05.10.10 Reinventing Yourself
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Quote of the Month:
“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”
— Plato, Greek philosopher (429-347 (ish) BCE)
Frank Goad has had an interesting career path, starting out with designing lighting and scenery in college, then working for a TV station and ad agencies, computer stores and Lexmark, and as the marketing director at Asbury College. He has been self-employed along the way and is again today, with his photography, video, and Internet marketing business called Frank Communications. He works on a consultant basis because he doesn’t want to carry anybody’s receivables.
Before he went solo in 2010, Frank sat down and wrote his manifesto. A “Frankifesto.”
This was his prelude to a business plan, taking a personal inventory of things that mattered to him. Writing something like this is a statement of what you want out of life. Be willing to share it with other people as a public declaration of your principles, policies and intentions (hey, that’s the definition of a manifesto!).
Item number 1 on Frank’s manifesto is “I believe I have creative talents and business skills sufficient to make a good living.” He thinks #7 is the most important of all: “To be truly successful, I must help others succeed as well. This is my prime directive.” What’s on your list?
“Everybody has to reinvent themselves at some point,” he said. Decades ago, people had cradle-to-grave jobs. Now that we’re changing incrementally or drastically, whether we are self-employed or not, recapturing enthusiasm is a key to continued success, especially that initial “when I work for myself this is how I’m going to change the world” passion.
Reinventing yourself includes using a lot of everything you’ve learned. Not because it makes you smarter, but because it helps you bump into more opportunities. “Learning all the things you can allows you to talk to clients,” said Frank. “All human relationships are based on common ground.”
Capitalize on the people you know and those you see on a regular basis at various functions. You never know where a new partnership will pop up.
Aim for what Frank calls “triangle marketing,” which has nothing to do with geometry, but the percussion instrument. When you listen to an orchestra, it may be hard to pick out a French horn by itself, but no matter how many musicians there are you can always hear the triangle when it plinks.
Build trust with clients by listening to their story and sharing yours. Read articles and blogs; get new ideas on how to say something.
You’ve heard the phrase “management by walking around” (MBWA)? When you’re self-employed you can get business by walking around. At planned networking events or just by running into someone on the street, you never know when you’re going to meet a potential client, mentor, or business partner.
Years ago all it took was money to get your name out, typically by advertising. Today the currency is time. It takes time to attend functions and keep up with social networking sites.
Seek feedback; get people to tell you what they think of your product or service. “Use social media to research your products,” said Frank.
We thank Frank for his presentation. Feel free to contact him with any questions.
Frank Goad
Frank Communications
www.FrankComLex.com
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RECOMMENDED READING:
How to Wow: Proven Strategies for Selling Your [Brilliant] Self in Any Situation
by Frances Cole Jones
The Long Tail
by Chris Anderson
Made to Stick
by Chip Heath and Dan Heath
Reinvent Your Enterprise
by Jack Bergstrand
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WEB SITES OF INTEREST:
Article: Lessons from a triathlete to improve work performance
Article: Tips for making proposals and pitches
Video: How great leaders inspire action
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Have a fabulous month!
KS
Kathie Stamps Contact me
ISBO.biz Web content and meetings
Charlotte Caldwell Contact me
ISBO.biz Web design and technology
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This is a recap of the May 2010 ISBO.biz luncheon in Lexington, KY.
We meet the second Monday of each month and would love to see you at a lunch meeting. Please e-mail us for more information.
If you notice any typos or broken links, please let us know.