Electable Personal Brands

As we approach the eve of what has been called the most important election of our time, I ask you again to reflect on the power of  personal branding.  We have discussed the value and power of developing a personal brand in the context of optimizing career opportunities for several months. On November 4th, Americans across this great country will be voting in part, for candidates that not only represent their core values and beliefs, but also that exude such through the demonstration of their  personal brands. Powerful, isn't it? 

I ask you to reflect on your personal brand in the context of your existing job  as well as future career opportunities. Do you have an "electable" personal brand? Does your personal brand exude that you are the best qualified candidate for the job? Does your personal brand give you a substantial lead over the competition? The competitive job market  is fierce at best. Now more than ever, it is important to have a solid executable personal branding strategy. Let TLT Consulting Services help you establish your personal brand to ensure that you are the candidate of choice!

Until next week...

Career Reinvention... The Cure For Feeling Trapped!

The economy, the primary topic of discussion on prime time news, across dinner tables and in social circles around the country, is weighing heavy on the minds of many passive and active job seekers. Growing unemployment rates, dwindling perceptions of job security, threats of a severe and long national recession and overall uncertainty about the future, for many, has generated the feeling of being trapped.  Trapped in an economy with a limited number of jobs. Trapped with a body of experience in an industry that has been devastated by our recent economic condition. Trapped in a position that has been  reclassified. Trapped in a position that requires relocation. Trapped in a position targeted for a drastic pay reduction.  Overall, trapped in the fear of the unknown as it relates to the economy, jobs and future career opportunities. 

Career reinvention is often the cure for feeling trapped. The possibility of reinventing your career is empowering. It allows you to take control of your current circumstance and mobilize yourself for opportunities that you may not have otherwise imagined.  Career reinvention can be accomplished by taking stock of your current body and range of experience, creating a personal brand around that experience and then leveraging that against opportunities in other positions, functional areas, fields or industries. Examples of transitional reinventions can be found in real estate, mortgage loan or  financial service agents  transitioning into sales or account executive roles with corporations in other industries. Further examples include transitional reinventions from corporate  manager to adjunct faculty instructor; sales manager to training and development manager; information technology employee to web  designer; physical education teacher to personal trainer; fashion retail employee to image consultant; administrative assistant to virtual assistant; account executive to non-profit fundraiser; medical billing supervisor to executive recruiter; advertising representative to media buyer and the list goes on. Additionally,  any of the above examples can easily transition into alternative entrepreneurial pursuits.  

If you feel as if you are trapped in your current role, what is your solution? Will you take control of your current situation, mobilize your body of experience and begin the process of positioning yourself for career reinvention and broader opportunities? Although you cannot control the state of our economy, you can control the outcome of your career. Begin the empowering process of career reinvention today...even if you consider reinvention your plan "B".  TLT Consulting Services specializes in career reinvention and personal branding. Let us show you the power of your personal brand!

Until next week...

Will Your Personal Brand Garner The Attention of Talent and Human Capital Strategists?

Talent and human capital management strategies are integral to the success of progressive organizations, particularly in the global working environment that is our reality. Organizations that employ talent and human capital management strategies aim to attract, develop and retain the most dynamic talent in the marketplace. When executed successfully, the  process is a marriage between the candidate's brand, position requirements and the organization's vision. This results in a win for the candidate and a slam dunk for the organization. Did I just use a sports analogy? Well,  you get the point.  Let's talk about why  talent and human capital management strategies are important and what a candidate must do to catch the eye, so to speak, of such strategists.

Over the course of the past several months, we learned of several companies, many of which represent iconic Americana with deeply rooted brand identities, struggle to keep their brands afloat amid the challenges of our current economic climate. Many I believe, are in such a tenuous position because of a failure to attract, develop and retain top talent from the highest levels of the organization to the most fundamental.   Companies that expect to win and thrive through our current troubling  economic environment, let alone the next decade, must seize the opportunity to aggressively scour  their  workforce and develop internal  talent as well as seek out and entice external  talent. This must be done across a host of functional areas, geographies, industries, educational backgrounds, experience, perspectives and demographics in an effort to mobilize a talent force that will position the organization to drive revenue, explore new market opportunities and insulate its brand from the threat of new entrants.   

Years ago, I worked for a company that had been a first in class industry leader for decades. The leadership employed the same strategies and tactics year after year in an effort to grow the business. Generally speaking, the organization encouraged  group think,  did not welcome creativity, meagerly developed internal talent, recruited exclusively from the same industry, thought little of the competition  and believed that its status as an industry leader would never be compromised. As a result, over time, the company lost market share, shed its position as an industry leader and to this day, struggles to attract thought leaders and top talent. Clearly, this company neither embraced nor employed talent and human capital management strategies and suffered as a result.  

If you are to catch the eye of talent and human capital strategists, you must have a solid and compelling personal brand, market yourself as a progressive thought leader with a passion for the vision of the respective organization and demonstrate the value and connectivity of your diverse experience relative to the position and overall strategy of the organization. Are you ready to catch the eye  and garner the attention of talent and human capital strategists?  Are you ready to demonstrate that you are the most dynamic candidate for the job? If so, let TLT Consulting Services help you re-engineer your career or create a professional personal brand that is sure to garner their attention. Let us show you the power of your personal brand!

Until next week...