| I have been fired/let go three times in the past. | | | | Packaging is in my blood. |
| None of these transitions were easy at the time, | | | | Get connected. (Very different from keep |
| but they all aided in my personal development. | | | | connected). |
| Now I'm famous and those who fired me are not. | | | | These are the people you want to be with. |
| I grew, they did not. How did I go from | | | | Create a special circle: I have a special circle of |
| anonymous to world-renowned leader, | | | | colleagues whom I bounce ideas off of. I don't |
| entrepreneur and packaging expert extraordinaire? | | | | contact them all the time but when I need some |
| Let me show you my method for packaging | | | | advice that's the first place I turn. Many times this |
| myself. | | | | has turned into additional opportunities to |
| Promote yourself. | | | | collaborate on projects also and build some great |
| The old adage your mother told you about | | | | professional alliances. |
| working hard and be good at what you do is a | | | | You are Unique. |
| nice idea. Unfortunately, it doesn't work when no | | | | Be your own person. If any thing I am unique in |
| one knows what it is you do. We had a program | | | | my persona. This didn't happen overnight. In my |
| a couple of years ago and one thing stood out in | | | | early career I read all the right books, even |
| my mind. That people who were considered for | | | | "Dress for Success" and was able to extract |
| promotion was based upon 60% visibility (being | | | | what was right for me. When the basic blue-black |
| noticed by the powers that be) 20% appearance, | | | | suit and white button down shirt was the |
| 20% performance and hard work. You do the | | | | mandate, it wasn't me. That is not my persona. |
| math. Where is the equity unless you promote | | | | I'm a color person; wear cool funky earrings and |
| yourself and are recognized as a performer and | | | | dress with what I'm comfortable. I never wear |
| hard worker? My tactics include writing regular | | | | heels, although I always carry a pair with me, |
| press releases, making myself available for | | | | despite all the advice to the contrary about |
| interviews 2-3 times a month, and speaking | | | | women must wear heels. This is my persona, |
| engagements everywhere including Internationally, | | | | when I'm working I need to be comfortable so I |
| with multi language translation (that's another | | | | can be and function at my very best. |
| story). | | | | Outreach to colleagues regularly. |
| Accept adventures. | | | | I write frequent personal notes when I see |
| Several years ago I was contacted with and | | | | someone in the news. Either I email them or send |
| opportunity to lead a two-week packaging trade | | | | them a copy of the information. I used to use |
| delegation to China. After some serious thought | | | | Post It's by my handwriting is so atrocious I |
| and bouncing it off the WMPKG board members I | | | | designed a special card that says "I thought you |
| said OK. They found me, (via the Internet). We | | | | might find the attached of interest", and has a |
| were the first of ten professional women's trade | | | | special place for a hand written note and all my |
| delegations chosen to participate and the "guinea | | | | contact information. |
| pigs" of the program (but that's another story | | | | Utilize your resources. |
| too). You may read about the China Trip @ | | | | Use lateral thinking, my colleague Donna Messer |
| Common sense prevails. | | | | actually named this attribute, I was doing it but |
| If nothing else I learned how to use my head. | | | | didn't even know it. I barter, negotiate everything. |
| There is simply too much I need to accomplish to | | | | I operate under "quid-pro-quo". Every one likes to |
| agonize over how to get it done. I use The KISS | | | | be recognized, when you write, call or thank me |
| approach (Keep It Simple Stupid). If I can't find it | | | | you go right to the top of my memory book. I |
| in a few seconds I'm dead. I deal with way too | | | | believe and helping those who help me. |
| much information to remember something | | | | Conversely, when you do something I consider a |
| complex or to spend a lot of time looking up | | | | negative, I wont go out of my way to help you |
| something. | | | | but more importantly I don't burn my bridges |
| Keep connected. | | | | (You never know). |
| I always carry business cards. I give them to | | | | Reputation is paramount. |
| everyone, on the plane; at the store you name it. | | | | Your integrity is critical. Don't stab people in the |
| After all every one uses/needs packaging and I | | | | back. If you don't like something and can't address |
| am continuing to package myself using this | | | | it personally do what I do and move that person |
| method. Make notes on the back of card about | | | | to the bottom of the list, but not gone (You |
| the people you meet so you can remember | | | | never know) Respect other people too. Just |
| something special about them. I am always | | | | because they don't have a fancy title after their |
| amazed when I go somewhere the number of | | | | name doesn't mean they are not of import. I |
| people who don't have cards, especially students. I | | | | always make it a point of listening to every ones |
| always tell them the same thing: invest in a | | | | opinion |
| business card on say that you are on the front | | | | Stay informed and current in your field. |
| and say what you need (a job) on the back. (You | | | | I read a dozen of "packaging" magazines a week |
| never know). | | | | and am on countless email packaging news lists. |
| Ask for help. | | | | Become more involved in you industry |
| I'm always surprised how many people are really | | | | associations. I myself, am professional association |
| willing to give advice and work with me. I bargain | | | | junkie, when could find what needed with the |
| and negotiate everything; you have nothing to | | | | existing association, I created own. Now I'm not |
| lose and everything to gain. Remember great | | | | advocating everyone to do this but it is important |
| alliances come from a win-win for both parties | | | | to participate within your industry groups. This |
| and many of my best deals came from simply | | | | includes going to trade shows. You gotta be there! |
| asking to work together. | | | | Economy is my middle name. |
| Give of yourself. | | | | I have developed all kinds of business tools and |
| Help others when you can and stay in touch. The | | | | short cuts to help handle the workload. I get |
| membership benefit programs of WMPKG were | | | | hundreds of email inquiries a week. I use auto |
| created by me to help (initially other women) to | | | | responders, set up master email lists and use a |
| find the best jobs, increase their visibility and | | | | fax broadcast service. I try not to spend time on |
| outreach to colleagues in the field. I got so many | | | | the phone; email is my communication tool of |
| calls from men and women for assistance I | | | | choice. I'm always trying to become more |
| needed to find a way to help every one in an | | | | efficient with my resources. |
| efficient manner. I try my best to help everyone, | | | | Learn to live with out being liked but respected. |
| but it is simply a matter of my time and | | | | In my position I have to make some very tough |
| resources. You help me I help you in return and | | | | decisions every day. Many times people are not |
| you move to the top of my list. Become a | | | | happy with the outcome. I must remind myself |
| mentor. I mentor a dozen or so individuals at any | | | | constantly that it's just business and not personal. |
| time. Not on a daily basis but when they have a | | | | (I have feelings too). When I founded Women in |
| problem they can always reach me. I have also | | | | Packaging I was attributed with many not so |
| participated in formalized programs as a mentor. | | | | complimentary descriptions but I didn't let it stop |
| This is a good way to interact with people outside | | | | me and now I am famous and those individuals |
| your field of expertise and almost every major | | | | saying those things are not. Never respond when |
| city has them. | | | | you are angry or upset. This is a personal |
| Invest in yourself. | | | | favorite. I have learned though the years to |
| Keep tuned in to all the professional and career | | | | always wait a day before responding to |
| development opportunities out there. You should | | | | something that upsets me; I'm a very frank, and |
| never be too busy to learn new tricks. Attend | | | | honest person (The word blunt has been used to |
| functions at which you can establish a peer group. | | | | describe me more than once.) I also use a |
| But be choosy. Don't just go for the sake of | | | | sounding board. Our excellent Communications |
| going. Have a clear goal in mind about what you | | | | Director, Michelle Nordlinger writes a superlative |
| intend to get from your participation and follow | | | | letter. She is very good at taking my "blunt" copy |
| up. Remember the #1 rule in networking. You | | | | and toning it down. Find someone with this skill: |
| have to show up! When you get an opportunity | | | | boyfriend, husband, colleague before you write |
| presented to you, do something about it. Make | | | | your serious correspondence. |
| the time. | | | | Find out your weakness. |
| Never give up on your dream. | | | | You will never progress if you don't except the |
| I have had several "careers". I had a very | | | | fact that you have flaws. I have very big |
| different one before I entered the packaging field. | | | | shoulders and have had many knock down drag |
| Have passion, for what you do, I'm always | | | | out confrontations. But I listened to what they |
| excited when I speak about my industry and | | | | had to say and in many cases they were right. I |
| could and do go for hours when I'm in front of an | | | | always believe that there are two sides to a |
| interested audience. I'm often advised that my | | | | story. |
| talents are wasted in what used to be considered | | | | So this is me, my special package, now go out |
| a pretty stagnant industry, but what can I do? | | | | and create a package for yourself. |