Message From Jeff

Dear Friends,

As 2007 draws to an end, we have seen the financial markets gyrate from "record high" to some of the "biggest single-day drops" all in the matter of a few weeks.

Clearly the meltdown of the real estate sector, followed by the meltdown of banks and brokerage firms stuck with "sub-prime" write-offs, has begun to cool down things on the hiring front.

However, there are two categories in which we do not see growth abating: 1) Internet/digital marketing and advertising, and 2) healthcare advertising and CRM initiatives. Read Jeff's full message here.

Your Personal Brand: Rework the Plan

This is the last of our three-part Personal Brand Plan series. Because you got started in October, your 2008 personal brand plan is already almost complete. Today's exercises will help you answer three final questions: Does your personal brand plan need any modification? How can you make it concrete and be sure it's part of your daily routine in 2008? And how will you take a break and power up for the New Year? Go to the exercise.

ASK OUR COACH

As part of our commitment to provide assistance and support to executives wanting to further their professional and personal brand, we have created the ASK OUR COACH email service where you can get confidential answers to your career questions. What's on your mind? Don't hesitate to ASK OUR COACH.

Here is our answer to a question we received last month:

Q: Thanks for placing me in a global marketing position in financial services. This has been the best job in my career, and for the past four years, I have been working in a regional marketing position in Asia that has been very entrepreneurial and successful. My career challenge currently is a desire to return to the U.S. How would you advise me to tackle this since I have not kept up with many of my past connections while I have been gone?

-Stranded in Asia

A: This is a common experience we hear from executives on "ex-pat" assignments: they fail to follow up or keep in touch with their personal networks and, over time, these connections atrophy. So now you find yourself feeling isolated in a foreign region with no passport home.

The lesson for everyone here is the importance of maintaining regular contact with your social/business network, whether you are abroad or have moved domestically to a different part of the country. Just as it is more cost-effective to market to an existing or previous customer, it is likewise easier to gain referrals and introductions during a career transition from existing business colleagues and friends than from cold calling a lot of people who have no knowledge of your current personal brand.

Fortunately, we remember (and are advocates for) your personal brand equities, so we can collaborate with you immediately to connect you to senior executives in the U.S. who are hiring or who can refer you to appropriate opportunities. That's part of the good news. The other part of the good news is that you have succeeded in your global marketing efforts, and we are living in an increasingly global marketplace, where China and the Asia-Pacific region are key long-term growth targets for U.S. companies.

The primary reason many senior executives flounder in their search efforts is because they grossly under-target the number of contacts it will take to find the right next position. Because you don't currently know who the right target companies are for you, you will need to re-connect and re-engage with at least 100 friends and business "advocates" like us, to powerfully enroll these people in your current job search. Rebuilding or re-establishing a personal "Power 100" list in the U.S, is part of Job 1. This should include: 1) other search firms that have placed you successfully, 2) former boss(es) and colleagues, and 3) senior leaders in key branding, marketing and advertising associations.

Approximately 45% of positions will be obtained through the executive search community. So, of course, you need to research which search firms (large and small) in the U.S. can help you and contact them directly (by e-mail with a copy of your resume attached). You also need to know that more than 40% of new senior-level positions are obtained through personal connections and direct initiative. So as an experienced senior marketer, this is your time to look at the long-term prospects in various categories (i.e., healthcare, telecommunications, financial services). Select 40-50 target companies you would like to work for, and then figure out how you can connect with them powerfully to gain an introduction at the right level in the organization (i.e., through an existing member of senior management, through a member of the Board of Directors, etc.).

Finally, from a logistics standpoint, while you can do a lot of research from Asia, you will need to plan two to three trips over the next six months to the U.S. so you can meet personally and interview at companies with opportunities that match your skill sets and interests. Also, meet with senior people in the operations of U.S. multinational corporations in your region, and enroll some of these people on your behalf in connecting you with their senior counterparts in the U.S. All of these approaches are likely to be more effective than simply writing a letter to the HR Department.

Connect with EC at This Conference

DMA 32nd Annual Financial Services Conference
Date: March 16-18, 2008
Location: Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Phone: 212.790.1500
Registration: DMA Member $1,199 / Non-Member $1,299

The 32nd Annual DMA Financial Services Conference will provide leading direct marketing strategies for professionals in the insurance, banking and other financial services industries. Exchange ideas with fellow marketers and discover best practices from industry experts, then head back to the Harbor Beach Marriott Resort to enjoy the luxurious amenities this oceanfront location has to offer.

Be sure to make it to Jeff’s presentation at DMA!

"What Legislation Do You Want to Affect and How?: Data Security Legislation"

Speaker: Jeff Gundersen, Chief Executive Officer, Executive Connections, LLC

Tuesday, March 18, from 7:15-8:15 a.m.