Bill Imada

Love libraries! Consider for a moment what libraries truly are in any community. They are living centers where community members--young and older--can get together to share, learn, and advance their knowledge on many topics. Consider librarians the "concierges" of their communities. They know their communities well and are trained researchers. Librarians also know how to help their patrons find answers to their information challenges. How to do your tax returns. How to start a business. And more. Librarians are also brand ambassadors who understand the needs, interests, and aspirations of the communities where they live and work. If companies want to partner with someone who knows their audience well, their first stop should be librarians.

Continuous engagement is great, but I wouldn't overdo it. Busy people are often bombarded with emails, texts, meetings, and conferences. However, if you see social media posts by prominent stakeholders, take a moment to offer a supportive comment. And, if you see an online article that might be useful, post them a short note and write, "Just in case you haven't seen this...FYI." I pay close attention to birthdays, anniversaries, and career milestones. A quick note lets people know you are thinking about them. And try not to be a fairweather friend. If you hear about a challenge (e.g., job loss, crisis, or injury), take a moment to offer assistance and support. Stakeholders will remember how you made them feel.

Successful individuals should find ways to give something tangible back to society. My mantra is simple: For every dollar I earn, I give two back. Volunteering has expanded my network substantially. And when you volunteer for leadership roles, you'll meet many successful people. But even if you volunteer, you must do more than show up. Arrive early to meet some of the key people who are active in organizations that serve the community. Make time to get to know the organization and its vision and mission. Find ways to make personal connections with everyone you encounter. And always follow up with some of the many people you will meet--even if it is a simple email note. And demonstrate through your actions why you're a great volunteer.

Let your supervisor know that you need to learn this "new skill" in order to perform your job well. Your supervisor and company may agree to set aside the time for you. I lean into opportunities. YouTube and LinkedIn are filled with great training videos, many of which are short and easy to consume. The busiest people in the world always seem to make time for themselves. I carve out 20 to 45 minutes in the morning to read, write, explore, and learn something new. If you create this routine for yourself, it will be a new habit that you'll enjoy and share with others. And speak with HR. They may have many free training programs for new employees interested in learning a new skill. It never hurts to ask.

Learning isn't just about hearing and seeing. It is also about feeling the pulse of what's happening around you--360. And it's also about tasting what's out there. Sensing, engaging, and exploring. Utilizing all of your senses will aid you on your path to continuous learning. To aid in my own journey, I serve on the advisory councils of several universities and industry groups. The reverse mentoring and guidance I receive are worth the price of an MBA.

Be engaged. I serve on several industry boards and advisory councils. This provides you with a means to "give back" and share your learnings and experiences with others. You'll find board service rewarding and learn a great deal about all facets of corporate communications.