Matthew Moran is a business coach and technology consultant with more than 20 years of experience. He began his career as a data entry clerk at Blue Cross of California (Anthem). Over the next 6 years, he created a variety of database systems and a large automated document assembly system. The success of this system led to several consulting engagements in the healthcare and legal industries. His consulting focuses on business-centric application development, with a focus on workflow automation. His clients include Northrop Grumman, HealthNet, Power-one, Maracay Homes, Waste Management, Primerica Financial, and others. He coaches I.T. departments on concept over process, a business-focused methodology for more proactive and solution-oriented technologies. He also coaches entrepreneurs and small businesses on matters of I.T., content strategies, online presence, and social media. He is a keynote and workshop presenter, speaking to colleges, professional organizations, and I.T. groups. He is also a songwriter and performer, performing solo and with his band. He lives in Los Angeles, California, with his youngest daughter and their three dogs.

Introduction Part I: Your Career Chapter 1: The Toolkit Approach to Career Development Justifying the Need for an I.T. Toolkit Actions & Ideas Chapter 2: Career Building Defined The Danger of a Tool-Driven Mindset A Job Is Not a Career Perspectives on Career Development: Careers Are Nonlinear Perspectives on Career Development: A Working Plan Makes Tedious or Unrewarding Jobs Bearable Conclusion Actions & Ideas Chapter 3: Information Technology: A Great Career Why I.T. Is a Great Career Options Performance-Based Advancement Opportunities for Continuous Learning Pay and Perks What About Outsourcing? Outsourcing Is About Value, Not Costs The Jobs That Won't Be Outsourced Conclusion Actions & Ideas Chapter 4: Defining Yourself: Aptitudes and Desires Considerations in Your Career Choice Factors to Help Decide Your Career Path: Needs Factors to Help Decide Your Career Path: Desires Factors to Help Decide Your Career Path: Skills Conclusion Actions & Ideas Part II: Filling Your Toolkit Chapter 5: Self-Assessment The Power of Self-Assessment The Dangers of Self-Assessment Four Questions of Self-Assessment The Origin of the Four Questions Question 1: Do I Make My Employer's Job Much Easier or Much More Difficult? Question 2: If I Gave Notice Today, Would My Employer Have an Instant Sense of Relief or Dread? Question 3: Do I Perform My Job Better Than My Employer Could Perform My Job If He/She Needed To? Question 4: If Asked How I Can Improve in My Job, Do I Cite External Factors-People and Resources-or Do I Take Responsibility? Conclusion: Making It Personal Actions & Ideas Chapter 6: Attitude The Effect of Attitude on Your Career Positive Mental Attitude PMA Is Not a Panacea PMA and a Plan Beware: Two Pitfalls of Attitude Unrealistic Expectations Skill Deficits The Role of Attitude What You Think of Your Employer The "Us Versus Them" Mentality Management Got There by Luck or Schmoozing, Alone Your Coworkers Humble Arrogance: The Attitude of Personal Value Ownership The Myth of the Self-Made Man Attitude Checks Conclusion Actions & Ideas Chapter 7: Communication Skills Defining Communication Skills The Benefit of Communication Skills: An Effective Communicator Is Viewed as More Intelligent Written Communications General Guidelines The Letter E-Mail The Well-Crafted Paragraph The Well-Crafted Page Online Presence/Social Media Verbal Communication Conversation Presentations and Training Don't Wait Until You Are Asked to Speak to Learn This Vital Skill Cover No More Than Three to Five Main Points Work from an Outline, Not a Script Maintain Eye Contact with Your Audience A Brief Note on Listening Conclusion Actions & Ideas Chapter 8: Technical Skills Your Technology Skills The Role of Learning The Fear of Obsolescence Another Perspective: Transcendent Skills Reducing the Parts Tips to Speed Up the Learning Process Start with Concepts Don't Study What You Know Don't Worry About Catching the Latest Trend Focus on Solutions, Not Technology Conclusion Actions & Ideas Chapter 9: The Cover Letter The Purpose of Your Cover Letter Three Vital Ingredients in Your Cover Letter Gratitude for the Opportunity A Significant Accomplishment Your Interest in Becoming a Producer Conclusion Actions & Ideas Chapter 10: The Resume Your Ambassador to the Professional World The Purpose of Your Resume Determining Who Is Looking at Your Resume Busy Employers Disinterested Employers Resume Basics Length: Brevity Is Key No Paragraphs Bulleted Lists Documenting Your Professional Experience Guidelines for Writing Your Resume Writing Your Resume for Electronic Submissions and Online Optimization Video Resumes Conclusion Actions & Ideas Part III: Putting Your Toolkit to Use Chapter 11: Breaking In to I.T. Correcting Perception I.T. Happens Outside of I.T. Other Avenues into I.T. Interning Ask for What You Want Ask for Advice Beware Your Online Persona Conclusion Actions & Ideas Chapter 12: Building an Active Contact List Enjoy People Develop a Personality Have Other Areas of Interest Engage in Conversation Track and Remember Your Contacts Share Opportunity Professional Networking and Social Media Conclusion Actions & Ideas Chapter 13: The Job Search Getting What You Want Requires Wanting Something Defining the Job Search Remember: Looking for Work Is Work The Toolkit Approach to Finding a Job Job Search Outline A Job-Search Comparison Method 1: The Standard "Passive" Job Search Method 2: The Proactive Job Search Method 1 Versus Method 2 A Word About the Out-of-Town Search Social Media and the Job Search Gentle Reminders Don't Overfocus on Social Media Conclusion Actions & Ideas Chapter 14: The Interview Practice Your Interview Skills Be Prepared to Answer Difficult Questions Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years? After the Interview Conclusion Actions & Ideas Chapter 15: Salary Negotiations and Employment Agreements Start Early Know What You Want Understand the Employer's Perspective Be Creative Be Firm Your Worth to the Company Negotiations Never Fail Be Flexible Employment Agreements Seek Legal Counsel Assumptions Deliverables Bonuses and Performance Perks Conclusion Actions & Ideas Chapter 16: On-the-Job Promotion On the Job Maintaining and Building Your Network Identifying Areas for Success Attitude Working for a Tyrant and Other Joys Determine Whether Your Boss's Actions Are Personality or Personal Understand That People Are "Where They Are" Take an Objective Path to Evaluating What They Say Handling Criticism Conclusion Actions & Ideas Chapter 17: Your Career and Social Media Social Media/Social Network Definition Privacy Concerns What Is Your Use of Social Media? Just Personal Just Business The Crossover: Business and Personal Not a Professional Networking Replacement The Seven People You Cannot Be Online The Angry Individual The Conspiracy Theorist The Party Animal Vulgar Vicky or Lewd Larry The Unwanted Kisser The Used Car Salesman The Family Strife Poster How to Use Social Media Effectively Share Knowledge Share Opportunities Put Relationships In Context Assessing Your Use of Social Media Social Media Conclusion Actions & Ideas Part IV: More Options to Build Your Career Chapter 18: Telecommuting Careers That Lend Themselves to Telecommuting The Benefits for the Employee The Benefits for the Employer The Concerns for the Employee The Concerns for the Employer Conclusion: Next Steps Keys to Successful Telecommuting Project-Based/Free-Agent Mindset Apply Discipline Clear Expectations Technologies for the Telecommuter Resources for the Home Worker Conclusion Actions & Ideas Chapter 19: Consulting The Consulting Life The Benefits Respect Schedule Exciting Projects Compensation The Pitfalls Business Planning: Taxes, Legal Billing Trading Time for Dollars Schedule Ongoing Marketing Resources for the Consultant Online Supplements for the Consultant Conclusion Actions & Ideas Chapter 20: Management Leadership Process and Time Management Critical Skills You Need Now Presentation and Meeting Skills Team-Building Skills Conclusion Actions & Ideas Part V: The Value-Added Toolkit Chapter 21: Make Yourself Indispensable A Word About Value Being Proactive Understanding Technology's Role in the Organization Maintain a Business-First Mentality Create Standards, Automation, or a Programmer's Toolkit Create a Peer Knowledge Network Be Known as the Go-To Resource Be Ready and Willing to Take On the Necessary Responsibility Have Experts You Call On for Your Organization Be Passionate About Something! Never Blame, and Always Have a Corrective Plan Adopt Concept Over Process Conclusion Actions & Ideas Chapter 22: Concept Over Process What to Expect What Not to Expect COP Objectives COP Origins What Is a Process-Driven Mindset? The Role of Technology Moving from Process Driven to Concept Driven A Concentric View A Note About Time Developing Proactive Solutions A Warning/Suggestion COP Is Not About Technology! Start with the Goal of Business Understand Your Objective as an Employee What About Mission Statements? From Goal to Analysis Understand the Industry Understand the Business: The Organization's Role in Its Industry Understand the Workflow Understand the Relationships: Interactions/Dependencies Workflow Analysis Project Definition Congruencies: What Currently Works Incongruencies: What Currently Does Not Work Omissions: What Is Currently Excluded or Not Addressed at All Conclusion Actions & Ideas Chapter 23: The Role of Mentoring Mentor Characteristics Mentoring Others What Qualifies Me as a Mentor? The Role of Mentor Is Not a Power Position Conclusion Actions & Ideas Chapter 24: Career Coaching Career Coaching Topics What to Look for in a Career Coach What to Expect from Your Career Coach A Methodology or Approach Coaching Styles An Initial Assessment A Positive Attitude Clear Communications The Limitations of a Career Coach Fix Irresponsible Career Mistakes Improve Your Skill Set Land You a Job Individual Coaching Versus Group Coaching Group Coaching Individual Coaching How Coaching Is Structured How Much Does Coaching Cost Coaching as a Career Path The Traits of an Effective Career and Business Coach The Benefits of Being a Career Coach Getting Started as a Career Coach A Final Word on Coaching Topics of Discussion Chapter 25: Financial Control The Impact of Finances on Career Building Financial Control Creates Options Financial Control Is Largely Mental Money Is a Tool Debt and Spending Some Basics of Financial Planning and Stability Defining a Basic Budget Creating Your Budget Cash-Flow Summary: A Weekly Plan Conclusion Actions & Ideas Chapter 26: A Professional Blog What Is a Blog? Really Simple Syndication and Notifications How Do Blogs Work? Why You Should Blog Sharing Expertise Search Engine Ranking Be Positioned As an Expert Blogging Basics Schedule Quantity or Length Multipart Blog Post What to Write About Writing Style: Tone and Voice Blogging Multimedia Energy, Energy, Energy Using WordPress Content Management Hosting Options Domain Registration and Hosting Themes (Layouts) Plug-Ins Sidebar Widgets Customizations Getting Started with WordPress Actions & Ideas Chapter 27: 12 Weeks to Profitable Consulting About 12 Weeks A Week-by-Week Overview Your Starting Point What Does Profitable Mean? The Profitable Consulting Toolkit A Website/Blog What You Need on Your Website Home Services About Transition from Selling You to Selling the Company Contact Other Web Content My Website: MatthewMoranOnline.com Business Cards Mailing List/Newsletter Don't Advertise, Teach What to Include Newsletter Distribution Your Services Exercise 1: Why Do You Want to Be a Consultant? Exercise 2: What Can You/Should You Be Paid For? Sales and Marketing Basics The "I'm a High-Value Solution" Perspective Developing Your Pitch Your First Case Study The Case Study Framework How to Use Your Case Studies Tools for Tracking Your Business Managing Your Time and Tasks It Isn't the System But Being Diligent with a System Clarity and Reduced Mental Noise Establish a Routine: Your Ideal Day/Your Ideal Week Using Google Calendar Pre 12-Week Kickoff: Getting You Ready Let's Hang a Shingle and Win a Client How to Use the 12 Weeks Review Constantly Actions & Ideas Chapter 28: Be Proactive! Be Positive! Add Value! Share Opportunity! No Job Makes a Career, No Job Breaks a Career Adversity Happens Overcoming Adversity Talk to Someone Look at What You Can Be Grateful For Set a Schedule Find Someone You Can Be Accountable To Find an Easy Success Staying Engaged with Your Career Always Have a Pet Project Surround Yourself with Positive People Take a Leader to Lunch Once in Awhile Spread a Little Bit of Passion or Excitement About Technology to Youth You Make a Difference Where Do You Go from Here? Appendix: My Reading List 9780789749437 TOC 2/1/2013