So my first ever visit to Las Vegas has come to an end, three positive and negative reflections; Positives There is certainly not a shortage of visual stimulation, bright lights, shows, even the old game of people watching – many at no cost! Its interesting and often fun. The city and those working in the tourist industry know how to 'sell' Vegas, the customer service was good and people friendly… Read More »Would you like chips with that?
In my presentation yesterday at the Promotional Product Professionals International Conference, one of the challenges that promotional product professionals face, especially with access to global supply, is that many are able to source the same products at similar prices. So when competing in the market how do they differentiate? The usual answers for many facing similar challenges are: Drop the price my reducing margins or offer discount plans Quicker turnaround by holding… Read More »The Ultimate City of Promotion
One of my key goals this year is to do more speaking across North America and beyond as I believe that 2011 is a year many people will be ready to take control of their careers and lives more than ever before, personal branding can help them do that. So this week I am in Las Vegas and getting an opportunity to speak at one of the huge conferences… Read More »Goals are your guiding light
As many people know from my keynotes and workshops, I offer up Starbucks as a good example of brand experience, both from corporate/product perspective and also a company that allows its employees to be personal brands, in turn engaging and increasing my positive brand experience. On arrival in Las Vegas today, I find three of them just in my hotel! I pass by one of them on the way… Read More »Even in Las Vegas, Starbucks loses.
What you think is important, of course – but I am not talking about what you want for dinner or where you want to go on your next vacation. Having a position in business is going to be more important in 2011 than if you are even right or wrong. You need to establish your thought leadership – here is a Harvard Business Review article on the 6 steps to… Read More »Is what you think really important to your personal brand?
Interesting alternative perspective from Priscilla Claman in the Harvard Business Review – rather than find mentors, which many people attribute to career success, make the extra effort and find a personal board of directors. This is certainly going to take more effort and organization on your side, but perhaps being able to choose a group of people for varying reasons, skills and experience might help you more – see the… Read More »Don’t get a mentor in 2011
An article I wrote 5 Ways to Market and Build a Personal Brand has recently been featured on the blog at BlueSteps, the exclusive service of the Association of Executive Search Consultants (AESC), it is the only career management service providing senior executives with continual exposure to the world's leading executive search firms. Currently, over 300 AESC search firms and 6,000 executive recruiters, also known as executive headhunters, have access to… Read More »Are you hiding your talents?
It was interesting to note in a year end wrap up in Business Week recently that around 50% of Americans believe that Obama has raised taxes since he became President (actually income taxes have come down by over $100 billion!) This proves the point that you can never assume that people know if you have not told them – because it makes an ass of u and me. The… Read More »Is Obama telling others early and often?
It's only the 5th of January and already you might have had it with 2011 and so many articles, gurus, TV hosts and anyone still sticking to them, telling you to set those new year resolutions. Well the good news is there will only be 12 more days to put up with it all, because according to research we stick to them for about 17 days. My colleague Jen Koretsky the founder… Read More »What is your theme for 2011?
As part of the continuing theme "Review Your Year With No Fear", there is still time to review 2010, just e-mail me paul @ charlesb32.sg-host.com and I will send you the first three lessons. The final lesson comes out in a few days and is more about looking forward to 2011, so I thought that this article, written by colleague Jamie Broughton of Footprint Leadership, was a great lead in… Read More »Resolutions Schmezalutions