BIGGER Impact Newsletter

Sunday, March 16, 2008

JWN: The Brand of YOU

The Brand of YOU

By: Joseph W. Norman

What’s YOUR brand?

I’m not talking about your favorite brand of jeans, shoes, or cars. Rather, I’m speaking about the brand of (insert YOUR name here)! That brand is far more valuable then any piece of clothing and thus, more important to think about.

My guess (because it took me a while too) is that you have not taken much time to truly think about YOUR brand. Many get caught up in the day to day activities like going to work, spending time with the family, or working out at the gym. Don’t get me wrong, these are all quintessential things for a fulfilling life, but how are they defining YOU?

YOU are a unique part of this world. Nobody can ever replace YOU. You may aspire to carry yourself like one of your mentors or live the life of some celebrity, but ultimately you can’t do that. All you CAN be (and should want to be) is YOU.

When people look at you, they see your brand and when they listen to you, they hear your brand. The question YOU need to ask yourself is, “What are people seeing and hearing?”

The answer to that question gives you the foundation for YOUR brand development. One cannot improve if they don’t know what they’re working with. So, now you’ve got your base line.

KEY FACT: Other people define your brand, but YOU are the dictionary. What they read is courtesy of you.

What are the key components of your brand?

Your look. How you dress has a HUGE impact on how other people may perceive you. I’m not saying you need to go out on a shopping spree, but rather to simply take heed that before you say a word, your look has already made an impression.

Your words. Mark Twain once said, “It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool, than to open it and remove all doubt.” Thus, you need to be careful what you say and how you say it. For more insight, check out my article, “The Power of Your Words.”

Your passions. What really moves you? I mean, REALLY moves you! It could be business, acting, baseball, coaching, or any number of things. What matters is that you cannot and should not hide your passion. If it is not already, make your passions a meaningful part of YOUR life!

These three things are all supported by one key element of you:

Your style. This is the piece that defines YOUR brand. It is not just your look, but how you wear it. It is not just your words, but how they are put together and delivered. And, it is not just your passions, but what you do with them.

How do you improve YOUR brand?

Well, here’s how I do it. This is why YOU think of me the way you do.

My look. I help myself with great resources like Men’s Wearhouse, GQ, Men’s Health, and the limitless internet. In addition, I try to stay observant of what other people in the business world wear (my desired career place). This has led me to French Cuffs, monogrammed shirts, pocket squares, and a variety of other things that help define ME in a unique way. (Check out, “Make a Powerful Impression” for more insights).

My words. I’m an English major, so I read countless texts and write a lot. This helps me carry myself well in conversations, emails, and letters. I also go the extra mile with “branded” personal notes, embossed with my name. Thus I frame JWN with more JWN. (Again, check out, “The Power of Your Words.”)

My passions. I went out on a limb with Ben to create this eZine; a forum for me to vent to you about my passions. One of them is helping you succeed with tips and best practices I’ve picked up in my pursuits. Right now, I’m making my passions a meaningful part of my life. Thanks for your support!

And finally,

My style. I sell Joseph W. Norman every single day and I do it through the aforementioned methods. I also do it with the “Seven Steps of Commanding a Presence.” (Check it out!)

Now that I’ve sold my brand, use my thoughts and words to go sell yours! You deserve it and so does the world.

The world needs you NOW, so go show off YOUR brand!

To your success, ~JWN

Joseph W. Norman, Co-Founder and Editor in Chief of Notable and Newsworthy can be reached at Norms1523@gmail.com or 607.743.8569. He offers speaking engagements and personal coaching and is always up for a "business lunch." To receive the weekly eZine, The VIP Profiles, email viprofile@gmail.com or visit http://notableandnewsworthy.blogspot.com/

Sunday, March 9, 2008

JWN: Get a Sense of Humor

Get a Sense of Humor

By: Joseph W. Norman

Photo Note: Former New York State Governor Eliot Spitzer and I sharing a laugh after I gave him a VIP sticker one week before he resigned from office. (Media Credit: Ben Gajewski)

Life is tough. Every day we face different trials and tribulations which cause us considerable stress. We also interact with co-workers or friends struggling with similar mental anguish from professional or personal pursuits. Conversations often have heightened tension and can end up hurtful to at least one of the parties involved. But, this can all be alleviated with a simple change in your point of view.

That’s right. Get a sense of humor.

Laughter is the best medicine for what ails us. It single handedly eases tension and brightens days. Who is the person in the office or around the neighborhood that you simply desire to be around? The one who can laugh at life’s inequities and help you remember that everything is going to be alright.

Abraham Lincoln said it best, “With the fearful strain that is on me night and day, if I did not laugh I should die.” I think we can all take comfort knowing that if former President Lincoln can get through countless lost elections and a Civil War with laughter, we can make it through Monday morning.

So, how do you get a sense of humor?

“Don’t take life too seriously. You’ll never make it out alive.” – Ryan Reynolds, as Van Wilder in the hit comedy Van Wilder

That’s great advice from one of my favorite movies. Humor is about perspective. Anything can be seen as mind-numbing and utterly frustrating or it can be recognized as a step up the ladder to inevitable success.

Life is like a Magic Eye painting or a Rorschach Inkblot test. What is the picture you see?

Personally, I always struggled with the Magic Eye paintings until I learned that you need to look past the picture. This is a perfect metaphor for life. Many people get caught up in the day to day and forget to see the big picture.

Laughter brings out that big picture because it gives you some distance from the situation. That keeps you from getting trapped by those tasks or life challenges that are hitting you from all angles. And, when it rains it pours, so being able to laugh about it is essential.

My mother always said, “It’ll make you laugh or it’ll make you cry.” We always chose laughter in the Norman household because let’s get real, tears just make too much of a mess. Both exercises are cathartic, but I tell you what, I prefer the mood that follows a good laugh.

The truth is people are funny and the things they do are even more hilarious. It is a blessing to be able to see that. You’re funny. I’m funny. (Some say funny looking, but I tend to disagree).

ACTION PLAN: Make a decision today to start to look at the world with a new light. Learn how to see the subtle ironies in life, because they are hysterical. And don’t be afraid to laugh loud and proud.

I look and sound like an absolute idiot when I laugh. I laugh at my own jokes and I wouldn’t have it any other way. When things are funny I just like to let it rip. You need to enjoy life because it’s the only one you’ve got.

Get funny friends. (I’ve got some great ones). Rent a comedy. Read some jokes. Check out some clips on YouTube. Arm yourself with some artillery that you can use to brighten up someone’s day. I’m a big fan of Dane Cook skits, Chuck Norris quotes, and 80s music lyrics; ton of priceless material there.

The key to getting a sense of humor is giving it a try. Who is the only person you can laugh at and not offend? YOU. So, laugh at yourself and invite others to join in. You’ll be the life of the party (even if you’re laughing about your recent string of bad luck).

Laughter is the shortest distance between two people. So, keep laughing and I guarantee life will begin moving in the right direction. That’s what I always bank on.

Still smiling, ~JWN

Sunday, March 2, 2008

JWN: Public Speaking: Fun Facts, Myths, & JWN Tips

Public Speaking: Fun Facts, Myths, & JWN Tips

By: Joseph W. Norman

EDITOR'S NOTE: Fresh video below. Check it out, comment, & share! New version of this info & more on www.normanized.com. Thanks for your readership!

Previously I’ve discussed such topics as working a room with small talk, making a powerful impression, and commanding a presence, but what about that big presentation you have coming up? How do you make that speech you got asked to give memorable?

For many years I’ve been a student of leadership. A natural offshoot of that is public speaking. When you think about leaders, you often think about those meetings they’ve run or speeches they’ve delivered.

First, I’ll start with a few resources that have been crucial to my development as a public speaker; Jeffrey Gitomer’s Little Green Book of Getting Your Way, Alan M. Perlman’s Perfect Phrases for Executive Presentations, and Granville Toogood’s The Articulate Executive.

The “Perfect Phrase” books come in a variety of different topics from interviewing to negotiating salary. Great resource! Now, let’s get to some fun facts and debunk some myths about public speaking.

Here's a link to the video so you can share it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVIVRi7fF9A

Public speaking is feared worse than death. This one might make you laugh, but it is actually true. People fear addressing audiences over knocking on the pearly gates.

You have to stay behind the podium when you speak. MYTH. Get out of there and move around the audience. Remove any barriers (physical and mental) between you, your message, and the audience. You will be exponentially more effective.

“I feel awkward speaking in front of people.” It is only awkward if you make it awkward, I like to say. Your attitude sets the tone for your speech. Come in ready to perform. Deep down don’t we all want to be the center of attention? Even just for a little while? This is your chance!

You should write your speech word for word. MYTH. Know your subject, not your speech. Avoid word for word renditions because you’ll only end up reading to the audience instead of engaging them.

“The audience will know when I screw up.” MYTH. The audience wants you to succeed and they don’t know your speech. If you miss a part, just keep it flowing. Odds are the audience won’t have a clue.

Now that we’ve shed some public speaking inhibitions, let’s talk about how you really make it happen for you and your audience. These are concepts I’ve picked up on from lots of reading and practice.

I delivered my first Key Note address in October 2007 at the Future Business Leaders of America District VIII Conference. My speech taught high school students how they could make it happen for themselves. Also, throughout the day I led four workshops on leadership. The 30 minute speech and workshops were no doubt an ominous task. These are tips I learned in the process of preparing and delivering that speech (and others since then).

MY TIPS:

Arrive early and introduce yourself to everybody you can. Knowing people in the audience will make you more comfortable. I like to slip a name or two from the audience into my speeches. This connects them personally with the message.

Use handouts. Especially for longer speeches, have a handout with bullet points of your message. It gives the audience something physical to take away. NOTE: Always hand out at the end. Otherwise, they’ll be distracted and less engaged.

Structure a surprise or comedic slide into your speech. I LOVE giving gifts to people in the audience; whether it is a VIP sticker or something bigger. During my key note address in October ’07 I gave away three signed books. If you were given a book at a speech, you’d remember that wouldn’t you?

Finish with a crucial point or empowering statement. My speeches tend to hit home with one liners or candid quotes such as; “You hold the power,” or “To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. That is to have succeeded.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Transition with positive energy. Initiate applause for the organizers of the event or next speaker in line. This has the audience moving on with an up beat feel about what you just said.

A FINAL NOTE: Know your subject, be yourself, and have fun. If you nail those things, you have done your job. Remember, “Proper preparation leads to powerful performance.” - JWN

For more help with your public speaking skills, pick up some of the resources mentioned above or take on a leadership role in a local organization; Toastmasters, Rotary Club, etc. Practice, practice, practice.

Here is some final inspiration for you from Winston Churchill; “Before you can inspire with emotion, you must be swamped with it yourself. Before you can move their tears, your own must flow. To convince them, you must first believe.”

That quote hangs right above my desk and I make a point to read it nearly everyday.

To your success, ~JWN

www.normanized.com

Sunday, February 24, 2008

JWN: Customer Satisfaction

Customer Satisfaction

By: Joseph W. Norman

This weekend I spent some time in Baltimore visiting some old friends. It was a great time in the classic “vacation” sense. We ate out a lot in those few days; some good experiences and some not so good.

My body is a temple, but I treated it like a garbage dump this weekend. Thus, I’m looking forward to getting a little more produce in my life this week.

I try to stay positive with these columns. I’m not one to complain because I don’t believe it is productive for solving problems. In this particular case though, a few observations may help enlighten on what it means to be a satisfied customer.

My friends and I had absolutely terrible service at a restaurant we went to on Saturday afternoon. It wasn’t busy, but the service was unbearably slow. Our waitress was friendly and well intentioned, but she seemed to be operating on her own time.

Some servers can pull off few interactions during a very busy lunch rush if those stops are productive. But, this experience was far from that. She stopped in a lot, but she was not observant of the needs at the table and she had inordinately long hiatuses between her stops. In fact, when promising, “I’ll be right back,” she often would not make it back to the table for about fifteen minutes; even just for a refill on my water.

The piece that I find most compelling about this experience though was our natural reaction to her service. We’re pretty genial guys, so we did not complain. We were cordial, enjoyed our meal, left a below average tip, and moved on.

The only sign of our discontent was the tip which makes me wonder if she even picked up on our lack of satisfaction in the service. Judging by her poor observations of the table’s needs throughout our meal, I would say she probably just wrote us off as friendly but cheap. She probably did not even think that we might actually be generous tippers (which we are) that were simply unimpressed.

How does this relate to you?

You are in customer service. Everyday you interact with multitudes of people in your personal and professional lives. The question you need to ask is;

“How do I know my customers are satisfied?”

Professional Life:

- Ask them! Figure out your top customers and talk to them. See how you’re keeping a competitive edge.

- Get feedback during the act. Don’t let your client sleep on bad service. Ask them right then and there if they are satisfied.

- Be observant. Notice the subtle reactions they may have; body language, size of their tip, etcetera. Your customer’s actions will prove their true feelings.

- Figure out what you can do better. Research your clients and anticipate their needs before they ask you.

Personal Life:

- Ask if you’re holding up your end of the bargain. This can be in friendship, an intimate relationship, group work, etcetera.

- Think about what you can do to better serve your friends. Add value first. You will come away with the respect of others and more fulfilled.

- Reflect on the reactions of others. This comes back to being observant. Become a student of people.

These concepts will help you discover more about yourself and better satisfy others. I like to say, “Leadership is service.” I’d like to rephrase that now.

“Great leadership comes from exceptional service.”

How is my service? ~JWN

Sunday, February 17, 2008

JWN: Your Money Story

What is your money story?

Since I was young, I have been sensitive to money and personal finance. It may stem from my childhood when my oldest brother Jack would scam me by trading me pennies for dimes saying, “This one is bigger.” Now he asks me for advice on his 401k.

How did it start?

One of the first books that really inspired my thought process towards business and finance was Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki. It opened my mind up to what it means to be financially free. In essence, it boils down to this simple equation:

Investment Income / Total Expenses = Your Money Story

When the equation equals more than one, you are financially free. That is the situation you should strive to be in. At this point in time you have the opportunity to quit your day job, if you will.

What constitutes investment income?

1) Real estate income

2) Fixed income investments (bonds, etc.)

3) Dividends

4) Capital gains

What about those expenses?

1) Your rent

2) Food

3) Cable bill

4) Gas & Electric bill

5) Many, many more

I’ve taken a few steps to get my financial life under control starting with tracking my expenditures. When you do that you know where the money goes. That’s an important thing to know.

After tracking the money flow for a little while, you realize exactly how much you spend at the local McDonalds. What if you invested some of that money for a reasonable rate of return? Over 30 years, that’s a comfortable retirement versus a struggling one.

At the start you need to decide, what do you want your money story to be?

NOTABLE: Check out Pamela York Klainer’s book, How Much Is Enough? Harness the Power of Your Money Story. Pam is a friend and mentor of The VIP Guys. She is a great supporter of SUNY Geneseo; most notably by founding the Pamela York Klainer Center for Women in Business.

Once you make your goals and decide what it is in life that you NEED, you can start to make your money story come true. Do you want to just get by? Live comfortably? Or be wealthy?

I’m the latter. I have very high monetary goals for a variety of reasons. What’s important for me though may not be important to you. That’s the beauty of the money story. It is as individual as each of us.

Here are some key things for you to know for your money story:

1) Understand debt (credit cards, loans, etc.) Know what you’re paying in interest and please, always pay more then your minimum payment.

2) Rule of 72. Einstein’s most important find. Divide the number 72 by the interest rate you are earning on investments or paying on debt and you will have the time (in years) it will take that investment or debt to double.

3) You will work 80,000 hours in your life. Do what you enjoy. My father always says, “Do what you enjoy because you will get good at it. That will get recognized and you will get paid for it.”

4) Use a budget. Know what your obligations are and plan for them. Also, have a “savings” budget. Don’t just budget to get by.

5) Opportunity cost. Each expenditure you make is an investment in something. Are you investing in your belly? Or, your wallet?

Think about some of these concepts and set some goals for yourself. Money is arguably one of the most crucial aspects of our lives, so why not try to understand it? Robert Kiyosaki says, “There are only two money problems; too much money or too little. Which problem do you want?”

What’s your money story? ~JWN

Nam Ngo

Nam is a great friend and business associate of The VIP Guys. He is the man behind the business cards and the famous VIP Stickers; a true VIP Enthusiast. His is a story of great trials, good fortune, and hard work. After a candid conversation with Nam, it is my pleasure to feature his story to you. ~JWN

JWN: When did you start GraphiXpress?

NN: 1987. It’s been over twenty years now.

JWN: What inspired that? I know you worked for the Democrat & Chronicle for a period of time right?

NN: I wanted to start to make some money for myself. I wanted more freedom and more control of my destiny.

JWN: What got you into the print business?

NN: I liked to work with my hands. I got exposure when I was in high school in a graphic art class. Back then it was more of a craft. Now it is more automated. A machine does all of the work for you. It is totally different. I like the technology part of it but the craftsmanship is gone. It makes life easier but we had to change drastically about five years ago because the whole industry changed.

JWN: How do you feel you have adapted to the change?

NN: Quite well. We go to a lot of trade shows and working at the Democrat & Chronicle helped too.

JWN: How long did you work at the D & C?

NN: I worked there about 18 or 19 years. I just finished there about 3 months ago. They eliminated the imaging department, so they cut everything they could. The newspaper industry is in rough shape. It’s not like it used to. I thought I might have had a job there for life.

JWN: So, you were in imaging there?

NN: We would take the pictures from the photographers and then manipulate them, tone them, and enhance them to make them look better. If you just take the raw image, it would look very muddy because the paper is not high quality like photo paper. So, that was our job basically. We would do imaging and also make the plate for the press.

JWN: I’m curious about your childhood. Where did you grow up?

NN: My childhood. I was born in South Vietnam in the city of Saigon. Now it is called Ho Chi Min City. I was there until I was 10 when the Vietnam War was going on. My mom and I escaped from the war just one day before they took over. We got out just in time. We escaped to the Philipines when the Viet Kong took over the city. We were very lucky.

As a refugee we stayed in the Phillipines for a couple days and then got transported to Guam. We stayed there probably about a week and then got moved again to Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. We waited there a few months and then got a person to sponsor us. Our sponsor was from Alabama. We were there for about a year. He taught me English every night. I didn’t know any English when I came over, so that was a big help. I started school in sixth grade and made a lot of American friends. They taught me English, so I picked it up pretty quick. You’ve got to adapt quick. A lot of people helped me.

So, I had sixth grade in Louisiana. Then my mother found a job in North Carolina so we moved there.

JWN: What does she do there?

NN: She works in a furniture factory. We stayed there until I graduated from high school. We lived in a trailer park that we shared with two other people. It was a small trailer. I worked at a restaurant on the weekends. I’ve been working all my life.

JWN: How did you end up in Rochester?

NN: The reason I moved up here was because of RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology). I applied to the School of Printing. I got accepted and have been here ever since I graduated.

JWN: How was that program?

NN: I learned a lot there; much theory and some hands on things. It has helped a lot. But, since I’ve graduated technology has changed so much. It gave me the foundation. You learn the most when you are working though.

JWN: I’m curious more about the experience of being a refugee. Can you elaborate more on the emotions involved?

NN: It is emotional when you leave your home country. Because I was so young I don’t really know that much, but leaving your relatives and family is tough. I just followed my mom. It was difficult at first. We wrote to them every chance we got but after that my mother sponsored my sisters and brother. I’m the youngest. She sponsored one after the other, not all at the same time.

As a refugee I adapted pretty quick. I had a lot of friends that were helpful along the way. The Americans treated me well. We were well fed and had a decent dorm; military dorms.

JWN: So the Americans helped you evacuate?

NN: We were much better off than the boat people. They were drifting in the ocean. I was lucky because I flew on a cargo plane. So, the hardship wasn’t bad. We were very lucky.

JWN: How has your experience in America been? Have you been back to Vietnam?

NN: I went back two years ago. The only relative I have left is my nephew. The country has changed a lot since when I was young. There is a lot of traffic. It is growing fast.

JWN: Do you think you would move back there?

NN: I will stay here. I may visit occasionally though. I consider this my country as I’ve been here most of my life. I’m 44 so I’ve been here for 34 years.

JWN: I know you work very hard. Here during the day and the Democrat & Chronicle at night. What inspires that?

NN: I think it is my family. I want to do the best I can to support them so they don’t have to struggle. I am the provider for them. To have everything that you want, you have to work for it. There is no free lunch. The work ethic I learned from my parents. You’ve got to work hard.

JWN: What did your father do?

NN: He was a business man in Vietnam. He got drafted into the Army so he had to stay when we fled. When I was really small he would bring work back to the house. We would help him assemble mechanical stuff together.

JWN: I’d like to hear a little bit more about your family.

NN: I have two sons; 10 and 16. I met my wife about twenty years ago. My mother is still alive but my father passed away. My sister lives about forty minutes away from Rochester. She owns a nail salon. My brother does nails as well. He has moved around a lot; North Carolina for a while and now he is in California.

JWN: What are some of your goals?

NN: For the business, right now it is pretty small. I would like to move it forward by adapting some internet practices. I don’t exactly want to be like Vista printing, but I would like to target toward smaller companies because we feel we can better support their needs. We want to keep it personal, while providing more opportunity for clients.

The internet thing is difficult to get right. The logistics are different. There is a lot to learn. We are looking to start off small and then move it forward.

Personally, I have some goals as well. I just became a Christian. I would like to finish the New Testament in 2008 and learn how to be a better salesman. Ben (DeGeorge) has been helpful with teaching sales.

JWN: Who are a few leaders that have inspired you or you would like to meet?

NN: I would like to meet John F. Kennedy. He inspired a lot of people with his speeches. I would like to learn from him to be a more motivational speaker. Another person would be Jesus. Those are two of the main ones.

Nam Ngo

GraphiXpress