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MARCH 2006
Sorry
Woody...You Have To Do More Than Just Show Up!
Woody
Allen once said, “80% of success is just showing
up.”
Woody
might have been “right on” back in the eighties,
but to succeed in today’s competitive marketplace,
you have to do more than just show up … much more.
To make it today, you have to be engaging, entertaining,
impressive, outstanding, significant, spirited, insightful,
unique, authentic, memorable, super cool, and you want
to be remembered. The last thing you need to hear is,
“Bob who?”
This
is the second article in my series on Personal Public
Relations (PPR). Last
month, I opened the topic with a primer on tooting
your horn. In this installment, we will go one step
further; getting noticed and making a memorable impression.
Being
shy, quiet, reserved, and modest are not qualities that
will get you noticed or make you memorable. In a fast
paced world where there is seldom enough time to really
get to know a person, your words and your actions will
define you. You are what you do – not your title
or job description says you do. You are not a salesperson,
doctor, writer, marketing maven, retailer, assistant,
manager, or supervisor. Rather, your behavior defines
who you are. Since the people forming opinions about
you rarely see your day-to-day, on-the-job greatness,
they will rely on you to tell them about your experiences
with a positive, energetic and non-obnoxious style.
Keeping
quiet and downplaying your accomplishments only opens
the door for others to take credit for your ideas and
hard work.
The
first step in getting noticed and being remembered is
to focus on the quality of your overall presentation
style. Make sure that the person that others are seeing
and hearing is presenting the VERY BEST YOU. Get excited
about yourself – after all, if you can’t
get excited about yourself, how can we??? It’s
time to get energized, excited and enthusiastic about
who you are, what you do, and how you do it! There’s
no time like the present.
Getting
started … Introduce Yourself
How many times have you been on an elevator, in the
cafeteria and in walks the CEO of your company or your
supervisor, or who ever is important to your future,
and you just stand there ill at ease and say nothing?
Be
ready for those spontaneous opportunities and arm yourself
with an introduction that includes your name, your title
or department, and some connecting comments. Practice,
practice, practice. And did I mention practice? Be ready
to introduce yourself in the spur of the moment with
enthusiasm and poise. You will be remembered!
Don’t
assume that most people in your organization know you.
Introduce yourself … even if the person you are
introducing yourself to has already met you once or
twice. Chances are they will be grateful to hear your
name again. (Think Denny Crain!)
Don’t
play the victim card.
The Number One complaint that I hear from folks who
take my Generate A Buzz workshops is there are “credit
stealers” and “idea thieves” in their
workplace and even on their teams. I hear it over and
over again – someone else is getting credit for
their positive activities and ideas. Don’t let
this happen to you. Take ownership of your ideas.(Please
speak up at meetings.) Keep your boss in the loop and
send her an updated weekly list of your projects, progress
and ideas. Then, follow it up with a weekly phone calls
and emails. By keeping lines of communication open you
become more visible and your accomplishments more recognizable.
Don’t
let your report or the numbers speak for themselves.
Imagine
this scenario: You are sitting at a weekly staff meeting
hearing all the players at the table complain about
the obstacles that have prevented them from hitting
the mark. You, on the other hand, have hit your goal.
Don’t just sit there and let the numbers speak
for you. Report your success with energy and let other
know how you (and your team if applicable) did it. People
want to learn from others how they win accounts or hit
the mark. Maybe you have been working on getting an
account for over three years and you finally landed
it – let us know. Speak the truth, but do so with
enthusiasm and positive words.
Work
hard and take a lunch break. Get out and spread enthusiasm
about YOU. Lunchtime is a great time to casually get
to know others better. Get out from behind your desk
and start talking. Your personal PR program doesn’t
stop for breaks. You never know where the next lead,
promotion or great friend may be sitting. Get out and
get talking.
Be
interesting and be interested
The
majority of this article has addressed the need to be
memorial. When mastering the art of self promotion,
however, remember that not only do you have to be interesting,
but you also have to be interested in others. The purpose
of this article is not to teach you the art of the Bravado.
You do not have to monopolize all of the conversation
to toot your horn. The purpose of this article is to
be gracious, caring and be an attentive listener. But
remember, when you choose to speak, use positive words
that tell us who you really are.
Next
month: The Art of Telling Your Story!
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