The CIO Coach

2010 Success: Vision!

STOP! Before you set your plans in stone for this new year. There's something you ought to consider...

We are starting a new year and a new decade. So much potential. A time for new hopes, dreams, plans, resolutions. We start out with them, but as we all know, so often they fade after we fail a few times to make them reality - or in the busyness of our everyday lives, they can fade into our memory faster than you can say...February.

What gives a plan staying power? Of all the characteristics of a good plan, the most important is vision.

Can you have a plan without a vision? Well, yes, you can actually, but those kind of plans so easily fizzle out if there's no vision behind them. In fact, before you put a strategy in place, you need a vision, and after strategy comes the actual business plan.

So why do we start off with a plan for the year when we haven't a clear vision of where we'd like to go? We've probably all done it at one time or another...a tactical plan for the year, but without taking the time to reflect on our overall vision. You may even have a strategy, but do you really have a vision? You may get somewhere, but is it really where you want to be? (Reminds me of the saying: "Not sure where we're going, but we're making good time!")

If you have a vision, especially when fired by passion, then the strategy and planning stages can follow and more easily kept on track - or adjusted as the year progresses -to fit the vision. It just doesn't work so well when it's the other way around, i.e. building a plan, then adopting a vision somewhere along the way, or not.

The key is not to begin with minutiae, but with the bigger picture. Step back and view your life from the 30,000 ft level. What do you see? What do you like about what you see? What do you not like? What would you like to see?

Then remaining in big picture mode, consider the important areas of your life: your physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being; your passions, hopes, dreams and aspirations, your values, your family; your finances, your work and business; and your contribution to others in this world. Ask yourself similar questions for each area.

Know first what is most important to you. Remind yourself of why you are working, and what you are working for. Remind yourself of the milestones you've already past. What did you like about last year? What did you do right? What would you like to do more of? Less of?

And most importantly, where do you want to go from here? What kind of person do you want to be? What legacy do you want to leave behind?

Don't just muddle forward into a new year without a vision and without direction. Take time to grasp a vision. Then once you have it, let it be your guiding compass throughout the year and build your strategy and plan around it.

KNOW what you really want, see it, feel it, touch it and let your thoughts reflect on it. Does it fire you up? If not, step back and try again. Let your vision be propelled by your passion -and then begin the process of strategy and planning. Your plan will be more sustainable and you'll be much more fulfilled and successful this year!

Twitter for the Timorous (or Networking for the Introvert)

I was interviewed recently for an upcoming book, The Twitter Job Search Guide (JIST, 2010). When asked about some tips for jobseekers who may lean more toward the introversion side of the scale, I offered these ideas:

Since at least 60% of my clients are introverts, and many of them find networking a challenge (even at their executive level), I recommend using Twitter as a tool to ease the building of a network, especially when combined with a Linkedin strategy.

SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS (SMEs): Many introverts are Subject Matter Experts, especially in the technology arena, and if they are, they can highlight their expertise through Twitter, and find and garner followers around that expertise. I recommend that they choose a handle that accentuates their expertise - e.g.: @TechPrivacy and @ITInnovate - because others are more likely to ‘follow’ others based on topics of interest.

This is a terrific way for introverts to build a network, get on the radar screen of recruiters and companies who seek their type of expertise, and find opportunities.

THINKERS: Many introverts like to think first, act later, and social media like Twitter allows them to do just that - they can read a message, think on it, then reply, rather than being required to have a verbal reply on the spot, if they were face-to-face. Many are more comfortable with this avenue of conversation.

SHORT CONVERSATIONS: Another aspect of this is that introverts can begin conversations in small bits and bytes - of 140 characters, to be precise. Not too long a conversation, which again, many introverts prefer.

LISTENERS: Introverts are normally good listeners. Twitter allows them to listen intently to the views, comments and questions of others, look and listen for clues on industry, company, products and service challenges. This observing trait may enable them to find opportunities that others might miss.

So, if you are an introvert and networking is a challenge for you, consider Twitter as part of your strategy for building your network. Having a robust network is essential for career success today.

Not on Twitter yet? It's one of the best tools you can use in the job search. Contact me for strategies and assistance. Follow me on Twitter: @cio_coach

And, watch for the book, The Twitter Job Search Guide by Deb Dib (@CEOCoach) Chandlee Bryan (@chandlee) and Susan Whitcomb (@SusanWhitcomb) to be released March 2010!

Benefit-Bringers, not Skill-Slingers

Really, how many times have you heard something like this:

"Boss, I've had 5 years' experience in IT Security Incident Response systems, and a CISSP certification, I should be considered for Manager of this department."

That's a Skill-Slinger.

And that approach, so commonly used, is not enough to justify a promotion, or attract a new opportunity.

What if another candidate for the same management position said:

"Boss, I've an innovative idea that would transform our IT Security department from a defensive response-type department to a group that proactively enables organizational agility. Let me explain how..."

Wow. That's a Benefit-Bringer.

Who do you think would be most likely to be in line for promotion?

You've got it. Of course. The Benefit-Bringer.

Whether you are a professional desiring a promotion, or an executive seeking a new job, or even in business for yourself, remember it's benefits (value brought to others) more than skills or features about you that get the attention of those that hire or promote you.

Consider there's a good chance you are competing with others that have similar skills or experience; those things, although important, are not enough to differentiate you from the crowd.

It's what you do, the way you do it, for whom you do it, and the results that you bring that make the difference. 

Companies are looking for Benefit-Bringers, not Skill-Slingers.

So the question of the day: "What benefit do you bring to a company or group of people?"

And the second question: "Is there a theme or pattern in the type of benefits, or results, you bring on a consistent basis?"

And, if I may, one more question: "Do you have success-stories, with business-impactful results attached to them, as proof of performance to underscore your position?"

Answer these thoroughly and you'll have the basis for a powerful value proposition and personal brand.

Be a Benefit-Bringer, not a Skill-Slinger, you'll gain attention and be in demand for some time to come!