Are you just "managing" your online social profile? Or are you taking a lead by collaborating and participating with others through comments, wall posts, Twitter feeds, blogging, and discussion threads? By adding a layer of proactivity onto our social media, we have the opportunity to use our social posting as a great way to increase the number of search results associated … [Read more...]
Sharing Your Credit Card Purchases with the World is the Hot New Trend. Are You Kidding Me?!
Would you want the purchases you make on credit cards public for the world to see? Allowing friends and strangers to not only see what you buy, but share their thoughts and comments about it too? Well now you can if you sign up at Blippy.com, a website started in January that allows you to, “see and discuss what everyone is buying.” Most of us make credit card purchases on a … [Read more...]
So, you have 500+ connections in LinkendIn?
So, you have 500+ connections in LinkendIn? A few weeks ago, I posted an article about networking as a marketing tool for one’s products or services – or even oneself, in the pursuit of new career opportunities. That had to do with in-person networking. On-line networking is another valuable tool. Before I delve into it, let me credit Seth Bogin for the idea for this … [Read more...]
Are Introverts the Better Connectors?
You might not be the type of person who loves to socialize, attend big parties, and network whenever the opportunity presents itself. But to be a great connector, you don’t have to. Successful connectors who would be classified as introverts will often enter into a social situation with a plan for those they want to meet and connect with. They aren’t looking to talk to anyone … [Read more...]
Microsoft releases technology for Connecting – How can it impact your business?
Microsoft has just released Outlook Social Connector, an add-in for Outlook that links your emails and contacts to your LinkedIn network. It’s available as a free download for Outlook 2003, Outlook 2007 and Outlook 2010. It allows you to view existing LinkedIn connection profiles, their profile picture, recent updates, and allows you to add new connections without ever leaving … [Read more...]
What are you worth? The cost of branding you.
“The cost of doing business” speaks for itself. You have to put money out to make money; feed the investment so that it grows becoming lucrative and prosperous. A fundamental basic that business leaders process regularly, right? Absolutely! Why then do many business professionals treat themselves and their own career marketing tools with substandard expectations? As a … [Read more...]
Are You a Problem Solver or a Problem Blamer?
I fly a decent amount and have had a lot of good and a lot of bad experiences with the airlines. The biggest issue I have with the airlines, especially my carrier of choice, is not that they make mistakes. I don’t expect any business to be perfect. At issue is how they deal with problems. Too often, their first reaction is to put the problem back with me. The protocol seems to … [Read more...]
Women Leaders and Male Partnership
In any learning process, there is a tendency to go to extremes before finding middle ground. Take driving, for example. Most teens start by driving very, very slowly, learning when to accelerate and when to put the brakes on. Then there is a time when we all want to experiment with speed, until either fender hits fender, or a ticket is handed by an unsmiling policeman. Most … [Read more...]
My love affair with social media
I’ve been battling a bad cold for the past few days and I could not sit at my computer long enough to send a Tweet - thank goodness for BlackBerries! As you can imagine, I had a lot of time to think between making my next batch of green tea and watching the Olympics in bed (Go Canada!). One question that came to mind was, “what would the world be like without the internet, … [Read more...]
Focusing on others to improve YOUR business
I’ve often emphasized in my business blog the importance of having a well-prepared “Simple Repeatable Statement of Value” (one that makes you memorable - seen here). It is of equal importance to get others to share their statement of value with you. There are a couple of critical reasons for this: • As humans, our favorite subject to talk about is ourselves (our lives, … [Read more...]