Only a full would think Spellcheck is FoolProof!

I love to edit.  I know strange.  But I find myself doing it unconsciously all the time. In restaurants, in magazines, books, ads, promotional material, etc.  I can’t help myself.  What I don’t understand is why more people don’t do it, particularly when there, or more correctly, their livelihood depends on it.  I cannot tell … Read moreOnly a full would think Spellcheck is FoolProof!

What do they say when you are not in the room?

Everyone is lovely to you when you are in front of them or in the same room with them. You, are equally lovely to them when you are around them.  But, we all know that there are certain people who, once they leave, people will start to talk. Perhaps it will be a subtle “what … Read moreWhat do they say when you are not in the room?

Who Are Your Power Partners?

No one can do it all on their own.  Well, most people can’t do it all on their own.  So, it is important to identify who your power partners are, develop relationships with them so they can help you and you can help them build business together.  What exactly is a power partner?  A power … Read moreWho Are Your Power Partners?

Do Good

Doing good seems like a good idea. I mean, it makes sense, right? You want to help the environment, children, a shelter, a cause, and you will, just once you get a bit of free time. But you are just so busy, between work, networking, family commitments, where do find the time? I know, just … Read moreDo Good

I Can Do What I Want

I can do what I want…I can say what I want.  Sounds like a bratty teenager, doesn’t it? But more and more I hear it from adults speaking to each other in business meetings at Starbucks, over the phone in an office, in an office meeting, in a sales pitch, etc.  I hear it on … Read moreI Can Do What I Want

We cannot grow without change. Change is good

Sounds obvious, doesn’t it? Yet, time and time again business owners come to me with the same tale: “I used to have such a great business, but now I am struggling to make even half as much as I did ten years ago…I don’t know what happened.”  I know what happened.  Not the exact specifics, … Read moreWe cannot grow without change. Change is good

Your Social Footprint

I told a new client he needed to post a photo on his LinkedIn account.  He promptly followed my suggestion and sent me an email to check it out. I quickly checked it out…it was a shirtless photo on a boat.  I called him and explained that LinkedIn was a professional business site, not his personal FaceBook page or a dating site.  He laughed said I was funny and quickly changed the photo to one with a shirt and tie.  The point is, with the advent of social media the lines between our professional life and our personal life get blurrier every day, so we need to think about what we are posted and were we are posting it.

When I interview anyone for any position in my company, the first thing I do is check out what they have posted on FaceBook, Instagram, Tweeter and LinkedIn.  When I am meeting a perspective client I do the same. When I meet with just about anyone I check their social media footprint because I want to know who I am dealing with; a goofball who makes bad choices on the weekends and posts it, or a professional who understands the importance of their personal brand in the marketplace.

I can tSocial Media Footprintell you that I have passed on potential employees that looked awesome on paper, potential clients, potential referral partners who appeared to make sense all because of what they chose to post on social media.  I quite simply did not want to be associated with individuals who didn’t have better sense than to post themselves blotto on the weekends, posting pictures of themselves with strippers, wearing next to nothing, etc. If you want to do those things fine, but do NOT post pictures for all the business world to see.

The rule used to be “do not confuse your personal accounts with your professional accounts, as it can cost you dearly.” The new rule is there is no such thing as a personal account.  Everyone checks all accounts and you must assume that anything you post will be seen by your co-workers, your boss, futures bosses, business partners, etc.  So be smart. Post funny, post heart warming, post witty, post thought provoking,  post family, post friends, etc. But please, don’t post stupid.