I enjoy talking to people who follow my Twitter tweets. Shared experiences build connections and the tweets are a conversation starter.
My Twitter handle is @aprilmwilliams. I tweet on career and networking topics. I also tweet pictures and comments about interesting places I visit. Log in and tell us your Twitter handle and what you tweet about.
Do you ever get to the end of the day and wonder where all the time went? Are you stressed because the most important items on your to-do list did not get finished? This week several clients told me they just did not have enough time to complete their projects so we talked about “Big Rocks.”
Stephen R. Covey’s book First Things First
tells the story of how you can make the most of your day by prioritizing your activities. Covey says you can categorize activities into four groups.
This video summarizes his ideas.
Effective time management can reduce stress and improve productivity. Here are four ideas to get the most from your day.
If you do not plan your day, someone else will plan it for you. Achieve your goals by creating a daily plan then work your plan.
What time management techniques do you use?
Own Your Job and Career. Keeping your job and staying on track with your career in today’s economy
Unemployment numbers are grim and it looks like we have not reached the bottom of the fall. If you are employed, the best advice today is to stay employed. Pay attention and be aware of how you are perceived by your peers and management. Companies are scrimping to reduce costs and combat the decrease in consumer spending. You cannot change the economy or the corporate budget. What can you do to increase your chances of maintaining your job?
There are no guarantees in the workplace today. Leverage your skills to impact how others perceive you and increase your positive brand. Here are three ways you can improve your image. Maintain your visibility, be positive and agreeable. Let’s look at ways you can implement each of these ideas in your job.
Be visible. Let’s say you are the best worker in the entire company. Though cost cutting and working more efficiently, you have saved a large percent of the budget. If you do not let anyone know what you have accomplished, you will not receive credit for your accomplishment. You can bet someone else will stand up and shine in that limelight. While you don’t want to be a squeaky wheel, you do want to toot your own horn to bring an awareness of your contributions to the team.
Be positive. Do you know someone who makes you groan when they walk into the room? It’s the person with the big black cloud hovering over their head. People like to be around people who make them feel good. Don’t be the black cloud in your office. Even if the dog chewed up your good shoes and the kids spilled on the rug, put on a cheerful attitude before you walk into the office.
photo credit: Sandy Austin
Be agreeable. When the boss asks you to take on a role, say “Sure” and get on with it. Volunteer for projects. Become the go to person for your team. Others will notice and begin asking for you on their team. You will create demand for your services.
With these three steps you can increase your value to your company, manager and your team by being visible and keeping your positive attitude. Stand out by being agreeable and amenable to the changing environment. If you were the manager, which employee would you choose? It is much easier to keep your job today in this declining market instead of landing the next one.
The Shah Center and Illinois Small Business Development Center hosts social networking for business classes April – May 2010.
Are you thinking about social networking for your business but not sure where to start? Are you on Linkedin and not getting the most out of it? Do I really need to tweet? Can I do business on Facebook? What is a blog anyways?
You will get answers to these questions and more during these sessions. April M. Williams gives you real examples of how you can use social networking to conduct business.
Who should attend? Business owners, entrepreneurs, marketers, job seekers who want to show potential hiring managers understand current trends.
These social networking for business classes are sponsored by the Illinois Small Business Development Center in association with McHenry Community College. Class are open to the public. Register and pay for these sessions through the Shah Center.
Capacity is limited for these small enrollment classes to provide time for discussion and your questions. Register early to reserve your seat.
Sessions will be held 1-3PM at the Shah Center located at 4100 W. Shamrock Lane in McHenry, near Centegra Medical Center.
For more information or to register, please contact the Illinois Small Business Development Center at (815) 455-6098 or sbdc@mchenry.edu.
• Apr. 27, 2010 I’m on LinkedIn, Now What? In this session learn how to build effective connections, get recommendations, get introduced to others, find customers and partners, use groups and stay in touch with other pestering your contacts. Create a free LinkedIn account before the class.
• May 04, 2010 Facebook for Business. Learn how to leverage connections to build relationships for business. Learn about group and fan pages. Create a free Facebook account before the class.
• May. 11, 2010 – Blogging Basic: Curious about blogging but you do not know where to start? In this session you will create your own blog and post your first online message. NOTE: To participate in the session, you’ll need access to a web based email account such as Yahoo, Hotmail, Gmail, etc.
• May 18, 2010 -- Tweet for Profit: People are looking for your business on Twitter. Are you there to talk with them? Learn how to make the most of this micro-blogging tool. Create a free Twitter account before the class.
Are you getting enough value from your Social Networking? What’s all the Buzz About?
I can’t tell you how important it is to your professional life to learn the basics of Social Networking. Especially if you’re in any kind of career transition.
Online Social Networking has come of age. Almost everyone I meet is connected, and I’m sure you know the importance of showing up. Lately, I’m getting questions that tell me people are wondering if they’re getting or giving value…or if they’ve just found another way to procrastinate on “real work.”
That tells me that a lot of you are ready for the next step in Social Networking: you’re ready to move beyond the basics and start developing a strategy for efficiently and effectively meeting goals and creating value.
So I had to write this book, Social Networking Throughout Your Career: What’s All the Buzz About?
• What should my networking strategy be now—right now—for exactly where I am in my career?
• How should my profile reflect not only my current situation, but my career goal?
• How can a focused Social Networking strategy help me shorten my job search?
• What’s the best way for a self-employed person to use Social Networking to keep the client/project pipeline filled?
• How can I learn what keywords companies and recruiters are looking for?
• How can I target specific industries and companies?
Learn more Social NetworkIng Throughout Your Career: What’s All the Buzz About?
When you have a focused, aligned strategy for your efforts, you leverage your participation in the online community. You find you get more value for less of your time.
Let me give you an example of a situation where having a strategy makes all the difference:
Several of my coaching clients are offering their services for occasional contract work while actively searching for their next position. There is no better way to get work than to network. Networking is also one of the main activities of their job search. How do they meet both goals without confusing people or themselves? I address that in this book.
Learn more Social Networking Throughout Your Career: What’s All the Buzz About?
Another example:
Not all of my clients are looking for jobs. Some are in career transition or looking to advance in their company or field. In order to advance in your career today, you need to be seen as a leader in your industry. Social Networking is a perfect way to find opportunities that allow you to grow and test your abilities. It’s also a wonderful place to highlight your accomplishments in a way that helps you meet your goal of upward movement.
There are specific networking strategies in this book for everyone at every career stage—from high school student to retiree.
I even put in some tips for recruiters and hiring managers.
What would Social Networking Throughout Your Career: What’s All the Buzz About?
Right now, the book’s introductory price is just $9.99. I hope it saves you many hours and buys you lots of high quality connection.
Learn more Social Networking Throughout Your Career: What’s All the Buzz About?
Professionals on Facebook? This question came up during a “Social Networking for Business” class I was teaching. It was phased like this. “I have been married for 40 years and I’m not looking for a girlfriend. Why would I want to be on Facebook?”
Professionals I meet often question me about Facebook and ask if it is appropriate for them to use. They say “I am a professional. Should I use Facebook?” Here are the basics on Facebook so you can decide for yourself if this is a place you want to be.
Launched in 2004, Facebook is a popular social media tool with over 400 million users around the world. It is currently the largest social networking platform. To get started with Facebook, create a user id and password. Once you are a member, you can begin to enter your profile information. Include only the information you feel comfortable sharing with the world. You may choose to post a photo on your profile. A professional photo is the best choice for those in the business world.
Begin searching for others you may know and request a connection with them. If they accept, you will be online Facebook “friends”. When you receive friend requests, evaluate them and decide if you want to connect. It is acceptable to decline requests from those you do not know or choose not to connect with. If you change your mind later, you can easily “unfriend” someone.
In Facebook, you can post status updates to let others know what you are doing, comment on others profiles and status, share photos, play games and complete surveys. Just remember what you write and photos you post may be seen by many others.
The reason people gravitate to Facebook is because it is a fun way to connect with others. Check it out for yourself, then you can determine if this is a tool for you.This week we will be covering the business applications of Facebook at our class at the Shah Center. By the way, the student who was unsure about the benefits of Facebook is one of my most vocal evangelists for using this tool to build business.
Jeremiah Owyang Partner, Customer Strategy Altimeter Group and columnist for Forbes CMO Network has blogged on industry trends for 16 years. He makes interesting points about our business relationship with customers and provided insights on the future. Owyang compares Buzz to three other social networking tools: Facebook, MySpace and Twitter. Check out what he has to say about Google’s new Buzz.
Have you used Google Buzz? What are your impressions?
Check out Jeremiah Owyang’s list: People on the Move in the Social Media Industry to see who make the list (hint: I made the list!)
You asked “Why would I want to join 50 LinkedIn groups” Last week I wrote about LinkedIn group limits. Within LinkedIn, you can be a member of a maximum of 50 groups at one time. These groups are your bridge to other LinkedIn members.
photo credit: steve p2008
People join LinkedIn to leverage the power of connections. You can search these connections to prospect leads, find partners and research companies. Your connections use LinkedIn the same way. The more connections you have, the more often you will appear in their search results. You want more people to find you, right? By joining groups you quickly grow the number of LinkedIn members in your network.
Within LinkedIn, you can connect with others by sending or accepting a request to connect. This is a first level connection. You can connect these members directly and their information appears in your search results.
By joining a group, you are connected to other members through that group. For purposes of searching LinkedIn members and contacting others, the end results are the same. You can find them and they can find you when you are connected 1-1 or through a group.
Let’s look at two examples:
Which is better for you? A database of 150 prospects or 211,871 prospects? Would you rather have 150 or 211,871 people finding you?
This example shows the power of joining one LinkedIn group. Image how many connections you can reach as a member of five, ten or fifty groups.
Search the group directory for groups in your industry, function, or geographic area. Join alumni groups to reconnect with college or co-workers. Look for affinity groups related to your hobby or your prospect’s hobby. If you reach your 50 group limit and want to join another group, review your groups and remove yourself from one of your current groups. Now you can join the new group.
Which LinkedIn groups are you a member of and why?
Did you wonder about joining LinkedIn groups and the limits on the number of groups you can join?
photo credit: UK in Italy
LinkedIn is a popular professional online networking application with over 55 million members around the world. Both free and paid memberships are available. Once you join and create your profile, you can begin to build your LinkedIn network. You can also build your network by joining LinkedIn groups.
LinkedIn groups are communities of professionals who share a common experience, passion, interest, affiliation or goal. You can find corporate, alumni, conference, network and non-profit groups. If you search and cannot find a group that fits your interests, you can start your own group. Membership to LinkedIn groups is free.
Evaluate the list of groups in your area of interest. Before selecting a group to join, review the number of members in the group. Groups with a larger number of members have a greater pool of resources to share. Choose your groups wisely as LinkedIn currently restricts users to membership in fifty groups at a time.
If you decide the group is not for you, you can leave the group at any time. Membership in fifty groups includes your current groups only. Once you remove yourself from the group, you are no longer considered a member. If you reach membership in fifty groups and want to join another, you must first leave another group.
Some groups have active discussions and input from their members. Other groups have occasional updates. Try out a variety of groups to see if they fit your needs. Read comments and discussions from other members. Post questions and ask for feedback to check the response rate. After a week or so, you can decide if you want to continue your membership in this group.
Here is another CyberLife Tutors Client Spotlight, my way of thanking customers for their support. This is also an opportunity for my clients to build their networks and gain visibility. Reach out and say “hello” to Carol. Read more on how you can “get promoted”. April
CyberLife Tutors Client Spotlight – Carol M. Seemayer
Hello!
My name is Carol M. Seemayer and I am thrilled by April’s invitation to introduce myself to her readers in this edition of the CyberLife Tutors Client Spotlight! I am grateful for this opportunity to get connected and gain visibility with others.
I have been a stay-at-home Mom for the past 25 years. A major portion of this time was spent instilling the value of a quality education in my children, and in raising responsible adults. Time not spent achieving these goals was spent volunteering for various opportunities in my community. My volunteer work allowed me to use and expand on my transferrable job skills and gave me the chance to learn new ones.
In my former professional life, I was a COBOL programmer, technical writer and consultant for a Motion Picture and Commercial Talent payroll firm based in Chicago, and spent some time as Senior Technical Customer Support Analyst for a mini-computer manufacturer. Prior to that, my career was centered in an educational environment. Responsibilities of these positions required me to be proficient in accounting, customer service, Human Resources, payroll, technical and creative writing, communications, education, and Executive-level office management.
I was elected to the Board of Directors of the Winding Creek Townhome Association – Algonquin in October 2007 and have served as a Director since that time. The Board oversees an annual budget of $333,000 and acts as the governing body for our non-profit Association. My Board duties include the ability to analyze, project and manage the operating budget, and to make sound decisions for the well-being, maintenance and enhancement of the community. As Chair of the Rules and Regulations committee, my responsibilities required me to select, coordinate and lead a committee of five in the research and development of a Rules and Regulations document, which is now one of the governing documents of this Association.
I have also been involved in volunteer opportunities to work with children and teens. I established, provided leadership and maintained membership numbers in the largest Girl Scout troop in my Parish for four years, and continued my involvement with other GSA troops in the area when my troop moved up. One of my favorite volunteer jobs required me to coordinate, promote, supervise, produce and direct variety shows. In a special assignment, I was instrumental in the design and implementation of an athletic uniform inventory system, and became solely responsible for the execution of a plan to refurbish uniforms, saving $2,500 in seasonal replacement costs. I have tutored and mentored students, and have been frequently requested to speak in classrooms as a recognized authority on Native American culture, language and tradition.
During my involvement in “The Evil World of Home Improvement and Repair,” I learned to plan, design and construct numerous home improvement projects including electrical and plumbing repairs and modifications, and was responsible for routine and extraordinary maintenance on my home and lawn. These new skill sets proved invaluable when I assisted with the construction of projects at local schools.
My diverse background, my desire to accept responsibility and challenge, and my commitment to see a project through to its completion are just some of my many qualities. I have taken on tasks in the past 20 years that I never would have thought I was capable of. Satisfactorily completing these tasks gave me personal satisfaction, as I excelled at them. This phenomenon has presented its own challenges for me, as I am now faced with the decision of whether I should re-enter careers I already have experience with, or turn my professional life in another direction altogether.
I hold an A.A.S. in Data Processing and Business, with distinguished honors, from Central YMCA Community College. I completed the requirements for that degree in the stipulated time, while working full-time in a high-pressure environment.
Despite not having completed the requirements for a Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline, neither my supervisors nor I have found that has ever prevented me from satisfactorily achieving my goals. My high degree of energy, intelligence, common sense and ingenuity help me successfully perform the responsibilities of every position I have held. I like to say I hold a Master’s Degree in the School of Life. In the past, I have primarily been referred to employers by people who have noticed my work ethic and recognized my true potential. I am a person who consistently gets the job done and meets deadlines in the least amount of time, with the best possible end result.
I would appreciate the chance to network with anyone reading this article who can give me encouragement, insight, guidance, or constructive criticism as I make plans to productively re-enter the work force. I welcome the opportunity to connect via email, LinkedIn, or over coffee in order to benefit from your ideas and experience. My contact information is listed below.
I would like to thank April M. Williams and CyberLife Tutors for giving me this opportunity to rise from a position of relative obscurity to one of high visibility. April’s coaching has enabled me to make positive changes in my resume, the way I approach my job search, and in the way I present myself through social networking. Her insight into the current job market crisis and the best way to market yourself to stand out from the crowd has renewed my enthusiasm and hope for a better future. After all, April noticed my potential, didn’t she?
Carol M. Seemayer
Contact me:
carolmseemayer@aol.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/carolmseemayer
