What you find out in life is that it is very humbling and that you never stop learning. You grow from your mistakes and that no matter your age you continue to make them unfortunately. I am not sure who reads this blog and although it pertains to networking there sometimes aren't ways to seperate it from life in general because it is all intertwined.
Always remember when dealing with emotional situations to step back, catch your breathe and wait a day before sending out any communication. In this day and age of social media it is far too easy to send out immediate communication about a topic before you have had time to find out all of the facts or before you have time to collect your thoughts. What you put out in Twitter, Facebook, etc. is seen by many who don't know or understand the context of the issue. All people are getting is one side of the story and your responses may not truly be indicative of the message you are trying to convey.
Make sure you thank the individuals in your life who give you enough leeway to make mistakes and learn from them. It is far more beneficial when making a mistake to be punished and given another opportunity then to be jettisoned to the curb and never given another opportunity.
Communication is critical to success and you will need to be able to express yourself effectively to everyone you encounter at all levels. Most items that become issues are a result of poor communication and people intepreting things the wrong way. Remember that the best way to gain the truth is directly from the individual and not someone else's interpretation of partial facts.
It is easy to let the wrong items take priority in your life so make sure you periodically review your personal and professional priorities to make sure you are on track and focusing on the right things. Make sure that your priorities match up with your values because that is an easy way to keep things in line.
Identify individuals to emulate because we hopefully all are a combination of traits we have acuired from many wonderful people over the years.
Be humble. No one goes through life without any set backs and being cognizant of that is important to your overall growth as a person.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Thursday, January 12, 2012
THE HARSH REALITY OF LIFE
The harsh reality of life is that you live in a fishbowl and all of your faults will be known by everyone so develop a tough skin. This is not meant to be a downer post but just a reality check for the naive individauls of the world who need a wake-up call. I have personally been blessed with thousands of wonderful connections who I have enjoyed interacting with throughout my life.
The reality though is that I have very few "really" good friends and they know who they are because I express that to them on a regular basis. What people need to understand is that most people, even the one's you think are your friends will stab you in the back and run the other way when times get tough.
Unfortunately we live in a world where, when the truth is told people look out for themselves and when push comes to shove frienship is thrown out the window. If there is a choice of cutting a friend, collegue, teammate at the expense of self preservation or accolades it will be as easy as 1, 2, 3 for that person. We unfortunately still do not live in a world where everyone is treated equal. Those that complain the most, yell the loudest and sit in the expensive seats win most of the battles. There are many wonderful individuals in this world who do give of their time, talent and resources freely and thank god for them. We need more people like them to balance out the very competitive and selfish world we live in today. Please acknowledge and thank those individuals when you see them because what they do is so incredibly important to the soul of the world we live in.
The reality of our world is that we live in a "you scratch my back, I will scratch your back society". Way too many people do something expecting something in return and that is unfortunate. There is no greater sense of fulfillment than to do something strictly out of kindness with no expectation of even a "thank you".
A network can involve 1,000's of individuals and how this all relates to my blog on networking is this:
Manage your personal brand and tell the story about yourself that you want to be told.
Don't allow others to tell the "story of you" except YOU because it most likely will not be postive.
Pick key members of your network carefully because many will not be as complimentary as you think. I have made many reference calls that I am sure the individual thought would say great things and they were full of negative remarks.
Keep your valued thoughts to your closest confidants. Assume that most of what you tell someone will be shared with someone else and probably exaggerated as well.
Every company, school, community has individuals who will gain your confidence to gather information.
Remember YOU are the CEO of You, Inc.and you communicate your own image. Don't let others communicate it for you.
There is a "tell it all PERSON" in every town or company so beware!
Loyalty is an overused word and those that you believe are friends will forgo friendship to get ahead of their closest friend.
Never share anything personal in an email or in a phone message because it will forwarded or shared 90% of the time.
Big town - Small Town, Large business - small business, Facebook-Twitter. Your network community is all of these places and more so be ever mindful.
BUT ABOVE ALL ELSE REMEMBER
There are good people in the world and hopefully many of them are on your "Key Network" list. Don't let the competitiveness of our world and the cut throat actions get you down, Good over Evil! Those that you value most will provide you the greatest rewards !
A NETWORK IS A VALUABLE TOOL WHEN USED IN THE RIGHT CONTEXT !
The reality though is that I have very few "really" good friends and they know who they are because I express that to them on a regular basis. What people need to understand is that most people, even the one's you think are your friends will stab you in the back and run the other way when times get tough.
Unfortunately we live in a world where, when the truth is told people look out for themselves and when push comes to shove frienship is thrown out the window. If there is a choice of cutting a friend, collegue, teammate at the expense of self preservation or accolades it will be as easy as 1, 2, 3 for that person. We unfortunately still do not live in a world where everyone is treated equal. Those that complain the most, yell the loudest and sit in the expensive seats win most of the battles. There are many wonderful individuals in this world who do give of their time, talent and resources freely and thank god for them. We need more people like them to balance out the very competitive and selfish world we live in today. Please acknowledge and thank those individuals when you see them because what they do is so incredibly important to the soul of the world we live in.
The reality of our world is that we live in a "you scratch my back, I will scratch your back society". Way too many people do something expecting something in return and that is unfortunate. There is no greater sense of fulfillment than to do something strictly out of kindness with no expectation of even a "thank you".
A network can involve 1,000's of individuals and how this all relates to my blog on networking is this:
Manage your personal brand and tell the story about yourself that you want to be told.
Don't allow others to tell the "story of you" except YOU because it most likely will not be postive.
Pick key members of your network carefully because many will not be as complimentary as you think. I have made many reference calls that I am sure the individual thought would say great things and they were full of negative remarks.
Keep your valued thoughts to your closest confidants. Assume that most of what you tell someone will be shared with someone else and probably exaggerated as well.
Every company, school, community has individuals who will gain your confidence to gather information.
Remember YOU are the CEO of You, Inc.and you communicate your own image. Don't let others communicate it for you.
There is a "tell it all PERSON" in every town or company so beware!
Loyalty is an overused word and those that you believe are friends will forgo friendship to get ahead of their closest friend.
Never share anything personal in an email or in a phone message because it will forwarded or shared 90% of the time.
Big town - Small Town, Large business - small business, Facebook-Twitter. Your network community is all of these places and more so be ever mindful.
BUT ABOVE ALL ELSE REMEMBER
There are good people in the world and hopefully many of them are on your "Key Network" list. Don't let the competitiveness of our world and the cut throat actions get you down, Good over Evil! Those that you value most will provide you the greatest rewards !
A NETWORK IS A VALUABLE TOOL WHEN USED IN THE RIGHT CONTEXT !
Friday, September 23, 2011
1st Impressions and your Reputation Last Forever
We live in a society today where teenagers are exposed to so much more than their parents ever were. They are growing up much faster and dealing with mature issues before they have the knowledge base to cope with items that adults don't even handle well.
In the connected world we live in it is hard for a 14, 15, 16 year-old to understand that they are making impressions and people are watching. People of influence are developing impressions of young people at much earlier ages because they are far more visible. Technology allows indivduals of all ages to take much closer looks at individuals than they ever have before.
These people that are developing impressions are possible future employers, admission representatives, coaches, scholarship committees and many more. There is not a day that goes by that I personally don't have someone ask "what do you know about.......". My comments are based upon what I know for fact and what reputation that person has developed through a network of acquaintances and technology postings.
It is common in today's world for adults to spread gossip that they have heard from their kids or friends that eventually becomes fact with no factual basis. I can tell you in my own community I have based impressions of young people upon the way I see them interact with others, what I hear them say and what they post on Facebook. I can tell you who the "mean girls" are, what boys have no respect for women and who is sincere verse those that are fake.
The day of "oh they are just kids" is long gone. We have a created a society that has allowed children to grow up too fast. The result is dealing with the harsh realities of adulthood at way too early of an age. There are young people who have unfortunately already shot themselves "in the foot" by developing a reputation that will follow them throughout life.
So the next time someone tells you "it doesn't matter what others think" or "how you treat others right now doesn't matter" then think again. Your actions as a teenager could have a bearing on your future and your reputation is an important item for you to guard.
I personally keep a list of individuals in my draw who I have encountered and believe they might be potential hires one day. They don't all work out but they are individuals who have impressed me. I don't need a list to remember the people that don't impress me, they are easy to remember.
So remember teenagers as you work through this important age in your life. Have fun, enjoy your teenage years but don't let anyone convince you that these years mean nothing. You are making an impression and people are watching.
In the connected world we live in it is hard for a 14, 15, 16 year-old to understand that they are making impressions and people are watching. People of influence are developing impressions of young people at much earlier ages because they are far more visible. Technology allows indivduals of all ages to take much closer looks at individuals than they ever have before.
These people that are developing impressions are possible future employers, admission representatives, coaches, scholarship committees and many more. There is not a day that goes by that I personally don't have someone ask "what do you know about.......". My comments are based upon what I know for fact and what reputation that person has developed through a network of acquaintances and technology postings.
It is common in today's world for adults to spread gossip that they have heard from their kids or friends that eventually becomes fact with no factual basis. I can tell you in my own community I have based impressions of young people upon the way I see them interact with others, what I hear them say and what they post on Facebook. I can tell you who the "mean girls" are, what boys have no respect for women and who is sincere verse those that are fake.
The day of "oh they are just kids" is long gone. We have a created a society that has allowed children to grow up too fast. The result is dealing with the harsh realities of adulthood at way too early of an age. There are young people who have unfortunately already shot themselves "in the foot" by developing a reputation that will follow them throughout life.
So the next time someone tells you "it doesn't matter what others think" or "how you treat others right now doesn't matter" then think again. Your actions as a teenager could have a bearing on your future and your reputation is an important item for you to guard.
I personally keep a list of individuals in my draw who I have encountered and believe they might be potential hires one day. They don't all work out but they are individuals who have impressed me. I don't need a list to remember the people that don't impress me, they are easy to remember.
So remember teenagers as you work through this important age in your life. Have fun, enjoy your teenage years but don't let anyone convince you that these years mean nothing. You are making an impression and people are watching.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
IT ONLY TAKES A FEW MOMENTS TO OPEN A DOOR
I have been helped in life by so many individuals who took the time to offer me advice or "open a door" for me. All any person in life can ask for is to be provided an opportunity and then it is their's as an individual to capitalize on.
My whole blog is about sharing experiences that hopefully can help others in their quest to succeed. The stories I share are not about me but more focused on how just taking a few moments of your time can "open a door" for someone else. Once that door is open then it is up to the indvidual themselves to sell their potential to clients and employers.
I have a couple of stories that I wish to share as examples of how "opening a door" can assist someone. Within the past year two individuals Katie Cain and Kyle Vowell had indicated to me their desire to seek employment in the admissions field. They both took the initiative to gain experience in the field by volunteering for assignments and asking for guidance. When they both had identified potential employment opportunities they were interested in they asked for my assistance. In each case I sent emails supporting both of them as candidates that I deemed worthy of an interview. In the competitive world we live in that is all you can ask for, an opportunity to showcase your talent and ability. So many individuals never make it to the interview stage and if you make it that far you should be happy because someone has deemed it worthwhile to meet you.
I did not get either Katie or Kyle a job but I did hopefully help them get an interview that allowed them to showcase their abilities. I am pleased to say that they both were hired but that accomplishment is because they are talented and were prepared. My commitment to assist each of them took very little time but helped in "opening a door".
The common thought process of many young people is that "I am going to do this on my own". The reality is that very few "do it on their own" and asking for assistance to "open a door" is both smart and the way the world works. If you sell a product or get hired for that perfect job take pride because that was all because of YOU! But also remember those that have helped you by "opening a door" and remember to open a few yourself for others!
My whole blog is about sharing experiences that hopefully can help others in their quest to succeed. The stories I share are not about me but more focused on how just taking a few moments of your time can "open a door" for someone else. Once that door is open then it is up to the indvidual themselves to sell their potential to clients and employers.
I have a couple of stories that I wish to share as examples of how "opening a door" can assist someone. Within the past year two individuals Katie Cain and Kyle Vowell had indicated to me their desire to seek employment in the admissions field. They both took the initiative to gain experience in the field by volunteering for assignments and asking for guidance. When they both had identified potential employment opportunities they were interested in they asked for my assistance. In each case I sent emails supporting both of them as candidates that I deemed worthy of an interview. In the competitive world we live in that is all you can ask for, an opportunity to showcase your talent and ability. So many individuals never make it to the interview stage and if you make it that far you should be happy because someone has deemed it worthwhile to meet you.
I did not get either Katie or Kyle a job but I did hopefully help them get an interview that allowed them to showcase their abilities. I am pleased to say that they both were hired but that accomplishment is because they are talented and were prepared. My commitment to assist each of them took very little time but helped in "opening a door".
The common thought process of many young people is that "I am going to do this on my own". The reality is that very few "do it on their own" and asking for assistance to "open a door" is both smart and the way the world works. If you sell a product or get hired for that perfect job take pride because that was all because of YOU! But also remember those that have helped you by "opening a door" and remember to open a few yourself for others!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
TIS' THE SEASON - TO NETWORK!
As the holidays approach you will most likely be attending several office parties and family gatherings. The tendency by most people is to congregate with the same group that you have for years or take a nap as soon as the family meal is over. I challenge you this holiday season to break out of your shell!
This year instead of falling asleep in the lazy-boy visit with that uncle, aunt or cousin and learn more about what they do. If you are looking for a job, to change jobs or sell a product they just might have connections that you never knew about! At the office party pick the last two chairs at a table of folks you don't know so well and get to know them. Once again you may find out your new holiday acquaintance has a connection that might be useful to you or someone else.
Speaking of someone else, it is the time to give! Use your network and connections to help someone out this holiday season. You might know someone who is looking to make a few extra holiday dollars, refer them! You might know someone who can provide those specials tickets to a co-worker as a thank you! You might be the person who can provide that smile or hug that someone else needs!
Connect with those in your network over the holidays just to let them know you care!
Merry Christmas !
This year instead of falling asleep in the lazy-boy visit with that uncle, aunt or cousin and learn more about what they do. If you are looking for a job, to change jobs or sell a product they just might have connections that you never knew about! At the office party pick the last two chairs at a table of folks you don't know so well and get to know them. Once again you may find out your new holiday acquaintance has a connection that might be useful to you or someone else.
Speaking of someone else, it is the time to give! Use your network and connections to help someone out this holiday season. You might know someone who is looking to make a few extra holiday dollars, refer them! You might know someone who can provide those specials tickets to a co-worker as a thank you! You might be the person who can provide that smile or hug that someone else needs!
Connect with those in your network over the holidays just to let them know you care!
Merry Christmas !
Sunday, October 17, 2010
FIRST IMPRESSIONS LAST A LIFETIME ON THE INTERNET!
I am a big fan of the internet and using technology to network with friends and colleagues around the country. I am not so disconnected to realize as well that Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, LinkedIn are great places to share information about your lives with others. I had a boss once who told me that "you shouldn't do anything that you didn't want to end up on the front page of the newspaper". Well the worries of newspapers are long gone and now it is the internet, and more specifically social networking sites that you should worry about.
Don't get me wrong. Social networking sites are very useful in networking and with over 10 million Facebook users alone it can be a great way to advertise and target market products and services. We all learn from making mistakes and what you ultimately hope is that those mistakes don't cost you a great deal personally, professionally or financially.
Now for the "BUT"! So many are connected through "friends of friends" that connect you to others who you don't even know. What all people need to realize, especially young people is that individuals are developing impressions of you based upon what they see and hear about you. Just as businesses can succeed or fail by postive or negative word of mouth advertising the same is true for individuals. I hear people say "Facebook is my own personal space and it shouldn't matter what I put on there", WRONG! Every statement you make on a social networking site, every picture you post, every group you join says something to others about who you are. Many individuals connected to you through social networking have never met you and your friends include not just classmates but parents, relatives, teachers, coaches and others whose impression of you may be important to your future.
Do you know that college admission officers, scholarship directors, coaches and employers are looking at social networking sites. I have friends and colleagues who believe that what you do after school or work hours is your own business. To some extent that is true until you personally decide to post your "after hours" life on the internet.
There are thousands of cases where posting on social networking sites have cost individuals their jobs, families and reputations. I refer you back to almost 15 years ago now when social networking was just beginning to morph into what it is today. A high profile basketball coach at a state university was caught partying with a bunch of students who took pictures and decided to post them to the internet. The coach lost his job rightfully so but thankfully has turned his situation into a positive one.
I know the younger you are the more important it is to be perceived as "cool". In my eyes there is nothing "cooler" than people having the right impression of you rather than the one they create from social networking sites. Think about what your putting on social networking sites and is it leaving the impression that you want it to.
Final word: Growing up in a small town my parents always told me that "someone is always watching", and they were right. News always seemed to make it home before I did. In today's world of technology the entire world has become that small town I grew up in. You are being watched constantly and you are making an impression on thousands of people everyday all connected to you through the internet.
You are the CEO of "You Inc.". You are in charge of your "brand" and control how you are perceived. As the CEO of "You Inc." make sure the impression you leave is a positive one because a bad impression is hard to shake!
Don't get me wrong. Social networking sites are very useful in networking and with over 10 million Facebook users alone it can be a great way to advertise and target market products and services. We all learn from making mistakes and what you ultimately hope is that those mistakes don't cost you a great deal personally, professionally or financially.
Now for the "BUT"! So many are connected through "friends of friends" that connect you to others who you don't even know. What all people need to realize, especially young people is that individuals are developing impressions of you based upon what they see and hear about you. Just as businesses can succeed or fail by postive or negative word of mouth advertising the same is true for individuals. I hear people say "Facebook is my own personal space and it shouldn't matter what I put on there", WRONG! Every statement you make on a social networking site, every picture you post, every group you join says something to others about who you are. Many individuals connected to you through social networking have never met you and your friends include not just classmates but parents, relatives, teachers, coaches and others whose impression of you may be important to your future.
Do you know that college admission officers, scholarship directors, coaches and employers are looking at social networking sites. I have friends and colleagues who believe that what you do after school or work hours is your own business. To some extent that is true until you personally decide to post your "after hours" life on the internet.
There are thousands of cases where posting on social networking sites have cost individuals their jobs, families and reputations. I refer you back to almost 15 years ago now when social networking was just beginning to morph into what it is today. A high profile basketball coach at a state university was caught partying with a bunch of students who took pictures and decided to post them to the internet. The coach lost his job rightfully so but thankfully has turned his situation into a positive one.
I know the younger you are the more important it is to be perceived as "cool". In my eyes there is nothing "cooler" than people having the right impression of you rather than the one they create from social networking sites. Think about what your putting on social networking sites and is it leaving the impression that you want it to.
Final word: Growing up in a small town my parents always told me that "someone is always watching", and they were right. News always seemed to make it home before I did. In today's world of technology the entire world has become that small town I grew up in. You are being watched constantly and you are making an impression on thousands of people everyday all connected to you through the internet.
You are the CEO of "You Inc.". You are in charge of your "brand" and control how you are perceived. As the CEO of "You Inc." make sure the impression you leave is a positive one because a bad impression is hard to shake!
Friday, October 15, 2010
RANDOM OCTOBER NETWORKING
While attending my 25 year college reunion I ran into a classmate named Chris who had just recently moved back to Indianapolis after being away for a number of years. She is eager to find new employment in the Indianapolis area so I used homecoming as an opportunity to introduce her to a number of friends to build her network in the area. I am confident that by connecting Chris to others in the area that she will identify the right opportunity for her career.
At the conclusion of the same trip I attended a college fair in Bloomington, Illinois. While waiting for students to arrive my conversation with another college representative named Heather led her to communicate that she was an intern and looking for full time employment in sports marketing. In the true spirit of networking Heather followed up the next day with her resume which I then proceeded to email to 8 athletic department officials I know around the country. Time will tell if Heather is able to identify a position but she is one step closer than she was last Friday!
These are just two more examples of how random and spontaneous networking is. There is always an opportunity around the corner and the process of
networking never sleeps!
At the conclusion of the same trip I attended a college fair in Bloomington, Illinois. While waiting for students to arrive my conversation with another college representative named Heather led her to communicate that she was an intern and looking for full time employment in sports marketing. In the true spirit of networking Heather followed up the next day with her resume which I then proceeded to email to 8 athletic department officials I know around the country. Time will tell if Heather is able to identify a position but she is one step closer than she was last Friday!
These are just two more examples of how random and spontaneous networking is. There is always an opportunity around the corner and the process of
networking never sleeps!
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