Established in 2011,Westgate is a personal branding and career advisory services firm. We serve individual and corporate executives across industries, including private equity firms and their portfolio companies. Home of the Award-Winning 90-Day Plan.

Facts tell, stories sell ... use signature stories to stand out

Signature stories are a powerful way to communicate your idea or value proposition. It is said that facts tell, but stories sell and when you need to sell an idea to a decision-maker, the signature story is effective, simple, and repeatable.

According to a Westgate client recently (a former Fortune 100 technology executive):

“Signature stories create the structure, which is helpful because it’s a repeatable process. The practice helped me to understand how to talk about myself, how to position myself, and present myself (and my organization), in front of each audience. Personal branding is a competency  that builds confidence.” 

I had not heard of personal branding described as a competency before, but it makes sense because a competency is defined as “… the set of demonstrable characteristics and skills that enable and improve the efficiency or performance of a job. 

Competency is a series of knowledge, abilities, skills, experiences, and behaviors, which leads to effective performance in an individual's activities. Competency is measurable and can be developed through training.” (Wikipedia).

Some of the benefits of the personal branding:

•    Builds visibility and raises the profile of your firm
•    Enhances your authority and credibility
•    Differentiates you from your peers

Here is a signature story I’ve often told to demonstrate my decision-making ability:

(Maureen Farmer)

Reporting to the CEO of the company, he and I were required to get the board agenda published and distributed to the members for a meeting scheduled next Tuesday. It was now Wednesday afternoon, and we still did not have a chance to set the agenda. For good reason, as there was a major industry meeting happening the day after the board meeting next week.

There was no time.

Knowing he was traveling to Toronto (a 2-hour flight) the next day, I called our corporate travel agent and asked her to book the seat beside him. I was sitting in my seat when he approached his seat and the look on his face was truly priceless. He laughed when I showed him the draft agenda.

We needed to get it finalized so that the board could prepare for the meeting.

I managed to get four hours plus face time with him and our productivity was outstanding. The board was delighted to get the agenda before the weekend, the meeting unfolded seamlessly, and important and timely decisions were made.

I call this leadership optimization.

While I would not use this signature story as an industry presentation, many signature stories can be easily crafted to demonstrate a specific skill, achievement, or opportunity.

In New York City last month, I delivered a talk to 100+ investment professionals focused on signature stories that help to raise your visibility (and your firm’s). I provided them with a passport checklist you can quickly download here (no email address required). 

I hope you find it helpful.

I’d like to thank Maddie Shears, our Podcast Producer and Marketing Manager, for her help preparing this asset. 

Champagne Bistro Re-Run:

We are pleased to offer a re-run of the annual Champagne Bistro. If you didn't have the chance to attend last month, join us again in early April (date to be confirmed). The event is 100% confidential and no participation is required. 

We are offering the program a second time because a few of our registrants were unable to join the call in January. We apologize for that inconvenience and would be delighted to have you join us.

Benefits of the Bistro:

🔴 Align your 2024 plan with your values  

🔴 Establish clarity for personal satisfaction

🔴 Create your action plan in the 45 minute program

Date and time for the Champagne Bistro will be announced soon. Thank you for your patience. 

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Record snow and frigid temperatures in Nova Scotia this month

Anchored in Halifax (CANADA), we're experiencing an unprecedented snowfall and cold temperatures this winter. Below is a photo of a storm that dumped 60+ cm (23 inches) last week. 

In some parts of the province, they received more than 102 cm (40+ inches) leaving residents without power. 

The cold weather and snowfall doesn't dissuade our rescue, Ruby, from enjoying the outdoors. Here  she is today posing at Brightwood Golf Course, located in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. 

A rescue from the Caribbean, she dislikes wearing a jacket and the cold doesn't seem to bother her. 

In some parts of the province (Cape Breton Island), moose, deer and other wildlife are seen travelling across their territory on the highways because the snow is so deep. 

Thank you for being part of the Westgate community. I hope you find our weekly newsletter helpful as it is a labor of love and service to you. Have an optimized week ahead. 

Maureen Farmer is a CEO career advisor and personal branding strategist for next-level executives, investors, and board nominees. 

This e-letter is published weekly and you are receiving this because you have opted in or downloaded an asset from our website.

Westgate is a 100% independent professional career services firm.

Westgate Executive Branding and Career Consulting Inc. would like to acknowledge that we are located in Mi'kma'ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi'kmaq People. We are all Treaty people.