A collection of real world best practices derived from Rinker and Associates' work with its clients and business peers.

1. H w to
How
B om
Bloo
in th
he
“ al”
“Rea
W ld
Wor
Practica
al ways to succ
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raine Ri
By Lorr inker
Key Learning Series © Rinker & Associates 2005‐09
n s Page 1

2. Important D
I Disclaimer
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gh every effort hhas been made t to ensure this guide is free from
m errors, this pu
ublication is made available wit th the understanding that the
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, editors, and pu
ublisher are not t responsible for the results of any action taken on the basis o of information inn this work, nor
r for any errors o
or
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ny person, in resspect of anythin
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consequuences of anything done or omitted to be done e by any such person in relianc ce, whether who ole or partial, up
pon the whole oor any part of th
he
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ation. If expert advice is require
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s 2005‐09 Page
e 2

3. Table of Contents
Introduction by Lorraine Rinker ............................................................................ 4
How to be successful in the real world ................................................................. 5
How to manage your career transitions ............................................................... 6
How to plan your career when you’re too busy to plan .................................. 7
How to be remarkable ................................................................................................ 8
How to overcome boredom in your career ......................................................... 9
.
How to make a comeback ........................................................................................ 10
How to break into the inner circle ....................................................................... 11
.
How to be a charismatic networker ..................................................................... 12
How to increase your staying power ................................................................... 13
How to stand out in an interview .......................................................................... 14
How to negotiate your salary ................................................................................. 15
How to survive a merger or acquisition scenario ........................................... 16
How to say “Thank You” ........................................................................................... 17
How to know what to wear and when to wear it ............................................. 18
How to be “real” .......................................................................................................... 19
About the author ........................................................................................................ 20
.
Key Learning Series © Rinker & Associates 2005‐09 Page 3

4. Introduction by Lorraine Rinker
M y dad was a man of few words. He taught me to “think before speaking”, be my own person, and
to go forth into the world with confidence. He used to say, “Whenever you get confused, step
back and look at things from a distance to help regain your perspective.” But, his favorite
directive was “if you ever get lost, don’t just stand there ‐ ‐ pick a direction and move. Nothing will change
until you move. Move with purpose and you’ll eventually find your way.”
My dad died in 1986 and there isn’t a day that goes by without my thinking about him. I consistently do things
that remind me that I am his daughter. For instance, I practice the art of learning something knew everyday.
In doing so, I listen to the words of those much wiser than I am and wonder “when will I have such wisdom?”
Then it dawns on me, maybe it’s time for me to stop chasing the answer to that question and move with
purpose with what I do know.
I’ve practiced the art of transition well enough to help guide others to succeed by getting back to the basic
simple rules of engagement in the real world. Our world has become so complicated that sometimes people
are paralyzed by it. To help people get unstuck, I offer this collection of vignettes as a practical approach to
incorporating movement into your life. You can succeed in your career without getting lost. So, don’t just
stand there ‐ ‐ move!
Dedicated in loving memory to my dad,
Robert Sui Keung Lee, Jr.
Key Learning Series © Rinker & Associates 2005‐09 Page 4

5. How to be successful in the real world
Maintain focus and make small “course corrections” along the way.
Get connected and stay connected! Make networking a normal part of your life, always make a great
first impression and leave a positive lasting impression.
Realize that owning a business is a Real Job and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
Think creatively when developing your business or career, consider everyone you meet a
potential client/employer or referral.
Don’t just see a Purple Cow . . . be a Purple Cow! Be remarkable and remember the “word on the
street” has the power to enhance, ignore, or tarnish your name.
Practice your MVV (Mission, Vision, Values). Think. Plan. Write it down.
Stay close to your customers and closer to your competitors.
Face a setback with a comeback. Take risk management seriously and always have a Plan B.
Record your own history; it's more likely to be accurate that way.
Be Real. Mind your manners. Be a mentor, a role model, and a confident.
Ready to be your ultimate self?
Key Learning Series © Rinker & Associates 2005‐09 Page 5

6. How to manage your career transitions
Take A Part Time Job perspective can help keep you abreast of current real world
Sharpening those skills that made you so successful in the first business issues and trends. You should also invest in a
place will help keep you “skillfully current” and help you avoid subscription to a credible local publication that focuses on
significant gaps in your resume. It’s okay if it’s not lucrative, it’s business in general or your particular area of expertise/interest.
the experience and contacts you will make that will prove to be
Expand Your Education
priceless in the long run. This is a great way to stay abreast of
If you have always wanted to expand on your education, time “at
current business practices from a firsthand perspective.
home” could be the best opportunity to work on your degree or
Make Your Volunteer Work Count certificate program. Even at a “part‐time” pace, as a “stay at
Your time is precious, so make the time you spend volunteering home parent” you could complete your education by the time
count towards your future re‐entry to the workforce. Leverage your child is in school. This is not just a great addition to your
your passion; apply your time towards something you are resume; it’s also a great way to invest in yourself.
passionate about and make it measurable work. Sit on a planning
Start Your Own Business
board, a school board, or participate in community projects that
Starting your own in‐home business can give you the flexibility
help you develop real world contacts while giving back to the
you are looking for at this time in your life. It’s a great way to put
community.
your energy into something you really love to do, on your own
Stay Connected terms, and you as your own boss!
Do the “friends and family” thing! You might not have the time to
join formal organizations for the opportunity to network or stay
abreast of current business and community issues; so make sure
you stay connected through your informal networks of friends
and colleagues. Their “what’s going on in the work force”
Whatever floats your boat. . .
Key Learning Series © Rinker & Associates 2005‐09 Page 6

7. How to plan your career when you’re too busy to plan
Assess Your Current Situation skills. Considering your career preferences, identify your skill
Begin at the beginning by reviewing your current personal and deficiencies and the additional education or training you will need
work situation and identify priorities of each. Personal priorities to address any of these deficiencies. Also consider what your
may include income, benefits, work hours, location, schools or costs will be for making a career change; and figure out what the
daycare, etc. Work priorities may include financial opportunities, impact will be on your current financial situation.
work hours, benefits, work environment and culture, etc.
Develop and Implement a Written Action Plan
Identify Career Interests Create your own plan by listing the action items that will enable
Create a profile of your career preferences. Use the answers to you to meet your career preferences as well as allow you to
questions relevant to your personal and professional life to form a address your personal priorities. This list should include
composite profile describing the work situation that could best additional education or training needs and action needed to
meet your comprehensive needs. Examples of personal life address the costs related to your career interests. Set a realistic
questions include; Are you interested in a full‐time or part‐time time frame to implement your plan.
employment commitment? What amount of personal time are
Monitor and Make Adjustments
you willing to devote to your career? Do you have any physical
Make a habit of checking your progress in implementing your
limitations to factor into your career choices? Professional life
action plan. Feel free to change your plan and make adjustments
questions may include; What industry or profession interests you?
as you go to ensure you’re still on course.
What are your income needs? Is there a specific company that
interests you? Is self‐employment your goal?
Determine Skills and Costs Related To Interests
Identify your current skill set by listing both core skills (your
expertise), soft skills (your interpersonal skills), and technical
The journey is the “thing”!
Key Learning Series © Rinker & Associates 2005‐09 Page 7

8. How to be remarkable
Your References are Your Resume! and refine your ideal customer profile. Find the individuals or
Instead of submitting a traditional resume that looks like a million groups who are most likely to tell others about you; who are the
other resumes, submit a “BIO Profile” to make an outstanding most profitable. Ignore the rest.
presentation of your references or testimonials as your resume. A
Don’t Just Follow the Leader, Be the Leader!
bio profile can open many doors that a traditional resume won’t
If you watch a flock of geese closely, you’ll notice that every few
even budge. It makes a great first impression by giving the reader
minutes, one of the birds from the back of the flock will break
an interesting virtual introduction that will make them want to
away, fly to the front, and take over; giving more than one bird
meet you just to hear more about “you” in person. Now, that’s
practice at being the leader. With no practice leading, you could
remarkable!
end up in serious trouble when turbulence kicks up in your world.
Sometimes It’s All About Being “Different”. The ability to lead will become even more important when your
Ever wonder how Volkswagen was able to bring the Beetle back “flock” no longer exists and no other flock is handy.
with such success? It’s quite simple. When people saw the new
Take a Chance to Be On the Edge.
round Beetle in traffic among all the “look‐alike boxy” SUVs, they’
Sometimes you have to step a little bit closer to the “edge” in
couldn’t help but notice it because it was such an obvious “stand
order to get a better look at what’s possible. Doing what is
out”. It was marketing itself. Market your real self by leveraging
normally “unsafe” for you or exploring what is “outside your
the “thing” that makes you unique and outstanding!
comfort zone”, is a good way to practice the art of seeing what’s
Differentiate Your Customers. working and what’s not.
A valued colleague of mine once said, “Professionals sort,
amateurs try to convince.” Don’t go for the mass market, define
Dreams don’t retire.
Key Learning Series © Rinker & Associates 2005‐09 Page 8

9. How to overcome boredom in your career
All work has its boring moments; but there is a difference between stretches your core abilities. Even though it means you may
those types of moments and those that simply make your eyes glaze charge less than your usual fee, the experience may give you a
over: chance to re‐charge your creative batteries while broadening
your experience and increasing your value to your clients.
Does your day seem to crawl by, minute by minute?
Talk to your boss about other possibilities. If you excel at a
Has your work lost its luster?
special discipline or core strength and you want to improve it
Do you feel like you are not being intellectually stimulated? even more, look for a more challenging assignment focused on
that skill. Look within or across your organization for
Does the thought of solving the quot;same problemquot; one more time make opportunities, and then ask your boss for that new
you want to tear your hair out? assignment. You never know what the boss will do until you
ask!
If so, consider the following strategies:
Do quot;good workquot; outside of work. Renew your feelings about
Identify something that will revitalize you. Get out of your
helping others by taking on volunteer projects for non‐profit
comfort zone and try something new and slightly risky. There
organizations in an area that was a stretch and quot;out of
is nothing more stimulating than learning something new.
characterquot; for yourself.
Have you ever noticed how jazzed up you are after attending a
two or three day conference? You're excited about the new Take the plunge into a new line of
things you learned and can't wait to get back to the office and work. Consider a career shift as
share. Or, maybe just the change of venue and perspective simple as doing the same type of work
rejuvenated your feelings about your work! with different people in your
organization; or as radical as doing
Create your own quot;newquot; assignment. If you’re in a new role or
different work in a whole new
position, leverage any opportunity to step outside your
environment.
comfort zone to expand and grow your skill set. For instance,
if you’ve recently started your own business, you can find an
assignment that puts you outside of your comfort zone and Find your happy self.
Key Learning Series © Rinker & Associates 2005‐09 Page 9

10. How to make a comeback
Many people who have taken time out of their career for parenting or care‐giving now are finding their way
back to the workforce. If progress seems slow and/or your outlook becomes confused, step back and recheck
your priorities. Think about what motivates you the most (flexibility, benefits, pay, challenging work, etc.) and
make sure the most important motivator is at the top of your list.
Job hunting has changed and traditional methods may not create effective results. Today's job market calls for a
fresh approach. Make the following practices a normal part of your job search:
Network, network, and network ‐ More than 60% of all opportunities are shared through contacts made while
networking. There is an organization for just about every professional around, so finding a venue that is in line
with your interests should not be hard to find. Reconnect with established contacts and make new ones.
Informational Interviews ‐ Take every opportunity to schedule informational conversations with former
colleagues or new contacts who are working in the field you want to learn more about.
Consulting ‐ Take on short‐term consulting assignments to build up current real‐world experience. Even your
volunteer work should quot;countquot; and be in your field of interest.
Change is inevitable.
BIO Profile ‐ In addition to your resume, create a biographical profile which is a more personal perspective of
not just where you've been, but also reflects what you are capable of doing in the future. Include testimonials
from former bosses, colleagues, customers, etc. and let your references be your resume!
Functional Resume ‐ In lieu of the traditional chronological format, functional resumes allow you to present
your skills and experience in a cohesive manner without tying them to any particular date in time. A separate
section contains your work history (company name, title, location and years worked) as a list rather than a
narrative.
Key Learning Series © Rinker & Associates 2005‐09 Page 10

11. How to break into the inner circle
If you've got your networking finesse tuned up and ready to go; you know you only have one shot, one chance
to make that great first impression and make that connection count ‐ ‐ so don't blow it.
Here's what you do if you want to meet a high‐profile mover and shaker in Sacramento or anywhere else:
Be prepared and do your research. Know who you need to meet, where they are going to be, and then make
sure you're there with your best game on. And, when I say quot;be therequot;, that means quot;sitting next to themquot; if at
all possible.
Be visible on a consistent basis. It may take two to three meetings before your face and name registers with
the high‐profile person you are trying to meet. The key is to be consistent because repetition is your best bet
to achieving the quot;stickinessquot; factor.
Don't be afraid of rejection. It may take multiple meetings and/or phone calls before you get the attention
you're looking for.
Be a good communicator and an even better listener. It's not really about you; it's all about them. So, listen
up and stay relevant to the conversation.
And one more thing; a sure fire way to blow a meeting or interview is to be rude to the receptionist. So don't
blow it!
Be fierce, be gentle.
Key Learning Series © Rinker & Associates 2005‐09 Page 11

12. How to be a charismatic networker
Many people find networking to be their least favorite thing in the world to do. It is right up there with “going
to the dentist”; but the reality is; you can do it, you will do it, and here’s how!
Get Over Thy Shy Self! Turn the pain into a gain by making the most of your curiosity about others. Know
that everyone has a “story to tell” (who they are, what they are looking for, etc.), including you. When
meeting people, listen and let others tell you their story first. This will break the ice and make it easier for you
to respond with your own story.
Start Big Then Go Small! Exploring is a good thing. Begin by checking out events and mixers hosted by local
Chambers, clubs, and organizations that focus on your area of interest. Use your personal contacts for
referrals and the internet for research. Once you’ve make the networking circuit, narrow your focus down to
just the venues you will attend on a regular basis.
Don’t Worry Be Happy! Networking should be fun; so when you feel like you just can’t smile anymore; think
happy thoughts and SMILE some more! People are more likely to want to talk to you when you’re smiling; so
SMILE!
Be Ready To Help Others! Networking is not only about receiving,
it’s about giving as well. Those who help others will receive help
back ten‐fold (ancient networking proverb)!
Follow Up, Follow Up, and Follow Up! Your ability to follow up
with people you meet at networking events will make or break any
chance of building and maintaining these new relationships. Stay
connected and reconnect whenever possible!
Will the “real” you please stand up?
Key Learning Series © Rinker & Associates 2005‐09 Page 12

13. How to increase your staying power
Staying power; do you have it? Does your collateral have what it takes to stick to a hiring manager's
desk? Do you have what it takes to stick to your career plan?
There are practical strategies for increasing your staying power. . .
Be persistent. A good deal of fortitude is required to stay the course during all phases of your
transition. When road blocks appear, take a step back to re‐assess your situation so that you can
clearly visualize the most effective strategy to get through and make headway.
Be consistent. A consistent message (30‐second pitch, collateral, etc.) will keep things clear for you and
others. If you introduce yourself, describe your business/company, or tell your story differently each
time; people may get confused. Sometimes it will take multiple meetings with a hiring manager or
high‐profile contact, or multiple appearances at a particular networking venue before your name and
face become familiar and sticks in someone's mind. Consistently showing up with a consistent message
will give you a leg up on the being remembered.
Be patient. Things don't always move at lightning speed in the business world. There may be corporate
processes and procedures in place that could bog things down. Things may have changed dramatically
in that particular start‐up that alters direction and decision making. It may take two or three phone
calls before you get a return call. Or, it may take two to three weeks (if not longer) before a hiring
decision is made. Be patient and follow up as appropriate during the quot;waitingquot; period.
Be positive. Whatever happens; keep the spring in your step. Remain positive, be diligent, and never
lose sight of your end goal.
Time changes
everything.
Key Learning Series © Rinker & Associates 2005‐09 Page 13

14. How to stand out in an interview
The interview is your opportunity to quot;tell your storyquot; in person; but quot;beyond‐the‐basicsquot; understanding of the company. Look beyond the
it’s the perspective you use in telling your story that will make the home page of their website and dig deeper; check out the executive
difference in how successful you are in making the final cut. You team, the firm's history, recent news, and even their key competitors.
need to tell your story in terms of quot;themquot;. The context of your
Having little or no knowledge of the company you are interviewing
message must be in terms of how the prospective employer will
with is the most common mistake made by job seekers! Don't be
benefit from the work you will perform for them. That means you
one of them!
need to communicate your value to them.
3. Communicate your value clearly and in terms that are meaningful
Communicating your value will make you stand out from everyone
to the company you are interviewing with. For example, if you are
else because most people simply do not take this tact. They continue
asked quot;what qualifies you for this job?quot;, instead of just stating a fact
to go into interviews trying to find out what the company can do for
about the quot;five years of P&L experiencequot; you have; do your
them, when in fact the winning approach is to talk about what you
homework so you can explain how you would apply your experience
will do for the company. (As JFK once said; quot;Ask not what your
to benefit the company. For example, be prepared to answer with
country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country!quot;)
something like, quot;I would use my five years of P&L experience to
Here's your chance to be noticed and tell the company what you can
increase the profitability of XYZ Corporation incrementally each year.quot;
do for them!
4. Always, always, always; follow up with a personal thank you note
Here's how:
to each of the key interview players. Because it is not quot;about youquot;,
1. To get your resume noticed, open with a high impact summary make sure you thank
statement. For instance: each person for their
time and attention
quot;Accomplished marketing manager with a proven ability to develop
and implement strategic marketing plans that effectively support the
company's business and financial objectives.quot;
2. Learn as much about a company before meeting a prospective
employer. The most successful applicants are able to convey a
Key Learning Series © Rinker & Associates 2005‐09 Page 14
Sometimes, it’s simply not about you.

15. How to negotiate your salary
Arm yourself with as much information as possible by checking Be honest about your current salary.
out industry web sites for your occupational and geographic areas
and others that specialize in salary information or the U.S. Bureau Even if the offer is better than you expected, most employers
of Labor Statistics. have some room to negotiate and you should strongly consider
making a counter offer. (According to Pinkly and Northcraft, 80%
Keep all salary information away from potential employers for as reported that the job applicant who negotiates in a professional
long as possible. Salary information is often used by prospective manner would make the best impression.)
employers to screen‐out people before they even get their foot in
the door. Be professional in your negotiations. Keep the salary discussion
positive by focusing on why you should be paid what you desire
Always write “open”, “negotiable”, “or “competitive” on every and the value the employer will receive in return.
application form you complete.
Be realistic about your expectations. Consider the industry,
Delay the salary negotiation process for as long as possible. Take economy, your experience and the competition from other
each extra minute to learn more about the job and how your potential candidates.
strengths and accomplishments relate to it.
Aim high. Remember
Outline the skills and experience you will bring to your employer that you can always
and how they will help the organization meet its goals or solve a lower your desired salary
problem. expectations, but it’s
nearly impossible to
Let the prospective employer make the first move into the salary inflate it once you
negotiation phase. indicate what would be
acceptable to you.
If asked directly about the salary you want, respond by asking the
prospective employer what the salary range is rather than give Reach for a sense of
them an actual figure.
freedom and
Key Learning Series © Rinker & Associates 2005‐09 confidence.
Page 15

16. How to survive a merger or acquisition scenario
Company mergers and acquisitions (M&A) important during the transition period of a merger. Take the
continue to be a big part of our business initiative to get to know new team members and coworkers.
landscape. Your attitude throughout the Refrain from any “us and them” references and be open to
entire M&A process will determine how you learning new ways of doing things and exchanging best
survive the experience and whether you will practices. Consistently demonstrate your ability to get along
thrive as a result of the change. and have a positive outlook.
3. Proving your value – Ultimately the decision on whether you
When two companies merge, the staff from
stay or go comes down to how much value you bring to the
the original company is usually left
newly formed company. This is not the time to “hide under
wondering who will stay and who will go.
the radar”, it’s a time to proactively show the decision makers
Many times resource redundancies are
that you are an indispensible part of the team.
discovered in the newly structured
4. Change advocacy – Your attitude towards change reflects how
organization. It’s usually a bad idea to think there are “safe”
suitable and relevant you are to the newly formed company.
positions, it’s more prudent to be ready to execute on one of two
Honor your past but leave it behind as you move forward with
options: Either find a way to stay or make a graceful exit.
a positive outlook on your future with this new company.
Merger Survival Plan Envision yourself as an inspiration for others to follow in
adapting to change and embracing it as an opportunity to
1. Contingency Planning – You’ll need an exit route for two remain creative and energized. Seek combined practices that
reasons. If you are laid off as a consequence of a merger, then reveal a new way of doing things that is even better than
you will need a plan to secure other employment. If you before.
survive the merger only to find that working for the newly
formed company is not for you, then you may need to find a M&A scenarios can be a time of tremendous personal growth for you.
new job. It can be as stressful as you let it be. Planning ahead will help you
2. Relationship building – Your ability to survive at work relies alleviate some burden of stress and help you maintain a clear focus
heavily on the strength of the relationships you have with on the direction you want your career to take. Your positive attitude
your team members and coworkers. This is even more will help you keep a good sense of where you’re going.
Key Learning Series © Rinker & Associates 2005‐09 Page 16

17. How to say “Thank You”
Make quot;Thank You!quot; a part of your marketing strategy. Whether you are marketing yourself in a
career transition or marketing your business; it’s always good business to express sincere
appreciation.
There are so many ways to say quot;Thank Youquot;, it’s easily taken for granted. As children we were
taught to say quot;thank youquot; as a way of demonstrating our good manners. As adults, we seem to
take less time to say quot;thank youquot;, yet the sound of those words still has a magical effect on
people.
Here are a few ways to do it:
Send a hand‐written thank you note as a follow up to informational conversations, informal and
formal interview situations.
Send a hand‐written thank you note to acknowledge referrals.
Send an annual hand‐written thank you note to your quot;top twenty percentquot; from the CEO.
Send a hand‐written note to tell your best customers about a new product or service, with an
exclusive offer not available anywhere else.
If it's been awhile since you've heard from a colleague or a client, send a hand‐written note to
welcome them back or reconnect.
Etiquette is more than knowing
which fork to use.
Key Learning Series © Rinker & Associates 2005‐09 Page 17

18. How to know what to wear and when to wear it
Quick Reference to Dress Codes for Social Events Semi‐Formal = Usually means tuxedos are not required, nor are long
dresses. An evening wedding (after 6pm) would mean men wear dark
Black Tie = Formal. Men wear tuxedos, women wear cocktail, long
suits, women wear a cocktail dress. Daytime semi‐formal events
dresses or dressy evening separates.
mean men wear a suit, women wear an appropriate short dress or
White Tie = Ultra‐Formal. Men wear full dress, with white tie, vest, dressy suit.
and shirt. Women wear long gowns.
Cocktail Attire = Men wear dark suits, women wear short elegant
Formal = Black Tie. But in trendier cities (New York, Los Angeles) it dresses or evening separates.
could mean a black shirt, no tie with a tux. Women wear cocktail,
Dressy Casual = Similar to business casual but a bit more dressy. No
long dresses or dressy evening separates.
jeans or shorts.
Ultra‐Formal = White Tie. Men wear full dress, with white tie, vest,
Casual = Anything goes.
and shirt. Women wear long gowns.
Informal = Casual unless associated with a wedding or other special
Black Tie Optional = You have the option of wearing a tuxedo. But,
event. Some form of decorum and good taste applies here. Men
this is a clue to the formality of the event, meaning a dark suit and tie
wear a nice pair of slacks and shirt. Women wear a dress.
could be your other option. Women wear cocktail, long dresses or
dressy evening separates.
Black Tie Invited = Same criteria as Black Tie Optional.
Creative Black Tie = Trendy interpretations of formal wear. Men can
go with a more modern tux look; such as a black shirt, no tie. Women
wear long or short dresses, or evening separates.
“Never wear anything that panics the cat.”
Key Learning Series © Rinker & Associates 2005‐09 Page 18

19. How to be “real”
The inspiration behind it all ‐ ‐
The Velveteen Rabbit
“What is REAL?” asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender,
before Nana came to tidy the room. “Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick‐out handle?”
“Real isn’t how you are made,” said the Skin Horse. “It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you
for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become quot;Real.”
“Does it hurt?” asked the Rabbit.
“Sometimes,” said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. “When you are Real you don’t mind being
hurt.”
“Does it happen all at once, like being wound up,” he asked, “or bit by bit?”
“It doesn’t happen all at once,” said the Skin Horse. “You become. It takes a long time. That’s why it doesn’t
often happen to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by
the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the
joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real you can’t be ugly,
except to people who don’t understand.”
Find the quiet place Excerpt from The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
within you and all
will become clear.
Key Learning Series © Rinker & Associates 2005‐09 Page 19

20. About the author
Rinker & Associates had its own transitions Association of Women Business Owners honoring Outstanding
from the start. As a former Fortune 100 IT Women Leaders, Lorraine currently serves as Board President for
executive, Lorraine Rinker “lived” in CASA ‐ Child Advocates of Placer County.
corporate America for 22 years until she
About Rinker & Associates
decided it was time to do something new
and different. She went through a year of Rinker and Associates is focused on business advancement and career
job hunting and landing within minutes of transition “so others may succeed”. Servicing people who are
getting into another executive level position with a highly respected planning their next business career step or re‐entry to the workforce;
firm when she opted for the road less traveled. Lorraine is very Rinker and Associates specializes in the niche market comprised of
familiar with change in that she is a Navy daughter who spent most of Prime Time (boomer) business professionals.
her formative years growing up in exotic places such as, Hawaii and
Tokyo, Japan. What You Can Do
Lorraine now applies her passion for helping others find their “next You are given the unlimited right to print this Key Learning Series and
step” through career and business consulting. She knows how to to distribute it electronically (via email, your website, or any other
“navigate rough waters” and remain a step ahead of the competition. means). You can print out pages. You can hand out copies to
By applying her “real world” knowledge, Lorraine has literally made it everyone you know. You may not alter this guide in any way, though,
her business to help people make a life, not just a living. and you may not charge for it.
Married for over 25 years to the man she calls her “density” (no, not Subscribe
destiny), Lorraine also enjoys quilting, sailing, and volunteering her
Visit www.rwcs.biz for an electronic copy of this Key Learning Series.
time to human rights and children’s advocacy programs. The
recipient of the 2006 Luminary Award presented by the National If I have learned anything, it is this . . . Everything is
temporary and you only have one lifetime in which to
make a difference worth remembering. ‐ ‐
Key Learning Series © Rinker & Associates 2005‐09 Page 20