About Me Card
Wednesday, April 11th, 2012
at 8:56am
Words, words, words! Everywhere are words. Words that inspire for some are words that intimidate for others. No wonder we confuse ourselves with words! It’s long been a paradox for the human race. I wonder when primitive man communicated with pictures if there was less misunderstanding? Why is it that some people are on the same page with you and some people completely miss your meaning? It’s simple really: Words have different meanings for different people! The question is, are you a person who cares about understanding a person’s words? Or, are you a person who says, “It’s your problem. Figure it out!”
There will always be misunderstandings between people. However, I’m stepping in to help. Last year through our About Me Card system, we began helping groups of people learn how to understand and interpret the words that another person speaks. We’ve had more than 75 people participate in free educational sessions on understanding others in 60 seconds. If you’re someone who wishes to better understand other people, e-mail me and I’ll send you information about our next seminar. You’ll be energized by this newfound information and motivated to lead!
Don’t be confused by words any longer! Care enough to know and I’ll tell you what you need to know to care!
Joe Kiedinger
ACTION PLAN: Be aware of the words you use. They will define you!
Wednesday, July 13th, 2011
at 9:36am
Have you heard of Arianna Huffington? She is a master of using social media. She started an American news content aggregating website in 2005 and sold it to AOL in February of 2011 for $315 million! Not bad! OK, so I led you into thinking I interviewed Arianna with my title for this Wisdom. She actually spoke at a conference I attended. She is a fascinating woman, very funny and very insightful. I would like to share with you some powerful wisdom that she shared with me.
Arianna spoke mostly about engagement. People today want to be understood and heard. It’s so easy to be heard … start a blog! Some of you have your own blog like I do and I applaud you. Arianna discovered in 2005 that there is so much great content, why not direct it to one site called the Huffington Post? Here are three of my favorite quotes (I forgot who she quoted) that I took away from her hour-long presentation:
1. There are so many things that I’ve faced in my life and most never happened.
2. I’ve had such a wonderful life … I wish I would have realized it sooner.
3. How I deal with an issue IS the issue!
The third is the one that I’ve dedicated my life to helping others address, as my life’s journey is focused on teaching. When it comes to teaching and learning, not everyone understands language and style of communication the same way. Some people love it when you’re direct. Some prefer a softer approach to coaching. If you don’t know how a person likes to be communicated with, how do you expect to make an impact?
People think they need to be “fair” to the people they lead so they treat them all the same. That works only if everyone IS the same and we are not. How you resolve issues with one person is often completely the opposite for another if you wish to have a real impact. Understand that Servant Leadership is meeting the legitimate needs of another person. Learn what makes everyone different and unique and be aware of HOW you treat people.
Joe Kiedinger
ACTION PLAN: Until Friday you can get a FREE About Me Card and find out what makes you unique. Go to www.aboutmecard.com, create a business account and use the coupon code: SHRM11 to create your About Me Card! The code will no longer be valid after the close of business on Friday!
Wednesday, June 15th, 2011
at 9:29am
Who says you need to have years of success before you land a huge fish! Next week I’m off to Dallas to do a one-day engagement with Kraft Foods using the About Me Card program. It’s the beginning of an international brand.
All international brands must start somewhere. Disney started as a cartoonist making independent cartoons for entertainment movie and news features on the big screen. Hallmark started in 1910 with Nebraska teenager Joyce Hall and her shoebox of picture cards. And About Me International/Prophit Marketing is beginning a journey of Employee Engagement that is starting to get noticed.
We put the “International” on our name for a reason—Vision. What is your vision? Do you realize you are making history with each decision you make? What do you aspire to become? I will tell you, it’s not an easy road. You must always remember to live your life looking out the windshield and only glance at the rearview mirror. Do not dwell on how fast or slow a dream is growing. The question is this: Is it growing? As long as you make small steps each day, you will reach your dreams.
Our company has a long way to go, but that’s OK. I’m going to continue to push the flywheel until the momentum takes care of itself. People need their own time to become aware and ready for you. Allow them to understand and believe. Do that and you will have anything you want!
Joe Kiedinger
ACTION PLAN: Keep a short journal of the steps you are taking each day to accomplish your long-term goals!
Wednesday, April 13th, 2011
at 9:22am
I’m writing this Wisdom on Wednesday on Monday evening. Tomorrow (Tuesday) morning, Danica and I board a plane and head to New York. Not too long ago I wrote a Wisdom with the theme of “showing up.” I wrote that 90% of success is having the guts to show up. Tuesday afternoon we have an appointment to meet with various executives at the Time Warner corporate office, where we will be spending 2-3 hours presenting our Prophit Marketing process and the About Me Card software.
What will come of it? Who knows. We hope for the best. One thing I can tell you is this: If we stay in Green Bay, nothing will happen with Time Warner. We learned all new initiatives come out of New York. Hey, at the very least Danica and I will spend a few days away. On the other hand, we may be meeting some new friends who can help us change the world. We’ll see. I’m sure you’ll be hearing about it in next week’s Wisdom. By the time you read this Wisdom, the pitch will be over and Danica and I will be sleeping.
Don’t be intimidated by opportunities—seize them. Life isn’t a dress rehearsal. It’s the real show. Speaking of show, I think I’ll check out 42nd street!
Joe Kiedinger
ACTION PLAN: So who are you meeting with in the near future?!
About Me Card
