by Fronetics | Sep 26, 2016 | Blog, Strategy, Talent
What do people find when they google your name? Branding yourself can help sway their first impression.
Face it: Potential employers, customers, and other associates have likely searched your name on the internet before they meet you in person. What do they see?
Your LinkedIn and Facebook pages, Twitter and Instagram accounts, personal blog, and even your pins on Pinterest are all subject to public scrutiny. The sum of those findings is your brand image, what you put forth to the world to define who you are and what you are about.
The reality is that when you walk into a job interview, client meeting, or other engagement, you are likely being evaluated against the first impression the person made prior to your arrival through an internet search. Shouldn’t you think carefully about your brand and how you want people to perceive you?
To be successful, you need to take steps to build and enhance your brand. Here are four steps to branding yourself.
1) Define your brand
A brand is a story. What is your story? Take the time to sit down and look at where you have been and where you are. Where you want to be? What is your skill set? What experiences do you have? How are you unique? Take all of this information and knowledge and define your brand — tell your story. Be clear, be concise, and be direct. If you can’t define your brand in a sentence or two, you have lost an opportunity.
2. Take stock
What information is “out there?” Start by making a list of all the social media accounts you have, even if you no longer actively use them. Next, Google yourself. What do you find? As G.I. Joe says, “Knowing is half the battle.”
3. Define a strategy
At this point you have a brand and you know what information about your brand is publicly available. Is the information enhancing or hurting your brand? What steps can you take to strengthen your brand? For example, should you adjust your privacy settings on some of your accounts so that personal information and exploits are not available for all to see? Does your LinkedIn page need to be updated? If you don’t take the time to define your strategy, you will not be able to execute it effectively.
4. Take action
Frank Cavallaro wrote, “Strategy is about making choices. Execution is about getting down and dirty so that those choices can produce results.” Don’t stop at creating the strategy — execute. And remember, the internet is not static. What information about you gets added over time? Furthermore, it is important to periodically look at your brand. Is it still representative of where are and where you want to be? If not, take the time to re-brand yourself.
When you take the time to brand yourself, you have the opportunity to define that first impression.
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by Fronetics | Aug 17, 2016 | Blog, Strategy, Talent
If your job has left you to feeling stuck in a rut, try these steps to improve your professional life.
Summer vacations are over, and the year is more than half gone. Perhaps all those best-laid plans for boosting your career this year have yet to come to fruition. You may be feeling as burnt out as those last colorful leaves before they surrender to the fall.
If this frustration sounds familiar, it may be time to shake things up and move your career in a new direction. Carpe autumn!
Here are 9 tips to propel your career forward:
Make the move
Unhappy at your present job? Identify the reasons. If you are frustrated with your current role but you like your company, inquire about other positions within the organization. If none are a good fit or there are no growth opportunities, consider looking elsewhere. Use every job-search tool available — network, use a recruiter, and/or work with an executive search firm.
Network
There is tremendous opportunity in networking. Studies have found that the majority of jobs (between 49% and 80%) come about through networking. But networking offers more, like professional development and sage advice. You will make important connections that could bring you career success.
Create your own brand
A quick search on the internet or on LinkedIn and you will see: You are a brand. First impressions are now inclusive of your Facebook page, personal blog, your Instagram page, and Twitter account. Even your pins on Pinterest say something about you. Keep that in mind as you are posting personal content.
Work for someone intelligent
Working for someone smart brings you more knowledge and critical thinking skills simply through observation and example. You will grow professionally and personally.
Plan for the 12-24 months
Don’t get hung up on making a 10-year career plan. Look for the right opportunities, be flexible, and know the direction you are headed in, but don’t lock into a long-term direction.
Use your muscles
Research has found that a regular exercise routine can make you happier, smarter, and more energetic. Being fit can also brand you — giving a perception of health and stamina that signifies effectiveness, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Explore something new
Is there something your colleagues are doing or using that you aren’t? LinkedIn or Twitter for example. Take the leap!
Find your balance
Research by the Families and Work Institute found that 55% of respondents reported feeling overwhelmed by everything that is on their plate. A different survey found that 80% of people are unhappy with their work-life balance. Look at your priorities and keep only what matters.
Take a vacation
Have leftover vacation days? About 57% of Americans don’t use their vacation time. Taking time off is important to both your mental and physical health — and it has a positive impact on work performance and productivity.
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by Fronetics | Jul 29, 2014 | Blog, Marketing, Social Media, Supply Chain, Talent
Do you remember Schleprock? Schleprock was the character in The Flintstones who always had a raincloud over his head; things just never seemed to turn out right for him. Given the large (and growing) number of job openings within the supply chain industry many companies are starting to get Schleprock-syndrome. Companies with Schleprock-syndrome are convinced that the supply chain talent crisis will prevent them from finding great talent and filling open positions. Here’s the problem with this: it just doesn’t add up.
In a recent interview, Rodney Apple, founder of the SCM Talent Group, shared that there are companies who are out there – right now – finding and hiring great talent. How are these companies succeeding where others fail? Apple:
“Many companies haven’t taken the initiative to develop best-in-class talent acquisition resources and programs. Companies that perform the best are the ones that treat the recruiting department like a strategic, value-added program versus a low-level, tactical HR cost center.”
Is your recruitment strategy failing?
Be honest. How does your company approach talent acquisition? Is it viewed as a cost center or is it viewed as a strategic department, crucial to the success and growth of your business? If your answer is the former, it is time to rethink your approach.
Fix it
Apple’s role within the supply chain industry gives him a unique perspective on the talent acquisition and recruitment. Want to fix your recruitment strategy? Here are 10 things Apple suggests your company should do to create a successful recruitment strategy:
- Write job descriptions that attract supply chain talent
- Be more flexible when it comes to hiring requirements
- Invest in a best-in-class talent acquisition strategy and program
- Upgrade career branding materials
- Create a supply chain leadership development program
- Consider talent from other fields
- Develop a program for employing Veterans, candidates with disabilities and long-term unemployed.
- Invest more into job training and mentoring programs e.g. supply chain certifications and tuition reimbursement.
- Establish an employment brand
- Be active on social media
by Fronetics | Jul 29, 2014 | Blog, Marketing, Social Media, Supply Chain, Talent
Do you remember Schleprock? Schleprock was the character in The Flintstones who always had a raincloud over his head; things just never seemed to turn out right for him. Given the large (and growing) number of job openings within the supply chain industry many companies are starting to get Schleprock-syndrome. Companies with Schleprock-syndrome are convinced that the supply chain talent crisis will prevent them from finding great talent and filling open positions. Here’s the problem with this: it just doesn’t add up.
In a recent interview, Rodney Apple, founder of the SCM Talent Group, shared that there are companies who are out there – right now – finding and hiring great talent. How are these companies succeeding where others fail? Apple:
“Many companies haven’t taken the initiative to develop best-in-class talent acquisition resources and programs. Companies that perform the best are the ones that treat the recruiting department like a strategic, value-added program versus a low-level, tactical HR cost center.”
Is your recruitment strategy failing?
Be honest. How does your company approach talent acquisition? Is it viewed as a cost center or is it viewed as a strategic department, crucial to the success and growth of your business? If your answer is the former, it is time to rethink your approach.
Fix it
Apple’s role within the supply chain industry gives him a unique perspective on the talent acquisition and recruitment. Want to fix your recruitment strategy? Here are 10 things Apple suggests your company should do to create a successful recruitment strategy:
- Write job descriptions that attract supply chain talent
- Be more flexible when it comes to hiring requirements
- Invest in a best-in-class talent acquisition strategy and program
- Upgrade career branding materials
- Create a supply chain leadership development program
- Consider talent from other fields
- Develop a program for employing Veterans, candidates with disabilities and long-term unemployed.
- Invest more into job training and mentoring programs e.g. supply chain certifications and tuition reimbursement.
- Establish an employment brand
- Be active on social media
