Are You Purposefully Positioning Your Online Identity?

A good way to get a snapshot of how your online identity may be perceived is to Google your name. The results could paint a picture of anything from a carefully crafted professional reputation, to an unfortunate jigsaw puzzle of unedited personal flotsam and jetsam worthy of JibJab. You probably cannot control everything that appears in search results, but you can be proactive about influencing them. If you aren’t already doing it, start now. The action you can take comes down to 3 steps: 1. STOP THE BLEEDING: Think twice when creating any new content that can be tied to your real identity. You may want to use a made-up screen name or alter ego to use if you write reviews, comment on blogs, Tweet – unless those activities are work-related and important to your professional brand. Ensure that you have appropriately restrictive security settings on social networking sites. 2. CREATE MORE CONTENT YOU CAN CONTROL: Create a web site, a blog, and profiles on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and/or Google that present you to the world in a positive light. These are sites that will show up prominently in Google results, and your content will push the other stuff further down the list where it is less noticeable. 3. CONTACT WEBMASTERS TO REQUEST REMOVAL OF UNFLATTERING CONTENT: This may not always be possible, but it’s worth a try. Google cannot do this for you. They don’t create the content – they just index it and provide a search mechanism. Keep in mind that most prospective employers today not only review your resume and check your references; they also see if you have a trail on the internet that gives them further insight into your history. Don’t give them an unintended glimpse into activities that would be incompatible with how you want to position yourself professionally.

Online Networking Can Be Noisy!

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about how to keep up with online reading material generated by my network connections. I want to be respectful of others’ work and their recommendations, but as a result end up reading some material of little interest or applicability to me. I recently posted this question on LinkedIn: Blogs, Tweets, other media news & info... How do YOU sort through the noise to get to info that truly informs? With all the information coming at us these days, what are some techniques you use to determine what to read and what to ignore? I could spend all my time online, following up on postings and links - but I am on information overload. I am looking for tips on how you separate the wheat from the chaff when it comes to information that comes at you via social and professional networking. Surprisingly, I received little feedback, beyond the obvious ideas of setting up RSS Feeds and/or Google Alerts for specific topics. Some people obviously spend massive amounts of time online every day, tweeting, trolling the internet, commenting on other’s articles, and forwarding material they find interesting. This is all well and good…in moderation. At its worst, the result of too much time spent online makes me feel like a baby bird in a nest – being fed only what mama regurgitates. I’d rather spread my wings and go find my own big, juicy worms when I get hungry. David Fisher, Business Coach and President of RockStar Consulting in Evanston, Illinois (www.rockstar-consulting.com), offered some great advice as an answer to my question: 1. Be OK with not knowing everything - the secret to your everlasting happiness isn't waiting for you in a tweet. 2. Beware of the "noise" creating more problems than solutions. It's similar to marketing - have you ever seen an advertisement for a product that solves a problem you didn't even know you had? I prefer to go out into the world of information when I have a specific challenge that I'm working on. 3. Limit the places you hang out. There are a lot of conversations happening on the web, and trying to take part in all of them would drive a person crazy. I’m going to try to be a little more discerning about where I spend my time online. I read blogs by people I have come to respect. On LinkedIn, I participate in discussions where I feel I have value to add, and almost always learn something. I haven’t given in yet to Twitter – but believe I get most of the value it has to offer me through its integration with LinkedIn. And I enjoy and appreciate my personal interactions on Facebook, since most of my friends are scattered across the country. I heartily agree with David’s final suggestion to, “Read a lot of books.” The sort of intellectual engagement gained when reading an entire book is invaluable to inspiration, learning, and development. Finally, I will continue to focus on increasing my face-to-face personal encounters. When you conduct business from a home office, much can be accomplished online – but nothing replaces truly personal interaction.

Motivating Others is Tricky Business

All managers have occasionally struggled with how to get the maximum effort out of their team. What drives people to perform productively? Conversely, what de-motivates them and keeps them from doing their best?

Motivating others is tricky business, because people’s motivations are very personal. To reach your team in a way that will enhance their self-motivation, you need to know them well. There’s no simple answer. Some people are simply motivated by money. Most others needs are more complex. Many appreciate public recognition. Tangible accomplishments in themselves are motivation for goal-oriented people. Those who treasure their ability to make a difference find motivation in having their suggestions considered and their ideas implemented. There are those who are so self-motivated that all management needs to do is be careful not to inadvertently de-motivate them. Everyone wants to be recognized as an individual and treated with respect.

A DOZEN THINGS TO DO IF YOU WANT THE MOST FROM YOUR TEAM

1. Know all your team members by name, and know what they do. As often as possible, thank them in a specific way for their contributions.
2. Be aware of people’s personal struggles. You probably don’t need to be involved, but you may need to offer a word of encouragement, or make the occasional special concession to help them get through a tough time.
3. When you need to rally the troops, leave your cheerleading pom-pom’s at home. Appeal to their professional pride, honestly explain the issue in terms to which they will relate, and ask sincerely for their help.
4. Show your team by your actions that you are working with them (not just waving a whip at them).
5. Motivation through fear is counterproductive, but occasionally you may have to kick some butt to get things moving with urgency.
6. Give individuals public credit for team successes, and for work they do that makes you successful. Do not accept credit personally for work done by others.
7. Give people opportunities to grow. Mentor them, and open the budget purse strings for training activities.
8. Provide constant feedback. An annual performance review isn’t enough. Even if you have to raise issues, providing constructive feedback and improvement opportunities will be appreciated in the long term.
9. Explain tasks and priorities to everyone, so they know how what they do contributes to big picture strategy and goals.
10. Celebrate team victories. This may be solving a tough problem, completing a project, coming up with an innovative idea, or just getting through a challenging year.
11. Clear obstacles from your team’s path, so they can move with speed. This may include obtaining management support, diffusing company politics, securing funding, or providing tools and resources to accomplish tasks.
12. Introduce a little fun and lightheartedness into your environment. Work doesn’t always have to be so serious.

New Year's Resolutions for Corporations

As a former corporate executive, investor, and potential loyal customer, I have witnessed some unfortunate decisions, policies, and behavior norms within large, reputable businesses. Wouldn’t it be nice if more corporations would set higher standards by which they would operate? Here are some ideas for New Year’s resolutions that would generate admiration and loyalty in the heart of employees, customers, and investors: · We will unfailingly treat our employees with the respect and care that reflects our public statements about how important they are to the success of our company. · Our advertisements and marketing will be devoid of mean-spirited humor and demeaning sexual stereotypes. · Motivated, responsible, innovative managers will be consistently recognized and rewarded over those who spend energy posturing and positioning themselves politically. · Our working relationships with vendors and service providers will not only be respectful, but also productive, beneficial, and financially attractive for all parties. · We will always be open to new ideas that make our company, our products, and our work environment better. · Our collective energy will be consistently focused on things that truly matter, as clearly stated in our mission, values, and goals. Please comment and share your ideas for other Corporate New Year’s Resolutions.

The Humanity of Leadership

A question endlessly explored by MBA programs, training seminars, self-help books, and (lately) LinkedIn postings is, “What makes a good leader?” An answer rarely seen is, “Humanity”. The end of the year is a good time for leaders to open up a little more than usual, and show a less officious side of themselves. Set the tone for the coming year by being thoughtful, demonstrably appreciative, empathetic, and truly interested in those around you. This is a busy time of year, for everyone – including businesses. There are performance reviews to conduct, budgets to balance, annual goals to appraise, and expense reports to file. In addition, everyone has personal activities distracting them, including the holidays, family gatherings, shopping for gifts and special meals, and dealing with what Mother Nature chooses to deal out. It’s easy for everyone to be so busy that the year ends with only a collective exhausted sigh. As soon as it’s over you are leading the charge toward new goals, fresh projects, and more pressure. True leaders must halt the wheels of industry long enough to show some humanity. Make sure your team’s accomplishments for the year are applauded. Celebrate the achievement of goals. Take time to visit with individuals. Ask them about their family, their health, and how they are celebrating the holidays. Thank them for something specific they did this year that made a difference. Reach into your pockets (not company coffers) and give gifts, host a meal, or invite your team to your home for a gathering. This is the time of year to pull out the stops and show you care. These kindnesses, this humanity, will go a long way toward building a connection with your work colleagues, your persona as a leader, and loyalty to your company. Last week, my husband and I went to see a stage version of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”. As always, we smiled throughout Fezziwig’s joyous office party. It was enthusiastically enjoyed by the young Scrooge, and wistfully recalled by him in his travels with the Ghost of Christmas Past. In contrast, there was Scrooge’s business partner Jacob Marley. Remember this?: JACOB MARLEY: In life, my spirit never rose beyond the limits of our money-changing holes! Now I am doomed to wander without rest or peace, incessant torture and remorse! EBENEZER: But it was only that you were a good man of business, Jacob! JACOB MARLEY: BUSINESS? Mankind was my business! Their common welfare was my business! And it is at this time of the rolling year that I suffer most! Apply a good dose of humanity to your role as a leader, during the holidays and throughout the year.

A Unique Marketing Vehicle

Yesterday I was on an el train in Chicago, headed home a bit cranky after some unsuccessful Christmas shopping. Suddenly, across the tracks at the Belmont stop, what to my wondering eyes should appear but a special train decorated with colorful lights and holiday greetings? And that’s not all. Between two passengers cars, on a flatbed, was Santa and his reindeer! Cheerful seasonal music could be heard emanating from the train. What really surprised me was my reaction. I’m 54 years old, but I reacted like a kid. Whipping out my cell phone, I called my husband to excitedly describe what I had seen. He said, “How cool! You saw the Holiday El Train.” Here’s the deal – each year, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) decorates one train for the holidays and runs it on various regular routes. They post the schedule on their web site. Santa is a CTA employee who volunteers his time. Cost to the city is minimal. What is the benefit? Look at it from a marketing and communications standpoint. As a marketing vehicle (pardon the pun) – it must appeal those visiting Chicago. Imagine if you just arrived at O’Hare Airport and this is the train that took you into the city. Your fellow passengers are in a good mood, and in addition to an efficient means of transport you have a memorable experience that puts a smile on your face. You probably tell others about it as well. Chicago residents enjoy the Holiday Train too. Surprised commuters get a wave from Santa as his sleigh goes by. Children ride public transportation too, and this does not fail to delight thousands of youngsters every day. From a communications perspective, the CTA maintains that it’s a morale booster for their employees. The train is decorated by volunteers, and staff vies for working on that particular train. What a lift they must get from rider’s reactions! After my personal sighting, I searched the internet for information, and got 58,400 hits. YouTube had 57 videos. Google images yielded over 21,000 photos. If you could calculate the number of impressions (mostly very positive) generated by the CTA through the Holiday Train, it would be - well - impressive. Grinches will argue the details and the PC-ness of this Chicago tradition. But it’s hard to deny its brilliance as a marketing/communications initiative. Besides, it’s just fun.

Looking for a Job? Don't Panic - 10 Things to Do Instead

With the unemployment rate hovering around 10% nationwide, probably every one of us knows people who have recently lost their jobs. Companies are trying to remain profitable (or at least lose less money) during a serious recession. Salaries are a big part of overhead. To the executives, it’s business. To those directly affected, it’s their career and their life. First and foremost, DO NOT panic. Panic tends to hamper the ability to act with purpose, and it is a time for focused action. If you didn’t see your job loss coming, you may not have been well-prepared for a job hunt. So get prepared now, and fast. 1. ASSESS YOUR FINANCIAL SITIATION: How long will your savings last? Depending on the type of job you seek, you could need 6 to 8 months of money to pay living expenses while you are unemployed. (For senior executives, 1 to 2 years is more realistic.) 2. POLISH YOUR RESUME: Be sure it’s current, complete, professional, attractive, compelling, and error-free. Get help from your friends or an expert to make sure it’s the best it can be. Once you have your base resume, it can be easily tweaked when applying for specific opportunities. 3. UPDATE LINKEDIN: Be sure the information on LinkedIn is consistent with your resume. 4. FILE FOR UNEMPLOYMENT: The best case scenario is that you won’t need it – but it’s there to help you through exactly this type of transition. 5. NETWORK RELENTLESSLY: Let your personal and professional contacts know that you are available for a new opportunity, and that your contact information has changed. Most positions are acquired through networking – not advertisements or public job postings. Get involved in community and professional organizations, where you can meet new people and learn new things. The bigger your network, the more chance you will be in contact with someone who can help you. 6. PURSUE ADDITIONAL TRAINING AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS: You have time now that you can use to enhance your skills and make you more attractive to potential employers. That sort of initiative makes a good impression. 7. CONTACT YOUR COLLEGE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION: Some schools have Career Services departments that help alumni as well as students. Ask for help and get involved. 8. PRACTICE YOUR INTERVIEWING SKILLS: Ask a friend or mentor who has hiring experience to conduct a mock interview and give you honest feedback on your “performance”. If you get your foot in the door for a real interview, you want to be poised and prepared. 9. RESEARCH PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS: If you know what company you would like to work for, do your homework. Scour their web site, read their annual report, be familiar with related recent news and current events. Your obvious interest will be apparent in an interview. 10. ASSESS YOUR APPEARANCE: While we’d like to think people don’t judge us by our looks, that’s not entirely true. Do you need to drop a few pounds, get a good haircut, buy a new suit, have your nails manicured? Whenever you go out networking, make sure you take pains to look your best. There are jobs out there, but you need to do more than passively sending out your resume. Keep taking positive action, and opportunities will appear.