In today’s knowledge economy your reputation is your stock-in-trade. It’s your most important asset that you own next to your health.

This is no misnomer. In today’s interconnected “news” always-on world, your name will arrive at a destination long before you do.

Unfortunately few people gives this a thought. But, some like the ancient philosopher Socrates did. Socrates (– 469 BC – 399 BC) said: “Regard your good name as the richest jewel you can possibly be possessed of – for credit is like fire; when once you have kindled it you may easily preserve it, but if you once extinguish it, you will find it an arduous task to rekindle it again. The way to gain a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear.”

Joseph Addison wrote: “Why you have to constantly work on your Reputation: Admiration is a very short-lived passion, that immediately decays upon growing familiar with its object; unless it be still fed with fresh discoveries, and kept alive by a perpetual succession of miracles rising into view”.

Stephen Covey spoke about sharpening the saw, others speak about constant learning and upgrading of your own repertoire of skills. My blog updates aims to help you to keep your own saw sharpened.

These quotes are backed up by the “Oracle of Oklahoma” Mr. Warren Buffett . Mr. Buffett is famous for this quote:

The key statement here is that ” you’ll do things differently”

The implications of these quotes is that your name – your reputation is something that needs constant work just like a gardener attending to his flower beds. Like as in gardening it does not take much for weeds to grow, pests to come and flowers to wilt.

Personal Reputation boils down to three crucial elements:

1. Know-how (Your intellectual capital i.e. what you know);

2. A Network of contacts (Social Capital – who you know);

3. Your Reputation (Reputational Capital – who trusts you).

The key for any person who is interested to build their own reputation is to work on these elements as part of their own career development plan.

It is interesting and disconcerting that I often get emails from managers who tell me that they do not wish to receive information about Reputation. I chuckle, because these are the managers who are going to find it increasingly difficult in the years to come. In a society where intangibles rule, where the common currency for trust is reputation, more and more organizations are including management of reputation into KPA’s.

Learning how to manage reputation and mitigate this risk – Reputation Risk should be on your To-Do list, that is if you want to remain current and relevant.

Constant attention and vigilance is needed if you want to maintain and safeguard your reputation. Do you know what drives your reputation? Do you know what can add or subtract from that reputation?

Read my blog posts and sign up for my training and learn how to boost and safeguard your own reputation.

The post Why Your Reputation Is Your Stock-in-Trade appeared first on Deon Binneman.

The beauty about stories is that they are like metaphors. I once saw a study that said that metaphors appeal to both the left and the right side of the brain.

I am not a Buddhist, yet am extremely fond of Zen Koans.

The way I try and do it is to research before every group facilitation stories, anecdotes, metaphors and humor that I can have in the “wings” based on the diversity of the group.

That way I may have options available to “unlock the potential” of someone.

Just like a builder uses solid construction practices, we need to design or build our training based on proven ways that the brain works. We know a lot about adult learning principles and how the brain works. The “best practice”of using metaphors and analogies takes advantage of at least two key facts:

–  The brain works by building connections and associations.

–  The brain remembers more easily things that are novel or unusual.

The right analogy or metaphor can be quite novel, build connections to the material you are teaching and often create the “aha” experience the learners need to effectively learn the new information.

Let me use an example. If I am working with a group of executives about the organization’s reputation, I will tell them that they have to be careful how they communicate, how they behave as it will impact on the way stakeholders perceive them. That is a linear and left brain approach.

But for some this story will have more impact.

SPOKEN  WORDS  CAN’ T  BE  RETRIEVED

A farmer slandered his neighbor. Realizing his mistake, he went to the preacher to ask for forgiveness. The preacher told him to take a bag of feathers and drop them in the centre of  town. The farmer did as he was told . Then the preacher asked him to go and collect the feathers and put them back in the bag. The farmer tried but couldn’t as the feathers had all blown away.

When he returned with the empty bag, the  preacher said, “The same thing is true about  your words. You  dropped them rather easily but you cannot retrieve them, so be very careful in choosing your words.”

Which one has more impact for you?

It depends on your style of learning and brain dominance preference. In today’s society this message extends to social media updates.

The post Why I Love Using Stories To Teach The Importance Of Reputation appeared first on Deon Binneman.

The definition of a professional is to adhere to the many standards of your career area (written, unwritten, ethical and otherwise) regardless of where and when or for whom you work.

I recently had to ask delegates to do this.

Please take a moment to reflect on your own behaviour since the workshop:

1. Have you acted as a true professional in your dealings with clients and colleagues?
2. Have you executed your tasks following the maxim: ” We must do it right the first time round”?
3. Have you maintained a professional, friendly, helpful and positive attitude at all times?
4. Have you projected a professional self and company image?
5. Have you conversed with all those you come in contact with – in a professional manner?
6. Are you proud of the work that you have delivered to date?
7. Did you demonstrate competence and integrity whilst on site?
8. Did you carry out all your tasks to the best of your abilities?
9. Can your Company be proud of your actions?
10. In the final analysis, did you provide quality customer service?

Only you can answer these questions. Be honest with yourself. All development starts with self development. It starts with you.

The process of developing yourself is the hallmark of being a true professional.

The post What It Means To Be A Professional appeared first on Deon Binneman.