Improve your Social Presence with LinkedIn

Whether you are looking for a new job or advancing within your company, it is absolutely vital that you continue to improve your social media presence through LinkedIn account. With more than 400 million members, LinkedIn has become one of the fastest growing social media platforms for professional and career networking. The potential of this site allows young professionals and seasoned veterans to network and connect with some of the top-level companies and talented individuals all around the world. This in turn makes LinkedIn that much more important when shaping your personal and professional background.

Let’s start off by understanding LinkedIn. LinkedIn is considered a Web 2.0 social media network that allows its daily users to professionally brand and market themselves in the most efficient and effective way. Think of this site like various popular social media profiles such as Facebook or Twitter. The only difference is that this site is tailored primarily for networking and professional content. With millions of users and countless daily visitors, one question always comes to mind: Are we as professionals utilizing this resource to the best of our abilities?

As much as many people can say they are utilizing LinkedIn in the most efficient and effective way, the sad reality is that thousands of users are unaware of how to best optimize their professional profiles. To help with this, we need to start thinking of our LinkedIn accounts as our resumes. For any like-minded professional, they know that when it comes to their resume or curriculum vitae, they want to put the best information possible that can bolster their professional background. For your resume, you want to bring that same mentality into your LinkedIn profile account.

To help aid with this process, I have provided seven vital tips to help improve your LinkedIn account today. This will allow you to improve your social professional presence online and continue your networking for new visitors and potential employers.

1. Create a Strong and Informative Bio

Unlike your resume, your LinkedIn account allows you to present your personal and professional background through its ‘Summary’ section. This is usually the first thing future employers and visitors see when they visit your profile. To fully optimize this, create an 800 to 1500-worded informative biography about your academic background and professional work experience. Go into detail about your professional accomplishments as well as your future professional goals. Last but not least, give your biography a strong assertive voice. Try not to dive too deep on any personal information. If anything, have a one to two-sentence description that sums up your personal interest. Remember, LinkedIn is a professional platform, not a personal one.

2. Expand on your Work Experience

One of the biggest mistakes many professionals make on their LinkedIn account is that they will list rather than describe. While it is great to have a number of companies and organizations listed in your profile, the biggest bang for your buck will be how well you are able to describe your positions in each of these sections. One huge tip you should implement into these descriptions is to highlight various accomplishments. Try and also quantify the information as much as possible. The more detailed you are, the better. For example, instead of saying “we amassed a large amount of sales for the end of the third quarter,” add in the actual profit amount. Lastly, try and highlight any leadership skills you have attained in any of these work experiences. This will help represent you as a stronger candidate for future employers and visitors.

3. Ask for References / Include Work Samples

Just like when you are applying to jobs, you want to provide have professional references to showcase on your LinkedIn profile. To do this, ask previous employers to write you a professional “positive” reference on your LinkedIn account. To enhance this, provide various work samples. This can be writing content, multimedia presentations, power point presentations, etc.

4. Create a Skills Section and Get Endorsed

In the early 2012s, LinkedIn launched a feature called endorsements where users are able to endorse various professional skills through their social connections. To do this in the best possible way, expand on your skills section. Provide any adjectives or work phrases that represent and highlight your previous positions. Then try and engage with other LinkedIn accounts by endorsing their specific skill-sets.

5. Customize your LinkedIn URL

When creating a LinkedIn account, the URL associated with your profile will end with a combination of numbers and letters. To change this to your name, go to the settings page and change the URL ending to your name or your company’s name. To learn more, please follow the directions here.

6. Increase your Network

Many people do not realize that the stronger connections you have, the stronger your profile will be. Start off by connecting with various colleagues and college friends. Then expand your network by connecting with any groups, organizations, or former companies that you are associated with.

7. Add Websites Sites or Social Media Properties to your Profile Page

To provide stronger credibility and authority to your LinkedIn account, try adding your sites or your social media properties to your profile page. To do this, go to the ‘Contact Info’ tab on your Home page. Then begin filling out the information. This can be your Twitter handle, your WeChat account, or your personal website.

Source - http://jgotra.com/improve-your-social-presence-with-linkedin/

Alliance Security welcomed at new Cranston headquarters

NEW HOME: Alliance Security’s headquarters are located at 85 Garfield Ave. in Cranston.

Posted Wednesday, October 28, 2015 1:41 pm | 35 views

By Meri R. Kennedy

Alliance Security received a warm welcome to the city of Cranston last week when Mayor Allan Fung visited the company’s new 85 Garfield Ave. location.

As a sign of appreciation, the home automation and security company reciprocated by offering the mayor a full experience of its vibrant culture.

Upon his arrival, Alliance Security employees turned out in force to greet the mayor and his delegation at the main entrance of the renovated 60,000-square-foot facility. The fast-growing company had outgrown its building in Warwick, and started the move in May. Since then, Alliance Security has been transforming its new space into an environment supportive of its expanding workforce.

The visit kicked off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. After being introduced by Jay Gotra, Alliance Security’s chief executive officer, Fung was met by loud applause from over 100 of the company’s employees.

“Alliance Security means a lot to our city, state, and country,” Fung said.

After presenting a citation congratulating the homegrown business whose customer base stretches across 46 states throughout the country, Fung led the ribbon cutting alongside company executives Gotra, chief marketing officer Brian Fabiano, chief financial officer Ricardo Diaz, and chief sales officer Barry Crins, who is a Cranston native and resident.

Inside Alliance Security’s stunning building, Gotra provided a broad-strokes description of the company he started in 2003 and where it is headed.

“We are all about positioning and investing in our employees and providing opportunities for professional and personal development,” Gotra said. “For years to come, our plan will be to remain true to the values and company culture that has gotten us to this point in Alliance Security’s journey.”

Business performance for the Cranston-based company is nothing short of impressive, with accomplishments that include the creation of over 600 jobs and protection of over 200,000 homes. Last year, Alliance Security had $56 million in revenue, and it is projecting over $110 million in 2015 figures.

After the discussion, the mayor and his team were taken to the second-floor sales department for an up-close experience of a daily ritual called the “huddle-up.”

The “huddle-up” is how Alliance Security’s sales department jumpstarts its day and is typically led by Crins, who engages his team with a rallying pep talk focused on goals and ways to perform better than the previous day.

The mayor and his team were then taken on a facility tour conducted by Fabiano. During the walk-through of the company’s customer service, scheduling, human resources, and marketing departments, Fabiano provided further insight into the culture, processes, and people that have positioned the home automation and security business as a nationally-recognized industry powerhouse.

The last stop of the tour was a brightly colored game room with amenities to keep employees happy – an aspect of Alliance Security’s culture and level of detail that delighted its special guests, as they peeked in on a table tennis match in progress between two employees.
Alliance Security’s new building was formerly occupied by Katherine Gibbs School and Sanford Brown, and sat vacant for several years.

“We’re grateful that Mayor Fung and his team joined us, and look forward to continued communication to figure out ways for Alliance Security to further add value to the city of Cranston, as well as other communities statewide,” Gotra said.

Alliance Security is hiring. To learn more about the company and available opportunities, visit www.alliancesecurity.com.

Source -  http://cranstononline.com/stories/alliance-security-welcomed-at-new-cranston-headquarters,106765?

Futuristic and Practical “Smart Home” Products

“The Future is Motorization: About Face Blinds, Shutters, and Draperies Looks Ahead”

About Face Blinds, Shutters and Draperies embraces the future — and for this Destin-based window covering company, that future is motorization.

“We are not your typical window coverings store,” said Nicholas Knaus, operations manager for About Face Blinds. “We look toward the future. Everybody is moving toward automated, smart systems throughout their homes and we want to be part of that. We offer truly wireless window coverings and even automated soft-treatments such as drapes — and the best part is, you can come in and see them demonstrated.”

If you’re anything like me, you are always looking for ways to equip your house with the latest and greatest technology. About Face Blinds is a company that is introducing new and exciting products in the home automation industry.

The beauty of these window coverings—motorized blinds, shutters, and draperies—(at least for me) is that it’s one less thing I have to do manually.

Security and Convenience

I pointed out that the use of curtains and blinds is a good way to deter burglars from breaking into your home.

In that blog post, I also explained the cardinal rule of Home Security 101: locking your doors. But the reality is that life gets busy—sometimes you just forget to do so.

Thanks to About Face Blinds, covering up your windows can be done automatically.

The product comes with a remote control that allows you to raise, open, close, or tilt your window coverings at the push of a button or at the flip of a switch. You can even program preset times, which will come in handy especially when you’re on vacation.

When it comes to locking your doors, we offer something similar—automated control of your home security system. This means that you can lock and unlock your doors with the touch of a button—on a keyfob, on your control panel, or on an app on your smartphone.

Comfort

Another neat feature of the motorized window coverings from About Face Blinds is the optional automatic lowering of blinds when the sun shines. This happens whether you’re at home or not.

That feature reminds me of the climate control sensor that we offer. This nifty little gadget even keeps tabs of abnormal rise and drop rates in temperature, and has a built-in wireless transmitter that communicates with your control panel. It’s “intelligent environmental technology” at its finest.  

Energy Efficiency

If that’s not enough, the new line of products from About Face Blinds is a good way to save on energy costs.

There are more benefits that come with home automation. These include:

Protecting against fire

Efficiency

Save time

Save hassle

Save labor

Increased productivity

Increased daily peace of mind

Increased awareness of your home

More and more people are automating their homes, making this trend hard to ignore. 1.8 million home automation systems were installed in the US last year. By 2016, it’s projected that there will be 12 million more systems installed.

We welcome About Face Blinds to the home automation industry with open arms, and look forward to more exciting smart home products to come.

 

Know of any new home automation products in the market? I want to hear from you. Comment below or find me on Twitter at @brianfabiano.

Source - http://www.alliancesecurity.com/futuristic-practical-smart-home-product

The Five Influencing Factors for Great Company Culture

For the past ten years, there has been a strong push in cultivating and improving the organizational culture of a business. When we define company culture, we are talking about the values and behaviors that contribute to the unique social and psychological environment that personifies the identity of an organization. This includes the organization’s expectations, experience, philosophy, and overall values. Still, as business leaders, we need to understand the myriad of factors that goes into establishing a strong and successful company. It is not something that can be accomplished overnight. Instead, we need to truly understand the ins-and-outs of our business. By internalizing these concepts, we as business leaders will be able to drive our company in the most efficient, effective, and consistent way.

Below, I have provided five influential factors (or questions) that have shaped and molded the identity, brand, and actions of a strong corporate culture. This is something that I have established in my own personal projects and ventures. At the end of the day, we need to think of company culture as the end-all-be-all factor for success. The reason why is that a company’s greatest strength is their weakest link. If we are able to establish that culture, we will be able to leverage any weak links in the best and most optimal way.

1. What is the company’s vision?

Great company culture does not happen automatically. Even with great people, the candle itself cannot be lit without the true spark of life. For every company and organization, a business needs to start with avision or mission statement. These simple turns of phrases become the overall guide and value of why your employees should come into work each and every day. It provides them, as well as yourself, with the necessary purpose to orient your decisions in the best possible way. When coming up with a vision, be purposeful. Understand what you and your company (or product) are looking to accomplish and what it can do for the public. In addition, make sure the mission statement is compelling and attractive for your employees and customers to relate to. The best way to do this is to think simple. You will find out how simplicity can be your biggest win when establishing your vision.

2. What are your company values?

Company values are the core characteristics of your work culture. While the vision itself articulates the goals and purpose of your company, the company values instead offer the guidelines and procedures for the behavior and mentality needed to achieve those goals. These can be something that revolves around employee professionalism and mindset to overarching beliefs and mottos.

3. Who are your examples?

Since primary school, we have always been taught to follow the leader. Similar to that, company work culture must be enshrined by various individuals and business leaders in your company. The worst that can happen to your organization is creating a flat hierarchy where the vision and values lack action and investment. That type of action, or lack there of, not only hurts the future employee, but also the company culture as a whole. To prevent this, make sure you are the ideal role model for your employees. Remember, your workers cannot invest in your goal, if you yourself cannot invest in it either.

4. Who are your workers?

For a company culture to be strong, consistent, and helpful, you need to make sure you have individuals who can both share and personality your core values and goals. This willingness and ability to embrace your company’s beliefs will be a huge game changer in how your employees view your company. That being said, make sure you are picky about your standards for employees. As much as we would love to have that Harvard MBA JD candidate, you also want to make sure that they will be a team player and game changer for your business. At times, the resume isn’t everything. Make sure you hunt for those applicants that can fit the growth of your culture. This extra attention will solidify the people your company needs in order for it to grow in the future.

5. What does your setting look like?

We have heard all of the stories of Google, Facebook, and Apple having work environments with Ping-Pong tables and massages. While we may not be able to provide those daily massages for our workers each and everyday, we can however create strong work environment that alleviates the stress and pressures of work. Much of company culture can be contingent on the space and freedom of working in a comfortable area. To do this, see what you can do to improve your work setting. Even if it is something minor, test it out and see how it bolds with your workers.

Source by Jay Gotra - http://jaygotra.net/the-five-influencing-factors-for-great-company-culture/