October 3, 2019
As I near, let’s just say, a significant birthday, I often look to the future, wondering what possibilities lay ahead. I also find myself looking back and reflecting on where I’ve been, what I’ve done, and what I could have done better.
September 12, 2019
Summer’s officially ended. That fabulous vacation is probably a distant memory. We’ve dropped the kids off for their first day of school after taking those embarrassing photos denoting the grade they’re entering. And, our college students are all settled on campus. Whew!!
August 15, 2019
For many individuals, it’s challenging to begin a conversation with strangers—especially at a networking event. Below are some ideas to help you get started.
July 18, 2019
When I began my career in public relations in the 1980s, I was the only minority and the only woman on a 10-person communications team. Today, there are many more women in the communications field, but there is still a lack of diversity when it comes to people of color. And, both women and people […]
July 3, 2019
Last week I spoke at the Women’s Leadership Roundtable of the National Association for Environmental Management (NAEM). Nearly 175 women in science and engineering attended. The two-day conference focused on Personal Branding and Communications. Ironically, I spoke on the Power of Networking. So, how could I not practice what I preached—especially when it came to […]
June 20, 2019
The official summer season will kick off on June 21 and many of us already have planned our vacation escapes. We look forward to resting, relaxing and de-stressing. However, for some of us, just the thought of preparing to be out of the office for an extended period is stressful.
May 9, 2019
Several years ago, while working for PNC Bank, I was offered a great opportunity to serve as the director of shareholder communications. It was a highly visible position where I would work with the CEO of the company, as well as with a number of C-suite executives.
April 25, 2019
Many years ago, when I lived and worked in Philadelphia, I participated in a program called Leadership Philadelphia. During the program, I met a woman who would become one of my closest friends. Interestingly, a few years after we met, she confessed, “I didn’t really like you when we first met.”
April 10, 2019
I am a recovering perfectionist. My nature is to obsess about ways to take something to the next level. On the one hand, my perfectionist mentality is what has made my work great and led to accolades and promotions, but what I’ve come to realize is that this obsession with perfection also can be paralyzing.
March 27, 2019
Recently, I was reading through my LinkedIn posts, and there was a young lady who was having a challenge securing employment. She indicated that she had been on numerous interviews but could never close the deal. In a desperate move, she posted her resume to LinkedIn and asked her connections to provide feedback as to […]
Often, when I tell someone to “Keep Dreaming,” it comes from a sarcastic place and means “this will never happen.” However, as I reflect on the crazy, challenging year we all experienced in 2020, I think it’s time to get back to our dreams literally.
At the beginning of 2020, I had big dreams. I had planned a February vacation trip to Thailand, a women’s conference in March, Florida in April, Aruba in June, and Hilton Head with cousins in October. All plans were canceled indefinitely. Getting refunds/credits from travel agencies, airlines and hotels became a significant challenge and took lots of energy.
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Hi! I'm LaNella Hooper-Williams. Through my blog, my mission is to give you tips and practical tools that will help you build a powerful brand and accomplish your personal and professional dreams. You’ll learn strategies that help you manage your personal brand, get noticed and rewarded for your unique talents, and gain greater career focus.
