Open Door Policies Don’t Work
In interviewing a client at the end of our project I learned how ineffective “open door policies” are by organizational leaders.
My client said, “Before we started our work together I couldn’t understand why employees who knew I had an open door policy, didn’t come to me when they knew another employee was doing things …
Why Every Professional Should Have a Personal Marketing Plan
Successful business owners leverage marketing plans to gain clarity on market conditions, their brand positioning, and to create sound marketing strategy. The end results of a solid marketing plan are clear-cut goals with date-specific action items.
As we observe the shrinking U.S.workforce and greater job competition, savvy career professionals should invest time in creating personal …
Use Criticism to Improve Your Brand
In today’s world, consumers have greater control than ever. Through reviews and social media, they can learn and leave feedback about your business. Many entrepreneurs fear receiving criticism; however, negative comments can provide important clues to improving your business. Here’s how to use negative comments to expand your brand.
1. Remove yourself from the comment. …
How to be Yourself on Social Media While Staying Professional
It’s almost necessary to be social media savvy these days, so much so that there seems a frenzy to be seen as the coolest, most down-to-earth, real, caring and/or opinionated person on the Internet.
Because social networking has been lauded as a key to career momentum and growth, individuals are running in droves to the …
Branding Success Gets Personal
When it comes to online marketing and engagement, branding success is now about the individual – up close and personal – as a main driving force in promoting your personal brand. Samsung demonstrated this quite well in a recent example during the 2014 Oscars with the use of their cell phone by Ellen DeGeneres. What …
Ditch the Pitch: An Interview with Steve Yastrow
Recently, I had the privilege to connect with Steve Yastrow, a former marketing executive and the founder of Yastrow & Company, a consulting organization that helps businesses improve results through breakthrough marketing, customer relationship, and sales ideas. Steve’s new book, Ditch the Pitch: The Art of Improvised Persuasion, makes the case against a standard sales …
Seven Reasons Your Resumé Is Hurting Your Career
I have reviewed over 300 random resumés in the past two weeks and, based upon that sample and my past experience, I can tell you that it is highly likely yours is working against you. Why? Because it contains common errors that detract from your initial impression and your overall professional presentation.
There are two …
Avoid Heartache by Speaking Up
Do you have the stamina for speaking up in regard to what’s on your mind? Or do you prefer to keep quiet and make the best of all situations?
A well-seasoned business professional suggested that when you continue to bite your lip, you eventually bleed. The bleeding comes from inside and it may be in …
Why People Don’t Buy: No Time
If you have been around the sales and business owner block for a while, you understand the mental strength necessary to cope with rejection. Sometimes becoming numb to the rejection can be both a blessing and a curse. How many times have you submitted a proposal, giving free consults and went through presentations where the …
Feeling Good is a Relative State of Mind
I don’t pay too much attention to local news via newspaper or television, but I constantly listen to NPR and the BBC and read The Economist and The Week. What these media sources have in common is that they report on international issues. My focus is usually on the Big Picture and not so much …