In the debut award winning novel that launched this HTN enterprise, Jackson Badgenoone considers the High Water Markers of life. Jackson draws inspiration for the theme after observing the Dutch Buffalo Creek that appears on the cover of the book. On page 41 we read, “High Water Markers provide tangible evidence of the advance and retreat of creeks, streams, rivers, and oceans.

Metaphorically they also provide the measuring stick for citizens, nations, enterprise and empire… Civilian title after a name, the number of boxes under a box on an organization chart, a corporation balance sheet… A few are life-changing events, a birth, a spiritual epiphany, a wedding, a divorce, a death.” The Hidden Treasure of Dutch Buffalo Creek, page 41.
This blog entry considers High Water Markers that relate to career. We welcome readers to share their experience through the contact button on the connect page of this website.

          Preparing for your first job
          Your first job
          Developing a professional development path for yourself

Creating your business plan
Identifying your market
Forming your own business
Generating your product /service
Establishing a brand
Hiring your first employee
Developing a professional development path for your employees
Planning an exit strategy

 A colleague, good friend and fellow author, John Henry Weiss published books on job hunting and the workplace, and is the Founder/President of Weiss & Associates, Executive Recruiting. John is our featured guest today.

John offers his clients a unique collection of skills and experience in the education-focused executive search profession. Prior to founding Weiss & Associates, he held positions in educational publishing and technology with several companies including Harcourt, Apple Computer, Inc. and The Learning Company. With these organizations, his corporate executive management responsibilities encompassed domestic and international sales, marketing, editorial, and product development. His resume includes positions as an account executive, regional sales manager, international sales manager, vice president sales and marketing, and editor in chief. In addition, he was president and owner of EXTRA EDITIONS Publishing Company, a supplementary mathematics publisher. Also, he has logged time in the classroom, beginning his career as a teacher in public and private schools in Chicago and Northern Illinois.

John obtained undergraduate degrees in Sociology and Education from De Paul University in Chicago, and completed graduate work at De Paul, Loyola and St. Xavier University, all in Chicago, where his studies encompassed American Literature, Law, and Business.
 
He was a faculty member and presenter for the Pennsylvania Cable and Telecommunications Association at Penn State University, a member of the International Copyright Committee of AAP, and served with distinction in various professional organizations within the education industry.

His successful nationwide search and consulting assignments for employers in the education industry have resulted in the placement of presidents, executive vice presidents, editors, directors, managers, sales representatives and consultants. He maintains offices in Stockton, New Jersey, providing convenient access to Washington, Philadelphia, Princeton, New York City, Boston and other locations in the Northeast Corridor. A frequent speaker and presenter at industry conferences, John continues to be an active contributor to professional associations and organizations serving the educational publishing and technology sector.

Other writing experience includes numerous workplace blogs for www.federaljobs.net  the leading government jobs website, and Ms. Career Girl, www.mscareergirl.com a popular site targeting millennial women.   
 
John's  books have been cited in articles in the New York Post daily newspaper, Business News Daily and Federal Jobs.net. A review of OPERATION JOB SEARCH by Dennis Damp, author of 26 books on the government workplace including the best seller, The Book of U.S. Government Jobs (495,000 books sold) states that this book is the “Bible for anyone leaving the military.”  In addition, John has conducted numerous presentations and book signings at Barnes and Noble bookstores and he has conducted webinars for Talentmarks Career Speakers. To view the covers of his books and numerous reviews  Google, John Henry Weiss.
 
He has authored three books focused on the workplace, careers and job hunting. These books are perfectly aligned to the primary mission of Hidden Treasure Novels, HTN. They all deal with change, and are featured in the HTN bookstore. The books are available in paperback and eBook from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and independent book sellers.
 
 
WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD: A Complete Guide to Job Hunting for the Recent College Grad. c2014, Skyhorse Publishing Inc. 
 
OPERATION JOB SEARCH: A Guide for Military Veterans Transitioning to Civilian Careers. c2016, Skyhorse Publishing Inc. 
 
MOVING FORWARD IN MID-CAREER: A Guide to Rebuilding Your Career after Being Fired or Laid Off.  c2018, Skyhorse Publishing Inc.
 
Contact John through this website or by using LinkedIn or his email address, www.Weiss4Jobs@aol.com.

There are a number of ways to show support for the Arts. We are blessed in this area by the Cabarrus Arts Council. This morning the organization hosted the 2019 Breakfast for the Arts. It is encouraging to see so many people from our county participating. You can learn more about the organization at #supportcabarts19 

Last month, I had an opportunity to reconnect with a former colleague. John Lowe and I worked at Apple Computer, Inc. through a vibrant decade. After 25 years of successful executive selling, John decided to share his expertise in developing and delivering compelling business presentations with the world. He also developed and taught courses on public speaking, is an Adjunct Faculty member with Ty Boyd Executive Learning Systems,and a Certified Vistage Speaker for Vistage International. He currently consults with businesses regarding their sales and marketing messaging, and coaching their teams and executives on developing and delivering differentiated value proposition messaging.

John published two books to help guide leaders in the private and public sectors.
Passion for Presenting and Remarkable Presentations reflect his belief that, "We all make presentations every day. Some are professional in nature, propelling our careers forward. Some are community-focused, helping to support cause and projects which we care about. Others are quite informal, more personal in nature, perhaps even one-on-one. What they all have in common is they represent an opportunity for us to represent ourselves and our ideas to someone."

John is truly a Renaissance Man. His writing includes a recently released book. Ramblings of a Common Man: Everyday Poetry is a collection of poetry reflecting on life. It was written by a traveler on the path of human existence, observing what came his way. It is offered with gratitude, respect, and honor, with the hope of providing a flicker in the imagination, a spark for the senses and a slight embrace to the heart.

John's body of work is aligned to our mission. He encourages everyone to discover their hidden treasure. He is also an accomplished artist, with displays in several Art Galleries; more about that in a future update.

I look forward to posting several of John's short stories in our monthly Trail Tales Column. He has created a new service designed to serve the Senior Savvy newspaper readership. For those trying to preserve family memories, visit John's site at http://senior-stories.com/ 

March is a month of reflection and new birth. Readers of this blog know that novels aren’t the only place where written treasures are hidden in the narrative. Some are revealed in the chapters of a novella, the paragraphs of a short story, or the flow of a poem. My walking buddies and I decided to make a range of written material available to other hikers who frequent the Buffalo Creek Preserve and Trail.
The article posted this month was written by new contributor and hiking buddy, Barbara Baker. In her short story, "Do I Jump, or Don't I" Barbara reveals the genesis of her journey into the world of writing.

About - Barbara Baker
Barbara Baker is a retired Kindergarten teacher, who has been writing poetry for over 50 years.  She was born on the US Naval Submarine Base in New London, CT, but grew up in south Central New York State.  After graduating high school Barb chose to explore life for a few years before entering college. Her journey is captured in her writing. She can be contacted at poemtree68@gmail.com.

February is the shortest month of the year. For some readers , in some cultures, this birth month is represented as the month of the goat. Readers of this blog know that novels aren’t the only place where written treasures are hidden in the narrative. Some are revealed in the chapters of a novella, the paragraphs of a short story, or the flow of a poem. My walking buddies and I decided to make a range of written material available to other hikers who frequent the Buffalo Creek Preserve and Trail.
The article posted this month was written by James Polk. He describes a very special goat in his story titled, "Me and Miss Prissy."

About - James Polk
James is a frequent contributor to Trail Tales. To learn more about James, click on his name in the sidebar column.

As we begin the new year, you may wonder how you will face new challenges. Our featured story this month provides one possible path. Written by Craig Scott, the story is titled, Comradery by Cedar Poles.

The story was written by Craig Scott. it captures Craig's first real encounter with a horse and how the experience foreshadowed his ministry.

About - Craig Scott
A graduate of Appalachian State University, and holding a Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Craig is currently working on a Doctorate of Ministry. Craig Scott is pastor of Liberty Station Cowboy Church (4370 Zion Church Road, Concord) and is also interim pastor for Grace Missionary Baptist Church (East 11th Street Kannapolis). To learn more about the services contact Craig. You can reach Craig at pastorcraig1@windstream.net  or call at 980 622 7034.

Novels aren’t the only place where written treasures are hidden in the narrative. Some are revealed in the chapters of a novella or the paragraphs of a short story. My walking buddies and I decided to make a range of written material available to other hikers who frequent the Buffalo Creek Preserve and Trail.

The story this month was written by Tommy Doonan,
Titled “A Trip Home for the Holidays.”

About - Tommy Doonan. He retired in 2014 after twenty years with the Brown-Forman Corporation, the makers of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, and an additional twenty-five years in the hospitality industry.  With retirement he began writing poetry, essays, and short stories with a focus on every day people and events, as well as his memoirs.  He resides in Kannapolis with his wife of over forty years. Many of his writing can be found on his website: https://eruditustheyounger.wordpress.com/home-page/
You can reach him by email at tdoonan47@gmail.com