TransformingYourCareerTransformingYourself

  We boomers are more and more our nest egg, which for some is primarily in equities. So far, even as the stock market decouples from the iffy economy, we've been doing okay. Actually, better than okay. But the government shutdown and what else that could generate have us downright scared. At about 7:15 AM ET futures are down about 200 points. Meanwhile, it's increasingly difficult to land paid work. I've stopped taking on as clients those who want to unretire. Most are too far behind in the technology required to even apply for jobs. Also usually they don't get why in the current labor market that those advanced degrees have to be deleted from a resume, unless directly related to the task. Deletion isn't unethical since a resume is a marketing document. For those determined to work for income, the solution could be to start up a small enterprise. Solopreneurs are succeeding. Just find a gap in what people need/want, then supply an affordable convenient solution.  ...

 In the sentencing of wunderkind fraudster Charlie Javice federal Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein didn't have sympathy for the victims of her cleverness. Among them were JP Morgan which had bought her startup Frank for $175 million and over at Apollo Marc Rowan who had personally invested in that startup. Those smartest kids in the room turned out to be, well, fools. Part of their "stupidity" was not using adequate due diligence.  Overall being duped seems to be rooted in the age-old Fear of Missing Out (FOMO). Those in the money game likely didn't want to be outfoxed by high-powered competitors and they wound up being just that by a scheming 20-something. It was a different situation at the First Unitarian Church in Toledo, Ohio last Sunday. Rev. Tim Barger delivered a sermon of compassion for the members duped by emails requesting funds. He framed that essentially as people being generous who assumed they were doing the right thing. In addition, he educated the congrega...

Back in medieval times, parents launched their offspring into how to make a living through securing an apprenticeship. For that, they paid the master a fee. Today that model is mostly dead. Instead, parents fork over funds to universities to grant the bachelor degree. Or even the law degree.  The problem with funding those degrees including law, as FT hammers in this video, is that it's increasingly difficult for the new graduates to then land an entry-level job. Chair of law firm Paul, Weiss Brad Karp warns that there'll be fewer of those first jobs.  That's because of AI.  In zeroing in on the field of law, FT introduces the model that was standard in 19th century America: Learning to become a lawyer through "reading law" with an experienced lawyer. At that time there were few law schools. That's how Abraham Lincoln became a lawyer. Incidentally states such as California, Vermont, Virginia and Washington still allow that option.  What would be in this for ...

The Puritans were pragmatic. That pragmatism produced a model that launched the most powerful economy in the world. In line with that practical approach they started Harvard in 1636 as a trade school. It was to train clergy.  For centuries Harvard has remained essentially a trade school. Its undergraduate arm prepared the Professional Class with the knowledge, contacts, branding and confidence they needed to succeed. The advanced-degree programs shaped the leaders in business, law, medicine, academia and more. But that was then.  As knowledge work becomes less marketable, AI eats up whole industries and longevity increases (along with the longing to remain working) there has been a decoupling of a Harvard education from sustained career success. Or, even having the door open to that first good job. The numbers are starting to show up on this. For example, getting the MBA from Harvard is no longer necessarily the ticket. For the 2024 class 24% remained unemployed months after ...

 " Across the industry, the pace of change will be gradual, said [Doug] McMillon. For example, customer service tasks in call centers and through online chat functions will become more AI dependent soon and other tasks not ..."  That's what The Wall Street Journal quotes in how the Walmart CEO sizes up the corporation's approach to AI. For example, there'll be no radical falloff in hiring. Instead that will be flat, even as the business grows.  Amid all the scary rhetoric about how AI will trigger massive job elimination, this Walmart mindset is what should alarm workers the most. Essentially it plays out the dynamics of The Boiling Frog saga. The frog is placed in gradually warming water. Because of the slow pace the frog doesn't connect any dots and conclude:  Danger. I better get out of here.  Many have heard this anecdote so they know the rest. The frog is cooked. And so will workers be in many categories of jobs. Both at Walmart and elsewhere.  Among ...

Kirkland & Ellis is the largest, most profitable law firm in the world. Even historically white shoe firms such as Paul, Weiss have explored grafting on parts of the K&E's business model. For example, PW is piloting the Non-Equity Partner tier which has been embedded in the financial success formula. K&E has almost a 1,000 NEPs. But could that adage in business be kicking in: Nothing fails like success? In short, is the magic over? Currently, K&E could have a one-off problem. That is in Asia. Its locations are not making money. There is partner flight.  Law International reports: "Eleven partners have left Kirkland & Ellis in Hong Kong since February of this year. Their departures follow those of  10 additional partners who left the firm  in 2024." Many other law firms have pulled out of Asia. But as of this time K&E is hanging on to its three locations. That brings us to another perspective on this development: Has rot been taking place inside th...