March 28, 2024
MRK 130
The Report About Marketing M
Name- Vraj Shah
Student ID- 110458239
Linked in-
linkedin.com/in/vraj-shah-
a5bb13275
Introduction:
This report encapsulates my journey of applying newfound knowledge
gleaned from the "Marketing Myself" videos by Mehdi Rahman on CMA
NXT. Rahman's insightful tutorials delve into the art of personal branding
and portfolio building, emphasizing their critical roles in job hunting and
connection building. Highlighting the significance of networking, these
videos underscore its potential to open doors to career opportunities.
Networking, often devoid of drawbacks, emerges as a powerful tool for
career advancement. Rahman's series comprises five comprehensive
videos, elucidating strategies to market oneself effectively, whether at
formal networking events or casual settings like college canteens. These
tutorials serve as indispensable guides for navigating the competitive job
market and establishing a strong professional presence.
This report will detail my reflections inspired by Mehdi's videos over the
course of five days in my life.
Day 1
After securing my part-time job, I inadvertently halted my LinkedIn
activity. However, upon viewing Mehdi's initial video, I grasped the
significance of maintaining a consistent presence on the platform to
showcase my career-related endeavors to potential opportunities. He aptly
stated, "Marketing yourself is a full-time job until you get a full-time job," a
sentiment I now extend to encompass continuous self-promotion even after
securing full-time employment. Implementing this advice, I resumed
posting updates about my current job and insights gained from my college
studies. Additionally, I initiated connection requests with acquaintances,
recognizing their potential to serve as conduits for future opportunities.
Committed to Mehdi's suggestion of thrice-weekly posts to enhance
visibility, I shared updates on my progress with Advanced Excel and an
engaging marketing-related anecdote imparted by one of my Seneca
professors.
Embracing Mehdi's counsel, I took deliberate steps to actively engage with
my LinkedIn network, leveraging it as a platform for personal and
professional growth. Through consistent posting and strategic networking,
I aim to amplify my visibility within the industry and seize valuable career
prospects.
Day 2
During my MRK 106 class, my professor enlightened us about an esteemed
networking event hosted by Seneca called "Make it Happen." This seminar
serves as a prominent platform where influential figures from Seneca
College, including professors, alumni, corporate professionals, and
organizers, convene to share insights on marketing and networking
strategies. It presents a valuable opportunity for attendees to expand their
professional networks and glean wisdom from industry leaders.
Attending "Make it Happen" provided the perfect occasion to put into
practice the principles outlined in Mehdi's launch and storytelling videos. I
found storytelling to be a nuanced skill; while many believe they can craft
compelling narratives, there's a delicate balance between engaging
storytelling and overly verbose anecdotes. I've come to appreciate the
importance of contextual brevity to captivate the listener effectively.
Moreover, Mehdi's emphasis on launching oneself aligns closely with the
importance of leveraging social skills, particularly in interactions and
communication styles.
Taking a cue from Mehdi's guidance, I proactively approached individuals
whom I had researched prior to the event, initiating conversations with
around 6-7 attendees. Through these interactions, I adeptly wove together
anecdotes about my past experiences and current skill set. This proactive
approach resulted in the establishment of 12 connections on LinkedIn and
obtaining contact information from 5 individuals for further discussions.
Recognizing that mere connections are insufficient, I am committed to
nurturing these relationships through continued engagement and follow-up
meetings, further solidifying my network in the field of marketing.
Day 3
Continuing his discussion, Mehdi emphasizes the concept of "post-launch,"
which entails expanding one's network to encompass a broader circle of
connections. This stage involves elevating interactions beyond initial
introductions to foster deeper relationships. Mehdi offers invaluable
insights drawn from his own experiences, particularly regarding the
benefits of engaging with connections in informal settings where
individuals can get to know each other on a more personal level. Such
encounters often provide a platform for authentic interactions that
strengthen professional bonds.
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Inspired by Mehdi's advice, I took proactive steps to broaden my network
by reaching out to fellow classmates and individuals I met at the "Make it
Happen" event. Recognizing the importance of fostering genuine
connections, I extended invitations to meet in a more relaxed atmosphere,
opting for a club setting conducive to informal conversations and bonding
over drinks. While unconventional, the chosen venue reflected my desire to
forge meaningful connections with individuals whom I genuinely admire
and aspire to build lasting relationships with.
In line with my commitment to enhancing my professional presence, I also
took to LinkedIn to share insights from my learning journey, posting about
my newfound proficiency in creating pivot charts in Excel. This act not only
reinforces my dedication to continuous improvement but also serves as a
catalyst for further engagement and networking opportunities within my
professional community.
Day 4
I seized an opportunity to showcase my presentation skills by sharing an
assignment presentation with Marcus, a connection I met at the "Make it
Happen" event. Marcus lauded my work and offered insightful feedback,
suggesting that I could enhance my slides with artistic professionalism and
engaging transition effects for added visual appeal. Recognizing the rarity
of such skill sets, Marcus connected me with Jacob, a professional in the
finance sector tasked with creating a visually captivating presentation for
an upcoming investment project. Jacob sought a blend of aesthetic appeal
and accessible information, catering to a client base unfamiliar with
complex business terminology. Impressed by my work, Jacob proposed a
freelance opportunity, offering $200 for the creation of a concise yet
visually compelling 12-slide presentation.
Embracing Mehdi's philosophy on leveraging small-time gigs to expand
one's network and demonstrate capabilities, I viewed this opportunity as a
platform to showcase my presentation prowess. Beyond serving as a
demonstration of skill, these gigs can also serve as lucrative side hustles,
providing additional avenues for income generation. Recognizing the
potential for both professional growth and financial gain, I eagerly accepted
Jacob's offer and committed to delivering a polished presentation within
the agreed timeframe.
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With a keen understanding of the value inherent in seizing such
opportunities, I wasted no time in immersing myself in the task at hand. By
leveraging my expertise in presentation design, I aimed to not only meet
but exceed Jacob's expectations, laying the groundwork for a successful
collaboration and potentially opening doors to future opportunities within
my expanding network.
Day 5
Despite having no immediate content to share on LinkedIn, my
commitment to maintaining a consistent presence led me to post tips and
tricks for enhancing presentations, drawing inspiration from Mehdi
Rahman's CMA NXT videos. This proactive move not only adhered to my
goal of posting thrice a week but also allowed me to share valuable insights
with my professional network. Additionally, I discussed my recent
presentation gig with my roommate, Surya, who expressed interest in
hiring me for a project from his college. Surya offered $45 for creating a
concise 7-slide presentation, marking the beginning of a new side hustle
opportunity that complements my leisure time.
Following through on my commitment, I delivered the presentation to
Jacob, who expressed satisfaction with the outcome. This positive
impression holds promise for future collaborations and networking
opportunities. I made it clear to Jacob that I am eager to undertake similar
projects in the future, ensuring that our professional relationship remains
open and mutually beneficial.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, I've come to understand the immense significance of forging
and nurturing connections. Through a mere five days of reflection on
Mehdi's advice, I've gained a profound appreciation for the power of
networking and the opportunities it presents. Moving forward, I am
committed to implementing the invaluable lessons gleaned during this
period, leveraging them to enhance my professional endeavors and broaden
my network even further.
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