http://yourcareerbydesign.com Mary on Standing Out Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:56:14 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en When I started up my executive recruitment business in the early 80’s the only way to expand and develop my business was through real world marketing and by extension, word of mouth marketing. Much time was spent meeting with prospective clients, candidates, and those who influenced the decision makers. ... http://yourcareerbydesign.com/20100305/358/ How would you like to charge more for your services or products than your competitors? With a strong personal brand, you can. If you don’t believe me visit your local drug store. There are generic drugs available at pennies a piece sitting alongside a branded generic product, a more expensive ... http://yourcareerbydesign.com/20100216/a-strong-brand-works-for-you/ I am always being asked about the value of writing a blog. Is it worthwhile to spend the time especially since there have recently been a spate of articles on the proliferation of blogs and the diminishing value of their content? After all, how many different ways can similar ideas ... http://yourcareerbydesign.com/20100201/to-blog-or-not-to-blog-benefits-and-rules-of-blogging/ If you own a car you know that like it or not your car will need to visit the shop for a tune up sometime this year. Whether your car is a 2009 BMW or a 1995 Dodge for it to function at peak performance the engine has to be ... http://yourcareerbydesign.com/20100127/does-your-business-need-a-tune-up2/ Today more than ever we live in a world where differentiation from your competitors is key to getting the business or job you want. Malcolm Forbes once said, “Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are.” What does that mean to you? To me as an entrepreneur ... http://yourcareerbydesign.com/20100112/checklist-for-developing-a-strong-brand/ This is a great time of year to take stock and see if what you are doing is working for you and if it’s not, what needs to be done. For me what I do professionally is so much a part of who I am that my resolutions blend between ... http://yourcareerbydesign.com/20091217/staying-authentic-and-on-brand-for-the-new-year/ Are you vigilant about maintaining your personal brand, your reputation?  It’s easy to become lax when you are established or feel that you have made a name for yourself in your field. This could be a costly mistake for your business and your career. Let’s take the example of Zagat’s ... http://yourcareerbydesign.com/20091210/maintain-your-reputation-grow-your-brand/ This has been a tough couple of years and for many of you who are self employed it has been very difficult to grow or even maintain your business.  So how do you stay productive and make the most use of your time? Here are a few recommendations that have ... http://yourcareerbydesign.com/20091209/productivity-tips-for-the-entrepreneur/ Are your family and friends good ambassadors for letting others know what you do professionally, what your goals are, or what you are trying to achieve? It is important to define your brand to those who are close to you as well as to those who can more directly further ... http://yourcareerbydesign.com/20091116/spread-your-personal-brand/ Everyone thinks that once Thanksgiving arrives job hunting hits a major stop sign and doesn't resume until January. This is a myth. In fact, if anything this time of year is the best time to get people on the phone, get them to listen, and most importantly, get them to ... http://yourcareerbydesign.com/20091110/job-hunting-during-the-holidays/