| When it comes to our careers and businesses, no | | | | focus, Matt whittled down his invention's most |
| matter what you do or what stage of the game | | | | important details, honed his pitch and submitted his |
| you're in, we're all in sales. YOU are your hottest | | | | entry. He certainly got his message across, because |
| commodity so put the word out! But with the high level | | | | VISA did indeed fund his project. The Baker's Edge is |
| of competition out there, simply listing your experience | | | | today being featured on HGTV, in the Baker's Catalog |
| and skills on paper isn't going to cut it. The fact is, a | | | | and in even in the Indiana State Museum. |
| resume is great for conveying what you've done but it | | | | Not bad for a quick pitch. |
| doesn't say much about who you are and what you | | | | Tip: If you're unfamiliar with the "elevator pitch," it's time |
| want. | | | | to acquaint yourself, because this very brief and |
| With everything that makes you unique-your | | | | powerful way of introducing yourself isn't just reserved |
| personality, passions, preferences, aspirations and | | | | for elevators. That speech is your chance to capture |
| valuable characteristics-you are so much more than a | | | | someone's attention in minutes and sell them on your |
| resume. It's also fairly difficult to communicate all of | | | | story-and on you. |
| that effectively in writing. That's why knowing your | | | | No matter where you are, find the opportunity to "Sell |
| story, being able to articulate it in a compelling way and | | | | Yourself" |
| confidently selling it to others is one of the fastest | | | | Whenever you meet a new person, you are selling a |
| ways reach the next level in your career. | | | | very important package: You. The way you present |
| While most people find selling themselves a real | | | | and describe yourself to others will determine which |
| challenge, there are extraordinary people who've | | | | doors stay open and whether people will remember |
| mastered the art of story telling. Some are changing | | | | you, so it's important to think creatively. Curtis Estes |
| industries and others are breaking into them, but all | | | | has become a master at selling himself, and that skill |
| have created a memorable approach to getting | | | | has led to his position as one of the most successful |
| noticed-and remembered-in a positive way. | | | | Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance agents in the U.S. |
| The first step is to "Know Your Story" | | | | The most successful people are a compelling breed |
| With her motto, "It's not just who you know. It's also | | | | who know how to position themselves, get their points |
| who knows about you," Michelle Tennant spends | | | | across and excite others about their ideas-all critical in |
| every day unfolding her future. The co-founder of | | | | business. To hone those skills, Curtis started his |
| Wasabi Publicity, Inc, one of the top virtual public | | | | successful journey by learning how to meet people. |
| relations firms in the country according to PR Week, | | | | When he was in college, he took his freshman face |
| Michelle has mastered the art of storytelling to the | | | | book (before there was an online version) and |
| media, from working on international campaigns with | | | | challenged himself to meet one new person every |
| young entrepreneurs to securing The Duchess of | | | | week. |
| York, Sarah Ferguson, for a reality TV show. Wasabi | | | | The importance of networking was so clear to him, |
| has not only quadrupled in size since its launch in the | | | | particularly given the industry he was pursuing, that he |
| summer of 2002, but its success also happened | | | | disciplined himself to reach that goal consistently until |
| quickly: Within four months of opening Wasabi, Michelle | | | | he knew everyone in the book. His ability to introduce |
| found herself at a private party at President Bill Clinton | | | | himself easily and develop a rapport with others has |
| and Senator Hillary Clinton's Washington D.C. home. But | | | | not only taken him to the top of his game, but it earned |
| she didn't get to that place by accident-she became a | | | | him the respect and admiration of those who work |
| master storyteller by understanding her own story first. | | | | with and for him-particularly his clients. |
| Knowing she wanted to create a business that would | | | | If you're starting out or starting over, it's critical that you |
| suit her lifestyle, Michelle first set out to understand | | | | "Overcome Your Lack of Experience" |
| exactly what she wanted out of life. She took a | | | | Ever since he can remember, Nate Hoppes has |
| sabbatical from her corporate job to become a | | | | wanted to a sports broadcaster and he's taken every |
| whitewater raft guide, and knew that the outdoors had | | | | opportunity to show his stuff during each of his |
| to be part of her every day. She also wanted a | | | | internships, whether at Radio Disney or ESPN. A |
| company that could be located anywhere in the world. | | | | genuine people person, he typically befriends a lot of |
| As a result, she with her business partner, Drew | | | | his coworkers and enjoys connecting with others. But |
| Gerber, founded Wasabi Publicity near the Smoky | | | | his talent for networking doesn't come from |
| Mountains where there's plenty of fresh air and | | | | memorizing tactics and names, it stems from his |
| whitewater rivers. | | | | sincerity and passion. |
| Michelle says she learns something from every person | | | | Nate's hard charisma and excitement have opened |
| she meets, from her local grocery clerk to | | | | many doors for him, including working on the X Games |
| multi-millionaires. She also emphasizes that people need | | | | and doing play-by-play commentary on camera for |
| to be able to categorize others in their own minds, | | | | NBA TV. With his focus firmly on his goals and his |
| whether for a press story or for life in general, so it's | | | | passion clearly evident in all he does, never mind his |
| important to know what industry you are in and what | | | | ability to make friends, Nate is quickly becoming a rising |
| product or service you provide to help them group you | | | | star in broadcasting. |
| accordingly. If you make an effort to relate and | | | | If you are just starting out in your industry, it's more |
| connect to that person, and can then tell them what | | | | important than ever to make a good impression on the |
| you do in one direct, clear sentence, you'll have an | | | | people you meet. Let's face it: When people like you |
| excellent chance to leave a lasting impression and | | | | as a person, they are simply more inclined to help you. |
| open doors to your future. People remember images, | | | | Of course, when Nate hits the big time, he won't be |
| stories and one-liners. Craft yours well and you'll inspire | | | | telling his own story quite as much, because he'll be too |
| others to retell your story again and again. | | | | busy talking about the world's sports superstars |
| Now that you know your story, it's time to "Set Your | | | | instead. |
| Goals" | | | | He's okay with that. |
| Have you ever fought for first dibs on freshly baked | | | | Get the Doors to Open |
| brownies just so you could get a crispy edge piece? | | | | No matter where you are in the game, it's a lot easier |
| Or maybe you've been disappointed by a batch you | | | | to take things to the next level through the power of |
| pulled from the oven because it was burnt on the | | | | people. Networking isn't just a matter of meeting |
| outside but undercooked in the middle. Matt Griffin, | | | | people and getting their business cards, though-you |
| inventor of the revolutionary Baker's Edge Baking Pan, | | | | need a plan to help you make a positive impact on the |
| knew there was a better way to bake a brownie. His | | | | people who can open doors to the life you've been |
| vision was to create a pan that distributes heat evenly | | | | dreaming about. |
| and leaves each piece with at least two edges. After | | | | If you've ever heard the phrase, "Luck is when |
| years of building prototypes and dreaming about taking | | | | preparation meets opportunity," it's most appropriate |
| his concept to market, opportunity knocked on his door. | | | | for when you have the chance to make an indelible |
| VISA had launched a contest called Ideas Happen to | | | | impression on someone who can help you. A resume |
| find a select group of people with innovative ideas and | | | | will only get you so far. It can get you to the door, but it |
| hand $25,000 in startup capital to the winners. | | | | might not open and, even if you get invited in, who |
| Matt had a only a few hundred words to convince the | | | | says you're going to stay? That's where you come in. |
| voting audience that his product was solid gold, so he | | | | Telling your story in the right way can make the |
| knew it was time to get his story down to a science | | | | difference between stumbling through an introduction |
| and deliver it with impact. With an enormous amount of | | | | and getting your next big break. |