by Karen P. Katz on November 10, 2009
The Reach Personal Branding group recently circulated a post that deserves wider circulation. William Arruda, a respected advocate for personal branding and co-author of Career Distinction, commented on a NYT piece by Thomas Friedman called, “The New Untouchables.”
Arruda makes the point that those who will survive and flourish during challenging times are those who can distinguish themselves – those who can become the purple cow in the herd of brown and white cows. As I prepare to meet MBA students who aspire to be the corporate and entrepreneurial leaders of tomorrow (Net Impact Conference 11/13 & 11/14), it seems timely to extrapolate these words from William’s post:
As I see it, this is all about personal branding. What do you offer that is not available from anyone else? What emotional brand attributes do you add onto your competence that gets people excited about you? What unique talents and abilities put you in a class by yourself?
Will you make the case to a prospective employer that you understand their issues – that you are prepared to integrate your education, experience, and personal qualities in a plan that makes an overwhelming case for hiring and retaining you. Will you make yourself indispensable?
by Karen P. Katz on February 10, 2009
…at a column written by Stefan Stern, a columnist for the Financial Times. While readers of this blog expect career and job search wisdom, I feel compelled to "out" this columnist. I hope to feed his "hot air" to my readers who are proponents of sustainable enterprise* and corporate social responsibility*.
Stern's flippant muse was caught by a LinkedIn Net Impact Group member, Joseph Hollak. Joseph quoted Stern's opening comment, "Thank goodness, now the recession’s here we can forget all that
nonsense about corporate social responsibility (CSR) and get back to
trying to make some money." When last I checked, the question had not taken on much of a life, so I raise it here to raise a ruckus…
My two-cents is simple: CSR is not a conspiracy to pick the pocket of shareholders in the name of "good deeds." CSR is an approach to profitability that promotes free enterprise while at the same time, promoting respect for the planet and dignity for consumers. Profitability and higher principles can certainly work hand in glove. Surely Mr. Stern has witnessed what happens to those who blindly seek profits at the expense of their community. When he emerges from his rock, I hope he'll settle in a pleasant green pasture.
*A note to students of sustainability and CSR – the Wikipedia definitions need your input.
