Eric Ungs

A new year brings new goals.

Most likely those who set goals won’t achieve them. I’ll admit it, I fall into this category at times. This doesn’t mean there isn’t work taking place, it’s just that most times the goals set are unobtainable.

88 percent of new years resolutions fail.

According to a national survey by the MorningStar Farms brand 88% of resolutions fail – granite the survey concentrated on health related resolutions, the concept is the same.

This year will hope to be a prosperous year through implementing goals and action plans I can reach.

Bring on 2011…

1. Always do whatever it takes.
Each year and every day, there aren’t any excuses. The ‘excuses’ that pop up is the lizard brain wanting to resist anything from producing art; from achieving. Be persistent in pushing through the lizard brain.

2. Read a book a month.
Reading books is a great way to gain industry knowledge and also allows the creativity to surface. Ideas automatically ignite from what lies within the covers. The kicker: I have to alternate each month with a business related book to a non business related book. This allows me to give myself a rest on industry related issues while gaining various perspectives from the book in hand and thinking outside of the marketing realm.

3. Disconnect to increase productivity.
This year I really want to make an effort in setting aside chunks of time disconnecting from the web to enhance my productivity. Not saying I am not capable of doing both, but the productivity levels skyrocket when it’s just you and your thoughts. This means disconnecting from people, email, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google Reader, etc.

4. Freelance push.
I want to be able to set aside time to contribute to my freelance services and making a conscious effort in lightly communicating those services.

5. Increased blogging efforts.
If you haven’t noticed, my last blog post was on July 30, 2010. Again, there are no excuses. You can expect one post per week with an additional “e’s week in review” post every Sunday evening. Feel free to call me out when you notice a skipped post.

6. Stamping Education as a  major contributor for AAF CR-IC.
As I enter my second year with the American Advertising Federation I have a better sense of the expectations, by both the board and the students. Education has an opportunity to put itself on the AAF map.

7. Reigniting 380social
380social was quietly put on the back burner. This year the founding fathers want to regroup and restrategize in keeping this group in tact. The commitment wihtin the 380social community is there. It’s being able to remain consistent and persistent on both ends – but that starts with the founding fathers.

8. Implementing the social space into the financial services business model.
This year will be the year, with my current employer Transamerica, that training and implementation of the social media channels will have a common section in the agency’s business model and marketing initiatives.

So that’s it – these are the goals that I will strive to achieve day-in and day-out.

So what about you…  What are your goals or new years resolutions for 2011?

Photo courtesy: Mooi - Flickr

Posted by Eric Ungs

As I am reading Linchpin by Seth Godin, he discusses emotional labor versus physical labor. Briefly; physical labor is the type that causes fatigue, it’s work, hard work that someone of authority has told you to do. Emotional labor is something that is not generally on your day-to-day checklist. It’s a type of personal uniqueness that makes it hard to replicate; your smile, generosity, passion, caring, sincerity, etc.

The top of your company’s totem pole consists of the owners, executives, and managers. These are the folks innovating, implementing, creating, enforcing policy, and ultimately setting your daily agenda of things do to. At the top of the totem pole you are able to see far and wide of the beautiful scenery, but as you start to slide down, its breathtaking view starts to become non-existent, so does your humanity, your voice.

Why is it that at the bottom of the corporate ladder you have NO voice?

It’s assumed that the less you make the quieter the voice. In most cases, this assumption is true, but why? Isn’t the bottom of the totem pole generally the first thing to come in sight considering it’s at eye level? The same holds true for most organizations. The bottom of the ladder being the first, last, and most times, the only contact with the customer. But yet organizations have them abiding by a set of rules on how you should say this and when. Let them create their own voice. Let them use their emotional labor that they share outside of the workplace that has them being liked and loved by so many people. Let them showcase what defines them as a human. This type of interaction is contagious and soon the customer, manager, and your colleagues will catch it. It’s called creating a human relationship. Humanize the workplace instead of always having to read off of a transcript that the consumer has heard a million times before.

Does your organization allow those in contact with the customer have their own voice?

Posted by Eric Ungs

I’ve recently finished reading Duct Tape Marketing by John Jantsch about small business marketing. It was a very informative read and will be a great resource to come back to. While reading, as I am not a small business owner, I couldn’t help but to substitute the ‘small  business’ for ‘personal brand’. I always was thinking of ways to utilize the resources between the covers in supporting my personal brand. There are a lot of elements, if not most, that can help an individual form a solid strategy in creating and promoting one’s personal brand.

Though each chapter is filled with great content I want to focus on the epilogue in the back of the book. In the epilogue John lays out five steps in bringing your plans to form a ‘small business’ marketing snapshot.

Below is my translation of ‘bringing your plans to life with a ‘personal branding’ snapshot’:

Step #0. State your primary personal branding goals for the year.

Like anything else, you need to have a starting and an ending point. Where do you want to be one year from now? holding what position? with what company? Determine how you want to be perceived and what’s going to make you stand out. Your personal brand is not how you perceive it, it’s the perception others have on you, your actions will define this. Work towards acquiring your dream job for your dream company by first defining your personal brand and setting goals.

Step #1. Describe your ideal work situation (employment).

Everyone has a dream job or are (should be) passionate about something. Let it be known. With the new age of recruiting utilizing social media tools, companies are seeking you out based on the information provided within your social spaces. I think as this social space evolves even further you won’t be looking for jobs, the jobs will be looking for you. If you don’t express your ideal work situation those opportunities won’t be able to find you. Make yourself searchable. 

Step #2. Write your core message points.

What is it that makes up you?  Why would anybody want you to work with them or for them? This is the heart and soul of your personal branding. You will really need to dig deep and you may even have to ask for help from colleagues, family, friends, etc. — What makes you unique? Define and market these characteristics.

Step #3. Develope personal branding marketing materials.

The sky is the limit with marketing materials for your personal brand. The more creative the more memorable. With thousands of people crossing everyone’s path, being memorable is what matters. Other than printed materials (not a resume) you may include video, blogging, or podcasts. It’s easier for opportunities to seek you out when you’re conversing and sharing valuable content on your expertise or passion. Through utilizing the free social media tools it makes you findable on search engines and within social networks.

Step #4. Outline your platforms of engagement.

A couple of years ago I would have said to always keep an updated resume on hand along with your business cards, but those days are becoming ancient history. It’s only a matter of time before resumes become extinct. Instead, there will be sites like LinkedIn and even Facebook, FriendFeed, and Twitter that will connect you to future employment. This is where your true identity resides, so beware, your career depends on it. Develope a system in how you are going to use all of these platforms. For me, I have LinkedIn, Twitter, and FriendFeed as my primary professional social networks. My Facebook page is more focused on family and friends but will slowly be migrating to include my professional space as well. What purpose will each of these networks serve and how are you going to use them? Create valuable content of your industry.

Step #5. Deliver your personal brand.

The true test comes when an opportunity knocks at your front door. Making the team and putting on a uniform every game with a prestigious name is only half the battle. What are you going to do when it’s your turn to step up to the plate? This is how your brand is truly defined, living up to your message.

What do you think? Is there anything you would add or take away?

Posted by Eric Ungs

When you begin to feel comfortable with your personal brand your brand begins to drift backwards from becoming the best, you become satisfied with where you’re at while others are passing you by.

I am never satisfied with where I am at…ever.

I am proud of the things I have accomplished and how I have progressed but I am never satisfied; I always want to do better and to be better. The moment I realize I feel comfortable or content with any aspect of my life (personal, work, health, etc) I begin to draft changes. I don’t replace or take away things I look for ways to build on them. I begin to brainstorm new goals, search for new and greater responsibilities, challenges, projects, etc. I look for something that draws me out of my comfort zone and into a new and uncomfortable place. This allows me to become the best at whatever I do in life.

This way of thinking defines your personal brand. You have to want to sail the uncharted waters. What gets you through this unfamiliar territory is your confidence, your passion, and your thirst for success. But first, you must be willing to be uncomfortable. 

“Pursuing perfection requires a willingness to be uncomfortable.” Training Camp by Jon Gordon.

So, are you uncomfortable with your personal brand?

Photo courtesy of Canon Camera

Posted by Eric Ungs

Photo courtesy of mrkittycatguy

This weekend I started reading “Duct Tape Marketing: The World’s Most Practical Small Business Marketing Guide” by John Jantsch (amazon link). He also has a very informative blog and podcast.

I am currently a little over half way through and right off the bat, 30 pages in, he poses a question that I couldn’t get out of my mind. I stopped, pondered and grabbed an old fashion pen and paper and started writing.

This question is an important aspect in forming a solid marketing plan and doing any type of loyal business. The way you answer is even more crucial.

What are you really selling?

Answering this question correctly is the first step in setting your business apart from your competition. It’s what encourages repeat business and referrals. It’s what creates a trusting and well-respected relationship between seller and buyer.

Most will answer this question with some kind of product or service, some kind of physicality. But that’s not the case at all. As a business owner you need to dig deep and do some soul-searching in what it really is that consumers are purchasing from you.

As a Realtor, for example, your answer shouldn’t be just homes. What you are really selling are memories, neighborhoods, sense of security, pride, new chapters, new beginnings, 4th of July barbecues on the back deck, snow forts in the front yard, etc.

Once you are able to communicate to the buyers what they’re really buying (and disclosing what’s in it for them) then your service becomes unique.

Tom Peters quotes the Harley Davidson executive who said: “What we sell is the ability for a 43-year-old accountant to dress in black leather, ride through small towns and have people be afraid of him.” They don’t sell motorcycles.

So, what are you really selling?