Welcome to December's edition of Shine Communique and welcome to all my new subscribers from the Executive Assistant & PA Congress held in
I enjoyed sharing my tips on how to be an ACE Executive Assistant and I also had the privilege to meet Bill Clinton's former secretary Betty Currie. What a coincidence - a Currie - spelt the same way. Well it turns out her husband is from
In thinking I might only be one link away from meeting Bill Clinton, it brings to mind how easy it can be to connect with people particularly through online networking. There's Facebook and MySpace but also LinkedIn the leading business online network.
This month's feature article is from colleague Tom Murrell of 8MMedia www.8mmedia.com who points out the top ten reasons to join LinkedIn. Click to read my LinkedIn profile and to connect
http://www.linkedin.com/in/suecurrie
Online networking is one way to build your profile and establish your personal brand. There are others too such as publicity. Here is a publicity interview I did with Peter Switzer for the Qantas Talking Business Program all about personal branding. Click here to listen to the MP3 recording.
Keep shining!
Shine Products
Meet my co-authors of Apprentice to Business ACE -your inside-out guide to personal branding. Helen Robinett and Carmen Parnos. A reminder the book is available in all good bookstores and also coming soon to Officeworks. But of course you can buy your copy right now by simply downloading and faxing the order form.
Are You LinkedIn? Top 10 Reasons To Network Online
By Thomas Murrell MBA, CSP - International Business SpeakerLinkedIn is the way busy professionals connect online. It's like speed networking via the Internet. And It's great for finding lost friends, former classmates, or your dream job.
If you are not a member of LinkedIn, you are missing out on some great opportunities. There are 13 million registered users and the list keeps growing.Not only can you ask questions, search for people, connect with people and get testimonials, you can also connect with like minded others.
The "gated-access approach" builds trust because contact with other professionals requires either a pre-existing relationship, or a recommendation or introduction from another. This avoids being spammed constantly.
Here are the Top 10 Reasons To Network Online via LinkedIn.
1. Increase Your Credibility.
You can list your past jobs, current role, qualifications, awards and other achievements. It's like having an online CV or Statement of Capabilities. But best of all, people can say nice things about you via testimonials and references. For example, you can view Tom's profile http://www.linkedin.com/pub/0/16/419
PS: Don't ruin your credibility by accepting connections from people you don't know.
2. Increase Your Visibility.
You can increase your visibility by just becoming a registered user. It is simple and easy to use. But best of all it is free.
3. Increase Your Connections.
It is a social business networking site and the best way to connect with everyone you know. The best part is you can measure how many connections you have and view the connections of others in your network. A true example of the concept of six degrees of separation at work.
4. Increase Your Testimonials.
It is easy and simple to ask for and give testimonials from people in your network. Don't blindly forward requests though.
5. Categorise Your Contacts.
It is very easy to track and categorise your contacts. I suggest you keep it simple to three areas: - Casual acquaintances - friends - highly recommended.
6. Increase Your Google Rankings.
Just by registering, you can increase your rankings on search engines like Google. This helps people find you via the Internet at no cost to you. I call this "the gravity effect of a strong reputation".
7. Increase Your Links To Your Website.
Link back from your LinkedIn page back to your own website, blog or MySpace page where people can access more detail.
8. Increase Your Expertise.
You can categorise your expertise via interests, industry, job title or country.
9. Research Others.
The great aspect about LinkedIn is that you can research potential prospects, clients, partners, job offers or competition.
And they have just launched a new service called LinkedIn answers.
10. Increase Your Network.
You can increase your network by asking others to join.
So if you are already a registered user and have received this eZine, I would love to join your network. Why not add me now?
If you are not a user, join now and please include me as your first contact! Do this and see if you are connected to any of my contacts.
Join LinkedIn now http://www.linkedin.com
Thomas Murrell MBA CSP is an international business speaker, consultant and award-winning broadcaster. Media Motivators is his regular electronic magazine read by 8,000 professionals in 39 different countries. You can subscribe by visiting http://www.8mmedia.com Thomas can be contacted directly at +61 8 9388 6888 and is available to speak to your conference, seminar or event. Visit Tom's blog at http://www.8mmedia.blogspot.com
Shine Seminars
At this time of the year many companies are looking at new recruits and organising graduate programs for the New Year. If you want your new team to shine with the polish that customers and clients expect, then take a look at Business Shine an in-house workshop that can be customised for your team.
Click here to see our full range of training programs and presentations.
Shine Brand Champion
I recently presented Putting Your Best Face Forward at the Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce in 
Emanuel's brother Napoleon is the face behind the brand and a very successful brand at that, currently wowing them in the
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