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Hajj Flemings joins Michigan Tech MBA Online Team



Michigan Technological University recently launched their AACSB accredited two-year Tech MBA Online program for the 2010-2011 academic school year.

I am joining the Tech MBA Online team as the Program Ambassador. As an active practitioner and content contributor in the personal branding world I have always had a passion for personal development and helping people grow their human capital. In this position I will be focused on building brand awareness of the program, coordinating the social media strategy with the marketing department and assisting in recruiting.

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Are You Connecting with Your Interviewer?

From personal experience, I can confidently say that communicating a strong personal brand in your interviews can be the difference between getting the position and going home empty-handed.

However, just verbally telling an interviewer what your personal brand is may not be enough. Part of communicating a strong brand is making a strong connection with your target audience (i.e. your interviewer).

The following are some top tips on how to make stronger and lasting connections in your interviews and in turn, more effectively communicate your personal brand:

  • Don’t be afraid to ask questions. You need to make sure the job and company are a good fit for you just as they need to determine if you are a good fit for them. Think of it as a two-way interview. This will allow your character and personality to shine through, as well as give you insight into the position. - Lisa Quast, CareerWomanInc.com

  • Help them relate to you. When doing informational interviews or interviews with managers beyond HR who are actually in your chosen functional area or industry, you can create a stronger connection with them by asking them to share their own career search journey. Ask questions like, “How did you break into [insert industry, functional area or company name]?” and “Do you have any advice for someone trying to get his foot in the door in [insert industry, functional area or company name]?” These questions not only engage them in conversation which often creates a more personal connection, but often remind them of what it’s like to be in the job seeker’s shoes which may help them relate to the challenges you are facing and which may motivate them to assist you in other ways to overcome them. - Chris Perry, CareerRocketeer.com
  • Identify their interests or passions. One way to make a personal connection with interviewers while still remaining professional is to comment on something in their office. Don’t pick anything too personal, such as family photos, but perhaps a piece of artwork on their desk or an item that appears to be a souvenir from traveling. If you’re able to make a genuine comment or pose a sincere question, it can be a great way to get interviewers to open up and talk about themselves. Pick the right item, and the interviewers will remember a warm conversation and that you showed an interest in them. - Laurie Berenson, SterlingCareerConcepts.com
  • Try the path less travelled. When I was a consultant and had to regularly job hunt to keep the paychecks coming, I made a habit of requesting a walkthrough of the area and an introduction to a couple of people that I would be working with, so they could also look me over. I wanted to make a personal connection with as many people as possible, so they would be sure to remember me. Plus, I knew that most interviewees are too terrified to make such a request. While my interviewer was introducing me to someone, I would smile at the person and offer a warm handshake. I would then ask how the role for which I was interviewing would assist them with their daily duties. When possible, I would look for something around their desk that I might have in common with them and could comment on. This not only worked like a charm with respect to building a rapport, but once I started the assignment, I already felt like a part of the group. - Monique LaCour-Henry, CenterStageGroup.com
  • Tell a story. Tell a brief story that illustrates one of your core values or skills. With the job market so tight, the employee’s character matters even more than ever before, and besides, telling the right story can highlight your communication skills. So how do you pick the right story? You can go one of two ways: tell about an event that helped make you the person you are today (i.e., someone they want to hire); or tell a tale that highlights your problem-solving ability. After all, that’s why you’re being considered — to solve a problem or fill a need that the company has. Keep your tale short and sweet. Make sure your anecdote follows the basic form of situation-problem-resolution. And if you pick a story with genuine emotion in it, your interviewer will feel a connection with you. - Bruce Hale, BruceTalks.com

Thank you to all of the experts who contributed to this wealth of interview insight!

Chris Perry, MBA is a Gen Y brand and marketing “generator,” a career search and personal branding expert and the founder of Career Rocketeer and Launchpad.

Photo Credit: untitled, originally uploaded by .faramarz.

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7 Ways to Build a Mobile Personal Brand

“Personal branding” and “mobile” are two terms trending off the charts in 2010. It only makes sense that the combination, building a personal brand via mobile, is the next evolutionary step.

I realize not everyone owns a smartphone. Unfortunately, without an iPhone, Blackberry, or similar device, mobile personal branding will be extremely difficult. In today’s fast-paced environment, a smartphone is a near necessity for those looking to stay connected and build a personal brand from the road. If you aren’t yet convinced that a smartphone is right for you, hopefully this post will do the trick!

Here are 7 ways to build your personal brand via mobile, at any time of the day and from anywhere in the world.

1. Social Networking

Staying connected to your network from the road is easier today than ever before. In fact, social networking via mobile applications is often simpler than from a desktop computer! Facebook and Linkedin offer their own powerful mobile apps, and Twitter has more 3rd-party apps than you can count. My favorite is Tweetie 2 for iPhone, which is a steal at only $2.99, providing all the Twitter functionality you could ever dream of.

2. Location-Based Networking

Location-based networks such as Foursquare and Gowalla have recently become hugely popular. In short, these applications allow you to broadcast your exact location to the world. Truth be told, location-based networking might be too intrusive for some. But for others, this new functionality provides an interesting opportunity to further your brand.

3. Mobile RSS Feed

A huge part of personal branding is remaining knowledgeable on your given niche. I read many different blogs pertaining to my field everyday, and 90% of them I read from the road. MobileRSS is a free iPhone app that syncs with your Google Reader feed, and delivers all the latest news to your mobile doorstep in real-time.

4. Business Cards

Wait a minute, business cards aren’t high-tech! True, business cards might seem like an ancient relic, but they still serve their purpose better than any imitator. Need to deliver your information to someone you meet on the road? No better way than to hand them a business card that contains all the details you wish to convey (including where to find you on the web).

5. Google Docs

In the land before Google, you carried your documents with you on a floppy disk, or worse…you e-mailed files to yourself to be opened later! Today, Google Docs has solved the previously perplexing dilemma of how to access files from the road. You can open and save any type of file to Google Docs, and view the files from any computer or phone with a network connection.

6. Mobile Blog Theme

One aspect of building a brand around mobile technology is recognizing that others will be viewing your work via mobile as well. If you write a blog, you’ll want to consider installing a mobile theme for easy viewing from any smartphone. My blog Personal Branding 101 utilizes WPtouch iPhone theme, which aims to format the site perfectly for smartphone readers. (Also note that via WordPress you can publish blog posts from a mobile phone as well.)

7. Your Own Smartphone App

Want to take #6 a step further? With MotherApp you can create your own iPhone app that displays your blog posts and tweets. The service is free if you allow ads and share revenue 50/50, or you can pay a one-time fee of $99 to avoid ads. Yes, your app would actually appear in the iTunes Store - incredible, right? Check out Guy Kawasaki’s iPhone app for an interesting example.

Building a personal brand from the road once would have seemed like an impossible task. But today, the tools and technologies available have changed the game significantly. What do you think? Do you know of any other great ways to build your brand via mobile?

Ryan Rancatore can be found discussing the latest topics and trends related to building a brand at Personal Branding 101. Connect with Ryan on Twitter at @RyanRancatore, or on Linkedin or Facebook.

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#AMA Milwaukee Luncheon 03/16: @HajjFlemings – Speaks on ‘Personal Branding in a Digital World.’

Original Blog Post: AMA Milwaukee Blog

As the world around us continues to change, people-powered brands are impacting the world of business. How important is your personal brand? If you would like to find out and learn steps you can take to manage it, make plans to attend the March16 AMA luncheon.

The interactive program will focus on the importance of developing a strong personal brand that matters in a noisy digital world. Participants will walk away with practical information and learn how to become a voice people trust. Many of us are listening, engaging, connecting, and participating online through social media channels. But are you processing the information gained and using it to develop real-world relationships?

Join the Milwaukee Chapter of the American Marketing Association and Hajj E. Flemings, founder of Brand Camp University, and get tips to help define your personal brand and leverage your off-line relationships. In addition to a great lunch and opportunity to network, you will gain insight from a noted author and educator and learn how to…

  • INTEGRATE your passion into your personal brand
  • POSITION and balance your brand in corporate culture
  • RE-THINK your corporate job as a proving ground
  • MANAGE your online brand reputation and build equity
  • LEARN to project your personal brand off-line
  • BUILD a strong personal network before you need it

A strong personal brand can help ignite the growth of your business and inspire your personal life. Register now to ensure you are armed with tactics to grow your personal and professional identity and help ensure you stand out from the crowd.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Hajj E. Flemings is the founder of Brand Camp University and author of The Brand YU Life: Re-thinking Who You Are through Personal Brand Management, one of Fast Company Magazine’s 2008 Readers’ Choice Business Books of the year. He is also one of the authors featured in Age of Conversation 3, a collaborative book that brought together over 200 of the world’s best marketing, social media and brand thinkers. Flemings is a former collegiate athlete turned adjunct lecturer at his alma mater, Michigan Technological University, where he wrote the personal branding curriculum. He has been featured on ESPN.com, BusinessWeek.com, BlackEnterprise.com, various blogs and speaks across the nation. His clients include NFL athletes, Walt Disney, Ford Motor Company, Skechers Footwear, U.S. Department of Defense (Telecom Division) and numerous U.S. colleges and universities.

You can learn more about Flemings by visiting his blog, following him on Twitter or reviewing his information on LinkedIn.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
The luncheon is open to AMA-Milwaukee members and interested individuals and is designed to benefit marketers of all levels – from seasoned professionals to students – and is ideal for job seekers and those interested in strengthening their networks.

WHEN: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

WHERE: Crowne Plaza Hotel, 10499 Innovation Drive, Wauwatosa

PARKING: Complimentary parking is available in a private, surface lot.

FEE: $25 for AMA members
$45 for non-members
$20 for students or individuals in transition

RSVP: Register no later than Thursday, March 11, 2010.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE
 CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A REGISTRATION FORM A

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Personal Branding with Skype

On Saturday, February 27th I had the opportunity to teach a social media session, “Closing the Digital Divide” for @PowerOrgMATH who conducted an on-site workshop for students and parents in the Columbus Ohio area. One of the best parts of this session is that I was able to participate from Michigan via Skype . Based upon my positive experience I thought I would post a blog about ‘Personal Branding with Skype’.

Historically I haven’t been a heavy Skype user. My recent usage of this tool has exposed me to the significant personal branding opportunities. The power of this tool is not that it gives you that cool Jetson type feel, but its ability to connect people in different locations while providing a face-to-face interaction real-time.

Understand it is a free tool and you are only as good as your internet connection and hardware.

Skype Basic Set-Up
To get started download the free-of-charge Skype software. You will need to set-up a profile, have access to an internet connection and some basic hardware: laptop/desktop computer/mobile device, web cam, headset, and recording software (the recording software is only required for recording audio and/or video).

Skype Profile


• Skype Handle - I recommend establishing a Skype handle (which is your number or contact) using a name that is consistent with your other social network profiles. (My Skype handle is ‘HajjFlemings’ which is my real name).
• Avatar – Use the consistent avatar that you used across all of your social networks (actual photo).
• Bio – Brief bio that should be consistent with your other social networks.

If you are a high profile person, celebrity, or have stalker concerns use a Skype handle and profile that is appropriate and safe for you.

Hardware/Software

Web Cams – Only required if video is being enabled. One of the best web cams is the Logitech Quickcam Pro 9000.

Headset –The headset is strongly recommended for recording purposes. The biggest factor that will go into the type of headset you will need is the type of device you will using (desktop computer, laptop, or smartphone). I would recommend you doing some research. I personally have a Plantronics.

Recording Software – The personal branding value is maximized when the video functionally is ultiized. To record you have to download a third party application.
I have listed a few different options.

• Vodburner (PC Only)
• Call Recorder for Macs
• Screenflow – Screenflow is a screencasting software that can be used to capture the video is a cool application that a friend of mind Henry Balanon swears by.

Personal Branding Value:

In the example I used I was able to extend my reach to a group of educators that were outside of my network with no cost to me except my time.

Products that can be produced from Skype
• Audio Podcasts
• Video Podcasts
• Video Interviews
• Workshop Presentations

Value Provided By Using Skype
• Extend your network
• Extend your reach
• Reinforces your relevance in the new media space.
• Its FREE!!! It saves you money and time.
• Sharable content if recorded, uploaded and linked to.

I hope this short blog post opened up your eyes to the possibilities of using Skype as a personal branding tool. Please share your thoughts in the comments section about how you have used Skype as a personal branding tool.

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