Spotlight for Sept, 2008

Dottie Austin
Career Partners International

• What does your business do?
  Career Partners International is a talent management consulting firm.  We got our start in 1986 delivering corporate-sponsored outplacement services.  As we continue to mature, the majority of our business is still career transition however, the most natural complement of executive recruiting and leadership development have been added to our areas of expertise.
  

• What do you like most about your business?
  Without hesitation, it is the people.  I made a conscience choice several years ago to work in the outplacement arena and I know every day that I made the right decision.  Individuals come to us at a time when their world has been turned upside down; it is a difficult time of change and facing the fear of the unknown. Given the opportunity to help them navigate through the emotional element and then taking them through a learning and growing process is extremely rewarding.
  

• What is the biggest challenge in running your business?
  We diversified our business a few years ago by developing another segment of our business called the Leadership Institute.  Training, development, and executive coaching falls under that umbrella.  First and foremost, our clients continue to think of us as a career transition firm.  Changing their mindset has been a slow process but over the past year we can see the tide turning with the growth of the organizational development piece of our business.
  
  
• What is your passion?
  I like the "real deal" in just about everything.  I love people who can be themselves and whole foods to include cooking and baking. I am currently writing a cookbook to honor my grandmother and mother; just one recipe that can do a hundred things. I have an unquenchable thirst for alternative healing and things that feed my soul like yoga, reflexology, astrology, and spirituality.
  
  
• What do you appreciate the most about your experiences with NAWBO?
  It has only been a few months since I became a member but one thing I noticed from the first meeting I attended was the welcoming attitude of the members. I have had the opportunity to belong to other professional and social organizations over the years and I have to say that this group is different - you're the "real deal". I look forward to learning and contributing to the growth and success of the Buffalo Niagara Chapter.
  
  

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