I was recently interview by Vince Thompson at CBS’ Smart Planet on “Building Your Wow Factor.” Vince writes:
We know it when we see it and feel it. Rarely do we know how to create it. With reinvention in the air and so many people seeking change, Frances Cole Jones is expanding upon the theme she created with her book “How to Wow” and introducing “The Wow Factor: The 33 Things You Must (and Must Not) Do to Guarantee Your Edge in Today’s Business World.” After a successful career as an editor with powerhouse publishing companies in New York, Francis Cole Jones founded Cole Media Management in 1997 to help her clients identify and cultivate their inherent strengths through powerful communication skills. Skills that enhance their personal and professional performance. Her clients have appeared on The Today Show, Good Morning America, Oprah, CNN, Charlie Rose, Larry, Access Hollywood, Top Chef and much more.
Frances, how important is Wow now?
Wow is more critical than ever before because we are never off duty– we think we are, but we aren’t. For example, you can’t just send your colleague a note commiserating about the behavior of your boss on Facebook. It will come back to haunt you.
If you’re looking for a job, you can’t assume that just because you have cutting-edge skills and an outstanding degree that you will stand out from other candidates– in fact, you can count on there being hundreds of other candidates with similar resumes in line for the same position.
In every situation, you need to ask yourself how you plan to stand out from the crowd– how have you planned to wow in a way that is unique to you?
What are the benefits of having a great Wow Factor?
More important than setting you apart from those around you with similar skills, backgrounds, resumes, etc, having a great Wow Factor means you will move through the world regret-free: if you’ve done everything in your power to get the job, catch and retain customers, or position yourself for your promotion, you won’t be left kicking yourself if things don’t go your way.
