I recently asked the question on Linkedin ”What is the best business advise you have received” this was after reading Trump The way to the top. I thought why not get many answers and ideas.
I was originally planning to list the answers – but I have found the easy way for you to link to the site. I will possibly add some of the answers once people have finished giving their information.
Here you go Open some really great answers.
It’s always great to think that you have all the answers but for me – it’s good to know that other people can and do supply a lot of tips as well, I was reading the blog of a coach and I thought I would pass on his thoughts because they are current and relevant.
The 2nd month is just ending and I’m sure alot of people are ‘waiting’ to get the things finalized or tweaked before the launch – Well Mike said ‘You don’t have to get it right, you just had to get it going’ - It’s not a new phrase but it’s one we might have heard and ignored – others might have said don’t was time just get going or as Nike put it “Just do it”
Why do we waste so much time waiting or double and triple checking – Get it out there, let the people see what it is you have to offer, so many people miss opportunites because they are waiting for perfection or some other ‘unknown’ thing.
Don’t be afraid – if it does not work the first time – do it again!
So – Who ever you are “Make this month be the month when you get it out there “March will be too late”
Well it’s the 18th already, so much time has passed by since I began this blog. What have I learnt in all this time – well I think it’s great to plan but it’s also to do this off the cuff as they say, I did not realise how much is happening around me which can make it a little hard to get down to blogging. Life just takes over.
I can say that over the last weekend I read The Witch of Portobello by Paulo Coelho , another great book, full of interesting thoughts and ideas which are wrapped around the story, I’m sure that he writes on various levels and it depends on where you are in life what you can get out of it.
The thing that I find amazing really is I bought the book at least 3 months ago with the intention of reading it straight way but it did not seem right – I had other things to do in my mind – so when I started it on Friday evening I could not really put it down, it just seemed to flow and capture my attention, when I was not reading I was thinking about what I had just read – now I’ve finished it, here I am writing about it.
I love things when they fill you new thoughts, ideas and beliefs.
So I just want to give thanks for this Monday and look towards 29th February – we only see it every Four years, I never actually thought that it was important to remember the leap year but the more I think about significance and celebration – I will make the most of the 29th – maybe it will give me something to make it stand out even more – I’m not superstitious but I do know that everything happens for a reason.
Well – enjoy the day wherever you are.
I was recently asked by a colleague to give a brief presentation on using Linkedin the networking site, I have been a member for over a year and my colleague thought I would be good because I showed him how to get involved.
I was not sure exactly what I would talk about but I must say, if I were to do another presentation, I would remember the phrase “Never assume” I must remember to give information first at the lowest level and then raise it up or ask “what do you know”, we undertake so much trainng then forget what we have been taught.
I must say one of the best things I did was go on Linkedin and ask questions to find out what people thought would be the best tips to give, the audience I was talking to were looking for a new job or possibly a change of direction, their use for the site was going to be slightly different from mine but I managed to get most of my points accross.
I do not normally use powerpoint presetations but I managed to put a few bits together, the idea for the topics were:
It started off quite well but most people wanted to get to see Linkedin working rather than having a discussion (good lesson for me – What are your expectation of ………) I was pleased to get the top tips from 12 people, I wil add them so you will have an idea what to look out for if you log on to Linkedin yourself: Here is the question I asked to enable me to get some answers:-
What are your top 5 tips for using linkedin
I have been asked by a colleague to talk to a group of people about using Linkedin, they are people who will be looking for work at the moment.What are the top 5 tips that you have found most useful?
Where would you tell someone – who is totally new to Linkedin?
Any reccomended reading you would direct people to?(I thought it best to ask the question, then I can show the people how useful linkedin can be
The responce:-
Daniel Jatovsky 2nd
District Leader at Primerica Financial Services and Owner, David Gordon Productions
1) Fill out your profile completely, so you can easily connect with colleagues and classmates
2) Invite everyone you know well; you never know where someone might lead you.
3) Leverage the power of your network by using the Introductions feature, and do it BEFORE you need to find a job.
4) Be active on the Q&A forum
5) Look for ways to help other people in your network
J. D. Wallace
Assoc Prof at Lubbock Christian University •
Good question Danny,
I think you are going to find us a bit cautious about being redundant. So rather than looking at the question as a bid for information I am going to look at it as a poll as to what I find most useful whether mentioned or not. That way, hopefully you get a bunch of responses that will indicate the most used (or at least very used) features.In no particular order.1. Making stronger connections with my outlook contact list. Here is where marginal contacts have a mutual venue outside of more traditional channels to help each other. Remarkably, there is a reciprocity here that is extremely beneficial. 2. Extremely weak relationships from schools are renewed. Both in my present situation and from previous, I have found contacts that can be renewed based on school commonality.3. Shortening development curve on projects. I have had several projects where a well-placed question shortened and streamlined the development curve in just a few days. It also exposed me to an international network of individuals with similar interests from around the world.4. Reality checks on my thinking. As an academic, sometimes it is difficult to determine if theoretic thinking (or even conventional wisdom in applied thinking) is currently accepted as relevant. The feedback given on answers (good and best) is a possible indicator into that relevancy.5. Giving honor to honor is due. By recommending others I can unilaterally reward or validate individuals who have contributed significantly to myself and others. It is a form of recognition that is often unexpected and therefore all the more appreciated.
Of course there are more (e.g. personal visibility, searchable profiles, community formation) but this is just off the top of my head. Good luck on your presentation and hope this helps.-jd
Steve Tylock 2nd
Information Technology Executive, Strategist, Creative Thinker, Author, Speaker, Husband, Father, Child of God
1) register all your email addresses
2) think about the message you want to send with your profile
3) take the time to setup your profile and enter information
4) connect to people you know and trust
5) get familiar with the advanced search to locate peopleThis page has some links that should be helpful:
http://www.squidoo.com/LinkedInPersonalTrainer
Harish Nair 2nd
Founder , Ragnar & Rearden Consultants •
Hi Danny,
1. Fill in your profile comprehensively and be accurate,, ask your superiors and colleagues [past & present] to write recommendations for you if they think fit.
2. Send invites to all your contacts to kick start your network
3. Participate actively in the Q & A. it allows others who dont know you to get to know you and perhaps even connect with you. One of the best ways to build a quality network.
4. Use discretion when accepting invites. Its not a number game. Its not a race and there are no rewards for having the highest number of connections. Quality overwhelms quantity and is rewarding.
5. Talk / connect to your network periodically.
Thats my two pounds [ cents cant get you anything nowadays] cheers Harish Nair
FABIO MICHELOTTI 1st
Experienced General Manager, Sales & Marketing VP, Business Development VP
• To take out the best from Linked In, just:
1) Write a great CV, keep it always updated and include your photo.
2) Ask your boss, peers, subordinates, customers, suppliers, to jump in Linked In
3) Ask the same people above to endorse you.
4) Keep your contact settings updated.
5) Put your personal Linked In hyperlink in your email automatic signature, in your personal business cards, in all your cover letters and in all your communication tools.
6) Help Linked In people as much as you can.
7) Keep your account alive. Check it at least once a week.
David Harwood 3rd
IT Professional Be prepared that prospective employers may check LinkedIn to see if they like the look of you. Therefore:
1. Take your time when writing your profile
2. Have someone review it
3. If you are applying for lots of different roles eg Project Manager or Solution Architect then ensure your profile is generic enough to support your application
4. Contact everyone in your contacts list and ask them if they know of any vacancies
5. When you get an inetrview use search LinkedIn to see if you know someone already working there who can give you some inside information and maybe give you an edge in the interview
Iman El-Hariry 2nd
Group Director at GSK •
This is a truly great question.
There is not much I can add on to what is already said. What I find very useful is that this is a very likeminded people and so I feel I relate to many of the active members in the forum. In fact it is so nice to get asked to be added to their network
I get asked the same questions by my friends whom I asked to join in. And may be it is useful to have some of excellent answers below listed as a tip on LI so new joiners can get a feel of the value of this group. I am sure the adminstrator of this web site can do this
Iman
George Anderson, MSW, BCD, CEAP 2nd
Anger Management/executive Coaching for Physicians
Write an interesting bio.
Ask questions.
Answer questions.
Invite others to join.
Accept invitations
Mirek MIRPO Polyniak 1st
INDEPENDENT e-Strategist, e-Consultant; OPEN4net’s owner [ LION: mirekpolyniakATyahoo.co.uk ]
1) LinkedIn is a very powerful networking tool – you can find jobs, contacts here
2) I use it to consult my business decisions, strategies – it’s hivemind so you can gain access to lots of brains and their wisdom 3) Be honest with your profile & achievements – use KISS [ Keep It Simple Stupid ] formula – otherwise you risk of being mistrusted4) Be creative while using LI – I sometimes disguise problems to get more honest answers – re. the Q in the link below which I used as a method of consulting my strategy of negotiations with a very big company5) Try to give some valuable input to the LI’s community as well by answering questions and sharing some of your wisdom
· http://www.linkedin.com/answers/marketing-sales/business-development/MAR_BD…
Anand Gulati 2nd
Marketing Manager, Singapore Technologies Kinetics •
complete your profile – gives you more visibility
change your url to your name – uniqueness
be an open networker – able to maximise LI’s potential fully
state what you are a open networker or not…
and finally it works – iam in my present role because of it.
Dolly Mauji 1st
Project Lead (dollymauji@yahoo.com) •
Build – Join and make & maintain contacts respectably.
Participate – Be professional & participate Q&A is a very good platform!
Help – Help others and yourself. Grow – Learn, explore & share.
Promote – Invite colleagues & friends.
Happy Networking!
Art Douglas 2nd
EDI Professional – Consulting and Contracting – Available for Assignment [LION] •
Great question. I have been developing an email to send to new members who accept my invitation, and I will go back and harvest the cream of the crop from the answers to this question. To add to what has already been supplied:1. Whenever you make an new contact, check LinkedIn to see if they are a member. If so, invite them to join your network. If you think it will help, edit the standard invitation text to help the person place you.
2. Invite those you work with and network with who are not part of LinkedIn. Before you send the official invitation, contact them in person, by phone, or email telling them more about LinkedIn so they will be more apt to accept. 3. Follow up with those who accept with simple instructions. I include (a) Decide how you want to use LinkedIn (b) create a profile that fits your expectations (c) Look at my connections and invite mutual friends to connect with you as well (d) whenever someone accepts your invitation, look at their connections and invite mutual friends to LinkIn with you.4. Check your Home and In Box frequently. Follow up when a connection is updated.5. Stay in touch. Use the Send A Message to congratulate of encourage those who you know, especially if their profile indicates some life change.
Here is a copy of an email I received from someone looking for a job on Linkedin:-
• Hello,I am reaching out to my direct contacts on LinkedIn.With some ongoing changes at my current company, my position is
transforming to one that is not well matched with my chosen career
path. As a result I have decided to actively explore other
opportunities. I am targeting senior level product management and
marketing roles – ideally in the Boston area, although I am open to
possible relocation. I am also interested in consulting projects. If
you are aware of any opportunities that might be a fit with my
background, I would appreciate it if you would either contact me, or
pass my information along -A bit about my background:I have a breadth of entrepreneurial experience and corporate-level
successes with technology sector businesses including hardware,
software, semiconductor, industrial, fiber optics, communications &
telecom. My experience in all facets of marketing management and
technical sales is coupled with a strong technology background
(Electrical Engineering degree). My responsibilities have included
senior level marketing and product management roles where I developed
and implemented strategic philosophies while managing tactical
objectives. I have successfully led, with P&L responsibility, the
product development process from initial conception through market
introduction for multiple products in both the B-to-B and B-to-C
environments. Throughout my career, I have enjoyed extensive contact
with customers and partners with a track record of establishing,
managing, and shepherding relationships to the next level. I am
analytical and solutions-focused with a history of driving
multi-million dollar sales and profit improvements for Fortune 500
companies and several successful start-ups.My LinkedIn Profile is at:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/robertottoThank you for taking the time to read this message and helping if you
can. Likewise, do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of assistance
in any way.Best Regards,
Robert Otto
rotto.linkedin@gmail.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/robertotto
Request for help to fill post:-
If you have a moment, I’d appreciate your help. Please take a look and forward this job on to anyone you think would be interested in the position, or anyone else who could help me find great candidates. Thanks for your help!
-NigelCompany: http://www.MagentaTrainers.info
Job Title: Freelance Trainer
Description: Freelance training consultants required.Magenta is building a global list of freelance training consultants across all specialisms. We will help major training companies source trainers – any time – any specialism – anywhere.We currently have a request to help source management / soft skills trainers in the US and Continental Europe from a major UK training company. We would also welcome trainers from other locations with other specialisms.To join our list please go to http://www.MagentaTrainers.infoand complete the on-line form.Regards Nigel Wyatt
http://www.HRDcafe.com- Networking for HR & Training Professionals
http://magentaCircle.com- The Self Employed Consultants Network
Tailored Invite to connect
Danny, I am working on building my Linkedin network. I have already met some amazing people through Linkedin that have given me exceptional insight into career development. I am looking to expand the network of people that I can contribute insight to as well as learn from. We also have common Links to Gil Valadez and Ursula Evering, both coworkers of mine at General Mills.Greg Flickinger
Plant Operations Manager
General Mills
General Mills End of Slide & External input:
A lot of the morning was then spent looking at the working of Linkedin, it was quite good that a few other people in the room had some idea of how Linkedin could be used – even thought I might have been portrayed as the Guru – there is always more to learn! How silly would I look if I preached that “Mine is the only way” as we well know, it is best to do what is right for you at the time and be ready for change when it happens.
The other site I would mention is Top Linked this is the site which has a lot of the top players on linkedin. I found this useful when I was trying to find ways to expand my network.
There are a few places you can go to learn about how to use linkedin: But for me “The only way to ride a horse – is to get on it’s back” Sign up for Linkedin enter your basic details Then search for a colleage, view a company or ask a question – Then if your hooked – get therapy!
Enjoy the experience.
Well, some day’s you get to celebrate more than others. Today the result of the exam has come back and it’s great news, passed all ok – I’m now officially a New Insight Certified Life Coach!!! It all starts today (I suppose it started ages ago but this is the marker)
Well it’s a short post with a big impact.
So, you open up the newspapers and you listen to the radio and we hear “Black Monday” up until that moment most people were un-aware of the dealings on the stock exchange or how their pension funds were doing, it’s nice to know that the editor of the newspapers has our best interests at heart (no, I don’t actually believe that for one moment).
There will be panic and upset on houses all over England due to one story – so what is the truth?
It happened in October 1987 and previously before that in 1929! Earlier in the week it was Britney Spears and problems with her children also the flooding in the areas that were hit in 2007. I recall the phrase “It will be tomorrows chip paper” from the day’s when Fish & Chips were wrapped in newspapers (Before they discovered it did us harm!).
What has this all got to do with coaching or life in general – well, for some people 21st January may have been the birth of the long awaited baby or the start of a new job or perhaps the purchase of a new car, someone may have even passed their driving test.
People gave blood or donated money to their favourite charity, some children went to the zoo for the first time and saw a tiger or lion. So much was going on and it was really positive. This information did not reach the front page or got a mention on TV.
We have a choice at how we view to see the world and to decide what is really important to us. Being happy is top priority for me, I try to limit the negative information which can filter into focus, this can be hard when we have news headlines and radio stories blasting through the airwaves.
When all the companies and global institutes were making vast amounts of money (which is good) no papers reported the facts or even gave us an opportunity to congratulate them.
We need to give thanks for the success around the world, let the mishaps and the negative events just fade into the distance, we have to avoid things which could push us into a negative downturn – or do we actually pull ourselves into it – either way, we should stay on top of our thoughts and ideas and create what I would call a positive future possibility.
The days of the week have no colour – they just have opportunities and we should make the most of what we have and set goals to acheive more.
Well, at the moment it’s rain and more rain where I’m located. It’s not a problem for me generally but it’s just as I move around and see how much water is gathering in all the different locations, it seems less than six months ago when we had a similar problem, people are just now moving back in to their houses after months of preparing and waiting for insurance claims.
We cannot of course predict nature – it can and will do what it desires, in our own life we can take some precautions and prepare for the future. It’s about keeping informed and looking what is going on around us.
We often have ‘spare’ time, I recall the hour’s which I have possibly wasted whilst waiting for people. At the time I did not see it as ‘knowledge time’. Whilst undertaking a driving tasks I have spend hours where I could have picked up educational literature or even courses. We often do not think seriously about the future and how we might be able to advance that little further along the ‘ladder’ or move to the next level.
Yes, it’s good to relax but even now, I had a ‘moment’ spare so I thought it best to use it wisely and put some words of encouragement down. As I watch the wind blowing the tree’s I feel happy that I’m not stranded outside, I’m not sure if the power is going to stay on as the lights have dimmed a few times! oh well, it’s great to be warm, happy and relaxed.
My lesson today is to use my time wisely and make the most of what I have around me because it could so easily be destroyed or I may be so pushed for time that I will be wishing I had not done more whilst I had the opportunity.
Do it whilst you can – but most of all, enjoy what you do.
Having your own website has become the way forward, so many people are not sure about taking the first step and getting themselves on-line, the cost, time and knowledge needed are so high that often it is put off.
Is it really that hard, that expensive? Well with coaching most things can become easier than first thought. I recall the first time I thought about a website, I went down the avenue of getting someone to build it for me, only problem I found was because I was doing courses and gaining more therapy experience, I needed to keep adding more information but the company wanted to charge me so much because – I was supposed to have a page then leave it as that!
So I started out on the journey of providing what I thought people needed by myself. First thing I needed to do was decide on a name – hey why not use you’re own.
Off to www.freeparking.co.uk and I checked out to see if my name was available www.dannysmall.co.uk then I bought it, the good thing was I could transfer all the emails that went to ….@dannysmall.co.uk to the location of my normal email location.
So now I had to build a site – got no real experience but thought it cannot be too hard, after some searching I found www.freeservers.com I got a free site because they had all the on-site building tools, I was able to transfer my web name into the free site and it meant they would host it at no extra cost. Yes they have free advertising on the site but I found out that if you paid $20 or so you could get all the ads removed.
We were nearly there, I needed to find a way to get my site registered on the web. So many people are offering to do it for many dollars or pounds, onto Google and searched for ‘add url’ and I came up with a few site www.scrubtheweb.com/addurl.htm was one www.submitexpress.com/list.htmlis also another one, it also has added features of helping you do your meta tags http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meta_tag .
So once this was done I then had to find way’s of getting my site listed higher on the website but this is another conversation.
I must admit that it can be easier for some just to get a specialist to go ahead and do all the work – for me it was good to experiment and have a go. I suppose that’s why I’m writing this blog as apposed to reading all the others and getting people to put the information down for me.
Yes I know, It would not do as a coach not to have the desire to move myself further forward.
As they say “The worst that can happen is you get it wrong” That’s an important lesson and step in itself.
I was recently asked about putting an add in a local magazine, also there was an opportunity to have some advertorial – I thought the words should be included here:
Once upon a time long ago……We have all read stories with a similar beginning and there can be magic and mystery included. Harry Potter excited many in book and film – but what about our own lives?
We have a choice to make many things happen, often people will discuss new jobs, new opportunities and it never actually gets off the drawing board, the plans and the dreams stay on the shelves.
You could make a promise that 2008 will be different, maybe have a look at what really is possible – forget about the negative barriers we place in our way, actually sit down and take the first step to making the real future possible.
Little steps grow into bigger steps so no matter what your journey, find out where you are – then look to see where you can go.
Too many people are waking up thinking “If only” …… or “If I had another chance” ….. Nothing is stopping you….. With ‘Mind Belief’ most things are possible, dare to dream and wish for the outcome you deserve.
Think about your heroes – they too had to take the first step, we are lucky they kept on walking. You will be surprised how much you have inside; often it’s just a case of pulling it out.
I will update you on the response I get.
I recall the phrase the customer is alway’s right and as a child being told I must share and people advise it’s not good to be selfish – so what does this all mean.
When we first started school, we were confident and happy withour own lives and having taught ourselves to stand up and walk and communicate – it was all about us at that stage. Somewhere along the line it all changed, we hade to share and consider other peoples opinions etc
Now is the time when we must focus on our owneeds and have belief in what we can and could do, other will not be helping with their possible negative comments, sharing at the onset is not alway’s the best option, we have inside our own intuition, as young children it used to guide us and move us towards and awat from things, we have to tap back into what is our own system for progress.
There are times when we could consult a coach but even then we will be proving the answers.
So I’ve decided that looking after yourself is not wrong, it’s just another way to do things – of course we must consider other peoples feeling but this is empathy which is another lesson in its self.
