The Personal Branding Blog: William Arruda and the Reach-Certified Personal Branding Strategists

Of course, there's no “I” in “TEAM”

Following two seemingly random events, I started giving some attention to the saying “There’s no ‘I’ in Team.” The first event was seeing this clip from The Wyans Brothers’ comedy, Dance Flick. The second event was a conversation with my colleague, Harry Rodenhi, who shared his view that most people are so imbued with the idea that there is no “I” in team that they tend to lose touch with what they offer and exactly how they make a difference for others.

In elaborating, Harry noted that self-knowledge is critical to successfully finding work through networking. As he sees it, knowing what value you create, and how you create it, is fundamental to creating professional presence and being considered for new opportunities. Coupled with that, Harry believes people need to have points of view that become the basis for engagement with others in their communities of practice. According to Harry, conversations generated by shared points of view not only help you establish credibility, but also make you memorable and increase your attractiveness to an organization. So, stand for something!

This, of course, makes great sense from a personal brand point of view. Not only does it take into consideration one’s distinctive talents and attributes, but also the broader context of professional community.

To be relevant to others you need to know what it is you bring them. Diminishing yourself in service to an organization doesn’t serve the needs of anyone. Indeed, in a competitive world, where diversity increasingly drives innovation, you need to be you! So, it’s critical to relate what you bring that makes a difference to the teams that are part of your brand community.

In retrospect, the idea that “there’s no ‘I’ in TEAM” seems pointless. In fact, it stands in contrast to a better idea: Together Each Achieves More. In short, it’s the combined talents of individuals that drives organizational success. So, figure out what you bring and seek out opportunities to share it!

Cross-posted at Threshold Consulting.

Guest Post: Personal Branding Mistakes Gen Y Frequently Makes

Having a strong, consistent personal brand will help you land an entry-level job and build the foundation for your career. Gen Y has mastered the cheap and effective Internet medium to network with peers and share ideas through social networking platforms such as Facebook and blogs. But when it comes time to search for a job, personal branding becomes much more important and mistakes can be costly.

The most obvious mistake Gen Y makes is a lack of professionalism on their social networking profiles. It is no secret that employers check candidates’ social networking profiles and are apt to make decisions based on what they find. Inappropriate photographs and conversations are the most commonly cited blunders Gen Yers make that hurt their personal brands. Some other mistakes that may cost Gen Yers the job include:

• Speaking negatively about your current or former employer: This is a mistake that will cost candidates a job. Saying something mean-spirited about a former employer will leave a bad taste in an interviewer’s mouth and make candidates come off as extremely unprofessional. It is never okay to speak negatively about current and former employers—you never know who has an eye on you.

• Not thinking before answering a question: Interviewers actually prefer that candidates pause for a few seconds to think of a good answer before speaking. By answering quickly, in an attempt to seem confident, you run the risk of saying something don’t really mean and saying whatever comes to mind.

• Talking only about what you want out of the job: Employers are more interested in what the candidate can do for the company and not vice versa. It comes off as very selfish to talk solely about all you are hoping a company can offer you. Make sure your cover letters and correspondence reflect how you can help the company and not how the company can help you.

• Not being prepared with good, thoughtful questions to ask at the end of an interview: Being prepared with smart questions about the company and the job will show you've done your research. It demonstrates that you want to be a part of the organization and that you're taking the process seriously.

While social networking and personal branding can be fun, Gen Y does need to be careful to make sure they present themselves in a positive and professional light.

Heather R. Huhman is a career expert and founder & president of Come Recommended, an exclusive online community connecting the best internship and entry-level job candidates with the best employers. She is also the national entry-level careers columnist for Examiner.com and blogs about career advice at HeatherHuhman.com.

For Your Brand - Conversation is King

Anyone who spends any time or resources online has heard the saying “content is king”.  That, though, is so Web 1.0.

I've heard the arguments that content is king.  Yet, really, can we not get content anywhere?  Is it the content that we love or the personal style, delivery, and even packaging that bring it closer? Content may draw us closer yet conversation builds the relationships, draws us in, engages us and inspires us to share and advocate.

And people will do things for friends and good contacts that they would never do for an entity.

Watching the classic movie "The Godfather", many people in business have used the phrase, "It's not personal, it's business".  I would venture to say that in the  27 years since that movie was made some things have changed in our world.

"It's not business, it's all personal." - is now the phrase you here as social networks become the means to the way we connect, communicate and engage.

To succeed in being visible and memorable in the Web 2.0 world, conversation is king. And, it’s about engaging conversation not just one sided “walking commercials”.  The key to anyone’s success is communication and it hinges on two types of conversations:  1. The conversations we have with ourselves – our internal talk; and 2. The conversations we have with others.

Powerful conversations

Your conversations have the power to bring your business to new heights and you will see that your conversations more importantly possess the authority to shape your life into what it is you want.

Strong conversational skills with positively affect your life on and off-line.  Understand that your skills do not automatically get better when you get online.  In fact, social media is nothing more than word of mouth on steroids!  And word of mouth is a double edge sword – it can be positive and it can be very negative.  How do you make sure that it’s positive word of mouth that is flowing your way?

John Genovese, of the Rapport Key, refers to growing your connections like growing a tree. “Think about your personal network as a tree just sprouting from the earth. As you grow up, you begin to grow stems which eventually turn into branches. Each branch is a connection that you have made and each stem on that branch is a resource that you are linked to. Your goal is to be the tree with hundreds of thousands of long thick branches with smaller stems and branches sprouting out from it. Each contact you make will have his/her own group of contacts, who will be connected to you.”

Here are the basic conversational skills that you need:

• In & outs of breaking the ice
• How to initiate small talk
• How to establish mutual connections and what to say about them
• How to establish someone’s location
• How to establish how a contact spends their time
• How to establish their hobbies / interests to leverage conversation
• How to establish their aims / goals for future leverage with them
• The most successful way to part ways (by maintaining them as a contact)

And, the given in all this is that you do so authentically from your own style!

You must also be good at communicating who you are and how you help people. Really, what is your super power?  Refrain from acronyms and titles – they only box you into someone else’s experience with that position and title.  Or, they serve to make the other person feel that they “don ‘t understand” what you just said and so in return you’ll receive a “that’s interesting” or “oh, I see” which is a definite conversation stopper.

For example, I met someone for the first time at a meeting the other day and asked what do you do and she said “I’m a CIO”.   Talk about something that sat figuratively like vomit in the middle of the conversation!  It was definitely a conversation stopper.  I watched her as she repeated her introduction and repelled others as she “worked the room”.

Make sure you have your answers to the questions of “what do you do” and “what have you been up to down” in a way that informs and encourages conversation.  When you have that part of the conversation already in mind, it will free you up to truly listen which is the cornerstone to success of any conversation.

Cross-posted on TheBuzz101

Author:  Maria Elena Duron | chief buzz officer, speaker and coach focused on helping you move, touch and inspire others to action and speak positively on your behalf at buzz2bucks | word of mouth firm

Want to Transition to a Green Job? Research and Network Your Way In

Competition is growing exponentially for jobs in this hot industry. The key to success is investing time in targeted research, compiling a list of companies to focus on, identifying hiring decision-makers or leads within those companies, and penetrating their networks.

Practice “give to get” networking
Gently get to know them, what their needs are, and how you can solve their problems. Build evangelism for your brand and stay top of mind with them. When they hear of jobs that may be a good fit, they’ll think of you.

• Familiarize yourself with industry trends, culture, and the lingo, so you’ll converse intelligently.
• Identify companies through Google search and at www.hoovers.com, www.forbes.com, libraries, etc., then dig deeper at websites of each company on your list.
• Create career marketing communications that align your niche expertise and brand value proposition with the needs of your target companies.

Connect with leads through online social networks (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, etc.) and professional associations. See job-hunt.org’s list of 175+ green industry groups: www.job-hunt.org/associations/green-industry-associations.shtml

The payoff for targeting and networking?
• You’ll have first-response to unadvertised positions. Or, your target companies may decide to chisel out an opportunity for you. You probably won’t have any competition!
• You’ll circumvent HR departments and tap into the hidden job market, because you’re not moving through the traditional HR-driven search process.
• Your research will also serve as due diligence work to pre-qualify whether companies are a sound choice.
• You’ll become a known commodity and valuable asset because you’ve taken the time to extend your brand value to the companies’ inner decision-making circle.

Download the Green Career's Guide

by Meg Guiseppi
www.executiveresumebranding.com | 1.973.726.0757

How Green is Your Personal Brand?

As momentum for the green job market continues to grow, make sure your branding is as green as possible…and that often takes thinking out of the box.
 
You may not be able to build a wind turbine, but you may work in sales at a financial firm that encourages green investments or be an accountant at a bank that funds green construction. These experiences count and may be invaluable in landing a “green” job.
 
Here are some additional tips to color your personal brand green:
 
• Walk the talk. Practice the three R’s – reduce, reuse and recycle – in your home life as well as your professional activities.
• Emphasize your concern by adding “green” credentials to your resume.
• Volunteer locally in green initiatives.
• If you’re in sales, decide how you can “green” your business processes, such as recycling paper, using a hybrid automobile or going paperless.
• Describe yourself and your work ethic in “green” terms – and don’t hesitate to talk about “green” issues whenever you’re networking.
• Demonstrate your personal environmental sensitivity, i.e., having your own reusable coffee cup, using paper cups or reusable containers rather than bottled water, recycling printer ink cartridges and recycling your wardrobe by giving old clothing to charity and finding “nearly” new items at consignment and vintage stores.
• Keep up with the latest green trends, such as using reusable grocery bags when you shop. Also know what’s happening with conservation of clean water and clean air in your area.
• Invest in energy-efficient appliances, fixtures, rainwater collecting systems and solar panels for your home. 
• Be sincere. Care about the planet.

Download the Green Career's Guide

by Valerie Sokolosky
www.valerieandcompany.com | 1.214.290.0100

Do You Bleed Green?

Before you jump headfirst into the green fray, step back and ask yourself this: “How can I demonstrate my authentic motivation to make the world more sustainable?”
 
Skip the memories of recycling water bottles and bringing your own coffee mug to Starbucks. Now dig a little deeper. What moved you to change your way of life and when, where, and why did it happen?

Is there a story that clearly expresses your value or passion for sustainability? If the answer’s no, you’ve led yourself down the garden path. But if that story exists, communicating it from the heart will set you apart from those who aren’t truly committed. And the more emotion your personal story stirs up for you, the more you will engage, and the more powerful you will be at every stage of the job search. After all, you’re not just looking for a job; you’re seizing an opportunity to change the world.

Download the Green Career's Guide

by Harp Arora
www.sedonacommunications.com | 1.519.747.5793

Holidays Are a Great Time for Brand You

In the United States, Thanksgiving Day is fast approaching with Christmas already trying to "beat it out of the gate" as signs of trees, wreaths and lights already adorn retail shops and even several homes.

We are about to embark upon the season of the "grip, grin and graze".  Yes, it's that time of year for family gatherings around a Thanksgiving meal quickly followed by Christmas parties, holiday happenings, big end of the year networking events, and holiday office parties.

It's a time for great connection and relationship building and it's also a time for great mistakes.  Remember, whose throwing the party and do monitor your alcohol intake.

If you’re prepared, this time of the year is where you can shine. And, the keyword in that statement is preparation.

Being prepared for family

Chances are that family members really have no idea who you are and what you do.  You are either Aunt Edna's little girl or cousin Cheryl's sister.  And, often we're amazed when a family member or close friend knows someone who we wanted to meet, talk to, be connected with, interview, or associate with.  Family members are often "brand advocates" and we never see them that way. 

The same goes for co-workers.  There was a woman who was gathering research and information on a company that she was about to embark on a project with.  And, it wasn't until she began the project that she learned their own company receptionist knew the President of the company since high school.

Too often our discussions around the holiday table are of troubles and hardships we've experienced over the last year.  And, top of mind, is the current challenge that we are facing.  Why not use this time, not as a moment to wallow together in the pit of misery.  Rather, to assist with connections, resources, or a provider that can be helpful to them.  Spend the season honing your listening skills and you will be more than "so and so's daughter" in the minds of family.

What do you do about the office or business gatherings?

First, be the host.
No, I don't mean to host every gathering.  What I mean is "act as if" you were the host by knowing important pieces of information like - where's the bathroom?  Where are the drinks and the hors d'oeuvres?  If you can answer those questions, as well as welcome people as they arrive and share the location of the drinks and food- you will be remembered, even in a large group of people.

Second, have a quick answer for “what do you do?”
It’s one of the most asked questions at any gathering and the one least listened to. It’s more of a courtesy ask then it is a true question. So, your answer needs to focus on one of your unique strengths, not a title, and you’ll stand out. Titles tend to box us into whatever that other person’s experience is with that title and we want to remove any barriers to connection especially those from preconceived perceptions. For me I would say, “I connect people online and offline.” The second part of that answer is to ask a question, “so what do you do” or “what do you enjoy doing?” It is a good thing to be seen as a good conversationalist or communicator. People value people who value them. And, the best way to do that is to listen.

Ask questions and listen. If they do most of the talking and you do most of the listening, then you will be considered a good conversationalist and they’ll even tell other people you are!

Third, you need to develop a good answer to “what’s up” or “how have you been doing.” This is the second most asked question and “winging it” usually leaves us saying something like “been busy”, “nothing much”, “good” or “can’t complain.” Spending the time to prepare this answer can make the difference between you being like everyone else, or you shining in your 15 seconds of fame! Think of something that you recently did or are doing that really highlights one of your brand attributes. For example, I would say “I just wrote an article for The Personal Branding Blog teaching people how to make profitable connections at holiday gatherings. And, what’s been happening with you?”

Being ready with a good answer that shines on your personal brand and then engaging another in conversation with a question is a great start to be visible at any gathering. Visibility is the first step to inspiring others to speak positively about you and garnering positive word of mouth!

Cross-posted on TheBuzz101

Author:  Maria Elena Duron | chief buzz officer, speaker and coach focused on helping you move, touch and inspire others to action and speak positively on your behalf at buzz2bucks | word of mouth firm

A Green Career Makeover

Does your career need a make-over to be more competitive in the current job market? Think green! Green jobs are not just for technical and scientific profess-sionals such as eco-consultants and renewable energy engineers.

In fact, your current job or profession could undergo a “green jobs” makeover without any additional training to become much more desirable by employers and more secure.

Every company or organization in the green sector has openings for people in finance, administrative services, sales and marketing, and human resources. Begin by researching green industries such as hydro-power, fuel cells, pollution control, waste reduction, alternative energy, clean manufacturing, sustainability, as well as green companies within those industries.

Read about green initiatives and green careers and find a mentor already in a green industry so you can gain knowledge about the green sector and discuss it more confidently as you network and interview. You do not want to be asking basic questions. Build your credibility so you can be considered a viable candidate, rather than a newbie who will require lots of training or coaching to speak the language of the industry.

Download the Green Career's Guide

by Susan Guarneri
www.AssessmentGoddess.com | 1.715.546.4449

YOU Can't Handle The Truth About Personal Branding

 

For me the video below is a well thought out and put together dig at what I have been seeing an explosion of this year and what is concerning me most about personal branding. Lack of depth and authenticity. It is what is causing so many online commentators to rant about it's shallowness, lack of substance, affront to the word branding, an attack on the profession of marketing etc etc.

I am certainly not claiming to be the perfect example of a personal brand, far from it, in fact is there really anyone that could lay claim to such? We are all evolving our brands and as technology advances our approaches change with it.  But the point about the technology available to us is that it is a tool to help us communicate our personal brands in new ways, to more people - IT IS NOT PERSONAL BRANDING IN OF ITSELF.

 

In the last few months I have found myself commenting on more blog posts, more tweets on twitter and generally having more discussions about personal branding. Not because, like some others, I am just trying to associate my name with the term and get hailed as the next new media douche bag, but because I firmly believe this is a bona fide approach to career management - dare I say even life direction and focus - ultimately meaning greater personal satisfaction and positive impact with others.

It is what I did in a corporate career that spanned banking to biotech - two subjects in which I have very little formal qualifications, it is what I have done in helping numerous, similarly very capable, people achieve in industries and roles that otherwise they might not have been considered for and what I do not for employees inside some of North America's largest corporations.

Perhaps what I am doing right now is exactly what Kelly Stewart is 'having a go' at - I think not - but can YOU handle the truth about personal branding? Let me know what you think.

Cross posted on Reflections of a Square Peg blog.

Job Search Tips for Gen Y College Grads

BusinessWeek’s October 2009 issue highlighted “The Lost Generation” and the job search woes of young college graduates. With unemployment rates now at a staggering 10.2 per cent, the highest in 26 years, college grads are finding it especially difficult to secure their first career gig. In fact, many are unemployed or employed in jobs not requiring a college degree.

So how does a Gen Y college grad, with little experience, make a smooth transition to gainful, and perhaps even meaningful, employment? Join William Arruda, found of Reach Personal Branding, as he interviews Lindsey Pollak about her best-selling book Getting from College to Career: 90 Things to Do Before You Join the Real World (HarperCollins).

The November 2009 Reach Personal Branding Interview is on Thursday, November 12 at noon EDT and will be recorded for download if you cannot attend the live event. You will learn:

- Why careers for Gen Y are different than previous generations’ careers,
- How college students and recent grads can avoid the biggest job-hunting mistakes,
- Tips for parents to assist their children,
- What universities can do to help, and
- Why social media is changing job hunting and career development.

Lindsey Pollak’s blog is consistently top-rated; she writes as well for The Huffington Post and FastCompany.com, heavy hitters in thought leadership. A graduate of Yale University, Lindsey is a sought-after speaker and college-to-career expert for media outlets such as The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.

Cross-posted at Career Goddess Blog