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Three Books to Advance Your Career [Chemical Engineering Progress](Chemical Engineering Progress Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Loraine Kasprzak Advantage Marketing Consulting Services, LLC One thing I've realized while writing the Career Comer column is that there is always more to learn about topics such as networking, leadership, personal branding, and career success. This trio of books expands on several topics I have explored in the column over the past two years. Network like you mean it As a business owner and consultant, one of my favorite topics is networking, because it has been critical to my success. Judy Robinett's book, How to Be a Power Connector, goes beyond the advice I offered in the October 2013 column and discusses how to become a powerful networker by building and nurturing strategic relationships. Robinett says that at the beginning of her career, she was shy and not a natural networker. Later, while working in the corporate world, she realized that if she wanted to advance, she needed other people to help her do it. More importantly, she saw that her chances of success were greater if she also helped other people achieve their goals. Providing value to others is a key part of her networking strategy, but she takes it one step further. Robinett knows firsthand that it is time consuming to stay in touch with many contacts. She offers the 5 + 50 + 100 Rule for staying in touch with the 155 people who are the most important to your success. This rule requires some upfront effort to determine who fits into your Top 5, Key 50, and Vital 100 contacts, but it can help you work your network much more efficiently, for a bigger return. Robinett advises connecting with your Top 5 contacts once a day, the Key 50 once a week, and your Vital 100 once a month. Reach out to the rest of those in your address book once a quarter. Robinett also presents her Top Tips from the Titanium Rolodex, which include constructive insights such as "Keep the rule of two - give two favors before asking for one." And, my favorite, "Engage in random acts of kindness. You never know how one small act can tip the scales." Think like a CEO. Your future self will thank your current self if you read The CEO Difference. Author D. A. Benton, a trusted advisor to business leaders, shares practical career advice gleaned from interviewing over 50 CEOs and C-suite executives. Benton discovered a common thread among the interviewees: Successful executives do not stop learning and improving themselves, and they expect these behaviors in the individuals they promote. Her book explains how you can distinguish yourself to the C-suite executives by making specific changes in your thinking, appearance, and actions. For instance, Benton advises that, like senior leaders, you read voraciously - whether online articles, industry publications, or books. Reading enables you to see things differently so you can act independently, which can get you noticed. Benton also points out that being an excellent solo performer is not enough once you move beyond the entry level. At higher positions, you must be seen as someone who is valuable to others up and down the corporate ladder. All of Benton's advice is thought provoking, and some of it - for example, look and act your best, because someone is always watching you - may be easier to follow. Recommendations such as "learn to lead with a positive perspective" may require more introspection and effort before you see results. Become the go-to person. If you are wondering how you can survive the next round of cutbacks in your organization or be the one management considers for the next promotion, then read Indispensable! Becoming the Obvious Choice in Business and in Life. Authors David Cottrell, a C-level executive, and Robert Nix, a sales executive, offer useful insights for becoming the individual your organization values and, presumably, won't fire. Cottrell and Nix delve deeper into some of the concepts that I established in my personal branding column in the April 2014 issue, which discussed how effectively communicating your authentic personal brand can have positive career impacts. Selling your abilities and accomplishments with conviction and clarity, the authors say, is crucial to becoming indispensable to upper management. You will find this book particularly helpful if you have not been trained in sales. The authors present a straightforward process for selling yourself that doesn't make you feel like a pushy used-car salesperson. You will also appreciate each chapter's Take Action summary, which can help you crystallize your thoughts as you prepare your action plan. For instance, in Chapter 4, "Reflecting What You Want Others to See," the summary includes a list of questions you can work through to determine if there is a gap in how you perceive yourself and how others perceive you. Indispensable! is about taking control of your professional destiny. The Reality Check section in Chapter 2 is a series of questions that can help you determine whether an opportunity makes the best use of your talents, is aligned with your personal values, is something you truly want to do, and is something you have the courage to pursue. These questions are perfect for keeping you focused on only those opportunities that will move your career forward. (c) 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers |