Jack Canfield: The Success Principles: How to Get From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be
David Allen: Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity
Daniel Pink: A Whole New Mind: Moving from the Information Age to the Conceptual Age
Seth Godin: All Marketers Are Liars : The Power of Telling Authentic Stories in a Low-Trust World
Keith Ferrazzi: Never Eat Alone : And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time
I was attending an interesting talk given by David Perry - a recruiter out of Ottawa and author of Guerilla Marketing for Job Hunters.
In a conversation with a senior management client recently it was interesting to observe that even with a list of impressive and significant accomplishments they were very reluctant to talk about them, even admit them and certainly not willing to put them down on paper.
They are currently working for a large Fortune 500 company where a strong internal profile and personal brand is key to getting the next opportunity or promotion, but no-one has even shown them how to do it - authentically.
This was their dilemma. How to brag without appearing brash, arrogant or just plain big headed?
Here are 10 ways that you can market your talents without feeling unclean or sleazy!
1. Know exactly what it is you do to or for others.
You need to be able to express this in a very short, memorable sentence, so that when people have a particular issue that you can solve they immediately think of you. Most 'branders' will tell you it has to be 12 or less words, some say 7, some say even 2 or 3. Whatever it ends up being make it impactful.......
Read the rest of the article by clicking here
I was contacted today regarding a survey being conducted by Personnel Today - the leading HR publication in the UK regarding the use of social networking sites at work and employers reactions to them and their use by employees.
If you are an employer you can take the survey by clicking here.
It is certainly a hot topic and one that is not going to go away anytime soon.
If you are an employee what do you think?
Is it right for an employer to use social networking sites to check up on prospective candidates or current employees?
Should your employer limit your access to social networking sites at work?
If you make a comment about your employer on a social network site in your own time, should they be allowed to censure you?
How far should it go?
I would be interested to hear your views.
Social Media Telesummit - Feb 20-29, 2008
In the fashion world, black is a classic color that works with everything.Styles may change, designers come and go, but black is the template.So, when a new color hits the scene, the fashion world says that that color is the "new black."
Well, in social media, video is the new black.
Everywhere you turn, business leaders are using video to connect with prospects and customers.
If you want to learn how to use video to fill your database with quality leads, the Social Media Telesummit will teach you how.
One more session has been added due to demand. Travis Greenlee, founder of the Virtual Practice Builder, will teach you step by step how to use videos for maximum profits. His session is on Wednesday February 20th @ 8pm EST.
Grab your seat: by clicking here NOW!
In addition to Travis, here's a sample of what you'll learn at the Social Media Telesummit:
- Why it's dangerous to give away all your content for free (and what to do instead);
- How to choose a profitable niche of starving customers who are ready to buy premium content;
- Learn the different ways to create revenue in Second Life;
- How to get a six figure sponsorship deal for your blog or podcast from a Fortune 500 company;
- Learn why most blogs don't make money and how you can ensure your blog isn't another financial failure.
Just a few days left. Grab your seat now because after February 20th, you'll have to wait 12 months for the next Social Media Telesummit.
Grab your seat: HERE NOW!!
If you did not enjoy your last interview, regardless of which side of the desk you were on (do people still use desks to interview behind? - I hope not!), then you are certainly not alone according to a recent survey reported in the Globe & Mail (click here for full article).
Someone once said to me - the interview is a lot like dating, you are both a little nervous, unsure of each other, you might have some information about the other but its all either heresay or documented but not yet experienced.
Then you spend time trying to get the other person to talk more than you do, answer your questions and eventually give you enough information for you to make a decision as to whether you want to see them again.
The survey highlights a frustration from both sides toward the other - sounds like a lack of communication.
Both sides can start by following the same rules for interviews:
1. Do your research, find out more about the other ‘side’ than what is presented on paper. There should be no excuse for not using the internet.
2. Dress appropriately for your industry, culture and level of position. Better to err on more professional, you can always dress down but never up.
3. Treat everyone equally, you never know who they know or might be talking to afterwards. Be on time and respectful of others time.
4. Make and keep good eye contact. Show genuine interest in the other ‘side’
5. You are not expected to be an expert at this. The interview is a fairly false situation that no-one is completely comfortable with, so remember we are all entitled to be a little nervous – but that is not an excuse to be unprepared.
6. Make it a conversation, ask and answer questions, do not make it all a one way street – either way. Share information to ensure you are BOTH making an informed choice.
7. Confirm your interest if that is the case, do not leave either ‘side’ hanging on or getting the wrong impression.
At the end of the day it should not be viewed as a war or a battle, but a business meeting that might result in a win for everyone.
It never hurts to spread a little love in an interview, especially on Valentines day!
I don't know many people who like to cold call, I know it has never been that successful for me. Not only is it so impersonal and intrusive, but it just doesn't work, how many times do you put the phone down or screen the telesales call at home? For every 50 cold calls you make, only 2 will result in an appointment.
My friend, Leesa Barnes, hates cold calling. She relied on cold calling to get clients for her web development business in 1997. Two years later and heavily in debt, Leesa gave up on self employment and got herself a full time job.
When she was laid off in 2004, Leesa decided to try self employment again. But this time, she did things a little differently. Leesa decided to use social media to find new clients and make money.
Four years later, Leesa has published a book, is a recognized expert in podcasting and has tripled her income in just 12 months - all without cold calling.
If you think Facebook, MySpace, blogs and podcasts are only used by teenagers, you're missing out on one of the easiest ways to find new clients.
If you want to learn how to use social media as a business tool and do it right the first time, I invite you to check out a virtual event taking place this month that's hosted by Leesa.
It's called the Social Media Telesummit and it features 26 amazing speakers who will teach you
how to use social media for business.
There's no fluff at this event. Each speaker will teach you a specific tip based on their practical, in the trenches experiences.
So, if you want to say goodbye to cold calling and use a fun and profitable way to find new
clients, click on the following link to read more about how this event will help you:
Just received an e-mail from Neutron, the agency run by Marty Neumeier the author of The Brand Gap and Zag - two highly interesting and thought provoking brand books - definitely recommended reads.
This e-mail was talking about 'Invisible Branding' and the fact that most people in business to business, which includes professional services, do not have the 'luxury' of the consumer companies when promoting and communicating their brands.
They do not reap the reward of advrtising, web presence, point of sale etc etc.
Instead they have to be very much better at the invisible branding side - things such as a strong CEO vision, building customer relationships and effective employee training.
How does that work for you in professional services? Do you have some of these invisible items in place, or is it something you need to be working on?
What I really like about Marty is he is willing to share - so much so that he calls these monthly e-mails Steal This Idea. Go right ahead and take him up on hbis offer and download the one page slide and post it where you can see it and start to consider the invisible.
It might seem like a strange question to ask you. How can being selfish make you more successful?
But in a way that was what I was asked at my recent mastermind group intensive. Well at least that was one of the key ‘truffles’ that I came away with after spending 3 virtual days with a great group of coaches and consultants who make up a mastermind group of peers that have now been together for our third year.
A truffle is when you have an aha moment, or something that could well have been staring you in the face suddenly jumps right up and bangs you on the side of the head. It was the first morning of the intensive and I was challenged to come back to the group after lunch with a presentation on why my business had not been doing as well in 2007 as I had hoped or planned.
Initially I frantically did some research on my numbers (never had been a strong point of mine, keeping a finger on the pulse of the business). Then over a quick bite to eat contemplated what it was that was stopping me from being successful?
Then the truffle sneaked up and gave me a whack
I was not saying NO.
At the end of the meeting we all presented on what we had got out of the three days and what action steps we were going to commit to in 2008, or at least for the first 90 days.
So for 2008 I am going to say NO more often – if you are a friend, family member, colleague, client, associate you are on notice that I might be saying no, but it is going to be a positive no and I am still the same person.
I am learning the benefit of being incredibly selfish, not in an arrogant way but ensuring that there is time for me, my family and my business. Without that selfishness there will not be a me and that means I won’t be around to attract what is possible for me.
So are you being selfish for you? Can you stop yourself from saying yes to;
I was planning to send out a series of posts between now and the new year to get readers starting to think about the difference they want to make with their personal brand in 2008.
That was until I received Robert Middleton's weekly ezine with this link The Gift of Service - I think it says it all.
Make a difference in 2008. Wishing you a happy and outstanding year for your personal brand.
If you have not got a web presence yet make it a new years resolution that your get one in 2008. A great way to start to build your personal brand is to have your own domain either connected to a web portfolio or a blog.
Also that last minute gift idea for someone else - what better than spending less than $10 at GoDaddy.com and buying children nieces, nephews even Granny their own domain!
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