Twitterview from the Top: Christine Perkett, CEO Perkett PR

 

ValerieSimon: Welcome to the Public Relations Examiner PR Agency CEO Twitterview. Or guest today is @missusP, CEO of @PerkettPR  Today we’ll discuss balance. Balancing personal/professional brand, PR Agency life / personal life & building a successful business. What do you consider the most important attributes of your professional brand?

missusP: Professional brand attributes should reflect company vision, mission & values; culture; also able to grow w/ company

ValerieSimon: What do you consider the most important attributes of your personal brand?

missusP: Your personal brand should reflect your personal value, mission & able to grow as your career does... also personal brand should support - not overshadow - current work & your company brand; sensible

ValerieSimon: Per @rockstarjen "which is more important to you? personal or professional? what takes priority?

missusP: Well, I'm biased since I own a company. For me, professional brand takes precedence. However, I believe that personal brand ties into that - I am my company.  For me it all ties together, especially  with client service biz; relationships matter

ValerieSimon: What role should the employers brand play in personal behavior?

missusP:  Guess it depends on your career aspirations. It is smart to align your personal brand w/ what you are accomplishing at work, IMHO. two way support in that case However, just like a 2nd job; if personal brand interrupts your work, it could become an issue.

ValerieSimon: You've written some great posts on your role as a working mom at the Mommy Gig  How does your role as a parent/ mom influence your brand? (professionally)

missusP:  Thank you. I wish I had more time to write more. Balancing motherhood w/ work is an ongoing challenge every daybeing mom influences my personal brand in that, well, I'm human! Not always slick; dealing w/ craziness too... and open about it. I am a parent & see no reason to hide that - both make me who I am (career & motherhood).  That being said, being a Mom makes me want to work harder, be a role model, keep going when going gets tough.

ValerieSimon: working at a PR Agency can be very demanding. Any particular suggestions for parents? Tips for successfully balencing both?

missusP: Communicate clearly. If you need to leave for kid duties, make it up elswhere. By that I mean, sorry, but you must work as hard if not harder than non-parents to show it doesn't slow you.  @PerkettPR we offer flex time for such things & being virtual makes it easier to do both, I believe.

ValerieSimon What are the biggest mistakes you see professionals making when blurring their personal/professional brand

missusP:.Forgetting that employers are watching & they do care. Thinking that what you do also reflects on employers. Like it or not. Gen Y knows this; smart ones learned on Facebook. It’s also it's a mistake not to communicate & celebrate your employees' & their brands. Embrace & support - mutually

ValerieSimon: Do you have any advice for job seekers concerning the use of social media?

missusP: Yes! Get creative! so many fantastic, easy tools to use to stand out. Video – huge. It  still amazes me how many standard email/paper resumes we receive. So easy to be creative. I'd rather receive a Facebook or Seesmic video msg w/ someone saying why they want to work w/ us then paper resume (as 1st step) Think visuals - social media makes visuals so easy; also makes direct communication so easy. I'm not hard to find.  It's an investment. What you put into it (just like your job), is what you'll get out.

ValerieSimon: You recently blogged about the fact that u r currently recruiting As a Holmes Report "Best Agency to Work For" (again)must get flooded with resumes. What advice can you offer #jobseekers looking to distinguish themselves

missusP: I'll be honest; most don't follow requests/directions. In PR, you MUST listen... it's all communication! so if you submit but didn't follow our recommendations... not likely to get interview. Also, we are HUGE on culture fit. We are picky, I won't lie. We love humor, but also evidence of true results/ROI. ex's of creative approaches: great video someone just did for us, our brand, our colors, humor - everything also he linked to addt'l work & results. Showed he listened, he "gets" brand importance & cultural fit. I also noticed & immediately looked up the woman who pulled the CT billboard this summer:

ValerieSimon: What are some of the most important considerations candidates should have regarding potential employers?

missusP: candidates should aks Qs too in intvws! You need to be sure it's a fit - culture matters, even in a virtual co they should ask about what matters to them: beyond benefits/salary; daily life; can I talk to someone in this talk to someone in the position you are applying for. Don't just talk to sr mgmt. Who will your direct mgr be? also, what matters to you: really learning or title hopping. Some agencies treat this differently. I like learning.

missusP:  We try to connect with candidates personally; get recommendations (of course) & we have quite an extensive interview process. We have them meet as many @PerkettPRers as possible. We offer things  in adddition to standard expectations. Bonuses in many ways - including additional vacations, etc. and we recognize MVP every month; have created new positions for people based on their interests, etc. Our @PerkettPR employees make the co & we expect them to have a say in majority of what we do & offer here.

ValerieSimon: As a successful entrepreneur, whose business has passed the 10 year mark, do you have tips for business survival / longevity?

missusP:Let's see, HUMOR, tenacity, guts, understanding & acceptance that..that as boss, you won't ever be most popular kid on the block :) Ability to keep MOVING. Don't stop! Also, people do this easier now - but network. Meet other entrepreneurs; they are always willing to share advice.

ValerieSimon:  From @NicolePRexec: Love that your co. is virtual! What would you say to those that don't believe in going "virtual?"

missusP:  I think virtual depends on the biz. Also advice is to OVER communicate & don't forget to build a culture even if you aren't in same walls. It matters more, actually, to be effective. watch later today for case study on how to build virtual company (@Forrester report on @PerkettPR)