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Posts Tagged ‘Added Value’

Adding Value (to an Organization)

Saturday, March 10th, 2012

In my experience I have found that no matter what your job, your background, your profession, your business … you can benefit from always seeking to add value to what you do .. and do it beyond expectations.

Consider that the  idea of  “added value” is a basic truth which is not disputed, everyone wins with it in the mix and customers and co-workers are happy and, because of that, the organization flourishes.

It is true that our society needs successful endeavors in every facet; why not add “added value” to the mix?  Here are ways I know I add value to an organization:

* Match your manager’s priorities to yours; the end result will be that you will be in alignment with your company’s goals and vision.
* Focus on your skills, projects, and assignments which have had positive outcomes.
* When you typically deliver results on-time (or even early) this action shows that you are organized and dependable.
* Keep up on your knowledge about your profession; attend company-sponsored training, professional association events, and read trade journals.
* Show your flexibility and team player spirit. Offer to help out colleagues when it appears that they need it. Never state, “that’s not in my job description”.
* How about responsibility. Own up to your mistakes and focus on what you’ve learned rather than on what went wrong.

The primary purpose of any business, service or industry is to add value in greater proportion than the costs connected with its’ establishment in the first place.  As noted by Albert Einstein:  “Try not to become a man of success but rather try to become a man of value.”

I recognize that  through individual efforts; through a focus on building the customer base into a profit center,  I can truly add value.

Personal Branding vs Online Presence

Sunday, January 2nd, 2011

“If you don’t brand yourself, Google will do it for you” – Sherry Beck Paprocki, co-author, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Branding Yourself

“Personal branding describes the process by which individuals differentiate themselves and stand out from a crowd by identifying and articulating their unique value proposition… then leveraging it across platforms with a consistent message and image to achieve a specific goal”  – Dan Schawbel

“Just like flight attendants state, you need to put on your own oxygen mask before helping others”  – Lindsay Pollack

You have the power to positively influence your professional reputation

  • Values, Skills, Character, Unique Voice, etc. = You
  • How it is “packaged” and conveyed outwardly = Branding
  • Your reputation as reflected back by others = Brand

You are advised to participate in social media professionally

  • Provides networking opportunities
  • Demonstrates motivation and engagement
  • Demonstrates computer skills
  • Demonstrates communication skills
  • Makes you “findable” to employers

Are you a job seeker?

A recent Jobvite survey indicated:

  • 80 percent use or are planning to use social networking to find and attract candidates
  • 72 percent plan to increase their use of social networks

Among those:

  • 95% use linkedin.com
  • 59% use facebook.com
  • 42% use twitter.com

By contrast only 26 percent plan to increase use of job boards

The main points: Employers are both sourcing and screening online so get your brand correct: “own” your online presence It’s probably okay if nothing is found. But, it’s better to control the message.

The 5-step process of branding includes:

1:   Determine and differentiate your strengths for a particular context … who you are and what you do
2:   Shape your message … how you talk about your brand
3:   Manage information and presentation … where you talk about your brand and how it looks, i.e., establish the online presence
4:   Be consistent with on-message activities … same look and feel for all social media sites
5:   Monitor how efforts are being received .. obtain feedback from your professional colleagues on your “personal brand”

Set up a routine that works for you:

  • 15-20 minutes of Twitter per day
  • 2-3 Linkedin answers or blog comments per week
  • 1 blog post per week
  • 1 12 second.tv video per week

What is holding you back?

  • General reluctance or skepticism
  • Platform reluctance (twitter, for example)
  • Technological challenges/abilities
  • Understanding value
  • Return on investment
  • Lack of time/commitment

Get going now:

Preparing yourself:

  • Familiarize yourself with notable platforms
  • Linkedin
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Wordpress
  • Establish your own online presence
  • Talk with colleagues and peers
  • Find time to read and learn on an ongoing basis
  • Best source = do it yourself!
  • Good reading = mashable.com

Guess what is more efffective for weight loss? Yes, Exercise!

Sunday, December 26th, 2010

The benefits of exercise include  increased relaxation, better sleep and mood, strong immune function…

Here are the Facts:

  • Fifty percent of all health problems can be prevented by a healthy lifestyle.
  • The minimum amount of exercise needed to stay healthy is 30 minutes on average each day.
  • Physical fitness improves mood, alertness, energy, and the ability to learn.
  • It decreases health risks by preventing infections, cancers, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and dementia, to name a few.
  • An optimal exercise program should consist of: 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise most days of the week with 20 minutes of additional higher-intensity aerobic exercise three days a week.
  • Exercise is one of the most proven, effective ways to manage stress.
  • Exercise is an excellent way to increase your energy level.
  • Muscle mass largely determines one’s metabolism. Strong core muscles play a key role in whether an elderly person is able to remain independent in later years of life.
  • Exercise is the best way to raise your good HDL cholesterol level.
  • You can dramatically reduce your risk factors for diabetes by: Losing excess body weight, exercising regularly, eating high-fiber, unprocessed carbohydrates, and avoiding simple sugars and refined carbohydrates.
  • Exercise not only increases mood chemicals, it actually promotes physical restructuring of the brain.
  • Two-thirds of the U.S. population is classified as overweight or obese.
  • Your brain can produce new neurons, even late in life, particularly if you exercise.
  • Exercise can improve your sex life because it enables your brain to produce more DHEA, the precursor of testosterone and estrogen, which decline with age.
  • It is important to stay at a lean weight because fat cells secrete chemicals that promote the aging process.

Last tip for this posting: exercise helps use up oxygen and causes your body to burn stored fat.
exercise helps you maintain a normal weight

  • If you walk 4 miles a day, four times a week, you can burn about 1,600 calories, or nearly half a pound a week.
  • If you keep doing this for six months, you’ll lose 12 pounds.
  • If you do it for a year, you will lose 24 pounds!

5 Minute Video on Linkedin Job Seeker Features

Saturday, June 26th, 2010

Increase your chances of getting hired with a Job Seeker Premium Account

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUzUsCREgrU

You Tube Video - Linkedin Job Seeker Service

You Tube Video - Linkedin Job Seeker Service

Summary of the Service

  • Stand out from the crowd
  • Move to the top of the list as a Featured Applicant when you apply to jobs on LinkedIn.
  • Be prepared for interviews
  • View expanded profiles and manage your contacts with Profile Organiz
  • Reach out to hiring decision makers
  • Send personalized InMail messages directly to hiring managers.

Details of the Service:

  • New Move to the top of the list as a Featured Applicant
  • Contact hiring managers directly with InMail messages
  • InMails
  • Save profiles & organize your job search with Profile Organizer
  • Prepare for interviews – see full profiles of hiring decision makers
  • Get introduced to inside sources at companies
  • New Join Lindsey Pollak’s webinar: “Job Seeking on LinkedIn”
  • Find opportunities faster with Premium Search
  • See who’s interested in your profile
  • Let users reach you for free with OpenLink
  • Get priority customer service

Cost of the Service:

  • Basic Account: $19.95 per month
  • Job Seeker Account:  $29.95 per month
  • Job Seeker Plus Account: $49.95 per month