Packaging Yourself
I have been fired/let go three times in the past. None of these transitions were easy at the time, but they all aided in my personal development. Now I’m famous and those who fired me are not. I grew, they did not. How did I go from anonymous to world-renowned leader, entrepreneur and packaging expert extraordinaire? Let me show you my method for packaging myself.
Promote yourself.
The old adage your mother told you about working hard and be good at what you do is a nice idea. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work when no one knows what it is you do. We had a program a couple of years ago and one thing stood out in my mind. That people who were considered for promotion was based upon 60% visibility (being noticed by the powers that be) 20% appearance, 20% performance and hard work. You do the math. Where is the equity unless you promote yourself and are recognized as a performer and hard worker? My tactics include writing regular press releases, making myself available for interviews 2-3 times a month, and speaking engagements everywhere including Internationally, with multi language translation (that’s another story).
Accept adventures.
Several years ago I was contacted with and opportunity to lead a two-week packaging trade delegation to China. After some serious thought and bouncing it off the WMPKG board members I said OK. They found me, (via the Internet). We were the first of ten professional women’s trade delegations chosen to participate and the “guinea pigs” of the program (but that’s another story too). You may read about the China Trip @
http://www.womeninpackaging.org/ph/w97phchina.html
Common sense prevails.
If nothing else I learned how to use my head. There is simply too much I need to accomplish to agonize over how to get it done. I use The KISS approach (Keep It Simple Stupid). If I can’t find it in a few seconds I’m dead. I deal with way too much information to remember something complex or to spend a lot of time looking up something.
Keep connected.
I always carry business cards. I give them to everyone, on the plane; at the store you name it. After all every one uses/needs packaging and I am continuing to package myself using this method. Make notes on the back of card about the people you meet so you can remember something special about them. I am always amazed when I go somewhere the number of people who don’t have cards, especially students. I always tell them the same thing: invest in a business card on say that you are on the front and say what you need (a job) on the back. (You never know).
Ask for help.
I’m always surprised how many people are really willing to give advice and work with me. I bargain and negotiate everything; you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Remember great alliances come from a win-win for both parties and many of my best deals came from simply asking to work together.
Give of yourself.
Help others when you can and stay in touch. The membership benefit programs of WMPKG were created by me to help (initially other women) to find the best jobs, increase their visibility and outreach to colleagues in the field. I got so many calls from men and women for assistance I needed to find a way to help every one in an efficient manner. I try my best to help everyone, but it is simply a matter of my time and resources. You help me I help you in return and you move to the top of my list. Become a mentor. I mentor a dozen or so individuals at any time. Not on a daily basis but when they have a problem they can always reach me. I have also participated in formalized programs as a mentor. This is a good way to interact with people outside your field of expertise and almost every major city has them.
Invest in yourself.
Keep tuned in to all the professional and career development opportunities out there. You should never be too busy to learn new tricks. Attend functions at which you can establish a peer group. But be choosy. Don’t just go for the sake of going. Have a clear goal in mind about what you intend to get from your participation and follow up. Remember the #1 rule in networking. You have to show up! When you get an opportunity presented to you, do something about it. Make the time.
Never give up on your dream.
I have had several “careers”. I had a very different one before I entered the packaging field. Have passion, for what you do, I’m always excited when I speak about my industry and could and do go for hours when I’m in front of an interested audience. I’m often advised that my talents are wasted in what used to be considered a pretty stagnant industry, but what can I do? Packaging is in my blood.
Get connected. (Very different from keep connected).
These are the people you want to be with. Create a special circle: I have a special circle of colleagues whom I bounce ideas off of. I don’t contact them all the time but when I need some advice that’s the first place I turn. Many times this has turned into additional opportunities to collaborate on projects also and build some great professional alliances.
You are Unique.
Be your own person. If any thing I am unique in my persona. This didn’t happen overnight. In my early career I read all the right books, even “Dress for Success” and was able to extract what was right for me. When the basic blue-black suit and white button down shirt was the mandate, it wasn’t me. That is not my persona. I’m a color person; wear cool funky earrings and dress with what I’m comfortable. I never wear heels, although I always carry a pair with me, despite all the advice to the contrary about women must wear heels. This is my persona, when I’m working I need to be comfortable so I can be and function at my very best.
Outreach to colleagues regularly.
I write frequent personal notes when I see someone in the news. Either I email them or send them a copy of the information. I used to use Post It’s by my handwriting is so atrocious I designed a special card that says “I thought you might find the attached of interest”, and has a special place for a hand written note and all my contact information.
Utilize your resources.
Use lateral thinking, my colleague Donna Messer actually named this attribute, I was doing it but didn’t even know it. I barter, negotiate everything. I operate under “quid-pro-quo”. Every one likes to be recognized, when you write, call or thank me you go right to the top of my memory book. I believe and helping those who help me. Conversely, when you do something I consider a negative, I wont go out of my way to help you but more importantly I don’t burn my bridges (You never know).
Reputation is paramount.
Your integrity is critical. Don’t stab people in the back. If you don’t like something and can’t address it personally do what I do and move that person to the bottom of the list, but not gone (You never know) Respect other people too. Just because they don’t have a fancy title after their name doesn’t mean they are not of import. I always make it a point of listening to every ones opinion
Stay informed and current in your field.
I read a dozen of “packaging” magazines a week and am on countless email packaging news lists. Become more involved in you industry associations. I myself, am professional association junkie, when could find what needed with the existing association, I created own. Now I’m not advocating everyone to do this but it is important to participate within your industry groups. This includes going to trade shows. You gotta be there!
Economy is my middle name.
I have developed all kinds of business tools and short cuts to help handle the workload. I get hundreds of email inquiries a week. I use auto responders, set up master email lists and use a fax broadcast service. I try not to spend time on the phone; email is my communication tool of choice. I’m always trying to become more efficient with my resources.
Learn to live with out being liked but respected.
In my position I have to make some very tough decisions every day. Many times people are not happy with the outcome. I must remind myself constantly that it’s just business and not personal. (I have feelings too). When I founded Women in Packaging I was attributed with many not so complimentary descriptions but I didn’t let it stop me and now I am famous and those individuals saying those things are not. Never respond when you are angry or upset. This is a personal favorite. I have learned though the years to always wait a day before responding to something that upsets me; I’m a very frank, and honest person (The word blunt has been used to describe me more than once.) I also use a sounding board. Our excellent Communications Director, Michelle Nordlinger writes a superlative letter. She is very good at taking my ”blunt” copy and toning it down. Find someone with this skill: boyfriend, husband, colleague before you write your serious correspondence.
Find out your weakness.
You will never progress if you don’t except the fact that you have flaws. I have very big shoulders and have had many knock down drag out confrontations. But I listened to what they had to say and in many cases they were right. I always believe that there are two sides to a story.
So this is me, my special package, now go out and create a package for yourself.
Discover the easy way to make yourself stand out from others. How to become an expert in your field; How to write a better resume; How to write a personal press release; How to accomplish things no one else is doing and to get people to think about you in ways they have not thought before and much more including critical checklists for those important business meetings.
This indispensable workbook will show you specific ways to accomplish your personal branding goals and launch your career into the stratosphere. We have done all the work for you with guidelines, cheat sheets and easy-to-use templates to customize for your own use.
So don’t put off building your brand any longer. Don’t wait till your associates get your promotion or raise or even a better job.
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