Building Your Reputation

Today is Tuesday, so this post is on positive personal impact.

Recently, I read a book called How to Build Your Reputation by Rob Brown (www.TheTripSystem.com).  Beginning on page 168, Mr. Brown presents eight common sense tips for building your reputation by impression.

Here are Mr. Brown’s tips, along with my thoughts on each tip:

1. Use people’s names.  To do this, you have to remember the other person’s name.  That’s why it’s really important to pay attention when you are introduced to someone.  If you forget a name, it’s OK to ask – but only once.  Once someone tells you his or her name twice, you had better remember it.
2. Be cooperative.  In other words, look for ways in which you can help others.  Just yesterday, I received a request for help.  Brian Keirnan is doing what he can to keep his sister’s memory alive.  Christy Keirnan died a few years ago at age 12 after a long bout with brain cancer.  Brian and his parents have established the Christy Fund to support children battling cancer.  Brian and his fraternity brothers are holding a volleyball tournament to raise money for the Christy Fund.  He asked me if I could help by providing a raffle item.  I autographed all seven of my books and sent them to him.  In this case, I waited to be asked.  However, I often offer to help before I am asked.  You should too.  People remember those who offer to help them.
3. Be likeable.  You can do this, by smiling, being upbeat, polite and sincere.  Make it a pleasure for people to have a conversation with you.
4. Be engaging.  You can do this by simply saying hello to the people you encounter everyday.  This will help you start conversations.  Once you begin a conversation, the best way to engage another person is to ask questions about him or her.
5. Be around.  Contrary to popular belief, familiarity does not breed contempt.  It breeds friendship and career success.  Mr. Brown says, “strangers turn into friends through prolonged contact and interaction.  This is true.  I use this strategy all the time.  When I visit a city for business, I almost always spend an extra day so I can visit with old friends and customers.  This strategy has generated more incremental business for me than all of my other marketing efforts combined.
6. Be positive.  Some people seem to feel that they need to present a harried, frenzied appearance so that others will see how hard they are working.  This is not a good way to build a positive impression.  People like to be around positive people.  That’s why I always answer, “Great!” when people ask, “How are you?”  I say this even if I’m not feeling great.  No one wants to know about my problems and concerns.  Therefore, I choose to be positive and upbeat.  I find it’s contagious.
7. Be passionate.  Mr. Brown says, “There is nothing as attractive as someone who loves doing what they do.”  I agree.  I care about what I do, and I let it show.  I’m enthusiastic.  When people ask me, “What’s happening?” I always say, “Lot’s of good stuff.  I’m working on another book.  I’m writing two blogs now…”  People know that I care about what I do, because I’m willing to tell them how much I care.
8. Be deliberate.  Mr. Brown defines this as living your life with purpose.  Again, I agree.  My purpose is to help individual people, teams, and entire organizations succeed by applying their common sense.  I tell people this when I meet them.  Everything I do professionally, and to a great extent, personally, has something to do with my purpose. 

These are eight great common sense tips for building your reputation by impression.  Remember, the impression you give is what defines your personal impact.  Is yours positive or negative?

That’s it for today.  Thanks for reading.  Log on to my website www.BudBilanich.com to subscribe to my monthly ezine and for more common sense.  Check out my other blog: www.CommonSenseGuy.com for common sense advice on leading people and running a small business.

I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

Bud

PS: Speaking of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – my fundraising page is still open.  Please go to www.FirstGiving.com/TheCommonSenseGuy to read Alex’s inspiring story and to donate if you can.