Certification Prep – The 20 Minute Workout

by Kimberly Pittmon Properly marketing your certification can open doors, impart confidence and build networks. On the flip side, under marketing your certification is like shrouding it in secrecy. Here are a few tips to make your certification work for you. 1. Build professional networks: Cultivating business relationships underpin your success. That said, employ the 80/20 rule when building your network. Follow two easy steps to get started. First, carve out 20% of your contacts. Second, focus 80% of your time on fortifying relationships with them. This rule seems paradoxical. But the goal is to work smarter, not harder. Don't have many contacts? Seize everyday encounters to cast a wide net. Opportunities include vendors, clients, customers and peers. Keep your business cards handy. Distribute them to potential contacts. Once you establish a new contact, reach out to them. Send periodic emails containing anecdotes, news or other relevant material. Keep the tone professio...