Blogging Can Help- or Hurt-

Blogging Can Help – or Hurt –

Your Career Blogging has become an impulsive contemporary art for careerists. Should you develop your own blog or shouldn’t you? Will it help or hurt your career? Let me present this canvas to you as a primer of sorts to think about this issue. Much of my career practice and coaching involves an organizing thought: You own the business of your career. It’s your worklife mission, your vision. For years I coached and, some would say, admonished my clients to take ownership of their career paths as they work for someone else. When you do not own the business, one of the greatest ways you can help or hurt your career centers around your own online and offline reputation. With so many choices and so much information at the click of a computer key, we may feel information overload no matter what our career field might be. We may also feel empowered to create or destroy. What’s easy can be fun or dangerous. In a matter of minutes, you can set up your Blogger, WordPress, Typepad or related blog site. And the minute you post? Your words can be accessed by billions of people around the world. No Web designer needs to be hired. No technical guru at x dollars an hour has to listen to and potentially kill your ideas. You own this medium. You have freedom. You can say or cite anything. There’s no waste of time and no need to white-board everyone else’s ideas. It’s so easy but don’t let the impulsive ease of blogging let you forget about the eyes that watch your art, your views, your passions, protests, observations and objections.How might this medium help – or hurt – your career direction and path?How it can help:1. You have an audience. Keep it positive. Blogging may add to the company’s brand and your position as an authority or subject matter expert within your company or your field. Jane S. worked at a powerful, regional advertising company. She cleared her personal blog through her boss, her boss’ boss and her company human-resources department. They said she didn’t have to, but with my advice she did. During a recession, she has received two promotions, and her blog has since been incorporated into the main site of the corporation because of its business development prowess. She says, “Now 40 percent of my time is incorporating my personal brand or blog into the company’s brand with the complete blessing of the executive team.” 2. Paint the right picture. Drive customer confidence. As you cite critical sources and make intelligent, important observations, your personal blog augments your position within your company and promotes your company. You never bash your company. You can be yourself and be authentic. James P., a salesman, asked for permission from his company to comment on his business travels and business adventures as a technology sales consultant. Customers love the funny, idiosyncratic stories. James says, “My blog has been a business generator for the company and earned me four speaking engagements on behalf of the company and four speaking engagements locally that were sponsored by local sales networking organizations. I can’t believe it. It’s made me kind of recession-proof in my career!” His first book is being self-published, and his company uses him to teach and train all new sales personnel. 3. Get a raise and a promotion. Defend the faith. Blogging helps you document and publish your ideas while associating with great people. Again, Alice P. published her blog under a pseudonym two years ago. Today she has kept the quirky observations about life, travel, art and kids quite eclectic. Her blogging has incorporated funny observations about office life without offending anyone at work. It’s been serialized and referred to by the company. The CEO thought her site should be commented on, featured and linked to by the company to help with Esprit de corps. Alice states, “Now I have an in-house company editor who helps me promote and publish my blog. We’ve added videos and more fun stuff. The company pays me monthly.” She keeps her comments happy, funny and still personal. How blogs can hurt:1. One small step. Negative posts can be fatal. Blogging can open you up for many legal, liability and employment questions, problems or crises. Last year, Jim C. came to me after he had posted a rather nasty post on his Top Ten Worst Retailers in the World blog. His company did business with two of those retailers and as nosy or highly sensitive corporate personnel found out about his lambaste, it caused a rift at the company. According to Jim, “This year for other reasons I was let go. It was not the economy. I crossed the line.” 2. Pictures tell a thousand stories. Larry seemed to pipe up at work a lot about things that bothered him. So he decided to publish a seemingly anonymous blog. As a techy he posted hundreds of comments on political ideas, named people he thought should be impeached and railed against what he considered bad taste and fashion. He did this anonymously under a lot of different names. But when he decided to take pictures at the year-end Christmas party and publish captions that offended nearly everyone, he was, well, suspended without pay forever (fired).3. Beautiful art can be destroyed. Craig became disillusioned after an 18-year career. Nearing retirement, his company had promoted three people younger than him to the technology-director level. Years ago he had engineered their Web presence. Knowing that having no blog presence left his company vulnerable, he found it increasingly interesting and titillating when he created a blog presence; added negative comments to company products; and dumped a list of customer complaints onto the proverbial, anonymous IHATEXCOMPANY.com, the site a former employee developed to stick it to the man. Under pressure, the IHATEXCOMPANY.com author faced legal entanglements and gave up Craig’s name as a blogger. Now Craig is in litigation. It’s not looking good.Imagine you’re an artist like Michelangelo dipping brush into paint; a seemingly limitless creative well. You’re halfway done with your masterpiece, the signature of your worklife and rather spiritual mission. As you take your impossible position on the scaffold to paint more of the Sistine Chapel you have a thought. Imagine you could destroy your Sistine Chapel with one strike of the match. Like the great artist, blogging can help you take ownership of your career and worklife vision. Of course, it can also be just for fun, too. But let’s also realize you, like the great artist, have the power to create or destroy your career future with just a few strokes or decisions. Make sure you know your audience and you understand the potential impact of your newly minted blog posts. It could make a lasting impression and a permanently positive or negative impact on your career picture.Paint yours. Paint it well.

Life Entrepreneurs

Get Connect Make It Happen! special post

Last night, I had the great honour of attending at the "How Life Entrepreneurs Have Created Extraordinary Lives" event at the IT 360 conference at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The other speakers were Paul Tobey and Phil Taylor. Both men are fascinating...

If you don't know Paul Tobey, he conducts really worth while seminars both on public speaking and on internet marketing. Paul was a jazz pianist at the top of his game when he came to the earth-shattering realization that he was playing his way into the poorhouse. If that wasn't bad enough, he became plagued by tinitus (ringing in the ears) and had no choice BUT to reinvent himself.

The result? A business devoted to Training Business Pros. His seminars are loaded with immediately actionable information that help people take charge of their lives and businesses.

I hadn't met Phil Taylor but it was a really pleasure to hear him speak. Not unlike Paul Tobey, Phil Taylor has overcome great adversity in his life and is using what he has learned to help others. Phil owned a successful advertising firm with 50 employees. A series of events caused him to lose his business, his home, and his way. For three months, he lived in a park with his five cats.

Now he runs a not for profit called GoalAchievers which provides peer support for successful entrepreneurs and leaders in a variety of fields.

There were some truly extraordinary people in the audience trying to change the world through good works and socially responsible business ventures. I had a chance to talk to some of them afterwards, including Thomas Kaufmann who does Eco-Park development, David Moses, a video producer very engaged in the stories of Canada's First Peoples, and Tony Matchem, a Registered Nutritional Consultant who is helping people to better health through what they put in their bodies. Thank you to everyone for coming out and all of you who stopped by to say "hi" afterwards.

Special thanks go to Jennifer Beale from Unleash PR who Emceed the event so ably and Max Haroon, the event founder and President of the Society of Internet Professionals. I can't wait for your next event!

What's your Brand?

Special Guest Post.

Few weeks ago I went to a seminar by Mike Leon of www.brandheroes.ca where he talked about how important branding is. Below is a great illustration of this. Enjoy!

Each and everyone one of us is a brand!

You've heard that one before, right? Whether you're interviewing for a job, or meeting someone for the first time, the image you portray is the impression you create.

To my family, I can be the one-line-cracking comedian. To my friends, I can be the married guy who's got his head on straight and knows exactly what he wants. To my former colleagues, I can be the most accommodating co-worker they'd ever met. Now, I may or may not be any of these statements, depending on how past actions have created certain assumptions of myself.

Nike creates an impression with, "Just Do It"
McDonald's creates an impression with it's grammatically incorrect, "I'm Lovin' It"

Just as companies are brands with slogans, we, as individuals, are also brands with slogans. It's just a matter of figuring out what each of ours is! My slogan, you ask? It's the name of my blog! I'd like to think that I break through the clutter and differentiate myself from whichever social setting I'm in, while still pleasing those around me.

So, then, what's yours? I can't tell you what it is.....you're your own brand!

How do you Connect?

Special Guest Blog. Thanks for the promotion!

Know your Interviewer!!!

How would you like to be a Psychic?!? By reading into your interviewer's mind, you can make an impression that no other candidate has!

Early last year, I was in the process of switching jobs. So, I was entrusted with the responsibility of interviewing my replacement. While paring the number of potential interviewees down, I used an unorthodox method to eliminate a candidate......by visiting their Facebook page! She had made the mistake of making her page 'public' and I noticed that she was planning on "touring the world" within the next year. Why hire someone who'll be taking a long leave of absence?

That got me thinking.....couldn't I flip the script and grab the upper hand on an interviewer?

I've used Google, LinkedIn and Facebook to get to know the individual interviewing me. You don't need a whole lot of information. Even one little tidbit can create that lasting memory!

I had an interview last week (a product of my Tim Horton's tactic!) and used Facebook to research my interviewer. Her profile was mostly private, except for one line which indicated she was a fan of international soccer star, Cristiano Ronaldo! BINGO! There's my ticket. During the interview, she mentioned how sore her feet were. Noticing the opportunity, I replied, "Can you imagine how sore the best soccer player in world, Cristiano Ronaldo's feet feel after each match?"

Yes, I know it was cheesy (even by my own standards), but it struck a chord with her. "How did you know he was my favourite player?" She now has the following impressions:
- i've done my homework
- i've got some sort of research skills
- i'm a quick thinker, to have thrown that into the interview
- most importantly, i've connected with her and created that memory!!!

That last point is especially critical and elaborated further in this blog: http://www.jimpagiamtzis.blogspot.com/

Ideally, you want to make the connection work-related. If you're able to locate the interviewer's LinkedIn page, you can try to create a connection with a previous employer of theirs or the school they attended.

Did you think this post was informative? I thought so! No, I'm not Psychic....I've just done my research!!

How Do You Market and Promote "You" ?

15-AUG-08 Whether you are an entrepreneur or an employee you need to market your skills and abilities.
You can’t market yourself 24 hours-a-day, 7 days week, there are tools that can effectively do it for you. Success is directly related to how you are perceived, which is related to your exposure in the market-place. Better credibility will bring more visibility therefore there must a specific intent of how you use online (internet) & offline (contacts) to promote your talent and experience. Internet For the past few years social networking websites have exploded as the new medium to promote you either personally or professionally. LinkedIn & Facebook can both be used in effective ways to promote your skills and abilities and business. A few months ago I received an email from a contact I had met at a networking event stating the features of Facebook and the benefits of being connected with him through stories and testimonials. He made an effective presentation. During the next three months I found school mates, received referrals and information on various events. Increasing your visibility is recommended by many entrepreneurs and coaches. Research, locate and meet potential people that could assist in your employment search or expanding social circle with various authors, speakers and community leaders. Blogging Create your own blog; it’s simple and free. Once you register, you get your own URL, which is like your own website. This can be used to write self-promotional articles about you. Or write a brief article on a hobby or activity you enjoy. This is a powerful and effective way to expose your talents and experiences in various fields. Business Networking There are numerous symposiums and seminars held throughout the Greater Toronto Region on a weekly basis. The importance of attending and participating is critical in accessing unadvertised jobs referred to as the “hidden market.” Businesses know the significance of “Word of Mouth” as the best marketing method, so why not apply it to YOU. Tell everyone you know that you are looking for either a job or more business and tell them what your skills & strengths are. Having your own business cards and a 30 second elevator pitch are critical to being prepared in talking to potential employers or business clients. While attending an event last year I picked up one business card which resulted in contributing to three online articles. This led to more visibility and to a talk that I was asked to do at an IT Job Fair in Toronto. Follow-up with new contacts As you collect business cards, the next step is to create a computer database of contacts you have made. You can use outlook or contact management systems (ACT) to update and maintain information. Follow-up by sending a letter, email or phone your contacts on a monthly basis. Keep them updated on your search by sending a mini-bio of your achievements and experience. If you do receive a referral, make sure you send a thank you card, email or phone in appreciation. Action will lead to progress, leading to rewarding results. “Get Connected, Make it Happen!”

Description: Everyone is a role model when is comes to being an entrepreneur. Having a mentor is an important key to your success.
When you read the daily newspapers and magazines you learn about different people - from Donald Trump to Martha Stewart, at some point you must ask yourself, "Can I be as successful as them?" There are many movies that show us great examples of mentorship from Hoosiers, to Remember the Titans to We are Marshall. There also great books that are resources on what to look for in a mentor from The Mentor's Mentor (by Corey Olynik), Fierce Conversations (by Susan Scott) or Power Mentoring (by Ellen Ensher & Susan Murphy) "What you read and listen to will shape your future" A mentor should be someone who is or soon will be an important influence in your life. They have walked the leadership journey before you and have experienced not only the challenges you are going through today, but will encounter next. This is of great interest for your success because you want to know what you will come across over the next bridge and that it will not surprise you when it occurs. Albert Einstein has a great quote. "The significant problems you face in life today can't be solved at the same level of thinking when you first created the problem." When faced with a challenging situation with a co-worker, I step away and repeat the above quote 5 times slowly. In the end I feel more relaxed and centered. In our daily lives things happen which we can't control. We learn a lesson from it and move forward. That's the sign you are growing and becoming a stronger person inside. Reaching the next level is what your mentor will guide and advise. Because of this they should be someone who you feel comfortable with and can talk to in a forthcoming manner about an extremely personal topic, your performance as a leader. Recently I listened to Ruben Gonzalez, three-time Olympian, and he gave a visual example of how when he began to learn the luge they didn't start him from the top. Had they done so he would hurt himself and ended his career on his first try. He started at the bottom and gradually as he became better they moved him up to different heights and stages of the luge track. This is how he began to gauge and handle all the different curves going at speeds of 85 km hour. Cory Olynik says it so eloquently in his book "...[a mentor] helps him to see who he is, see the possibilities, his gifts, his greatness. A mentor focuses on strength and not weakness. A mentor identifies potential and creates momentum. A mentor puts aside his own agenda to help his protege express his own unique talents. A mentor accepts the protege for who his now, and sees the potential of who he can be." Mentors will change over time as your career develops and your experience as a leader grows and will find and have additional mentors to adapt to changing needs business life and success.

Do you have a Mentor?

Do you a Mentor? Everyone is a role model when is comes to being an entrepreneur. Having a mentor is an important key to your success.
When you read the daily newspapers and magazines you learn about different people - from Donald Trump to Martha Stewart, at some point you must ask yourself, "Can I be as successful as them?" There are many movies that show us great examples of mentorship from Hoosiers, to Remember the Titans to We are Marshall. There also great books that are resources on what to look for in a mentor from The Mentor's Mentor (by Corey Olynik), Fierce Conversations (by Susan Scott) or Power Mentoring (by Ellen Ensher & Susan Murphy) "What you read and listen to will shape your future" A mentor should be someone who is or soon will be an important influence in your life. They have walked the leadership journey before you and have experienced not only the challenges you are going through today, but will encounter next. This is of great interest for your success because you want to know what you will come across over the next bridge and that it will not surprise you when it occurs. Albert Einstein has a great quote. "The significant problems you face in life today can't be solved at the same level of thinking when you first created the problem." When faced with a challenging situation with a co-worker, I step away and repeat the above quote 5 times slowly. In the end I feel more relaxed and centered. In our daily lives things happen which we can't control. We learn a lesson from it and move forward. That's the sign you are growing and becoming a stronger person inside. Reaching the next level is what your mentor will guide and advise. Because of this they should be someone who you feel comfortable with and can talk to in a forthcoming manner about an extremely personal topic, your performance as a leader. Recently I listened to Ruben Gonzalez, three-time Olympian, and he gave a visual example of how when he began to learn the luge they didn't start him from the top. Had they done so he would hurt himself and ended his career on his first try. He started at the bottom and gradually as he became better they moved him up to different heights and stages of the luge track. This is how he began to gauge and handle all the different curves going at speeds of 85 km hour. Cory Olynik says it so eloquently in his book "...[a mentor] helps him to see who he is, see the possibilities, his gifts, his greatness. A mentor focuses on strength and not weakness. A mentor identifies potential and creates momentum. A mentor puts aside his own agenda to help his protege express his own unique talents. A mentor accepts the protege for who his now, and sees the potential of who he can be." Mentors will change over time as your career develops and your experience as a leader grows and will find and have additional mentors to adapt to changing needs business life and success.