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June 2009 Newsletter
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They say you can
promote anyone but yourself. I bet most of us would agree it is
better to have someone else toot our horn, than to toot our own.
But sometimes we need to promote ourself, whether it be for a job
interview, on a resume, or sharing something exciting in our
business. If others don't know about you, how will they ever hire
you as an employee or as a business professional with your own
business?
This month's
experts offer us some helpful tips on how to tastefully promote ourselves
in the job market or the business arena.
I'd love to hear
your ideas and stories of how you landed the latest client or job, or how
you promoted something in your business without getting out the bullhorn!
Wishing you
all the best,
Your Legal
Resource, PLLC
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Quick Links
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"Continuous
effort-not strength or intelligence-is the key to unlocking our
potential."
Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965) British statesman
"Life
is a series of near misses. But a lot of what we ascribe to luck is not
luck at all. It's seizing the day and accepting responsibility for your
future."
Howard Schultz
(1953 - )
American entrepreneur, chairman of Starbucks
"If
you want to be truly successful invest in yourself to get the knowledge
you need to find your unique factor. When you find it and focus on it and
persevere your success will blossom."
Sydney Madwed,
American Businessman
"Publicity
is like poison; it doesn't hurt unless you swallow it."
Joe Paterno,
Football Coach (1924 - )
"There is no such thing as bad publicity except your
own obituary."
Brendan Behan,
Irish Dramatist (1923-1964)
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Invest In Yourself
By: David Benjamin, Recruiting Manager
Anyone who has owned a
company understands what it means to re-invest in your business. Make a
sale, take the proceeds and re-invest in the latest technology or more
inventory. There will be time to cash in the chips later, but for now you
must keep taking those dollars and putting them back into your business.
So why do professionals in job transition see things differently?
Times are tough and mostly likely
to get worse before it gets better. Companies are laying off in
record numbers according to a recent New York Times article. As the
recruiting manager for a sales consulting firm, my inbox of resumes
from candidates recently laid off is increasing by the day. Recent
conversations with professionals working in the advertising industry
indicate more layoffs are on the horizon as budgets are getting cut and
profits have turned to deficits.
So what should the growing number
of jobless professionals do? How about re-investing in YOU? The
concept of calling up a recruiter, hoping that they have the perfect job
waiting for you is unrealistic. Even if they did have the ideal position,
how prepared are you to be considered for that job? Is your resume
flawless? How are your interviewing skills? Do you know how to work with
a recruiter? Do you know what you want?
The competition is fierce out
there. Today, more people will apply to the same positions,
resulting in fewer opportunities if you are not polished in all areas of
your "career search". Much like a successful business evaluates
where they are, where they want to go, and what they need to do to get
there, the same should hold true for job seekers. What I am finding is
that most job seekers have not taken the proper steps to compete in this
challenging job market.
WHAT STEPS CAN YOU TAKE?
1. Change your mind set. The old traditional
ways of looking for a job no longer work.
2. Take stock of skill sets.Do they align with what
companies are looking for today?
3. Consider learning a trade that is in demand. You
may have to invest both time & money but you're worth it!
4. Hire a career coach. Like the business model
explained above, this can make the difference.
Companies that survive in these
difficult economic times are investing in their business today more than
ever. This is not the time to stick your head in the sand and hope that
good things will happen. "Hope" is not a strategy. I recommend
that if you decide to hire a professional career coach, do your
research. Check out their LinkedIn Profile and testimonials,
read their blogs, and interview them to make sure your investment in YOU
will pay dividends.
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David
Benjamin is the Recruiting Manager for The Sales Matrix, A Michigan based
Sales consulting firm. Additionally, David enjoys blogging, and
speaking for Associations, Universities, and other groups on the topic of
Social Media and Resume/Interview Tips. For more information, visit
The Sales Matrix , or Click Here to read his latest
blog.
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Are You The Best
Kept Secret In Your Business?
By:
Anahid Lisa Derbabian, APR, Integrity Communications
So often, I meet brilliant, talented, and personable
business owners who have built a respectable company, and yet struggle to
get to the next level of success. Our initial conversation and marketing
assessment often reveals another company that is what I call "the
best kept secret."
With sensitivity,
I ask my prospects, clients and those to whom I publicly present,
"Do you want to be the best kept secret?" Some ponder this
question momentarily, while others immediately reply, "no way!"
Most acknowledge with frustration and fatigue invisibility they feel
amidst thriving competition. They desire their company to be known,
distinguished, understood, respected, and successful. Yet, they do not
understand quite how to make this happen.
As a business
owner, you may be hesitant to market your company, due to a fear of
putting yourself "out there," a belief that marketing is
unnecessary, or that you can simply handle marketing yourself. Yet, this
thinking keeps you stuck, spinning your wheels, trying hard to attain
success, yet falling short.
Here are 6 ways to
transform you and your business from the best kept secret to the talk of
the town:
1)
It all begins with your mindset. Do you want to win at the game of
business? Stop treating your business like a hobby. Acknowledge that
marketing is vital and gets your company in the consciousness of those
you wish to reach. Thus, tweak your mindset immediately and motivate
yourself to market professionally to achieve real success, unless, of
course, you like to struggle.
2) Marketing is safe, the water
is warm, come on in. Your specialized expertise in your field impacts
clients. Utilize your expertise to engage with a marketing expert, and
together you will guide forward your company. An expert will help you
achieve your marketing goals, overcome your challenges, and reach your
target audiences with impact. Collaborate to succeed.
3) Are you working in your
business or on your business? Busily running a business may feel
comfortable and familiar, yet safety and hiding results in continued
struggles. Your company must step out and strategically capture attention
and educate people as to your presence and value. Take your business out
of hiding by marketing it strategically, and prepare to succeed.
4) Do people "get" you?
The truth is many companies offer similar products/services as you. So,
what will inspire people to choose your company? Create an impactful
brand - your look/feel and powerful words clearly describing your value
and how you stand apart. Repetitiously communicate your brand, which will
breed familiarity and trust, and people will be drawn to your company.
5) Build and keep building your
online presence. The Internet powerfully reaches beyond buildings,
cities and countries into households and organizations, creating
incredible connections. Will people find you online? What will they
learn? What impression will they have? Are they inspired to contact you?
Create a strong online presence as part of your marketing mix, and keep
creating it.
6) Position yourself as an expert.
Marketing materials, such as brochures, case studies, white papers, sales
sheets, websites, are necessary and effective. Also position yourself as
an expert with publicity, speaking engagements, and writing articles for
blogs and publications. Your expertise, guidance and personality may
resonate with people, creating a win-win situation for you both.
Commit today to
marketing your business. Suddenly, you will find yourself getting
unstuck, moving forward, increasing your visibility, opportunities,
clients and revenues. You will wonder why you waited so long.
Transforming from the best-kept secret to the talk of the town
all begins with you.
___________________________________________________________________________
 Anahid Lisa Derbabian, APR, is founder/owner of Integrity
Communications, a strategic marketing, branding and public relations
practice in Birmingham, Michigan, which provides digital and traditional
communications solutions. She formed the company nearly five years ago to
honor companies with her strategic and intuitive expertise and her
professional team of graphic designers, writers and website
professionals. Contact Anahid at 248 202.0583, [email protected], and visit www.integritycommunicationsco.com.
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