Upon meeting Kathy Bornheimer you might just feel a bit uneasy -- vulnerable as her deep penetrating blue eyes meet yours.  You instantly have to know her and you want her to know you too.  Somehow, you just feel that she understands unexpressed thoughts and has direction for your most pressing questions and has answers you have never considered.  When it comes to career transition, development and the world of work, it is likely she does.

A former colleague introduced me to Kathy nearly two years ago and we immediately developed a positive business relationship that has since evolved into a valued friendship. When considering opening the doors to my own small business, Kathy’s advice became building blocks of the foundation for my new venture. She is the Owner of K.B. & Associates, author of The Street Smart Approach to Job Search and co-author of Work Makes Me Sick!  Prescribe Something Quick!  Still, she finds time and energy to serve as a nationally syndicated author with three online media organizations.

In workshops and seminars and in everyday life, Kathy brings a delightful blend of sarcastic wit combined with an intimate, uncanny understanding of employment issues that engage, inform and entertain audiences.  As a woman, a small business owner and a career coach for more than 20 years, Kathy’s knowledge and experience in the career development market are invaluable.

However, it isn’t really just the knowledge gained from her years of experience that set Kathy apart from the crowd. As you come to know Kathy you understand that she is a woman, in possession who has the courage of her convictions.  She has made tough personal and business decisions guided by a strong moral compass and a deep sense of integrity. Her views, opinions and advice may not be what others may be prepared, or even want to hear, but what they desperately need to hear. Kathy has, what is often referred to as, backbone.

Peel away yet another layer and you’ll discover the passion that motivates Kathy in her work. She really cares about the “individual.”  She sees an innate correlation between satisfying employment and a satisfying quality of life and understands a world that seems to hold so many hostage at work.  Companies often reward behaviors that adversely affect corporate culture and do not sustain employee engagement or innovation. Yet, Kathy reminds us that no matter what technology is applied, we will not, nor should we ever extract the human component from Human Resources.

Overcoming personal challenges and obstacles seem to be Kathy’s forte. She is a source of inspiration and a living example of how our intellect and will and can defeat any problem or obstacle.

Kathy is a behind-the-scenes kind of a Gal, who will often work tirelessly to create positive opportunities for her colleagues and clients. Last year a colleague suggested an intimate luncheon in Kathy’s honor which I was delighted to host, though I had only known Kathy for several months. I understood when I saw her peers gathering around her to discuss current and future employment trends, and books they shared, that Kathy is admired, respected and loved by those lucky to call her colleague or friend.  For me it is both.  



    



CityGal:  You hold a bachelor of science in education and a master of science in teaching.  How did you decide to enter into the profession of career coaching? Was there one single event that influenced your direction?

Kathy: It was actually a natural progression from my contingency recruiting days. I spent time with my candidates (and sometimes my clients) preparing them for the process, (a well-written resume, information about the employer, interview prep, preparing them for the offer, etc.) so, I felt it was my next [best] move. I had always taken a “coaching” or educating focus in all of my jobs/careers. So I don’t know how not to coach people.

CityGal:  You’ve been a small business owner in Milwaukee since 1992. That is a remarkable accomplishment. To what do you attribute your success and longevity in business?

Kathy: I’m just destined to be self-employed. Being a change agent and a visionary isn’t as easy as one thinks when working for someone else. These characteristics have gotten me in trouble with every employer (4) that I’ve had, but I’ve only been fired once. What I brought to my employers was the right way and they adopted it months or a year later.

When you’re self-employed you can choose your battles more carefully and increase your odds of success.  I also think that having spent so much of my professional years in straight commission jobs, I was much better prepared for self-employment than those who only know consistent, reliable incomes. I have set up myself in a low debt lifestyle, so I can better “ride out” the tough times. Believe me there have been and will continue to be tough cycles. The fact that I can be stubborn (yes, I admit it) is also a factor.

CityGal:  What have been your greatest challenges as a small business owner?

Kathy: Having to do everything myself, all of the time! Collecting fees is an area that while unpleasant, has to be done. As I tell people; old money is less money. Being a solo practitioner and providing a service versus a product is a double whammy. You have little clout and you can’t rescind your time. The larger the client (corporations), the more difficult it can be to collect your fees in a timely manner. Balancing your time; marketing, sales, program development, implementation, administration, etc., takes practice and effort. Technology is an added complication.  When technology works it’s great, when it fails, I go crazy. There’s no internal technical support at K.B. & Associates, so I have practice good stress management and wait for my contracted providers do their thing. Taking vacations or getting sick can really screw things up. You need to have both time and money available as a cushion. Rarely do you have both.


CityGal: I believe that the U.S. will become more of a Free Agent nation with an increase in small businesses and professionals working contract-to-contract rather than as permanent employees. For many, this ‘new normal’ will represent a significant shift in the way we approach career and employment. What advice are you giving folks who want to thrive, not just survive?

Kathy: Everyone needs to start thinking and acting like the self-employed. Statistics for the 1990’s began stating that up to 50% of the workforce would be contract/self-employed. The U.S. Dept. of Labor is now up to 40% in their numbers. Developing your own safety nets is a must. You are also responsible for the maintenance of those nets. Look at how you spend your money.
How many of us have 18 months-2 years of living expenses in the bank. How are you using credit cards? What is your total debt? If you were to lose your job today, how would you pay your bills?
Do you have the skills and abilities that employers want/need? How current is your training or education and most importantly, do you have at least 25 people in your immediate, close network, folks who can help you out?

People spend so much time grinding away at their jobs that they become isolated from helpers and ignorant of the world of business. This is not the time to start from scratch. I spend my time trying to prepare people for whatever comes their way. Who are the employers of the future? What are the characteristics of companies that will not only survive hard times, but succeed when their competitors (probably your current employer) fails? Which companies see their workforce as a path to their success; not a cost to be controlled or reduced? This takes time to research.  Network and educate yourself. If you don’t do these basic things, you are doomed to unemployment or -- underemployment.

CityGal:  You’ve authored two books, one co-authored with Jeff Percival. While the first book was written in 2004, the advice and coaching is just as relevant today, despite significant changes in technology and the world of work. How has the growth in technology and social media changed the way we network and seek satisfying employment?

Kathy: The Street Smart Approach to Job Search was actually written in ’01-02. People don’t realize that it takes time to write the book, get it copyrighted, then published. I was not even aware of Social Media when that book was written. The level of technology use was very different back then also. People still talked on the phone, wrote and sent each other correspondence plus, actually talked to each other “back in those days”. By the way, it took two years to write the second book. Co-authoring can be more difficult than single authorship. I have pushed myself (and I mean that literally) to learn how to use technology for my own benefit and to benefit others. I can truthfully say that I am the benchmark for used friendly technology: if I can do it, anyone can do it.  Now to add to that, my approach is in how you use the technology to your advantage!  It is a fantastic tool when used effectively. Without today’s technology, research would be very limited and more time consuming. Once you have all of your goodies via technology, then you start connecting with people. That’s how you get the job done. People hire people; computers do not.

CityGal:  You’ve been a coach and mentor to many.  Who are your mentors?

Kathy: Three of my strongest role models are Walt Disney, Dave Thomas and Milton Hershey. Their history, style and accomplishments were very nontraditional, but they found a way to succeed. Two of my past managers influenced my management style; hire the right people and let them do their job. Be there for support and guidance to help them grow.  Right now many of my colleagues are my mentors. As I watch people work, how they make decisions, interact with others, etc., I pick up on bits and pieces and try things out. People who have innate abilities and positive attitudes, and can deal with failure and are there to help others, are my growing list of mentors.

CityGal:  What do you believe is the biggest misconception about career coaches?  When should an individual collaborate with a career coach?

Kathy: How a Career Coach comes to and practices their craft varies tremendously. My background and approach is experiential, not academic. Career Coaches are like a pair of shoes; how they fit you is more important than how they look. Try them on before you buy them.
People need a third party coach when they’re employed. Career management is ongoing and will reduce your time -- not prevent job loss -- in job search.

Career changers definitely need to use a coach, since many of us have already succeeded in that area. Those who can, do and teach are the best resources.

CityGal:  What do you see as the greatest challenge employers confront today?

Kathy: First recognizing that they need to recruit differently and then developing effective programs. With the unemployment rate currently so high, employers are still confusing quantity with quality. Good people have always been more difficult to hire than average workers. There is the beginning of discussions for using the Sales & Marketing approach for recruitment in some of the business publications (gee, that’s the focus of the Street Smart Approach to Workforce Development).  Employers have to become more creative in bad or recovering economies to not only survive, but succeed. They have to learn how to do things differently from their competitors. They actually have more competition for workers than their products and services.
Employers need to go through a paradigm shift and see their employees as a route to their success, to be developed and retained; not a cost factor to be controlled and/or reduced.   

CityGal: Women have come a long when in the workplace in terms of equality however, barriers still exist. What do you consider to be the more significant obstacles for women when it comes to career satisfaction?

Kathy: Women being their own worst enemy. Women are still behind the “guys” in networking. Yes, we’ve been great with networking for hairdressers or pediatricians but when it comes to professional networking, many women fall short. Often, I see just inexperience as the reason, but I still see women who are insecure in their own lives, holding back information or resources from their “sisters”.  Choosing employers wisely would also increase pay and employment satisfaction. Go back to your previous question and the type of desired employer is described. Work for smart employers who value what you bring to the table.

CityGal:  What do you consider to be your most significant achievement thus far?

Kathy: The number of people I’ve been able to help over the years. When I see a positive impact on another person’s life I get the “warm and fuzzies”. I also give myself a high five, with the thought of:”Damn, I’m good!”  The respect of others and my community is more important to me than the money and it always has been. But, don’t forget, I am self-employed and still need some money (LOL).  

CityGal:  As you look forward, where do you see the need for your insights most?

Kathy: Employers need my insights the most. It will help them turn the corner for success and make it easier for the prepared worker to achieve their goal of satisfying employment. It would be a win-win situation. Currently the workforce is putting forth 85% of the work.

CityGal: Kathy, thank you for all of your many contributions and the many positive transformations that you have effected.   What single piece of advice would you give our readers?

Kathy: Me; restricted to a single piece of advice? Here’s my mantra:  Know yourself and what really makes you happy. Go after it and don’t “settle” for anything less. Find a core of people to help you stay on track, as you do for them (Mastermind Group concept). Stay on your path to make yourself happy so that you are a better person for it. Those who are closest to you will benefit from this philosophy.