A wardrobe consultant handed me her vibrantly colored business card today. On the back it read, “Shower Me With Style!” This visual and tactile image promised a warm shower from which I would emerge with a new look and fashionably dressed for success. She had me hooked: I was primed to ask her how she could follow up on her promise to benefit me with that “stylish shower”!

Branding, or burning a mark onto a product, is no longer the sole province of the large corporate entities, socially conscious non profits, start-ups or entrepreneurs. Job candidates are now being encouraged to stand out in this crowded marketplace by knowing their target audience and identifying their unique characteristic which will ensure their memorability! Although “elevator speeches” or personal introductions are highly recommended, it’s that metaphoric brand which speaks a thousand words.

Brands can be used in portfolios, beginning phrases in cover letters, as a heading on a resume, and an opening for a rich conversation. They will:

-leave a lasting image of you
-define you for you and for your audience
-show how well thought out your goals are
-instill trust
-clarify your image and your selling points
-build confidence in your product (YOU!) and
-give your identity a firm foundation is these unstable economic times

Ready to experiment with branding yourself? Tell us you story.

We are curious, we read about something and then, an idea begins to take shape. And, if we take the next step to get more information, it might lead us to discover something new or something to modify or change. And yes, FastCompany is just one of a zillion places to get information. For those not familiar with this publication, it was started in the mid-90’s as a magazine that focused on the “new economy”. It has continued to keep that focus, looking at issues related to innovation, leadership, technology, design and creativity as they relate to business (for profit, non-profit and public sector), products and services. In addition, it also offers stories of how older, established companies have instituted changes to prepare for the future. If you want to discover a wave of the future, it is a good place to start.

As I work with my clients, how do I help them prepare for the work of the future? Since I do not have a crystal ball, I find reading/flipping the pages of FastCompany may provide some clues to share and inspire a client to do some research, to investigate, to take the next step. Here are a couple examples:

• Several years ago, there was a story about some architects who wanted to design temporary housing for victims of disasters and for refugees. Their criteria included sustainability, function and privacy. They had some interesting concept drawings. This idea was creative and also introduced the concept of sustainability before it became part of the lexicon.

• In the current issue, there was an item in the calendar section that promoted a conference for the Society for Environmental Graphic Design. These are the folks who design store layouts, museum exhibit spaces, subway information posts. At the conference, they will talk about what makes a space navigable or informative; form and function. Here is an interesting profession that incorporates multidisciplinary skills, knowledge and expertise.

• There is also an article about a woman who has developed a business to educate employees about the ‘power of food” to help them improve their health. She has focused on wellness plans to promote healthy eating in the workplace by partnering with health insurance companies and food companies. Again, I was curious about a new concept/business; another approach for a business to advocate for health, which also incorporated multidisciplinary skills, knowledge and industries.

• In this issue, the magazine has identified people they consider to be the 100 most creative people in business. Now I believe creativity is in the eye of the beholder, however reading about the people on this list and what they do and what their organization does can spark new ideas, reframe old perspectives and provide inspiration and/or direction.

Why is this relevant?

Change happens because we are ready and because we are open and responsive to what is going on around us. What kind of change am I talking about? I’m talking about changes in your personal or professional life that could be transformational or incremental. Changes that could include: where you live, how you live; adding creativity or volunteerism to your life; taking classes or getting a new degree; choosing to be a new mom or dad; strategizing for a promotion or a new career; leadership tips; ideas for a new product or service; investing opportunities; trends and new perspectives; or strategies for organizational change.

For those of you who feel stuck…you don’t have to be. I encourage you to read this publication or other blogs, magazines, listen to lectures or take classes. Step out, engage with the world, be curious, be inspired and motivated. And you will be more prepared to take the next step to make a change in your life.

sheila 6/30/10

I recommend stories that unfold using the acronym C.A.R. – CAR Stories! Provide information about the Challenge you were faced with, the Actions you took, and the Results you achieved. You know how sometimes when you tell a story you don’t know how to end it? Or, you tend to wander? You can avoid such problems by crafting the written story in eminent detail. After completing the crafting of the story in this long form, you can then begin to tell the story in verbal form. Remember that the “written word” is quite different than the “spoken word”. I recommend using a mirror so you can see yourself as others see you. Of course a video camera is better, but not everyone has a video camera. And know that you can tell your well-crafted story from a number of perspectives. One story can yield a number of different telling that showcases the skills of a leader. If you tell the story another way, using different verbs and highlighting other aspects of the story, you can tell it such that it showcases your communication skills, or your technology skills, or your teamwork…or…

As the article queries, are you living your dream life? See what you think.

http://www.self.com/health/2010/02/one-woman-follows-her-heart-and-her-dream

Kathy Knudson

Quality of Life and Work-Life Balance. Are they goals? Are the attainable? I say, yes! …only if we take the time to incorporate them into our life.

I’d am including a link to Anne Lamott’s article. If you are one of those people who would like to make the time to reflect, create, experience or share, then I hope you find this article helpful, inspirational and motivating.

Sheila 4/12/10

http://www.sunset.com/travel/anne-lamott-how-to-find-time-00418000067331/

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/24/magazine/24labor-t.html

Kathy Knudson

Until one is committed

There is hesitancy, the chance to draw back,

Always ineffectiveness.

Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation),

There is an elementary truth,

The ignorance of which kills countless ideas

And splendid plans;

That the moment one definitely commits oneself,

Then Providence moves too.

All Sorts of things occur to help one

That would never otherwise have occurred.

A whole stream of events issues from the decision,

Raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen

Incidents and meetings and material assistance,

Which no man could have dreamt

Would have come his way.

I have learned a deep respect

For one of Goethe’s couplets:

“Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.

Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.”

Published by

J.M. Dent and Sons, Ltd. 1951

Here are the four basic elements the article puts into question, whether you are “the Poor, the Professional, or the Missing Middle”:

Workplace flexibility
Short-term, episodic, and extended time off
Childcare, afterschool care, and adult care
Addressing family responsibilities discrimination

http://www.worklifelaw.org/pubs/ThreeFacesofWork-FamilyConflict.pdf

Kathy Knudson, MFT, NCC, MAC, CADC II