During these times of economic uncertainty there is activity more important than networking. Now is a great time to build new relationships and nurture your existing relationships.
The easiest way I now to build your network is to become active in the professional organizations where your colleagues and prospective clients 'hang out.' Don't just join the organization (professional association, trade association, service organization, etc.) but volunteer. Demonstrate your business or management skills by serving on a committee or leading a program. Contact the president or a committee chair to discover what kind of help is needed. You will painlessly build your network and make valuable connections by volunteering.
Make it a point each day to contact someone in your professional network. Call a client to check in, post to a discussion list, or e-mail a colleague. Update your LinkedIn, Plaxo, or Jigsaw posting, and if you don't have a listing in any of those databases, get one post haste!
It's true what they say - it's not what you know, it's who you know.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
Use Your Real Estate to Promote Your Brand
Use your real estate to promote your brand. You have space and opportunity at your disposal to connect your products and services with your clients or customers. Use it.
Just to be clear, branding is a promise between the supplier and the customer. Think Starbucks. Starbucks promises quality coffee, perfectly prepared, delivered in a friendly atmosphere.
The Starbucks logo offers a visual reminder of the brand.
You want this kind or recognition.
Deliverables and e-mails offer prime space for putting forward your info biz brand quickly and easily. When you deliver your product to a client, it should always be clear where it came from. If you don't have a logo, get one. If you're not using a template or consistent formatting for reports and e-mails, start now. If customized Power Point slides are an option, go for it. Be consistent in the look and feel. Use the logo, template, and formatting without exception.
Design an e-mail signature that displays your info biz brand. If you can include the logo, do it. If you have a slogan, tag line, or mantra that you can attach, do it. In fact, think Nike - Just Do It. Your clients must always know where their information comes from and where to turn for information services.
For help with graphics and visual representation of who you are and what you do, explore your options. Your organization may have a graphic arts department that can assist. For full service marketing strategies, including graphic arts, consider Chris Olson & Associates. For logo design you could try launching a contest on 99designs. It's a fun and affordable option.
Developing visual reminders for your clients is an easy way to brand and market your information services. Give it a go and share your results.
Just to be clear, branding is a promise between the supplier and the customer. Think Starbucks. Starbucks promises quality coffee, perfectly prepared, delivered in a friendly atmosphere.
The Starbucks logo offers a visual reminder of the brand.
You want this kind or recognition.
Deliverables and e-mails offer prime space for putting forward your info biz brand quickly and easily. When you deliver your product to a client, it should always be clear where it came from. If you don't have a logo, get one. If you're not using a template or consistent formatting for reports and e-mails, start now. If customized Power Point slides are an option, go for it. Be consistent in the look and feel. Use the logo, template, and formatting without exception.
Design an e-mail signature that displays your info biz brand. If you can include the logo, do it. If you have a slogan, tag line, or mantra that you can attach, do it. In fact, think Nike - Just Do It. Your clients must always know where their information comes from and where to turn for information services.
For help with graphics and visual representation of who you are and what you do, explore your options. Your organization may have a graphic arts department that can assist. For full service marketing strategies, including graphic arts, consider Chris Olson & Associates. For logo design you could try launching a contest on 99designs. It's a fun and affordable option.
Developing visual reminders for your clients is an easy way to brand and market your information services. Give it a go and share your results.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
It's Not What You Know, It's Who You Know
At one time I found this unsettling. It seems wrong that connections could be more important than knowledge, skills, or capabilities. Well, think of it this way - what good are knowledge, skills, or capabilities without connections? Who will use your knowledge, tell others about your skills, or benefit from your capabilities?
The info biz is about nothing if not networking. At some level it's not even about the information, it's about putting the information into the hands of the people who need it. Having a robust network increases the odds of making this happen.
So, what are some options for growing and sustaining your network? For face-to-face relationship building, it's hard to beat the professional associations. You can join those related to your profession (in my case that's AIIP and SLA) or to the industry of your market. The local chamber of commerce or a service club such as Rotary are other options. Of course once you join you will want to volunteer on a committee, write for the association publication, or speak at association events in order to increase your visibility and build deeper relationships.
If you work inside of an organization, be sure to follow the same advice. Raise your profile and make yourself known by volunteering. Getting to know people beyond that casual "hi" in the halls will immediately expand your sphere of influence.
For virtual networks there are a number of options. Some have been discussed in this blog before. Be sure to explore LinkedIn, Plaxo, and Facebook to see if they have potential for you.
For more on networking visit Bootstrapper's 75+ Tips on Becoming a Better Networker, AARP's Value of Networking, and from Searcher Magazine, Online Social Networks, Virtual Communities, and Information Professionals by Reid and Gray.
Remember, it's not what you know, it's who you know. Who do you know?
The info biz is about nothing if not networking. At some level it's not even about the information, it's about putting the information into the hands of the people who need it. Having a robust network increases the odds of making this happen.
So, what are some options for growing and sustaining your network? For face-to-face relationship building, it's hard to beat the professional associations. You can join those related to your profession (in my case that's AIIP and SLA) or to the industry of your market. The local chamber of commerce or a service club such as Rotary are other options. Of course once you join you will want to volunteer on a committee, write for the association publication, or speak at association events in order to increase your visibility and build deeper relationships.
If you work inside of an organization, be sure to follow the same advice. Raise your profile and make yourself known by volunteering. Getting to know people beyond that casual "hi" in the halls will immediately expand your sphere of influence.
For virtual networks there are a number of options. Some have been discussed in this blog before. Be sure to explore LinkedIn, Plaxo, and Facebook to see if they have potential for you.
For more on networking visit Bootstrapper's 75+ Tips on Becoming a Better Networker, AARP's Value of Networking, and from Searcher Magazine, Online Social Networks, Virtual Communities, and Information Professionals by Reid and Gray.
Remember, it's not what you know, it's who you know. Who do you know?
Friday, December 12, 2008
Analysis and the Executive Summary
Do you create executive summaries for your clients' project reports? First, let's define "executive summary." For purposes of this discussion, we're not talking about my business plan in a nutshell as described by Guy Kawasaki in his blog. We're talking about the summary that brings together research findings to answer a question or series of questions.
If you do not include executive summaries in your research reports, why not? Indeed some clients prefer do all the summarizing on their own, but in my experience they represent the exception rather than the rule. As we all face info glut and data smog, most clients value a nicely written snapshot of the situation with the key questions answered up front.
What is it about info pros that makes us ideally suited to creating an information overview or executive summary? Stephen Abram has been heard to say that info pros are skilled at identifying patterns. I'm pretty sure that's one of the skills that helps us summarize mass quantities of information. I think we also have the ability to pull salient points from text heavy sources and distill the points into a few words. Hopefully we write well.
What other skills are required to create a useful research summary? Your comments are encouraged and most welcome.
If you do not include executive summaries in your research reports, why not? Indeed some clients prefer do all the summarizing on their own, but in my experience they represent the exception rather than the rule. As we all face info glut and data smog, most clients value a nicely written snapshot of the situation with the key questions answered up front.
What is it about info pros that makes us ideally suited to creating an information overview or executive summary? Stephen Abram has been heard to say that info pros are skilled at identifying patterns. I'm pretty sure that's one of the skills that helps us summarize mass quantities of information. I think we also have the ability to pull salient points from text heavy sources and distill the points into a few words. Hopefully we write well.
What other skills are required to create a useful research summary? Your comments are encouraged and most welcome.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Video Fun
Hang with your fellow info pros, and you will surely learn something interesting and useful.
At Internet Librarian 2008 in Monterey CA I had the opportunity to hear from cutting edge info pro Connie Crosby. She shared a bundle of new tools and technologies, and I want you to know about two of them.
Utterli lets you share text, pictures, video, and audio with your friends, even from your mobile phone. You can form groups and post to your entire community. I notice that GreenPeace, Photographers, DancingWithTheStars, and GTD (Getting Things Done) all have Utterli groups. Sadly, as I write this only one group is tagged "libraries." Come on info pros, let's make our Utterli presence felt. Note: Postings to Utterli are called utters.
Ustream is the live interactive video broadcast platform that enables anyone with a camera and an Internet connection to quickly and easily broadcast to a global audience of unlimited size. Interactive means that viewers can interact directly with whoever is broadcasting. People Ustream everything including speeches, talk shows, music, conference sessions, school and business events, training, sporting events, and special events like weddings, recitals, and parties. As I write there are 1081 live shows streaming. CompTV is up and running with 122 viewers talking about an ongoing talent contest. The one with the most viewers (13105) is the Shiba Inu Puppy Cam.
Cute, but boy can those puppies squeal.
Only 4 Ustream shows are tagged "libraries." Unfortunately they look like beta tests with little to offer. I'm guessing we can improve on that. What can we do that would draw more viewers than Shiba Inu puppies? Hmmmm.
Cindy Shamel
At Internet Librarian 2008 in Monterey CA I had the opportunity to hear from cutting edge info pro Connie Crosby. She shared a bundle of new tools and technologies, and I want you to know about two of them.
Utterli lets you share text, pictures, video, and audio with your friends, even from your mobile phone. You can form groups and post to your entire community. I notice that GreenPeace, Photographers, DancingWithTheStars, and GTD (Getting Things Done) all have Utterli groups. Sadly, as I write this only one group is tagged "libraries." Come on info pros, let's make our Utterli presence felt. Note: Postings to Utterli are called utters.
Ustream is the live interactive video broadcast platform that enables anyone with a camera and an Internet connection to quickly and easily broadcast to a global audience of unlimited size. Interactive means that viewers can interact directly with whoever is broadcasting. People Ustream everything including speeches, talk shows, music, conference sessions, school and business events, training, sporting events, and special events like weddings, recitals, and parties. As I write there are 1081 live shows streaming. CompTV is up and running with 122 viewers talking about an ongoing talent contest. The one with the most viewers (13105) is the Shiba Inu Puppy Cam.
Cute, but boy can those puppies squeal.
Only 4 Ustream shows are tagged "libraries." Unfortunately they look like beta tests with little to offer. I'm guessing we can improve on that. What can we do that would draw more viewers than Shiba Inu puppies? Hmmmm.
Cindy Shamel
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
The Experienced Info Pro Speaks Out
Internet Library 2008 offered a full range of learning and networking opportunities to all who attended. According to my observations, it also offered a peek at the variety of people who have influenced and will influence the profession. First the view from an experienced info pro on the brink of retirement.
Dan Lester retired last week as Head of Network Services in the University Libraries at Boise State University. In an interesting examination of where we have been and were we are going with technology ("Who Moved My Ultrafiche & 8-Tracks? Insights for the Future"), Dan reminded us of how much has changed during his 50 years on the job. Do you remember the 12" video disk, the Apple Lisa, punched cards, 8" floppy disks, and the OCLC impact printer for printing out library cards? These were the bees knees in their day, but technology has continued to develop since then. Dan gave us a good look at the evolution of technology in libraries and when to adopt. You can link to the slides from Dan's talk, including fantastic pictures of the aforementioned technologies and more, at Dan's River of Data web site.
Based on his wealth of experience in library technology, Dan offered the following things to think about:
Dan Lester retired last week as Head of Network Services in the University Libraries at Boise State University. In an interesting examination of where we have been and were we are going with technology ("Who Moved My Ultrafiche & 8-Tracks? Insights for the Future"), Dan reminded us of how much has changed during his 50 years on the job. Do you remember the 12" video disk, the Apple Lisa, punched cards, 8" floppy disks, and the OCLC impact printer for printing out library cards? These were the bees knees in their day, but technology has continued to develop since then. Dan gave us a good look at the evolution of technology in libraries and when to adopt. You can link to the slides from Dan's talk, including fantastic pictures of the aforementioned technologies and more, at Dan's River of Data web site.
Based on his wealth of experience in library technology, Dan offered the following things to think about:
- Everything is temporary.
- Never buy #1 of anything.
- Be on the leading edge but not the bleeding edge.
- Even sacred cows can be turned into filet mignon.
- The" saving money" reason for adopting technology is almost always bogus.
- Do bad decisions really matter?
- Be a shark. Keep moving or die.
- See number one.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Remember the 23Things? I'm Finished!
Last summer, sometime around July 1st, I started working my way through the Special Library Association's 23Things. It is a remarkable learning opportunity for info pros who want to become familiar with the multitude of Web 2.0 tools that have come on the scene. These tools, including blogs, wiki's, bookmarking, and more are gaining traction in our workspace. Info pros who are not becoming familiar with these tools risk being left behind. (Note: I am blogging this from Internet Librarian in Monterey CA. Information Today President Tom Hogan listed the finalists in last year's contest for what to call a non-Internet Librarian. Winner? Zoe Anderson at the Napa Library. She dubbed the non-Internet Librarian as Librarian 1.0.)
Happily sometime in mid-September I finished the nine week program outlined by SLA, and at some level I am now conversant in the 23 Things. I strongly recommend this program to each and every SLA member. Knowing what these tools do, how they are being used, and how they might be used in your context, is empowering indeed. Our profession needs informed info pro's leading the way. I may not be Librarian 3.0, but I know I'm not a Librarian 1.0!
SLA has hung out the brass ring for you. I strongly suggest you reach for it.
Happily sometime in mid-September I finished the nine week program outlined by SLA, and at some level I am now conversant in the 23 Things. I strongly recommend this program to each and every SLA member. Knowing what these tools do, how they are being used, and how they might be used in your context, is empowering indeed. Our profession needs informed info pro's leading the way. I may not be Librarian 3.0, but I know I'm not a Librarian 1.0!
SLA has hung out the brass ring for you. I strongly suggest you reach for it.
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