Illustra Image Consulting Blog

Will You Peer through the Peephole When Opportunity Knocks?

When career opportunities knock many people just peer nervously through the peephole afraid to answer the door. Others crack it open a little – but they leave the security chain on because of deep-seeded fear of success. But when yours comes around I want you to fling open the door and step across the threshold without looking back.

This month I heard a keynote speech given by Judge Glenda Hatchett, the author of the new book, Dare to Dream and the syndicated show, Judge Hatchett. As I listened to her story about changing her career path, it made me think about how true leaders can lead in any industry, regardless of title, position, or salary.

She tells of how she was the highest-ranking African American woman and senior attorney at Delta Airlines. During her career with Delta, someone asked her to become the Chief Presiding Judge of Fulton County, Georgia’s Juvenile Court. She struggled with this decision for some time, wondering whether it was an opportunity or not – until her inner voice asked, “What is your legacy?” She couldn’t answer that question.

Leaving behind a great compensation package and her familiar comfort zone was a big, scary step. But she wanted to reinvent herself as a leader in the judicial system in order to improve the lives of troubled youngsters. The rest is history – now her popular Judge Hatchett show is in its 8^th season.

I highly recommend her new book! (To learn more visit the GlendaHatchett.com website.)

When presented with a chance to change roles, accept more responsibility, or apply for a promotion do you sometimes question whether it’s the best career move? I think we’ve all experienced those moments of doubt and indecision. But natural leaders can feel when their work in one position is complete because despite the wealth and power something else essential is missing.

Glenda Hatchett knew that her ability to flourish as a leader at Delta was limited so she accepted it as a stepping stone to her real leadership legacy. Always listen to your intuition when opportunities arise. Don’t say “no” due to butterflies of apprehension. That nervousness is just excitement. Pay attention to your inner voice when it asks you to be courageous about broadening your scope and enhancing your career.

Have you ever had to make a lateral move that wasn’t on your career path the way I have done so many times during my career? Please share with me how you leveraged the experience to get you back on track for a leadership promotion.

 

 

Do you want to use this blog article?

You may, as long as you include this complete bio with it:

 

Sarah Hathorn is a professional image consultant, certified personal brand strategist, speaker, and author. 

 

Her company, Illustra Image Consulting, works with high-achieving future leaders and large businesses by enhancing their corporate and personal brand image to take their businesses and careers to the next level.

Blog, Ezine & Website: www.illustraimageconsulting.com

 

Copyright © 2010, Sarah Hathorn, AICI CIP, CPBS

 

 

 

 

 

 

VIP Intensive Day

Does your personal presence command with leadership and charisma, or do you ever find yourself in a business situation where your confidence lags and you feel unsure of yourself because you are out of your comfort zone?

Are you hitting your benchmarks, realizing your goals, and enjoying greater career or business success? Or are those valuable promotions, ideal elite clients, and lucrative contracts still eluding you and keeping your lifelong dreams of increased income and personal fulfillment just beyond your grasp and out of reach?

 

I invite you to spend the entire day with me in Atlanta working with me one-on-one as I coach, consult and advise you on all facets of your Professional Presence ABC’s (Appearance, Behavior, and Communication).

We cover everything from effective power lunches and cross-cultural global business etiquette to non-verbal persuasion and verbal presentation skills for speeches, sales calls, team meetings, and media appearances.

Click here to learn more

Seminar in Athens, GA on 10/1/2010

If you live in Atlanta or Athens Georgia, register to hear my seminar on 10/1/10 at the Athens Chamber of Commerce's Women in Business First Friday. It's entitled - Dynamic Creation For A Brand New You. 

Location: Chamber of Commerce Board Room
Start Time: 11:45 AM
End Time: 01:00 PM
Price: $8.00

Sweet Peppers Deli will cater lunch. 

Cost is $8 if you register and pay online by Wednesday, September 29th. $10 at the door! 

Click below for more information and to register for the event.

http://ow.ly/2LHx4 

Discover the Secret to Always Smooth and Shiny Hair

Here in Atlanta last month it was hot and humid and it seemed like I would spend all my time in the morning blow drying and styling my hair just to step outside and have it go completely frizzy. It didn’t matter how many different hair products or styling methods I tried. The frizz factor still managed to ruin my professional look every single day. My hair has a soft, wavy texture and I like for it to have volume and movement. But I also don’t like to spend a great deal of time and money using tons of products and blow drying and straightening my hair until I finally get it to look great – especially if the whole effort is going to be totally undone as soon as I step outdoors! But for heaven’s sake, I am a professional image consultant, so I need to walk the talk and look my absolute best. Needless to say I became frustrated with the frizzies. 

My Team’s Promise

My hair stylist (Vincent Paribello) and my colorist (Ken Garrison) at Blonde Salon in Buckhead kept hearing me complain about how my hair was reacting to the heat and humidity, so they told me about a new process called Keratin Express Brazilian Smoothing Treatment. I knew that they had used this hair treatment on several of my platinum clients but I had never considered it for my hair of type. But they promised me that they would have my hair looking smooth, silky, and 95% frizz-free for the next six weeks if I would just agree to give them approximately one hour of my time. That sounded like a pretty good trade-off considering the number of hours I was already wasting each day trying unsuccessfully to remedy the problem on my own. An hour later the smoothing treatment was done and it was time to put it to the test in the real world humidity of “Hotlanta.”

A Miracle Treatment for Smooth Hair

After a few days I couldn’t believe the results. My hair looked younger and had a new smooth and shiny texture to it that it has never had before. I could wear my hair straight or curly and regardless of how much time I spent outside in the humidity there was no frizz at all. No more straightening and root lifting products for my fine, lifeless hair. It had a swing and vitality to it that no product could give me. As an added bonus it actually took less time to dry and style so I was out the door in 30 minutes flat. I also saved money by not having to purchase all those products that promise to keep it frizz-free throughout the day.  

While I opted for the 6-week Keratin Express treatment as my first experiment with the new process there is another Keratin treatment that will last from three to five months.  These treatments are perfect for all hair types including color treated or chemically processed hair. I highly recommend this new product to help women style their hair and get ready for work in no time at all. I’ve also seen the results on some of my older platinum clients who rave that once they began to get these types of treatments their hair took on a much younger, shinier appearance that gave them a real boost in confidence and overall appearance. Here’s the link to the Keratin Express website where you can learn more:  www.keratin-express.com

If you live in Atlanta, visit my hair stylist and colorist at Blonde Salon on Shadowlawn. Be sure to let them know you heard about them from me, because Vincent and Ken are on my professional image team and they treat my special clients to a free consult and will really give you an honest and expert opinion about your current hairstyle.  My platinum clients love Vincent and Ken and I even trust them with clients who fly into Atlanta for my Private VIP Intensive Day to work on their personal brand and image. They are the dynamic duo and I have seen them transform my clients time and time again to give them a more professional and confident image. 

Here’s their contact information:

Vincent Paribello (Hairstylist)
Ken Garrison (Colorist/ Treatments)

Blonde Salon
404-869-0900
3165 East Shadowlawn Avenue
Atlanta, GA 30305
www.blondeatlanta.com

Remember to tell them that Sarah Hathorn sent you for a great, honest hair evaluation.

Do you want to use this blog article?

You may, as long as you include this complete bio with it:

Sarah Hathorn is a professional image consultant, certified personal brand strategist, speaker, and author. 

Her company, Illustra Image Consulting, works with high-achieving future leaders and large businesses by enhancing their corporate and personal brand image to take their businesses and careers to the next level.

Blog, Ezine & Website: www.illustraimageconsulting.com

Copyright © 2010, Sarah Hathorn, AICI CIP, CPBS

Personal Branding Catering to Corporate Executives in 2010

If you happen to be a leader who works within a corporate structure, you also need to know how to successfully enhance the company’s brand values through your overall presence. As a top professional you are held to a higher standard and expected to look, speak and act in a manner that always conveys a positive image of the firm. Your total image and brand package needs to resonate with the organizations mission statement, the firm’s values, and the unique value offering that you want to represent to your clients. You and everyone on your team is an ambassador for the firm, and each of you convey silent but potent messages about the organization that delivers an impact through every interaction you have, both inside and outside of the company.

Not only you, as the top leader and executive head, but also everyone else on your entire team is part of the best marketing tool you have at your disposal when it comes to communicating external clients about your corporate brand. As the old saying goes, “If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get when you’ve always gotten.” But do something truly innovative by leveraging the power of personal branding and you can make a remarkable strategic change and thrive despite the doom and gloom of the current economy. 

This is an excerpt from my FREE special report entitled, 5 Secret Strategies To Empower Your Professional Presence. If you are a top leader or high achiever working in a corporate environment download your FREE 30-page copy to learn more secrets to a strong leadership presence to take your vision to a reality!

Click here to get your free copy

I’d also love to hear your perspective about the excerpt I’ve shared with you today! Please feel free to submit a blog post.   

Do you want to use this blog article?

You may, as long as you include this complete bio with it:

Sarah Hathorn is a professional image consultant, certified personal brand strategist, speaker, and author. 

Her company, Illustra Image Consulting, works with high-achieving future leaders and large businesses by enhancing their corporate and personal brand image to take their businesses and careers to the next level.

Blog, Ezine & Website: www.illustraimageconsulting.com

Copyright © 2010, Sarah Hathorn, AICI CIP, CPBS

Personal Branding: Raising Your Web Visibility

 As a woman leader, when you belong to a few online social networking sites, participate in the company blog, join Internet groups, or have an article or book published on the web, you are raising your visibility and presence in a time when everyone needs more business.

It communicates to others that you are the celebrity expert in your industry, knowledgeable about technology, and stay on the cutting-edge of business getting ideas. You can utilize the web as your new marketing tool. When people Google you or go to your website, you are visible to thousands of people who years ago would have no idea how to find you if they did need your company’s services. The Internet is the new forum for human resource managers or the executive committee of an organization to search for leaders for specific career promotions.

Google yourself and see how many times your name comes up in the search engines! It may be eye-opening that you aren’t the expert in your industry and you may need to work on your personal brand visibility.

What does your personal branding online presence convey about you as a key leader in this competitive business environment? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Do you want to use this blog article?

You may, as long as you include this complete bio with it:

Sarah Hathorn is a professional image consultant, certified personal brand strategist, speaker, and author. 

Her company, Illustra Image Consulting, works with high-achieving future leaders and large businesses by enhancing their corporate and personal brand image to take their businesses and careers to the next level.

Blog, Ezine & Website: www.illustraimageconsulting.com

Copyright © 2010, Sarah Hathorn, AICI CIP, CPBS

Company Branding: Your Leaders Make the Brand

Today in a highly competitive market, companies are competing to obtain a greater percentage of marketing share. Brand differentiation is key to this process. While organizations are spending large sums of money on marketing their corporate brand image through their website, promotional materials, building architecture and office décor, their best marketing resource is their people. When organizations invest and train emerging leaders in visual appearance, as well as verbal and non-verbal image skills to represent the corporate brand image, employees gain greater self-confidence, become highly productive in sales and build long-term client rapport.

Your Leaders Make the Brand
In every level of the organization a leader’s image represents the corporate brand. Their presence is important because customers and potential clients associate this person’s appearance and business etiquette as a reflection of the company’s professionalism and reputation.

Educate Your Leaders
Upper level management in most companies today will agree that “business casual” has gone too far into the world of “business casualty.” Unfortunately companies today have a hard time trying to define what business casual dress should look like for their organization. Companies who invest in professional leadership consultants to help them with such image challenges will find that their leaders come away understanding how their professional image is key in representing their corporate and personal brand.

Professional Presence Seminars Enhance Organizational Effectiveness
Professional presence workshops can cover a variety of leadership training topics like business dress, the various levels of business casual, body language, communication and team-building skills, as well as business and international etiquette. These types of image developmental programs give business leaders “the finesse” to compete and flourish in today’s business world.

Do you want to use this blog article?

You may, as long as you include this complete bio with it:

Sarah Hathorn is a professional image consultant, certified personal brand strategist, speaker, and author. 

Her company, Illustra Image Consulting, works with high-achieving future leaders and large businesses by enhancing their corporate and personal brand image to take their businesses and careers to the next level.

Blog, Ezine & Website: www.illustraimageconsulting.com

Copyright © 2010, Sarah Hathorn, AICI CIP, CPBS

Leaders: Discover the “You-Incorporated” Brand

“What makes you unique makes you successful.”  

(William Arruda – Reach Branding Guru)

Every leader today needs to discover and get to know their personal brand, even if they work in a corporate environment. That’s because your personal brand or “You-Inc.” is your personified business reputation. You had it prior to taking your job in corporate. You enhanced it while in corporate. Now you want to strengthen it so you can take it with you if you ever leave your current position for something more lucrative and exciting. Sure, whatever company you work for will want you to be a reflection of their brand – and by all means we work to incorporate that important element into your executive presence. But you also have your own valuable brand – and if it is strong it will actually add credibility to the overall corporate brand! 

I love to work with my clients to explore their personal brand potential. It’s fun to see the many facets of their personalities and to hear the delight in their voices when they read something amazing that someone wrote about them in a testimonial or in the media. But many people say they work or specialize in personal branding despite the fact that they don’t really have any legitimate personal branding certifications. Unfortunately there are many self-anointed personal branding specialists out there advertising their services – and the trend is growing as more people find themselves out of work and trying to reinvent themselves in a down economy by launching a consulting business on the Internet. 

But the brands they create are generic and one-dimensional and don’t distinguish their clients from the herd or prepare them for the limelight or for real executive leadership challenges.

That’s one reason why I incorporate the 360° Reach Branding Assessment Tool into my executive presence and personal branding consultations. This is a great tool to help leaders identify their strengths, talents, attributes, gifts, passion, vision, and mission in life. What can be a more valuable discovery than to uncover and identify the unique contributions that you have to offer to the world?

Here are a few of the ways I work with my top platinum clients to leverage their personal brands for more career success: 

1. Delve into the 360° Reach Branding Assessment Tool to help discover your brand reputation in the marketplace. 
2. Draw up a marketing plan to ensure that your online virtual presence communicates your brand. 
3. Design an authentic personal image package that silently communicates your core messages to build instant rapport.  
4. Develop greater visibility and confidence within important business settings, when talking to the media, or on radio and TV.
5. Display a unique charisma to bring you greater success. 
6. Discover secret tools that will transform you from invisible to influential. 

Branding today isn’t just the latest buzzword – it’s a critical tool and strategy that every leader and high achiever must invest in to ensure their career success. Don’t wait until after the economy has turned around to discover your personal brand. By then those who have already been using theirs to market themselves and leverage their opportunities will already be in the positions you were hoping to land.

Do you want to use this blog article?

You may, as long as you include this complete bio with it:

Sarah Hathorn is a professional image consultant, certified personal brand strategist, speaker, and author. 

Her company, Illustra Image Consulting, works with high-achieving future leaders and large businesses by enhancing their corporate and personal brand image to take their businesses and careers to the next level.

Blog, Ezine & Website: www.illustraimageconsulting.com

Copyright © 2010, Sarah Hathorn, AICI CIP, CPBS

Prepare Your Team to Step into the Leadership Spotlight

I recently read an article in the Wall Street Journal titled Leadership Training Gains Urgency Amid Stronger Economy. The write-up discussed how companies fear a shortage of qualified managers to step forward and lead projects when the time comes to shift gears into growth mode. 

I found this article especially enlightening because I offer corporate image development programs specifically tailored to “leaders and high achievers.” During the recent downturn we saw many organizations begin to panic and reduce professional leadership training for their trailblazers and top leaders. But those are the same people that these organizations want at the helm of the ship, and it does not make much sense to put them under even more pressure and stress by withdrawing valuable resources in the middle of a stormy sea.

When organizations go through the succession-planning process and identify the professional growth that key people need in order to reach their maximum performance potential, executive presence is definitely at the top of the list. So if you work in the HR department of a large organization, go through that list of high-potential leaders and high-achieving candidates. Then ask yourself these questions about each of them:

1. Do they dress in a manner that represents an unprofessional personal brand and/or reflects negatively on the corporate brand? 
2. Does their overall appearance set the example and provide the right role model for everyone else in the organization? 
3. Is their behavior ever questionable? Do employees highly respect how they treat other individuals in the organization? Or do they sometimes publically reprimand others or show inappropriate disgust or disapproval through their facial expressions?  
4. In meetings or during one-on-one consultations do they signal a lack of trustworthiness through body language? Do they have difficulty building and nurturing long-term business relationships? 
5. Does their overall image convey that they understand business etiquette and protocol in today’s multi-cultural world? Or do they make embarrassing remarks or blunders that cost your organization new business?
6. Do they understand how to convey a polished image while collaborating with teams from the four generational workforces? Or are they a bit biased or old fashioned when it comes to tapping into the attributes of a diverse multi-generational workforce in order to build high performance teams?
7. When they speak do they talk with sincerity from the heart and build interest through engaging gestures? Do they interact with their audience or are they too hurried to take the time to gauge the mood of others, listen to their valuable feedback, and make a memorable connection that continues to resonate?

All of those questions relate to critical facets of professional presence and the silent put powerful messages that top leaders are communicating within their organizations each and every day.  If you can’t answer all of them with resounding confidence in your leaders then they are hindering the growth of your company and will cost it even more once the economy rebounds.

Many Fortune 500 companies and other organizations where I provide leadership programs don’t even realize that professional consultants like myself can create customized programs and executive image coaching programs. But we can ensure that your leaders learn what no one else will teach them – how to project influential executive presence for success in today’s complex and fiercely competitive business world.

Just recently I worked with two top leaders in Fortune 100 companies. Each one was amazed how much they learned about executive presence that was nowhere to be found within their MBA curriculum, corporate training agenda, or upbringing. 

You want your leaders to step into the spotlight with confidence, grace, and ease – so start preparing them now and their polished executive presence will ensure that they are “celebrities of credibility” within the industry! 

We provide a variety of corporate seminars, customized executive image coaching programs, and individual consultations focused on the Leadership Presence ABC’s (appearance, behavior/etiquette, communication skills). To learn how to leverage those to your advantage please contact us at sarah@illustraimageconsulting.com or call Sarah at 678-528-1239. 

Do you want to use this blog article?

You may, as long as you include this complete bio with it:

Sarah Hathorn is a professional image consultant, certified personal brand strategist, speaker, and author. 

Her company, Illustra Image Consulting, works with high-achieving future leaders and large businesses by enhancing their corporate and personal brand image to take their businesses and careers to the next level.

Blog, Ezine & Website: www.illustraimageconsulting.com

Copyright © 2010, Sarah Hathorn, AICI CIP, CPBS

Kick Your Khakis Up a Notch

 Many of my corporate clients allow khakis on casual Fridays, and in some ultra-casual firms like those in the IT industry they allow them every day of the week. Most people think of khakis as one step up from denim, and they do occupy a fashion no man’s land somewhere between jeans and dress pants. They fill a great role in the dress code for certain kinds of business workplaces, for weekend wear, or when dressing for a casual retreat. As we begin to transition our wardrobes for fall, khakis are a great way to easily pull together a classically stylish yet comfortably casual autumn look. But the trick is to wear them in a way that keeps you looking modern and innovative – not just two degrees away from jeans.

Here are a few ways to polish up your look with khakis so you don’t look like the carpool mom who simply threw them on with a casual T-shirt for the sake of convenience. In business, your khakis need to say that although your industry may be a bit on the casual side your own personal way of dressing is immaculate and modern – just like your individual business ideas!

1) Shop for Modern Cuts: If you own khakis that are several years old it’s time for a change. Today retailers are making new cuts for khakis, especially for women. Look for the trouser style from Banana Republic, the slim-cut style from Talbots, or the tuxedo style – which is an updated version of the old chino pant from the Gap. All of these are work-appropriate or weekend-sassy styles. If you are wearing khakis for work, wear a long pant that conveys professionalism – unless your dress code specifically calls for Capris.TIPS FOR MEN:  Try on new styles of flat-front, wrinkle-resistant, and slightly pleated to find which one best suits your particular body type. 

2) Pair for Flair: If you love wearing khakis, try to pair them with some stylish tops and you’ll be looking sassy in no time at all. For these upcoming transitional days of autumn you might want to wear them with a dressy knit blouse layered with a great fall cardigan. A colored trench-coat style or a safari modern jacket with khakis can also give you a more approachable style, versus the conventional buttoned-up and suited look. TIPS FOR MEN:  For fall you can always wear khakis with a quality sport shirt or even layer with a V-neck sweater in an autumn color like olive green for added credibility.

3) Coordinating Shoes: The great thing that distinguishes khakis is that the fabric and cut is more casual, so you want to mirror that same look in your shoe selection. For work or weekend wear, opt for a wonderful wedge in tones of brown or metallic. Today there are also many fun flats in colorful prints, patents, and textures, and those can likewise help add some style to your outfit. But take my advice: always double check your corporate dress code to make sure you wear a proper shoe style! TIPS FOR MEN: When you dare to wear khakis, leave the formal dress shoes in the closet and slip into a new modern driving moccasin that looks dressy-casual and complements your look.   

4) Your Clothing Work Horse:  Khakis are a real wardrobe work horse. Even if you work in a conservative firm they can help you look polished on days when you are cleaning out the office or while at an off-site retreat. So be sure to have a few pairs in stylish cuts and different weights to get you through in a pinch all year-round. TIPS FOR MEN: You probably wear khakis more often than your female colleagues do because they are your go-to casual pants. But be cautious not to buy those old 100% cotton khakis that wrinkle easily. Otherwise by 1:00 PM it will appear that you slept through the lunch hour in your car!   

5) Today’s New Neutrals for Wardrobe Versatility: Along with all the new modern cuts, trims, and styles we are also seeing many vendors offering different tones of color in the khaki pant. Look for more modern tones like camel (fall’s new trend color), stone, putty, tan, and olive. TIPS FOR MEN: Okay guys, you can have some fashion flair too! Look for tones that look good on you, but especially shop for more modern colors so you don’t look like you pulled your pants off the hanger in your father’s closet. 

This fall, as the weather begins to change, I hope you will take an inventory of the khakis in your closet and see if you need to add some new modern cuts and colors to your professional or personal wardrobe. Then when you wear khakis for business casual you’ll be wearing them with unique style and power! 

Do you want to use this blog article?

You may, as long as you include this complete bio with it:

Sarah Hathorn is a professional image consultant, certified personal brand strategist, speaker, and author. 

Her company, Illustra Image Consulting, works with high-achieving future leaders and large businesses by enhancing their corporate and personal brand image to take their businesses and careers to the next level.

Blog, Ezine & Website: www.illustraimageconsulting.com

Copyright © 2010, Sarah Hathorn, AICI CIP, CPBS