Praise For Adapt or Perish from Business, Education, and Military Leaders

"Afraid of change?  Read this book.  It will pave the way for solutions in both your personal and business life.” 

Mel Bartholomew

Engineer, inventor, and

author of  Square Foot

Gardening – the largest

selling gardening book ever!

“Every transitioning veteran would benefit greatly from reading the chapters on military lessons for business and transitioning from the military and personally assessing how your salient points apply to them individually. You've provided them wise counsel.”

Lt Gen F. L. Hagenbeck

Adapting to Change

Those who succeed adapt their businesses to use these changes to their advantage. Others, and the examples are numerous, refuse to accept change, do what they’ve always done, and eventually disappear. For instance, buggy makers in 1900 said the automobile would never be accepted. They vanished. Businesses such as Blockbuster built industries around video tape rentals and sales and with new technologies arriving almost daily, find themselves near bankruptcy.

The lesson is that we’ve always had change. Past generations dealt with one, maybe two major changes in their lifetimes. In the 20th Century the pace picked up. The last generation saw dozens of major changes in the way society worked, the way information was distributed, and in the way we as individuals related to each other.

Our generation faces hundreds of changes in very short periods of time. We live today as no other generation has lived. We have access to more information, more diverse people and potential customers, and more parts of the world than ever before.

What Accelerated Change Means

The phrase “Adapt or Perish” has more meaning today than it ever has in the past. Here are a few of the new technologies that have become available in the last few years:

	Digital libraries. Google and others have digitized books, articles and manuscripts that were only available in physical archives and made them available to everyone.
	Music business. Cheap digital downloads have changed the way the music publishers do business and the way musicians make money.
	Publishing. New digital printing technologies have made book publishing accessible to everyone for just a few hundred dollars.
	Networking. Digital social networks such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn have made it possible for people to make instant connections all over the world and to meet people they could never have met as late as five years ago.
	Marketing. Finding and targeting customers has never been easier for businesses and professionals.
	Blogs and Videos. Getting your message out has never been easier. Everyone with an opinion can express it publicly and get an audience, large or small. Everyone can be on video thanks to inexpensive cameras and free delivery methods.
	Job Searches and Employee Recruiting. The Internet has made so much information available to quickly that a Google search is one of the first steps take by both job seekers and employers. Those who don’t show up are increasingly irrelevant.

With this increased speed of change has come a decrease in planning for the future. We are so uncertain about what will happen five years from now that both individuals and corporations seldom plan more than a few months in advance. Corporations are obsessed with the next quarter’s results. Politicians don’t think past the next election. Employees have no idea what their next job will be.

What's the Solution?

In Adapt or Perish, we make the point that change is an opportunity. Those who embrace the latest technologies will make fortunes. Those who plan beyond the moment, who make room for adding new technologies as they appear, who have a long-term vision for their future, will be the leaders of tomorrow. Job seekers who stand out from the crowd of competitors will get the best positions. Those who build strong relationships will be the new influencers.

In the midst of accelerating change, we sometimes forget that new technologies are not new things that we must do. They are simply new ways of doing what we have always done. People have always created relationships, started businesses, marketed themselves, gotten jobs, expressed opinions, done research, read books, and traveled. We will continue to do all of these. The difference is that if we do them in the old-fashioned way, we will stay stuck in the middle of a crowd of competitors. We will fall behind. We will become as irrelevant as the horse and buggy.

When we are in the forefront of change, we become the new leaders. We stand out in ways we never dreamed possible.

Adapt or Perish will change your life. It will make you aware of new ideas, new possibilities, new ways of thinking, new ways to become the new leaders of tomorrow. Read with care, implement with courage, and you will reap the rewards.
 

Steve Amos:
Business Consultant, Engineer

Steve Amos is a LCPT ME with Boeing and an entrepreneurial consulting wizard with Pax-CC. He has a diverse background as a product manager, project manager, mechanical manufacturing engineer, business owner, speaker, author, marketing, real estate appraiser and investor. Steve coaches teams that Turn Your Visions into Profits through developing new products, problem solving, turnarounds, improving lean processes, and creating marketing focused on customer needs.

Steve Amos helped turn around a division losing $9 million annually to be profitable enough to be sold. Steve also co-developed several niche products, one created first year sales of $6 million. Experience includes Boeing, Pentair Water, Goldrush Realty Advisors, Black and Decker, Sargent Lock, Colt Firearms, UNC Resources, United Technologies, Eastman Kodak and small entrepreneurial companies. Steve is an ex-president of Career Builder’s fellowship at Crystal Cathedral, and active in career groups.

Mark Fierle:
Master Gardener and Executive Search Professional

After graduating from Gannon University in Erie, PA, he worked in management of finance areas for two Fortune 500 companies and two large International companies.   

After a number of years and after being promoted and transferred to the West Coast, he joined a large International firm. He was one of two Americans on the management team.  

Next came a large service company starting as Administrative Assistant, VP Admin and later on became President and eventually Chairman of the Board.

After the company was sold- the field of Executive Search got his interest. Soon, he started his own Search Firm and began writing free lance articles on career issues for a division of the Wall Street Journal and speaking to networking groups and graduate level classes as a guest speaker. He continues to consult with organizations involved with career issues.

Over the years one of his long time interests has been gardening. A few years ago he applied and was accepted into the University of California Master Gardener Program. This certified volunteer based organization helps the citizens of our county with gardening and horticultural issues. Along the way he found an area of great interest - vegetable gardening; specifically Square Foot Gardening.  Today he is a Certified Square Foot Gardener, trainer. As well, he speaks on Master Gardening issues and does workshops across the West, and on a limited basis around the world. He can be reached at mfassoci@aol.com.

John Hall:
Career Transition Coach

 John Hall has coached hundreds of executives and management employees through career transitions. At Chapman University, he developed and taught the only graduate outplacement course in the nation. He also taught Advanced Job Search Strategies in the Graduate Career Counseling Program at the University of California, San Diego.

John has had articles published in The Wall Street Journal’s National Business Employment Weekly, The Alumni Newsletter for the Wharton Business School and the Orange County Register. For two and half years, he hosted a talk show, Career Strategies on Talk2K.com. Newsweek Magazine referred to him in 2011 as “the John Wooden of career coaches.” John served three years on the National Board of the Professional Coaches and Mentors Association and is a Past President of their Orange County Chapter.

Ilene Albert-Nelson:
Senior Marketing and Sales Executive

Ilene Albert-Nelson is a senior marketing & sales executive who has a passion for creating and selling things to people. She is known for her paradigm shifting thinking with a focus on turnarounds, starting new businesses and managing high growth businesses.

 Ilene has worked for companies from start-ups to Fortune 100 companies such as Johnson & Johnson, Avery Dennison and Hallmark and has developed new products and turned around businesses for them all. She is an unusual marketing & sales person because, while she has very strong fundamental skills in marketing and sales, she also has very strong financial and analytical skills. She has created multi-million dollar business and turned businesses from losing 20% on sales to making 20% on sales.

Ilene is known for really grasping what is going on with a business and getting it pointed in the right direction with the right business plan quickly while delivering profitable growth. Ilene has sold products to everyone from big box stores such as Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club & Michael’s Stores to Mom & Pop stores as well as customers all over the world.

Ilene has an MBA from Wharton and a BS in Packaging Science from Rochester Institute of Technology.

Lee Pound:
Writing Coach, Editor, Book Publisher, Speaker

 Lee specializes in editing and publishing books for consultants, coaches and other professionals who want to become the recognized experts in their markets. He is also the co-producer of the Speak Your Way to Wealth seminars presented each August in Southern California.

He is the author of seven books, including 57 Steps to Better Writing, and Coaching for the New Century. He has written two novels and three family histories. His publishing company, Solutions Press, specializes in business publications.

He started speaking professionally in 1974. In the late 1980’s he studied creative writing with Sol Stein, one of the premier book editors of the 20^th Century. This led directly to the writing of his novels and to his becoming a writing coach and book publisher.

Murray Schrantz:
Independent Sales Engineer

 Murray Schrantz is a sales engineer who brings his skills in sales and marketing to clients who have demanding requirements for engineered materials and process technologies in their manufacturing operations. He has successful experience in marketing and management positions with both multinational companies (Pfizer, BP) and small to mid-sized companies. Providing engineered products and processes for both mature and emerging markets is his specialty.

In addition to his work responsibilities, he also teaches business classes at local colleges and universities and has been a guest lecturer and consultant to industry. As a former Army officer (Ranger), Murray has transferred his expertise in military strategy and leadership to the commercial marketplace.

Murray is also a community leader who serves as a mentor and educational advocate for children in the foster care system, child advocate and former board director for Court Appointed Special Advocates, a board advisor for the Mariposa Women and Family center, fundraiser for the community medical clinic, and a West Point board member and admissions representative.

Murray earned his MBA from Pepperdine and has an engineering degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point.

VaNessa Vollmer:
Business Success Coach

Organizational Development and Human Resources Professional VaNessa Vollmer is known for setting up professionals and organizations to succeed! She has successfully implemented Global Leadership Programs in Aerospace, HiTech Manufacturing Organizations. VaNessa has partnered with leaders in Corporate, Government, and Non-Profit organizations. She has a proven track record of analyzing business problems through solution focused resolutions that save time and put money back into the bottom line.

Successful one-to-one leadership coaching & development for C-level executives and support staff is strength. With her background in Human Resources, Information Technology, Training, Organizational Development and Psychology she draws from experience and knowledge to facilitate successful business processes. Professional Development from a practical approach that is driven in research based methods and results provide a platform to take business transactions to transformational success.

VaNessa is currently President in Toastmasters International and participated in other leadership roles in the community including Optimist International. As a violinist she previously played with the Fullerton and Irvine Symphonies and is a member of Southern California Philharmonic.

She supports retiring military as they successfully transition to Corporate America through the Marine Executive Association West at Camp Pendleton www.MEAWest.org.

She graduated from U. C. Irvine and completed her Doctorate degree at United States International University.

Emily Woodman-Nance:
Consultant and Certified Career Coach

Emily Woodman-Nance has over 20 years of corporate consulting and management experience working with Fortune 500 companies. She has provided her consulting services to public municipalities, non-profit organizations and Fortune 500 companies such as Nissan, United Airlines and IBM.

Emily Woodman-Nance coaches executive to entry-level clients to achieve more fulfillment in their careers. She is the author of the ebook “Survival Kit for the New Job Market”. For one and half years, she hosted a talk radio show, Career Quest on KUCI 88.9 FM. Emily is a former President of the International Coach Federation Orange County Chapter (ICF-OC). She also serves on the Long Beach Weed & Seed Re-entry Sub-Committee.

Emily developed and teaches the curriculum for the coaching segment of the Human Resources Certification Program at California State University, Long Beach. She is also a Consultant with DBM, a global career transition firm. Emily was part of the Community Event Leadership Team for the Long Beach city-wide “Connected Corridor” effort. She is an alumnus of the Leadership Long Beach Institute. She was featured on Fox LA Jobshop segment regarding her career coaching expertise and professional perspective of the current job market.