Over the past 20 years there has been this big push by many business executives to appear to their peers and consumers as being extremely ‘Different’. Many feel they achieve this by creating an extremely ‘Creative’…or what they think is creative… job title.
You’ve seen them..the business card with the title of Minister of Awesomeness…Director of Reality…Chief Excitement Officer. I will admit, they are creative and does show the person with the title has a sense of humor.
However, what does the person who receives the title, is searching the internet and found the title, to think about the person with the clever title? Will they be able to figure out what exactly they do for their company?
Most people who see the clever title are going to develop a feeling towards the person with the title as their attempt to avoiding telling the world what exactly they do officially. This would accomplish the extremeness they seem to be going after, but why would someone want to sacrifice their professional image over their interest to be creative.
OH, I know there are those who are independently wealthy who can play games with their image. Unfortunately, their ability to thumb their nose at the economy does not transfer down to the solopreneurs whose image can make or break them. Still there are those who attempt to market themselves as being creative by creating am allusive job title.
There is no problem with presenting yourself in a presentation at the local Chamber of Commerce gathering as the Ambassador of Buzz..however, when someone asks you for a business card..or if that person was to later Google you…you better have a job title telling them clearly what your responsibility is to the company or business you represent.
Bottomline: If your goal is to succeed, you have to appear able to succeed or those who have succeeded will not give you a chance to achieve your goal. Your professional image starts with telling people who you are and…What You Do.
Let me know how I can help.
