What am I Doing?!

19Feb09

Hello.

One of the downsides of not posting for a long time, is that when you come back, you feel the need to be EPIC! Like I need to blow this post out of the water to make up for my lack of content… To show you, the reader, that I STILL GOT IT! Or something like that…

Anyway, I have resolved that the best thing to do, would be to summarize what I have been up to in the past couple months or so. To catch everyone up… this might be a long post!

Someone once used the word “enterprising” to describe me. I think it works! My entrepreneurial nature gets the best of me at times and I find myself wearing many hats. I like this though, and I have successfully learned more in this time, from management, to negotiation, sales, and leadership, etc. than most jobs I have had in the past. It’s exciting.

Enterprising

1. ready to undertake projects of importance or difficulty, or untried schemes; energetic in carrying out any undertaking: Business is in need of enterprising young people.

2. characterized by great imagination or initiative: an enterprising foreign policy

Now I am not trying to “toot” my own horn or anything, I just do a lot. Like Gatorade, it’s in me.

MICHAEL WILLIAMS ENTERPRISES

Motivational Speaker

I have been trained and certified by Monster.com to be one of their 200 speakers for the Making It Count program.

I have spoken to over 3,800 students at 17 High Schools traveling over 5,000 miles… in just the past month.

Michael did a great job connecting with the students and keeping them on task. He had a very relaxed style of presenting which works well with students. I really liked his use of “call and response” and the students seemed to enjoy it too.
Sandy Valley Jr/Sr High School, Magnolia OH

What I liked best was the speakers energy and personality. He made the program interesting and fun.
Warrensville Heights High School, Cleveland OH

I liked the energy, and interaction.
St Vincent/St Mary High School, Akron OH

Photographer

I have built an online presence, including Myspace, Facebook, Krop, and this little gem I’m working with Chris Davis (programmer elite) to put the finishing touches on!

I purchased the domain http://michaelwillphotography.com and have created a pricing platform and online store for the upcoming season.

I have done several portrait shoots (examples below), including locations, direction, and processing.

Search Engine Marketing Consultant

I just finished consulting work for Avatar Digital Publishing Solutions. Identifying online competitors, areas in need of improvement, outlined an intensive SEO strategy, and recommended immediate actions.

I have pitched PPC campaign management to Avatar DPS and Landslide Sales Production System, both currently pending.

Graphic Designer

I have designed a logo, theme, and print materials for Allison Park Church’s upcoming retreat, FUSION. I also utilized my document design experience to format a book and logo for their youth.

Every month I brainstorm, design, and format a monthly newsletter for Linda Williams, an Independent Sales Director for Mary Kay Cosmetics.

I have designed the logo, all print materials, and currently the website and blog for pointB ministries.

I have designed backgrounds to work with Twitter to promote blogs and websites for individuals.

Business Development

I will be starting March 2nd in a business development position with the superb design shop, Sewickly Graphics & Design. In this position I not only hope to sharpen and grow my sales/marketing experience, but also gain invaluable insight into the sales process, negotiation, account management, and business growth.

I will also be utilizing my past experience in SEM and social networking to grow SG&D’s current offerings and boost customer/client relationships and loyalty.

Volunteer

I have organized 3 events with local churches for pointB ministries, including: the recruitment of volunteers, advertising, logistics, promotion, and overall project management/leadership.

Extras

I traveled to Seattle, WA for 7 days to expand my network and meet with some awesome people from companies like Microsoft, Razorfish, Amazon, PPR, and Tooth & Nail Records (to name a few).

I purchased the iPhone to successfully utilize technology to help streamline my life, while staying constantly “connected”.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this post is very long! But, now you know what I have been doing and how I am developing my experiences and expertise to prepare for the future.

In today’s economy it is VERY important to make yourself marketable and take opportunities when they present themselves. If anyone is looking for an enterprising professional to fill a marketing/business development role, please drop me a line. I am ready to undertake projects of importance or difficulty, perhaps untried schemes. All while being energetic in carrying out any undertaking.

Thank you.

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Tags: enterprising, hire me, michael williams, michaelwill, pittsburgh, pittsburgh young professional, update, young professional