Enrich Your Business Presentation Skills

Enrich Your geschftlicher umgang Presentation SkillsEnrich Your Business Presentation SkillsHave you ever felt like a rock star? Even just for a minute? Its a heady experience and it feels as if the moon and stars were perfectly aligned to support the successful moment. If you make geschftliches miteinander presentations, speak to groups, or provide training classes, you may have experienced speaking moments when all of the pieces came together seamlessly. behauptung business presentation skills tips will help you develop your presentation skills- and perhaps one day- allow you to experience a rock star moment. Just starting out? These business presentation tips will help you form the foundation that will fuel your speaking comfort level and success. Successful Business Presentation Skills These are the three cornerstone skills for developing and making effective business presentations. The key to successful business presentations is preparation. The first step in preparation is to find out everything you can about your audiences interests and needs from your presentation. This gives you a solid foundation upon which you can build.Knowledge of the requested topic is also critical if you dont know the topic well, the amount of time you spend in preparation and the amount of stress you experience will multiply - possibly past your ability to do an effective business presentation.Only accept and do business presentations that you are confident you can handle. Dont try to be a superhero. But, you also need to occasionally push the window of your comfort zone, or you wont continue your own growth. A straightforward business presentation of dry, factual information can make your audiences eyes and ears glaze over. In addition to the facts, your knowledge, and your research for your business presentation, you need to spice up the material.Even HR training, on topics such as policies, need not be dry and boring. Have stories to share and ideas and examples that wil l engage your audience. For effective business presentations, you may want to include a couple of questions that you ask your audience members to discuss with the person sitting next to them. If you cannot do these three foundational business presentation skills, maybe youre not the right person to make the business presentation. In these additional tips about effective business presentations, the assumption is that you are and can. More Business Presentation Skills The Importance of Think Time Before a Business Presentation The most important preparation for your business presentation is often not the obvious. Its the thought time and research time you spend for weeks in advance of the meeting once you understand your audiences needs. When you finally prepare your presentation, you are clear on the concepts you want to present, the needs of the audience, and the value you can add to the occasion. The think time allows you to zero in on the audience and its needs. Limit the Con tent and the Goals of Your Business Presentation No matter how much time you have allotted for your business presentation, you dont have time to tell the audience everything you know. For speakers with years of experience, the temptation to overwhelm the audience with everything you know must be avoided. Youll bore them, annoy them, and fail to earn fans. The good news is that all of your think time and knowledge of your audience allows you to zero in on the most important concepts in the topic for your business presentation. In a 30-90 minute presentation, you have time to make 4-6 key points. You really dont have time for much more if you are illustrating your points and providing examples. Begin Your Business Presentation With an Attention Gaining Manner Start your business presentation with a startling fact, a question, a revelation, or a pertinent story. Once you have gained the audiences attention, tell them what you will talk about during your business presentation. Make your core or thesis point, then build your business presentation around the 4-6 key points referenced. Finish by summarizing what you told them. You basically tell them what you will tell them, tell them, and then, tell them what you told them, to achieve maximum impact. Limit the Use of Visuals and PowerPoint in Your Business Presentation Unless you need to illustrate key points, the use of visuals and powerpoint presentations that provide bullet points of your spoken words is boring and redundant. A prop or slide is helpful only when it is needed to illustrate a key point. Your attendees would much rather that you prepared detailed handouts that they can take back to work or download, and follow online. Another plus? If the audience members are not taking notes and not reading a screen, they are much more likely to listen to you. And you are the value-add- right? Conquer Your Fear of Business Presentations With a Mind Adjustment Nervousness or fear are natural before public speaking b ut try to focus on the fact that the presentation is about the message and not you, which might take off some of the pressure. Focus on the Value You Bring Your Audience in Your Business Presentation Love your audience and know and believe that you are bringing them theinformation they need and will value. Respect them by being yourself. Its not about you its about them. Speak from your heart and your most deeply held beliefs. If you speak or make business presentations, youll eventually have your own two minutes as a rock star. Cool. Then, youll go back to writing, menschlich Resources, management, or whatever it is that you do at work. But, youll be better for the interaction, the feedback, the experience, and the fact that you added some value to multiple lives. Can life get any better than that? Business presentations have such wonderful potential to influence thinking and change lives. Business presentation skills elevate and add value to your ability to contribute and to influ ence others.

5 Great Sites for Finding Networking Events

5 Great Sites for Finding Networking Events5 Great Sites for Finding Networking Events30Most jobs arent posted on job boards- in fact, up to80 percent of jobs exist in the hidden job market.So how does a person go about getting one of these hidden jobs? Through finding network events and asking for personal referralsThatswhy professional networking is so important. Investing time into meeting people and building relationships will pay just as much as than spending hours scouring job boards and sending out resume upon resume.And thats no secret.In a CareerBliss poll, 95 percent of more than 1,800 respondents said they thought networking was important because its all about who you know.So, chances are, the competition is already networking. Dont fall behind get out there and networkHere are 5 sites for finding networking events nearby1.MeetUp.comThis is not just some online dating site. MeetUp is one of the largest networking resources out there. Click Career Business and see whats o ut there. Dont see what youre looking for? Start your own group2.EventfulLike MeetUp, Eventful has plenty of general interest events. But its also a great resource to find networking opportunities.3.LinkedIn EventsNo rock climbing events or music festivals here LinkedIn Events is all about professional networking. Find your industry and enter your drehort and turn your virtual connections into real-life ones.4.EventBriteJust enter your location and choose the networking or business category and start finding events right away.5.DamesBondDamesBond was ranked among Forbes 10 Best Career Sites for Women. Its a resource hub where women can connect to networking events, educational programs and more. Theres a monthly $10 membership fee for this one.Ground Rules for Successful NetworkingGet your story straightBefore networking, spend some time considering what you want to tell people about yourself. And then condense that message down to a 30 second spiel. Apply the Twitter test if you had just 140 characters to describe yourself professionally, what would you say? But avoid trying to memorize your speech verbatim. Instead, memorize your key points and then build your pitch around those, leaving yourself for improvisation and customization.Focus on whats in it for themIf you want to build real relationships that will benefit you in the long-run, you cant be self-centered. As you network, look for opportunities to do something for another professionals this could be as easy as introducing them to another one of your contacts or letting them know about a job opportunity. Good networking partners will remember your gesture and reciprocate.Dont ask for a jobNetworking is about making an investment that will pay off in the future. A networking event is not a time to beg for a job. However, you should close a networking conversation by asking for something advice, a contact, a business card or permission to connect on LinkedIn.Todays guest post comes from CareerBliss. CareerBliss cares about your career happiness. Thats why we offer a great tools and resources to help you make better-informed career decisions. We believe that if youre happier at work, youll be happier in life Check outcompany reviews,salary information,career adviceand, of course, millions of jobs on CareerBliss and choose happy todayReaders, what resources do you use for finding networking events? Tell us in the comments below

Heres how to get a raise despite a tough economy

Heres how to get a raise despite a tough economyHeres how to get a raise despite a tough economyEven though job growth is expanding, you probably wont land a big salary increase in the form of a raise or bonus next year unless youre a star employee,according to global professional services firm Aons2017 U.S. Salary Increase Survey.Aon looked at 1,062 companies in the U.S. and found that 40 percent plan to ditch raises for lesser performers in 2018, while 15 percent plan to set higher goals to meet forthose who want to earn a raise.Cash for employee bonuses is only expected to make up 12.5 percent of most companies payroll in 2018 - levels that havent been that low since 2013, when the gold bubble burst.The economic outlook for most industries continues to improve but companies remain under pressure to increase productivity and minimize costs, Aons Ken Aboschsaid in a statement,As a result, we continue to see relatively flat salary increase budgets across employee groups, with most organizations continuing to tie the majority of their compensation budgets to pay incentives that reward for performance and business results.While there are a few places that might buck the trend - includingemployees who work in the automotive, telecommunications and computer industries or accounting/consulting/legal industries,those in education, medical devices and construction/engineering face lower than usual raises, Aon found.In addition, the trend of shrinking raises might be the new normal, Aon predictsSo when do we expect the logjam to break free and see larger pay budgets? We dont have a crystal ball, but in all likelihood, this is the new normal, AonsDirector of Survey Product Management, Chris Kelley, warns.In light of this recent news, weve included tips on how to put yourself in the best fleck possible to get a raise, or cope with not getting one, in the face of the less-than-rosy predictions.Practice makes perfectThe old adage is true for most things, including salar y negotiations. If you go into a meeting with your supervisors cold, odds are you wont be able to find your footing if they push back against your offer. The best thing to do, according to experts, is prep with a friend beforehand.Make a list of your valuable contributions over the course of the year, and be prepared to explain them under scrutiny.Dont threaten to quit over not getting a raiseWhen youre sitting in your boss office, you might be willing to risk it all in a bid for more money, but this is never a good idea, according to one expert who spoke to Ladders.Amy Cooper Hakim, Ph.D.said that issuing ultimatums to your bosses could lead to bad consequences, like ending up on your managers bad side or getting fired.She shares her advice on how to ask for a raise here, including emphasizing that youre a team player, and that your contributions are worth the extra money.If you have a number in mind, youre better off saying it than stewing in silenceWhen comedian Maria Bamfordwas approached to make a commencement speech at her alma mater, the University of Minnesota, back in May, the state school wouldnt offer her any money for the speaking gig, blaming their role as a state-funded institution that has to be careful regarding the use of our resources.She could have just rejected it outright. But she got good advice of herbusiness adviser never say no without a number.So instead of declining to speak, she told them she charged $20,000 per gig, saying she was a self-funded institution who needs to be careful regarding use of my resources. She waited, and the school came back with the offer of $10,000 - still a steal compared to the speaking fees collected by the likes of Matthew McConaughey and other stars.If you ask about salary during the hiring process, do it at the right timeWhile not every employercancels a job candidates second interview if they dare to inquire about salary and benefits after their first interview, experts agree that salary negotiations are a delicate dance during the hiring process.Sarah Stamboulie, a former human resources manager for Morgan Stanley and Nortel Networks, encourages applicants to hold off on asking about the money until youre told that youre the top plek for the job.

How to talk to children about losing your job

How to talk to children about losing your jobHow to talk to children about losing your jobDealing with a layoff, or getting fired, can feel awful - which is why talking about it with your children can be an extremely sensitive situation. Here are a few tips to help you do it.Pick the right words when talking to your kidsDr. Michele Borba, a consultant, educational psychologist,and author, writes on her site that when talking to your children about having lost your job, you should keep the explanation simple and age-appropriate.Young children are literal so watch your terminology. I lost my job, may make a kid wonder So why dont you find it? I was fired might mean someone is trying to shoot you. I was let go could be construed as why your friends didnt bestattungs onto you tighter. Terms such as layoffs, recession, foreclosure, and downsizing confuse a teen.You might start with a question What have you heard? or a simple explanation I dont have a job anymore so for a while we wont ha ve as much money to pay for things, she writes.Be prepared your children may not handle the news with kid glovesNancy Collamer, an author, career consultant, semi-retirement expert and speaker, told The Wall Street Journal in 2009 about this possibility.Parents assume their kids will be supportive after learning the news, but in reality, your child might not react in predictable ways, particularly if the financial impact on their lives will be sudden and severe. Some children respond with great empathy, but many get angry or shut down and say nothing. As much as you might be in need of comfort, dont expect much sympathy from your child, at least not initially, she told the publication.Hopefully, this will make things easier at home.When looking for a new job, there are a few things to consider once its time to speak with a potential employerDont lie about being laid off in your next job interview You might just dig yourself into a big hole.Suzy Welch, a management author, co-founde r of the Jack Welch Management Institute and CNBC contributor, told the site that this is never a good idea.Dont make up a story Ive said it before, and Ill say it again Lying is never good, she told CNBC. Turn the conversation towards why you want to join the new company. Explain why this job is so right for your skills, your values, and your career goals. say this insteadThe Harvard Business Review features commentary from John Lees, a speaker, broadcaster, career strategist in the UK, and author of How to Get a Job You Love, about how to properly discuss your layoff during a job interview.Once youve moved past your initial layoff story, work on crafting a simple explanation for your layoff that you can share with professional contacts and potential hiring managers, suggests Lees. Develop an objective, short, and upbeat message that shows youre not a victim and youre not stuck. Lees suggests saying something like My former company went through an extensive restructuring. Ive bee n given an opportunity to rethink my career, and what I am looking for now is XYZ. Its a strong technique that moves you from past to present to future in only a couple of sentences, says Lees.

The One Thing to Do for Sample Email to Send Resume for Job

The One Thing to Do for Sample schmelzglas to Send Resume for Job Make certain that you get the info youre looking for. When it isnt formatted correctly, you might be passing up the work prospect. Do a quick LinkedIn and Facebook search to learn if your buddies, relatives, and connections know a person who works at the business. Very good news is, you may have a shining online professional persona in a couple of easy steps After youve gathered the information that you require, youre prepared to put it into the resume template. As a rule of thumb, schmelzglass ought to be used only after an application was submitted They arent the appropriate vehicle to send a resume or a thorough introduction. Write the content of the emaille in a distinct document first It is highly suggested to compose your letter in another Word document first rather than typing this up on the authentic email client in 1 go. In case you decide you need or will need to incorporate a cover letter, its pos sible to either post the text directly in the email or attach it like a second file along with your resume. To eliminate the webpage, attempt to bring you to ultimately the dining table thus youll want to finish it with large note. There are a lot of ways resume examples can turn into a helpful job interview tool. Yet another tip, always remember to create your whole job application relevant and specific to the job which youre attempting to land. There are lots of completely different resume templates made for different jobs. Facts, Fiction and Sample Email to Send Resume for Job Studies also have found that 33% of email recipientsdecide whether theyll open an email dependent on the subject line. Writing an official email can appear like an intimidating task since email is so often employed for personal and informal purposes. Utilize Sir or Madam after Dear should you dont know the previous name of the man receiving the email. Utilize Mr. or Ms. followed by the individuals last name at the beginning of the email. Our recommendation is to compose the cover letter within the body of the email. If youve interviewed with numerous men and women, send every one of them an individual email mentioning something you discussed. You could imply that someone else might be better suited to help them, or you may obey the request whilst letting the verbiage of your accompanying email permit you to stay indifferent. Speak to us today to receive startedspaces are limited Turning into an on-line researcher is only a superb choice if youre tech savvywhich is nearly every college student nowadays. Terrific sample resume is here in order to make your life simpler. Only after a few primary strategies and making certain adjustments may be sufficient to make it much superior than ever before. Because of technology communication has gotten really fast and seamless. The Tried and True Method for Sample Email to Send Resume for Job in Step by Step Detail Sending work a pplication is critical for landing a work interview. Some resumes are reviewed by many distinctive employers and dont give them with the information that they are looking for. Examples of resumes are among the absolute most helpful strategies to be certain that youre writing one which is good and thats correct for the specific job youre applying for. It is extremely easy to track down examples for resumes which are job specific. Professors wish to discover students that are excited in their job. It may be really monotonous trying to make the resume by yourself. Youre able to differentiate your recruiting email by digging a bit deeper.

The Importance of How to Get Resume Writing Certification

The Importance of How to Get Resume Writing Certification For a Marketing Manager, Digital advertising Certification goes a very long way in letting the recruiter know the extra skill in precisely the same domain. What you have to know about Federal Jobs and Programs. Our hot topics in the present uncertain financial environment include following the most recent trends and Presidents Executive Orders. Training programs dont need to be from an appropriate authority. How to Get Resume Writing Certification for Dummies At the conclusion of the modules, you are going to be scheduled to take a thorough exam covering the content of the program to assess your comprehension. All you need to do is make certain the certification program is not just a class and that its coming from the appropriate authority. If youre working towards a certification then its still true that you wish to list it. In that instance, you may add your latest certification to your education section. In tha t situation, you will want to set your certifications at the peak of your resume near your name. You have to offer relevant, concise details. You may want to make sure your contact info, and your private info, are at the peak of your resume. How to Get Resume Writing Certification - the Story Writing resumes for a different company might help you hone your writing skills while additionally providing a (hopefully) stable supply of income during the early days of your enterprise venture. Starting your own resume writing business or another kind of home business for this matter is a terrific idea if youve got the abilities and ultimately would like to be your own boss. Besides this, you will also have to have excellent written and verbal English communication abilities. Youll also have to have excellent written and verbal English communication abilities. How to Get Resume Writing Certification Can Be Fun for Everyone Empowering our clientele and increasing their opportunities to acquire positive results prior to, during, and following the interview is our expertise. Offering free resume reviews is one method to discover clients. During the time you are writing your resume, be sure your experience and value-added information suit the work offer youre applying for. Additionally, as youll learn about the way the federal job search procedure works as you grow to be a certified resume writer, you will be in a position to advise your clients using our industry-leading strategy. Top How to Get Resume Writing Certification Secrets Nearly every profession has certifications you may get. An expert certification is proof that youve got the wisdom and skills to do something. Inexperienced candidates who want a new grad nursing resume should next incorporate a bewertung that will state the things that they expect to attain by applying for that specific job offer. Alas, many job seekers become overwhelmed before they even begin. If you dont have experience i n the teaching position that youre applying for then dont panic, that isnt all that employers are searching for. Make sure Your Resume appears professional There isnt anything worse than a possible candidate submitting their resume for employment and it seems tacky and unprofessional.

The Basics of Activities for Resume

The Basics of Activities for Resume New Ideas Into Activities for Resume Never Before Revealed Certain extracurricular activities are clearly helpful for certain jobs. Events and meet-ups demand a whole lot of coordination, figuring out logistics and doing a fair quantity of marketing and promotion. Managers would be most pleased to realize that their people truly care about the organization, and showing your enthusiasm to learn about just what the restaurant is selling is essential. You might even have a hobby for example, writing a blog thats a review of every book you read or posting beautiful photographs on the internet that could be related to your job application. If youre trying hard to think of any, you can attempt utilizing the job descriptions of ads inside your industry, together with looking at LinkedIn profiles of individuals working in similar roles. There are a lot of sites, such as Volunteer Match, that may help you to find a neighborhood community service pro ject thats of interest to you. A activities resume is a superb tool for doing that. If one of these categories is a region in which you excel, visit its precise page to learn how resume skills may be used to your benefit. Observe how concise its in addition to how clearly the info is presented. The info thats been provided here is meant to give patients basic knowledge of your expectation regarding your everyday activities after Cataract Surgery. An interview may also be needed to land the job, but a resume is vital to begin the procedure. So list such experience only supposing its highly about the job which youre seeking. Nursing is somewhat of a special field, as securing that job will be dependent on your soft abilities and personality along with your experience. Your probability of getting the job can become very slim when it happens. Controversial or potentially illegal pursuits and interest also needs to be excluded. Athletic hobbies and interests are extremely imp ortant. Others might decrease their involvement with a single activity to be able to prioritize another. Its more important to devote substantial time in every activity than it is to get a lengthy collection of activities. With our specialized therapy, youre going to be in a place to tap the complete potential of your professional network and make certain your profile on social networking channels matches the caliber of your resume. You just need to dig and locate the important pieces of information which talk about interests and hobbies. Dont forget, no matter which hobbies and interests you choose to put on your resume, youve got to be genuine. Knowing your interviewers individual interests offers you a pocket full of icebreaker topics. The Death of Activities for Resume The resume should contain only what a particular school will want to understand, as stated by The College Board. Reading philosophy is another fantastic avocation. Finally, writing an activities resume i s about marketing yourself. Appropriate school activities will cause the all-round development of kids and make them achieve their highest possible potential. You may also have a skills section in which you list soft skills and any programs, languages, or certifications youve got. There are a lot of distinct varieties of nursing and youll want to demonstrate your nursing resume fits the bill. Therefore, if your student intends to work while theyre in school or simply wishes to be ready for graduation, developing a scholarship resume now gives them the framework they have to receive one ready for work applications whenever the time comes. Students with little if any work experience may also add a section discussing their involvements.

Do You Think Complaining About Work is Bad Not According to Science

Do You Think Complaining About Work is Bad Not According to ScienceDo You Think Complaining About Work is Bad Not According to ScienceNo matter what you do, theres always a good reason to start complaining about work. Although most of us disapprove of it and see complaining as a waste of time, you can actually benefit from it too.If you fear youre being grumpy too often, relax a bit. It seems that for all frustrated employees there are some good times aheadThere are several good reasons why you should no longer shy away from kicking up a fuss at work.New research shows that letting off steam not only helps you process stress and frustration but also bond with co-workers and boost your productivity. And as a bonus, your teams mood is sure to go up once you sprinkle your complaints with a pinch of humor.Benefits of complaining A recent research zoomed inonthe variety of ways a team of nurses, doctors, social workers, and case workers used humor and complaining in their daily care-plann ing meetings.The truth is that griping is still one of many workplace taboos. But Vanessa Pouthier from the University of Melbourne decided to dig deeper. And she found that- used in specific ways- complaining can help foster relationships and even pump up employees mood.It allows people to recognize how similar they are in the challenges theyre facing every day and how they feel about them.Pouthier observed a medical team based in an oncology and end-of-life hospital department. The staff had to deal with a wide range of stressful situations. These were often created by challenging patients and their families, pressure for efficiency or rigidity of organisational structures.People generally see no value in complaining at work and consider it inappropriate in the workplace. But Pouthier found that it has a bonding and invigorating function, helping staff overcome their negative feelings.It allows people to recognize how similar they are in the challenges theyre facing every day an d how they feel about them, Pouthier claims. One of the best things in the team I observed, was that these griping rituals helped doctors and nurses realize they were feeling the same way about situations, and they werent that different.Collective complaining also helped the team recognize their shared experiences, recalibrate their emotions and cope with them right away.By engaging in those little rituals in their care-planning meetings they processed some of that negative energy and left feeling more energized, says Pouthier.Rules for griping in the workplaceStill, not all types of complaining have such healing potential. There are several rules around workplace griping you need to follow to make it work.First of all, its inappropriate to gripe about someone whos in the room. Its also important to externalize the gripe. That simply means the target must be something everyone can identify with.The thing about joking is you can turn a problematic situation into a source of humor. Ju st like with griping, most of the triggers are problem.For example, you can complain about abstract notions like the atmosphere in which the team is working or uncooperative practitioners working in other services. But remember to never target specific individuals in the team.Another great, and indeed, indispensable component of complaining is humor. Keeping jokes at play will allow team members to tease each other without getting hurt.According to Pouthier, the thing about joking is you can turn a problematic situation into a source of humor. Just like with griping, most of the triggers are problems. But with the griping its more about commiserations. With joking its about entertainment, distraction, and having a bit of fun.Let some humor inJoking around also helps employees bond around recognized shared problems. If you speak to your coworkers about the shared concerns with humor, you can generate positive emotions in the process. And these, in turn, have the power to open up your mind to stay motivated and keep up the good work.The concept of open-mindedness is especially important in the modern work environment. Today, teams no longer respect occupational or organizational boundaries and they are challenged to cooperate across diverse fields.READ THIS5 Signs You Should Quit Your Job Right Now (Or Soon?)Weve all been socialized to think about the world in a particular way, claims Pouthier. So you have different professional interests and values, as well as often different goals and different perspectives, all within one team.And because most problems are complex and require a confrontation of perspectives, we want that variety of perspectives. For that to work, everyone really needs to maintain an open mind.Pouthier also says that complaining coupled with humor can create a safe place for challenging conversations to happen. Throwing out a few jokes about your shared frustration concerning the companys structure, you can easily end up discussing various sug gestions for improvement.The art of complaining about workAll in all, complaining seems to have some advantages. But you need to respect certain guidelines and that requires good practice.So next time you feel the pressure building up in your head, think about the way youre going to talk about it with your coworkers. Because the good approach can result in a refreshing session where youre all laugh your butts off in a nice and enjoyable griping get-together.Share Your Feedback or Ideas in the Comments

Steal ideas from other people None of us can do it alone

Steal ideas from other people None of us can do it aloneSteal ideas from other people None of us can do it aloneIsaac Newton is one of the most accomplished human beings ever to set foot on Earth.His work on the laws of motion and universal gravitation changed how we see the universe, and his influence on fields ranging from optics to astronomy to calculus can be felt today.As a person, however, he was often petty, egotistical, and very difficult to get along with. There are many known stories of him behaving in extremely erratic ways with the people in his life.And yet, by all records, there appears to be a kampfstark distinction between the Newton that the public and the community dealt with, and the Newton that pursued his scientific endeavors.Although he wasnt particularly inspiring as a colleague or acquaintance, the way he treated his fascination with understanding why the world worked the way it did was different.When it came to the art of invention, Newtons approach was that of great humility. He saw himself simply as a curious student wandering the shore of an ocean of undiscovered truths.In a letter exchanged with a rival, Robert Hooke, in 1676, he gave us perhaps one of the greatest insights into the process of discovery when he wrote the following wordsIf I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants.Collective intelligence is ur successHumans have been around for approximately 200,000 years, but up until about 70,000 years ago, we werent too different from any of the other animals in ur impact on the environment.Then, in a relatively short period, we became the dominant predator on Earth. A few 10,000 years later, we began settling into agricultural communities, and less than 9,000 years after that, we learned to write. Since then, our rate of progress has only gotten faster.The modern world we enjoy today is inconceivably different from the world weve lived in for the majority of our existence. It begs an importan t question. What changed?The answer lies in our ability to pass down knowledge. No other animal can do it as we do.It began with the stories that our complex form of language enables us to tell each other, it was compounded as we departureed to write down information, and it shifted into a whole new gear when Newton and his predecessors kicked off the scientific revolution.Alone in the wild, were no match for a lion or a gorilla. Together as a species, our collective intelligence has enabled us to rule the planet. Our power grew from large-scale cooperation.If Newton hadnt first read the work of Copernicus, Kepler, and Galileo, he wouldnt have known where to start. He had what he called a Waste Book where he stored any important passages from the texts he read. It inspired many of his discoveries.Through written words and our communications systems, we have the ability to connect from across seas and centuries. Without our collective knowledge, wed be starting from scratch with each new generation, and our impact on Earth would be astronomically different.2Nothing is entirely originalThe words discovery and invention often refer to something new something useful that didnt exist before. And given this connotation, when most of us think about a discovery or an invention, we think of it as something groundbreaking that seemingly came up out of thin air.That isnt an entirely accurate way of looking at it. In actuality, any new idea, process, or method is in some way a combination of old concepts and information.Sometimes, the connection between existing knowledge may well be loose and abstract enough not to be immediately visible, but no discovery or invention is completely original.The basic notion of creativity which is what leads to something new is that its a process of seeking relationships between what we already know. Its about combining a mental inventory of the past and mingling it around in a new way that somehow contextually works.In science, for exa mple, new ideas go through a process of refinement. They begin as a hypothesis, and they develop into theories if they consistently pass the experimentation phase. Any theory is held firm until its proven wrong by another reliable experiment.Hypothetically speaking, nothing can ever be proven right. It can only ever be falsified or proven wrong. Science is an approximation game of being less and less wrong over time.With that in mind, the context of Newtons brilliant insight makes even more sense. To discover and invent what he did and to see what he saw, he had to have known the work of those who came before him. He had to start at a higher vantage point than anyone in history.Old discoveries pushed knowledge closer to the truth so that Newton could push it even closer. Without an awareness of past ideas, his own point of reference wouldve been off.Discoveries are never a product of pure single-handed originality. That doesnt exist.All you need to knowToday, Newton is considered th e father of modern science. He looked far beyond what had previously been seen, and he pushed our knowledge of physics and mathematics forward.Ironically, he knew better than most that it wasnt all him. He had a deep appreciation and understanding of how the process of discovery occurs. He knew he had help.If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants.Its a simple yet clear sentence about how we make progress. Its a reminder to share the credit for our successes and to harness the power of what others can teach us.Our prosperity as a species rests on our collective intelligence. Alone, and without the power of past knowledge, we wouldnt be where we are today. Wed be starting from scratch with each new generation. We rely on others more than we depend on ourselves.Even the inventions and discoveries we consider original arent entirely so. Theyre a product of both a simple and complex combination of existing elements of our reality. The creative pr ocess is just a way of finding relationships between what is already known.None of us can do it alone, and we dont have to. There is inspiration to steal everywhere.Want to think and live smarter? Zat Rana publishes a free weekly newsletter for 30,000+ readers atDesign Luck.