Winning Strategies

Press Release- Brand YOU on display at the London Book Fair

Press Release
For Immediate Attention:
April 13, 2013
Contact: Amy Van Vleck, 214-649-9895

Local author has Brand YOU book on display at the London Book Fair in Earls Court Exhibition Centre, Warwick Road, London, England

Dallas author Bethany Williams will have her newest title, Brand YOU: A Step-By-Step Guide to Building Your Brand, on display at the London Book Fair, April 16-18, 2012, in Earls Court Exhibition Centre, Warwick Road, London, England.

During its first week of release in 2011, Brand YOU reached the No. 1 spot on Amazon’s Hot New Releases list in the Sales category. In 2010, Bethany became “One of the Top 25 Women to Watch” by the Dallas Business Journal and now her latest book has gone global.

 “When I started my writing journey, I never dreamed I’d have the honor of my books being read around the world,” Williams said. “I’m thrilled to have Brand YOU on display in London for this prestigious book show.” A truly international exhibition, The London Book Fair hosts business professionals from all over the world for the three days of the fair. In 2011, the total attendance was 24,802.

In Brand YOU, Williams helps professionals find ways to survive and thrive in this tough, global economy. One reviewer said: “Simple. Accurate. Motivating. And most importantly, actionable. A must read! As a reader with a strong appreciation for Moore's law, you have to be ever-changing to keep up with technology and trends. Branding yourself has never been more important to rise above the noise! Genuinely Awesome! I give it 5.0 out of 5 stars.” Reviewed by Chris C. on Amazon.com.

Williams hopes that book retailers across Europe will select Brand YOU for distribution to their bookstores, universities, schools, and libraries, giving Brand YOU a chance to enable readers from around the world to brand themselves in a new way, ensure job security, and position themselves for success in the global economy.

“It is an honor to have one of my books on display at this prestigious show,” she said. “I will continue to spread the message that if you dream and persevere, you will achieve and succeed to heights untold.”

Williams has two other published books: Winning Strategies for Women (revised 2012) and From Mother to Mentor, Father to Coach. All of her books are available on Amazon.com.

For more on Bethany, her books and speaking engagements, visit bethanyawilliams.com, or contact Amy Van Vleck, 214-649-9895.

Are Your Biggest Earning Days Over? Not If You Don't Want Them to BE!

US News and World Report recently published an article quoting that , for women, we will stop receiving pay raises at about age 37 (and the age is 45 for men).  YUK.  YIKES.  That should grab your attention.  And, for what reason do they quote?  We reach a level where experience eventually stops improving our productivity:  http://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/articles/2012/03/28/are-your-biggest-earning-days-over

Does It HAVE to be that Way?

It doesn't HAVE to be that way.  By distinctly working to create expertise in areas that your peers in the industry or field that you are in have not- you can capitalize on knowledge that can keep your salary climbing for several more years.  Are you in healthcare?  Become brilliantly knowlegeable about Meangingful Use stages 1 and 2.  Become an expert on the HITECH act.  Learn about security.  Explore alternate models of healthcare in other countries.  We have a big dilemma to solve- try to increase your education to add innovation and creativity in a field that lacks it greatly.

Are you in retail, manufacturing or engineering?  There are ways in each of these fields  that you can expand your knowledge to move your organizations forward.  Consider a path explaining the steps necessary to expand your brand and increase your value in my recent book, Brand YOU.  

If we sit back and let our career paths build themselves, and we are unaware of our brand or how to best position and GROW our skillsets and knowledge, than the article will ring true, every time.  Our earnings will cap off and then they will proceed to decline for the remainder of our earning years.

Take CHARGE!

Take charge of your career path and journey.  Explore options to increase your expertise and specialties.  Find ways to 'stand out from the crowd' to maximize your worth to an organization and your ability to move them forward.  Companies crave true thought leaders and innovators.

YOU own the determining factors in whether this statistic will become your reality or whether it will be debunked because of your ability to uniquely position yourself to increase your earning potential when others can not. Go prove them wrong!

New BOOK- Brand YOU Book Announcement Press Release

Press Release

For Immediate Attention: November 1, 2011
Contact: Amy Van Vleck, 214-649-9895

“Brand YOU” author empowers professionals to develop a personal brand

that sells them in today’s competitive market.

Dallas, Texas - The job market is perhaps more gloomy than the 9.1 percent unemployment rate suggests, because America's 14 million unemployed must also compete with 8.8 million other people not counted as unemployed — part-timers who want full-time work.

So, how can job seekers, regardless of employment status, position themselves to find work, prevent losing a job when the floodgate opens or, better yet, be on the lookout for an open opportunity or an advanced job? In her new book, Brand YOU: A Step-by-Step Guide to Building Your Brand, author Bethany Williams helps professionals find ways to survive and thrive in this tough economy.

In Brand YOU, Williams takes readers through the process of a professional self-evaluation and external evaluation, guides readers to create and market a distinct personal brand, and teaches how to communicate that brand both online and in-person.

“Your online personality should reflect your strengths, your accomplishments,” Williams says. “Once your digital resume, if you will, has their attention, doors begin to open.” She offers practical steps to position your strengths and individuality in a tough market.

Williams is a results-oriented executive with 27 years experience driving complex initiatives in the business world. She is the Vice President of Product Marketing and has worked in high level positions in industry leading corporations such as  PwC, Perot Systems, Sharp Healthcare, GE Healthcare, and IDX Systems Corporation. In 2009, Bethany was named “One of the Top 25 Women to Watch” by the Dallas Business Journal.

She has two other published books: Winning Strategies for Women and From Mother to Mentor, Father to Coach. All of her books are available on Amazon.com. Brand YOU also will be available in e-book by mid-November.

For more on Bethany, her books and speaking engagements, visit bethanywilliams.org.

Join the ATW Dallas September 8, 2011: Come Hear Colleen Barrett speak on Leading with Luv

ATW Dallas 2011 Executive Leadership Forum

Learn how you can start leading with luv, wherever you are!

Please join the ATW on Thursday , September 8, 2011 to hear

 
Colleen Barrett
 President Emeritus
Southwest Airlines

To register, click here:  http://www.dfwatw.org/UpcomingEvents.html

 

The Dina Bar-EL Fashion Empire

I had the opportunity to spend 2 days in Los Angeles, consulting for Dina Bar-EL of the Dina Bar-EL Fashion Empire.  She is an amazingly brilliant designer that gained significant popularity in 2004 and 2005 when Kate Hudson wore one of her dress designs in the movie, 'How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days'.  Since  Kate graced the movie set in the stunning yellow satin dress, Dina has been blessed with a growing business, and a brand that is now known world-wide  www.DinaBarEL.com. Her and I became friends after a chance encounter in the first class cabin on American airlines from LAX to Dallas in 2007. 

While I was in LA, we worked on a business plan and further refining her brand.  It is always refreshing to step across varying verticals, realizing the proliferation of similiarities that varying industries possess.

From my desk I could see beautiful dresses, recently designed by  Dina Bar-EL.  Her dresses are known for their fit, the elegant fabrics that she uses to create them, and the beautiful designs.

The dresses are breathtaking. You've surely seen one of her dresses, as Hollywood has a love affair with the Dina Bar-El dresses.  

Her dresses have been worn by Fergi, Paris Hilton, Victoria Beckham, Byonce', the Pussy Cat Dolls, Rihanna, Tara Reid, Geena Davis, Holly Robinson Peete, Tyra Banks, Penelope Cruz, Carmen Electra, Mary J Blige- - and the list goes on and on and on. 

We started the second day out with breakfast with Won-G (www.won-g.com).  Won-G is a Haitian  born rapper, entrepeneuer, businesman and philanthropist.  He is a breath of fresh air, very different from most of the stars that you may meet in Beverly Hills.  He has started a blue jean company called Sovage Jeans (www.sovagedenim.com) that has kicked off to a superb start. 

 
Michael Williams, Bethany Willams, Won-G, and Dina Bar-EL

Here the 'breakfast club' (grin) meets to strategize over egg whites and toast.  God is good.

Who Are YOU and What are YOU Known For?

It is becoming more and more clear as time passes that it is critical to understand what your business thinks of 'Who YOU are and What YOU are known for'.  Personal branding is becoming an important step in moving your career forward whether you stay at the same company or move into another company.

Your skillsets must be easily distinguished from the skillsets of those that you compete against, your ROI and value must be clearly understood and documented.

Who are you?  What are you known for?  What do you do great?  Think about the components that make YOU special.  Process specifics in your mind.  If your company were having a large layoff, whta would the executives say about you behind closed doors?  These are good things to know.

Begin forming ideas about Who YOU are.  Begin to form a brand idea for yourself.  More to come....stay tuned.

The Key to Looking Fabulous & Building Your Brand

Well, we all know that the key to looking fabulous is time, money, and more time.  Laugh.  It is no secret that we have to take time out to care for our look, eat right, and excercise.  Our image is crucial in our continued movement towards success.

Roman Becerra is the amazing hairstylist that does my hair.  He works at Toni and Guy in the Gallaria Mall.  I wanted to take a moment to say "Thank You" for all that he does to try to keep me looking good.  I recognize it is a feat all unto itself.  I appreciate you Roman and all your efforts.  Thank you for styling my hair today for the photo shoot for the Dallas Business Journal.

Roman has also built an amazing web page.  With a changing economy and a proliferation of people out of work, we cannot afford not to build our brand.  I commend those of you that have written in and are using the tips and advise to create a sellable brand for yourself.

Check out Roman's webpage at:  www.romanbecerra.com

If you haven't started a web page, and you've already spent time creating profiles and a web presence at  www.linkedin.com, www.plaxo.com, and www.facebook.com, it may be the right time to search for a domain name and take the first step to building a more thorough brand:  www.godaddy.com   .  Go Daddy is a great place to see the domain names that are available.  Once you select a domain name and pay for the site, you could use the easy tools to create a basic site or you could hire an expert to create your page. 

You own your brand.  It doesn't have to be tied only to the company that you work for.  Begin to create a brand and value statement that is YOU and individual from the company that you work for.