Tyler Sheff and the Cash Flow Guys talk real estate, investments, and entrepreneurship.

Month: July 2016

The Key To Communication

As an entrepreneur there are many qualities that come into play in correlation with your success. In a previous blog post of mine I shared some of the attributes that were typically found to be most admirable in a leader. Personally, I’ve found that along with those attributes, what’s of grave importance for entrepreneurs is having the ability to communicate. If you’re unable to connect with people, listen to the opinion of others, or convey your ideas in a collective manner, how can you expect to find your ultimate level of success?

When approaching any conversation it’s important that you’re mindful of your emotions. Being overly emotional, in any situation, is a recipe for disaster. Often times, we can be quick to lash out when an issue arises. Before you communicate your concerns or opinion on the situation, be sure to take a moment to collect your thoughts and approach the manner logically. Go into the conversation with clarity on the point you wish to make, but also be mindful of the other person’s thoughts.

Should the conversation that you’re about to partake in be of an uneasy nature, take a few deep breaths to rid yourself of nervous energy. With every interaction or conversation, it’s important that you’re honest. You’ll want to use your discretion here, as being overly honest can come with a negative connotation, but being truthful will ultimately help you establish credibility and rapport.

Another key component in communication is being an active listener. Often times, this is where most leaders are lacking. As important as it is to convey company direction and opinion, it’s equally important that you listen to feedback. When you listen to the opposing party, with intent, you foster a better relationship with people. It’s important that you understand the value in listening to others, and look at it as much more than just a passive task. It is an active process that requires more than digesting information from someone else.

Being mindful of your emotions, remaining honest in conversation, and listening with intent will certainly improve your communication skills. Foster these behaviors and others will acknowledge and appreciate your ability to effectively communicate with others.

Building A Personal Brand In Support Of Your Career

Whether you’re an entrepreneur or a student fresh out of college, creating a personal brand for yourself is no longer an option. In today’s digital age, your online presence speaks volumes to potential business affiliates and employers. Prior to even considering an interview or meeting, most people will almost immediately turn to search engines to research the party in question. Careerbuilder.com recently released their findings in a study, which suggests that 35 percent of employers are less likely to interview an applicant if they can’t find them online. Eliminate the qualms of a potential employer by establishing a personal brand for yourself. Ensure your online presence is an accurate depiction of your character and is reflected in your search results!

Your Biography

Writing an autobiography can feel unnatural, but it’s a great way to convey your brand’s story. Rather than draft your story in the first person try writing in the third person. Be sure to highlight all of your achievements and make the reader aware of your aspirations and experience.

Creating Your Platform

Build a professional website that showcases all of accomplishments. Ensure that the front page of your website tells your story, as this is your landing page and will be what visitors read first. Include previous projects, your interests, and career goals. Add links to the social media platforms that you’d want business affiliates to see.

Social Media Platforms

Take some time to sift through your properties. If there are things on these properties that are questionable, delete them. Know that if a potential business affiliate or employer is looking for something, they’ll find it. Stick to more professional platforms such as LinkedIn and Google+. Should you choose to maintain more personal platforms, make them private and be conscious about what you post moving forward. Your social media platforms should be aligned with your brand and portray the same professional demeanor.

Maintaining Your Brand

Once you’ve created a cohesive brand, that accurately depicts your story, it’s important that you maintain your platforms. Should you gain experience, add that to your website and update your resume on LinkedIn. A great way to update your website is through weekly blogs. Blog about your industry and offer an insightful opinion. This shows employers that you’re a thought leader and you’re up to date on current affairs, which is often admired by employers.

Be proactive in establishing your brand’s story. Highlight valued attributes and showcase your achievements. Your online reputation can be one of two things. It can be a great tool, that portrays you in a positive light and sets you apart from competition. Or, it can hinder potential business opportunities. Be conscious about what you put online.

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén