Today the number of connections I have on LinkedIn went up to 49 – and growing. I have now moved from responding to invitations to actively thinking about who I’d like to be connected with in this way.
I wonder what the number will be in a year’s time – and with what results. I make a note in my calendar to check this out in a year’s time and to report back.
Every now and then I realise that I need to change the labels I have given to a posting or postings.
Today, I take a look at the labels I have been giving a thread of postings in which I share the actions I am taking to optimise my online presence and realise the labelling needs to reflect this thread more accurately in order to be useful to my readers.
So, I choose my label – the title of this posting – and I review all the postings I have made in this thread. This is easy to do using “edit posts”. Now they all share this single, simple label.
I’ve taken another step today following my latest conversation with Kenny Tranquille, my friend and “e-mentor”. I’ve signed up to Twitterfeed and used this to link my blog to my shiny new Twitter account. This means that every time I post something to the blog, it will automatically go out on Twitter.
Oh! And I also discovered that my blog postings are appearing on my Plaxo account. How did that happen? I don’t know! What it does mean is that my blog postings are also showing up on Plaxo – another way to share what I’m doing. Great stuff!
I’ve also added a link (see left hand column) to my Twitter account and to Kenny’s website. So I’ve made it easy to for readers of my blog sign up to my Twitter account and also to find out about Kenny who, as well as being my friend and generously giving me his time to talk about how to grow my online presence, has businesses of his own – as a nutritionist and NLP coach.
Oh! And one last thing, Kenny showed me the links icon above so that I’ve agreed to create a link to his website every time I use his name on my blog. And of course, I’ll be using it to create other links as well. And that’s before I even think about the other homeworks Kenny gave me…
Well! All sorts of resources are flying my way!
Today, Cathy Gemis, member of the Training Journal Daily Digest, offered a link to a useful website: http://www.networking-coach.com/. Apparently, there is a free webinar on how to really use LinkedIn on the site.
I don’t have time right now to view it but I will do. And perhaps it will be useful to you, too.
Kenny*, my “e-mentor”, has had me signing up for various networking sites. I was already signed up to Facebook, LinkedIn and Plaxo and I’ve just said yes to my first invitation (you guessed it! From Kenny) to ecademy. I took my coaching profile to use as my profile on ecademy so I am quickly up and running.
As it happens, I mentioned my plans – to create a visible and accessible on-line presence using every possible means which will benefit me and everyone I know – to a close friend who shared that he, too, is seeking to create a more visible presence on LinkedIn. Were we LinkedIn? No – at least, not yet. I sent him an invitation after we spoke along with one to Kenny.
I am still learning about the benefits of all these sites and no doubt will be for some time. For now, though, I am simply thinking about those people I most value and appreciate and beginning to invite them to be connected via these sites.
*Yes, that’s Kenny Tranquille who, as well as being my e-mentor, is a nutritionist and coach. He has my vote every time!
Today I take a few moments to share a view of Executive Coaching which I often share with potential clients:
What is Executive Coaching?
Executive Coaching is, quite simply, coaching for Executives. The International Coach Federation or ICF (www.coachfederation.org) defines professional coaching as “an ongoing professional relationship that helps people produce extraordinary results in their lives, careers, businesses or organisations”.
At times, individual Executives seek out a Coach. At times, organisations actively encourage key Executives to work with an Executive Coach and may outline an agenda for coaching to clarify the benefits expected as a result of investing in coaching.
Most Executive Coaches work in a partnership with Executive Clients which is bound by a clear agreement (or ‘Coaching Alliance’) which outlines the agenda for coaching, how the Coach and Client will work together in pursuit of desired outcomes and what information will and won’t be shared outside the coaching partnership.
How do individuals benefit from Executive Coaching?
Executive Coaching is an investment in the immediate success and the sustainable, long-term development of the individual Executive, helping clients to deepen their learning, improve their performance, and enhance their quality of life.
It’s not just that Executive Coaching helps the individual to do a better job: Executive Coaching helps the individual to clarify his or her direction and values, to build energy and motivation and to take powerful steps towards a compelling future.
How do organisations benefit from Executive Coaching?
Imagine a work force in which each and every individual is working to his or her full potential. By helping the individual Executive to tap into his or her larger potential, Executive Coaching can raise levels of performance in the organisation. Often, this brings about a knock-on effect as others in turn become more effective as a result of working with or for the individual Coaching Client.
In addition, by targeting groups of leaders Executive Coaching can help to build greater personal and leadership effectiveness across the whole organisation. This can lead to improved and sustainable results across the organisation.
For further information about coaching
There is a wealth of information available about Executive Coaching in books, magazines and on the internet. For information about key sources of information or for guidance on how to choose your coach please contact me, Dorothy Nesbit, directly on 0774 789 8450 or by e-mail at dorothy@learningforlifeconsulting.co.uk
That’s it! I’ve done it! I am now on Twitter as DorothyNesbit and I’ve posted my first update. You can find me at http://twitter.com/DorothyNesbit.
In time, I plan to link Twitter to my blog, Facebook etc. to make for easy updating. And in truth, I still have a great deal to learn about how to make the most of it.
For now, though, it’s one step at a time! I can speak with Kenny*, my friend, nutritionist and fellow coach – oh! and e-mentor! – tomorrow knowing that I’ve done my homework and signed up on Twitter.
*That’s Kenny Tranquille – look him up on google. I’m always delighted to point people in his direction.
Background
During a career spanning twenty years Dorothy has navigated these and other key questions. Her journey to date has taken her through training and consulting to Executive Coaching, where she now helps senior leaders and their organisations to chart a course to personal, professional and organisational success.
Coaching Approach
Bringing warmth, compassion and humour as well as directness, honesty and challenge to her coaching, Dorothy is on course to realise her own dream of becoming a Master Certified Coach with the International Coach Federation. Widely known for her integrity as a fellow traveller she forges powerful coaching partnerships to support clients in making the journey they dream of.
About Dorothy
In her own life, Dorothy places a high priority on living in the fullness of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health, seeking to create relationships – with herself and others – in which everyone thrives. As well as enjoying her career, friends and family she loves to sing and has been a member of the London Symphony Chorus since 1986.
Dorothy worked with The Work Foundation and the Hay Group before founding Learning for Life (Consulting) in 2002. She is a certified NLP Coach, member of the International Coach Federation and Fellow of the RSA.
To discuss coaching with Dorothy
To discuss how working with Dorothy in coaching partnership might benefit you or others in your organisation please contact me, Dorothy Nesbit, directly on 0774 789 8450 or by e-mail at dorothy@learningforlifeconsulting.co.uk.
OK, OK. It’s high time I took my online presence to the next level!
Since I set up Learning for Life (Consulting) in 2002 I’ve enjoyed writing my newsletter and last year I set up my blog. Have I enjoyed it? You betcha! I’ve also learned that – one way or another – I’m not a bad networker. I keep in touch with a wide range of friends, colleagues and clients and I’m adept at putting people in touch with each other. I could go on.
This comes back to me in abundance. Many of my new clients come to me by referral and this brings many benefits, including the benefit of working with high levels of mutual trust right from Day 1.
Still, it’s all a little disjointed – “random”, some might say. My friend Kenny thinks so, too! Last week, after playing “telephone tag” for a few days, we finally spoke and Kenny gave me an overview of just what’s possible which left me feeling rather overwhelmed. Now I know how Kenny shares so much information about his business as a nutritionist without making it a full time job! You only have to google “Kenny Tranquille” to get a sense of his online presence. (And if you’re looking for a nutritionist in London or a great life coach then I recommend you do).
So, today I have set my intention – to create a visible and accessible on-line presence using every possible means which will benefit me and everyone I know. I’ve signed Kenny up as my mentor and buddy in this and we have our first call scheduled for Thursday.
Meantime I have my first homework: to sign up on Twitter.
I have been sending out invitations for a series of coaching groups together with my coaching profile and testimonial. Never – until today – have I thought to post my coaching profile on my blog.
In truth, I have two. The one below is the more formal of the two, which I use with most of my corporate clients:
Dorothy is an Executive Coach with twenty years’ experience in developing leadership at individual and organisational level through leadership research, executive assessment, leadership development and 1:1 Executive Coaching.
Dorothy has consulted widely across sectors in the UK and Europe including the finance, insurance, pharmaceutical, professional and education sectors.
Dorothy began coaching early in her career, both as a coach to leaders participating in leadership development programmes and as a coach and mentor to professional colleagues. In 2004 she completed a professional coach training certified by the International Coaching Federation and now places Executive Coaching at the centre of her work.
Dorothy works with high-potential leaders – from first-time leaders through to directors – who are interested to release their own potential and that of the organisation they manage. Typically Dorothy helps clients to:
· Establish a clear vision, overall direction and concrete goals for self, team or organisation;
· Build the climate for high personal, team or organisational performance;
· Create a unique success recipe for their own personal and leadership effectiveness;
· Create improved strategies for intra- and interpersonal communication;
· Develop and implement strategies for sustained high performance.
Dorothy begins by helping clients to establish clear goals for coaching and to support them as they take steps to realise their goals. Like gardening or exercise, Executive Coaching yields its best results when the investment in coaching is regular and Dorothy typically meets with clients for an hour a week or fortnight over a three-, six- or twelve-month period. Her clients highlight the way she balances challenge with support to create the climate in coaching for accelerated progress and results. Occasionally, Dorothy uses 360 degree and competency feedback to support coaching and is certified to use the Hay Group Emotional Competence Inventory (ECI).
Dorothy has an MA (Cantab), is a certified NLP Coach and member of the International Coach Federation and a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.