| p>We all have job titles. And job descriptions. | | | | An administrator at a small day care center for |
| These are often so clichéd that when | | | | young children explains, "I assist parents in helping |
| others ask us what we do, we have grown | | | | their kids make the transition from home to |
| accustomed to responding with these generic | | | | school." |
| automated answers that lack real impact. | | | | One web designer claims, "I professionalize |
| Listeners find out little about what we really do or | | | | business' visual image in order that they attract |
| what sets us apart from competing businesses. | | | | the caliber of clientele that they strive for." |
| There are ways to distinguish yourself when | | | | And, an executive at a custom home building |
| making introductions in those crucial networking | | | | company states that she "helps people to design |
| situations. Whether you're a cashier in a retail | | | | the house of their dreams at a price that they |
| store or a pet groomer at a local animal salon, | | | | can afford." |
| you can creatively affect someone's first | | | | An investment banker explains that he "manages |
| impression of you by considering the words that | | | | wealth for a person's enjoyment and security for |
| you use. | | | | their children." |
| Most people take a basic approach when | | | | A co-owner of a beauty product franchise simply |
| introducing themselves. They offer the one or | | | | states, "I help people to look and feel better." |
| two word title that is generally used by their | | | | And, there are other strategies to grab listeners' |
| counterparts in the same field. We have all heard | | | | attention. Introductions that forgo the typical one |
| and participated in such meetings: "Hi, My name is | | | | word explanation often lead to no real reaction, or |
| Bill. I'm a loan officer." "Nice to meet you. I'm | | | | worse stereotypes that don't fit what you |
| Jennifer. I work as an computer technician." | | | | actually do. |
| The first rule for breaking this pattern is to avoid | | | | What can be really cool is wowing an acquaintance |
| this type of acquainting. Skip the meaningless job | | | | with a title that they haven never heard before. |
| title and go for an explanation. Describe the | | | | For instance, an industrial contractor could |
| benefit that you offer to your clients. For | | | | provoke much more interest by calling himself a |
| example, one successful professional when asked | | | | "commercial wiring specialist" than he could by |
| what she does for a living replies, "I design | | | | using the traditional title, "electrician." It is only |
| sustainable, organic food experiences for people | | | | natural that people pause upon hearing such |
| related to the seasons and natural environment".... | | | | unique descriptions and then continue to ask, "Just |
| "I'm a chef," she then follows up with. | | | | what is it that you do?" If this certain person only |
| This approach might be very different from what | | | | referred to himself as an electrician, wouldn't |
| you have been familiar with. You may have gone | | | | people jump to obvious conclusions about his |
| your entire career letting people know that you | | | | business? |
| are a newspaper publisher. What might happen if | | | | What's more is that you can also tweak this |
| you explained to inquirers that you actually "work | | | | strategy by formulating an individualized moniker |
| as a informative resource for the local public to | | | | or professional nickname. Therefore, instead of |
| stay informed of political, social, and safety issues | | | | referring to yourself as "a ____," you can |
| critical to the town's well-being."? How would | | | | actually title yourself "the ____." One small |
| others react to you? How might their impressions | | | | business owner who watches pets for wealthy |
| be different from previous meetings? How could | | | | clients calls herself "The Fairy Godmother." This |
| this encourage further communication about your | | | | produces quite a different reaction of course then |
| work and purpose of the paper? | | | | referring to herself as "The Pet Sitter." Her |
| Change can be difficult, but if it could lead to | | | | customers associate her with tender loving care, |
| enhancing the way that you are perceived by the | | | | and almost an angelic quality. Hence, the power of |
| public and alter your overall image, what do you | | | | a self-imposed name. |
| have to lose? | | | | It's been said that if we want change, we have to |
| Consider these other examples as inspiration for | | | | be the change. The results that ensue and |
| developing your own unique introduction. | | | | conversations that are evoked will show you that |
| Instead of a massage therapist, one healing arts | | | | the run-of-the-mill intro probably isn't serving you |
| practitioner describes himself by stating, "I work | | | | as well as other techniques might. Be bold and |
| as a body awareness facilitator, allowing space for | | | | take the initiative to modify your approach to |
| people to return to wholeness." | | | | personal introductions. |