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Articles from Brenda Bence | Selfgrowth.com
- Think You Don’t Have Time to Build Your People? Think Again - by Submitted on May 09, 2014 from Brenda BenceIf you boil corporate leadership down to its bare essentials, executives around the globe really only have two key missions: 1.Build Business—increase revenues and profits, grow volume and market share, expand into new territories, create new business alliances, etc. 2.Build People—help ...
Views: 881 - The Single Worst Question a Leader Can Ask - by Submitted on Apr 29, 2014 from Brenda BenceAsking your direct reports questions rather than always telling them what to do is a key way to develop their abilities and help them grow. That said, there is one question-word in your leadership tool chest that I suggest eliminating altogether: "Why?" Why? (Couldn't resist... ) The very ...
Views: 832 - Does Being the Boss Mean You Get to Tell People What To do? - by Submitted on Mar 13, 2014 from Brenda BenceIt’s 7:30 p.m. on a Thursday evening, and you’re still at the office preparing for a presentation you’ll make to top management early the next day. You have just hung up the phone after speaking with your spouse, and the annoyed voice on the other end of the line still rings in your ears. ...
Views: 857 - Executive Challenge #11: "I Get No Real Holiday Time Because I'm Always In Contact With the Office." - by Submitted on Jun 06, 2011 from Brenda BenceIn this article, I want to address the issue of executives and their planned holidays that simply turn into “working somewhere other than the office.” Do any of these scenarios sound familiar to you? - You choose your hotel or resort because it has a wireless connection that will allow ...
Views: 1171 - Executive Challenge #10: “At my level, I rarely get honest feedback, so how do I know what I need to improve?” - by Submitted on May 28, 2011 from Brenda BenceMany years ago, a mentor of mine told me something very profound. I asked him what it was that kept certain managers moving up the corporate ladder while others stopped. What he said has never left me. He told me that those leaders who did not progress to the top stopped being coachable. A ...
Views: 2355 - Executive Challenge #8: "I Feel Guilty Saying 'No'." - by Submitted on May 01, 2011 from Brenda BenceAs a busy exec, you're constantly pulled in many directions. Headquarters wants your profit projections for next quarter a week in advance of when you planned, there's a line of direct reports at your office door waiting to meet with you, your inbox is filled with 200+ unanswered emails, and a ...
Views: 1025 - Executive Challenge #9: "I'm Generally a Positive Person, But It's Easy to Turn Negative in This Economy. How Do I Avoid That?" - by Submitted on Apr 27, 2011 from Brenda BenceMost senior leaders use negative language on the job without even realizing it. It may come from destructive phrases used unconsciously, the use of cynicism in your language, or simply from an unfortunate choice of words. When leaders use negative language, it can have destructive power on ...
Views: 936 - Customer's Do's and Don'ts of Personal Branding - by Submitted on Apr 07, 2011 from Brenda BenceHere are a few “Do’s and Don’ts” to follow as you learn to craft and master your own individual customer-centric brand image: 1. DO: Take the time you really need to thoroughly define your desired personal brand. If you don’t know what you want to stand for, it’s 100% guaranteed your ...
Views: 1556 - Personal Branding Myth # 4: Personal Branding Is "All About Me" - by Submitted on Mar 26, 2011 from Brenda BencePersonal Branding Myth #4: Personal Branding Is “All About Me” Do you think personal branding is all about you? If so, think again! The truth is that a well-defined brand for yourself is really about your Audience – the person or people you most want to impact with your brand at work and in ...
Views: 877 - Executive Challenge #7: "I Know I'm Not Delegating as Much as I Probably Should, But." - by Submitted on Jun 06, 2011 from Brenda BenceAs a leader of an organization, let's face it: You can't do it all yourself. So, you know you have to delegate, and you do genuinely try. But lately, you've found your to-do list getting longer... you spend most of your time in back-to-back meetings... your normal workday has extended to 12+ ...
Views: 954 - Executive Challenge #6: “I Really Need to Get More Organized.” - by Submitted on Jan 21, 2011 from Brenda BenceImagine a life without clutter: No mail piled up in your “in” tray, you easily stay caught up on your e-mails. Your productivity is up, but your schedule isn’t packed. You avoid interruptions, arrive on time to appointments, and leave the office early enough to enjoy quality time with your ...
Views: 1268(1 vote) - The Executive Coach: Your Company’s Partner in Leadership Development - by Submitted on Jan 14, 2011 from Brenda BenceWhat would you say is the most critical success factor for business growth in your company? If you’re like 91% of the respondents in a recent study of CEOs in North America, Europe, and Asia, you would say “developing leaders.” In this article, we’ll explore why leadership development has become ...
Views: 1017 - Executive Challenge #5: “There Just Aren’t Enough Hours in the Day to Get Everything Done.” - by Submitted on Jan 11, 2011 from Brenda BenceDo you find yourself frequently falling behind in your tasks even though you work 12, 14, or even 16 hours a day? Do you find that at the end of the day, you still haven’t finished your to-do list? The truth is that learning how to manage your time can make or break your success as an executive. ...
Views: 1209 - Executive Challenge #4: “I’m Struggling With an Extremely Tough Decision.” - by Submitted on Dec 06, 2010 from Brenda BenceAs a senior manager or executive, you’re constantly faced with making difficult decisions. Most of the time, you can make those decisions based on experience, on financial analysis of the situation, on input from a colleague or your boss, or even perhaps based on pure instinct. But once in a ...
Views: 1056 - Executive Challenge #3: “I’m Unsure Where My Career Is Headed.” - by Submitted on Nov 18, 2010 from Brenda BenceLet’s face it: These are tough times in the lives of executives. The markets are topsy turvy, layoffs are rampant, stock options are under water, and people are running scared. For expatriates, add in the complexity of living outside your home country, and all of this can leave you wondering ...
Views: 1130 - Executive Challenge #1: “I Have No Work/Life Balance!” - by Submitted on Nov 02, 2010 from Brenda BenceWhat are the biggest challenges facing successful business people today? In my work as a certified executive coach for C-Suite Executives, Directors, Managers, and Entrepreneurs, there are many recurring themes that seem to surface. One at a time, I’ll be sharing with you 12 of those top ...
Views: 1153 - Personal Brand Damage Control: 8 Tips to Stay on Top at Work - by Submitted on Sep 02, 2010 from Brenda BenceEvery day at work, you run the risk of damaging your individual – even if you don’t think you have one. How is this possible? Well, your brand is the way people perceive, think, and feel about you in relation to others. The people you work with already have perceptions, thoughts, and feelings ...
Views: 1323 - Personal Branding Myth #2: Personal Branding is All About How You Look and Dress - by Submitted on Jul 20, 2010 from Brenda BenceLet's say you pick up a box of cookies at a supermarket because the packaging catches your eye. It looks upscale, gourmet, delicious. But, when you open the package and try one of the cookies, you're disappointed. The cookies don't taste terrible, mind you, but they don't taste any better than ...
Views: 1888 - Personal Branding Myth #1: Personal Branding Is All About Self-Promotion - by Submitted on Jul 14, 2010 from Brenda BenceThis couldn't be further from the truth! True personal branding is not superficial. It's more about understanding who you - and, therefore, 'YOU™' - are. That's right - the Trademarked You. This is how you are like shampoo. But just like in corporate branding, no matter how much money a company ...
Views: 1009 - Attention College Grads! How to Use a Post-Interview Thank You Note - by Submitted on Jun 25, 2010 from Brenda BenceStatistics show that, on average, only about 10% of college grads write a thank you note after an interview. So, should you? Absolutely! It’s a great way to distinguish yourself from the sea of other candidates, and it will help your individual personal brand stay memorable. In fact, if you’re ...
Views: 1263(1 vote) - Unexpected Riches: The Six Advantages College Grads Have in a Job Search - by Submitted on Jun 25, 2010 from Brenda BenceAs a college student getting ready to graduate, do you find yourself worrying that you’re at a disadvantage in the job pool because you don’t have as much experience as older applicants? If so, you’ll be glad to hear that you have some definite advantages while looking for a job just by virtue ...
Views: 1246 - Customer Complaints: Why Your Brand Can’t Survive Without Them - by Submitted on Jun 25, 2010 from Brenda Bence“You can’t complain on a Saturday.” I paused, certain that I’d misunderstood. “Pardon?” “Our Complaint Department is only open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central time. You can call back and share your complaint during those hours.” It was hard to believe that I ...
Views: 1068 - Do YOU Make Any of These Top 5 Job Interview Mistakes? Recruiters Vote on Grads’ Worst Fumbles in Job Interviews - by Submitted on Jun 18, 2010 from Brenda BenceWhat do more than 50 seasoned college recruiters from top-level corporations and universities say are the biggest mistakes college grads make in job interviews? That’s the question I recently posed to recruiters from companies and schools like Google, Disney, Sony, and Stanford University. The ...
Views: 2226 - Key Marketing Terms and Phrases – What Do They Mean? - by Submitted on Jun 18, 2010 from Brenda BenceQ: The terms and phrases used in branding confuse me. Help - what do they all mean? In my 25 years as a brander and a marketer, I have seen a lot of confusion around what the various elements of branding and marketing mean. So, don’t worry – you’re far from alone! As we kick off this new ...
Views: 1190 - How Well Do You Know Your Customer? - by Submitted on Mar 31, 2010 from Brenda BenceIn his 1985 book, Ogilvy on Advertising, David Ogilvy famously said, “The consumer is not a moron; she is your wife.” Of course, he’d have a hard time getting away with that kind of comment today, but his point is still a valid one. The truth is: Too many businesses think of their target ...
Views: 1129(6 votes) - How Personal Branding Can Help You Ace Your Job Interviews - by Submitted on Dec 17, 2009 from Brenda BenceYou took the time to create a great cover letter and resume, and they did their job – you got the interview. Now, you’re ready to walk into the door of the company’s building, and it’s the moment of truth. You really want this job, but what can you do to give yourself the edge over others vying ...
Views: 1351(3 votes) - How Personal Branding Can Get You More Interviews … and a Great New Job - by Submitted on Dec 09, 2009 from Brenda BenceOne of the most common misconceptions about searching for a job is that the person with the most or best experience is the one who gets hired. Truth is: You’re more likely to be hired for a job based on your connection with the interviewer than on your qualifications. And the best way to forge ...
Views: 1176(2 votes) - The Power of Personal Branding: How to Improve Your Company’s Bottom Line - by Submitted on Nov 18, 2009 from Brenda BenceLet’s face it: There are never enough hours in the day to get everything done – especially when you’re running a business. So, focusing on a topic like personal branding may end up at the bottom of your “To Do List.” Just how important is personal branding to the success of your overall business ...
Views: 1845(2 votes) - Traveling Around the World With Your Personal Brand in Tow - by Submitted on Oct 14, 2009 from Brenda BenceCan anybody deny the world has gotten much smaller over the years? In fact, these days, working globally has become the norm. But this can potentially bring on challenges when it comes to traveling to different countries with your personal brand in tow. After all, every culture is different, and ...
Views: 1036(1 vote) - YOU and Your Company: Making the Corporate Brand / Personal Brand Connection - by Submitted on Oct 07, 2009 from Brenda BenceYou may already know that defining and communicating your unique personal brand on the job is a powerful way to further your career. But have you ever thought about the connection between your personal brand and your company's brand? What role does that "connection" -- or lack of a connection -- ...
Views: 1285(1 vote) - Top Myths About Personal Branding – It’s Not What You Think - by Submitted on Sep 17, 2009 from Brenda BenceWhen you hear the words personal branding, do you think, "That's for people who are into how they dress," or "That's for people who are into self-promotion?" Unfortunately, those are just two of the myths that people often believe about personal branding. As a result of these myths, the ...
Views: 1461(5 votes) - Personal Branding Quiz: How Are YOU™ Doing? - by Submitted on Sep 09, 2009 from Brenda BenceHow is your personal brand doing? Are you presenting yourself in the best possible light and making YOU™ (The Trademarked You) the brand of choice in your career? Watch out! If you don’t believe you actually have a personal brand, think again. Just by virtue of being you in your career, you ...
Views: 1319(2 votes) - Need Employment Insurance? Master Your Personal Brand - by Submitted on Aug 18, 2009 from Brenda BenceIn today’s topsy-turvy marketplace, job security may seem like a pipe dream. In the midst of downsizing, stock market confusion, and layoffs, how can you make sure to keep your name off any pink-sheet list? One key way you can create employment insurance is to learn to define and effectively ...
Views: 1185(7 votes) - You Are What You Think – Face a Weak Economy with a Strong Personal Brand - by Submitted on Aug 11, 2009 from Brenda BenceSo much has been said, discussed, and argued about the "economic situation" in the past year. Is it possible that there is a stone unturned on this topic? Well, yes there is ... because the way you communicate your personal brand in this economy can have a big impact on how well you weather the ...
Views: 1838 - The Top Ten Secrets to Mastering Your Personal Brand - by Submitted on Aug 10, 2009 from Brenda BenceWhat do Sir Richard Branson, Barack Obama, and Suze Orman all have in common? They have each built powerful personal brands that have propelled them to the top of their businesses, their careers, and their lives. How did they do it? Like other successful personal branders, they took the time ...
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