Tom Peters: Seven Questions about Brand You

My Dad, Tom Peters and me - Palo Alto, CA (1989)

Some things age well. Some things don't.
My dad looks younger today than he did in this photo 20 years ago.
And Tom Peters is still provoking thought and discussion.

Here are 7 timeless provocations from Tom, from 'the brand you 50', published in 1999. Use this exercise to create your 'personal brand'.

1. I am known for (2-4 things). By this time next year, I plan also to be known for (1-2 more things).
2. My current project is challenging me in the follow (1-3 ways).
3. New stuff I've learned in the last 90 days includes: (1-3 things).
4. Important new additions to my Rolodex in the last 90 days include (2-4 names).
5. My public - local/regional/national/global - 'visibility program' consists of (1-2 things).
6. My principal 'resume enhancement activity' for the next 90 days is (1 item).
7. My resume/CV is discernibly different from last years on this date in the following (1-2 ways).

Trade 'Rolodex' for 'LinkedIn' and it's hard to imagine anything I'd change in this list.

Poll: Does Your Team Have a Mission Statement?

It seems like I don't go more than a week without a conversation about mission statements...

This weekend I've been reading "The Five Most Important Questions You Will Ever Ask About Your Organisation" by Peter Drucker, with new material by Jim Collins, James Kouzes and others.

I'm pleased to see that Mr. Drucker and I agree strongly that "The effective mission statement is short and sharply focused. It should fit on a T-shirt. "
We also agree that "Your core mission provides guidance, not just about what to do, but equally what not to do."

This is the first book by Drucker that I've read (I know, I know... it's inexcusable, I promise to make up for it in the next few months) and I'm sure we'll agree on a lot... as if his work needs my validation.

Anyway, that brings us to this weeks poll (you'll find it to the right):
Does your team have a mission statement?

Creative Tools I: Magnetic Poetry

My Business Poem

Here's a fun site from the Magnetic Poetry folks.
You may have seen magnetic poetry kits in book stores.

It's a box full of words that are on magnets. You can toss them on a refrigerator and whip up a haiku (or a limerick - art is up to the artist...) while you grab a beer.

On this site is an online version that you can play with when you're not near a refrigerator.
This is the office version, so even if you get caught you can tell them you're working on your mission statement!

Vision and Mission Statements II

My colleagues and I have worked on a number of mission statements in the past few weeks.
In an earlier post, I listed my 5 expectations for a mission statement.
Today, I'd like to add two introductory questions and a reflection question.

First the introductory questions:

1. What is the intention of this mission statement? Is it to serve as a rudder in times of doubt? Is it a recruiting tool? Is it a wish list? Is it to polish your reputation? Obviously, some of these intentions are better than others, but let's at least be honest. There's nothing worse than spending a few days on a mission statement when there is a hidden agenda.
2. Who is the audience? This ties to number one. Is it for customers? For candidates? For the senior leadership? For the front line? For all of the above?

In my mind, the best missions are intended to serve as a rudder, and are for all audiences.
But other intentions and audiences can be written for, and written effectively - as long as there is agreement.

My reflection question is this: Look at all the verbs in your vision and ask 'are these accurate descriptors of the people we want'?

An example: if the word 'help' is in your statement, are you hiring Helpers?
If the word 'deliver' is in your statement, are you hiring Deliverymen?
I've seen technology companies use both words, when the words don't accurately reflect their intentions. Be careful.... words are powerful.

If you want to hire designers, leaders, builders, creators, and energizers - then use those verbs in your statement.