A couple of weeks ago I found myself drawn away from using my usual www.ping.fm status broadcast tool. The reason? Simply because it was a fourth place I needed to go rather than inside of Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn. These are the three tools where I use status updates the most.
There is now an Application in LinkedIn and also supported tags in Twitter. This allows me to broadcast status updates from either source. I can can tweet from Twitter and it will update my LinkedIn status, and vice versa as and when I need it to.
The integration within Twitter is simple. In your settings, you can link your LinkedIn account to your Twitter account.
Then you choose if you want to share all of your tweets on LinkedIn or just specific ones by using these hashtags: #li or #in.
On the LinkedIn side, there is an application that allows you to link your Twitter and LinkedIn accounts and choose if your Twitter account appears on your profile. When updating your status in LinkedIn there is now a box that you can tick to get LinkedIn to tweet specific status updates
You have the choice of updating one or both from either LinkedIn or Twitter. Personally, I tend to Tweet about all sorts of random things that are going on or interest me. On LinkedIn I tend to limit my status updates to work related matters. Both Twitter and LinkedIn have different audiences although the difference is becoming less “black and white” and more a shade of grey!
Let me know how you use these tools and are there any other tools of this nature I should look at?
A few weeks ago LinkedIn added the feature to add applications to your profile page. I wanted to explore some of these and start to experiment in creating some learning material.
Take a look at the small tutorial below and let me know what you think.
I have recently made a career move from the executive search industry to a management consultancy specialising in non-core expense reduction. One of the common questions I have been asked is how I can go from a business that creates roles and builds businesses to one that focuses on the reduction of costs and ultimately reduction of headcount.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Expense Reduction Analysts is about optimising non-core expenses (essentially finding extra profit in areas of the business that may not be top of the priority list). This extra profit can go a long way to preventing the need to cut headcount and can even provide funds for expansion. Expense Reduction is a creative business, you do not get an average of 20% savings on an overhead expense just by asking! Yet a 20% saving in a mid-sized company should not be dismissed, it can be a substantial amount that has a real impact on the bottom line.
To back this point up we recently had a quote from our Global CEO, Ken Hagerstrom who provided the opening quote in an article for Forbes.com. “Creative Cost-Cutting Tactics for Small Biz.” This article is especially good because it addresses one of the primary fears of our clients: that we will recommend a reduction in headcount to cut costs. This is not part of Expense Reduction Analysts proposition. View the article here: Forbes Article
My career is still focused on helping entrepreneurs build successful businesses and the sector I work in is still focused on helping mid-market companies achieve their goals and objectives. Whether it is hiring new people to deliver a business plan, or freeing up the funds to allow for expansion my focus is the same: helping people achieve their personal and professional goals is both challenging and rewarding.
Over the past month I have started a new job and had the chance to speak with many talented, successful and professional individuals. It has been an exhilarating journey across many geographical and cultural boundaries. This is the basis of my passion for the franchising business model, seeing people from all kinds of backgrounds doing remarkable things with their lives once they have decided to leave the percieved security of corporate life.
It was almost ten years ago that I spoke with a freelance IT specialist about why they decided to work for themselves. The answer they gave was;
“I do not like the insecurity of being a permanent employee!”
That was 10 years ago and in today’s climate it is as poignant as it was then. The principle of being in a franchise is that you are in business for yourself but you are not by yourself. There a message there even for those in full time employment. You should consider yourself in business and strive to deliver against your goals that benefit your company as a whole. there is a wonderful paradox that occurs when you help others achieve their goals, you tend to achieve your own!
As I spoke to the owners of my new network it became apparent that a lot of credence is given to previous accolades, qualifications and brands that people have worked for. More importantly, particularly in a franchise network, is the respect shown for those that are seen to truly care about them, their business and their families. A franchisee wants to be part of something bigger and to be connected to a group of people that care about their future success. The fate share involved in franchising is infectious and forms the life blood for a successful business model.
During one conversation I was reminded of an old quiz that can be found all over the internet and in some management text books. The quiz is often mistakenly attributed to Charles Schulz (not Schultz!) of the cartoon Peanuts fame. The owners of the Charles M. Schulz Museum are often asked about this quote and have confirmed it was not attributed to Charles Schulz. If anyone has the definative answer to the creator let me know and I’ll give appropriate recognition.
Try the quiz below, I have adjusted slightly for an international audience, do not dwell on each and see how you go:
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Olympic 100 meters gold medalists.
3. Name five people who have won the Nobel Peace prize.
4. Name five Academy Award winners for best actor or
actress.
5. Name the last decade’s worth of World cup winners.
How did you do?
The point is, few of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no
second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause
dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and
certificates are buried with their owners.
Here’s another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three people who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of five people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
6. Name half a dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you.
Easier?
The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones
with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the
ones that care.
Personally I find this a little unfair because I have not spent time with a Nobel prize winner or got to know personally the winners of a 100 meters final. If I had then they may have shared with me a little of what led to them making their achievements and therefore played a bigger part in my ability to succeed in my own life. The sentiment, however, remains strong by caring about others and helping them to achieve in their own lives you develop a strong personal brand that will last and last. You have to give to get, make caring part of of your personal brand it will go along way and benefit you time and again in the future.
