Look for work, not a job

Inspired by John Fees:

A paradigm shift that works, when looking for work!

That is my friend John Fees, a talented entrepreneur and strategic marketing executive in the fields of affinity, collegiate and partnership marketing. If you have a business in the education market, or any early stage media company, and you need wise council, you should seek out John Fees.

John wrote a blog post a few months ago that stuck with me when I reentered the 'opportunity' market in early January. The title was, Look for Work, Not a Job. In the post John outlines four suggestions  he believes one should consider when entering the job market, especially in this economy. (I refuse to call it the 'job' market, and prefer to say 'opportunity' market.)

1. Name your work, buy a URL and use it for your email. I was surprised at how easy this was to do through GoDaddy.com.
2. Create a website that describes your skills, interests, and ability to contribute to an organization.
3. Order business cards from VistaPrint that will give you an identity when attending meetings or trade shows. John points out that this simple (and free) step may be more valuable than a resume, and I tend to agree.
4. Update your LinkedIn profile and use it actively by joining groups and building your network. I would add the importance of having 10-15 relevant recommendations. I am working towards that goal now.

I took John's advice to heart. In fact, some might say I drank all the Kool-Aid and I mean that in the positive. I have been extremely pleased with the results of this strategy, as my website and blog are helping me open doors throughout the Austin business community and beyond at the highest levels. Additionally, my desire to better understand and utilize social media tools is helping better prepare me for the next phase of my career. Thanks John Fees for the inspiration!

I want to add a couple of additional thoughts to the points that John makes. One, don't wait until you are out of work to begin this process. And two, purchase a book on 'self-branding' and start planning your strategy for both a personal website (where you can 'name' your work) and social media activation. I recommend Katherine Kaputa's book YOU are a Brand! 

Any thoughts from my fellow churners?

In corner number one: Create!

How churnOn.com moved from 'idea' to 'reality'

On January 7th I purchased a MacBook Pro and began the process of switching from  Microsoft Windows to Apple's world of blue-shirted geniuses. Thirty days later, on February 7th, I launched my personal website, churnOn.com and my blog, The Churn. This is the story of how I created the website (and the surrounding ecosystem of social networking tools) in four weeks. This is the third post in the six part series and the first of the four C's: Create! 

Read part one: The Four C's that launched churnOn.com

Read part two: Create, Connect, Complete, and Churn

Why did I decide to build a personal website?:

• To e-Publish my book, Releasing the Churn and give it away
• To provide a platform for writing materials I have created through the years on subjects that range from entrepreneurialism to selling; from golf to fitness; from raising girls to spirituality
• To aid in my professional search for new business opportunities, where I am focusing on technology companies and services oriented businesses
• As a 'home base' around which I could surround and master social networking tools like Blogger, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube, and then share my knowledge base with others
• A fun way to learn how to use my new MacBook Pro

Defining the project was not hard. But what next? I had just purchased the MacBook, but barely knew how to turn it on. It seemed impossible to start designing a website on a computer that I did not yet know how to use. Furthermore, I can not spell 'html' and I certainly was not a social media expert.

Here were the steps that took the 'overwhelming' feeling away, and moved the project into action:

1. Define the project in writing
2. Talk to friends, family and business associates about the idea
3. Ask for their honest feedback
4. Figure out what tools and skills would be needed (and find experts to help)
5. Start

Using a vision board to get the creative juices flowing:

It is number five that most likely stalls out many good ideas. Yet it is really so simple. One word, 'start'! Do something to bring the idea into reality. For this project, I used a  concept called a vision board. I simply mapped and pinned out (on a small cork board) how the Website might look. That was something I could do, without needing to understand Apples' iWeb software or Go Daddy's hosting service or social networking media. Then I carried the board around in my car for a week and I asked everyone I saw, "What do you think of this idea?" It was from the vision board and the initial feedback that I gained momentum for the project and moved deeper into the 'create' phase.

Have you ever had a good idea, but simply could not get it off the ground? What were the things that held you back? Have you ever used a vision board effectively? What about asking others about an idea you have that seems a little scary? 

Next Monday, I will continue this six part series with focus on the second 'C': Connect! Beginning this week I am picking up the pace of my blog postings and you will see something most every business day. Tomorrow I will share how this website, and the social networking tools, are helping catapult my 'opportunity search' in several interesting business communities.

This blog series (The Four C's) dedicated to Coach Dean Smith and the four corners offense. March Madness is upon us - go Tar Heels!