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Jim Armstrong
I hear mixed reviews about LinkedIn...some see it as a tool for self-puffery and self-aggrandizement. Others see it as a useful professional networking & career advancement tool. Which category do you fall into? I firmly believe in the power of LinkedIn, not only as a networking & career tool, but as a lead gen tool. Here's my lastest post to Get Busy Media--> http://bit.ly/pC6Q5j
35 weeks ago from Social Media
Kristina E. Smith:
I used to think that it was a place for self-puffery, but that was before I started taking it seriously. Now, it's one of my best tools for ...MoreI used to think that it was a place for self-puffery, but that was before I started taking it seriously. Now, it's one of my best tools for networking in areas that I'm not integrated into. I'm able to get face time with hiring managers because they just want to 'connect'. It's terrific!
35 weeks ago
35 weeks ago
Sara Gallagher
What do you think about CEOs and other high-level managers keeping a company-related blog? Great idea to engage with customers, or too much potential for error?
79 weeks ago from Personal Branding, Gen-Y Professional Bloggers, Brazen Bloggers and Entrepreneurs2 more
:
I think this is a great way to personify a brand or company, especially if it's a large corporation. Though, I think it'd be smart to run the ...MoreI think this is a great way to personify a brand or company, especially if it's a large corporation. Though, I think it'd be smart to run the blog by the PR team to make sure messaging is stil intact. Any other thoughts?
78 weeks ago
78 weeks ago
Marc Shiman:
It depends on the industry - in my case its walking through a minefield. I am in consulting, and unless I write that all is strawberries and ...MoreIt depends on the industry - in my case its walking through a minefield. I am in consulting, and unless I write that all is strawberries and cream, I run the risk of catastrophe. My resulting blog has little to do with the professional work I do - unless it is "inspired" by something that happens on the job.
72 weeks ago
72 weeks ago
TOP IDEA:
Kristina E. Smith
Social media can help leadership - http://www.brazencareerist/2010/05/03/social-media-can-help-leadership
Erin Lariviere
Where do you draw the line between feedback / criticism / venting and downright rudeness or community abuse? I'm a big believer in letting people vent... to a certain extent. People get frustrated and they want to be heard. I think that's ok and it should be allowed. But there are times when it crosses a line. I'm not talking trolls. I mean when there's legitimate feedback, but the delivery goes to far. How do you handle this? Where do you draw the line?
Clara Kuo and Kristina E. Smith recommended this
Tyna Chua:
One thing we have seen in our community is that the community members themselves give these folks the feedback about things like inappropriate ...MoreOne thing we have seen in our community is that the community members themselves give these folks the feedback about things like inappropriate language, so we don't have to step in....what @Stephen mentioned also applies to us--we have guidelines that the community abides by...
49 weeks ago
49 weeks ago
Noel Rozny:
Great question! I think venting really depends on who is talking to who. I try to vent about anything work-related to someone not in the office, ...MoreGreat question! I think venting really depends on who is talking to who. I try to vent about anything work-related to someone not in the office, because you never know when something you say could come back to you.
49 weeks ago
49 weeks ago
Allison Cheston
Today's NYT article about college debt will make you mad, especially with more government education cuts coming our way. Do you have college debt? If you could do it over, would you attend a less expensive school? Here's my two cents: http://www.allisoncheston.com/blog/jobs-and-the-economy/gen-ys-college-d...
Heather Gaona:
I joined the Army after completing college, so my student loans were repaid. Now I have Post-9/11 GI Bill and VA benefits to cover grad school, ...MoreI joined the Army after completing college, so my student loans were repaid. Now I have Post-9/11 GI Bill and VA benefits to cover grad school, and I have served my country.
57 weeks ago
57 weeks ago
Corbin Haresnape:
@Allison Good stuff! It is frustrating to me that every time a university student is able to borrow more money the cost of school magically increases!
57 weeks ago
57 weeks ago
Dana Leavy
We've created a stigma in this society with prioritizing our own well-being, by taking sick or personal days. But pushing our health too far usually ends up negatively affecting our productivity, and sometimes others', in the end. Are you one of those people who's always tempted to "solider through" a workday for posterity, even when you know you are run down or sick?
58 weeks ago from Entrepreneurs, Advertising Professionals, Brazen Careerists in New York City, Career Rocketeer and Career Changers3 more
Brett Kunsch recommended this
Dana Leavy:
@Chandlee - that is so unfortunate, I'm sorry. It really is important to prioritize your body. Ironically right after I posted this question I ...More@Chandlee - that is so unfortunate, I'm sorry. It really is important to prioritize your body. Ironically right after I posted this question I came down with the flu! Luckily I work from home... and I'll probably be working anyway, like Candace said!
58 weeks ago
58 weeks ago
Vincent:
The challenge is everyone's threshold for sickness is different. I have witnessed instances when a coworker badgers another for coming in with a ...MoreThe challenge is everyone's threshold for sickness is different. I have witnessed instances when a coworker badgers another for coming in with a cough when he has come in blowing his nose every five minutes.
58 weeks ago
58 weeks ago
Kim Luu
Do you have a sponsor? I've seen discussion about mentors but how they work differ widely. Is your mentor a sponsor as well? Do you have a higher level executive in your company working with you to promote your profile with management. For women, this is important if they're not comfortable with self promotion.
In an old-fashioned example, do you have a star to hitch your wagon to as it rises to the top and take you with it. Obviously there are pros and cons to having a sponsor.
Kim Luu:
Mentors help direct and steer you through land mines in your career path. Sponsors are actively helping you move up in your career. They can be ...MoreMentors help direct and steer you through land mines in your career path. Sponsors are actively helping you move up in your career. They can be the same person or different person.
They can also be a different sex than you. For women, this is something to keep in mind. In some cases, a man is more open to be a sponsor than a woman.
Sponsors are critical for both men and women in moving up especially for senior management. Talk to any top managers and ask them how they find out about their jobs. Whether it's in the same company or across multiple companies, there will be a thread of one or two of the same people who opened the door for them.
The female CFO of a large multinational distribution firm shared with me that she got her opportunities from Disney, to McKinsey, to multiple firms and finally her current firm via one man. He was leading the way and when he's established at any firm, he always extended an offer to her.
She has moved up based on the opportunities he provided, her skills, the flexibility for traveling throughout most of her 20s -40s, and a supportive spouse who shaped his career to accommodate her needs as they moved to a different country every 3-5 years.
58 weeks ago
They can also be a different sex than you. For women, this is something to keep in mind. In some cases, a man is more open to be a sponsor than a woman.
Sponsors are critical for both men and women in moving up especially for senior management. Talk to any top managers and ask them how they find out about their jobs. Whether it's in the same company or across multiple companies, there will be a thread of one or two of the same people who opened the door for them.
The female CFO of a large multinational distribution firm shared with me that she got her opportunities from Disney, to McKinsey, to multiple firms and finally her current firm via one man. He was leading the way and when he's established at any firm, he always extended an offer to her.
She has moved up based on the opportunities he provided, her skills, the flexibility for traveling throughout most of her 20s -40s, and a supportive spouse who shaped his career to accommodate her needs as they moved to a different country every 3-5 years.
58 weeks ago
Kristina E. Smith:
I have someone that's a sponsor at my work. He helps me stay focused and is a tremendous cheerleader and is determined to help me grow as a ...MoreI have someone that's a sponsor at my work. He helps me stay focused and is a tremendous cheerleader and is determined to help me grow as a professional.
I also have a mentor outside of my 9-5 job that's helped me stay motivated, focused, and helped in confusing career times. She's amazing and the professional I aspire to be.
58 weeks ago
I also have a mentor outside of my 9-5 job that's helped me stay motivated, focused, and helped in confusing career times. She's amazing and the professional I aspire to be.
58 weeks ago
Kristina E. Smith
If you're around downtown Minneapolis on Wed April 13TH, come and check out the Minnesota Interactive Marketing Association event: http://www.mima.org/mimaevts/index.asp?eventID=260
Kristina E. Smith
What FTP client (ex:Filezilla) do you all recommend. I've had problems with Filezilla and I'm trying to find some other options.
Erin Boykin:
I agree with Marta....I've tried a lot FTP clients but Cyberduck is the one I liked the most and use.
60 weeks ago
60 weeks ago
Kristina E. Smith
Spring is coming in Minnesota! What are you looking forward to the most in the metro?
Rachel Book
At my company (AT&T) we're always looking for ways to recruit the best and brightest talent. Since Brazen is full of so many young, tech savvy and talented people, I wanted to ask you guys a question. What is the most impressive thing a company has done to get your attention? What compels you to pursue employment at one company over another?
Let's chat!
76 weeks ago from AT&T
Ryan Healy and Rebecca Thorman recommended this
Jonathan van de Veen:
In reply to where you could advertise online: It really depends on what group of people you need to target. If for example you're looking for a ...MoreIn reply to where you could advertise online: It really depends on what group of people you need to target. If for example you're looking for a software developer, you might consider a site like StackOverflow (not affiliated in any way). In the end it's all about doing the research. The easiest way to find sites to consider advertising on is to go to people in your company that have a similar position to the one you're trying to fill and ask them what sites they visit regularly.
76 weeks ago
76 weeks ago
Megan Cassidy:
The thing that has blown me away at ESPN so far (I've been there for two months) is the support system they have in place for new employees. ...MoreThe thing that has blown me away at ESPN so far (I've been there for two months) is the support system they have in place for new employees. Everyone has been incredibly helpful, understanding and knowledgeable about the company. For me, I was pleasantly surprised by how they tried to make the transition easy, while still putting a lot of responsibility on their new hires.
73 weeks ago
73 weeks ago
Kristina E. Smith
Hope everyone here had a fantastic holiday!
With 2011 starting next week, what are your networking goals?
Kristina E. Smith
joined the groups Nonprofiteers, Community Managers, New Media Marketing, Non-Profit Management and Customer Service3 more
76 weeks ago
Kristina E. Smith
How you you plugged into your community? When you want to serve how do you find places where you can use your talents and skills?
Kristina E. Smith
Do you think 'informational interviews' are still a good way to network? Or should it be a more natural progression like mentor-ships and friendships?
78 weeks ago from We're Hiring
Vanessa Gallo:
I think they are still worth doing since you never know. And usually it is an easy non invasive way to get some face time with a contact of a contact.
77 weeks ago
77 weeks ago
Kristina E. Smith:
Face time I think is critical. Do you think it's more beneficial to meet with your contact and the person you'd do the informational interview ...MoreFace time I think is critical. Do you think it's more beneficial to meet with your contact and the person you'd do the informational interview with? So you'd meet with both?
77 weeks ago
77 weeks ago
Kristina E. Smith
This past weekend I attended an Emerging Leaders (Minnesota Rising) conference in St. Paul, MN. In one group we talked about the hiring process. Do you think soft skills are a hard sell when being interviewed?
Do you think that you have a better chance when you're interviewed by a number of people at an organization?
Bennett Phillips:
This is a very interesting topic. @Charlie, I completely agree with you that "soft skills" are not innate... well, of couse some are. That is not ...MoreThis is a very interesting topic. @Charlie, I completely agree with you that "soft skills" are not innate... well, of couse some are. That is not to say that one cannot learn these skills though. I believe that learning technical or job skills is just a matter of being taught the subject matter, while soft skills (as they are much more dependent on emotion and personality) require the learner to be fully engaged and have a compelling reason to put the learning into action and really change.
77 weeks ago
77 weeks ago
Kristina E. Smith:
Good point Bennett. I think that there are some soft skills that people can learn. I think people do that all the time when it comes to exploring ...MoreGood point Bennett. I think that there are some soft skills that people can learn. I think people do that all the time when it comes to exploring other people's customs.
77 weeks ago
77 weeks ago
TOP IDEA:
Mehnaz Thawer
I have been chatting with a couple of friends who are considering Online Dating. I have no expertise in the area (and a few hangups about it too). They seem to think it's the wave of the future. What do others think out there? Any experience with it? Love it? Hate it?
Andrew Shell:
CCAP stands for "Consolidated Court Automation Programs" and if you live in WI you just go to MoreCCAP stands for "Consolidated Court Automation Programs" and if you live in WI you just go to http://wcca.wicourts.gov/
Basically it's a way to look up court cases. So you can look someone up in WI and see if they have been arrested, got speeding tickets, if they have been through a divorce, if they are a sex offender, etc. Basically anything that goes through the court system ends up on here. I suspect other states have similar websites.
Here is a page that has a directory from different states. http://bit.ly/hjmKfN
78 weeks ago
Basically it's a way to look up court cases. So you can look someone up in WI and see if they have been arrested, got speeding tickets, if they have been through a divorce, if they are a sex offender, etc. Basically anything that goes through the court system ends up on here. I suspect other states have similar websites.
Here is a page that has a directory from different states. http://bit.ly/hjmKfN
78 weeks ago
Mehnaz Thawer:
Ah, i see. Well that's a handy little website isn't it? I'll have to let folks know if there is a Canadian equivalent. There should be...(one ...MoreAh, i see. Well that's a handy little website isn't it? I'll have to let folks know if there is a Canadian equivalent. There should be...(one would think). Thanks for clarifying!
78 weeks ago
78 weeks ago
Kristina E. Smith
I'm working on a new web project focused on having people share how they have an engaged life in their community, family, school and more. We're looking for Blog posts, people sharing art, music, the options are endless.
But I was wondering... how would you define what living an 'engaged life' is? ...
Marie McKinney-Oates
There's an interesting conversation going on about whether or not it's wise for a couple to merge their finances. It seems like most people agree to keep things relatively separate, but I'm wondering what happens when things get tight? Like someone loses a job or makes consistently poor financial decisions? Do you begin a borrower/lender relationship? Do just tell your partner they're screwed? I mean, any setup works great when there's money in the bank, but what happens when funds get low?
78 weeks ago from Personal Finance and Power Couples
John Pollock:
Steph: If we had had the ability to sock away a 6-12 month emergency fund we wouldn't be in this mess. It's precisely because we were living ...MoreSteph: If we had had the ability to sock away a 6-12 month emergency fund we wouldn't be in this mess. It's precisely because we were living hand-to-mouth that my wife says is the primary reason why she left. (Which of course is logically absurd -- she and I and our kids are now way worse off financially and all of our lifestyles have taken a huge hit.)
78 weeks ago
78 weeks ago
Steph Bruno:
John, I acknowledge that it is difficult to save the money for the emergency fund. Hopefully your story can be an inspiration for those who do ...MoreJohn, I acknowledge that it is difficult to save the money for the emergency fund. Hopefully your story can be an inspiration for those who do have the ability to save to give up some personal spending now to prevent a situation like this down the road. I agree that supporting two households on the same income will only make the situation worse.
78 weeks ago
78 weeks ago
TOP IDEA:
Katie Weilbacher
HELP - too many meetings! My new job in Big Corporate is wonderful: I have great projects & a smart, sympathetic boss. But ours is a corporate culture of meetings - average 50% of my day. But a whole day being hijacked by meetings happens often. So - HOW DO I GET MY WORK DONE? My deliverables are getting delayed by meetings to talk about deliverables. How do I adjust? Can I, as a newbie, initiate any change? I feel like @meetingboy on twitter!
79 weeks ago from Productivity & Time-Management and Ask Penelope Trunk!
wuwenling:
Even so, prior to you commence purchasing for your dream night's apparel, make guaranteed that you just possess the correct measurements of your ...MoreEven so, prior to you commence purchasing for your dream night's apparel, make guaranteed that you just possess the correct measurements of your hips, bust and waist. Not all designers have similar measurement charts. Be positive you recognize pandora braceletsyour figure variety as well. Your body could possibly be an "I" (not so curvy), an "hourglass" (curvy) or an "A" (smaller on top) form.
79 weeks ago
79 weeks ago
Michael Cruse:
Begin the practice of defensive scheduling. Block out time on your calendar that you need to move your project forward. Do this before your ...MoreBegin the practice of defensive scheduling. Block out time on your calendar that you need to move your project forward. Do this before your schedule gets out of control or hijacked by others and you are left with project failures and missed deliverables.
78 weeks ago
78 weeks ago
Kristina E. Smith
Welcome Kristin Gast to the Twin Cities, MN network on Brazen! Let us know if we can help with anything :)
Kristina E. Smith created the event SMBMSP 31 - Mobile & More
79 weeks ago from the group Twin Cities, MN 1 rsvp
Kristina E. Smith created the event "Destined to WIN in 2011" Conference for women in business
79 weeks ago from the group Twin Cities, MN 1 rsvp
Kristina E. Smith
What do you do when you have loads of projects going on, but they've become so streamlined that you're getting bored at work?
I'm all for making the process run smoother, but what happens when you're left doing paper pushing allday?
Kristina E. Smith
Hi everyone! What are some of your favorite spots in the Twin Cities to telecommute? For me, it's my home and the library in St. Anthony Park!
I'm looking for spots where I can get some of my weekly blogging and Google Analysis done. Suggestions?
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