To thine own self, promote

Had a coffee with a friend of mine whose has a pretty good life; not working in a corporate job (was a CEO in his last role), has a retainer from a previous company for a couple of years, steady income off of rental property, now works on deals to make equity shares, picking and choosing what he wants. AND he knows how to promote himself—has for years. He is adept at getting on the lecture circuit, and has spoken at conferences regionally, then globally, and soon more and more exclusive, so he can now hobnob more with the power brokers he needs to know. He knows exactly what he’s doing, and as I listened to him talk about how he was continuing to brand himself, he gets it. On his website is a picture of him with Bill Gates and Li Ka Shing, a list of every major event attended, and speeches given: he looks like someone who has a network–and he does.

I have another friend, and she has not figured any of it out. Not the public speaking part–that will likely not happen–but knowing how to promote herself. In a new sales job for four months, she called me last month to say she did not think she would make it past the probationary period, and would find out when she spoke to the boss. I asked her what she thought people said about her in the office–she paused, and then said, “I think they’ll say they don’t know what I do.” Better start to promote yourself, I warned, and start spending more one on one time with those in position of power.

Sure enough, when she had the meeting the following week, her boss told her that he would extend her probation by one month, but that she was the biggest overhead he had (as a westerner) so she’d better bring in more business soon. She’s had it with the company, not interested in making any further efforts, and has gotten outmaneuvered by another peer who has been there the same amount of time, but spends all his time with the boss, and is considered an influencer.

Moral of these two people? Build your brand, every day. Build it publicly, and within the organisation. Talk about what you’ve done, what you’re going to do, and in such a way that does not rankle, but with a light an steady touch. Spend time with those that can keep you in your job, know their strengths and how to make play to their strengths. Do NOT let someone else take credit for your work, and if you see it coming, well, we’ll leave that for the next blog, but there are ways to stop it.