or basketball practice, all I could think to say was something like "my little league team almost won the state title." Or "I used to hate basketball practice!" I mean, I was playing little league ten years ago, so it makes sense that I remember it well. But it always alienated me from the conversation.

The best thing you can do in a "kid conversation" is stay quiet, laugh and nod your head. Your time will come; don't try to join the kid conversation too early.

Five Common Mistakes Young Adults Make When Starting Up a Small Business

College campuses are becoming a fertile breeding ground for up-and-coming business owners.

A recent study by The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor shows that 18- to 24-year-olds in the United States are starting businesses at a faster rate than 35- to 44-year-olds. Now is your prime time to consider opening up that tattoo parlor, bed and breakfast, or wilderness expedition center you've dreamed about.

So whether you've established a small business, are in the midst of launching one, or simply considering it for the future, it's certain you want at least one thing out of this investment: success.

But it won't be a cakewalk. It's hard to believe, but over 50 percent of small businesses fail in their first year and 95 percent fail within the first five years, according to the U.S. Small Business Association. Starting a business is risky for most, but success can come for those who proceed with logic and discipline.

Here are five common mistakes people tend to make when starting up a small business – and how you can avoid them:

1. Business owners don't create documented procedures for the day-to-day operation. It's a simple equation: Systems = freedom. A "working procedure" is a documented description of how to perform a task. Having it prevents random problems and ensures the task is performed exactly and consistently. Procedures help you delegate, improve your scheduling ability, and allow you to work smarter and accomplish more with less effort. Thus, work less and make more. It's ironic, but by implementing documented system procedures, your employees are free to be creative because they don't have to "wing it" each time they perform their job duties; everyone operates at a smoother pace because there is a proven, working process. Everyone knows what to do and what to expect. Your people don't have to be mind-readers or fortune tellers.

2. Owners don't delegate – they are "doing the work." The reason a business owner can work a few hours a week, or take an extended vacation without stress, is because they have created systems, implemented written procedures with supporting documentation, and have learned to delegate. I know, I know. You're zealous, dreamy-eyed, and proficient at what you do, and as the leader of an organization, you're committed to doing whatever it takes to get your new business off the ground. Successful people don't work harder; they work smarter. This means focusing on what you do best, and delegating the rest. Ask yourself what you enjoy doing least for your business. Perhaps that's bookkeeping or making phone calls to potential clients. Then, imagine literally giving away these tasks. Get rid of the "I am Superman" attitude and hire people who are trustworthy and qualified to take much of the weight off your shoulders.

3. Owners don't use time wisely. Biological Prime Time is when your brainpower is at peak capacity. People function at maximum effectiveness about six hours out of a 24-hour day. It is important to understand this interesting facet of human performance, determine precisely when your prime time occurs, and then use it wisely. Six hours out of a 24-hour day is not much. Presuming you wish to reach your goals sooner rather than later, it is best the tasks that contribute most to your primary goals are performed during your prime time hours and you protect those hours from interruption. Also, don't start your day without a to-do list. Make a list of tasks and categorize them into business-building activities, client activities, and personal items. Then, prioritize, remove distractions, delegate, and stick to your plan.

4. Owners see their job, life, and business as "holistic." You must change your fundamental perspective to see the elements of your world as separate, linear systems. See that these systems can be perfected, one-by-one. Understand that by perfecting a primary system's sub-systems, the primary system will be perfected – and, although you are taking a non-holistic approach, your end product – your business – will be a highly efficient, entirely holistic, "Primary System."

5. Owners don't have a strategic objective or set of operating principles. A strategic objective is short, usually a single page in length. It defines overall goals, describes methodology, and prescribes action. It gives direction for making major and minor decisions. It's an essential instrument for a business and for personal life. General operating principles are a two to three page collection of "guidelines for decision making" that are congruent with the strategic objective. Essential for the work environment and in a simplified and shorter format, they also guide one's personal life. Two examples of simple operating principles are "Do it now," and, "choose the simplest solution."

Every Good Blogger Starts with Trust

The world of social media has certainly changed the way individuals become credible. With a little passion and some solid opinions, anyone can start a blog and make a name for themselves on the web.

But, the measure of credibility in the blogosphere is far from defined. I mean–we're bloggers–few of us have editors who scrutinize the facts. And of course, we can't get fired for what we say. Since there's not much at risk, to establish credibility, we have to rely on the element of trust.

Gaining a reader's trust is no simple feat. Here's a few ways to do it, and hopefully maintain it, as you develop your blog.

Bare all and keep it real

My favorite bloggers, and the ones I have the utmost respect for, are the ones who aren't afraid to tell it how it is. Whether it's not being afraid to say what everyone else is thinking, or flaunting your weaknesses—turning them into strengths–these are the people I want to read day after day.

The ones who pretend to be something they're not are easy to ignore. Think of your content as if it were a tangible product. If you're producing a knockoff, few people are going to want it.

Align yourself with the right people

Like it or not, the blogosphere works just like any other social system. There are people who have power and people who don't.

Having friends with connections matters on the web as much as it does in any facet of life. Network with these people, make them like you, and you'll be surprised at what will happen.

Presentation counts for everything

It's tough to take someone seriously who doesn't work on their style. Just as the way we dress paints a picture of who we are, the design on your blog paints a picture of who you are.

You can write the most powerful content on the web, but if your presentation sucks, everything sucks. Think about developing a blog style that augments your blog content. As soon as you do, people will be able to take you more seriously.

Authority is something that has to be built. And the trust you want to develop that leads to that authority can't be earned overnight. When we started Employee Evolution over a year ago, there were more haters than anyone else. But we stuck to our guns, played nice, and today we've earned some credibility. Sure, there will always be those neighsayers looking to shut you down. Learn to enjoy these people, because having the authority to speak your mind and know others are listening wouldn't be a good time without them.

Thinking Inside the Box: The Staff Meeting

The company I work for is such that we are subject to full staff meetings every month. Basically, this event consists of all us underlings filing into the conference room to listen to VIPs talk about how good life is and eat stale bagels. One time we had green watermelon slices, and that was by far the highlight of my sad little career.

Our meetings normally kick off with an unfunny joke by one of our corporate VPs. Of course, we all laugh heartily at his tales of talking animals and husbands who just don't understand their wives! Oh boy, comedy gold.

Once we've all stopped the forced belly laughs it's time for the special inspirational speaker. This month's guest was a biographer, talking about the book he was writing about a former organization president. However, rather than talking about our fearless leader's fundraising prowess and genial personality, we were instead regaled with stories of family depression and suicide. Yeah, just what one needs to get through the workday. See kids, success breeds disdain for the world!

So now that we're good and depressed it's time to really bring it home with the investments report. This section should really be titled "Somebody's Getting Rich, but It Ain't You!" As we all sit and silently stew about how our retirement funds do nothing but lose money every quarter, the investments VP goes on and on about how many millions and millions of dollars the company's coffers are raking in on dividends. One time, I asked if we could have some of that money and he gave me such a look that I'm pretty sure the next seven generations of my family will be stricken by some sort of gypsy curse.

Wrapping things up are the green tips and the open mic time. Our resident environmentalist goes to the podium and proceeds to give us helpful, simple tips to help save money and improve the planet. We talk about what great ideas they are and then continue to do what we've always done, because we can't very well allow ourselves to be inconvenienced for the sake of a few polar bears. The process repeats every month, and she slowly dies inside.

Open mic time usually consists of someone trying to either get us to give money for a cause, or telling us how their last cause raised so much money. When it's not that, we're asked to volunteer for some event where there will be lots of rich people, all of which are seemingly incapable of parking their own cars or seating themselves, so we'll have to do it for them. Next month, I get to be the vibrating footstool for the head of a major pharmaceutical company.

As I finish up the last bites of my bagel and we're dismissed from the meeting, I wonder if there's any way the last hour of my life could have been wasted any more. Then I think about the other seven hours a day I spend at my cube, and realize that the staff meeting was the most important thing I'll do all day.

I can't wait for next month.

A Message to Generation X

Most of the questions I get from Human Resources and Recruiting professionals about Generation Y are the same. They are all about why this generation expects to get so much so fast, why we feel entitled to flexibility, why we think we deserve high pay immediately, and so forth. The thing that surprises me every time is that it's not the Baby Boomers who are so upset with Gen Y, it's the Gen Xers. The more I pay attention, the more obvious it is that it's the Gen Xers who think we're just lazy, entitled Millennials.

It's one of my jobs to know the generation gap, so I checked out the cover story from a 1997 issue of TIME called, "Great Xpectations." Here's a key quote:

. . . more and more (Gen Xers) are prowling tirelessly for the better deal, hunting down opportunities that will free them from the career imprisonment that confined their parents. They are flocking to technology start-ups, founding small businesses and even taking up causes–all in their own way.

It sounds like both Gen X and Gen Y want the same thing! The problem is that Generation X did not get what they asked for, and Generation Y is seemingly being catered to like we are owed something. After reading the TIME piece, I can understand better Gen X's frustration. But I think it's time for us all, X and Y, to move forward, together.

So, here are 3 reasons Generation Y can and will pick up where Generation X left off and make the workplace better for us all.

Y Has Better Demographics

Generation X was simply too small to force any kind of change. There are about 50 million Gen Xers in the United States compared to nearly 76 million baby boomers and 77 million Millennials. When Gen Xers graduated college, the jobs were not there. With only 50 million people to fill the positions, and plenty of boomers around to fill the middle management jobs, companies had their pick of candidates. Employers took advantage by hiring only the top candidates and paying them as little as possible.

Generation Y is 50% bigger than Generation X, and with Xers dropping out of the workforce to take care of their children, employees, not management, have the power and even a recession won't slow down the job market. Generation Y has the same confidence, the same ambition and the same savviness as Generation X had in their twenties, but the demographics are in Gen Y's favor. Y can ask for change and actually get it.

Y Has Better Technology

Generation X came of age when the internet was just coming into common, public use. There were great new technologies and plenty of opportunities to strike it rich in Silicon Valley, much like there are today. But the 90's were still a time of traditional media and marketing to the masses. So if you wanted to make your voice heard, you had to pay thousands for a TV commercial or somehow become a celebrity. Today, anyone with a bad job can start a blog and tell the world why work should be better. Plus, where there was no easy way to create a collective Gen X voice, the Web is now all about community. And Generation Y embraces the idea of community like no other generation.

Y Has Better Teamwork

Generation Y is the ultimate "team" generation. Despite what the media says, it's not about us versus the rest of you. It's about how can we all work together? How can we all be happy?

We're not competing now and we never were competing with the Baby Boomers. We're the entry level grunts and they're the big shots in the corner office. We don't threaten their jobs and they don't make us work long hours because we don't report to them. But Gen X hated, and still hates, the Boomers. It makes sense. The baby boomers were directly managing the Gen Xers, and because of the demographics I pointed out above, the Gen Xers had to work the long hours or risk being fired and (easily) replaced.

Generation Y escapes the bitterness toward Gen X, or toward any other generation. We know we're lucky to be joining the workforce as Boomers leave and Gen Xers can't fill all of their shoes, but it's not about me versus you, and it's not about Gen Y being all that different from any other Generation.

So my message to Generation X is: let's forget the past and all hop on the bandwagon. We can make work a great place to be, and we can do it together.