Joyfulperks

7 way to build confidence and cultivate resilience

Administrator — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 09:39:10 +0000

Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible’!

Audrey Hepburn

I found myself needing to stop at a local mall. And I didn’t expect to hear someone shouting in such a hostile manner.

I heard the awful words and felt the sting in them before I even rounded the corner. When I turned to see what was happening, and saw her crying, I wasn’t sure what to do or say. Before I could react, she muttered to herself. Straining to hear, I picked up on the fact that she was repeating those awful words to herself.

I thought….“You are not those words. I don’t even know you, but I can see that it’s not true. Don’t give him your power.”

She somehow managed a smile before her friend showed up a moment later, and they embraced as she broke down again. Once I could tell she was in great hands, I was able to continue with my day.

One of Eleanor Roosevelt’s famous quotes is “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” Sounds easy, but…it isn’t, especially in the moment.

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.

Eleanor Roosevelt

In these simple words, she conveyed a profound truth about personal power, resilience, and self-confidence.

This tells us that the power to influence our feelings and self-perception resides within us, not in the words of others. It means that we control the narrative about our worth, value, and abilities. When we give others the authority to make us feel less than, we surrender our personal power.

So, what should we do when someone tries to make us feel inferior? Here’s a roadmap to build confidence, cultivate resilience, and reclaim personal power:

Understand your triggers: Identify situations or comments that make you feel inferior. Understanding these triggers can help you better prepare and react to them.

Remember: Triggers are not a sign of weakness; they are a part of being human. Awareness of them is the first step towards control.

2. Foster a Positive Self-Image

Embrace your strengths: Recognize your unique abilities and the areas where you can improve. Having a balanced perspective on your abilities fosters self-esteem.

Remember: You are a work-in-progress, and it’s perfectly okay. Embracing your weaknesses as areas for growth will make you unstoppable.

Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are.

Marilyn Monroe

3. Develop Emotional Intelligence

Control your reaction: When someone tries to belittle you, remember you have the power to control your emotional response.

Remember: Not every negative comment deserves your energy. Be selective with your emotional investments.

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.

Les Brown

4. Set Personal Boundaries

Communicate your limits: It’s important to let people know what is and isn’t acceptable behavior towards you.

Remember: Setting boundaries is a sign of self-respect. You are teaching others how you want to be treated.

Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.

Arthur Ashe

5. Practice Self-Affirmation

Boost your confidence with positive affirmations: Remind yourself daily of your worth, capabilities, and achievements.

Remember: Positive self-talk can change your outlook on life. Make it a daily ritual.

To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

6. Surround Yourself with Positive Influences

Choose your company wisely: Surround yourself with people who inspire, encourage, and respect you.

Remember: You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.

7. Seek Professional Help When Necessary

Reach out to a professional if feelings of inferiority persist: There’s no shame in seeking help from psychologists or coaches to help you navigate your feelings and develop coping strategies.

Remember: Seeking help is not a sign of weakness, but rather a testament to your strength and commitment to personal growth.

Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.

Dale Carnegie

Do not let anyone undermine your worth or potential. Instead, embrace the powerful words of Eleanor Roosevelt, and realize that no one can make you feel inferior without your consent.

Image Credit: Alex Shute

Behind a Winning “Coolest Thing” Contest

Administrator — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 09:38:46 +0000

Now in its second year, the California Manufacturers and Technology Association’s competition is a helpful advocacy and outreach tool.

Associations looking to expand their advocacy efforts and building public awareness have known that one popular move is to create a gamified experience. March Madness-style brackets and innovation contests can put a spotlight on a particular industry’s efforts both to legislators and the general public.

That’s particularly true in manufacturing, where state organizations in Illinois, Delaware, and elsewhere. That success prompted the California Manufacturers and Technology Association to launch its “Coolest Thing Made in California” contest last year, which proved successful enough for it to return last week for a second year.

“What we were hearing from our counterparts in different states across the U.S. is that it really helps highlight the diverse manufacturing industry with the public,” said Ananda Rochita, CMTA’s VP of communications. “It’s an opportunity for them to understand our industry and see all the different companies that are making products right in their backyards.”

More than 90,000 people voted in CMTA’s contest last year.

CMTA produces the contest on a shoestring, with Rochita along with two other members of the trade association’s 12-person staff gathering nominations, tallying votes, and encouraging participants to spread the word. The range of manufacturers represented in last year’s contest gave CMTA confidence that it was on the right track: Though Tesla and a pair of aerospace firms were finalists, so was a family business, Carmazzi Caramel Corn, promoting the idea that the state supports both small and large manufacturers. (Another benefit: Carmazzi joined as a member after the contest.)

In addition, the initiative proved successful enough that it attracted sponsorship dollars: This year, the bank JPMorganChase has a naming arrangement with CMTA where its brand is used in all of the association’s promotions of the contest. “It was a year-long process for them to understand us as a brand,” Rochita said. “They’ve attended a few of our events and got a taste of what we bring to the table.”

But the key to the contest’s success is that it’s driven as much by the public as the manufacturers: People are invited to nominate any company that manufactures in the state (it need not be headquartered there), and their votes determine the finalists and winner. Last year, more than 90,000 people voted, and the campaign reached more than 95,000 social media accounts—enough that the state’s lieutenant governor, Eleni Kounalakis, made the official presentation of the award to Tesla last year.

That experience showed CMTA the importance of strength in numbers, both among the public and members. “We’re the main advocate for the manufacturing industry here, so through this process, we got a lot of attention from legislators,” Rochita said. “We also got a lot of interest among our members and prospects, a lot of manufacturers who weren’t in our membership and that found out about CMTA through the competition.”

The post Behind a Winning “Coolest Thing” Contest appeared first on Associations Now.

How Leaders Handle the Smallest Threats

Administrator — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 09:38:24 +0000

In leadership, the focus often gravitates towards grand visions and sweeping changes. The big stuff.

But my experience is that it’s usually the small, seemingly insignificant threats that can derail organizations.

We think that lions and sharks are scary, and we dismiss the tiny mosquito. But the mosquito is far riskier to humans.

Tiny challenges can accumulate and become critical if ignored. Understanding how successful leaders manage these small threats provides valuable insights for all of us.

Attention to Detail

Leaders who excel are often distinguished by their attention to detail. They recognize that in the minutiae lies potential danger. Consider a leader navigating a company through a period of rapid technological change. While major projects capture the spotlight, this leader knows that the outdated software in one department may seem minor today but could cause serious security risks if not dealt with quickly. A proactive approach in upgrading systems, even when they appear secondary, safeguards the company’s future.

Great leaders know: It’s not the noise of the threats, but the silence of vulnerabilities that requires attention.

Consistency in Small Practices

Athletic coaches provide a clear example of managing small threats through consistent practices. Legendary basketball coach John Wooden didn’t just focus on game-winning strategies. He began each season teaching players how to properly put on their socks and lace their shoes. How would you feel if you were on that team? But this small lesson was critical—preventing blisters and sprains that could sideline his players during crucial moments. And teaching players that the small things matter. Wooden’s meticulousness exemplifies how managing small details can contribute to big successes.

Perspectives on Vigilance

Historically, leaders who anticipated and mitigated minor threats often led their nations through tumultuous times successfully. Winston Churchill, during the early days of World War II, focused not only on massive military strategies but also on bolstering morale among British civilians, a smaller, softer aspect of the war effort. But this played a major role in sustaining the nation’s spirit.

Churchill showed us: The strength of a nation lies not just in the might of its guns, but in the resilience of its people.

Innovation from Small Beginnings

In the corporate world, leaders like Steve Jobs exemplified the importance of addressing small innovations that signal larger industry shifts. Jobs’ focus on the aesthetic details of Apple products, such as the tactile feel of the keyboard or the color of an iPhone, seemed minor. It seemed insignificant. But this often shaped market trends and increased customer loyalty. His ability to treat these small elements with importance paved the way for Apple’s dominance.

Leveraging Technology

Today’s leaders have at their disposal an array of technological tools to monitor and manage small threats. Data analytics, for example, can highlight slight shifts in customer behavior or minor increases in operational costs that might indicate larger issues. A leader’s ability to integrate this data into daily decision-making processes can prevent small threats from becoming larger crises.

In data lies the detail; in detail, the defense against disaster.

Emotional Intelligence

Beyond technology and tactics, emotional intelligence plays a crucial role in identifying and addressing these threats. Leaders like Nelson Mandela utilized emotional intelligence to perceive undercurrents of dissent. That let him address a small issue before they escalated. His approach to engaging and making minor adjustments in policies helped maintain a delicate balance during South Africa’s transition period.

Strategic Rest

Sometimes, the small threat isn’t something that needs to be done, but something that needs to be avoided. Think burnout. Rest is important. Jeff Bezos is known to only make high-stakes decisions after sufficient sleep. Seems silly to some to delay a decision, but it works.

“Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.”

Mother Teresa

Through understanding how successful leaders handle the small threats—by being vigilant, detailed, consistent, and strategic—we can gather insights into the art and science of leadership. It’s a continuous balancing act, where the smallest details can have the most significant impacts.

So, whether you’re in the Boardroom or on a Safari, remember: it’s not just the big stuff. The small stuff is often more important than it appears.

Image Credit: erik karits

A Special Kind of Signing Day

Administrator — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 09:37:58 +0000

In almost every high school across the country, athletes sign their national letter of intent to celebrate a scholarship with a particular school. It’s usually a big deal. Schools set up a table with the college colors. Athletes wear a shirt or hat to indicate where he/she will attend college. Family and friends attend the event to support the athlete. For big-time athletes, members of the media cover the press conference. The athlete then signs the letter to make it official.

However, at Henrico County Schools in Virginia, they hold a different kind of signing day. Students who have elected not to go to college, and instead have accepted vocational and tech jobs, are celebrated. Just like the athletes, these students wear the hats of the business they will soon be working for. Family and friends applaud this decision. The business gets recognition and the athletes smile as they sign their employment contract.

Joe’s Perspective: These athletes deserve a special celebration of their accomplishments. Good for them. They undoubtedly worked hard for a long time to receive this scholarship. The same can be said for these students who have chosen a path in the trades. They will become electricians, plumbers, welders… These students will make good money in these professions and they will begin making that money right away. It is a solid life decision. Good for them. And, in my opinion, they deserve just as much recognition for their accomplishments.

Your Turn: What do you think of these students who are signing employment and apprenticeship letters with employers?

Survival Tips for #ASAE24

Administrator — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 09:37:38 +0000

Navigating the ASAE Annual Meeting and Expo can be overwhelming, especially for first-timers. Some advice for how to make it both meaningful and fun.

Every time I’ve set foot in the home for the ASAE Annual Meeting and Expo, I stress out a little. There are a lot of people, a good amount of noise, and a lot of things going on. Looking at the lineup of education sessions and events, it’s easy to feel like I want to be—need to be—in at least three places at once.

Some of that reaction has to do with me being an introvert. But talking with attendees over the years and in preparation for the onsite newspaper, the Daily Now—make sure to pick up a copy while you’re there—I know it’s a common feeling. So as you get set for the coming days, here are a few tips that I and others have found helpful when navigating Annual. Please add your own suggestions in the comments.

Arrive with one question you want answers to. Are you trying to improve as a leader? Dealing with a difficult board? Anxious about your association’s financial position? It’s a lucky association executive who’s only dealing with one problem, but think of Annual as a set of recommendations and panel of experts to address your biggest one, packaged just for you. As you scan through the list of sessions and workshops, design a schedule that puts you in front of the people and ideas who can help.

Have a team. You don’t run an organization alone, and learning works best in groups too. If you’ve arrived with a group of people from your association or company, make plans to check in regularly about what you’ve seen and learned. If you’re flying solo, you can connect with a colleague on-site, or gather information with a mind to bounce ideas off of staff or volunteer leaders when you make it back to the office.

Annual is a place where, unlike many of your relatives, thousands of people understand exactly what you do for a living.

Take a chance on something. People have very strong opinions about the structure of education sessions. (I’ve joked that the most frightening words in the English language are, “Now, please turn to a person seated next to you…”) Sessions are too long, too short, too fluffy, too PowerPoint-y, too interactive, not interactive enough, and on and on. Sometimes these strong opinions are rooted in nothing more than one or two disappointing past experiences, so Annual is a good opportunity to reset and try a learning format you’ve long resisted.

Ask questions—and answer them too. I’ve lost track of the number of times I’ve heard stories about people meeting friends and longtime professional colleagues through simple questions like, “How do you like working at the Widget Association?” or “Where do I catch the shuttle bus?” Attendees and presenters alike are great repositories of knowledge and reassurance—make use of them, and do the same in return. The Annual Meeting is a place where, unlike many of your relatives, thousands of people understand exactly what you do for a living, and often savor the opportunity to talk shop. Be a little nosy for the next few days—just be ready to share what you know too.

If you’re looking for more, we’ve collected some advance reading recommendations for #ASAE24. The meeting is an exciting opportunity to learn and do more—even if you have to turn to the person seated next to you to do it.

The post Survival Tips for #ASAE24 appeared first on Associations Now.

The Best Media are the Ones that Optimize Brand Trust

Administrator — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 09:37:27 +0000

Your client could make the best media ads you’ve ever seen, but they mean nothing if they don’t inspire trust. Brand trust is what motivates consumers over the line between interest and a purchase. So, how do you build trust and which media types should your client use to do so?

Brand Trust 101

What is it?

According to an article from Sprout Social, brand trust is, “how much consumers perceive they can rely on your brand to fulfill its promises.” Promises like:

Your client’s brand values and mission statement

Product/service quality

Supply chain transparency (e.g., if they’re actually eco-friendly)

Ad trustworthiness

Customer service practices

Why it Matters

When prices raise the way they have been lately, consumers are pickier about what they spend their money on. If they’ve never made a purchase from a brand before, they need to be sure they’ll get their money’s worth first. So, building trust with ads and a good online presence is crucial to sales.

Establishing brand trust can lead to multiple benefits, says Sprout Social. These benefits include, but aren’t limited to:

Enhanced loyalty and retention: Your client makes far more sales to repeat customers than new ones. Creating a good brand experience builds trust, which leads to customer retention. And when consumers love a brand, they tend to spread the word

Customer advocacy: Think about how often you look through reviews before making a purchase. It’s almost always when it’s a new brand or product/service, right? Building brand trust means your client will get more positive reviews to help them build more trust with potential customers

How to Build Trust

Building brand trust requires the perfect mix of the best media and the right online presence.

Prioritize Social Media

Social media is one of the most prominent past times of U.S. consumers of all ages. And they don’t just use it for entertainment. It’s often the first place they’ll go to research a brand they’ve seen in ads that they’re interested in.

Social is the perfect mix of the best media ad types out there and an online presence for customer interaction. According to Sprout Social, 51% of consumers say the most memorable thing a brand can do is be responsive on social. “Another 76% notice and appreciate when companies prioritize customer support and value how quickly a company responds to their needs.”

48% of consumers also want to see more content/ads featuring brands’ employees on social media. It makes brands more transparent and, therefore, trustworthy. So, be sure your client features employees of all parts of business practices on social media.

Being active on social media is a great way to build trust with potential customers. Social ads are a great way to start building trust with more conversational ads and posts. And make sure your client responds to customers’ posts and messages quickly to drive it home.

Choose the Right Influencers

47% of marketers agree that influencers are a key component of increasing brand authenticity and trust, says Sprout Marketing. “Another 87% say influencer marketing has a significant impact on increasing brand reputation.” You just have to make sure your client chooses the right one(s).

Just make sure that whichever influencers your client considers:

Use the best media to engage with your client’s target audience. You can look up what those are on AudienceSCAN on AdMall by SalesFuel

Have a following of consumers within your client’s target audience

Share your client’s brand’s values

Have a good reputation/are considered trustworthy

There you have it: Two of the best media types to gain consumer trust and boost sales.

Photo by: Helena Lopes

The Red Car Theory

Administrator — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 09:36:24 +0000

This is a short blog with a simple message: Opportunities are all around you, but you have to be looking for them in order to take advantage of them. Here is a 30-second video that illustrates this point.

Joe’s Perspective: I can’t state it any better than she did. “That’s how opportunities work. When you go through life and you are not looking and you are not aware, opportunities just pass you by and you don’t even notice. Anything can turn into an opportunity, but you have to be aware and you have to keep looking.” So, keep your eyes open and be open to new opportunities. This reminds me of a great quote, “Instead of waiting for your boat to come in, swim out to it.” No line is going to form in front of you that says, “Opportunities here, come and get it.” If you want to be successful, you have to be your own advocate. Be willing to take the bull by the horns. Seize the day. Take some risks.

Your Turn: What are your thoughts on today’s blog and how can it positively impact your life?

Create An Effective Sales Call to Action For Videos

Administrator — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 09:36:06 +0000

Sellers who can craft a winning sales call to action have a big advantage over others. It’s an especially helpful skill for videos. Videos are a must-have tool for sellers. And they are useful for a variety of situations.

But, best practices impact success. Sellers must ensure they’re using tactics that connect with buyers. Sharing her expertise with LinkedIn, Rachel Shi emphasizes the importance of best-practice awareness.

“Using video for business development & sales will do wonders for your revenue goals when executed right,” she writes.

If you use video to inspire an effort in the viewer, a call to action is a must. And it must be clearly stated and easy to execute. The professionals at Animus Studios recognize the importance of detailing a next step using video.

“You might think…a call-to-action is just a detail…[but it’s] one of the most important parts of video.”

They highlight just a few reasons why a call to action takes videos to the next level:

Assists decision-making. Giving buyers a clear next step makes it easier for them to move forward. Doing so cuts down on time spent deciding what to do next.

Inspires loyalty. Animus points out that including a call to action can make the buyer feel like part of the team. They feel included. This naturally encourages them to feel a sense of loyalty.

Nurture leads. Not every sales call to action has to be an ask to close. It can simply be an ask that moves the prospect along in the funnel. This preps them for a close further along the sales process.

What types of actions should sellers encourage?

As SalesFuel points out, there are many calls to action sellers can implement. And sellers should use them throughout the entire sales process.

Animus encourages sellers to use video calls to action at various points of the funnel. And remember, they don’t need to be a big ask. They suggest incorporating the following:

Getting in contact with you. Include a request to contact you by phone or email. Include your contact information, or even better, a direct link, to make it easy.

Signing up for a newsletter or blog alerts.

Connecting on social media. Invite them to engage on a social network. And don’t forget these social best practices.

Offering opportunities to purchase. There may be a situation in which you want the prospect to make a purchase. Include all the necessary information and clear steps for how to buy.

Way to use calls to actions

Keep in mind that a sales call to action in a video will be different from other methods. Consider the media options you can share in an email or during a call. Images, text, audio, and buttons are the best option for video, according to Réal Paul-Hus.

Animus encourages sellers to seek out new technology to help with implementation.

“Many video players allow you to…add clickable links, pop-ups, gated screens requiring email, and more right in your video.”

Don’t overwhelm the viewer with multiple options. Choose one or two that work seamlessly together to create an easy experience for buyers.

And Paul-Hus recommends placing the call to action at the beginning, middle and end of a video. That way, you boost chances of connecting with the viewer no matter when they quit watching.

Also, keep devices in mind when creating the call to action. The buttons, images, text, and links all must be compatible with a variety of devices.

“You need the process to be as painless as possible if you want to maximize your conversion rate,” Animus advises.

Crafting a sales call to action is a skill every seller must know. And incorporating those calls to action into video can help sellers connect and close even more. Consider these best practices and adapt them into your own strategy.

Photo by ConvertKit

3 Most Important Attributes in a Teammate

Administrator — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 09:35:39 +0000

I have to be honest. I have no idea who this guy is. My guess is he is a special forces guy in the military. My guess is he is part of an elite fighting force. My guess is he has had more training and leadership development than any of us will ever receive.

Given all that, he says there are three things that he looks for in a teammate. 1) Dependability – be where you say you are going to be when you say you are going to be, 2) Skilled – that you are very good at completing the task that you are charged to do, & 3) Selflessness – making sure the needs of others are taken care of before you take care of your own.

And, the one he says is the hardest to do and the most important to do is selflessness. Putting the needs of others before yourself – not once in a while or when it is convenient, but when it matters.

Your Turn: On a scale of 1-10, how selfless are you? How well and how often do you put the needs of your teammates/classmates/friends/family ahead of your own?

The state of AI: Hashtag Trending, the Weekend Edition – Documentary Part 2

Administrator — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 08:27:26 +0000

The state of AI is the second in this series prepared for the long weekend. In part one, we traced the evolution of Artificial Intelligence. In episode two, we discuss where we are today in the implementation of AI using a model developed by Jackie Fenn, a Gartner analyst who developed the “Hype Curve” – a way of understanding the introduction and maturity of technology developments and trends in a commercial setting.

We try to give some perspective on why there is such enthusiasm for AI, but so little in the way of practical implementations. In doing this we propose some reasons why companies must move forward. We also propose some ideas about how companies can move forward.