How being different can beat being better

How being different can beat being betterHow being different can beat being betterI always thought that the best wins at anything. That might be true for sports. But leid for life and business.If youre trying to build a profitable business or stable career, you might be approaching it all wrong. At least, I was. And I think that the common belief about success is also totally wrong.I get it when it comes to sports. Theres only one place at the top. And to get to the top, you have to be the best. I only applaud that. In fact, Im inspired by athletes like LeBron James, Christiano Ronaldo, Serena Williams, and others.But business is different. Instead of being the best, you must strive for becoming the first. Al Ries and Jack Trout put it best in their classic absatzwirtschaft book, The 22 Immutable Laws Of MarketingEveryone is interested in whats new. Few people are interested in whats better.Who cares about a marginally better product or service? Thats the problem with most businesses and even people. We compete with each other for the same market. Thats the basic idea behind Blue Ocean Strategy by W. Chan Kim and Rene Mauborgne.The authors argue that most companies find themselves in markets with too much competition, called red oceans. They writeBlue ocean strategy challenges companies to break out of the red ocean of bloody competition by creating uncontested market space that makes the competition irrelevant. Instead of dividing up existing- and often shrinking- demand and benchmarking competitors, blue ocean strategy is about growing demand and breaking away from the competition.But how do you break away from the competition?Be different.I look at entrepreneurship like the music industry. Every akrobat that is at the top of the charts is different from everyone else. Theres only one Drake, Rihanna, Lady Gaga. These artists didnt try to become better versions of Jay-Z, Madonna, Beyonce, or whoever came before them. No, they created their own genre.Drake is t he first rapper that sings and who gets away with it. Rihanna broke out with a song called Pon de Replay which is a combination between pop and reggae, a new sound. Lady Gaga, well, she doesnt need an introduction. Shes Lady Gaga and you cant compare her with anything.You see, its not about being better, its about being different. And when youre different, youre often the first in a new category.Tim Ferriss was the first lifestyle entrepreneur. He popularized the idea in his book, The Four Hour Work Week. Did he invent the idea? Who cares? Hes known for it.Al Ries and Jack Trout sayWhen you launch a new product, the first question to ask yourself is not How is this new product better than the competition? but First what? In other words, what category is this new product first in?You can apply this to your career as well. Scott Adams, creator of the comic strip Dilbert, is the first cartoonist that writes about life advice and business. Hes different. And hes the first.Dont ask yours elf, What am I better at?Ask, How am I different?The easiest way to be different is to combine skills that are new in a certain area. I also learned that idea from Scott Adams in his book How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big Kind of the Story of My Life. (I love that title, btw.)Adams says that every skill you acquire, doubles your odds of success. He writesNotice I didnt say anything about the level of proficiency you need to achieve for each skill. I didnt mention anything about excellence or being world-class. The idea is that you can raise your market value by being merely good- not extraordinary- at mora than one skill.Adams strategy is practical, and more importantly Realistic.Anyone can become different in their field become becoming better at one or more of the following skills (check out Scott Adams book for a more comprehensive list)Writing Were all writers. And by writing well you can stand out from the crowd.Public Speaking Getting comfortable with speaki ng in front of a group makes you a better leader.Selling We all have something to sell Our art, products, services, and even ourselves.Can you think of a surgeon that can also write and speak well? Atul Gawande, the author The Checklist Manifesto comes to mind.Think different.I know, its been used to death, but the old Apple commercial hits the nail on the head. Once you get the concept, you start noticing the patterns everywhere. Think different is not some marketing slogan.Its at the core of success. Every business or person that succeeds is because they did SOMETHING different.The question now is What are YOU going to do differently?This article first appeared on Dariusforoux.com.

6 things recruiters are looking for in 2018

6 things recruiters are looking for in 20186 things recruiters are looking for in 2018In a perfect world, wed gently glide from one gig to the next with dignity and skill sets intact. In the sometimes dog-eat-dog world of job hunting though, you have to create a version of yourself that both highlights your skills and jumps off the screen at recruiters. These are some of the skills recruiters will be actively seeking in potential candidates in the year ahead1. Where you are coming fromAn emerging trend is recruiting from very specific backgrounds. Shift concentrates on military transitions, and CEO Mike Slagh says that military personnel can help launch technology-focused careers through predictive job matching technology and immersive fellowship programs. To that end, when placing a veteran, they look at hard skills, soft skills, preferences and culture, and consider these characteristics mora relevant than ever before. Someone with a background in the military might be able to fit into a rigid corporate structure that might be too tight of a fit for someone else.2. A balance of hard and soft skillsYoure a tech genius and extremely science savvy - yay, you But, you cant meet peoples eyes during conversation and tend to mumble during presentations big boo. Or the flip side, youre a smooth talker and can engage anyone in conversation, but you need constant hand-holding when it comes to figuring out how to create a PowerPoint.Regardless of the industry, Its no secret that hiring managers are increasingly looking for technology-, analytics-, and computer science-savvy professionals, said Don Bossi, president of STEM education nonprofit FIRST, who works with companies including Boeing, NASA and Lego. That said, So-called soft skills are also critically important, and include teamwork, collaboration, problem-solving, and communication skills, according to Bossi.3. The best fit for the job (over the long haul)Sometimes its not enough for you to think youre the perf ect candidate for any gig, if you dont meet some unseen or unknown criteria theyll probably go with someone else. Quality recruiting is not just about finding the person with the best skill set, but also about finding the best fit for thejob and company from a work culture perspective according to Laura Platt,Director of Human Resources forSpreadshirt,a global e-commerce company.It isnt always just the skills though, Its important to determine the kinds of personalities that will getalong with one another, according to Platt, and we aim to find applicants who will encourage teamwork and contribute to acollaborative environment. And one more thing It is imperative to look for the necessary applicant skills that will be needed not just fortoday, but also for the future.4. Listen upSometimes very specific soft skills will be the ones that set you apart. You may be so busy talking about yourself that you miss the fact that some recruiters want to see just how well you can listen. How gr eat are you at communicating your needs? How well do you manage a team?As someone who has hired hundreds of people over the past 38 years, I have always screened for communication skills, especially listening and verbal skills, stressed Brad Neuenhaus, Chief Business Officer of MindEdge. Neuenhaus also listed critical thinking and business process improvement skills as being crucial for new hires.5. Theyll search in unexpected placesNot all recruiters go through mountains of resumes or LinkedIn profiles - some look for hidden clues instead as Laura Hanson, CHRO of Sphera explained Whats important in the search is knowing who your company is and what behaviors make people successful at the company. Hanson said she finds success in hiring for tech by looking in non-traditional places for candidates with the right soft skills. She notes that veterans, working mothers and recent graduates have fantastic skills and behaviors and can be brought up to speed on the tech.6. If you match you r homilie to the mediumWith apologies to Marshall McLuhan, recruiters will be looking to see if you can find a way to communicate in an effective manner no matter the method of communication. With text-initial interviewing on the rise (thats an entirely different article) prospects have to learn to be succinct by sharing clear and tight responses, according to Aman Brar, CEO of text-based startup Canvas. Theres no reason to be verbose when interviewing in person and the same is true for screening over text. Save long answers for follow up interviews and keep things pithy and informational to start.

What to wear to an interview when the weather turns nasty

What to wear to an interview when the weather turns nastyWhat to wear to an interview when the weather turns nastyDont let the weather ruin your job interview follow these fashion tips.While many North Easterners were braving out the winter weather tucked away safely inside, some job seekers might leid have been so lucky. Unfortunately, the job search doesnt always come to a halt when bad weather strikes and trudging out into the elements becomes inevitable. Since looking your best is a crucial element to any successful interview, be sure to follow these simple fashion tips so the weather will not put a damper on your big day.Preparation is keyAs with most aspects of the job search, preparation is essential when is come to an interview and this means checking the weather prior to selecting your interview outfit. Being unprepared and dressing inappropriately for the weather could lead to an untidy look. Once you know the weather, it is easy to plan you outfit and accessories.Judge a book by its coverFirst impressions are everything in the job search and it starts the moment you walk in the door. Depending on the season and your climate, the right coat and accessories can help you get off to a great start.Coats and Trenches Peacoats and trench coats are great staples for both men and women. Many of these coats have zip-in hoods or linings which can lead to an easy transition into any season. Choose a neutral color (black, navy blue, tan) and be sure to pay close attention to the fit.Hats, Gloves Scarves Use these items to show off your personality without going overboard. You want all the items to match each other and compliment the coat you are wearing.Put your best foot forwardNo matter the distance, traveling by foot in bad weather is simply a pain. A simple answer to this problem is to invest in shoe covers. Shoe covers are a fairly in expensive and can save your nice shoes from being ruined due to rain or snow. ansicht slip ons are perfect for interviews as they go right over your shoe (heels included) and can be easily stored in your bag upon arrival.Less is moreWhen it comes to your actual interview outfit, the best advice is to keep it simple. If you stick to the basics, you are sure turn up looking put together no matter the weather. A job interview is not the time (especially in bad weather) to try out the latest fashion trend. A classic suit in a neutral color is always best for men. Women can go with a pant suit in a neutral color as well or opt for a pencil skirt with a blazer to compliment it. Keep in mind that fit is extremely important If your jacket, pants or shirt are too loose or too tight, the overall professional ansehen may be ruined.