The Power of Purple

Do you have a personal brand?  Are you even aware you need one? I've seen and read several articles recently, from Forbes to Inc., that included statements like this: "By 2020 if you don't have a personal brand no one will work with you. Having a personal brand will be what sets you apart, both professionally and personally." (Inc. Oct. 2017) In terms of a brand, what comes to mind when people ask you what you do? If you answer with tactical answers, you're not speaking from your personal brand. We all perform tactical things. In our professions these can be anything from creating marketing campaigns, analyzing and reporting data, to maintaining client accounts. In our personal lives, it can be spending time with family and friends, running errands, carpooling, and household chores. Those are tasks, they are not reflective of our personal brand. If you have a job, and every one of us does, regardless of whether you get paid or not; developing your personal b...

A few weeks ago Facebook announced it was changing its newsfeed algorithm, pushing down business and "salesy" posts across newsfeeds so users will see more personal posts from their friends. Facebook stated the change was a result of hearing from users who are tired of seeing their newsfeeds cluttered with "ads" and they are working hard to make staying connected more meaningful for users. Since the announcement, I've seen many posts, mostly from others in direct sales, warning "you'll only see your top 25 or 26 "friends" posts in your newsfeeds". They also advise that you need both "likes" and comments to push your posts higher in the newsfeeds of others. It's been proven that this is not true at all. In my opinion, this is a tactic used to get others to help push their posts higher in newsfeeds. It's no secret that posts with both likes and comments are ranked higher than one with no engagement. Back to the new algor...

Recently, during a lively and very entertaining conversation, I noticed that one friend wasn't really aware or paying attention to what was being said, although he had actually started the conversation. I had an "aha" moment...I realized that many times when engaging others we fail to focus in the moment . How many times have you been in a conversation and within 5 minutes of it ending, cannot remember half of what was said? What was the reason for your inattention? Boredom with the topic? Complete disinterest in the other person? Was the "to do" list in your head running 100 miles an hour? Think of the possibilities that will occur if we take the time to fully focus our attention on the other person in that moment of exchange. Just realizing and being aware that the other person truly wants to connect with you in some way can be pretty profound.  By slowing down, actively listening, being attentive and, most of all...

When you meet someone for the first time what do you typically do? Give a firm handshake while giving a quick "once over"? Do you smile and look the person in the eye as you shake their hand? Do you pay close attention to what they are wearing, i.e. suit, skirt, designer shoes and accessories, hair and make up "just right"? Or do you pay attention to the person? i.e. - the color of their eyes, their smile , their body language ? I've read many studies that state most people use to the superficial once over to gather information that will become a first impression. But here are a few questions for thought... 1. What if the person you are meeting is not feeling at their best? 2. What if the person you are meeting is genuine and honest but you overlook that because they aren't dressed to your standards? 3. What if the person you are meeting is extremely shy and that shyness is reflected in awkward silences and few words? 4. What if the person you are me...

It's January 8, 2018. The eighth day of a new year. A new year that brought new goals and resolutions. Statistics show that over 50%, yes 50%, of all people who made goals or resolutions, have already stumbled or given up. Are you still focused and committed to achieve what you set out to do? Or have you already slowed down or thrown in the towel? If you've already talked yourself out of or failed to take a step toward a goal, you probably have an excuse for why you've stumbled or given up. Excuses you tell yourself allow you to feel justified in not doing whatever it is that you should be doing. Excuses can be simple like "I'm too tired to work out" or "I didn't have time to read that chapter today" to ones that involve negative self talk and second guessing "Maybe I should skip that class" or "I've never been able to do that, why would I try now?".... Did you know giving excuses, to yourself and others, shifts the focu...

Welcome to 2018! The second day to be exact. I spent some time on New Year's Day observing what others were talking about and posting across social media. Almost everything I heard or read was about "resolutions". Everything from dieting and losing weight; making more money; to traveling the world. It seemed as if everyone has a list of resolutions a mile long. Now, I don't know about you, but the last time I checked, a resolution is a solution to a problem. You are a person. You are not a problem. Besides, you're most likely going to give up within the first 2 weeks, if not the first 5 days when your list of resolutions is longer than your arm.  It's not intentional and it's not because you aren't committed, it's because you've made too many and you can't focus on the individual outcomes correctly; you don't see/feel results right away; other parts of "life" interfere; you allow the negative comments from others or even you...

Recently, after waiting for over an hour in a virtual "line" to purchase a brand new product, due to overwhelming demand, the website crashed, ultimately losing my place in "line" and when the site was back up and available, the product was sold out. I was more than disappointed - as were thousands of other customers who had encountered the same issue. There was no acknowledgement or apology to those affected from the company. It was as if my time (and the thousands of other customers waiting in line alongside me) wasn't valuable and the company only cared about profits and being able to say that their new product "broke the internet".  I looked at the experience from my customer experience professional perspective and provided constructive feedback in the company's community forum. I was honest in voicing my disappointment with how things were handled, which included mentioning the loss of loyal customers, while providing suggestions for imp...