Category Archives: Marketing Tips

How to Create a Professional Headshot by Wendy D

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Wendy D’s article is the first in a series of guest blog posts from local entrepreneurs, artists, marketers and authors.

When Matt asked if I would be interested in doing a blog post about “headshots” I said absolutely. These days everyone needs a headshot. What exactly is a headshot you might ask? The dictionary definition is a photograph of someone’s face, especially a promotional photograph of a model, actor or author. Yes that is a bit outdated, so I went to wikipedia to see what it had to say..

A headshot is a modern portrait for today’s branding needs, where the focus of the photograph is the personality inside the person captured. A headshot is a specific type of portrait. A head shot is an image that portrays a person as he is, however simple or stylized the image might be.

The very first line says it all… “today’s branding needs”. So much of business is done online and your avatar (headshot) is often the first impression. What does your photo say about you, who you are, or what you do? Is it a photo of you that was taken at an event that you have cropped? or a photo with your iphone? In my mind, that sends out the signal that you are not taking your personal brand seriously. So what makes a good headshot? Here are a few questions to ask yourself.

  • Who will be looking at my photo?
  • What impression do I want to give with my photo?
  • Should it be casual or business?
  • Should it be in studio, or environmental?
  • What expression should I have?
  • Where will I be posting the photo?
  • You need to think about sizing and format, for print or web? Portrait or landscape (web banner)?
  • What should I wear?
  • What colour should it be?

Your photograph should match your personal brand, including your clothing, colours, and even your hairstyle. When you are searching for a photographer, they should also be asking you similar questions. Work with them to come up with a plan for the session. I usually suggest a couple of different looks within your branding. You may have different needs for different places you will use your headshot.

During your photo session, be yourself, imagine sitting with your future client/prospect chatting with them. You don’t need to try to be something you are not. The photo is to represent you, be true to yourself. Keep your hair, makeup and wardrobe how you normally present yourself. If you don’t smile a lot, then don’t in your photo, if you wear glasses all the time, wear them. When people meet you, they might think.. “wow he/she is exactly how I thought they would be”, instead of “wow, this person isn’t anything like what I was expecting”.

My last suggestion for your photo shoot, is to have fun with your session! If you are having fun, relaxed and enjoying yourself that will come through in the image.

If you would like more information about headshot photography, don’t hesitate to contact me at wendyd@wendyd.ca.

Wendy D has been a photographer for over 20 years and has been head of her own photography business in Vancouver since 2001. She specializes in marketing, publicity and public relations photography. This includes photographic coverage of events, as well as profile photography, headshot photography and editorial photography. She enjoys working closely with communication teams to create images that can best deliver the intended message. Wendy’s experiences are vast, everything from gala events, taking photographs in an operating room, photographing personalities, CEO’s, senior lawyers, artists, university students and especially great a photographing those who hate having their photo taken.

5 Qualities of a Great Manager

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Being a good manager is tough. Most people have a hard time making the tough decisions and also trying to get their team on side.

1) Great Listening Skills

Listening and communication are probably the most important qualities of a good manager. If employees don’t feel like they are being heard or that their opinion matters, then you go down a slippery slope that eventually ends with either you firing the person or getting a resignation letter out of the blue. Take the time to listen to your employees and take their suggestions, ideas and sometimes criticism seriously.

2) Empathy

Empathy is another key quality of a great manager. Everyone has hard days and sometimes the best that a person gives to a situation is going to vary from day to day. Although you want to make sure it’s clear that you have high standards for performance, you don’t want to come across as a cold, emotionless person. It’s possible to find a balance of getting things done and also dealing with personal issues that may arise unexpectedly. Make sure you make it clear to your team that you are open to figuring out ways to make their experience and work the best it can be.

3) A clear vision of the desired outcome

Often, managers will fail when the outcome is ambiguous. Is it customer service or internal politics that comes first? Establish a clear vision of what you and your team are hoping to accomplish and remind them regularly of how their contributions will get you there. Breaking down a large project into small pieces allows people to see why they are moving in a certain directly and provides clarity to the day to day decision making.

4) The ability to empower your team

Great leaders and managers inspire their team to bring forward their best ideas and work. By creating an environment that fosters empowerment and creativity, your team will be able to bring their best ideas to the table. Everyone always says that they hate micro-managing but very few managers have the awareness to stop. Keep your team accountable for their KPIs but allow them to get to that goal in their own way.

5) Be Open

Managers frequently think of themselves as the ones who have a lot to teach their employees. But it also works the other way around. Typically a great manager has a generalist skill set and brings on specialists on to their team. Having a cross functional team allows each member to bring a unique contribution to the table. Be open to the idea that you can learn a lot from your employees. They may teach you a different way to solve a problem or come up with an idea to hit that goal or KPI in a more efficient way. By making it clear that you set the direction for the team but that you are also open to suggestions and ideas, you foster an environment of learning and coaching.

You should like The Pinstriped Suit on Facebook!

5 Ways to Spark Your Creativity

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Feeling stuck or mentally blocked? I find that there are a number of ways that help me get the creative juices flowing.

Here are my top 5 tips to stimulating the creativity muscle:

1) Spend time in silence

I meditate most days and even spend time driving around in my car in silence. Stopping for a few moments and taking a break from absorbing information or concentrating on a project really helps me open up to new ideas and methods for tackling a project.

2) Writing

I use Julia Cameron’s technique of writing morning pages each day to clear out the mental junk in my head and open up space for creativity. Check out the “Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron for more information.

3) Having Great Conversations

This is a really helpful practice to getting you inspired and energized. I find that if I’m feeling blocked, and I have a great conversation with somebody, I immediately benefit from the inspiration and ideas that come to me. My 30 day challenge idea came from a great conversation.

4) Cross functional activities

If you focus too much on one area, you’ll find that your creativity is limited. Try exposing yourself to new books, activities and people. I got really into rock climbing last year, and it was a fantastic way for me to learn about myself and also think about things differently.

5) Read good books

I usually read a lot of non-fiction but recently I started reading more literature. I finished “Pride and Prejudice” and now i’m working on “The Great Gatsby”. Good books are awesome at stimulating the brain in different ways.

You should follow Matt on Twitter!

3 To Do List Apps That Will Change Your Life

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Today kicks off my 30 day challenge to write a new blog post every day. I’m pretty excited to see how it turns out!

I frequently write about productivity tools I use, but today I’m going to tell you about the 3 essential tools I use for keeping my To Do lists from overwhelming me.

Each app has different features and benefits but together, they make for a kick ass team of organizational mojo.

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1) Astrid

Astrid is a standard to To Do list app that allows you to create lot’s of different lists and reminders. Out of the three tools, I use Astrid the most because of its accessibility of having both iOS apps and a web app. Once you set a reminder on Astrid, it will pop up on your phone with funny messages if you don’t check it off before the task is due.

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2) Teamly

Teamly is a web app that encourages you to try to set your top 5 priorities for the day. In the early days, Teamly would actually restrict the number of items on your list to 5. That function seems to be gone now but it is still a very useful app for establishing your daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly priorities. I use this app for project planning and to keep focused on what my key priorities each day. One great feature of this app is that you can move items forward in time so if you don’t get to them today, you can add them to tomorrow’s list. It’s great to get a snapshot of what your key priorities are for both your short and long term projects.

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3) Producteev

Producteev is similar to Astrid; however, a major feature that sets it apart from other to list apps is the ability to create sub-lists within your main list. This is really helpful for project work and for assigning other team members with tasks. I use producteev a lot for collaboration on projects as well a capture tool to allow me visualize all the small critical path items that need to get done in a project. The email feature which allows you to send tasks to other people is great for assigning responsibility right after a planning meeting.

You should follow Matt on Twitter!

10 Marketing Jobs That Didn’t Exist 10 Years Ago

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In today’s ever changing marketing landscape, technology is king. As such, the types of jobs that marketers fill has exploded into a wide variety of niches and specialties. I remember when I was studying marketing in University and all my peers had the narrow focus of having a career in advertising. Not just because advertising was prestigious and cool but because there wasn’t as much choice as there is now. The evolution of the marketing job has created so many interesting types of positions at brands both big and small. Whether you want to work on the front end of the business in customer engagement or at the end in analytics, the world is at the feet of the marketer of today.

Here are 10 Marketing Jobs that didn’t exist 10 years ago:

1) SEO and Search Marketing Specialist

2) Digital Strategist

3) Chief Marketing Technologist

4) Community Manager

5) Analytics Manager

6) Engagement Specialist

7) Social Media Coordinator

8) Conversion Manager

9) Webinar Marketing Manager

10) PPC Marketing Specialist

I’m curious to see what the next 10 years brings for the marketing industry as well as how jobs in the field will evolve.

You should follow Matt on Twitter!

How To Design the Perfect Interview Outfit

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Dressing for an interview is a crucial element in winning the job. Although it has been said that it’s the man (or women) not the suit that matters, the reality is that first impressions are everything.

So the question is, is it possible to over dress for an interview?

I’ve had the privilege of sitting on both ends of the table and in my opinion, I don’t think it’s possible to over dress.  Although some companies are more casual than others, I think it’s generally understood that interviewees will typically dress with the idea of creating an excellent first impression.

A friend of mine interviewed at a local tech company for a sales position. For the interview, he wore a suit and tie. When he walked into the interview, he found that he was the most dressed up person on the floor. He said that this made the interview a little awkward. My friend later asked me whether he should have dressed more casually for the interview. There are many schools of thought on this.

If you are interviewing for a position at a company that has a relaxed culture, I think most people can get away with simply wearing a suit with a well paired shirt. Although some people may disagree with this logic, interviewers are looking for both aptitude and  cultural fit. The means that in the interview,  the hiring manager is typically are looking at you through the lens of whether or not they can imagine you working at the company.

On the other hand, it can be argued that you can never really overdress for an interview. A mentor of mine insists that it’s always better to be overdressed than to be too casually dressed. I tend to agree with the more conservative approach because dressing too casually can often backfire

Here are a few tips for designing your interview outfit:

  • Focus on fit! Well fitting suits exude confidence and attention to detail.
  • The tie can make or break an outfit so choose wisely. Slimmer ties are back in vogue.
  • Shine your shoes. Unpolished shoes look incredibly unprofessional.
  • Use classic accessories such as tie clips, cuff links and pocket squares. But don’t go over board. Stick to simple designs.
  • Make sure your suit and shirt doesn’t have wrinkles
  • Dress to your comfort level. If you’ve never worn a tie, then consider leaving it out as it may make you feel awkward in the interview.
  • Wear bold color combinations and pair it with greys and blacks.
  • Do a bit of research on the company to see what kind of culture they have. You would most likely plan your outfit differently for a law firm versus a tech company.
  • Wear your favorite professional work outfit to your interview. A well put together outfit that you’ve stylized exudes confidence.

One last point, is that while looking sharp is really important, it doesn’t replace preparation. Make sure you’re on your A game both in your outfit and in your head.

You should follow Matt on Twitter.

How Effective is Telecommuting?

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Earlier today, I read an article on the Harvard  Business Review stating that Marissa Mayer (Yahoo) has eliminated the option for staff to work from home. I found this article fascinating because so many technology companies have prided themselves of creating a culture of productivity that goes beyond a brick and mortar location.

This got me thinking as to how effective Telecommuting actually is.

In most of the positions that I’ve had, Telecommuting has been an option due to the nature of my role as well as the culture of the company. I found that while I occasionally appreciated the freedom to work from home when I wanted to, I was still the most productive when I was at the office. There is something about being around other working people that adds a level of engagement to your day. I also found that being able to physically walk to somebody else’s space or office was a better way to hammer out a solution to a problem as opposed to just a phone conversation.

Some of friends who work from home absolutely love it. They find that they get more done because their distractions are limited and the time they save from not having to travel to an office. They also argue that Telecommuting provides options for a workforce that is not limited by geography. I definitely agree with this statement and would definitely add that I’ve had quite a bit of success working on projects with people completely online.

With the increased use of virtual teams and Telecommuting, I’m curious as to whether this will continue to be a trend or whether companies will take Mayer’s lead and do a full assessment of the effectiveness of this work option.

What are your thoughts on Telecommuting?

I’ll leave you with this hilarious College Humor Video called “Hardly Working From Home“

Book of the week: The start-up of you

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The start-up of you by Reid Hoffman and Ben Casnocha is one of those books that a friend referred to me but I never got around to reading. Finally, last month my friend Jacob suggested the book for a business book club I’m part of and I finally got around to tackling it. (Plug: Amazon’s Whispersync saves your spot if you listen to the audiobook and kindle edition so you can get the book done way faster if you use both formats)

The premise of the book revolves around the idea that the key element to career success is to always be in a stage of “Permanent Beta”. For those of you who don’t know, entrepreneurs and start-ups use this term to describe a constant state of learning and pivoting. In essence, choosing a direction but always being open to opportunities, ideas and growth that you may not be able to see today.

But before I get into some of my favorite ideas in the book, I’ll fill you in on some information about one of the authors, Reid Hoffman. Reid started Linkedin back in the early 2000′s and is now the Chairman of the Board. He has been a mentor and investor to many start-ups from Silicon Valley and continues to be a prominent thought leader in entrepreneurship, technology and of course start-ups.

Back to the book.

The start-up of you is broken up into seven chapters, each one dealing with principles and practices that start-ups use that can be applied to developing career success. Below, I’ve listed the seven chapters with my key takeaway from each section.

Chapter 1: All Humans Are Entrepreneurs

  • The old career rules are dead. We have to constantly pivot and find new types of jobs and value to bring to the employers or clients that hire us.

Chapter 2: Develop a Competitive Advantage

  • Like every successful business, you need a competitive advantage that’s going to set you apart from the pack. You need a point of differentiation from everybody else who’s applying for the same job or pitching the same client as you. What’s your competitive advantage?

Chapter 3: Plan To Adapt

  • The world is changing quickly and making plans too far into the future may not be effective. Plan for the future but be ready to change direction or have a backup plan just in case. Figure out what your Plan B and Plan Z. This reminds me of the adage “A failure to plan is a plan to fail”

Chapter 4: It Takes A Network

  • This chapter boils down into the nitty gritty of how to build and maintain an effective network. Reid identifies two distinct groups in your network: 1) Allies 2) Weaker ties and acquaintances  You should know which group to approach for career advice or for new opportunities. Another key point is that relationships are vital to maintainin a healthy and effective network.

Chapter 5: Pursue Breakout Opportunities

  • Reid talks about how George Clooney found his breakout role in the hit TV series “ER”. Think about what your breakout opportunity could be and then do everything you can to get it.

Chapter 6: Take Intelligent Risks

  • Learn how to size up risk appropriately but don’t be afraid to go after a risky opportunity. Exposing yourself to risk regularly helps you acclimatize to when unforseen circumstances hit.

Chapter 7: Who You Know Is What You Know

  • Use your network as a highly sophisticated system of business intelligence. By tapping the right people for information, you may be able to avoid a crisis or gain insight into an opportunity your pursuing.

The book is loaded with lot’s of case studies and examples that can be applied right away either to help you find a new career, expand your network and just simply get you thinking about living your life in permanent beta.

This book is a short read and is available on Amazon or Audible. Also, the companion website offers a plethora of resources and access to start-up of you networks.

Improve Your Productivity with a Tablet Keyboard

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Okay, so alot  of you are waiting in anticipation for the release of the Ipad 3.

For those of you who have the Ipad 2, I came across an amazing keyboard + stand + cover combo.

This nifty invention created by ZAGG is a keyboard solution that works like a dream. I tend do quite a bit of typing on my Ipad 2 and I just found that other keyboards like my apple wireless just didn’t do the job. Mostly because the smart cover and the keyboard just didn’t quite have the right angle and set up.

Ths ZAGGfolio keyboard for Ipad 2 works really well by creating a “laptop” feel for your tablet. It also folds down into a solid durable cover to protect both the keyboard and Ipad 2.

So here is my quick Pros and Cons list:

Pros:

- Slick intuitive design.

- Nice angle for being able to use the Ipad 2 effectively for work.

- Cover is removable for the keyboard so it can be a stand alone piece if needed.

- Battery life lasts a long time and can charge quickly using any USB port.

Cons:

- This device connects via bluetooth which can sometimes cut out. (I haven’t had any problems with this so far)

These are selling at London Drugs right now for $120 or online on the ZAGG website for $95 US.

What is Success?

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“Success is about more than simple resilience. It’s about using that downward momentum to people ourselves in the opposite direction. It’s about capitalizing on setbacks and adversity to become even happier, even more motivated, and even more successful.” – Shawn Achor

Years ago when I accepted my first job working in sales, I walked into the position with the intention of making tons of money and “making it big”. At the time, I firmly believed that the key to happiness lay in my pay cheque every two weeks. In order to increase my pay cheque, I read book after book on sales, so that I could become the best sales rep in the company. Within a year, I achieved that goal and earned an award for being in the top ranks of over 800 reps for my company. I had brought in just under half a million dollars in new business and had earned more money in a year than I had in the years before.

I thought that the praise, money and awards would make me happy because I believed that the definition of success was soley a result of how much money I had in my bank account. The truth was, even though I was riding on the success of my first year in sales, I was miserable. I hated the job, the people and the expectation that you lived and died by the numbers on your sales report. That got me thinking about what success really meant for me.

My definition of success today has changed drastically from what it was even a few years ago. Although professional success is important to me, a more holistic approach to my goals and life actually help me perform better.

For example, I’m definitely not the first person into the office in the morning. But these days that’s not important to me. Just because somebody puts more time in, doesn’t mean that their productivity or value to their company is any more than the next person. For me, I like to have the time to meditate, exercise and eat a healthy breakfast before I head on to work. This is important to me because this falls within my definition of success.

Other factors of success for me include:

- Earning the respect of people who I admire and who’s advice I would follow.

- Always being able to have the time to attend to personal matters if necessary.

- Being financially free to chase my dreams and achieve my goals (notice how I didn’t say rich?)

- Having great friends, advisors and mentors in my life who challenge me to perform better but also remind me when to stop and smell the roses.

- Owning a Mini Cooper (I’ve always wanted one since I was in high school)

- Having a reputation based on integrity, authenticity and delivery of results that increase value.

- Be independent of the good or bad opinion of others.

- Be able to handle rejection as a natural part of growth and taking risks.

- Have the time to exercise regularly and learn a new athletic skill every year.

These factors of success for me are what I aim for when I set my goals and make important decisions. While I know that these will change in time, for now this is the ideal definition of success for me.

So I leave you with the question….what’s your definition of success?