What’s In a Name?

The great Kmart debate played out in companies across the country (world?) last week . . . and it was brilliant. It was NOT brilliant that you were caught in the middle, but at the end of the day it really wasn’t about you. The people who support and believe in what you’re doing must outnumber the skeptics 100 to 1 at least (and I’m in the 100).
What was brilliant that it sparked conversation on who – and what – we are all about. I consider myself a true newbie in the social media space, but I think that it won’t be long before that space starts to look more like me (a non-marketing-focused business person) than it does the uber-marketers who first realized the power of the space (Godin, Shirky, Jaffe, Brogan, Li, Owyang, Falls et al).
Thanks for staying the course – and for helping all of us to define ourselves a little bit.

I see people do this everyday. They limit others to what their title entails. I try to avoid titles and labels because I find they limit me and I wont reach the true potential of what ever I am trying to accomplish.

Great post and so true. Answering the question often asked “What do you do” is something I often dread answering because it is so difficult to wrap it all up neatly with a bow. Over the years I’ve held titles of both project manager and producer for various companies. Each time these positions were quite different and in talking to many colleagues I can say that this is a global phenomenon.

Titles are exactly just that. They are often just a way that a company can find a label for a position. Ultimately it’s the very hard to answer “what do you do” question that truly defines who and what we are. One thing that I am very happy about is how social media and LIfestreaming are adding a personal dimension to the equation and providing a window bot about and beyond our work that adds a much greater dimension to better help us answer the “what do you do” question.

Great post and so true. Answering the question often asked “What do you do” is something I often dread answering because it is so difficult to wrap it all up neatly with a bow. Over the years I’ve held titles of both project manager and producer for various companies. Each time these positions were quite different and in talking to many colleagues I can say that this is a global phenomenon.

Titles are exactly just that. They are often just a way that a company can find a label for a position. Ultimately it’s the very hard to answer “what do you do” question that truly defines who and what we are. One thing that I am very happy about is how social media and LIfestreaming are adding a personal dimension to the equation and providing a window bot about and beyond our work that adds a much greater dimension to better help us answer the “what do you do” question.

Don’t let anyone place names on you. Set your own course. Distinguish your own brand… and stick to it. Repetition works!

My two centimes if I may.

As far as I see it you are a journalist and your blog is a one-man journal. One of the meaning given by the Oxford English Dictionary for a journal does fit very nicely: “A daily newspaper or other publication; hence, by extension, Any periodical publication containing news or dealing with matters of current interest in any particular sphere.”
The practice of what is called in French “publicité-editoriale”, or in English “Sponsored Articles or advertorials” is a fairly common one in the traditional press. I am not wild about the practice, of sponsored blog posts, but it is quite common. My understanding is that unlike newspapers or magazines accept commissions publish “sponsored articles or advertorials”, blogs/bloggers insist on retaining the freedom to be as critical as they see fit. You were open and honest about it and made quite clear that you were writing sponsored post, therefore what was all the fuss about?
On the whole, if I was to use a label which would fit your many hats, I would probably choose the term of story-teller, in the most noble sense of the term, for I trust and respect your integrity, and one thing I can be sure of is that your are never “telling stories”, this time using the pejorative sense of the term.

My two centimes if I may.

As far as I see it you are a journalist and your blog is a one-man journal. One of the meaning given by the Oxford English Dictionary for a journal does fit very nicely: “A daily newspaper or other publication; hence, by extension, Any periodical publication containing news or dealing with matters of current interest in any particular sphere.”
The practice of what is called in French “publicité-editoriale”, or in English “Sponsored Articles or advertorials” is a fairly common one in the traditional press. I am not wild about the practice, of sponsored blog posts, but it is quite common. My understanding is that unlike newspapers or magazines accept commissions publish “sponsored articles or advertorials”, blogs/bloggers insist on retaining the freedom to be as critical as they see fit. You were open and honest about it and made quite clear that you were writing sponsored post, therefore what was all the fuss about?
On the whole, if I was to use a label which would fit your many hats, I would probably choose the term of story-teller, in the most noble sense of the term, for I trust and respect your integrity, and one thing I can be sure of is that your are never “telling stories”, this time using the pejorative sense of the term.

@Pascal – how did I ever get lucky enough to have you around? You’re a treasure.

Oh my, this couldn’t have come at a better time for me Chris. As I mentioned in my tweet, I’ve really been struggling with this issue, and it always helps to remember that I’m not alone in my struggle.

I guess I’m further behind the game than most the rest of you as the question “what do you do” still causes much too much stress. I spend much of my day answering it (usually simply in my imagination).

I think that Bill (above) was onto something when he pointed out that the desire for simple answers (titles, elevator pitches, etc.) tend to come when you only have a short time to help someone explain why they should hire you. And when you’re self-employed, espcially in the early stages, this increases the ‘need’ to have a simple answer.

I feel the unresolved tension between the above poles of “just be yourself”/”titles are losing value fast”/etc. and the other side of “limitations can help you to make hard choices to focus on what is most truly import to you”.

Yet I’m also trying to relax into the paradox. Hoping that I’ll soon learn how to enjoy the game, let the story unfold, and not worry so much about figuring out ‘who I really am’ (vocationally).

Warmly,
Leif
http://www.SparkGuy.com (my year old lame attempt to express myself)
http://www.twitter.com/leifhansen

Oh my, this couldn’t have come at a better time for me Chris. As I mentioned in my tweet, I’ve really been struggling with this issue, and it always helps to remember that I’m not alone in my struggle.

I guess I’m further behind the game than most the rest of you as the question “what do you do” still causes much too much stress. I spend much of my day answering it (usually simply in my imagination).

I think that Bill (above) was onto something when he pointed out that the desire for simple answers (titles, elevator pitches, etc.) tend to come when you only have a short time to help someone explain why they should hire you. And when you’re self-employed, espcially in the early stages, this increases the ‘need’ to have a simple answer.

I feel the unresolved tension between the above poles of “just be yourself”/”titles are losing value fast”/etc. and the other side of “limitations can help you to make hard choices to focus on what is most truly import to you”.

Yet I’m also trying to relax into the paradox. Hoping that I’ll soon learn how to enjoy the game, let the story unfold, and not worry so much about figuring out ‘who I really am’ (vocationally).

Warmly,
Leif
http://www.SparkGuy.com (my year old lame attempt to express myself)
http://www.twitter.com/leifhansen

I used to be known as Dave the Cardboard Box but the people said it wasn’t reflective of who I was, or professional enough. Now I see that cardboard boxes are great starting points for standing up on to have conversations – man I wished I kept that name… ;-)

So yes, the name is fairly immaterial – it’s what you do with it that counts.

PS- Chris, if you’re going to respond to comments then for God’s sake get a profile picture sorted out, man!! :)

PS- Chris, if you’re going to respond to comments then for God’s sake get a profile picture sorted out, man!! :)

Chris. I too agree that we should no longer limit ourselves with a title. Rather we should do all that we dream of doing, and be all that our clients need us to be. Thanks for the post!

The title I have at work only restricts me or puts me in a box if i let it. I bring my skills to the table in everything i do and outside of my ‘title (area of real job responsibilities)’ insert my self where i see fit (or some times where i am interested).

What i’ve found working in a large company is that if you bring value, a positive attitude and your perspective … you can be useful – even make impact – outside of your little box (designated by your title).

It’s not about the title … it you are a person who wants to do things, make impact, have interest in things other than your specialty, etc … then you can. Your title is a box for you only if you let it be.

The title I have at work only restricts me or puts me in a box if i let it. I bring my skills to the table in everything i do and outside of my ‘title (area of real job responsibilities)’ insert my self where i see fit (or some times where i am interested).

What i’ve found working in a large company is that if you bring value, a positive attitude and your perspective … you can be useful – even make impact – outside of your little box (designated by your title).

It’s not about the title … it you are a person who wants to do things, make impact, have interest in things other than your specialty, etc … then you can. Your title is a box for you only if you let it be.

Everyone has shared some really good thoughts – I agree with Todd Smith though – when asked what I do, it forces me to sort out the most important skill set. I found out a long time ago that you can’t be all things to all people – but you can come pretty darned close. For me, it is “what is it I do best” – OK then, that’s what I do. For me, I see you as a mentor, a leader and someone who goes where no man has gone before – a trailblazer. So keep blazing – I’m following!

I am kitykity. I have been for about thirteen years. In fact, I had to have my username be eight characters because the dial-up internet at the time wouldn’t allow it to be longer. Now it’s my brand. It’s so much my brand as when I go to conferences, people actually call me “Kitty” or “Kitty Kitty” now. I’m in it for good. :)

I am kitykity. I have been for about thirteen years. In fact, I had to have my username be eight characters because the dial-up internet at the time wouldn’t allow it to be longer. Now it’s my brand. It’s so much my brand as when I go to conferences, people actually call me “Kitty” or “Kitty Kitty” now. I’m in it for good. :)

Hi Chris,

Most of the time, strong personal branding requires a solid idea inside the prospects’ mind. Furthermore, a single defined word can solve a lot of problems and save a lot of money over time, especially for professionals who want to grow large. Changing names require much more communication—advertising, design, and so on. However, these efforts are usually not sufficient.

On the branding perspective (the only one i touch on this comment), i don’t agree with you. People need shortcuts to fool their lack of time. A good (personal) brand stands for one word in the mind.

Cheers. Great article.

Gabriel Rossi- Brazil

struggled with back when I was doing traditional PR. The reason is we do too many things – and people can’t quite get to grips with that. You say to a propective customer I can do it all and their eyes glaze over.

I figured out that I am a communication strategist. That made sense to clients. It gave me an area of “specialty” – I only deal with things that pertain to communication. And of course it gave me the scope to tackle many areas of the company – internal and external.

And that is still what I am. Now I do it online more than offline. That’s all.

struggled with back when I was doing traditional PR. The reason is we do too many things – and people can’t quite get to grips with that. You say to a propective customer I can do it all and their eyes glaze over.

I figured out that I am a communication strategist. That made sense to clients. It gave me an area of “specialty” – I only deal with things that pertain to communication. And of course it gave me the scope to tackle many areas of the company – internal and external.

And that is still what I am. Now I do it online more than offline. That’s all.

this article comes at a good time for me. I need a new company name by the end of the year. I have ben struggling with the identifiers like cfmarketing, or socialmediamaven inc and realize I may be better off with a non descriptive name like xoplace inc. or just The Clayton Company.

thanks for the good read,
Clay

My take…
With a few exceptions, you can give yourself any title you want if you’re an entrepreneur or free agent. We define ourselves.. at least we should be able to – as whatever we want to. The exceptions of course are the professions – you can’t call yourself a medical doctor, accountant, dentist, engineer, architect etc unless you have the credentials to prove it. I think even journalist used to come under the “prove the credentials” mantle, which may have been why you got the questions.

Unfortunately, we live in a world where the first thing people do is seek to neatly label and box you up so that they can understand according to their own terms of reference.

Even the question “what do you do?” becomes a “sift. classify and box” process… easy to answer to when you work in a traditional setting, difficult when you’re outside it or transitioning from it. I think the New World (primarily entreprenuerial and New Media) is charting a new path. At least I hope so. The corporate world revolves around titles and often to approach them (assuming you want to do business with them) you have to relate to their titles first, unless you know them personally. Also, just try dealing with recruiters – they will insist on squeezing you into a reconizable box.

A VP, President, Director, Chief Marketing Officer, Chief Technology Officer, CEO, CFO etc in a large corp. is generally appointed by a board of directors. People defer to and respect certain titles more than others. The higher up the chain the more weight they carry. They make the decisions. The saying “birds of a feather flock together”is still true. I have seen instances where people will select who they talk or do business with solely based on their title. In the business world, you’re more likely to get an audience with a CEO if you are a C-level executive,- not a blogger or an author (unless you’re world famous) or something else they’ve never heard of.

I believe people are more than their titles.Titles shouldn’t matter, but they do to some – very much. At the same time, when you say you’re a long list of things the tendency is still for people to think “jack of all trades, master/mistress of none.”

In today’s fluid world tapping into our many skills and abilities and having several careers/jobs will be necessary so hopefully that limited thinking is also on the way out and we can quite happily say what we “are” (Copywriter, Consultant or Advisor) rather than what we “do”.

By the way I rarely ask people what they do… I prefer to ask the question “Who are you?” I think it gives people more latitude. Oddly enough, some people start by telling me “what they do – or what they did!

My take…
With a few exceptions, you can give yourself any title you want if you’re an entrepreneur or free agent. We define ourselves.. at least we should be able to – as whatever we want to. The exceptions of course are the professions – you can’t call yourself a medical doctor, accountant, dentist, engineer, architect etc unless you have the credentials to prove it. I think even journalist used to come under the “prove the credentials” mantle, which may have been why you got the questions.

Unfortunately, we live in a world where the first thing people do is seek to neatly label and box you up so that they can understand according to their own terms of reference.

Even the question “what do you do?” becomes a “sift. classify and box” process… easy to answer to when you work in a traditional setting, difficult when you’re outside it or transitioning from it. I think the New World (primarily entreprenuerial and New Media) is charting a new path. At least I hope so. The corporate world revolves around titles and often to approach them (assuming you want to do business with them) you have to relate to their titles first, unless you know them personally. Also, just try dealing with recruiters – they will insist on squeezing you into a reconizable box.

A VP, President, Director, Chief Marketing Officer, Chief Technology Officer, CEO, CFO etc in a large corp. is generally appointed by a board of directors. People defer to and respect certain titles more than others. The higher up the chain the more weight they carry. They make the decisions. The saying “birds of a feather flock together”is still true. I have seen instances where people will select who they talk or do business with solely based on their title. In the business world, you’re more likely to get an audience with a CEO if you are a C-level executive,- not a blogger or an author (unless you’re world famous) or something else they’ve never heard of.

I believe people are more than their titles.Titles shouldn’t matter, but they do to some – very much. At the same time, when you say you’re a long list of things the tendency is still for people to think “jack of all trades, master/mistress of none.”

In today’s fluid world tapping into our many skills and abilities and having several careers/jobs will be necessary so hopefully that limited thinking is also on the way out and we can quite happily say what we “are” (Copywriter, Consultant or Advisor) rather than what we “do”.

By the way I rarely ask people what they do… I prefer to ask the question “Who are you?” I think it gives people more latitude. Oddly enough, some people start by telling me “what they do – or what they did!