This past weekend I was privileged enough to be a part of a leadership retreat for the Junior League. I will be serving as Publicity Chair for the organization and am humbled by the honor. As a new leader in the organization (this will be my first active year) I attended the retreat with a bit of fear and apprehension on adding on such an enormous job to my already busy life - voluntarily, and in thinking this would all be on me. But as the retreat went one, speakers and leaders talked - we laughed, we learned, and I soaked it in - I began to truly realize that I will not be embarking on this activity alone. Yes I will need to create and innovate - but when I need help it will be given to me; when I need support - I will be supported - I am not in this alone and together we make the organization great. The only key is - I have to ask for it.
It reminded me that no matter how often I speak to people and groups, I am still overwhelmed at times - and a little scared - when I think of an entire organization relying on me to do this one job, and most of the time I take it on full speed. But they are and they aren't. Many times we go into positions, jobs, careers, school, and volunteer activities without fully realizing we are part of a whole and although people are relying on you, they are not expecting you to do absolutely everything. There is always support - if you just ask.
As a woman it is very hard for me to ask for help at times, but as I've grown in my career I have one word of advice that I have learned, for everyone out there - Man or Woman- "When you are overwhelmed, reaching out for support will save your life and open you up to new adventures. If you are drowning and someone grabs your hand to pull you out, right as you go under - don't you think there is a great adventure waiting for you now that you have bought more time?" So please in your career endeavors remember that whether it be for additional training. meeting a deadline, or just having to hand a job off - not wearing the weight of the world on your shoulders alone can bring you even greater benefits and success.
~Nicole is an independent consultant, specializing in start-ups and expanding exposure. With over a decade's worth of business development, marketing and online experience, Nicole has been increasing revenue for companies large and small, and loving every minute of it.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Social Media Time
So I just received, via snail mail (still keeping the Post office in some sort of business), a new book on social media practices. Now although I haven't had the time to start it I am really excited that so many articles, books, etc. are being written to focus on this.
Think about how long it takes for something to go viral, for people to make millions just posting on youtube.com, for your "friends" to share a link,or retweet something to their following. It is SO important, stressing this again - SO IMPORTANT - to keep your brand clear and clean in social media. This brand can be you, or your company - but you have to be cognisant of it all the time. Social Media can hurt you or sell you - but it's up to you to ensure which one it is. Social Media allows us to readily share our thoughts and ideas with the world - where as 20 years ago it was just our friends. Now you have the ability to reach out and truly try to "conquer" the virtual world.
So what are you waiting for - get your "Brand" together and start promoting via social media - the cheapest and best advertising you can do!
Think about how long it takes for something to go viral, for people to make millions just posting on youtube.com, for your "friends" to share a link,
So what are you waiting for - get your "Brand" together and start promoting via social media - the cheapest and best advertising you can do!
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
What time is it where you are?
I'm currently in Dallas, on Central time. I used to live in Boston on Eastern time. I love visiting San Francisco on Pacific time. I listen daily to BBC who works on Greenwich time. Time is something we focus so much of our lives on - but yet "What time is it where you are?"
So many times we stop ourselves and ask - Why isn't there more time? Why aren't there more hours in a day? Is it really going to take THIS MUCH time to do this? We always seem to be focusing on the hours and the schedules, but what if we all stopped for a moment of time to think where we are in our placement.
I define our placement as more of what the timing is in your life - where is your focus. What are you doing to accept, change, or better where you are currently placed.
- Don't like your job? Are you focusing your timing on changing that situation and/or trying to look positively at it if you are unable to? OR are you using all of your time focusing on the negatives of hating your job?
- Love your job but want more? Are you using your time to research what else you can do? Or do you just continue to go through the same motions everyday hoping to win the lotto? With a 1 in 176 million chance on that the Internet and research will be a better spend of your timing (and money).
The placement of our timing is different for everyone and the fact remains that your destiny is up to you - once you realize where you are at in your timing. But the truth is always the same - we feel we never have enough time, and we forget to focus on our placement of timing. SO I charge you to step back and look at where you are - what needs to change, if anything, in your current placement - what time is it really where you are at in your life?
I'm no longer on Central time - now I'm focing timing on taking charge!
~Nicole is an independent consultant, specializing in start-ups and expanding exposure, as well as a full time Sales Manager. With over a decade's worth of business development, marketing and online experience, Nicole has been increasing revenue for companies large and small, and loving every moment.
So many times we stop ourselves and ask - Why isn't there more time? Why aren't there more hours in a day? Is it really going to take THIS MUCH time to do this? We always seem to be focusing on the hours and the schedules, but what if we all stopped for a moment of time to think where we are in our placement.
I define our placement as more of what the timing is in your life - where is your focus. What are you doing to accept, change, or better where you are currently placed.
- Don't like your job? Are you focusing your timing on changing that situation and/or trying to look positively at it if you are unable to? OR are you using all of your time focusing on the negatives of hating your job?
- Love your job but want more? Are you using your time to research what else you can do? Or do you just continue to go through the same motions everyday hoping to win the lotto? With a 1 in 176 million chance on that the Internet and research will be a better spend of your timing (and money).
The placement of our timing is different for everyone and the fact remains that your destiny is up to you - once you realize where you are at in your timing. But the truth is always the same - we feel we never have enough time, and we forget to focus on our placement of timing. SO I charge you to step back and look at where you are - what needs to change, if anything, in your current placement - what time is it really where you are at in your life?
I'm no longer on Central time - now I'm focing timing on taking charge!
~Nicole is an independent consultant, specializing in start-ups and expanding exposure, as well as a full time Sales Manager. With over a decade's worth of business development, marketing and online experience, Nicole has been increasing revenue for companies large and small, and loving every moment.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Employee Value - The new Paradigm
As the economy has crashed and slowly started to come up again, we hope, in regards to the job market - it has become very apparent that companies aren't hiring the way they used to.
Even more increasingly the company is hiring for the person - how will you mesh in the company, what type of industry recognition can you bring to my corporation, and do you have the personality to inject positive change into a certain department. I'm not saying the days of just meeting the qualifications are gone but now companies look to find the person who can fit into their company, and help create the changes, or perceptions they are hoping to accomplish. In a way it's a new type of marketing strategy to bring a company to the forefront - "I may not be the biggest, but I have the team that can work together to accomplish your goals - not ours." These people are seen to be able to fit in certain area's, but can be moved within the department if need be.
Personally I believe this to be a very positive change in hiring. Gone are the days where you get hired out of college and stay with the same company for 40 years until you decide to retire. But for this to work companies still need to invest in these people they are hiring and not get complacent on ensuring all employees are still growing and creating, even with newly added blood being put into the body. The person who needs the most attention is that person you hired who CAN fit ANYWHERE.
Change the website content - check
Create a new graphic - check
Manage a training session - check
Create and deliver a compelling PowerPoint - check
Help Finance balance the books - check
If this person just becomes the go to person then how will they grow ? Automatically people in the company look at the handyman and fit that person in anywhere. The problem is that someone who can morph like this and do lots of odd jobs- they are the ones whom management will overlook to give extra training too - to help promote to train others to do the same. The Handyman, who could be your most valuable corporate asset is overlooked and the initial investment is overshadowed by the next new corporate addition - who will be trained and groomed.
Almost every company I have seen has this person, and the most successful ones are always asking ALL employees for their feedback on additional training they would like to have, as well as a six month or annual meeting to define, or redefine the goals of each employee in the company. This allows for management, executives, and employees to learn from each other, and everyone to grow together. When companies start to fail to do this - not only will your "handyman leave as fast as possible - others will follow suit before the door closes behind him.
Train, value, educate, promote, and communicate!
~Nicole is an independent consultant, specializing in start-ups and expanding exposure. With over a decade's worth of business development, marketing and online experience, Nicole has been increasing revenue for companies large and small.
Even more increasingly the company is hiring for the person - how will you mesh in the company, what type of industry recognition can you bring to my corporation, and do you have the personality to inject positive change into a certain department. I'm not saying the days of just meeting the qualifications are gone but now companies look to find the person who can fit into their company, and help create the changes, or perceptions they are hoping to accomplish. In a way it's a new type of marketing strategy to bring a company to the forefront - "I may not be the biggest, but I have the team that can work together to accomplish your goals - not ours." These people are seen to be able to fit in certain area's, but can be moved within the department if need be.
Personally I believe this to be a very positive change in hiring. Gone are the days where you get hired out of college and stay with the same company for 40 years until you decide to retire. But for this to work companies still need to invest in these people they are hiring and not get complacent on ensuring all employees are still growing and creating, even with newly added blood being put into the body. The person who needs the most attention is that person you hired who CAN fit ANYWHERE.
Change the website content - check
Create a new graphic - check
Manage a training session - check
Create and deliver a compelling PowerPoint - check
Help Finance balance the books - check
If this person just becomes the go to person then how will they grow ? Automatically people in the company look at the handyman and fit that person in anywhere. The problem is that someone who can morph like this and do lots of odd jobs- they are the ones whom management will overlook to give extra training too - to help promote to train others to do the same. The Handyman, who could be your most valuable corporate asset is overlooked and the initial investment is overshadowed by the next new corporate addition - who will be trained and groomed.
Almost every company I have seen has this person, and the most successful ones are always asking ALL employees for their feedback on additional training they would like to have, as well as a six month or annual meeting to define, or redefine the goals of each employee in the company. This allows for management, executives, and employees to learn from each other, and everyone to grow together. When companies start to fail to do this - not only will your "handyman leave as fast as possible - others will follow suit before the door closes behind him.
Train, value, educate, promote, and communicate!
~Nicole is an independent consultant, specializing in start-ups and expanding exposure. With over a decade's worth of business development, marketing and online experience, Nicole has been increasing revenue for companies large and small.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Video Resume in Social Media
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Adut4XOeDek
Times are changing and getting your video out there is one of the most important thing. Nicole Powell Video Resume is now up on youtube - One of the top things these days is to get yourself out there and enter fully into social media. If you want to make a splash you have to be willing to take a chance!
Why? Because so many people are out there - people are smarter, better educated, more forthright than you - and you are all looking for the same position. Well don't let that get you down! Send yourself to people - show them your determination and personality to get your self inside. Trust yourself and use social media to your advantage.
Also keep in mind this is not just for marketing yourself - this is a start on optimizing and marketing your company - take a risk! The inventor of the Snuggie and Harry Potter author did.
~Nicole is an independent consultant, specializing in start-ups and expanding exposure. With over a decade's worth of business development, marketing and online experience, Nicole has been increasing revenue for companies large and small.
Times are changing and getting your video out there is one of the most important thing. Nicole Powell Video Resume is now up on youtube - One of the top things these days is to get yourself out there and enter fully into social media. If you want to make a splash you have to be willing to take a chance!
Why? Because so many people are out there - people are smarter, better educated, more forthright than you - and you are all looking for the same position. Well don't let that get you down! Send yourself to people - show them your determination and personality to get your self inside. Trust yourself and use social media to your advantage.
Also keep in mind this is not just for marketing yourself - this is a start on optimizing and marketing your company - take a risk! The inventor of the Snuggie and Harry Potter author did.
~Nicole is an independent consultant, specializing in start-ups and expanding exposure. With over a decade's worth of business development, marketing and online experience, Nicole has been increasing revenue for companies large and small.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
WELCOME
In this world there are many new sites and places for people to post their thoughts and feelings. With such a high tech and connected world we have begun to form as one.
I remember, a few moons ago, when the term "globalisation" was still a buzz word used in unversity, by scholars, political scientists, and The New York Times. But we have moved away from buzz words to reality and through our evolution in this globalisation, have become the global community and global marketplace.
To truly succeed in an entrepreneurial business today there are a few items you MUST have. I have listed a few below to help your internal questions start and the wheels to start thinking.
1. Has your idea been done before? If so is it in need in your "community", can you find it elsewhere?
2. Who is your target audience? - Ask yourself who would want this
3. Set-up how you want to market yourself? Do you want to make money as the mommy-blogger - or be known as the person who started their business out of their garage (a LOOK AT ME NOW concept)
4. Do you require certain licenses by the state, county, federal government?
5. How is this going to be profitable, and if it's a non-profit, how will you pay yourself (who is interested)?
6. Is this a virtual idea - if so is your url available or did I just take it?
7. If you are going to be run in an office of sorts do you have the capital you need for rent, utilities etc?
8. Get ONLINE!!!! Make #7 a virtual idea as well
9. Get an eCommerce Manager consultant or SEO consultant to make your website seen. There is no point have a site if noone can find it!!!! (VERY IMPORTANT and a waste of money)
Take Heed to Numbers 8 and 9! As I said beforehand - we live in a global community so take your idea and make it your own - for people in Washington, NYC, London, Nepal and Tokyo to see and benefit from your amazing discovery!
~Nicole is an independent consultant, specializing in start-ups and expanding exposure. With over a decade's worth of business development, marketing and online experience, Nicole has been increasing revenue for companies large and small.
I remember, a few moons ago, when the term "globalisation" was still a buzz word used in unversity, by scholars, political scientists, and The New York Times. But we have moved away from buzz words to reality and through our evolution in this globalisation, have become the global community and global marketplace.
To truly succeed in an entrepreneurial business today there are a few items you MUST have. I have listed a few below to help your internal questions start and the wheels to start thinking.
1. Has your idea been done before? If so is it in need in your "community", can you find it elsewhere?
2. Who is your target audience? - Ask yourself who would want this
3. Set-up how you want to market yourself? Do you want to make money as the mommy-blogger - or be known as the person who started their business out of their garage (a LOOK AT ME NOW concept)
4. Do you require certain licenses by the state, county, federal government?
5. How is this going to be profitable, and if it's a non-profit, how will you pay yourself (who is interested)?
6. Is this a virtual idea - if so is your url available or did I just take it?
7. If you are going to be run in an office of sorts do you have the capital you need for rent, utilities etc?
8. Get ONLINE!!!! Make #7 a virtual idea as well
9. Get an eCommerce Manager consultant or SEO consultant to make your website seen. There is no point have a site if noone can find it!!!! (VERY IMPORTANT and a waste of money)
Take Heed to Numbers 8 and 9! As I said beforehand - we live in a global community so take your idea and make it your own - for people in Washington, NYC, London, Nepal and Tokyo to see and benefit from your amazing discovery!
~Nicole is an independent consultant, specializing in start-ups and expanding exposure. With over a decade's worth of business development, marketing and online experience, Nicole has been increasing revenue for companies large and small.
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