Man! It’s been a long time since I’ve posted. A lot has happened in the last 2 months. First, we bought a little company called Iconixx, and added them to the BSG Alliance platform. Second, I became an aunt again. Third, we launched an internal communications vehicle (known as The Buzz), which is published Monday/Wednesday/Friday. Fourth, I got elected to the Board of Directors of my homeowner’s association. I also continue to manage the four kids and cute husband. So, without coming right out and using those as excuses… Aw, heck. I’m using them as excuses.

Onward and upward, then!

A few weeks ago, I wrote an article in The Buzz based upon an email sent by one of my colleagues. He was explaining that a potential customer used Google to research him before a meeting, and how what the customer found provided instant credibility.

I followed up to his comments with this:

In todays connected world, people use Google. When there are candidates to interview we Google them. When there are prospects to approach we Google them. When there are potential business partners to meet we Google them. And the results of those searches often help us develop initial impressions about the people with whom well be interacting. Good or bad, those impressions are lasting.

Smart companies NGE companies encourage their team members to build on-line identities. On-line identities are helpful for team members in a personal sense, since they can increase visibility in the ever-tightening labor market, and make someone more desirable to potential employers. Theyre also helpful to companies, though. The more Buzz a company can build through the on-line identities of their team members, the stronger the company brand. On-line identities are a 1-2 punch the personal credibility of the team member is coupled with the brand credibility of the company, thereby making the customer experience that much better.

At BSG Alliance, we encourage our team members to build on-line identities. Collaboration, especially on-line collaboration, is absolutely essential to our NGEness. In fact, in our Policies and Procedures document, weve dedicated a whole section to our external electronic communication. Heres a key point:

We expect BSG Alliance employees to be active, vigorous and opinionated in their engagement with the public. This may mean asserting and defending strong points of view, taking provocative positions that are not the norm, and overall participating in the challenge we have of educating the industry about the changes to business that we are leading.

If youre interested in how you can build your on-line identity and help build the BSG Alliance brand, start by determining where youre starting. Career Distinction has a tool for determining your Google Quotient (GQ), which is a great place to start. If youre curious, my GQ is 6.5 out of 10. I have some identity building to do