StrategyDriven Professional Podcast Episode 2 – Standing Out Among Professional Peers, part 2 of 3

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StrategyDriven Professional PodcastStrategyDriven Professional Podcasts focus on the tools and techniques business professionals can use to accelerate their careers and personal goals achievement. These podcasts elaborate on the principle, best practice, and warning flag articles found on the StrategyDriven Professional website.

Episode 2 – Standing Out Among Professional Peers, part 2 of 3 focuses on the need to stand out among professional peers and challengers both within your organization and when applying for external positions. During our discussion, Wendy Powell, author of Management Experience Acquired: Necessary Skills for Successfully Managing Any Employee, shares with us her insights and illustrative examples regarding:

  • six of twelve steps to standing out among professional peers
  • what professionals should do to ‘get to know themselves again’
  • importance of performing a personal SWOT analysis for each position being applied for
  • why professionals should submit letters of reference with their resume for both internal and external positions being applied for

Management Experience Acquired by Wendy PowellAdditional Information

In addition to the incredible insights Wendy shares in Management Experience Acquired and this podcast are the resources accessible from her website, www.ManagementExperienceAcquired.com.   Wendy’s book, Management Experience Acquired, can be purchased by clicking here.

About the Author

Wendy PowellWendy Powell is the author of Management Experience Acquired. With more than twenty-five years of human resource and management consulting experience, Wendy has spent most of her career at the University of Michigan. She is currently on the business faculty at both Palm Beach State College and the University of Phoenix. A member of the Society of Human Resource Management, she received a leadership award in 2002 from the Midwest College and University Professional Association for Human Resources. She is routinely featured on The Huffington Post and has appeared on Fox Business’s The Strategy Room. Wendy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business management and a Master of Arts degree in organizational management.

Nathan Ives, StrategyDriven Principal is a StrategyDriven Principal, and Host of the StrategyDriven Podcast. For over twenty years, he has served as trusted advisor to executives and managers at dozens of Fortune 500 and smaller companies in the areas of management effectiveness, organizational development, and process improvement. To read Nathan’s complete biography, click here.

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At Lighthouse Beach, looking at my reflection in a different way.

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How do you define the word ‘reflection?’

At the moment I’m sitting outside on a sunny day overlooking the Pacific Ocean on the Oregon Coast. The venue is called Lighthouse Beach because the Cape Arago Lighthouse is the prime visual attraction. Or is it?

Actually, the ocean waves are pounding against the beach and the rocks creating majestic waterspray vistas that are indescribable. You gotta be here. You gotta see it.

I spent my first 10 minutes in awe of the sight.

After that, I began to gather thoughts. Thoughts of other beautiful places I’ve been. Thoughts of undone things I gotta do. Goals and dreams. And of course just reveling in the moment.

As a writer this would be termed a ‘fantasy venue.’ As a thinker there could be no better place to conjure up all sorts and new thoughts.

REALITY: In the big picture of things, I am one grain of sand in the beach of life. Yet I’m here today basking in its glory. I’m grateful.

The ocean’s relentless waves roll in whether I am here are not. Today is a rather calm day, but I’ve seen the ocean so violent here that it defies description. Wind, rain, waves crashing against rocks – almost like the ocean is a cauldron with a one million degree fire.

“So what?” you’re probably saying. “You’re on the beach watching the waves, and I’m here in my office working my ass off, or making cold calls, or out here sweating on a sales appointment, or following up with some guy that won’t return my call, or (worse) being beaten by price.”

Those are your issues, but in the heat of your mess, we do have something in common. It’s time for reflection. Not the one you see in the mirror in the morning. I’m talking about a way bigger reflection than that. It’s a reflection about time, accomplishment, achievement, and fulfillment. Life reflection.

When I was cold calling in New York City, often making sales, but more often getting my head handed to me, waves crashing on the beach never entered my mind. The ocean never entered my mind. I was caught in the spiral of the process, failing to reflect on it and see what else could have been done, or how much smarter I could have (should have) been. How many more chances should I have taken?

What do you reflect on right now? And how are those reflections impacting your actions? Your achievements? Your success? Reflections are not just about sales, they’re an important part of life. Your life.

Beyond sales, reflections are about people and moments and books that have impacted you. The lessons you have learned along the way. Things completed and things left undone. Your bucket list and the next thing to cross off. And, of course, your present situation and how you got there.

While it’s a little easier for me to reflect right now, at some point in your life reflection will begin as well. I don’t know the day, and neither do you. But I promise you it will happen. And when it does, it will mark the beginning of a new era. A big picture era that no longer focuses on quota. Rather, it allows you to take a hard look at life. When that transition begins to happen your sales will double.

You’ll no longer be fretting about the subject line in an email. Instead, you’ll be taking actions to build your personal reputation, your personal brand, and your stature in your marketplace.

The transition will help you evolve from salesperson to sales leader. Not manager, leader. You lead your own charge, you lead your own way, you lead your own plan to build your own reputation through the leadership you created with customers.

  • The way people speak about you.
  • The way to refer to you.
  • The way they refer other people to you.
  • The way that they reward you, not just with sales, but with referrals and accolades.

And hopefully those accolades will show up someplace in your social media profiles or on their blog or their website, and most certainly on Google.

For some of you right now this makes no sense. Reason? Simple, you haven’t begun the reflection process. Save this piece. Your day will come. And as I’ve said many times before, when you get what you want you better be ready.

During this coastal visit, I’m writing about the Unbreakable Law of Selling, a forthcoming book that will help hundreds of thousands of people understand sales better, execute their sales process better, and make more sales to more people. The inspiration I feel right now will directly impact those words.

Today I have clarity – ultimate clarity and understanding of what it took to make my sales (the reflection), and what it will take for you to increase your sales to a point where you can begin to reflect and bask in your own sunlight, at your own ocean, with your own waves pounding against the shore.

Pick a time, pick a place, and go.

Reprinted with permission from Jeffrey H. Gitomer and Buy Gitomer.

About the Author

Jeffrey Gitomer is the author of The Sales Bible, Customer Satisfaction is Worthless Customer Loyalty is Priceless, The Little Red Book of Selling, The Little Red Book of Sales Answers, The Little Black Book of Connections, The Little Gold Book of YES! Attitude, The Little Green Book of Getting Your Way, The Little Platinum Book of Cha-Ching, The Little Teal Book of Trust, The Little Book of Leadership, and Social BOOM! His website, www.gitomer.com, will lead you to more information about training and seminars, or email him personally at [email protected].

Words to live by for the next 12 months. What are yours?

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I am sick of reading claims hyping me to, “have my best year ever.” FYI: The trend of “best year ever” was originated more than a decade ago by the late, great Jim Rohn. His seminars were earth shattering and life changing – and it has inspired many, albeit lesser, duplicators.

Rohn’s seminars should have been titled: “Have your best LIFE ever.”

What about your needs and desires this year?
Let me ask you a few questions about where you’re intending and hoping to do:

  • How are you expecting this year to be for you?
  • What are your immediate (within 30 days) goals?
  • What are your present hopes and dreams? (They have a way of changing over the years. Some dream of marriage – others dream of divorce.)
  • What are your genuine intentions to make your goals, hopes, and dreams a reality?
  • What’s your game plan to ensure success?

SUCCESS CONCEPT: What three or four words, and associated actions, could you come up with as a guiding light to help you stay focused and on track to get you there? Not to have “your best year ever,” rather, have a great year. A fulfilling year. A profitable year. A healthy year. A happy year. A year of wander, wonder, and fun.

Many people, like my almost sister-in-law, and blogger extraordinaire, Ali Edwards (www.aliedwards.com), pick one word to focus on for the entire year. Her word this year is “open.” She focuses blog posts and actions around the word. The process works.

I believe that picking a few meaningful words that apply to your vision will help you take DIRECTED actions. Words you can post in plain sight that will keep you in the groove of daily achievement. Key words that you burn into your psyche so that your goals become your driving force. Not just words on a paper, rather beacons of understanding, determination, and intentions. Ever-mindful, laser-focused, bright light.

Here are my 3.5 words for 2013 – I hope they inspire you to think about and select yours:

1. Write

Write every day. Tweet every day. Post every day. I have been writing almost every day for the past 21 years. Why should I let up now? This year I will publish at least two e-books and one major hardbound book (also available on kindle and iBook). I will write 52 new weekly columns, and post a variety of new ideas and thoughts both in text and in video. I selected the word write for 2.5 basic reasons:

1. It has been and continues to be the core of my success. Every penny I have earned since March 23, 1992 (when my first column appeared in print), I can trace back to something I wrote. Writing has provided me with both purpose and process, both discipline and drive, both achievement and attraction, both success and fulfillment, and both lessons and legacy.
2. Writing is the one thing I have encouraged every reader and seminar attendee to do for the past decade. Writing will help establish you both in brand and in reputation.
2.5 One innovation helping me significantly is Dragon Dictate for Mac. I’m using it right now. It’s not just amazing; it’s also a miracle. I’m increasing my speed of writing productivity by more than 50%, while still maintaining perfect thought flow and expression. NOTE: The end of the keyboard is not upon us, but it is clearly within sight.

2. Finish

Finish what I start. I have more projects and opportunities than I can say grace over. I intend to see each one through to fruition (not just completion).

In my experience, there are very few things more frustrating than the mental nag of a project undone. I’m speaking for myself, andchallenging myself, at the same time I’m speaking to you and challenging you.

Finish what you start. It sounds so simple, yet time seems to fly away during the course of a day, a week, a month, or a year.

The process I try to employ is that of “time allocation.” Rather than manage my time (something I have always found both impossible and improbable), I will allocate 30-minute time segments to projects and tasks in order to ensure I have allotted time for completion.

3. Shape

This is by far my most difficult word. It has several connotations.

1. Get in shape: This year for sure (even though I said that least year, and the year before). There’s a fundamental link between physical well being and mental freedom to create. My intention this year is to put them in balance and harmony.
2. Shape up: There are several aspects of business and life that need shaping and re-shaping. They range from organization to money to personal skills to relationships to sales.
3. Shape the future. My age now demands I make plans that include me and exclude me. Succession is not just a word or a plan, it’s also a reality.

These are three huge elements in leadership, life, and quality of living. I’m taking personal responsibility for both actions and outcomes.

3.5 YES!

YES! is the ultimate attitude word, thought, reaction, response, expression of joy, expression of achievement, and recovery. It’s dedication to positive thought, expression, transference of message, and resilience. YES! must envelop all thoughts at all times in order to focus on the positive side of “what if?”

NOTE: I have posted my words for the year on my bathroom mirror. This way I face them twice a day. Post yours.

Reprinted with permission from Jeffrey H. Gitomer and Buy Gitomer.

About the Author

Jeffrey Gitomer is the author of The Sales Bible, Customer Satisfaction is Worthless Customer Loyalty is Priceless, The Little Red Book of Selling, The Little Red Book of Sales Answers, The Little Black Book of Connections, The Little Gold Book of YES! Attitude, The Little Green Book of Getting Your Way, The Little Platinum Book of Cha-Ching, The Little Teal Book of Trust, The Little Book of Leadership, and Social BOOM! His website, www.gitomer.com, will lead you to more information about training and seminars, or email him personally at [email protected].

Recommended Resources – Tough Truths

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Tough TruthsTough Truths: The Ten Leadership Lessons We Don’t Talk About
by Deirdre Maloney

About the Book

Tough Truths by Deirdre Maloney is a collection of ten (plus one) uncomfortable to acknowledge and even more difficult to practice lessons embodied by great leaders. Within her book, Deirdre covers topics from personal Politics, Fear, and Energy to Reputation, Stories, and Hunger. Each examines the often unspoken realities of each topic, how the most successful leaders deal with the challenge, and actions readers can take to improve their leadership skills.

Benefits of Using this Book

StrategyDriven Contributors like Tough Truths for the simple, direct way in which Deirdre deals with the several personal challenges each leader faces. We appreciated both the real-world examples and immediately implementable actions provided for each area of discussion. This book could easily be used in daily reflection by new and seasoned business leaders and/or as a tool to mentor others.

As a seasoned leader, I did not find Tough Truths to be particularly revealing. But perhaps I’ve simply attended the same school of hard knocks Deirdre did. Regardless, her book was a sound reminder of what should be important to a leader and reflective of those I’ve most admired and aspired to emulate throughout my career.

As leaders, we need to remind ourselves of the character and practices we need to embody in order to motivate and inspire others. Tough Truths serves as a excellent reminder of those important aspects of leadership we, through complacency, may otherwise forget. For actionably addressing the difficult challenges of leadership, Tough Truths is a StrategyDriven recommended read.

Recommended Resources – The Complete Idiot’s Guide to LinkedIn

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The Complete Idiot’s Guide to LinkedIn
by Susan Gunelius

About the Book

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to LinkedIn by Susan Gunelius provides step-by-step instructions for using the full array of interactive tools provided by the professionals’ social media website, LinkedIn. Some of the topics covered include:

  • Creating a personal profile that is more than an online resume
  • Developing a dynamic company profile
  • Establishing a LinkedIn Group and attracting and engagement members
  • Connecting and interacting with others on LinkedIn
  • Formulating and executing on a LinkedIn marketing plan

Susan’s book provides tips and tricks throughout her book to help the reader be even more effective in their use of LinkedIn.

Benefits of Using this Book

In today’s business world, an online presence is critically important for individuals and businesses. We believe all professionals should have a complete, up-to-date LinkedIn profile as a part of their outward personal brand. Likewise, companies have an opportunity to attract customers and talent through their LinkedIn profiles.

StrategyDriven Contributors like The Complete Idiot’s Guide to LinkedIn for its clear, easy-to-follow instructions for making effective use of LinkedIn. We find LinkedIn to be a powerful tool for professional interactions and have successfully employed Susan’s recommendations to enhance our interactions. In fact, StrategyDriven‘s Company Page was developed using Susan’s instructions and is enjoying an ever increasing number of weekly visitors.

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to LinkedIn can accelerate a professional’s and company’s efforts to establish a quality LinkedIn presence and effectively engage with others online; making it a StrategyDriven recommended read.

Final Thought…

LinkedIn recently changed some of its ‘look and feel’ with respect to its Company Profile pages. We’ve tested these and found that while the look has changed the functionality remains largely the same and The Complete Idiot’s Guide to LinkedIn continues to be a sound reference for this LinkedIn functionality.