THE “E” WORD
Everyone’s throwing around the “e” word—experience. Presidential pundits, job hunters and potential employers.
For an excellent analysis of the real deal behind the “e” word as it pertains to presidential politics, check out Nicolas Kristof’s insightful op-ed piece in today’s New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/20/opinion/20kristof.html?ref=opinion
The thing is, experience means different things to different people. That said, the trick is to make your unique life experiences showcase your outstanding personal talents at the end of the day. Learn to play up your strengths!
Over time you’ll be able to smile and say, “Been there, done that.”
You’ll notice most seasoned execs rarely flaunt their success. They favor third party endorsements. Good work generates congratulations and adulation. Look for the person in the room who’s “holding court.” You’ll usually find friends and colleagues eagerly asking for background on their last success! Gravitate toward that crowd and you can't go wrong.
Look at each experience, internship, job, career move as a way to improve your skills. While no job is a panacea, you can earn a wide range of experience from everyone you encounter. You’ll soon determine business traits you admire.
In the work place, pay attention to how some clamor to be part of certain teams, due to the dynamic charisma of specific individuals. Study these people as you fine tune your workplace demeanor and responsibilities. While many employees tend to emulate the group head’s management style, no one likes clones.
Stars shine bright because they’ve taken the initiative to do things their way. Don’t be afraid to put your views out there. The blogging boom makes it easy!
Learn and earn
Ask associates how they achieved their success. You’ll find business leaders are more than willing to share words of advice with young people. Smart, accomplished individuals understand others helped them climb the ladder of success.
If you’re a manager, careful analysis of experience and skills can assist in building your team. It’s wise to build complementary skills and hire others in areas where you’re weak. While senior managers are usually well-rounded; no one knows everything. Translation: a big ego does not mean people have adequate experience or understand all aspects of any business.
That’s why despite our pending economic downturn, there’s a tremendous need for talented people. Managers need help! Especially in the burgeoning communications and media fields.
Over time, senior executives become excellent technicians—and are also quite adept at hiding their flaws. The goal is to develop a transparent environment where there’s also an ongoing exchange of information. That way, everyone can contribute and work at their full potential. This means contributing in areas where colleages and management are weak; sometimes without extra pay or recognition. (That's when your own high standards and integrity kicks in.)
When the rubber hits the road, you want people on your team who have the experience and character to help your business grow. Managers crave individuals with a solid work ethic and sound business skills who have achieved tangible, sustainable results.
Quiet as it’s kept, managers also like people who ask questions. Never be afraid to ask for more info, if things seem muddy. The benefit: task clarification and experience! With experience, comes wisdom to make even better business and life decisions.
Check Your “Erometer”
Think of the following words as a way to boost and gauge your “erometer” or experience barometer, which calls for:
> Excitement
> Enthusiasm
> Energy
> Expertise
> Enterprising attitude
> Entrepreneurial nature
> Extra insights
> Elimination of excuses & challenges
Connect the dots
When you’re working on your own personal development and growth, if you’re moving from point A to point B and connecting a few dots, then you’re well on your way to success. Everything doesn’t happen in one hour, one day or one year.
However, know that every step counts. That’s when you know you can, and should, push harder, do more—achieve greatness! Everyone likes those who give a little extra.
Greatness can mean a corner office gig clocking $250K, or a more humble, yet meaningful contribution and compensation. Be careful not to compare yourself to others. Whatever makes you tick, do it to the best of your ability. Learn as you go; think of your experience as an evolution of your skill set and character. Take it one step at a time.
See the “e”
In the course of my career, which proudly spans a quarter century, I’m enamored by the dynamic changes in the media landscape. Over the years, I’ve been a journalist, college professor, business owner, content developer, wife, mother, daughter, elder care provider and public relations executive, including work at global and ethnic-shops servicing everything from mid-sized enterprises to Fortune 500 clients.
No one shares my world view. While a few have traveled similar paths, no one has my unique set of experiences.
The trick is to set yourself apart from the pack. That’s what I strive to do as a marketer; I encourage others to engage me for the unique services only I can provide.
Remember to “see the ‘e’ ” (experience) in everything you do!
Over time, you’ll develop a gut feel—an intuition that guides you to accept job offers, projects, develop products or expand your business to another continent.
This intuition is very useful when you understand some people are less than truthful in business and life. The waters are shark infested, but you don't have to be eaten by "Jaws" if you pay attention to your gut and work smart. As a PR pro, I try to take the high road and see the best in people. But hey, sometimes you have to call a spade a spade. Take heed when you run across these people; usually, their ways don’t change over time.
I call it “shadiness.”
It usually denotes something less than up front about a person’s character. I’m a pretty good read and tend to distance myself from this type of behavior.
Me, I’m “hard core;” pretty much a straight shooter. Over the years, you’ll learn to trust your gut. That’s experience; it can save you a lot of time and headache.
Spend your time and energy modeling successful, positive behaviors and work styles that mesh with yours. Be inquisitive. Ask others who’ve paved the way. You’ll find they’re more than eager to help. In business, I often model successful tactics deployed by other consultants. Remember: no one owns ideas (many think they do).
It's all about your unique understanding, experience and execution of innovative concepts that make a business unit, or your own business grow.The beauty of today’s world is that you can even model strategies and tactics used by large agencies, because technology has equalized the playing field.
As they say, “it’s PR, not ER!” These are exciting times!
The “Experati*” Class
Now that you’re gauging your experience, do you have what it takes to be an Experati? Are you experienced in your chosen field or an exuberant professional who craves to expand their exposure to mentors or role models? Do you thrive on excitement and covet exposure for your company, customers or clients? If so, then congratulations—you’re among an elite group of communicators poised for success!
*Experati (http://experati.com) is a new MarComm consumer segment, brilliantly poised to experience a tipping point. The network includes experienced marketers and those who wish to expand their knowledge, all united and motivated to do business in powerful new ways. The phrase “Experati” was coined by Lynne Scott Jackson during Multicultural Communication Month (April 2007) to kick-off MX—a year-long celebration of Millynneum’s 10 Year Anniversary.
