Barbara Walters Price

Helpful Tip: AAA Fuel Cost Calculator

Given the situation with rising gas prices, check out AAA's Fuel Cost Calculator at http://www.fuelcostcalculator.com/. 

You input the starting city, the destination city, vehicle make, model, and year and it computes the number of miles, gallons used, and the cost of fuel for both a one-way and round trip journey.  Handy.

Public Speaking Tip: Subscribe to this Blog!

For those who are interested in taking their presentations to the next level, check out Presentation Zen - Garr Reynolds' blog on issues related to professional presentation design. 

How to Submit Articles to Top Websites

From Judy Cullins, http://www.BookCoaching.com:

You can build a huge Web presence and be in the top 20 listings in Google and other search engines by submitting your articles to top web sites in your field. Many sites such as www.ezinearticles.com offer authors many categories--business, personal growth, women's issues, parenting, food, writing & speaking and health and fitness. They publish your article to give their visitors new content, and you get Web visitors to the site where you sell your book from people who appreciate your information. Your Bookcoach started by submitting to 10 Web sites and now to more than 100. Each submission takes less than 10 minutes. This promotion technique is great for reluctant marketers and introverts.

Is Bragging the Key to Getting Ahead?

When you provide superior service for a client or write an article or deliver a speech, do you brag about it to your peers and/or superiors?  If not, maybe you should.

So says Peggy Klaus, author of Brag! The Art of Tooting Your Own Horn Without Blowing It in an article in yesterday's Miami Herald.  Peggy says ''The only sure thing is that no one is going to look after your best interests except you.  You must let people know who you are and what you are accomplishing.''

I believe it was Dizzy Dean who said "If you can do it, it ain't bragging."

Bragging can be a powerful career-builder if done correctly.  But remember that no one likes a blow-hard.  Effective bragging is not bodacious nor blustering nor brown-nosing.   

According to the article:

John Sapp, author of Making Partner: A Guide for Law Firm Associates, says self marketing has become critical for law associates who want to advance. However, he says partners are quick to recognize when an associate hoards credit.

A few examples of when bragging is appropriate are when you're congratulated by a client, make a big sale, give an important presentation, or are recognized for professional achievement. 

Remember, you are in charge of your career.  Don't be afraid to brag a little.  Think of it as simply marketing yourself. 

I would add, however, not to forget the contribution of others and take every opportunity to brag about your co-workers and clients.  Bragging about others will cause people to return the favor and it's more effective coming from others!

"Bragging is the Key to Getting Ahead?" by Cindy Krischer Goodman.  The Miami Herald.  September 21, 2005   (Link: Herald.com | 09/21/2005 | Bragging is key to getting ahead)

CPA Marketing Tip: The CPA Marketing Tool Kit

CPAs, are you aware of the CPA Marketing Tool Kit?  Brought to you by the AICPA Strategic/Member Communications Team and the New Jersey Society of CPAs, the resources in the toolkit appear to be FREE and contain marketing material targeted to individuals as well as businesses.  Also contained in the toolkit is how-to marketing information for the CPA.  I have not reviewed every piece of information here but it looks to be a great resource for CPAs.  Be sure to check it out.

The Marketing Toolkit contains:

• Print Advertisements
• PDF Brochures (new brochures recently added)
• Speeches (new speeches recently added)
• CPA Logo and Usage Guidelines
• Becoming a Media Resource
• Marketing 101
• Online Marketing Guidance
• Customer Service Tips
• Client Satisfaction Surveys
• Successful Selling Tips
• Related Links

And, according to The CPA Letter, the CPA Marketing Tool Kit recently received a Big Apple Award from the Public Relations Society of America, New York Chapter, in the category of Marketing Communications: Support of Existing Services.

The PRSA Big Apple Awards encourage excellence in public relations by recognizing communications professionals who have achieved standards of excellence.

Be sure to take a look.

Bait and Switch : The (Futile) Pursuit of the American Dream

I came across this book review from The Seattle Times (by Tyrone Beason) on Barbara Ehrenreich's newest book, Bait and Switch : The (Futile) Pursuit of the American Dream.  I have yet to read the book but this review piqued my interest in the subject matter because I'm one of those middle-aged white collar professionals who are seemingly so vulnerable in today's economy as are many of my readers.

According to the review:

Ehrenreich took on a new identity and immersed herself in the world of her subjects, in this case mid-career professionals who've either been downsized or fear they soon will be laid off.

Ehrenreich's goal for the book was deceptively simple: Attempt to land a job that pays at least $50,000 a year and comes with health insurance.

For nearly a year, she posed as Barbara Alexander, a public-relations professional "in transition" who was seeking career opportunities in the Atlanta area. She printed up new business cards and hired career coaches to help brush up (OK, embellish) her résumé. She worked to increase her personal appeal (suits with rounded silhouettes, well-rehearsed "elevator" chatter). She also enrolled in success seminars and attended networking functions, which ranged from not-very-illuminating to downright depressing.

Ehrenreich is alternately taught to "sell" herself, adopt a "winning attitude," fill the time gap in her résumé with a "compelling story" that employers will believe and avoid certain cosmetics. In essence, she's instructed by phonies to become one herself, if she ever wants to advance in the corporate world.

Most disturbing, Ehrenreich and her peers are told by these gurus at every turn that the unemployed worker alone is responsible for his success or failure in the marketplace.

Did Barbara secure a job?  Again, according to the review:

With about $6,000 down the tubes for travel, enrollment fees and career-counseling bills, and with her head full of pop-psychology nonsense, Ehrenreich comes up, well ... just guess.

Again, as a middle-aged white collar professional who is also the sole bread winner for a family of four, I am keenly aware of the sometimes tenuous nature of the world of corporate America.  Some days I am skittish about my future and other days I'm excited knowing only one thing for certain -- I can't count on having this job or any job forever.

I also know that I'm not owed this job.  It would be nice to think that I am.  I've been with the company for over twenty years.  That should count for something, right?  Nowadays, it doesn't and that's the cold reality of it.  My contributions have been (I believe) an integral part of its growth and success.  The question is do those contributions continue to be an important piece of our growth?  When the answer is no, then I'm history here. 

That's my particular situation.  However, my job could evaporate through a merger or through an unfortunate event with one of our shareholders.  I have no control over either scenario. 

My situation is not that different from many of my readers.  How do we respond?  Do we hire career coaches (the review and apparently the book doesn't think too highly of them)?  Do we become paranoid and seek to harpoon the careers of others to protect our turf?  Do we think "it couldn't happen to me"? 

Or do we do all we can to insure against the worst while planning for the best?

We buy insurance to protect us from financial ruin.  Why don't we think as proactively in terms of our careers.  Here is what I'm doing and what I believe we all can and should be doing right now to insure against the worst while planning for the best:

• Save.  Don't spend everything you make. Save. Save. Save.  Money in the bank is important because it gives you options.
• Connect.  Expand your network of friends and contacts.  It is easier to get the next opportunity when you know people.  But do NOT treat people only as entries for your Rolodex.  Give back.  Serve.  If you don't understand this, see this post.
• Learn.  Never stop learning.  You already know this.
• Publicize.  Become a superstar in your industry or your profession.  If the idea of superstardom makes you tired (I'm the mother of two children under the age of three and I'm 43 years old so that statement is for me), then at least become well-known.  Write.  Speak.  Blog.  Take positions.
• Plan B.  Always have a Plan B.  Be ready with other income producing activities and opportunities.  If your employer allows them while you are working for them, take advantage of this.  If not, then have them prepared.

We all know this but we don't do it.  Is it true that "the unemployed worker alone is responsible for his success or failure in the marketplace"?  The terms success and failure are broad and not easily defined.  Bad things can and do happen to all of us.  No amount of planning and preparation can shield us from all things.  However, the writing is on the wall in terms of the rules of this current global economy.   We ignore them at our own peril.

A Digital Camera is NOT Your Friend

A "head shot" is one of the most important pieces in your personal marketing arsenal but it is often taken for granted.  As the SVP of marketing at my firm, I have been as guilty as anyone of not taking this piece of branding seriously.

But I have since changed my ways.  That's why there is no picture of me on this blog.  My most recent head-shot just doesn't cut the mustard.  So, I'm having a new one done. 

Take a minute to look at your head shot.  Did you have it professionally done?  Does it convey what you intend it to convey?  Or did you allow someone to take a quick digital picture of you because "they have to have a picture"?  Take a look at a couple of examples of very accomplished professionals who make their living advising clients frequently about high-dollar matters who allowed someone (alas, probably a professional marketer at their firm) to take a quick digital shot to accompany an article and a press release (these appeared in a professional journal). 

Make More Calls

Being the mother of two children under the age of three means you lose things.  You lose time.  You lose sleep.  And you lose posts that you could have sworn you saved right before you fed the baby.  That happened earlier this week. 

You gains things as well.  Things like your two year old's stomach virus that she picked up at parent's day out.  That also happened earlier this week.  But I'm back to posting now, saving often, and I'm fine now as is, most importantly, my daughter.

All that to say I'm sorry to have made you wait for a link to a great post and one we should all take to heart.  My CEO (I promise I'm not brown-nosing), Chris Mercer, had a post on his blog, Mercer on Value, entitled "Make More Calls -- Maintain and Build Revenue." 

The post reminds us of the importance of out-bound activity.  I know that you're thinking "what else is new?"  Please keep reading.  As Chris so courageously states (courageous because he knew his SVP of marketing would be reading and then holding his feet to the fire):

... I know that the essence of selling, particularly at the margin, is intentional personal contact.

I talk about it, I do some of it, and quite often, I sputter to a standstill in my efforts. From a personal perspective, the "who to call?" is not difficult. We have many clients, referral sources, and legitimate prospects for our services. My personal problem is "what to talk about?"  I fret about this so much that I procrastinate and avoid making many of the calls that I should make.

So, what do you say?  Chris gives us a list from Jim Cathcart and then comments on the items listed.  They are too good to miss:

We All Need a Laugh

These Individual quotes were reportedly taken from actual performance evaluations.

• 'Some drink from the fountain of knowledge; he only gargled.'
• 'Sets low personal standards and consistently fails to achieve them.'
• 'This employee is depriving a village somewhere of an idiot.'
• 'This employee should go far, and the sooner he starts, the better.'
• 'Got a full 6-pack, but lacks the plastic thing to hold it together.'
• 'He certainly takes a long time to make his pointless.'
• 'When his IQ reaches 50, he should sell.'
• 'If two people are talking and one looks bored, he's the other one.'
• 'A photographic memory but with the lens cover glued on.'
• 'Donated his brain to science before he was finished using it.'
• 'Gates are down, the lights are flashing, but the train isn't coming.'
• 'Takes him 2 hours to watch 60 minutes.'

Source: Dan Miller's 48 Days weekly e-newsletter

If You Get a Better Offer Elsewhere, Take It

This top ten list from Carnegie Resources, Inc. is compelling.

TEN REASONS FOR REFUSING A JOB COUNTER OFFER

1. What type of company do you work for if you have to threaten to resign before they give you fair market value for your skills.
2. Where is the money for the counter offer coming? Is it your next raise early?  (All companies have strict wage and salary guidelines which must be followed).
3. Your company will start looking for a new person at a lower salary price, immediately. The wheels are in motion to replace you, ASAP.
4. You have now made your employer aware that you are unhappy. From this day on, your loyalty will always be in question.
5. When promotion time comes around, your employer will remember who was loyal, and who wasn't.
6. When times get tough, your employer will begin the cutback with you.
7. The same circumstances that now cause you to consider a change will repeat themselves in the future, even if you accept a counter offer.
8. Statistics show that if you accept a counter offer, the probability of voluntarily leaving in six months or being let go within one year is extremely high. National statistics indicate that 89% accepting counter offers are gone in 6 months.
9. Accepting a counter offer is an insult to your intelligence and a blow to your personal pride, because you know that you were bought.
10. Once the word gets out, the relationship that you now enjoy with your co-workers will never be the same. You will lose peer group acceptance, and forever be that defector who was bought back!

Employment recruiters Carnegie Resources is an engineering job recruiting agency specializing in manufacturing, engineering, technical specialties, design and materials employment nationwide.