Don Straits - Dragon Slayer

This post continues to reaffirm how imperative it is for executives to adapt to the new career paradigm.  Every day, without exception, I talk with executives who just don't get it.  The net result is they are out of work, out of touch and will be left out in the cold.

Almost 10% of our population is umemployed.  In reality, the number is closer to 18% including all those who have dropped off the unemployment rolls or are working in a job far below their level.  Even worse is that 20% of executive level are unemployed and another 40% are underemployed. 

Just ask an executive if they are happy with their job and income.  The response will overwhelm you.

And what are those 60% doing about it?  Wait, not just the 60%, but what is every executive doing to insure they don't become a Timex Watch in a digital world?   Almost nothing.  They blame the Obama administration, the recession, and age descrimination.  They fail to look in the mirror.

Over 90% of the executives I speak with don't have a clue as to what it takes to build their brand, establish industry recognition, and how to position themselves to be sought out.  They don't know what SEO and SEM are.  They don't know what "organic marketing" is.  And those who know what organic marketing is, don't know how to use it to drive their career or their businesses.

They rest on their laurels.  They are trapped in yesterday's way of doing business.

I witness this everyday, and when I try to tell these executives about the challenge they face and what they need to do to survive, they turn a deaf ear and blame their situation on external factors.

My previous post talked about a man's boss who is a Timex Watch in a digital world.  I hope you are not one of them.   If you are, there are things you can do about it.  Here are just a few simple suggestions, but there is much more to it then the simple list I have provided.  Contact me if you want to know more:

1.  Build your brand.  Write articles, give speeches, launch a blog.

2.  Stay contemporary.  Take classes or online study.  Attend educational webinars on social networking, organic marketing, SEO, new technologies etc.  (Note:  Last night I attended a monthly meeting of the Cold Fusion/Flex Users Group in Sacramento, CA.  It lasted four hours.  They love to talk.  There were about 20 web developers and techies there.  I was the ONLY business owner/senior executive who wasn't a developer.  I LEARNED SO MUCH.  It should be mandatory for every senior executive in the nation to attend meetings like this.)

3.  Learn how to implement "organic marketing" for you and for your company.

4.  Learn how to leverage the social networks to your advantage.  It is far more than just building the number of connections on Linkedin

5.  Video tape your insights on your areas of expertise and post them on the internet:  i.e.: YouTube, Vimeo and other relevant sites.  It helps build your brand and is great SEO for yourself.   I will bet 99% of the people who read this fifth point have never done it.  What the heck are you waiting for?  Does someone have to hit you over the head with a sledge hammer?  My area of expertise is career strategy for senior executives.  I have posted on YouTube a series of four videos on career strategy.  The response, feedback and comments have been phenomenal.  Check'em out.    Every single one of you should be doing the same thing for your expertise, leadership and vision....whether you are working or are unemployed.  You will never regret it.  Open your eyes to the new digital world and jump on the band wagon

So I have just scratched the surface, but you get the idea. 

GUARANTEED, if you don't do these kind of things, you will soon be a Timex Watch in a Digital World.