Tell Us: Who Should You Thank Today?
With the news last week about the shootings at Fort Hood and the unemployment rate soaring into double digits for the first time since the 1980s, it’s so easy to stay focused on the bad things happening around us and never take a moment to reflect on the good things that have kept us going …
Is Your Brand Guilty by Association?
I got in trouble quite a bit growing up, but not necessarily for misdeeds I had actually committed. My parents were firm believers in “guilty by association”—guilty for just being present when something went wrong.
As social media becomes more ubiquitous, I bet your brand is in the same position I was all those years …
Don’t Be a Negative Nancy!
In college, I had a friend who was always complaining about some aspect of her life. Her classes weren’t going right, a friend wasn’t being nice to her, and all the guys she met were jerks. Of course, she was great to talk to when I wanted to complain about something–but not a lot of …
Building Relationships Organically – Part 3
You are one conversation away from your next opportunity. One conversation away from learning of a key way to re-position yourself for your next job; from gaining a deeper understanding of the needs of a potential new client and how you might address them effectively; or from finding the ideal joint venture …
When Does Appreciating Lead to Advocating?
Gratitude seems to be a rare or discounted commodity. In our time deprived, hyper-connected world, we may text a quick “thx” or smiley face and go on our way. And, practices like that make us like everyone else – just average.
How do you stand out in someone’s mind? How do you engage and inspire …
Building Relationships Organically – Part 1
When we don’t need anything and simply interact with the people around us—with the other students in our classroom, the other players on our sports team, the other professionals in our office, our neighbors next door—we build relationships organically. Proximity leads to conversation and shared experiences, which brings us closer and leads to more conversation …
Branded Introductions
The way we introduce ourselves and others can leave us branded. Branded either for the good and highlighting what is uniquely our strengths. Or, branded negatively by shining a spotlight on our weak areas.
Living in West Texas, when I use the term ‘branded’ I imagine cowboys or vaqueros (Vaquero Regional Note: Used chiefly in …
Facts Tell While Stories Sell
Are you good at telling your story? Personal branding provides the focus and energy of your story. If you know who you serve or need to connect with, then your story becomes compelling and interesting.
When I say story, I’m not referring to a long dissertation nor am I describing a keynote address. Your story …
Maintaining Networking Momentum After You Land the Job
Networking is something many job seekers get into reluctantly. It can feel awkward if you haven’t done much of it before. What do you do, where do you start?
Losing your job, especially, can make you want to hold back from meeting new people and talking about yourself. What will you say when they ask …
Personal Branding and the Digital Economy
The world is changing and it’s going to have a monumental affect on every profession and person. The rules and boundaries have shifted as the internet and social networking have evolved into staples of our everyday lives.
Change is inevitable – growth is a choiceThe world economy is in the process of going digital …