BE — an Encourager Research shows that 77% of the messages we get every day are negative. Open the newspaper, listen to complaints, watch the news. Much of what occupies our minds is anything but uplifting. Take heart and use heart. Be that person who finds ways to encourage others – every day. A pat on the back will do. A kind word is awesome. Giving someone a compliment could make their day. Think of ways you can be a VALUE GENERATOR. That simply means you have made someone feel more valued and everyone deserves that! Who is a value generator in your life? Who is your mentor? Who believes in you during those times you don’t believe in yourself? If someone comes to mind – tell them. BE — in the Moment Time is either well spent or well squandered. So use it wisely. Be fully present with an employee. Stay focused on family when you are WITH family. Be present! Oh how easy it is to be distracted. Cell phones, multi-tasking, interruptions. Be intentional about where you … [Read more...]
Does Your LinkedIn Profile Pass the Seven Second Rule?
You may already know it takes about seven seconds to make a good first impression, but are you considering this rule when it comes to your digital brand? LinkedIn is further putting this to the test with its new design. In case you haven’t noticed, LinkedIn has switched things up again. But this time it’s not just a matter of playing hide-and-go-seek with common features. You may also need to update your profile. A noticeable change impacts the way your Summary displays (or should I say, does not display). Now, anyone who visits your profile will only see a teaser of your Summary. To see your full Summary, your audience will have to click “See more." Otherwise, approximately 90 to 200 characters will show depending on whether your profile is viewed on a mobile application or desktop. Although this concept is new to LinkedIn, it’s used for other platforms. For example, on Forbes, an author's bio is a one-liner, and you have to click a link to read the full bio. (You can see … [Read more...]
This is How a Brand Walks its Talk!
It is pure joy working with clients who show their “leadership presence” in so many ways. Recently, while at a Fortune 500 energy company, the leaders demonstrated their values of being committed to success, doing what's right, and being respectful. Here are some examples of how these values have served them well. From the moment I arrived at their corporate headquarters, the front desk security guards were friendly and welcoming. One of the executive assistants had everything set up at the workshop PLUS food delivered to me personally during our coaching sessions. Both groups of participants – senior executives and high potential candidates – were totally engaged throughout our Personal Branding program called, Make Your Mark & Make It Count! Respect was evident even walking their halls receiving a friendly hello along the way. It’s all about CULTURE – and this is evidence of a brand walking their talk in every way. Valerie Sokolosky is … [Read more...]
Career Reinvention: Following a Passion
The Challenge Michele spent 20 years as a Leadership Consultant and Executive Coach. Although she loved her work, she felt that there was something else to which she really wanted to give more attention. She had been fitting art into her life in between her professional commitments. Now it was time to make art her full time job! Michele wanted to integrate her professional skills of coaching and teaching into her new work in art. She turned to Randi Bussin to help her formulate a strategy for holding collage workshops in her new art studio. The Solution Randi guided Michele in envisioning her ideal work life: how much time she would devote to her own art and how much time to running workshops. They looked at her financial goals, and Michele and Randi discussed her vision for this next chapter of her life. In the second phase of this Career Reinvention work, Randi and Michele developed a business and marketing plan. This included analyzing the financial aspects of the … [Read more...]
The LinkedIn Summary Section: The Most Under-Used Professional Connecting Tool
When you created your LinkedIn profile, did you take the time to write a thoughtful summary section? If not, it’s time to go back to LinkedIn and work on your summary. I believe this is the most under-used and potentially the most powerful career-builder and professional networking tool available to all of us. LinkedInIn the summary section, you can describe yourself and your unique value proposition in 2,000 words of well-written prose that will draw the right people into your life, whether it’s an employer, a client, or a strategic partner. The key is that Google will use the search terms in your description to find you when people are looking for someone who offers what makes you unique and valuable. If you are a plumber, your summary might lead off with: As Portland, Maine’s most versatile plumber, I work on large and small jobs, whether in a new condominium or office complex, or a single-family residential office. I work throughout the Portland area in towns such as … [Read more...]
I launched this Blog with one objective - to provide unique insights and practical advice for using the power of personal branding to achieve your goals. It’s dedicated to those who want to be wildly successful by maximizing what makes them unique, relevant and compelling.