Saturday, February 27, 2016

#SheLeads: Use Linkedin like a Boss! by Devay Campbell

Use LinkedIn like a Boss!

If you are like me, you probably thought all social media sites were created equal. Wrong! LinkedIn is one of the most powerful platforms for professionals out there. Now, I am not saying to ditch the other social media outlets, but to be a boss and make boss career moves, you MUST be on LinkedIn, period.
Now that we have established that LinkedIn is where you want to be, let’s do it.  If you already have a LinkedIn account, kudos! If not, sign up immediately.

Get in the Game

To begin, study the profiles of other top professionals, especially those in your current or desired industry. Review their headings/headlines; find out which groups they have joined and consider the keywords they have chosen for their profiles. But while you are doing all of this studying, remember that you must get in the game at some point and move from spectator to participant.

Start requesting recommendations
Wouldn’t it be convenient to leave your bulky recommendation folder at home? Now you can!  LinkedIn allows you to request electronic recommendations that are available for immediate review within your profile. Believe me, recruiters and hiring managers will definitely check out this section. If you are shy about asking for recommendations, try offering a few recommendations first. Then ask each person to reciprocate.

Start connecting with others.
Linking up with others will expand your network, increase opportunities, and allow you to build relationships. These relationships will take you so much further than your skills and qualifications ever could.

If you are having trouble getting linked in to other people, find out if someone you know can introduce you. Remember, even your “bestie” knows or has access to someone you don’t know, so keep this avenue open.
As with any social media outlet, use reasonable judgment when connecting with others. In the meantime, have fun with it and watch your network grow into relationships that will serve you well.


Position Yourself to be Seen

Now that you are in the game, it is time to improve your visibility and show people how awesome you are and what you know. This self-promotion is key if you are seeking employment or advancement in your current career.

Creating and responding to industry-related posts are game changing activities that should be part of your strategy to get noticed. My LinkedIn connections almost tripled once I began creating new posts and responding to what others posted.  So did my requests for employment. Since this is all a part of your strategy, you should carefully plan what to say, keep up with what is going on in the industry, and keep your profile in tip top shape.

Keep in mind that the photo you choose, the header/headline under your profile, and your name are all that is visible when you turn up in a LinkedIn search.  These should grab the searcher’s attention and leave him or her wanting to read more.

Play where the bosses play
Joining LinkedIn groups allows you to interact with like-minded professionals or key players in your industry. It will also give you the opportunity to “absorb” from senior level professionals and stay abreast of current trends. If you didn’t know, recruiters and hiring managers hang out in these groups to find top talent.

Invite others to your playground
Be sure to list your LinkedIn url  on your other social media profiles. It is quite common to visit a Twitter or Facebook page and be invited to connect with that person via LinkedIn. Cross-promoting your LinkedIn page to gain more connections will grow your connections quickly.

Tighten up on your follow-up
Practice following up when:
  •          Someone reviews your profile.
  •          Someone asks you to connect.
  •          After your invitation is accepted.

Begin the relationship-building process immediately. Make a comment on that person’s profile or point out some of your common interests. People often remember the person they share conversations with.

Boss Bonus

Change your LinkedIn url to something that can be remembered and that represents who you are or who you want to be. Here’s an example:

Easy to remember:                           www.linkedin.com/in/SallySmithCPA
Almost impossible to remember:    www.linkedin.com/in/1576793

See what I mean? After all, you are more than a number; you are a boss!
I would love to hear about your success. You can find me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/devaycampbellcareercoach




A few of our CMB Mentors shared their wisdom and experiences during the #SheLeads2016 virtual conference. Our facilitators shared tips on networking, taking on leadership roles at work, self-care and more! Sign-up here and get access to some of these fantastic workshops!

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

#SheLeads Blog Post - “Your Coworkers Have Shoes Older Than Your Career as a Manager”

"I have shoes older than you!" 

Girl, if I had a nickel for every time I heard a coworker say this very statement to me I wouldn't be rich but I'd be cruising around in a 2016 BMW fully loaded right now. At work, I'm constantly reminded that I'm a member of the millennial gang. I get it, I'm young; but myself, and other millennials are much more than a group of people defined by their age. 

It can be particularly hard for millennials in a management position to be taken seriously. Older coworkers may think you haven't been around the block long enough to know how to do your job let alone manage a team or project. We not only can perform well in our roles but we offer other things such as fresh ideas and new perspectives, which could ultimately help to grow the company. Truth is, we got this!

There is no way around being judged for your age because you can't control the judgment of others but what you can do is change the perception your coworkers may have about you. No need to yell across the office, "Hey everyone, stop thinking I don't know what I'm doing because I'm young!"  Actions speak louder than words and I’ve found a couple tactics to help your coworkers see past your age.

1.    Be Confident




The worst thing you can do is hang out in the background and not speak up when it’s your turn. Take your seat in the boardroom with your young professional mug in hand and share those great ideas, give suggestions and say it like you mean it. You have to make sure you are not only seen but also heard.

2.    It’s Not About You


If you are in a position where you manage other employees remember that it is not about you.  Employee management is not about the fame and glory of your position.  Being a manager means doing everything in your power to make sure your team performs well.  Remove their barriers, earn their trust and show you appreciate them.  If you manage employees older than you they will respect the fact that you are on their side.  A happy team that achieves their goals looks good for you and looks good for the growth of the company.

3.    Give 100%


Show everyone at the workplace that you are an excellent asset to the team by giving it your all.  Cross your, ‘T’s,” and dot your, ‘I’s.’  When you give 100% success will follow.  You’ll prove to others you’ve earned your spot on the team and deserve to be there with the rest of the best. 

Once the office sees your quality of work, your awesome personality and the goals you continue to hit every month, your age will be one of your biggest assets.  Soon you’ll hear, “I cannot believe she’s achieved so much at such a young age.”  That right there ladies is the moment you’ve proved them wrong and literally made your place as a girl boss! 

See you at the top,
Antoinette


Antointte Minor is the founder of The Young Professionalist. This blog is part of the #SheLead2016 virtual conference.


#SheLeads2016 virtual conference also includes workshops facilitated by amazing millennial women. Our facilitators shared tips on networking, taking on leadership roles at work, self-care and more! Sign-up here and get access to some of these fantastic workshops!

Monday, February 15, 2016

Color Me Brave: Danelle Punche-Caiquo #educator #mompreneur #eventplanner #womenpower

Color Me Brave is a blog series that celebrates amazing women that are both successful in their careers and supportive towards other women trying to make it. This series was created especially for millennial women of color because I want them to see other women of color that have been in their place, walked in their shoes and persevered. Color Me Brave is full of fabulous women leaders with dynamic stories. Enjoy and join me in applauding these industry leaders. To contact our Color Me Brave leaders, please email hello@thecolormeb.com.


Danelle Punche-Caiquo


Color Me Brave: Where did you attend college? Graduate school?
Danelle Hairston: University San Francisco (International business and Spanish minor) and graduate school at USF (masters in education).

Color Me Brave: What do you do for a living? Where do you work?
Danelle: School coordinator, full-time mom and event planning entrepreneur

Color Me Brave: Why did you decide to take on this position? Is it part of a larger plan for you? Danelle: I wanted an opportunity to combine both my degrees - business and education.

Color Me Brave: Are you a member of any professional organizations? If so which ones?
Danelle: Delta Sigma Pi and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

Color Me Brave: What are the biggest challenges you face in your job? In your industry?  
Danelle: Translating the business side to the service side of education.
   
Color Me Brave: How do you overcome obstacles in the workplace?
Danelle: I stay calm, talk low and slow, all while throwing in a smile to ease anxiety.

Color Me Brave: What’s something you wish you could tell your college freshman self?
Danelle: Master ways to stay organized: it is essential to success.  Learn how to linearize complex situations with ease.  



Color Me Brave: How can women show their support for other women in the workplace?
Danelle: High-fives, smiles and lending a helping hand.

Color Me Brave: What do you do to relax with your girlfriends?  
Danelle: A great cocktail:  whiskey side car preferably.

Color Me Brave: Anything else you want our millennial hustlapreneurs to know about you?
Danelle: You deserve every success that you get from hard work and making moves. Enjoy every success before moving on to the next. Take time every month to look back on your accomplishments. You have come farther than you think. Believe in your ability to succeed.





Read on in "Color Me Brave" and learn how Dr. Kendra is using her research to help people living with disabilities.


A couple of our CMBrave honorees shared their wisdom and experiences during the #SheLeads2016 virtual conference. Our facilitators shared tips on networking, taking on leadership roles at work, self-care and more! Sign-up here and get access to interactive + fantastic workshops!

Color Me Brave: Leandra Cartagena #servantleader #stjudes #womenpower

Color Me Brave is a blog series that celebrates amazing women that are both successful in their careers and supportive towards other women trying to make it. This series was created especially for millennial women of color because I want them to see other women of color that have been in their place, walked in their shoes and persevered. Color Me Brave is full of fabulous women leaders with dynamic stories. Enjoy and join me in applauding these industry leaders. To contact our Color Me Brave leaders, please email hello@thecolormeb.com.


Leandra Cartagena




















Color Me Brave: Where did you attend college? 
Leandra Cartagena: University of San Francisco. Graduated in 2010 with a degree in International Business and Finance.

Color Me Brave: What do you do for a living? Where do you work? 
Lea: I work for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® as a Bilingual Regional Development Representative II- That means I do events that fundraise money for the lifesaving mission of St. Jude.

I have been in my job for 2 years and I love it. I see myself growing within the company and staying here forever.

I get to do what I love. I plan amazing events that bring joy to the attendees and lots of money to find a cure for pediatric cancer. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food. I work hard to make sure that no family ever has to worry about medical bills while being treated at St. Jude. All a family should worry about is helping their child live.






Color Me Brave: Why did you decide to take on this position? Is it part of a larger plan for you? 
Lea: It was a great opportunity for me to utilize my planning skills and support an organization I blindly believe in.

Color Me Brave: Are you a member of any professional organizations? If so which ones? 
Lea: I am a sister of Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc.  My job requires a lot of travelling and that limits my involvement.

Color Me Brave: What are the biggest challenges you face in your job? In your industry?
Lea: In the nonprofit industry, the biggest struggle is that there are too many nonprofits. Millennials are obsess with starting their own nonprofit instead of supporting a well-established one.
One thing I have learned in my job is that you can’t control everything. No matter how well you planned there are certain factors that you can’t control. It is okay to accept that uncertainty is going to happen.




Color Me Brave: How do you overcome obstacles in the workplace?
Lea: Being organized and research are two key factors. If you do these two things, it is much easier to work through the obstacles and find solutions that emerge out of the problem.

Color Me Brave: What’s something you wish you could tell your college freshman self? 
Lea: Listen to Dad’s advice about life and money. Save half of your financial aid refund and enjoy college to the fullest since it will be some of your best years.

He has always been right.

Color Me Brave: How can women show their support for other women in the workplace?
Lea: As women, we need to learn to up lift each other instead of seeing each other as competition. Understand that we need each other to grow. It is important for us to find a woman mentor someone who understands us and is able to push us to greatness.




Color Me Brave: What do you do to relax with your girlfriends?
Lea: My girlfriends and I love and cherish our dinner/wine dates. Dates where we vent and support each other. Where we laugh or cry depending on the mood.

We also enjoy going Latin Dancing. Dancing is the cure to any heartbreak or any problem. Gotta dance it out.  


Color Me Brave: Anything else you want our millennial hustlapreneurs to know about you?

Lea: I’m 29 years old with a long life ahead of me. The things I have learned so far is that you need to make time for the people you love. It does not matter how busy you think you are. Make time for those who matter. Relationships are a two way street and they take work.




For more information Color Me Brave and other CMB services, check out our website www.thecolormeb.com ! Click here to join our mailing list!


Thank you for reading the first edition of Color Me Brave blog series! Learn more about our services and #SheLeads: Leadership + Empowerment Conference on our website!



A couple of our CMBrave honorees shared their wisdom and experiences during the #SheLeads2016 virtual conference. Our facilitators shared tips on networking, taking on leadership roles at work, self-care and more! Sign-up here and get access to interactive + fantastic workshops!

Sunday, February 7, 2016

Color Me Brave: Diamond Gallow #artist #entrepreneur #hairguru

Color Me Brave is a blog series that celebrates amazing women that are both successful in their careers and supportive towards other women trying to make it. This series was created especially for millennial women of color because I want them to see other women of color that have been in their place, walked in their shoes and persevered. Color Me Brave is full of fabulous women leaders with dynamic stories. Enjoy and join me in applauding these industry leaders. To contact our Color Me Brave leaders, please email hello@thecolormeb.com.


Diamond Gallow


Color Me Brave: Where did you attend college? Graduate school?
Diamond Gallow: I attended college at Fordham University in New York City. In the summer of 2012, I made a conscious decision to dropout with only 3 semesters to complete my degree. Why? Simply because I realized that not only was I wasting money, more importantly, I was wasting my time in school. School had nothing to offer me. The work was easy - I mean easy - as in I've written a 10-page paper in 1.5 hours easy. And got an A. 

I realized that I was paying into a system that was not for me. You see, I've never really been interested in getting a job. I've always been an entrepreneur. I sat down with myself and I said, "Self, at your core, what do you believe in". The response was easy. FREEDOM. I value and have always valued freedom much more than security. I'm ok with hardship. I've faced hardship. Don't let my grammar, college, or marginal success fool you, I'm from the hood of Houston, Texas. I have been tested and I do not fear hardship. Fear is an almost useless emotion that most people allow to dictate their entire lives. That being said I made a decision not to fear the future, or other people's opinions of me and I dropped out. It was the best choice I've made thus far! 





Color Me Brave: What do you do for a living? Where do you work?
Diamond: Entrepreneur - a person who organizes and manages any enterprise, especially a business, usually with considerable initiative and risk. I work for myself. I am a licensed realtor in Texas and New York, I use this license occasionally to make some money. It has a great purpose for my future, that with time will reveal itself to the world. 



My passion, currently is hair. I was blessed to have the skills to install and style hair extensions in ways that no one else has seen, done, or experienced.  My company is called Bombshell En Route. We are currently a mobile extensions salon in Houston and we will be branching out to other cities soon. 

Color Me Brave: Why did you decide to take on this position? Is it part of a larger plan for you?
Diamond: I took on this position because it gave me peace and passion. I learned how to do hair because my family was too poor for me to afford to get my hair done. I learned a lot about hair. At my heart, I'm an artist. I think everyone is! They just don't realize their talents. I took my gift, developed it into a skill and made a lot of money from it. Now, I'm ready to branch out into a corporation much bigger than myself and a few employees.


Color Me Brave: Are you a member of any professional organizations? If so which ones?
Diamond: I'm a member of HAR, Houston Association of Realtors. That's about it. It is something I am working on. I have a tendency to isolate myself. I use isolation to focus, and network to grow. I plan on joining a few organizations this year. They're great for networking, but they don't necessarily grant success. 




Your ability to think outside of the box (playing chess) and your tenacity dictate success. The truth is I find networking uncomfortable. It (doesn't feel genuine) so I avoid it. I'm just a really direct person. I don't want to dance around what I want from you. I don't want to waste time pretending like I want to get to know you better. Genuine relationships are built over time. If I want something from someone, I find them and tell them what I want. I don't want the responsibility of maintaining my position within a professional organization. I have a husband, 3 sons, and a business. My time is extremely limited and thus valuable. 


Color Me Brave: What are the biggest challenges you face in your job? In your industry?
Diamond: Challenges are problems but more importantly they are opportunities. There are a lot of people that are in the beauty industry. I guess you can call that a challenge. It means that I have to have the discipline to execute marketing. The mental capacity and creativity to think outside of the box. I have to be flexible enough to change with the market. 




I have to stay educated about the industry and just slay (execute) it. It's really that simple. I can't call them challenges. It's kind of just a task list. Focus and commitment are key. 


Color Me Brave: How do you overcome obstacles in the workplace?
Diamond: This one is hard. Lol so my personality type is an ENTJ (look it up). My workplace is me. All begins and ends with me. I like that. That's why I didn't see the point in college. I try to eliminate obstacles as much as possible. However, they still happen. When they do happen, I try to take a moment and evaluate the situation without my own ego. It helps me see clearer. 

After this, I coordinate a plan that I feel is mutually beneficial, I present it and we make edits from there that are fair. 

So overcoming obstacles in steps: 
1. Evaluate the reality of the situation without ego
2. Weigh the pros and cons 
3. Make a plan
4. Take action immediately



Color Me Brave: What’s something you wish you could tell your college freshman self?
Diamond: Don't become trapped in other people's ideas of who you are or who you should be. You are worthy and deserving of the best. Never settle for anything less. 




Also, don't run from pain and hurt. Face it, embrace it, feel it, accept it, discern it; then, use it as power. Great people are made by their ability to overcome struggle. The struggle strengthens you. Don't fear it. It's much like building muscles. It hurts at first. You think it's impossible on day 1. However, by day 90, you really get to see results and you start feeling great about it. In fact, you cant stop doing it. You see, muscles are built by tissue being ripped apart then forced to heal. This happens over and over and over again. Each time, building the muscle. 

It really isn't about how many times you've been hurt , broken, or ripped apart. It's all about your ability to heal. Get back up and keep going. In the words of Les Brown, "If you can look up, you can get up". 


Color Me Brave: How can women show their support for other women in the workplace?
Diamond: Remove your ego. Be honest. Say what's on your mind(with tact). Look for a solution together. Be conscious of when you're not being supportive, and make a decision to change that. 


Color Me Brave: What do you do to relax with your girlfriends?
Diamond: I don't have many girlfriends lol. Every once and a while we go out for dinner, or we sit and talk. We play board games, and we get responsibly wasted. I'm socially an extrovert, but the moment I'm home, or alone, I genuinely enjoy the silence and space to be left with myself and my thoughts.... I like doing all the above by myself too. Minus the board games lol Bikram Yoga helps a lot.


Color Me Brave: Anything else you want our millennial hustlapreneurs to know about you? 
Diamond: I have failed more times than I have ever succeeded. On a yearly basis I face an obstacle I feel at one moment I can never recover from. I get the stuffing knocked out of me. But I get up and I go harder. Go hard. You don't have anything to lose. The opposite is far bleaker. For in complacency you risk losing your very being, which is the greatest thing you have to lose.




For more information Color Me Brave and other CMB services, check out our website www.thecolormeb.com ! Click here to join our mailing list!

Continue reading "Color Me Brave" and learn about Lea's work at St. Jude's research hospital...



A couple of our CMBrave honorees shared their wisdom and experiences during the #SheLeads2016 virtual conference. Our facilitators shared tips on networking, taking on leadership roles at work, self-care and more! Sign-up here and get access to interactive + fantastic workshops!