“There is no second to market, there’s only first,” Ian Schrager

Those words come from the co-founder of the iconic Studio 54, who later became the pioneer of the boutique hotel business. As an innovator, Ian Schrager was the first to discover that travelers wanted more from their hotels than a bed and bathroom. Schrager was the first hotelier to focus on the aesthetics by creating beautiful common spaces for his guest to relax, enjoy and been seen in.

Being the first proved to be crucial to Schrager in building his hotel empire.

Another opportunity for today’s business leaders to be first is upon us and the wise people to spot this will enjoy riding the wave.

That opportunity in using text messages or “mobile messaging” to get your business or product in front of your market.

Opt-in mobile messaging is still in its infancy but has huge growth potential. The statistics are mind boggling; the Mobile Marketing Association reports:

• More than 2 billion text messages are sent in the United States every day.
• 3-4 times more text messages are sent than mobile phone calls made daily.
• There are more than 270 million mobile devises in the US for a 90 percent saturation rate.

According to the Pew Internet & American Life Project, most cell phone owners use only two of the main functions on their phones: taking pictures and text messaging. Other popular uses are for going online, sending email, playing games, listening to music and recording videos.

It would seem cell phones are used for just about everything, except talking.

The businesses that recognize these analytics and how they can leverage their messages to a highly targeted audience will reap the rewards of being a pioneer.

What makes mobile messaging so impressive?

• Opt-In/Permission based — your prospect says he wants to hear your message.
• Instant and timely — important for the “we want it now” society we live in.
• 95 percent read rate — show me another medium with those types of numbers.

Contact a firm that specializes in helping businesses get their message out via mobile messaging. Be one of the first to market and recognize the impact that mobile messaging can bring to your business.

Remember; “If you’re not the lead dog, the scenery never changes!”

The following is part three of a three-part blog series on job hunting written by M3’s Vision Engagement Officer – Pete Ruffing. Click here for part one and here for part two.

So, the big day is right around the corner: your first interview.  You nailed the perfect resume and cover letter and you are dressed (and groomed) for success. Finally, in part three we’ll look at some interview techniques that you will use to set yourself a part and a few that you’ll want to stay away from.

• The first task you will want to accomplish is to thoroughly research the company you are interviewing with. You need to be ready with the answer to the question; “tell me what you know about our company”? Nothing will make an interview go south as fast as if you can’t speak with some knowledge about the company you’re interviewing with.
• Besides knowledge of the company, if you know the name of the company representative Google that person and see what you might learn about him or her. They might have spoken at a school or university and you might find some useful information you can use in framing your interview answers. You might also find a common interest that might come in handy and can keep the interview conversation going.
• Turn off your phone and pay complete attention to your interviewer. Being distracted by a funky ringtone will kill a conversation in no time. You have to realize that there is no more important place you want to be than in that interview. Outside distractions like a phone ringing will not win you style points with your interviewer.
• Answer all interview questions truthfully. Most interviewers appreciate an honest answer, even if it’s that you don’t know the answer. Some interviewers will even sometimes set you up to test your honesty and credibility, don’t fall for it. Answer all questions honestly!
• Take a note pad with you into your interview. Don’t be afraid to take notes, or write down questions you may have that you can ask the interviewer at the appropriate time. This is another signal to the interviewer that you are fully engaged and interested in the position.

We have covered a lot of ground, but only scratched the surface on a few of the basic skills you’ll want to develop before your first interview. Take advantage of all that the internet and local library can offer you to pull everything you need together.

So, let’s take a quick look back and re-cap. First, you need to create a killer resume and cover letter. Second, make yourself presentable, inside (grey matter) and out (clean professional appearance). And finally, educate yourself on the interview skills needed to land that job!

Good luck and happy career hunting!

The following is Part Two of a three-part blog series on job hunting written by M3’s Vision Engagement Officer – Pete Ruffing. Check back next Wednesday for the last post of the series.

Remember the young man I mentioned in part one; how he didn’t quite understand the need for a professional appearance when we met at the career fair? Face it; most of us live in a visual world first and foremost. He could have been the next great superstar but because he didn’t properly put the time and energy into making himself presentable to prospective employers, they will never find that out.

This also goes deeper than the right clothes and proper grooming. Having the proper body language and the correct mindset also play a part in giving the job candidate the confidence needed for the interview. Let’s look at a couple of important rules you’ll want to follow.

• Many employers will be put off if they feel a job candidate doesn’t have enough pride in oneself to put their best foot forward. Their reasoning is; how can I expect him to put pride in his work if he doesn’t take pride in his appearance? Personal hygiene, grooming and the proper clothes play an important role in how you will be perceived by prospective employers.
• The clothes you wear to an interview should be professional and you should error on the side on being conservative rather than risky. Remember;  you are not out clubbing with your peeps. You don’t want what you wear to be a distraction to the interviewer. If you are on a budget visit a consignment shop. You can pick up any number of designer jackets or blazers that will not put a dent in your bank account.
• Now that you have your outside appearance let’s work on the inside (grey matter)! Prepare yourself for success in the interview and start with motivating your mind! Listen to motivational cds, downloads or webinars. The more confident you feel in yourself and your abilities, the more that confidence will show through to the interviewer.
• A firm handshake is essential, so don’t throw a floppy fish the interviewer’s way. Again this is a subtle sign of your self confidence. Always address the interviewer as yes sir or no sir, never use their given name unless they have given you permission to do so.
• Your body language is another subtle clue an employer will pick up on. No slouching. Stand tall and sit erect. Answer questions clearly and with a firm confident voice. Make eye contact and be an active listener during the interview. Don’t be afraid to take notes so you can write down questions and refer back to them for future use.

When preparing yourself for potential interviews it is crucial that you put yourself in the best possible position for the desired outcome; you get the job! To do that you need to focus on the basics and when you have done that; the confidence you gain will pay huge dividends in your job search.

Okay, part two is here and gone, whew! You’re very close to having the basics behind you as you embark on your quest for a new career. In part three you will learn some interview dos and don’ts. This is the time when you put all of your new-found skills together and shine!

The following is part one of a three-part blog series on job hunting written by M3’s Vision Engagement Officer – Pete Ruffing. Check back the next two Wednesdays for the rest of the series.

The young man slouched in front of me, his face unshaven and his clothes disheveled. His hands were in the pockets of his tattered and worn jeans. His appearance was more appropriate for a night at a club, rather than meeting prospective employers at a career fair. But there he was in all his scruffy and stubbled glory! 

It’s easy to assume he is too young to have ever heard about the book Dress for Success or the phrase “You only get one chance to make a first impression”.  He was making the all too common mistake of not executing the basic fundamentals when it comes to Job Search 101.

In part one of this blog I’ll review a few of the basic rules and skills for killer resume and cover letter creation that will impress any prospective employer.

• If you are a recent college graduate, emphasize any internships, organizations, clubs or affiliations you were a member of.  Don’t worry about your lack of work history. Any employer will understand that you are just beginning your career; otherwise you wouldn’t be sitting across from them.
• If you are victim of downsizing due to the economy and find yourself in the job market again, RELAX! There are always employers looking for good talent, so you need to develop your resume to concisely detail your skills. Try to keep it to one page, two pages at the absolute maximum.
• Tell the truth! Don’t exaggerate or misrepresent anything on your resume.
• Make your cover letter attention grabbing and an interesting read. Create a cover letter that will stand out from the hundreds, yes hundreds, employers receive. Invest in good resume and cover letter stationary found at any office supply store.
• Don’t rely on your computer’s spell check function for spelling and grammar corrections. Take your time and review your documents line by line. Repeat the review process a few times and allow your documents to sit for a day before you pick them up again. It is also wise to have another person review your materials as well; it’s smart to get another perspective other than your own.

There are countless resources you can draw upon to help you develop a resume and cover letter you can be confident about. Your local library will have many books, audio programs and even workshops that will provide the road map you’ll need to guide you through your journey.

So, part one is behind you (hooray!) and you hold in your hands powerful and awesome documents that will help you land the job of your dreams! In part two you will learn how your appearance, manners and demeanor will impact your job search as you begin preparation for your interviews.