My 2 Year Anniversary and iPod Touch

My girlfriend and I are celebrating our two year anniversary this Thursday, but last night she surprised me with a gift a little earlier than expected.  I got home from a trip to New Orleans awaiting Apple’s new iPod Touch.  Now as excited as I was, I realized one of two things; she was either too eager to wait until our anniversary night or she was hinting that I need to get her an equally remarkable gift (probably both). 

After testing it and playing around with it all day, I can truly say that I am amazed by the iPod Touch.  Apple does what the best brands in the world do; they listen to their customers, they create innovative products, and they don’t worry about selling.  Apple gives customers exactly what they want and goes above and beyond customers’ expectations.  Apple doesn’t have to sell.  Go into any Apple store and you can play with their products for hours.  Apple is so confident in their product, that they let their quality speak for itself.  When quality meets innovation, you have something special. 

There is definitely something we can all learn from the iPod Touch and Apple, especially how that relates to our own personal brands.  Create a good product that speaks for itself.  Listen to those around you and always improve.  Finally, be confident and don’t be afraid to fail, that’s just input for improving. 

I’m So Sorry!

Check out this article on Yahoo Personal Finance.

“When Zogby’s researchers queried 7,590 Americans, both male and female, they discovered that people who are more willing to say “I’m sorry” make more money than people who rarely or never apologize.”

When I read this, I was hardly surprised.  It’s my opinion that people who apologize regularly, are more socially aware than those who don’t.  Therefore, they are more in tuned to what really makes someone happy rather than someone who always thinks they are right. 

One of the experts, Dr. Marty Nemko suggests that “High earners tend to be more secure”.  Although I agree with the statement, Dr. Nemko suggests that the act of earning more money makes people secure enough to apologize.  I argue that it’s not the money that makes someone secure, but rather the mindset of being secure that allows a person to make more money. 

Either way, this is a fascinating study and should teach you to be more aware of how others are perceiving you.  The more aware you are of your perception and brand, the better off you’ll be….at least monetarily. 

Are you a Resource?

David Cohen, wrote a great blog posting on Adjacencies–that is, complimentary talents or skills that you don’t necessarily have, but can connect people to.  Adjacencies are a powerful tool to have.  When you meet somebody who has a completely different set of talents and expertise then you have, it’s easy to brush that person off because you have nothing to offer each other. 

However, it’s very powerful to be able to connect those people to potential customers or to people who are able to service them. 

The more you connect people together, the more people will remember you as someone who is well connected.  They will remember you as a person who is a resource who can give them answers by your sheer connectedness.  Do you know a great IT guy, plumber, house-keeper, sales guy?  Keep their information handy! 

Next time you meet somebody who you’d think, “ha, we have NOTHING in common.”  Remember, that everyone needs something.  Always message that you can connect them at some point and that you’d appreciate the same.   

Be a resource and always think about how you can provide value.     

Do the little things

Everybody does the big things.  When you’re out to eat, the server will bring your food.  When you’re at the post office, the postal worker will mail your package.  The big things are a prerequisite to any job, relationship, or experience. 

The big things should be the least of your worries.

You’ll get the food out so to speak, usually without much effort.  But your attention to detail and the small things, make the difference.  Helping out a fellow “server” or complimenting a customer’s cute child will make an expected experience a remarkable one. 

• Do the little things to sky-rocket your like-ability.
• Do the little things to show you have confidence.
• Do the little things to increase your perceived competence.

The Bases of Advocacy

I recently took a 2 day seminar taught by world-renowned Communications professor, Dr. John Daly.  It was one of the best courses I’ve ever taken in my life.  We learned about advocacy, business communication, and persuasion.   Throughout the entire course, Dr. Daly had the entire room at the edge of our seats, completely engaged.   

Advocacy is getting people to agree with your ideas and to follow them voluntarily.  We learned that there are 3 keys to advocacy:

Clarity:  Always know your goal when communicating.  Drop what is unimportant.  And last, chunk your information so that people can easily understand the message.  According to Dr. Daly, people respond very well when you chunk information into 3 sections.  Psychologically, humans respond to ideas when they’re explained in 3 parts.  Presenters will get rounds of applause and praise when they make their final points on their third chunk. 

Affinity:  Affinity is simply getting people to like you.  We learned that getting people to like you starts when you take an interest in the other person.  It also takes a charismatic personality that makes people feel good.   

Influence:  Influence starts with a good personal brand.  How do people view you?  What is your reputation?  A good brand will create perceived differences even if the competition is similar or even better.  I’m sure we’ve all seen this at work in our lives, but a great example we learned about was the Coca Cola vs. Pepsi case study.  Coca Cola is perceived to better, even though in blind taste tests, users choose Pepsi.  Enhancing your brand, builds the amount of influence you can wield. 

Advocacy therefore, is creating a strong reputation, combined with a crystal clear message, and having people like you and wanting to see you succeed.  Combining these three elements will help you create your name brand and will help you get the things you desire in life.

Clarify, Be Liked, and Be Reputable.