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Just like organizations and companies develop “their brand” in order to market themselves, employees need to do a very similar thing. So get involved and create some style!

1.  INVOLVE YOURSELF OUTSIDE OF YOUR DEPARTMENT

Many people will know your great work inside your department but how many know what you are contributing outside of your department? A great way to get noticed is to volunteer for projects within the company outside of your area of focus. You’ll earn respect and admiration from all levels.

2.  HEAD UP AN AFFINITY GROUP

Do you like to read? Create a book club. Do you like to bike? Create a bike group. Many companies have affinity groups already established. Join one that fits you and if there isn’t one, create it. You’ll make new friends and know co-workers better.

3.  VOLUNTEER FOR A NONPROFIT

Many large corporations partner with various nonprofits. Get involved in one (or more). What is “significant” is to take on a leadership role. For example, if you work in marketing then volunteer to chair the marketing committee within a non-profit. People will notice your great work and be more apt to do business with you or your company.

4.  CREATE YOUR PERSONAL BRAND

When you walk away from someone how will they remember you? Are you unique (in a favorable way) or do you blend in with the pack? Why would someone choose you over someone else? Do they even know your talents? Create your personal branding message. I’m not just “a coach”. Rather, “I help people re-invent themselves when they feel like they may be stuck or wishing for a more fulfilling life/career.”

5.  CREATE YOUR “SIGNATURE STYLE”

Make a favorable visual impression with people. Are you well groomed and appropriately dressed? Do you project credibility and confidence? Your personal brand hinges on theses questions. You don’t get a second chance for a first impression. Dress for the job you want, not the one you have.

If you don’t brand yourself, then someone else will. It may not be the “brand” you want.

Women’s LifeStyle magazine and Slow Food Detroit launched their first annual, “Thanks & Giving” – a benefit for Big Families of Michigan.  Celebrity Chef Frank Turner gave catering tips in order to have a stress-free holiday turkey.  Katana Abbott, Cynthia Zimber and Jill Jordan – Smart Women Coaches donated a complimentary coaching session along with a percentage of their proceeds from selling holiday gift certificates as a donation to Slow Food Detroit.

Are You the CEO of Your Life?  Last Saturday, Smart Women’s Coaching participated in the inaugural event of LifeMoxie’s, “Economic Power Day” at LaSalle Bank in Troy, Michigan.  Ann Tardy, Founder and Chief Catalyst of LifeMoxie!, is making an 8 city tour throughout  the country presenting the most incredible, one-of-a-kind, profit-impacting, life-changing, on-fire, energy-exploding, power summit, with lifelong impact!!  Jill Jordan, Personal Branding Coach with Smart Women’s Coaching, presented her entertaining seminar entitled, “Relentless Self-Promotion: Learning to Sell Your Ideas, Your Services and Yourself!” to the group.  The day was filled with powerful keynotes, networking and breakout sessions exploring such themes as – professional presence to communication skills to career transitions to work-life balance to financial success to starting a new business.  Keep in touch with Smart Women’s Coaching, so you are on the list for next year’s event!  If you are in Denver, you can still join in the final LifeMoxie 2006 tour on November 18th! 

The Society of Automotive Engineers hosted a Career Day at Cobo Hall on Tuesday, October 17, 2006 in conjunction with the 3-day conference — “Convergence 2006”.  Convergence brings together the world’s leading electronics technologists, engineers, and business executives to discuss significant topics related to the future of electronics in automobiles. Professional career coach, Jill Jordan, delivered a 1-hour presentation for the SAE members, entitled, “Make Your Technical Experience Work for You”.  Jill and her partner at Smart Women’s Coaching, Cynthia Zimber, also offered SAE members and job seekers an opportunity to have a complimentary resume and interview critique through their “Smart 15-Minute Laser Coaching” session.   They helped candidates present themselves in a more powerful way in order to sell their strengths and unique capabilities to potential employers.  One gentleman left the Career Fair with a second interview with a decision maker – stating that he wouldn’t have gotten the opportunity if he hadn’t been coached on how to present himself to the company!

Last week, Jill presented to Deloitte’s, Women’s Network Group at the Wintergarden in the Renaissance Center.  Her presentation, “Enhancing Your Professional Presence to WIN More Business”, was followed by a fashion show from Talbot’s, and then Allison Vaughn, CEO and founder of Jacket for Jobs, presented what their organization does — helps disadvantaged women and men dress for their interview.  They collected suits and business attire from the 150+ women in attendance.  Talk about another “woman who has re-invented herself” – Alison is another role model. 

When two people of fairly equal qualifications are being considered for a job or promotion, the one who is consistently well-groomed and dressed professionally will win every time. First impressions are truly lasting ones. And, they are made within the first 30 seconds!Research shows that nonverbal massages about a person’s appearance and mannerisms actively transmit while they are verbally communicating. Consider this about the relative impact of elements of your initial communication:   

• 7% = The words you use
• 38% = Your tone (pitch, volume, tempo, etc.)
• 55% = Your physical appearance (clothing, grooming, posture, etc.)

If your appearance isn’t professional, what you say may not even be heard!

You need to be concerned with not only your first impression, but also with your on-going impression. If you consistently dress as if you were already successful, you will attract success to you. A distracting or unprofessional image places your “success potential” in jeopardy. Distractions are roadblocks to effective communicating.

An attractive, professional image engenders greater confidence and higher self-esteem, which translate into better performance on the job. Anyone can achieve an attractive professional image. It is all about your polished way of dressing, the way you carry yourself, and your projection of confidence!

Pay attention to your wardrobe. Here are some universal ideas that work every time, whether it’s for an interview or making a presentation when all “eyes” are on you:

• Wear a classic suit or simple dress with a jacket
• Avoid trendy fashions (reserve them for after hours)
• Lighten up your colors for springtime but keep them monochromatic (It’s nice to break away from the traditional black, navy, and gray)
• Avoid constricting clothing or garments that are too revealing (Leave the provocative or sexy outfits for Saturday nights)
• Wear minimal (or none at all) cologne or perfume - many are allergic
• Wear minimal jewelry (and none that make “noise”)
• Sandals are not considered professional
• Don’t “bulk up” - carry a briefcase or portfolio and leave the handbag behind

Be polished, stand tall, and smile. The confidence that you deliver opens doors and opportunities far beyond your imagination!

~ Jill

Founder of Smart Women’s Coaching, Katana Abbott, and her two partners, Cynthia Zimber and Jill Jordan have been presenting to women at local companies and organizations – promoting their Smart Women Coaching organization that helps women re-invent themselves in order to live with purpose, passion and prosperity.  These 3 coaches believe that women oftentimes get “stuck” in their lives and could use support and inspiration to “re-invent” themselves.

Recently Katana, Cynthia and Jill spoke to the Detroit chapter of The Fashion Group International at Edison’s, downtown Birmingham.  The presentation, “Is That All There Is?” was in a Q & A format lead by Carolyn Joseph, co-owner of the upscale, resale shop in Royal Oak, “Bellocchio”.  Each presented her personal story on reinventing herself and then answered questions on the type of support they offer as a Wealth Coach, a Perfect Life Coach, and a Personal Branding Coach.  Attendees shared what they enjoyed about the interactive evening – the overriding theme was, “The Smart Women Coaches presented genuine, real life stories from their experience and offered encouragement and motivation to embrace new personal and/or professional perspectives”.

Last week, Jill presented to Deloitte’s, Women’s Network Group at the Wintergarden in the Renaissance Center.  Her presentation, “Enhancing Your Professional Presence to WIN More Business”, was followed by a fashion show from Talbot’s, and then Allison Vaughn, CEO and founder of Jacket for Jobs, presented what their organization does — helps disadvantaged women and men dress for their interview.  They collected suits and business attire from the 150+ women in attendance.  Talk about another “woman who has re-invented herself” – Alison is another role model.