What an opportunity to see Mitch Joel, Seth Godin, Max Lenderman, Sally Hogshead, James Othmer and Dan Heath, renowned speakers and authors presenting at Canada’s Marketing and Innovation Conference this week. “The art of…marketing” was an opportunity to learn from the best, take home tips for success, stay current and network with 1600 other professionals.     

Mitch Joel showed us applications that are changing the way we do business including, SnapTell and Yelp. Seth Godin shared a clear picture of the evolution of business from days gone by when an instruction manual was all you needed. Today success requires leaders, creators and inventors and the passion to connect with the emerging consumer. Sally Hogshead provided a valuable resource with her Brand Personality Test, F Score. James Othmer covered persuasion and engagement and showed us the Zippo app, very cool! Max Lenderman took us around the world with some very interesting statistics and the impact of event marketing. Dan Heath showed us that change can happen if we focus on what is working, the “bright spots”, rather than trying to fix the problem.   

At the end of the day I heard one consistent message from these experts, marketing at all levels has changed, connecting with the consumer is imperative and success will no longer be achieved by selling a product, you must sell an experience.

To succeed you require opportunities. Taking the initiative to discover events to gain valuable knowledge, resources and to network, which is the most successful tool in generating opportunities, will assist you in creating a path filled with inspiration, motivation and success.

Come and meet other executive professionals who are committed to developing and expanding their networking relationships at the Toronto ExecuNet Meetings.

We are pleased to have Sheila Goldgrab speaking at the Toronto ExecuNet Meeting on March 24th, 2010 presenting:

“Not in Kansas any more”

Whether you are in job transition looking to land a leadership role in an organization or you are currently leading one, the social web has changed what is expected from you. New technological tools have eliminated traditional barriers and are driving a new approach to leadership. The core competencies of achieving results alone are not enough. What we expect from leaders is changing and this has implications for how you spend your time in your job transition. Sheila Goldgrab, Executive Coach and Thought Leader on the subject of leadership in the 2.0 age, shares what‘s changed and why working on your leadership brand while in job transition matters.

 

“It is the duty of every person…to know and consider that (s)he is unique in the world.”  Martin Buber

 

As a Speaker: 

“Sheila’s insights were well articulated and highlighted by practical examples and wonderful stories from her client experiences.” 

“Sheila was clear, engaging, warm, professional and knowledgeable!” 

Where have you established your professional online profile? Do you have a Facebook page? Are you on Twitter? How about Linkedin, VisualCV or Naymz? No matter where you choose to create your online profile, it is imperative that it is professional, contains pertinent content and shares a consistent message. Here are the top 10 tips for your online profile:

1. What is your name? What is your company name? When creating online profiles always give careful consideration to the user name you are about to enter as it will likely be contained in the URL, which is automatically generated. Take advantage of the option to customize your URL whenever available to eliminate slashes, dashes or extra letters and numbers. Be consistent with the name you choose in every profile. Make an effort to avoid dots and dashes and numbers. The difficulty in remembering your various user names is one problem, the other is not being found by a potential employer or client because you created the user name babs72 which did not consist of the first or last name of their search.   

2. A professional photo or a company logo is required for all online profiles. Do not try to edit a family photo. Available programs are great but it will never look professional. Your personal image or company logo are your opportunity to create a positive first impression. Exude professionalism, confidence and SMILE. Make it good!

3. What is your brand? Establishing a personal brand or company brand is essential to your online profile and key to successful marketing. A genuine and authentic brand with a consistent message will establish a significant visibility and shared recognition.  Oprah, Richard Branson, Starbucks, Apple and Nike are clearly recognized around the world. An excellent example of how not to create a brand is Tiger Woods. 

4. In addition to your brand, your online profile should feature a tagline. A brand statement that sums up who you are, what differentiates you from everyone else and what makes you a valuable contact. “Entices more customers to buy more product more often for more money” or “The human spirit drives everything that I do” ~ Oprah 

5. The more information or content you share, the more credibility you lend to your online profile. It must be professional and accurate. The content must be consistent on all online profiles and free from any spelling or grammatical errors. Be sure to highlight your achievements, display certifications, degrees, awards and include special recognition. 

6. Keep your online profiles updated. Do not let your photo, job history or education become outdated. Most online sites offer quick and easy access to update your status which should be utilized on a regular basis as many display the last date that you generated any activity. It will be difficult maintain the credibility of your profile if it is outdated or you have not been active for the past six months.

7. Ask for testimonials! Posting testimonials on your online profile is your chance to let others brag about you. Some online sites offer secure measures which assure authenticity but for those that don’t, be sure to add the person’s full name, title and possibly a company name for validation.   

8. Networking, make it personal. Online sites are all about building your network and with a simple press of a button and a forwarded canned invitation, you will find it easy to connect with total strangers and lots of them. In order to maintain a reputable online profile, do not send the canned message and do not connect with strangers. Include in your invitation, how you found them or how you know them, why you want to connect with them and most importantly, why they should connect with you. The value of networking is not in the number of connections you have but in who those connections.

9. Add links in your online profile to your website, your blog and other online profiles. Take advantage of the many applications offered, usually found under settings to add status updates from other sites, share your favourite books on Amazon, add SlideShare, post a video.  

10. Share your expertise by joining groups and contributing to discussions. If you believe their is a need for a group representing your industry or interests and you will invest the time to monitor members and discussions, create your own! 

It is safe to say the most dramatic changes we have seen in networking for job opportunities is related to the Internet and social media. Gone are the days when your entire network consisted of friends, family and co-workers. The opportunity to connect with millions of people and to target specific industries, companies and people has opened up a whole new list of job search strategies and increased job opportunities. Logistics are becoming a less significant criteria and companies are consolidating, reducing their number of locations.    

In the past a company interested in hiring a candidate would have put an advertisement in the paper, you would submit your resume and then sit back hoping to be called in for an interview. Today they are more likely to post the position online through recruiters and job boards. The emergence of an online profile has given recruiters and HR professionals the resources to seek out potential candidates and studies show 80% are logging in to Linkedin.

Networking with HR professionals and recruiters is an obvious and necessary component of your job search. Attending networking meetings to share information with other professionals in career transition and develop valuable contacts and leads is also a critical component. What about networking with employees? Yes, those who are gainfully employed because it is becoming more and more common to see companies offering their employees a substantial bonus, $2,000 to $10,000 for referring a potential candidate to fill a position who is successfully hired.

Networking is the most successful job search tool available and in consideration of the these evolving trends, be sure you are networking with everyone, including all of your employed friends. They may be more influential than you think in getting you a job!

Visit ExecuNet for further information on four executive networking events held each month.        

Don’t stop your job search during this holiday season but rather, ramp it up! Sharing Season’s Greetings and an active Job Search are a great deal more compatible that you may think.

No other time of year presents as many opportunities to get together with friends and family and even strangers than the many events that are planned throughout the month of December in the spirit of sharing season’s greetings. This is your chance to accept every available invitation and while sharing in the celebrations, network, network, network! No job search tool is as effective or as successful as networking!

For many who are not at ease with networking, this time of year presents a perfect opportunity. As the holiday season unfolds it generates a more comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. Most people are more receptive, friendlier and many are more apt to share a truly, genuine smile. This is the time of year that transitions even the most unreceptive and stoic of individuals into those filled with camaraderie and joy. It is a time for giving and caring and sharing. So share the story of your job search and reap the benefits of a new contact or a new lead but be sure to keep in the spirit of the holidays and that of networking by asking what it is that you can do to help in return.

You probably haven’t seen your cousin since this time last year and if you didn’t share information about your job search including your interest in a specific company, you would never have discovered that his neighbour is not only the CEO but a close friend! The fact that you are able to offer your mechanical expertise to help your cousin get his recently acquired, antique vehicle on the road is surely what networking and the holidays are all about.

After a month of celebrating and networking, your New Year’s resolutions should come easily:

• Follow up on contacts and leads
• Acquire your dream job
• Give back

Season’s greetings to all! And to all, the very best of luck in your job search! For further job search strategies or to obtain a free resume critique from a Certified Professional Resume Writer contact Elite Resumes.

As a member of Career Collective, I’m pleased to provide you with further professional job seach advice from the following members: 

Heather Mundell: Have a Holly Jolly Job Search
Erin Kennedy: How to keep up the Job Hunt during the Holidays 
Hannah Morgan: Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Kwanzaa Cheers
Gayle Howard: It’s Christmas: And a ho-ho-ho-hum?
Laurie Berenson: Three Resolutions to Take It Up a Notch 
Dawn Bugni: Could that sound really be opportunity? During the Holidays? 
GL Hoffman:What Would Dad Say,Merry Christmas! Can I Buy You Coffee to Talk About Me?
Heather R. Huhman: 4 Tips for Making the Most of Holiday Job Hunting
Chandlee Bryan: Job Search Tips for the Holidays
KCCareerCoach: The Gift Every Laid Off Job Seeker Needs
resumeservice: Holiday Resume Sparkle: Outshine the New Year Job-Search Mob
careerealism: Holiday Tip for Job Seekers: 4 Ways to Impress Others with Your Professionalism
KatCareerGal:  Avoiding the Holiday Blues in Your Job Search
sweetcareers:Holiday Job Search Tips for College Students 2009
WorkWithIllness: Avoid this Minefield: No Holiday Here!
andyinnaples: Shift Your Focus to the Highest Impact Job Search Activities During the Holidays to Leverage Your Time
keppie_careers: Four tips for effective networking follow-up for the holidays and the rest of the year
expatcoachmegan: Holidays are a Great Time to Nurture and Grow your Network
ValueIntoWords: Navigating the Mistle Toe of Job Search

Presenting a professional image should be a serious consideration at all times while managing your executive career. A lack of professionalism could easily create a negative impression and eliminate you from consideration for a potential opportunity.

How easy is it to tarnish an image or a reputation? One negative is likely to have the the same impact as 1,000 positives! Polite behaviour is expected, rude behaviour will likely never be forgotten. A clean and neat appearance may not be given another thought but a stained and wrinkled suit will be burned into your memory. And one inconsiderate or rude comment will have the potential to eliminate the memory of every thoughtful and caring comment that you have previously shared over months or even years.   

We are pleased to have Ray Pons speaking at the Toronto ExecuNet Meeting on February 24, 2010.

“You were created to achieve excellence; there is greatness within you, waiting for you to find it!” Ray Pons

“Finding Your Way To Greatness” 

“Positive thinking doesn’t always work – but stinkin’ thinkin’ never fails.” Ray Pons

In this funny, uplifting and encouraging keynote Ray will help you identify obvious or subtle habits of stinkin’ thinkin’ and FUDS, Fears, Uncertainties, Doubts, Suspicions. You will leave with a stronger, more strategic mindset, empowered and energized to make the move to greatness, fulfillment of your greatness potential.

Ray Pons is an uplifting, no-nonsense, genuine speaker delivering inspiring messages of hope on the wings of laughter to encourage organizations and people to find their way to greatness – greatness in business and greatness in life.

Ray was born into a working class family close to Liverpool, England growing up in the baby-boom era of the Beatles and Merseybeat music. He arrived in Canada at age 23 with no job, no connections and no real prospects but what he did have was a desire for a better life. His experience includes sales manager, life insurance broker, reinsurance executive and owner of several small businesses, some great successes…some great crash-and-burn “learning experiences”. As a keynote speaker and business coach, Ray speaks on issues of personal leadership, strategic thinking and performance excellence.

Ray’s humorous and thought-provoking presentation will make you laugh, make you think and touch your heart. Authentic and believable, both onstage and off, his straightforward style will engage those in attendance with inspiring, meaningful, moving stories encouraging us all to never give up on our pursuit of a better tomorrow and never settle for less than greatness and fulfillment of our greatness potential.

Ray is the author of “Finding My Way – And How You Can Find Yours” and an eBook, “Small Business Success – Seven essential keys to start, grow & sustain a small business.”

Ray Pons can be contacted at www.raypons.com or www.thegrowthcoach.ca, 905-967-0119, cell 905-713-7815.    

To register go to Toronto ExecuNet.

We are pleased to have Randall Craig speaking at the Toronto ExecuNet Meeting on January 27, 2009. 

Networking: Fish where the fish are

Networking is not about schmoozing, and it isn’t about collecting business cards. Networking is about growing your relationships so that others can help you achieve your goals. In this presentation, Randall Craig shares practical, put-into-action-today skills that will help you achieve networking success. Learn:

• How to move contacts through the four stages of the Relationship Curve
• Fish Where the Fish Are: Learning to start a relationship
• Give to Get: practical tips and the mechanics of adding value to others
• How Social Media fits into the mix… or does it?

Randall Craig has founded several successful start-ups, held a long-time position at a “big-four” consulting firm, and was a senior executive at an American public company. He is currently the President of the consulting firm Pinetree Advisors, lectures at the Schulich School of Business, and writes a column on the Monster job boards.

Randall is the author of numerous books, including Leaving the Mother Ship, The Working Resume, the best-seller (and 2008 award winner) Personal Balance Sheet, Online PR and Social Media for Experts, and the upcoming Social Media for Business. He has been profiled in all national media, is the host of the TV show Professionally Speaking, and is the 2010 President of the Toronto chapter of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers. He holds a CFA, MBA, and CMC. More information about Randall can be found at www.RandallCraig.com.

If  you see yourself as a rising star and have clearly laid out your career path, you may already understand that your successful career will rely on the support of many other individuals. No one gets to the top without an extensive personal and professional network. As a rising star you must be driven, focused and continually earn respect as a leader. Any delusions about doing it all on your own may cause you to lose your footing while climbing the ladder of success.

It is important to recognize within your personal network, those supporters who are close to you with a genuine and vested interest in your success but equally so, is to steer clear of those who can be a negative influence. Expanding your professional network will be a critical component throughout your career, building relationships in a reciprocal manner by asking what you can do for them and in turn benefiting from what they can do for you.  

Sir Richard Branson accredits many colleagues throughout his autobiography for his renowned success. Executive Recruiter, David Perry, dubbed the “Rogue Recruiter” by the Wall Street Journal, speaks often on his accomplishments but never without attributing his success to the support of his wife. Also in the career industry is Paul Copcutt, an expert on Personal Branding who acknowledges his father in every speaking engagement with respect and admiration for his positive influence contributing to his success. And finally, Barack Obama, President of the United States. Driven, focused, respected as a leader and with the personal support of his family and the professional support of thousands, won the votes of millions.

Do you see yourself as a rising star? Who are your cheerleaders? Your success will be directly attributable to the support of your network of family, friends, colleagues, professional advisors and mentors.

For professional advice from a career management expert contact Elite Resumes.   

Are you one of the 10 million active subscribers on Twitter? Or maybe you are one of the 266 million currently using Facebook? Perhaps you are one of the 47 millionactive users on Linkedin?

These and other online networking sites continue to attract users at a phenominal rate. LinkedIn members increased by 143% in one year and you can be assured that this professional online networking site is being used extensively by recruiters and HR professionals. Can you be found? Even if you are not currently in career transition, creating an online presence and establishing your personal brand could position you within a network of very valuable connections.

Creating your online profiles requires a substantial investment of time and establishing your personal brand is an immeasurable commitment. Since the average job search in Canada takes about 18 weeks and approximately 80% will secure employment through personal associates and business contacts, what better way to initiate those contacts than online?

The search capabilities on most of the online networking sites are extensive and will allow you to easily target specific industries and colleagues. As few as 50 connections on Linkedin have the potential to connect you with friends of friends, (two degrees away) in the thousands and their friends, (three degrees away) in the millions!

What are you waiting for? If you see this as a daunting task, contact Elite Resumes for professional support. Your online profile is a critical component in managing a successful, executive career.