11 Rules from Bill Parcells

Rules can be applied from many different disciplines to networking. In Sunday's Dallas Morning News, Jean-Jacques Taylor recounted the 11 rules former Cowboys' coach Bill Parcells gave to QB Tony Romo. Some license has been taken, but the intent is similar.

1. Ignore the opinions of others. Like QBs, we all get credit or blame for a variety of things. Know what is important to worry about and what isn't.
2. Have fun, but class clowns can't run a team. Truly, know when to be light and when to be serious.
3. Fat QBs can avoid the rush. OK, keep yourself in shape--mentally and physically--so you can respond to those questions and remember names at events.
4. Know your job cold. Know why you are at an event and your strategy.
5. Know your own players. Wing men (or women) those who are on your support team.
6. Be the same guy every day. Consistency is a key pillar of any brand, particularly your personal brand.
7. Throwing the ball away is a good play. Knowing when to finish a conversation and move on is an art.
8. Learn to manage the game; don't ever lose track of the clock. Every event has a time window; some can fill them and overflow; others are best left early. Know when to leave and when to stay.
9. You're not judged on stats and TD passes; get your team in the end zone. Don't forget the mission and reason you are at an event. The object is to win or finish, not just participate.
10. Don't panic in times of chaos. Be prepared; don't start looking for a job when you've lost one, be on people's radars; keep your cool and it will show.
11. Don't be a celebrity QB. Remember networking isn't really about you--it's about those you meet and converse with. Give and you will get.

Thanks, Mr. Taylor. Great column (see www.Dallasnews.com for the whole column)

Relentless

A great example of personal brand

Jamey Wozniak is the best example I've seen in sometime of someone doing two things well:

• Creating and managing her personal brand
• Using her skills to transition from one career to another

Jamey is the owner of Joe's Hitch, Trailer and Truck Accessories in Dallas. This former human resources professional really took a sharp turn in her career: HR manager in the cosmetics and home fashion business to CEO of an automotive parts and accessories company.

Her skills as a human resources professional allow her to speak and interact with her employees and customers as few know how to do, applying her knowledge to the day-to-day operation of her company.

She also did a makeover of her appearance: from suits to jeans and boots--business to biker.

While it might seem extreme, from what I've read and learned of this smart businessperson is that it more suits her personality. She makes it clear in the consistency she shows from contact to contact: a Dallas Morning News story and photo, her Facebook and LinkedIn pages and profile, her image associated with the business in advertising and other media.

Consistency is a must when projecting one's brand image. Great work, Jamey.

Relentless

This is extracted in part from Cheryl Hall's story in the Sunday, 8/9/09 edition of the Dallas Morning News. Thanks, Cheryl.