I remember so many occasions in my early business career where I thought I'd nailed it only to discover I was wrong.
I'm talking about job interviews, interviews for promotions and presentations to get clients and sales. Now don't get me wrong - I knew everything! I did the work, studied the companies, ran the numbers 3-4 times until I was 110% sure, but something let me down…
I racked my brains for ages trying to understand what I'd done wrong, and then, one day, I figured it out. Or, if I'm being totally honest, it was my dear Ma who cleared it up for me.
"The problem isn't what you're presenting - I know you know it inside out. The problem's that you're not showing them anything about yourself. Don't just present what you know - show them who are are too!"
I knew she was right, even though I still didn't fully realise how to do that, but, my misfortune of being a frustrated graphic designer - my dad hadn't let me pursue that career path - got me thinking about how to add a little flavour into what I was showing people, whether it was what I wore to interviews or the content of presentations.
And so I started to dress differently for interviews - still smart but a little more 'me' than the standard suit and tie combo that every candidate wore. Just small touches that would (hopefully) make me stand out in the memory a little more; for example I ditched the tie, opting to show a little more confidence while still looking sharp and presentable. I breathed a little deeper and allowed more of my personality to shine through, rather than delivering robotic answers to questions, and I tried to engage a little more with interviewers - to have a chat rather than just go through the motions.
And you know what? It worked! Adding a bit of personality - a bit of 'me' - nailed it! Woop woop!
Now in the job, the next revelation in my journey was about presenting, both internally and with clients. I concentrated on facts, data, projections and results, after all, that's what was important , right?
It didn't work! But why?! Aargh!
I stared at my slides and pitch decks for hours on end, trying to see the problem, so much so that it all started to look the same…
KABOOM! ⚡️
That was it! It all looked, well… BORING!
Hello design skills - sorry I've been ignoring you.
I reworked my presentations using all my dormant design skills and what i ended up with was [holding back the tears of joy]… AWESOME!
The same facts, the same data, the same projections, the same everything - except the design. That's where I added some more personality - through the design! That was a game changer. Suddenly, people were engaged, they took notice, they asked questions and actually listened to my answers.
The simple step of making my presentations or pitch decks more visually engaging had the knock on effect of making me more engaging - apparently! And I wasn't going to worry about that. I leaned into it, and guess what?
I started to land more clients, get more recognition from my superiors and was even given the chance to develop my own department.
Hello Success - I've been waiting to meet you!
And, that was the beginning of a very fruitful period in my career where I went from strength to strength, adding a little more personality to everything I did and everything I created.
As time went on and I was enveloped in the warm blanket of success, I couldn't ever get away from the profound effect that this all had had on me and my career.
The little graphic designer on my shoulder kept whispering in my ear: -
"You could do this as a career… You could help others realise their potential by helping them add personality through design… You can help businesses stand out from their competitors and enjoy the fruits of their hard work…"
💡 Oh, maybe I should dive into design… doh!
And, that's where I find myself today, a Brand & Web Designer working with amazing people building awesome brands and helping them to present their businesses in such a way that people (customers) notice. I help founders and startups be different… by design, by understanding their mission and vision... and adding their personality to the mix!
Makes sense, no? So why not let me help you 'cause I've been there and I know a little about how to design your success.