event review: boo ball

Last weekend, the Midland Independent School District (MISD) Education Foundation hosted the 2nd Annual Boo Ball.

It was great fun as a whole host of costumes were showcased by MISD supporters and sponsors. The music was awesome and wonderfully entertaining with the LeFreakBand belting out some great tunes that really got the crowd up and dancing.

Lots of fun silent auction items and some great live auction items to boot!

Here’s what went right:

1. A great band.

They were right on target with playing the disco tunes. The crowd was definitely pleased as evidenced by the majority of attendees hitting the dance floor. In fact, the group we were with, one of the ladies remarked prior to the band taking the stage, “I hope the band is a good as the soundtrack we’re listening to because they have some great songs that I love.” Well, they did not disappoint! In fact, she and her husband were out on the dance floor more than I’ve ever seen them at any event and we’ve been to MANY events here in the Basin together.

In fact, when the event ended there were people STILL on the dance floor. This is the tell tale sign of a great event. If you end your event and the dance floor is empty, your band did a poor job-period!

2. Great venue.

The Midland Country club is a beautiful location for an upscale, Halloween party! The staff was extremely friendly and provided awesome service.

3. Fun, beautiful decorations. Great interaction!

Lots of fun conversations, costumes and beautiful decorations. They did very, very well to set the fun tone!

What went wrong:

1. More auction items.

If they had more auction items, they would of sold them. More live and silent auction items are needed. Of course, this is only the 2nd annual so I’m sure that, in time, this will grow.

2. Use a professional auctioneer.

You could tell a huge difference in the energy and amount raised from the live auction this year as compared to last year. Much of that has to do with the auctioneer. I, personally, adore Jay Hendricks, he’s the best master of ceremonies and a wonderful community supporter and a stellar television anchor. He’s just not an auctioneer. I couldn’t be one, and not many of us can. There’s a real “art” to auctioning items, keeping the bidding flowing and interacting and having fun with the crowd is a fast-paced, high stakes type of environment. Steve Taylor was just awesome last year! I’ve seen him at the Cancer Society Roundup, the Crystal Ball and several stock shows and rodeos - his talent is undeniable and he would definitely do a good job for the event. They might seriously consider investing in him for the year three. He really makes the sponsors, the participants, and those who donated the auction items that they got their money’s worth and great “buzz” out of the deal.

All in all a landslide of “buzz points” for the event! An awesome second year - can’t wait till next year!

People Are The Brand -

Coach Maria Elena Duron

Buzz To Bucks Connections | A Personal Branding Agency

What is buzz? Compelling others to speak positively on your behalf

some rules trump other rules

Over dinner, my husband and I had the opportunity to engage in great conversation with friends and the co-author of Chicken Soup for the Entrepreneur’s Soul, John Gardner, Jr. The conversation focused on dreams, goals and initiative and a portion of it revolved around a recent best-selling book.

In the book, that was the topic of discussion, the author spoke of winning a martial arts tournament by quickly losing weight, weighing in at the lower weight class, then quickly hydrating and gaining weight so that he outweighed all of his opponents. He knew that “to win” all he would have to do is follow the rules and push his opponent out of the ring three times. So, that’s what he did.

When I first read this I thought, “no way”. Meaning that the spirit of the rules, in my opinion, had been broken. It’s hard for anyone to think of every deceptive way that the “next person who comes along” will try to push the envelope of “the rules”. We, human beings, are so wonderfully resourceful that for every person that creates something for good there is always someone who will utilize that same creative energy for personal gain in a way that is detrimental to others.

I shared this book with my CEO Mastermind group. We’ve been together for over two years and each one at the table agreed that “who cares what the minimum standards are” we have our “own rules” that we ourselves choose to govern ourselves by. We also agreed that each of us, business owners and CEOs, while we LOVED to “win”, the “win” had to feel good in our own conscience for us to consider it a real “win”.

It’s funny because John eventually said, “Some rules trump other rules”. And, they do! It’s those personal rules of accountability that are a part of our authentic brand.

Part of what developed my own personal belief in this, is my own experience many moons ago with Child Care Management Services and the Texas Department of Health and Human Services. I used to audit child care centers. And, while there were minimum standards to operating a child care center we always advocated for centers to become NAEYC (National Association of Education of Young Children) standards. They were higher standards and while they were not the governing standards and not the standards by which “payment” was determined or issued, they were the standards that reflected the “quality and brand” that our department felt was necessary for success.

I liken it to someone who is “on the job” - they can do the MINIMUM necessary to get a paycheck or they can put their PERSONAL BRAND on the project and it be known as theirs. I’ve never been a MINIMUM STANDARDS type of person - so, why would I compromise my own, valuable rules to accommodate his substandard rule. His rules were not “in line” with my brand so I choose not to “learn from that book.”

In fact, one of the business owners in our CEO Mastermind team said “cut your losses” -when I was lamenting over the fact that it was a “hardback book” that I invested in and felt it was a poor investment so I continued to try to “get something out of it.”

In your PERSONAL BRAND, there are times when “doing the minimum” will fit into the whole scheme of who you are and there are other times when “above and beyond” is foundational to your brand. For me, whose clients tell me that my brand attribute is “passionate and connecting”, of course those minimum standards would be a great mis-match! Glad I feel confident in my own authenticity!

Here’s some rules for you to ponder:

1. Be open to other people’s rules.

It doesn’t mean that you accept them. It merely means that you respect that they have their own set of rules. Once ego comes into play and you feel compelled to “evangelize” your rules, above and beyond, someone else’s rules you walk a very dangerous line. If that’s a part of your personal brand, then acknowledge it, know it and accept it. Accept with it the fact that less people will have a connection with you and that even less people will be compelled to speak positively on your behalf. Remember, feeling “valued” is key to relationship development. Just providing info so that you can make the decision with your “eyes wide open”.

2. Explore the “why” behind someones rules or decisions.

There are “words” that SHUT DOWN a conversation or open it up. One of the “shut down phrases” are, “you didn’t do this…” or “you failed to do this…”. JUDGMENT STATEMENTS are huge conversation barriers. When we were having that dinner discussion, the phrase “you failed to read all the way through…” was said instead of “did you read the rest of the story?” - my husband calls them “fighting” words and they are. Remember, conversation is an exchange as opposed to preaching or sermoning which is a one-sided presentation. A dialog takes TWO.

A friend of mine likes to “should” all over people - this is what you “should do”; “you should” do this; “you should” do that– and then says, “if you don’t do this then you’re just stupid”. How engaging, right?!?

3. Stick to who you are and what’s important to you.

There are MANY people who feel that their “calling” in life is to tell you who you are or how to be or what to want. You have your own UNIQUE VALUE and NEVER, NEVER, NEVER let anyone else define you.

A friend or mine believes the “goals you set” have to be grand - trip to Cancun, family trip to Hawaii, a new Mercedes Benz. My goals are to spend every moment with my family and those I love, have enough to contribute and enough time to let those who are special in my life know how special they are. Not grand, by his definition. But, they are GRAND goals to me! If you know “my story” from victim to victor and if you know “our story” with our children’s shooting tragedy, then you might have a greater glimpse into who we are yet for the most part, most people don’t want to know you that deeply. Most people, want to know you enough to shower you with their values and judgments for whatever reason. Stay true to who you are! Someone out there will be “moved, touched and inspired to action” just because of knowing you.

Some rules DO trump other rules!

People Are The Brand -

Buzz To Bucks Connections | A Personal Branding Agency

What Is Buzz? The ability to compel others to speak positively on your behalf!

new audio posted

The last installment of “Making Meetings Work” has been uploaded.  To listen in, click here!

throwing dirt

Ah, yes, the political season is upon us! We see it on the news, hear it on the radio, read it in the paper, on the web - why it’s even in our LinkedIn forums.

I’m an independent - which means, for me, that I look at all the candidates and issues and making a decision on who will “best serve me and my interests”. Yes, I’m a member of the Republican Women’s group yet only because they provide some great education and opportunity to hear candidates “up close & personal”. I detest party lines and voting ONLY for the party. Although, I’m a strong advocate for voting. Having lost an uncle to an assassin, who shot people who went to vote the first time the Philippine people were able to vote, it is a right that I’m extremely passionate about.

Yet, the thing I dislike MOST of the political season is the “mudslinging”. I am of the mindset that when you “sling dirt” you always GET DIRT ON YOU.

For example, a local candidate, James Roberts is running for city council. I don’t know the guy. I’ve heard of him with none of the comments being good or bad. I’m not one party over the other and I’m open to hearing everyone’s views and plans. So, I open up the newspaper the other day (yes, I do get the paper since I’m in the business of “advertising” of sorts, I get it to see whose promoting their business and to make sure press releases made it), and find a big ad with Roberts slinging mud as his opponent John James. He quotes all these things that the “democratic party” says and all the things they don’t support and all the people they don’t like. And, thus concludes that since John is an active member of the democratic party then he said all these things. Of course the ad opens with, “Can you believe this guy?” And, I have to ask the same, “can you believe this guy?!”

C’mon - give me the facts. Where do YOU stand on what? And, stop the mudslinging - please!!

During the political season, it’s a FESTIVAL of positioning your brand. And, I hail from the school of working with your authentic brand. It’s funny that when I showed the advertisement to high school seniors that unanimously thought - stop that - tell us where you stand. From high school students, these millennials want the “real story” not the mudslinging. Millennials often get a bad rap because they don’t value the same things that other generations value. Make no mistake this doesn’t discount the impact they make. It’s different world out there and for millennials “TIME” is more valuable than money - something very foreign to other generations.

So, what can you do to be authentic in your brand while respecting someone else’s brand?

1. Focus on your strengths.

When you have people’s attention, focus on why you are excellent at your strength area. Take a look at Tiger Woods, he spends hours, days and a ton of effort being really good at what he’s really good at, instead of “talking smack” about other golfers.

2. Speak only in facts.

Let other draw their on conclusion. People always appreciate an expert who can give them facts. People who “tell them what to think” are meant with a favorable reception.

3. Let others speak positively on your behalf.

If YOU tell me you’re great and wonderful, my initial response is going to be “yeah, right!”. If someone else, tells me that you’re great and wonderful, I’m more inclined to say tell me more.

And, isn’t “share of mind” what we want?

People Are The Brand -

Coach Maria Elena Duron - The Champion of Connections

Buzz To Bucks Connections | Personal Branding Agency

you only see the turn

My friend, Seth, and I were at a leadership seminar on Friday and both sharing stories about having frustrations with “urgent people”. You know the type - the one who thinks everything that they do is urgent and so they want it to be equally as urgent for you.

If you recall the movie “Stand And Deliver”, it depicted the story of the high school students in southern California who were the first in their school to pass the AP Calculus test. Jamie Escalante, the student’s math teacher, assisted them in stretching their minds and their mindsets. In one scene, he’s driving with a student and asks “which way do I go” and the student, not having enough time to think or decide, shouts out “go right!”. They end up at a dead end street and Mr. Escalante says to the student, “your problem is you only see the turn.”

For you, do you take the time to strategically plan what you’re doing is your brand that of someone who is “constantly in a state of urgency” or worse yet, has it deteriorated to a brand of “always crying wolf” or “running around like a chicken with your head cut-off”?

This “lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part” will lessen the value or your personal brand.

I realize there are many different personality styles and all are great for business yet do understand even your greatest strength, taken to the extreme, becomes your weakness.

So, are you the type of person that only sees the turn? Let’s check and see:

1. Do you have a strategic plan that your executing on that is broken down into one year, six months, 30 days, and weekly goals?

2. Do you constantly contact people with “oh, I just thought of this” or an “I need this yesterday” kind of urgency?

3. Do you have a communication plan so that you not “on the fly” remembering someone that you need to send a card to, or say thank you to, or follow up with?

In order to exponentially benefit from your brand, it requires you to think strategically.

Here’s what you can do:

1. Ask yourself - what three things do you want to be known for this year?

Focus on those three and see those to fruition. Take out a calendar and plan out what steps will be taken and WHEN they’ll be taken to make success with this goal - inevitable.

2. Who do I need to have relationship with to make this happen?

Nothing worse for your professional stature, then being the person that connects with someone ONLY when you want something. Remember, people need to be valued and respected - not used.

3. What are some potential roadblocks to this happening? And, what can be done to avoid or remove those roadblocks?

Often, those people in the “constant state of urgency” create their OWN roadblocks by pushing the people around them so much that they become “unavailable” to all their urgent needs. Sit down and take time to be strategic so that you can engage people at a level that is respectful of them, their time and values AND yours.

The goal is WIN/WIN. I always seem to be taken back to the statement that “people will always remember the way YOU make them feel”. Do you make them energized or are you an energy vampire?

People Are The Brand -

Coach Maria Elena Duron - The Champion of Connections Coach

Buzz To Bucks Connections - Personal Branding Agency

just joking on desperate housewives?

I focus in this column about ways to connect with diverse and multicultural markets to enhance our interactions and our connections. And, still, in this day and age there are times when there’s a monumental faux pas or “disconnect” that I can’t not make a comment and look for resolution.

At the beginning of this month, the show “Desperate Housewives” aired an episode in which a racial slur that was meant as a joke created a boycott of ABC and a demand for an apology from the Philippines and Filipino doctors both here in the United States and abroad.

The show’s writers thought it would be funny. The officials cited a recent episode where actress Teri Hatcher, who plays Susan Mayer, asked the following about the person attending to her during a medical consultation “can I check those diplomas because I want to make sure that they’re not from some med school in the Philippines.”

On October 3rd, the Philippines asked for an apology out of respect for all the Filipino professionals. Stateside, many Filipino business groups and societies, began boycotting and waging campaigns against ABC. In fact, planned on November 4th, in Las Vegas, Nevada and a Filipino Medical Convention, there is a meeting to discuss “next steps” and even legal action against the show and the network.

Filipino consul in Los Angeles Mary Jo Bernardo Aragon wrote a letter of complaint to the ABC network saying that Filipino medical workers were in demand all over the world.

As networkers and leaders, unfortunately those kind of “jokes” are prevalent. Many are developed by ignorance and some just from totally insensitive and “clueless” souls. How can you as a professional steer clear of such “jokes” and stay in the “positive” as a person who connects and respects people of all walks of life?

Here’s what you can do:

1. Recognize people for who they are and what they do - not their nationality or ethnicity.

I’m a strong supporter of multicultural based networking groups and organizations because they provide a common frame of reference for their membership. Yet, they do not stay stagnant and utilize that as the only commonality. That is merely a basis to get together - from their relationships need to be developed. How can you be proactive in doing that? Understand who each and every person that you would like to develop and connect with is which means understanding what they value and who is important to them.

For example: If you have a fellow networker who just had a baby and has returned to the working world, and you don’t ask about that baby or even make a mention of congratulations, you won’t stay in connection very long with that person. This is something they value and is a major happening in their life. To ignore it is to ignore the connection and ignore the person- period.

2. Check all assumptions.

And lead in with mention that “I’m checking on an assumption to make sure that I’m not operating in ignorance”. Or, utilize words that sound more like you. But, do check in.

As an active member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and not being “Hispanic” myself, I’m often asked by non-members “do you have to be Hispanic to join?” I WELCOME, that question - because at least they ask. What’s disappointing is when I hear comments made such as “they only help Hispanics” or “we can’t join we’re not Hispanic”. Huge assumptions made on those statements!

3. Assess your relationships.

People need to have a measurement tool to know how they’re doing and to assess their importance and impact. We all need to know that we’re making a difference and that we’re connecting with people who we believe in and who believe in us.

Are there people in your life who constantly throw something out there that’s racially discriminating or derogatory out there in their conversation? It might be time to evaluate those relationships - is it a good connection? Can you make a difference and help bring value? Do they bring value to you? Does the association make you more like them?

It’s true - birds of a feather flock together. At any function, I steer clear of the “blonde jokes”; the “religious jokes”; and the “ethnic jokes”. The centerpieces of diversity are contact, culture, complexity, and conflict. As we struggle with issues of diversity, we must question how much human diversity we are personally and institutionally willing to tolerate and celebrate.

Communication is a wonderful gift!. Without communication we would have neither relationships or culture. Yet, communication in all of its forms and complexities can also be used to dehumanize and exclude others. Oppression begins with communication both verbal and non-verbal. Some the world’s greatest atrocities, began with words. However, communication is also our greatest hope for bringing together communities. How you use it is your choice!

People Are The Brand -

Coach Maria Elena Duron - The Champion of Connections Coach

Buzz To Bucks Connections - Personal Branding Agency

new audio posted

The next installment of “Making Meetings Work” audio has been posted.  Click here to hear it!

the 10th largest economy

Susan Combs, Comptroller for the State of Texas, shared a “State of Texas” update from the comptroller’s office at a recent luncheon. She stated that is Texas were a country we would be the 10th largest and strongest economy in the world. And, she added “by the way, Texas is bigger than France.”

Being a transplanted Texan, I know the power and breadth of Texas. The only state that can fly it’s flag at the same height as the U.S. Flag because we were a country, evokes much pride in Texas youngsters as they pledge, not only to the U.S. Flag but also to the Texas Flag. My boys know the Texas Pledge of Allegiance and admittedly as a transplanted Texan I did not grow up learning it so I stay silent for that short part of opening ceremonies.

She shared how all of the checks cut from the State of Texas are on the web and that anyone can search and see how expenses are cut. I loved her statement of “We can never forget that it is not our money but it is your money that you’ve entrusted to us. So, I need to be able to show you right down to the ordering of pens, how we spent your money. It’s my duty.” Well said and well carried out - looking at the results of budgets and who money is expended to and why.

If only our city government could be just as “servant oriented” as she is. There take is more of a “secret squirrel” kind of government where they don’t “bore us” with the details of why they expended great sums of money for apparent mistakes they have made. Some of the leaders of the “secret squirrel society” were at this luncheon and I’m hoping that a bit of it “soaked in” and maybe they’ll rise to the occasion and CALL AN AUDIBLE and truly be community servants.

So, what can you personally learn from the Texas economy?

#1 - Know what people think and feel.

Yes, you need feedback. Politicians hear it from voters and at the voting poll. You need to hear it from your constituents. To bury your head in the sand and surround yourself only with “yes men & women” is to detach yourself from your client - be it voter of customer.

To hold your head up high and trudge through the “mud and the muck” that you, yourself created is insanity in its highest form.

#2 - Deliver Your Message To The People Who Are The Best Fit

Find ways to deliver you message easily and frequently. Consistency goes a long way in marketing, in business and in reputation management.

Susan started her speech thanking the people in the room for voting for her and wanting to give them an in-depth update of what she had done with their support. Good move! How often do you go back and speak to the people who support you or do business with you? Remember, at one time they had “know, like and trust” for you. Time can either deepen that relationship or it can erode it - it depends on whether you communicate and value them.

#3 - Realize That We Are In An Experience Economy

People afford what they want. And, realize that how people “feel” about something dictates whether they will support you, do business with you again, or refer you to their closest contacts that they influence. No longer do we operate in “just” market share - we operate in “share of mind” and “share of emotion”. And, people always remember the emotional side of connecting or interacting with you. To win in this economy, you must provide experiences they desire, plus more. Average is no longer visible or memorable.

So, are you a servant or secret squirrel? Which one is growing and which one is dying? And, IS the secret squirrel cartoons “on” anymore? Those things that make you go - hmmm?

People Are The Brand -

Coach Maria Elena Duron AKA The Champion of Connections Coach

High Performance Trainer | Business & Executive Coach

Buzz To Bucks Connection Alliance - where all connections are profitable!

call an audible

I like movies with a lesson. There are times when I can sit down and watch an epic yet I find more drama, excitement and entertainment in LIFE than I do in any movie. Yet, movies with great lessons and epiphanies speak to me.

Recently, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson stars in the Disney Film - the Game Plan. A little corny and somewhat predictable, I still found it to be a great movie. Great life lessons sprinkled throughout the film.

He shares, with his daughter, what an “audible” is in one scene. An audible is when the Quarterback changes the play. He sees something that threatens their opportunity of success that requires that the original “game plan” be changed. They then call an audible (they have to say something) to communicate the need for a change.

Are there times in your life plan that you need to call an “audible”? How about in your business plan?

What’s your criteria for calling an audible?

#1 - Your overall plan.

It’s October 16th and we are 75 days from the end of 2007. If you’re only 1/3 of the way through your life plan or your business plan, then it’s time to call an audible. If you think you’re going to pull a rabbit out of your hat, then how do you plan to do that? And, what are you going to do differently then what you have been doing the rest of the year to make that change?

#2 - Since I work with people in personal branding, presentations are one of the ways to fast forward the ability for people to sample your character and competence and exude your brand.

Yet, if you are a presenter that follows the outline - no matter what. Meaning, ” no matter” what the audience response it; or “no matter” what the audience’s tone is; or “no matter” what feedback you’ve received - then you will develop negative word of mouth for yourself. Being a great presenter means that you might need to call an audible to remain responsive to your audience. There are times when I have a PowerPoint ready and will not use it or will skip around to different slides because of the feel and/or concerns voiced from the audience. I’m there to address their needs, not to say what I have to say. That’s a part of my brand - is it a part of yours?

#3 Be aware of your surroundings and timing.

It is hard to let go of our plans. We put so much time, effort and a bit of “us” into our plans so it’s extremely difficult to let those go. Look at what happened to the Dallas Cowboys last Monday against the Buffalo Bills - do you think that both the Quarterbacks were calling some audibles out there on the field? And, of course, at the head of all the brand wars is Peyton Manning, Quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts, definitely known for being a “play changer”.

Planning is important yet we want to stay away from a plan becoming a prison for us. Just like life, it must breathe and go.

Anything that you need to call an audible on in your life? There’s only 75 days left in 2007 - call it while you can still do something with it.

People Are The Brand -

Coach Maria Elena Duron AKA The Champion of Connections

High Performance Trainer | Business & Executive Coach

Buzz To Bucks Connection Alliance - where all connections are profitable!

second life?

Second Life is a virtual reality world found at SecondLife.com. In their own words, the developers of Second Life describe it as a “3D on-line digital world imagined and created by its residents.”

I was at a chamber function when I first heard of “second life” and how companies, especially hoteliers, were utilizing it to test out new hotel designs. They build their prototypes at “second life” and if the residents book at their virtual hotel, attend and give them feedback, then they amend the original model prior to launching the “real life” design. Ingenious, right?! The economist who mentioned it was amazed that people were making “real money” at their second life. That part, did not amaze me. I knew that to be true even as an early e-bayer well before ebay went public with their stock. And, having boys who also know how to make money on their on-line gaming by designing armor and weapons that are sold for real money.

Taken straight from their website, here’s how a business can utilize second life:

A New World of Opportunity

“Receive product feedback from customers around the world without leaving the office. Meet with global partners at virtual headquarters. Discover a new world of online fundraising capabilities. Build an island where customers and clients can test out new designs and concepts. Build community around branding. Say good-bye to conference calls and say hello to real-time 3-D collaboration. The Second Life Grid allows for projects as limitless as the imagination”

What did fascinate me is the “test market” opportunity with second life. And, wouldn’t you know - having a great reticular activating system embedded in my composition - I began to hear more and more about second life. In fact, the Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) recently highlighted a story that appeared in AdAge, the magazine for the advertising world, regarding Acura’s use of Second Life. Acura is giving away FREE virtual SUVs on Second Life to get feedback on the design and feel of their newest design that they would like to take to the market. To go straight to the article cut and pase this URL in your browser- http://adage.com/mediaworks/article?article_id=120991

With your own personal branding, can you give that a “second life”?

Many times I hear or read of people “rebranding” themselves. And, while I understand the thinking that goes behind that –it’s unrealistic to think that you can just “wipe the slate clean” and start new with your brand. Basically, people remember you from your previous life and positions. That reputation and memory of how you treated them never goes away. So, unless you’re creating yourself brand new in “second life”, you have a history that belongs to you.

Better to consider how you can EVOLVE your brand. And, in that, you can make a “second life” kind of move and get feedback from your current clients, colleagues, friends, family members, mentors, professors, peers, and coaches and find out where your brand stands now.

Three important questions are key to successfully evolving your brand:

#1 - Where have you been?

What brand do you currently have now? How do people describe you when they are introducing you to others? What are they thinking right now. There are some people who you are close enough to you that you can ask these questions and they’ll give you honest answers. However, many of your connections will “sugar coat” the answer or deliver it in a way that is “hurtful versus helpful”. What you can do about that is to provide a format and guidelines to response. I utilize the 360 degree Reach Feedback for accurate results that provide constructive insights.

#2 - How long have you been there?

How long have you exuded the brand you currently have? Remember, if it took more than a day to develop than it will take more than a day to change.

To find out how long you’ve been at this “brand identity” make sure that you ask people who have known you through your many lives as a student; recent graduate; newbie; manager; volunteer; church leader, etc. You need everyone’s feedback from your past and present along with those you want to develop future relationships with. Even if they don’t “know you well”, they’ve heard something about you - find out what that is.

#3 - Which way are you going?

Where are you taking your brand? What do you want to be known for? What three words would you like people to say when they’re describing you? Here’s where you can utilize “second life” or other systems that give you a chance to “test drive” the brand you would like to evolve to. Find out where you’re going and THEN you can plot the road map on how to get there. To reverse that order, which is what the majority of people do, is insanity!

It could be time to evolve your brand. May be you got a promotion, you changed companies, you are recently divorced, you are a recent empty nester, you’ve moved, you’ve lost a lot of weight, you overcame a great obstacle - whatever the reason your old brand might not truly depict and describe who you are now. Sheepish about asking others for help? — click here to see why that’s an arrogant thought.

It is time for you to EVOLVE?

People Are The Brand -

Coach Maria Elena Duron AKA The Champion of Connections Coach

High Performance Trainer | Business & Executive Coach

Buzz To Bucks Connection Alliance - Where All Your Connections Are Profitable!