The following post is contributed by Shawn Parr.  He is the CEO of Bulldog Drummond, a design and innovation consultancy headquartered in San Diego whose clients include Starbucks, Pepsi, Jack in the Box, Adidas, MTV, Nestle, Pinkberry, Virgin, Disney, Nike and American Eagle Outfitters.

1. BE COURAGEOUS, OFTEN

Take bold steps to stand out from the crowd. Reflect on 2010 and look at what you did well, and what you could have been different. Take courageous steps to help your brand stand out in 2011.

2. REVISIT AND REFINE YOUR PURPOSE
Take the time to look back at your mission and vision and ask if you were living it in 2010. Look for places to bring it to life with your team and explore whether you need to refine it. Remember: the words aren’t set in stone. If they’re not resonating, rewrite and revise!

3. SHUT UP AND LISTEN
There’s a lot to learn if you just take the time to listen. Make sure you ask your team for feedback, ideas and suggestions. Listen to your consumers and pay attention to research. Listen to what they have to say and act on what you’ve heard. Honest, unfiltered feedback is fuel for change.

4. FIND AN ENEMY
An enemy gives you and your team something to push against–something to challenge. An enemy inspires passion!  This year, define a clear enemy and rally your team. It could be a competitor, a trend or an element of your internal culture. No matter what it is, create a plan to beat it, share the mission with your team and go forth!

5. STRETCH AND SET SOME BIG GOALS
Set at least one wild and audacious goal for 2011–something you’ve never tried before. Outline the goal, share it with your team and challenge them to play their part in achieving it. Just don’t forget to celebrate the small victories and successes on the journey.

6. BUILD A PASSIONATE AND ENGAGED TEAM
Your most valuable resource is your people. This year, weed out those don’t contribute and aren’t engaged. Replace them with active, passionate and energized people who will make a true difference to the rest of your team and your brand.

7. INJECT FUN INTO THE EVERYDAY
One of the best motivators for your team is a great work environment. This year, start doing small things that make your employees happy. A monthly massage for a those who have put in extra hours or a weekly pot-luck for the team. Small gestures or events can make a big difference. And the benefits won’t just stop with your team – they will show through everything that your brand does. Happy people equals happy brand.

8. PLAN FOR LEARNING
This year, make a commitment and ensure you company is continually learning and is inspired by the word at large. Create a program that allows your team to take classes. Host a “learning lunch” monthly with guest speakers. Injecting new thinking into your organization will energize your team and, ultimately, benefit your brand.

9. MAKE FRIENDS WITH OTHER BRANDS
Partner brands can be your best ally–whether they’re in your space or not. This year, chart a “circle of love,” identifying brands with similar values that you’d like to partner with in 2011. Set one member of your team with a potential relationship and have them explore how to collaborate. You’ll be surprised by the results, even just the initial conversations you’ll have about your own brand.

10. SAY THANK YOU AND SHOW THAT YOU REALLY MEAN IT
And, lastly, do what your mother told you! Thanking people goes a long way to creating valued and appreciated fans–internally and externally. This year, find new ways to show you appreciate your team, your customers and your partners, in ways that truly make a difference in their lives. You’ll be surprised and delighted by the results.

Related Posts:

• New Year's Resolutions for College Students
• Great Minors for a Liberal Arts Major
• Jobs for Introverts and Extroverts in Each Field

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Post tags: brand, branding, goals, marketing, new year's, shawn parr

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Business Administration

A business minor will give you a foundation in accounting, marketing, and general management.  Whether you’re goal is to start work or to attend professional school, knowledge of the business world will be a great advantage.

Marketing

Many liberal arts majors pursue careers in marketing after college.  Having a minor in marketing can give you an advantage over the competition.

Human Resources Management

Human resources management is another common career choice for liberal arts graduates, particularly psychology majors.   Human resources management courses will teach you the business side of HR, while your psychology courses will help you understand the behavioral and emotional aspects.

Information Systems

Technical skills will be important no matter what career you choose.  Employers expect a certain degree of computer skills and an information systems or computer science minor will demonstrate that you’ve learned the basics.

Education

Although education is a common career path for liberal arts graduates, many are not prepared for the challenges of teaching.  By taking education classes, you’ll have a better idea of what to expect when you begin your teaching career.

Mass Media and Communications

A mass media and communications minor can be a great compliment for English major wishing to pursue a career in media or journalism.  See Adrienne Carlson’s guest post for career options for journalism majors.

To learn about more college majors and what jobs you can get with different majors, read the Book of Majors 2010 (College Board Book of Majors).

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Related Posts:

• Good and Bad Reasons to Get a Liberal Arts Degree
• Jobs for Liberal Arts Majors: History
• Jobs for Liberal Arts Majors: English
• Guide to Changing Your Major
• Advice for Entrepreneurs from Jim Muehlhausen

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Post tags: business, HR, liberal arts, majors, marketing, minors

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Accounting and Finance:

Extroverts are more likely to prefer management positions while introverts will prefer to stay behind the scenes doing research or financial analysis. Extroverts also make good entrepreneurs because they can make connections easily. Extroverts can enroll in a traditional university program for accounting and finance, and there are opportunities for introverts to attend online masters degree programs.

Introvert jobs: credit analyst, financial analyst, staff  accountant

Extrovert jobs:  personal financial adviser, financial manager, financial services sales agent

Marketing and Sales:

A reader commenting on a previous post mentioned that she loves the creativity used in marketing but she feels overwhelmed as an introvert. For creative introverts, marketing can be a good field if you choose a job that allows for some quiet time to concentrate.

Introvert jobs: market research analyst, web/internet marketing analyst, marketing copywriter

Extrovert jobs: advertising sales agent, public relations specialist, marketing manager*

*Marketing manager can be a great job for both introverts and extroverts, depending on the responsibilities of a particular position. Some marketing managers focus a large portion of their time on research and designing promotional material. Presentation and communication skills are essential for marketing management, but extroversion is not.

Information Technology:

You may think that only introverts would enjoy computer-related occupations, but extroverts can actually excel in jobs that require good marketing and public relations skills. Introverts will probably enjoy work within an organization where they can remain in the background working on projects without worrying too much about promoting their ideas or products.

Introvert jobs: software engineer, computer systems analyst

Extrovert jobs: independent web developer/designer, professional tech blogger, entrepreneur

If you’re interested in the Information Technology field, you could consider getting information assurance training online to stand out from the rest.

Education:

You might be surprised to learn that many teachers consider themselves introverts. Don’t rule teaching out if you are introverted because many teaching jobs allow for down-time between classes. If you are interested in teaching a certain subject, don’t let your personality stop you.

Introvert jobs: librarian, school psychologist, guidance counselor, college professor

Extrovert jobs: elementary school teacher, education administrator

Health care:

Empathy and patience are two important traits for health care workers to have. Introverts are often very sensitive and contemplative, making them excellent candidates for many jobs the health care field. Extroverts usually do well in jobs that require both good interpersonal skills and stamina.

Introvert jobs: pharmacist, anesthesiologist, family physician, nutritionist, home health nurse

Extrovert jobs: emergency medical technician, physical therapist, emergency room nurse

For more research about personality and career choice read Career Match: Connecting Who You Are with What You’ll Love to Do

Related Posts:

• Jobs for Analytical Types
• Information Technology Careers for Introverts
• Healthcare Careers for Introverts
• Five High Demand Jobs for Introverts
• Don’t Let Student Loans Ruin You

See larger image Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking (Hardcover) By (author) Susan Cain List Price: $26.00 USD New From: $11.94 In Stock Used from: $12.18 In Stock Release date January 24, 2012.

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Post tags: education, extrovert, finance, healthcare, introvert, IT, jobs, marketing, personality

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