Learn How to Network to Grow Your Net Worth - December 30

When you attend a networking event, are you a connector or a vampire?

If you don't know the difference between the two, then you should definitely tune in online Friday, December 30 at 8 pm ET as I share my strategic networking tips with Sophie Gold, as a guest on Life, Love & Tequila. Her co-host will be Melissa Wildstein, co-founder of 'PRENEUR.

It's been said that it's not WHAT you know but WHO you know. In today's New Normal of rapid change and pervasive technology, your challenge is figuring out how to strategically expand your network and make new, lasting connections -- fast! Sounds like an oxymoron, right? Well, with the right coaching you can learn how to tap into your network, create compelling messages that empower your connections to make the right introductions, AND know how to return the favor!

Join the event to participate live online and ask us a text question to share your biggest networking challenge or best networking success story of 2011.

How to Position Yourself in a Tight Job Market

Yesterday, I offered insights to participants at Tory Johnson's Women for Hire NY Career Expo in a Power Seminar on How to Position Yourself in a Tight Job Market. I thought I'd share some of the pointers from my talk here on the blog. I still believe that today's market provides an opportunity for you to reevaluate your priorities and refresh your game plan. So, in essence, my tips on positioning yourself in the market are more internally than externally focused.

We know that in today's New Normal keeping your head down, doing your work and just hoping that your efforts will get recognized won't help you land your next major job or business opportunity. I've spoken before about the value in developing 20/10 Vision: the ability to see things clearly at 20-feet that other people can only see from 10-feet away. It means developing your own bird's eye view of your target market, industry or opportunity.

Here are Four Steps to Develop Your 20/10 Career Vision. They are aligned with the steps in my eBook Focus on Your Vision.

1. Clear Your Lens: Remove Distractions -- Get centered and refocus on what's most important. Track your schedule over the next three (3) days to see how you REALLY spend your time, and begin to recognize the times of day when you're most productive. Why? Because then you'll be clear about when it makes sense to do your market/industry research; when to make "warm" calls to your champions and advisors; and when to make "cold" calls to industry leaders for informational interviews. Every company and industry has its own unique characteristics. In today's New Normal, you need to be an investigative reporter who explores and uncovers all the relevant issues, trends and opportunities.
2. Reveal Your True Intentions: Figure Out What You REALLY Want -- Revealing your true intentions can make it easier to choose between competing careers, jobs, tasks, and industries. Have you created a crystal clear vision of the type of job you want, the level of income you desire, the work environment in which you'll thrive, the qualities in your ideal manager or team? Do you know the values that reflect your personal attitude and work ethic? The more you know about your motivators, strengths, and values the easier it will be to attract opportunities that truly inspire you to perform.
3. Envision Your Future: Visualize Your Dream Job -- Imagine your world as it will be when you've landed your dream job -- do this proactively and consistently. What is your next best role? Write down positive affirmations of what you'll be able to do, what you will have accomplished once you've secured this position. Keep visual reminders to stay motivated -- create a vision board with inspirational images and quotes that reflect your dream job and ultimate lifestyle. Review it often.
4. Watch for Blind Spots: FLIP Your Script -- Even with the best laid plans, you will encounter setbacks -- both external roadblocks and even situations where you might get in your own way. My clients have told me about past situations where their inertia or indecisiveness led to missed opportunities. Listen to the things you say to yourself about your career, your job, and your chances of achieving your carer goals. How many are positive vs. negative? When you hear yourself repeating negative messages, say "STOP!" and replace the thought or message with a more positive statement. Do what you can to flip your script to get back on track to visualizing your dream job and ultimate lifestyle.

Let me know your thoughts and reactions, and also share your own success stories and tips -- here on the blog or tweet me @Coach_Colette.

NEW Podcast: Master the Art of Strategic Networking

In today's New Normal, you've probably realized that just keeping your head down, doing good work, and hoping that your efforts are noticed will not help you land your next opportunity (whether that's a new job or business lead). Networking -- or perhaps better described, relationship building -- is the "new black" in the New Normal.

So, you know that we're all connected to other people in some way -- through family, friends, neighborhoods, schools or employers. And, you know that if you talk to enough people, you'll eventually meet someone who knows the person you want to meet (and is willing to introduce you). But, in today's New Normal, who has that kind of time??

It's time that you master the art of Strategic Networking -- the process of strategically looking at your connections and creating compelling messages that empower your connections to say: "YES, I know who it is you need to meet, and YES, I want to help you meet them!"

When thinking of who in my network I could ask to shed some additional light on the subject, I could think of no better person than the Queen of Networking -- Executive Recruiter, Paula Marks. Paula, also President of Hire Resources, Inc. has been professionally connecting people to one another for over three decades. Her business network is rooted in a lifetime of successful Human Resource management, executive recruiting, and a vast rolodex of professional contacts.

In our podcast, Paula and I share tips on strategic networking, including how to craft clear, concise communications that make other people listen and want to take action -- which is to help you connect with their connections. We also share some networking pitfalls to avoid so you'll be able to maintain and deepen your most important network relationships.

After you listen to the podcast, let me know what your think -- share your networking success stories and/or lessons learned. How quickly do YOU follow-up after meeting someone new? How do YOU let a connection know that you respect his/her time when reaching out? Comment here on the blog, or tweet me your thoughts on Twitter -- @Coach_Colette.

NEW Podcast: Make Your Brand POP in the New Normal

If you're an entrepreneur or "side hustler" in today's New Normal, you know it can be challenging to reach new clients and customers -- to make your message stand out from the constant information overload! Since you're reading this post, you're in luck because I've found a savvy, fashion-forward expert to share tips in a new podcast about how to make your brand POP in today's New Normal!

Meet Melissa Gonzalez, CEO of Lion'esque Media, an entrepreneur who truly grasps the concepts of networking and business. A former Wall Street executive, Melissa has become a force in the fashion world by helping up-and-coming designers to make their brands POP in today's New Normal.

Melissa uncovers emerging artists and designers and helps to grow their brands through media blitz coverage, video interviews, and hosted shopping events. Recognizing the challenge faced by her clients to gain exposure and visibility, she made a bold move -- she approached the Roger Smith Hotel to collaborate and showcase their wares at a storefront on Lexington Avenue between 47th and 48th Street in New York City. Can you say prime real estate??

In our podcast, Melissa shares her "lessons learned," including specific techniques on how you can find the right partners and champions to help make your brand POP -- based on your goals and target audience, and how you can creatively use social media in your business (or self-) marketing campaigns.

Her joint venture, the RS POP Shop, is a unique opportunity for artists and designers to connect online with customers [through the social media infrastructure of Twitter, online PR and blogs] and in-person with curious passersby along Lexington Avenue. Since inception, clients have included Animated Closet, Jensen Martin, LaQuan Smith, Lolli Poppit, Simon Carter London; many of whose designs have dressed a wide array of celebrities and have since collaborated with major brands like American Apparel and Club Monaco.

Designers also benefit from a sponsored, live broadcast opening night event and customized branding videos, like this one created for this month's RS POP Shop designer Patricia Brown for her jewelry collection. All proof that emerging doesn't have to mean invisible!

Listen to the podcast for more ideas to create a buzz about your brand and let us know what you think. What creative strategies have you used to make you or your brand POP in the New Normal? Comment here or tweet me your responses and ideas to @Coach_Colette.

NEW Podcast: Get Paid What You're Worth Even in the New Normal

Has the New Normal impacted your ability to negotiate for money?

The message we're receiving about money in today's economy is that it's TIGHT! Consumers are scrutinizing every purchase; and, managers are still nervous about spending. To get ahead, you must be able to demonstrate the ROI and value-add of any additional resources.

The GOOD news, I've just recorded a new podcast to help you! It's my conversation with Kathleen Kingsbury, founder of KBK Wealth Connection. In this podcast, Kathleen and I discuss how you can master your money psychology, and increase your ability to negotiate for what you're worth.

Whether you're an employee preparing for your year-end performance review, a job seeker getting ready to land your next job, or an entrepreneur planning to close your next deal, this podcast has great tips for you!

Kathleen, a certified professional coach and author of Creating Wealth from the Inside Out Workbook, helps clients to bravely look at their relationship with money and to make lasting financial, behaviorial changes.

One money psychology strategy we discussed on the podcast is to figure out which aspect of your brain you typically use when you're negotiating or discussing money: your emotional mind or your rational mind. This will help you understand how you're responding to the other person. Listen to the podcast for the series of questions Kathleen recommends you ask yourself before these conversation.

As always, I want to hear your feedback about the podcast. Feel free to tweet me your money success stories (or challenges) on Twitter. And, if you'd like to share part of your Dear Money Letter here, please do so in the Comments section!

Here's to all of us gettin' paid in 2011! :-)

Do You Know What You Don't Know?

Five years ago when I began writing this blog, I told you why I believed focusing on your competent advantage TM was a great way to build and sustain your career. I've since learned that my "attraction" to competence may have something to do with me being a Type 3 according to Enneagram ... but more on that another time.

My fascination with competent advantage TM also comes from my work in Human Resources / Training & Development, observing how managers have used competencies to determine:

• Who gets hired
• Who gets fired
• Who gets promoted
• Who gets training - and on what skills/topics

In today's New Normal, I think there are benefits to "going back to basics" to revisit this theme of competence. One framework about how we learn that has always intrigued me was proposed by renowned psychologist Abraham Maslow - known as the Four Stages of Learning. I've listed the stages below with some insights to help you consider each stage, and how it might relate to your learning and achieving your goals in light of recent challenges/changes:

1. Unconscious Incompetence: "I don't know what I don't know." You don't even recognize that you need to learn how to do something.
2. Conscious Incompetence: "DING! Lightbulb goes on!" Now, you've just realized that you need to learn how to do something.
3. Conscious Competence: "I know that I'm doing it." You've just started to learn how to do it, and you're very aware as you keep practicing to get better at doing it.
4. Unconscious Competence: "It's a no-brainer!" You don't even think about it anymore -- you do it automatically whenever needed.

In today's New Normal, I believe it can be very helpful to use this framework to prepare yourself for new experiences, and figure out the best (and, perhaps, the quickest) ways to learn new things or enter new industries and markets. Here's a brief activity to help you:

Think about one skill or talent -- something that you do very well. Then, ask yourself four questions below to help you recall the four stages (insert your skill/talent in the spaces):

1. How did you realize that you needed to learn how to _____________________?
2. How did you find out what you needed to know/learn about _______________?
3. How did you practice and improve your ability to ___________________?
4. How do you _______________ now -- in ways that you don't even think about?

When I begin a new project, if I feel any anxiety about it, I ask myself similar questions to recall other times that I've been successful doing it. This not only boosts my confidence, but helps me think of tips, techniques and methods that worked before that I may be able to use again. Does this make sense to you?

So, do you know what you don't know? How will you figure out how to learn it? Share your comments, thoughts and reactions here -- or tweet me on Twitter.

What's Your 2011 Success Plan?

Does it seem a bit early to be talking about 2011 goals? Not really, if you think about it. Once the holidays are underway, you'll be thinking about LOTS of different things. So, why not take some me-time now to begin planning your 2011 Success Plan.

Of course, everyone has their own definition of success -- at work and at home. Our team measures its success by the degree to which we help YOU meet (and exceed) your professional and personal goals. You know we believe in offering POSITIVE, PRACTICAL, and STRATEGIC solutions to help you succeed in today's New Normal.

Let's make a deal -- if you tell me more about your 2011 goals, I'll let you know how I can help. I've created a brief survey to get a better sense of your priorities.

Can you put aside 10 minutes this week to answer 10 questions that will jumpstart your 2011 Success Plan? At the end of the survey, you'll find out how you can arrange an introductory call with me to review your plan and see if it's a right "fit" for us to work together on achieving your goals.

I believe it is possible to create a career and life plan that aligns with your interests, talents and values. It just may not be as linear as you'd originally imagined. I think we're all beginning to learn and accept that lesson as we continue to navigate today's New Normal. What do you think? As always, comment here or tweet me your thoughts, challenges and success stories on Twitter.

How's Your Want-To? Get Inspired for FREE through Nov. 30

Have you been looking for a little boost these days? Or, searching for insights to keep you motivated as you continue to navigate today's New Normal? Good news -- right now, there's a FREE online Leadership & Influence Summit happening! Originally scheduled to end today, the event has been extended through November 15th.

This online event features brief, inspirational and informative videos from over 30 of the top experts on business and leadership including: Marshall Goldsmith, Michael Gerber, and Keith Ferrazzi. And, they're all "on-demand" so you can watch them on your own time, at your own pace.

I first learned of the program from my good friend, Kevin Carroll (8/31!!!!), who is also part of the Summit. His presentation is about how we can maximize our Human Potential. The great thing about Kevin, though, is that he keeps it real and shares insights from his lessons on the playground and from his grandparents.

I had the wonderful fortune to meet and travel with Kevin during my work on the Turning the Page leadership development training for public librarians. His keynote presentations inspired me every single time I heard them (over 25 times). And, I must admit, that recently I've had to check my "want to"-- that's his grandfather's expression for passion and drive -- as it's been a little worn down. Yes, even the Coach has to do some soul searching every now and then! Kevin reminded me that I am courageous by staying committed to building my business even in the uncertainty of today's New Normal.

Listening to Kevin on the Summit has helped. I also discovered a new potential inspirer, Jon Gordon, whose video is about Positive Leadership. His soup analogy made me recall my grandma's macaroni and cheese -- it wasn't the type of cheese she used that made it so good, it was all the love that was baked in.

When you have the chance, take a look at the videos on the Summit, and let me know what are your favorites! You can share them here, or feel free to tweet me on Twitter (their hashtag is #landisummit).

NEW Podcast: Meditation-Your Secret to Success in the New Normal

Can meditation change your brain? That's a question that neuroscientists have been seeking to answer for decades - and there appears to be some evidence that it can, in a positive way. In today's New Normal, the pressure to perform can be overwhelming. The good news is that you CAN find tools to relax and release your tension and anxiety. Meditation is one of those stress-releasing tools. And one, I'd suggest, that could become your [peaceful] "secret weapon" to overcome personal or professional hurdles and challenges you may be facing.

This summer, I completed a 21-day meditation "challenge" led by the Chopra Center for Wellbeing. I've been meditating nearly every day since then (even while I was out of the country). I've found that it helps me because I'm more easily able to access a mantra or positive phrase to flip my script when things get stressful.

With my newly-regained interest in meditation, I thought it would be great to create a podcast that would help others learn more about the benefits of regular meditation. And, so my latest podcast is my conversation with Stacey Shipman, creator of the audio CD Let it Flow: Short Guided Meditations and author of Experience Less Stress, More Success: Networking for Business. It was great to chat with Stacey again because she really makes it easy for people to learn how to relieve their stress and boost their personal confidence.

In the podcast, Stacey and I talk about the different types of meditation, and how easy it can be to begin meditating using the type you most enjoy. We share tips to remove distractions (internal thoughts and external things) that can get in your way, and discuss how you can build meditation into your daily schedule to help you focus on your true priorities.

So, you know I'm a curious coach! After you've listened to the podcast, let me know what you think; and share your successes (or challenges) with meditation. Where is the best place, and when is best time for you to meditate? Feel free to share your comments here, or tweet me on Twitter. Until we next connect, Namaste!

NEW Podcast: Find a Business Partner Who Won't BLEEP You

So, you've probably figured out that in today's New Normal you can't do it all alone. Whether you're seeking to advance your professional career, expand your business, or launch your new "side hustle," building relationships is crucial to your future success and sustainability. Your ability to develop strategic alliances and identify new partners will determine how well you're able to enter new markets and industries, find new opportunities, and really stay afloat.

In business (as in life), relationship building can be a tricky process. We know when it works, you can't wait for the next project or opportunity to work together! And, when it doesn't work, you can't wait for the project to end - hoping never to work with that person again! We've all been there - it all sounded great in the beginning ... but somehow, things changed and what you THOUGHT was going to happen, didn't. And, now you're left wondering how you got there in the first [*!#] place.

The trick with business relationships: How can you find a partner who won't [BLEEP] you?! 

In this podcast, you'll hear my discussion with Nina Kaufman, owner of Ask the Business Lawyer, and author of The Entrepreneur's Prenup: How to Choose a Business Partner Who Won't [BLEEP] You. Nina is an award-winning business attorney, sought-after professional speaker and online columnist for Entrepreneur Magazine.

From our conversation, you'll learn how to select the right alliance partners, and when you should have written agreements. You'll also gain some tips on how to avoid the emotional and financial pitfalls of doing business with a friend or family member. In the end, ideally, you each want to be able to benefit from the other's skills, talents, resources and connections. In life, there are no guarantees; but we hope this podcast may help you save some time and aggravation.

Take a listen, and let me know what you think. Have YOU ever been [BLEEPED] by a business/alliance partner? Share your comments and BLEEP experiences here -- or tweet me on Twitter.

NEW Podcast: Need to Save Time? There's an App for That

In today’s New Normal, time is tight – we’re all always “on,” trying to perform at 100%, on a 24/7 basis. And, technology has changed everything we do – the  constant stream of texts, tweets, and emails we receive actually affects the way we think and work. The good news is that we CAN take advantage of technology to save time and be more productive.

Tune into my latest podcast: Need to Save Time? There's an App for That!  It's my conversation with Tai Goodwin, founder of The Brilliant Network, a mastermind group for women entrepreneurs. A passionate coach and writer, Tai is committed to helping ambitious women grow from bright to brilliant by walking in their purpose and passion. Her articles have been published online at Forbes.com, Careerrealism, and EmpowerMe Magazine.

In this podcast, Tai and I discuss five of the top technology tools that can help you manage your time and achieve your goals more efficiently. Many of these tools will be helpful whether you're working within an organization, aiming to launch your "side hustle," or are a full-fledged entrepreneur. As always, if you have feedback on my podcasts -- or if you use other technology tools to help you get things done -- share them here or tweet me on Twitter! [PS - I'm still using TweetDeck ... when you listen to the podcast you'll know why I'm sharing this! :-) ]