Be The Blue Pineapple

. . . a narrative on becoming visible

I’m finding more and more in today’s society that people don’t want, or for that matter, know how to be visible. Today’s world is not like it was a few years ago. People are different, so are your clients. SO ARE YOU!

There are the haters, the bullies, the meme creators, etc. All whom want to seemingly get inside our heads. I’m here to tell you to let it go. It took me forever to do this myself, so I know how hard it can be.

If this doesn’t apply to you and you’ve got no issues with being visible, great! Please read on because there’s something here for you, too.

Regardless of your industry or profession, it’s about perspective. THIS is how I’m wired. I view things differently, unexpectedly, with a unique perspective. Always have.

I invite you to read the younger Carrie’s story of how she shaped me today.

It wasn’t until recent revelations that I became aware of just when, and how much, I’d become visible and how its impacted my story, and all that I have to give and share. You see, I’ve been trying to “find my story” for years.

Let’s set the stage:

• 23 year old at her first corporate job; a Fortune 200 company

• HR assistant for their departments’ front desk

• responsible for handing out applications (yes, we did that)

• guiding applicants and interviewees to the proper location on campus and answering their questions

• running the company store

She also relieved the corporate receptionists during breaks and lunches at THE “main building.”

• coordinated appointments with various vendors, C-suite personnel and their staff

• answered the incoming calls, etc.

Lots of visibility all around, to be sure!

Another main duty she looked forward to was the weekly bulletin board posting “walk-about.” There were 23 bulletin boards on campus. Her job was to type up and assemble (yep, we did that too) all of the job and necessary postings. People knew the timing and sometimes greeted her at the elevator in anticipation of the new jobs list. The c-suite and their executive staff each got their own packet of postings, so it gave her a chance to network with these folks

Visibility - on a totally different scale.

Her favorite duties were helping to plan the monthly “luncheon on the lawn,” special corporate events such as the spring employee baseball challenge series, and the annual employee Christmas tree giving extravaganza for all employees and their families, complete with snow (in SoCal), real Christmas trees trucked in from the Pacific NW (every employee received one in gratitude from the company President), and a fully catered buffet by the corporate chef.

Talk about visibility!

Looking back, it was these moments that taught me how to notice the little things:

• the VP’s AE, Jolene, liked diet coke and fresh flowers on her desk

• Yvonne taught me how to plan and execute sales meetings and conventions, and the importance of training others properly

• Kathy and Karen taught me how to train, market, and sell. Oh, and how to love Nordstrom pumps (a life-changing experience). Thanks, ladies!

• Julie taught me how to laugh at myself

• Jeanne taught me how everything is in the details

• the vanpool, well, let’s just say they were the five people I spent my commute with everyday, and learned to laugh…a lot…thank you

SO MUCH CONFIDENCE! I recount these activities with much gratitude to all involved. Many others will never know how they shaped my future successes.

I’d become the blue pineapple!

I share these memories with you to say that everything is a matter of perspective.

Regardless of industry, your visibility (physical and online presence), gestures (a smile - the world’s most powerful gesture), tone (in your posts, writing, audio, etc), listening skills (for the beauty professionals this would be your clients, pharmaceutical reps this would be your providers and staff members, as well as team members, small business owners this is all encompassing in your business), empathy, and kindness all are a part of how your clients/customers see you, even before they actually see you.

Your visibility precedes you whether you know it or not.

Now, I ask you, what is your perspective on your own visibility?

• When was the last time you walked into your suite, salon, or offices through the FRONT door?

  • what do you see?

  • what feeling does it convey to you?

• Close your eyes and imagine how you feel, how your client feels.

  • What’s the vibe in that space?

  • What does your space smell like?

  • What sounds do you hear?

• Do you listen to your clients, really listen?

  • When is their birthday?

  • Do they have a special event this month that you could send them a note of support or congratulations for?

Stop blending in with the rest. As the saying goes, “You weren’t born to blend in.” Share your awesome…people are waiting for you!

If you can’t or don’t like what you see, hear, or smell, change your perspective. Start small, one thing at a time. For my money, I’d put it on listening to your client.

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This is where Carrie+Co. comes in; designing client experience strategy and consulting for salon, barbering and spa pros. Our customized business-building workshops and strategic plans, are developed to give you results that curate referrals and loyalty. Use this form If you would like to schedule a time to speak with Carrie on how she can increase your bottom-line by redefining your visibility and up-leveling the value-added Client Experience you provide.

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photo source: Pineapple Supply Co. on Unsplash