Last Thursday, I appeared on The CBS Evening News with Katie Couric regarding LinkedIn’s initial public offering (IPO) and how professionals use the social media site to develop business (you can click here to watch the interview).
Although I addressed a number of issues, the sound byte that drew the most criticism, particularly from seasoned professionals who did not grow up in the Facebook era, was my statement, “[professionals] have to participate in social media; otherwise, you’re simply not relevant!”
Albeit a sobering pill to swallow, I stand by my comment.
In today’s Internet world, prospective clients, employers, and referral sources initiate their due diligence before engaging you formally by typing your name into Google.
If you have positioned yourself as the “go to” person within your industry, one would expect to find all kinds of information on you — websites, articles you’ve authored, blog entries you’ve commented on, mentions of conferences where you’ve spoken, testimonials from other professionals, etc. The absence of such information may suggest to others you’re not whom you purport to be.
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Last week, news broke that Arnold Schwarzenegger fathered a love child with a member of his household staff more than a decade ago. Instantly, the Terminator and Governator drew worldwide scorn as the Inseminator.
Although Arnold isn’t the first high profile, internationally recognized personality to be unfaithful, he follows a long list of politicians who have cheated on their wives, such as President Clinton, former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford, and former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer.
From a branding perspective, do actions we take in our personal lives have the ability to affect our business? Do we hold certain people, like celebrities and politicians, to a different standard than we would a colleague, a neighbor, or a friend? Is it permissible to turn a blind eye to one’s bad behavior because they are a significant revenue source or have industry influence?
My mother, Kathy, was an executive for General Motors for almost 30 years. During that time, and in pursuit of different roles throughout the company, GM transferred my family from Salt Lake City to Portland, then to Detroit and California, with a final stop in New York. To say that Kathy was loyal and dedicated to the GM brand would be an understatement.
Throughout her time at the company, Kathy would receive pitches from vendors, who were hoping to peddle their products. In one particular instance, Kathy agreed to meet with Ron and Bob, principals from a Chicago-based advertising agency who had a remarkable idea for the campaign launch of a new, Chevrolet vehicle.
Dr. Mark Goulston
While sitting in my office one afternoon, my phone rang. The gentleman on the other end of the phone introduced himself as Dr. Mark Goulston. He said he had attended a recent event where I was the featured speaker. He went on to tell me that he had some unsolicited feedback and wondered if we could get together for breakfast.
I took Dr. Goulston up on his offer. From the time we met, I was immediately impressed with his concentration on our conversation. He asked thought provoking questions. He listened. His insight into who I am as a professional and my potential for future success was incredible. It was almost as though he had known me for years.
Dr. Goulston made an incredible impression on me that morning, which is why I consider him a “Best of the Brands.”
An experience fit for a...client
How does a controversial fashion designer go from styling the likes of Lady Gaga one day, to the newest member of the British Monarchy the next?
For the past 72 hours, the world’s eyes have focused on the wedding of Price William and Kate Middleton, now the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. News sources have reported on the dignitaries and celebrities in attendance, the $35 million security detail required for such a momentous event, and even the unprecedented marriage seal of two kisses on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
But, no one has really explained how the fashion house of Alexander McQueen was chosen as the royal family’s designer of record. Doesn’t it seem as though the two brands are diametrically opposed?
As I considered this apparent disconnect, a number of explanations went through my mind.
