Archive for August, 2008

In my last post I described how Susan and I are establishing our branding through networking within the community. The idea is to network with a variety of groups, organizations, firms, non profits, and charities in an effort to support our community and raise awareness of our products and services.

I identified what networking is and the best method to networking success: giving value. The following are 5 tips to help you identify what you have to offer that others would find valuable.

5 Tips to Finding Your Value “Give”

1. Make a list of your accomplishments: Don’t be shy in this exercise. Give a full list with details.
2. Make a list of your contacts of influence: Prioritize this list by who you know best and who knows you.
3. List your skill sets: Again do not be shy. Provide everything that is important to building your career.
4. From the first three lists: Analyze and choose what you believe to be the most valuable things you can give to your potential networking partners.
5. Create a plan on how to deliver: Will you utilize a blog or begin a public speaking platform to help benefit your potential networking partners? Identify all of the channels in which you can deliver your value.

Susan and I are expanding our product and services offering in the coming months with a strategy that many businesses and individuals utilize today: branding “You.” Currently we offer Susan’s book, her workshops on change, transition, and success, and we offer her audio products and coaching services.

The next phase is the establishment of my workshop and service offerings that provide an outline and plan for anyone to begin to “brand” themselves, introduce themselves to the business community, and start establishing name recognition. This branding strategy is based on my blog writing platform, workshop facilitation, and networking experience online and in the “real world.” The key beginning component to branding “You” is to build your network of business relationships.

What is Networking?

Networking is the art of engaging an individual, connecting, and ultimately establishing a mutually beneficial business relationship. Networking is not a hard sell sales pitch, endless elevator pitch, or quick business card exchange.

Networking is a skill set and no longer an optional obscure after thought performed on a part time basis to decidedly mixed results. It is the lifeblood of your business and your ability to successfully build “You” as a brand.

Networking is giving something that others value, giving it often on a continuous basis, and giving this value without asking for anything in return.

The goal of engaging, connecting and establishing a business relationship that lasts is to ensure that you help your networking partners benefit from your relationships first. Help these new friends understand your value and they will be motivated to bring value to you and your business.

My 49th birthday, which I celebrated two weeks ago, has created a shift in how I view my life. I’ve suddenly recognized that I now think about how my decisions contribute to building the quality of the life I have left. Like Bonnie Raitt wrote in her song, Nick of Time, “Life gets mighty precious when there’s less of it to waste.“

I haven’t gone so far to think of myself as an old person. Rather I am feeling a certain vulnerability in the fact that I am getting older. In a society where cultural and technological revolutions tend to be birthed by the youth, how does an older professional stay competitive?

5 Tips for Success at 50+:

1. Don’t let age be an excuse to stop reaching and growing.
2. Keep an active career and life vision. Buy into the idea that 50 is the new 40, and consider that your career likely will be 10 years longer than you expected when you started out.
3. Keep current with the latest business technologies. Commit to embrace the latest trends in connectivity, regardless of how overwhelming they may seem. Remember that fax machines were at one time foreign devices.
4. Don’t assume the younger person has a better shot. The most important decisions are best made by the wisdom that comes from years of life experience.
5. Keep in healthy shape. Don’t allow your physical presence to come across as a liability.
   

Dean and I have spent the last three business days presenting our Transition: An Opportunity to Renew Your Possibilities workshop to Experience Unlimited Groups in Oakland, Fremont and Marin County, California, where we talked about the obstacles people face when considering change. I find that regardless of geographic location, education level or occupational background, there is one thing that is on everyone’s minds as we make our life choices.

The fear that we will not have enough money stops us from doing what we really want.

You don’t have to surrender to your fear of money. It is possible to learn to feel more confident about money.

Here are a few ideas to build your confidence about money:

1. You are in control. Except in rare cases like inheritances and lottery winnings, money doesn’t just happen to you. You are the one who manages your flow.

2. You always have many options to make more money. The source of income that you’re used to is not your only option. For example:

· Part-time, full-time, side or temporary jobs

· Services you provide that utilize your talents, skills and passions

· Products you offer that utilize your talents, skills and passions

“Wachovia plans to cut 600 more jobs than previously expected; total now 11,350.” -Yahoo.com August 11, 2008

“Looming job cuts march on-report: The number of job cuts announced in July jumps 26%. Airlines and financial firms top the list, according to monthly study.” -CNNMoney.com August 4, 2008

“Deepening Cycle of Job Loss seen lasting into ‘09.” -New York Times July 2, 2008

Economic change and political transition are everywhere in America right now. Looming layoffs, election hopes, and uncertainty of our country’s direction have produced a paranoia amongst Americans for the health and welfare of their futures.

Make Yourself Invaluable

1. Your work ethic is the best way to keep your job, if you really enjoy your work, by making yourself an asset that your company can not live without. Be invaluable.

2. Be versatile to the point where you can do your job with a high level of expertise as well as other valuable jobs within your organization. If layoffs come, the person with the largest skill set is often in the best position to remain unscathed.

3. Ask for more responsibility, more work, and do it now. Make sure your positive attitude is seen as a benefit to the organization. Don’t remain undercover; instead be your own PR person.

Increase Your Expertise

4. Read cover-to-cover your industry trade publications, online resources, and niche blogs within your industry.

5. Read as many books as possible about related subjects.

6. Take classes and workshops for hands-on training and comprehension.

7. Utilize the Internet search engines for extensive research.

8. Attend trade shows and industry conferences.

9. Join organizations, professional associations, and niche specific networking groups.