More than once, I’ve been surprised to learn that people who have known me for a long time don’t actually know what I do. My first thought is seriously? What the heck? How many times have we talked about it?
Ever happened to you?
I’m betting that every business owner – at least once – has faced this dilemma.
It’s been awhile, so I don’t remember anymore where I first heard this piece of communication wisdom, but I do remember that it goes something like this…”If the “receiver” of your communication doesn’t get it, the responsibility for the mishap falls on your shoulders.” Ouch.
Colleague and branding expert, David Cohen at Equation Arts would probably not be surprised to hear that people are often confused by our messages. It is a common malady. That’s why he is such a great resource and worth every mega dollar he charges! Make sure you tell him I said so!
Since April 2009, I have had the privilege of being part of a peer advisory group that is facilitated by Bill McIlwaine of Executive Forums. These quarterly meetings are long, intense, insightful and thought provoking. The meeting two weeks ago helped me to realize that I am viewed as a credible evangelist, even the first person that my colleagues think of when the topic turns to social media, but beyond that these executives were not completely clear on the WHAT of my service offering. Did I say ouch?
That realization led to this post and the subsequent rework of the Talent Builders website. The website refresh is not quite complete, but I hope even at this moment you have a clearer picture of the value you receive when you work with our team. If not, I’m counting on you to let me know.
Very true! And, yes, it has happened to me. Just last spring, in a small group of women, someone I have known for at least 5 or 6 years said: “I never knew you were a writer”. Ouch, indeed!
The problem may be that we are so identified as one “thing” in one setting, that the rest of us does not manifest itself. The woman in question, last spring, knew me as the “face” of Atlanta Women in Business. It had not occurred to her that there was a real person behind the façade. Not her fault!
It’s up to us to introduce ourselves in terms that are relevant to our interlocutors. Who we are and what we do relate directly to the interests of the people with whom we interact.
The one-size-fits-all resume became obsolete a long time ago; we’ve got to acknowledge that the one-size-fits-all elevator speech also does not work any more; we need a whole inventory of them!