The Person to See

Even The Giants Work On Their Brands

My client Jennifer Taylor of Arroyo Holdings just finished Warren Buffet's recent biography Snowball.  Jennifer so enjoyed the book she dashed off a little note to Mr. Buffet telling him how much she enjoyed it.  To her surprise and delight Warren Buffet dashed off a note himself thanking Jennifer for her words of kindness.

Here's a copy of the note.  Download WBNote

Not bad!  What other titans of industry would have taken the time to do the same?

Little Deeds With Great Love

Mother Theresa was once asked...

"How could someone like you-small in stature (4' 11"), average intelligence, average public speaking skills, never had a cellphone, palm pilot, fax machine or hosted a single fund raising event-change the face of charity around the world?"

To which Mother Theresa responded, "Everyday I remind my girls, it is not great deeds as much as it is little deeds done with great love over and over again."

Somewhere along the line I learned from someone (probably my Dad or Mom) that everyone is important so let them know how much you appreciate them.  To this end whenever we do a presentation for a company we always make sure we express our appreciation to the person who coordinated the event.  It's usually someone's executive assistant.  The real unsung hero.

Our signature mitzvah is simply some flowers.  I cannot tell you how much positive feedback we get.  One person recently wrote us saying, "The best I ever got from any speaker was an email thank you."

A Touch Of Class

My client Ray Bayat of NetCo Investments really knows how to make the people who help him feel special.

Ray's in the business of buying and repositioning shopping centers.  The lifeblood of his business are the brokers who show him potential deals.  When a deal hits, everyone makes out including the broker who receives a handsome commission.

Ray still finds a way to go the extra mile to let the brokers know how much he appreciates them.  After the deal is done he always sends a Tiffany & Co cardholder to the broker.  It's his signature gesture.

The feedback he receives is tremendous.  One broker from Texas told Ray that "When that blue box arrived everyone crowded around to see what it was."

See, it's not that hard.  All it takes is some thought and a dose of caring about others. 

SOME DRESSING TIPS FOR THE LADIES

Just a little P.R. from one of our very own Rainmaker's!

Jonathan Fitzgarrald who is the Director of Marketing for Greenberg Glusker, a Century City law firm  Jonathan was quoted in a Wall Street Journal article on professional dressing for women. 

Click here to read

The Best Personal brands Are Unflappable

I have a client who is working on his temper.  You see, losing your temper is bad for your brand for three reasons:

• It makes you look out of control
• It is a waste of valuable energy
• Most of the time it is destructive to those around you

So here's what I told him to do.  Pick someone who you admire who you think is unflappable in the face of pressure, conflict and frustration.  Try to model that person as much as possible.  If you stick with it you may find yourself making more progress than you thought very quickly.

People I look to are Peter O'Malley, former owner of the Dodgers, James Baker III, former Secretary of State and Colin Powell.  Who do you admire?

The Priceless Value of the Golden Rule

I am pleased to report that so far this year we have continued to have much success despite all the doom and gloom in the marketplace.  I think it has a lot to do with the fact that we invest in people not transactions.  Even if things should take a turn for the worst I don't expect the same disaster some have experienced.

One of the biggest mistakes I witness in the business community is the how poorly many business people treat others calling on them for business.  It amazes me how many people complain about how disrespectfully they are treated by their prospects and than turn around and treat their own prospects exactly the same way.  It happens with me and my own clients all the time.

Prospects will come to me and tell me about how they'd like it to be with people they are calling on and then I see them do exactly the same thing to people calling on them (sometimes me included and they don't even realize it!)

Every successful person I've ever done business with has told me the same thing, "You reap what you sow."  If you want to be treated like class than treat others the same way.

Personal branding has less to do with products and services and more to do with relationships and people.

The Priceless Value of the Golden Rule

I am pleased to report that so far this year we have continued to have much success despite all the doom and gloom in the marketplace.  I think it has a lot to do with the fact that we invest in people not transactions.  Even if things should take a turn for the worst I don't expect the same disaster some have experienced.

One of the biggest mistakes I witness in the business community is the how poorly many business people treat others calling on them for business.  It amazes me how many people complain about how disrespectfully they are treated by their prospects and than turn around and treat their own prospects exactly the same way.  It happens with me and my own clients all the time.

Prospects will come to me and tell me about how they'd like it to be with people they are calling on and then I see them do exactly the same thing to people calling on them (sometimes me included and they don't even realize it!)

Every successful person I've ever done business with has told me the same thing, "You reap what you sow."  If you want to be treated like class than treat others the same way.

Personal branding has less to do with products and services and more to do with relationships and people.

Americans Would Be Well Served To Heed The Advice Of Gordon Hinckley

Quoting the former and recently deceased leader of the Mormon Church, Gordon B. Hinckley:

"During recent years, polls and circumstances have suggested that an unprecedented majority of Americans believe that the private lives of public officials need not be considered a factor in their eligibility for public office, and that private morality has no connection with public behavior and credibility.  I am more deeply concerned about the growing moral deficit than I am about the monetary deficit."

This excerpt is from Mr. Hinckley's New York Times Best Seller, Standing For Something.

Let's remember, public office is something you seek.  It is a privilege.  If you can't behave in a manner befitting of a lady or gentleman we just don't need you.  Seek a career in private life.

Money Can't Buy You Love

If you think personal brand appeal boils down to money, power or title how about these apples...

Mayor Giuliani spent more than $60 million dollars campaigning in the Republican primaries and won a whopping one delegate.

While this may have shocked many it didn't me.  Every time I attended a Giuliani event it was always the same story: he came in really late, made a few brief remarks and than out the door.  The guy completely lacked any ability to develop any meaningful one-on-one rapport with the voters.

The lesson here is don't take your audience for granted.  They are who matter. Not you.

Ever Heard Of Military Time?

Early is on time.  On Time Is Late.  Late Is Unacceptable.  I don't care how much money you have, how powerful you are or what your title is lateness kills your personal brand.