To help accomplish this, we’ve listed some brand building tips below.

The Importance of Your Personal Brand

In order to start building your personal brand, you need to first understand why it is important. Personal brands can help you get that promotion, find a new job or expand your network. 

An apt definition of a personal brand was summarised by Amazon founder, Jeff Bezos; “Your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room.” 

Your personal brand is not something that you can fabricate, it has to be honest and reflect you. Ironically, that’s not to say that your personal brand is all about you. In order to be effective, your personal brand needs to highlight what you can do for other people and the value that you bring into your industry. That leads us on to our brand-building tips!

Personal Brand Building Tips

1. Be Specific

If people cannot immediately identify what your personal brand is about your efforts will be mostly ineffective. 

The significance of this tip is highlighted by Juan Felipe Campos, VP of technology and partner at Manos Accelerator, who says; “Keep your message and content consistent to one niche topic to become memorable within a targeted community.” Having a specific personal brand will make you memorable.

A good way to determine whether your personal brand is focused enough is to practice your elevator pitch. The ‘elevator pitch’ is used by professionals in every industry, from filmmakers to tech professionals, when networking and meeting new clients. Your pitch should emphasise two key things: your technical knowledge, and your ambition. Lasting no longer than a minute – the ride of an elevator – your pitch needs to be brief but engaging.

2. Determine Your Audience

A particular tip that comes up a lot when researching personal brands, is the relevance of defining your audience. Not everyone is going to show an interest in your personal brand, but that’s okay because the Digital Marketing Institute have outlined 3 key audiences that you need to specifically target with your personal brand. The first is your line manager; the person that you report to day-to-day. Although this might seem obvious, because, of course, your line manager would know all about your personal brand, this tip is about you getting to know them. If you are able to clearly define what motivates your manager, then you can determine exactly how they can help you to achieve your goals, and vise versa. The second audience you need to define is the person who regulates your line manager. This person may be slightly more senior, but the idea behind defining them is that it then becomes effortless for your line manager to demonstrate all the excellent work that you have achieved. The final audience to define are your supporters. These are people, let’s call them your ‘network’, that again, will help you to reach your objectives. Perhaps not by giving you a promotion, but by recommending a particular workshop that can help to expand your skill set.

3. Have a Virtual Presence

The final brand building tip is to have a virtual presence. With COVID-19 changing the way that we interact with each other, it is more important than ever to make sure that you are visible online. In fact, it’s basically expected. By that I don’t mean changing all your social media settings to ‘public’, I mean by attending online events in your industry and networking with your defined audience. This is particularly critical as 85 percent of all jobs are filled through networking.

Take advantage of the simplicity that digital networking offers, you won’t even have to leave your house! Where suitable, arrange a video call. Research conducted by Forbes, advocates that video conferencing can be more effective than meeting in person. 

As a final point, it is worth noting that your personal brand does not have to remain static and unchanging. You will grow and develop during your career, and your personal brand should reflect that.

Have your personal brand sorted? Get in touch with our consultants about your career today!

The post Building a Personal Brand Virtually appeared first on W.I.T. Republic.

Even when we’re physically distanced, we can be emotionally present. Together with empathy and digital transformation we can rethink human connection and the future of work.

In reviewing the practices of employees who regularly telecommute, seven essential tips emerged. Keep scrolling to discover how you can be productive, dynamic, and focused while working remotely.

1. Set up a dedicated space

Your “dedicated space” doesn’t have to be a Pinterest-worthy home office. It could be a card table in your bedroom, an old door suspended by cinderblocks, or even your kitchen table nudged out of sight from the refrigerator. You get the idea.

Creating one place to work will help you focus. It signals to your body when it’s time to get down to business. If possible, try to choose a space that avoids distractions (like your TV!). For some, particularly those sharing a space, it may be hard to minimize disruptions. Work out a system with your roommates or family members, such as putting up a sign when you need to take calls.

What else do you need in your workspace? Good Wi-Fi is hands-down the most essential tool. If your connection is lacking, consider sitting close to your router or plugging your computer directly into an ethernet cord. If your budget allows, the following luxuries can help you emulate a space similar to a traditional office:

• Natural light: Studies show daylight can boost your energy levels, productivity, and health. If you don’t have a window nearby, consider working outdoors when you can.
  
• A second monitor: If you’re comparing documents, or need to multitask, consider adding a dual monitor. This is shown to increase productivity by 20 – 50%.
  
• Simple backdrop: Particularly for those working in small spaces, it may be hard to avoid clutter and distractions in the background. In a pinch, try hanging up a sheet behind you for a polished image while taking video calls.
  
• Noise-canceling headset: Block out the background sounds with a good pair of headphones. Bonus — if they have a microphone, your audio will come across clearer on calls.
  
• Standing desk and comfortable chair: Avoid spending eight hours hunched over a computer. A standing desk will allow you to move your body, and an ergonomic chair will protect your back.
  
• Decor that lifts your spirits: Sprinkle things that spark joy around you. A photo from your last vacation. A candle that makes you feel at ease. Make the space one that refreshes your heart and mind.

Remember: no gadget is more important than the brilliance you bring to your work. 

2. Make a (realistic!) schedule

Working remotely can blur the lines between work and home. You may be posed with new challenges — like minimizing personal disruptions, or on the other end of the spectrum, temptation to work 16 hour days. You can mitigate these situations by creating a productive schedule.

Begin each morning by organizing a to-do list of things that must be completed. Not only does this foster a sense of accomplishment, but it also helps you to clearly see when you can call it a day.

Beyond meetings, carve out time for the following:

• Rituals that make you feel good — like making coffee, listening to a podcast, or chatting with a friend.
• Opportunities to move your body. Consider which calls you could take on a walk. Schedule time for yoga. And always eat your lunch in a different space from where you work.
• Blocked time for work. Otherwise, your calendar may become booked with others’ priorities.

Consider ending your day with another routine — such as walking your dog. This activity can signal to your body that you’re done for the day, and physically remove you from your workspace.

3. Show empathy

How can you build relationships virtually without a firm handshake or hallway chat? Luckily, the most important thing you can do to strengthen a bond in person still applies to remote work: be empathetic. Practice deep listening. People will remember how you made them feel, and now more than ever people want to be heard.

Is the person on the other end of your video chat struggling with working from home? This setup isn’t ideal for everyone, and some team members may have unique needs to recreate feelings of closeness. Consider starting each conversation by asking how they’re doing using the traffic light method. Responses of green indicate good, yellow represents they’ve had better days, and red signals they’re having a hard time. Adapt your conversation based on their needs, and end the call by checking in again to see if their mood has improved.

A note on empathy: it applies to you too. Show yourself the same kindness you demonstrate to others. It’s okay to step away and recharge if you’ve hit a wall. Remember that we’re all learning and adapting to the future of work together.

4. Tap into virtual communication best practices

We have many different communication channels at our disposal. And each has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, you might:

• Make a phone call when something’s urgent
• Send an instant message for something quick or casual
• Email when a message isn’t time-sensitive or you need to align a large group who can’t connect live
• Tap into social channels like Chatter for quick collaboration, or lighthearted connection

Your team or company may have nuances to how these channels are used. Ask your manager or team members about their preferences to establish a shared understanding.

Video conferencing use has expanded in recent years as more teams become global or remote. And today, they’re an essential way to conduct business. Here are a few tips to build a strong virtual presence and be mindful of others:

• Take a few minutes to connect on a personal level before diving into work.
• Be “camera on” — nonverbal cues are critical to understanding one another and building rapport, plus it’s inclusive for those with hearing impairments who may wish to lip read.
• Schedule breaks in long calls — people have a variety of needs from needing to take medicine, a restroom break, or step away and pray.
• Remember to use video calls for socialization, too. You can host virtual team activities like volunteering, cooking, or sharing a meal together.

When making the shift to working remotely, it’s important to communicate more. Ask for what you need — whether that’s team meeting accommodations, communication channels, or additional 1:1s. We’re all evolving the way we work together. It’s normal to have rough days or feel like something isn’t quite working. Be transparent about those experiences in order to uncover better solutions.

5. Be flexible

Just like any new life experience, as you begin to work from home you may find the realities are different than what you’d envisioned. Remain flexible and open to adjusting things as you go.

If you’re working from home with a child during these unprecedented times, consider setting up an out of office message that indicates the times you’re typically available for live calls, and to expect a delay in your reply given your situation. This will help others set realistic expectations and show empathy. You may also benefit from creating a caregiver schedule if you have the luxury of help at home.

Be flexible to the needs of others, as well. Each of us has different roles, situations, and environments to consider.

6. Practice wellbeing

It was mentioned briefly above in our scheduling tips, but it’s so important we have to say it twice! As the lines of home and work blur, prioritizing wellbeing is particularly essential. Schedule time for a workout, meditation, or whatever brings you joy! Honor that commitment to yourself the same way you would a meeting with someone else.

It’s also essential to monitor your mood throughout the day. Give yourself the freedom to recharge when you need to. Learn more about the neuroscience behind our emotions and proven ways to manage our brain’s responses to stimuli in this blog.

7. Lead with trust

Those managing remote teams must adjust the way they inspire teams, measure, and recognize work. Use the tools and tips outlined above to stay connected and aligned. When it’s time to praise work, you might try giving a team member kudos on an internal social channel, start a video chat by sharing gratitude, or pass around a virtual trophy. 

Lead by example and you’ll find your team members extend this same trust to their colleagues.

Together, we can transform the future of work by telecommuting effectively.

Source: https://www.salesforce.com/company/careers/blog/best-work-virtually/?d=cta-res-bestwork-77

The post Ways to Do Your Best Work Virtually appeared first on W.I.T. Republic.

Timing

It seems that many people sign in to video meetings a few minutes early so if you’re hosting the meeting try to sign in five minutes beforehand to get everything set up.

Introduce everyone on the call. If it’s an external meeting this is important. You want to create a welcoming environment just like you would if you were conducting the meeting in person.

It’s common for video meetings to overrun as it’s assumed everyone is at home so has the time to spare. However, your colleagues and employees need a break between all of these video meetings. Sometimes these meetings are even tougher if you’re cooped up in one room and not getting much exercise. Taking a short break in between is really needed. 

Timing is key so be sure not to start late and finish on time.

Dress appropriately

If it’s a professional meeting? Then dress the part. There are numerous stories now about people being dressed inappropriately for video meetings. In general, try not to wear distracting patterns. For professional meetings, keep it simple and remember to think about how you’d dress if the meeting were in person.

Nonverbal behaviours 

If your video is on and you are on a professional call. You need to look at the camera and stay focused. Try to remember to look into the camera so that you appear engaged. Give your best attention, rather than trying to multitask while you are on the call. People can generally tell when you are not focused on their conversation. Would you be multitasking if you were in a face-to-face meeting with people?

Treat the video call like a face-to-face meeting. Avoid moving around too much while you’re on the call. Remember that your video is on unless you turn it off so watch what you are doing and be sure that it is what you want people to see.

Remove distractions 

Try to have all meetings in a dedicated room to avoid distractions, such as dogs barking, housemates coming in etc. 

Or at least keep your audio on mute until you’re talking. It’s good practice to keep your audio on mute at all times unless speaking (or in a 1-on-1 meeting). This way background noise and distractions will be eliminated and it’s one less thing for you to worry about.

Also, check out your background to make sure it is appropriate and professional or well suited to the occasion. You don’t want people to see your piles of washing in the background. Many sites now allow you to set up a virtual background so that they cannot see your real background.

Show your face 

At least periodically during the meeting. People feel more connected if they can actually see each other. Plus, the host may want to see that you are in fact listening.

Check your tech

Make sure everything is running properly. Do some test runs before you start.

Don’t interrupt

Wait for a pause before talking. This can be difficult on a video call since it is not as easy to see everyone to know who has interrupted the conversation. But try your best to wait for an opening before speaking over others.

Think about a video call like a face-to-face meeting. Professionalism is still key while you’re on a video meeting, whether it’s with a colleague you speak to all the time or an external meeting with clients. If you wouldn’t do something in a face-to-face meeting, don’t do it in a video meeting.

Don’t forget to smile! With all of these video meetings taking over our lives, a sense of humour and a smile can go a long way to making the meetings more pleasant for everyone!

If you’re looking for top tech talent to join your team or are a tech professional looking for a new role, please get in touch with us today!

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