We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jessica Winder. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jessica below.
Jessica, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with something countless entrepreneurs have had to figure out on the fly – how have you dealt with the rise of remote work?
Refine Labs is a fully remote team, and we don’t plan on having an office anytime soon. Our team members are spread out across the US and Canada, and we’ve found ways to make it work smoothly. Transparency and clear expectations have been key to individual and team performance.
Of course, remote work is only sometimes a walk in the park. We’ve faced some challenges along the way, but fortunately, we make sure potential employees understand our work environment before joining the team. Here are a few pitfalls we’ve encountered:
1. Balancing work and personal life can take time and effort. Getting caught up in work or personal responsibilities is easy while at home, leading to burnout and decreased well-being.
2. Time management can be tough for some people. Without direct supervision, staying focused and meeting deadlines can be a challenge, affecting performance and productivity.
3. When remote teams are in different time zones, scheduling meetings, coordinating tasks, and maintaining effective communication can be more challenging due to limited overlapping working hours.
However, despite these challenges, the benefits of remote work far outweigh the drawbacks. Some less obvious advantages have made a difference for us:
1. One of the biggest benefits is having a diverse and inclusive workforce. Remote work allows us to bring together talented individuals from various locations. This opens up a wider pool of candidates and fosters various perspectives, experiences, and ideas.
2. Remote work gives our employees a greater sense of autonomy and empowerment. They have more control over their work, from structuring their day to managing tasks. This level of ownership leads to higher job satisfaction and motivation.
3. Another important aspect is the positive environmental impact of remote work. With fewer people commuting to a central office, we contribute to reducing traffic congestion and carbon emissions, which is great for the planet.
So, while remote work may have its ups and downs, the advantages make it a worthwhile choice for our team at Refine Labs.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Jessica D. Winder is widely acknowledged as an esteemed keynote speaker, revered for her comprehensive career coaching services, exceptional proficiency in people operations, and fearlessly straightforward approach. Her belief in the transformative power of “good trouble” fuels her drive to bring about positive change. With a strong focus on nurturing leadership growth, Jessica collaborates with individuals, groups, and organizations, empowering them to unlock their true potential and embrace their authenticity. As the Founder of Hidden Gem Career Coaching and the author of “The Hidden Gem Within,” she has established herself as a leading voice in the field.
Jessica, an HR Executive with a deep passion for psychology and sociology, takes a personalized approach to her coaching sessions. Her primary objective is to assist Professionals of Color in reaching new heights in their careers. Leveraging her expertise in DE&I, leadership development, and project management, she guides her clients to shine like the hidden gems they are.
What sets Jessica apart is her consulting approach, which combines an exploration of her client’s past and future to highlight their unique abilities. Trust falls, and hot coal walks are not her style; instead, she delves deep into her clients’ professional journeys to showcase their strengths. As a female Professional of Color, Jessica intimately understands her clients’ challenges and is well-equipped to help them present their professional experiences in the best possible light. From crafting resumes and designing career plans to providing motivation and networking guidance, she is a trusted expert who supports her clients every step of the way.
With her unwavering commitment to excellence, clients never have to settle for mediocrity. Passion is at the core of Jessica’s personal and professional values, infusing every aspect of Hidden Gem Career Coaching. She recognizes that America is at a pivotal moment in terms of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace. She embraces the opportunity to champion social justice and diversity, one client at a time. Through her work, she strives to leave a lasting impact and inspire positive change on a larger scale.
How did you build your audience on social media?
I’m excited to share my journey of building a personal brand on LinkedIn and amassing a whopping 60,000 followers.
The Secret Ingredient: Consistency, my friend, is the secret sauce. I religiously stuck to a consistent posting schedule to build my LinkedIn empire and shared thought-provoking content that resonated with my audience. It was all about establishing myself as a trusted authority in my field.
Engage and Win Hearts: Engagement was my superpower. I made it my mission to actively participate in discussions, respond to comments, and connect with my audience personally. By building genuine connections and fostering a thriving community, I gained the trust and loyalty of my amazing followers.
Authenticity is Key: Forget the corporate masks! On LinkedIn, I let my true self shine. I encouraged aspiring influencers to share their personal stories, insights, and experiences to create a genuine connection with their audience. Authenticity is what sets you apart and makes you memorable.
Top Tips for LinkedIn Stardom: Here are my golden nuggets of wisdom for aspiring LinkedIn influencers:
1. Find Your Rhythm: Consistently share valuable content to keep your audience engaged and hungry for more.
2. Engage, Engage, Engage: Dive into discussions, respond to comments, and connect with your audience to build a vibrant community.
3. Embrace Your Uniqueness: Share your authentic self, personal stories, and insights. Let your personality shine through your content.
4. Ride the Wave: Stay up-to-date with LinkedIn’s latest features and embrace them fearlessly to stand out.
5. Network Like a Pro: Seek out influential professionals, engage in meaningful conversations, and build strong connections. Collaboration is the key to growth.
So there you have it, my LinkedIn success story in all its glory! By staying consistent, engaging passionately, embracing authenticity, staying ahead of the curve, and building influential connections, you can unlock LinkedIn’s power and soar to new heights.
Now go out there and unleash your inner LinkedIn influencer!
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
As a professional in my field, I am thrilled to share how referrals and daily posts on LinkedIn have become the backbone of my client acquisition strategy. Through these powerful avenues, I have built a thriving network and consistently attracted new clients who resonate with my expertise and offerings.
Referrals, the Trusted Path: Referrals have proven to be an invaluable source of clients for me. The trust and credibility established by satisfied clients who recommend my services to their connections have significantly expanded my client base. Each referral serves as a testament to the quality of my work, creating a virtuous cycle of positive recommendations that continue to bring in new opportunities.
The Daily LinkedIn Pulse: My daily posts on LinkedIn have become a game-changer in attracting clients. By consistently sharing valuable content, insights, and industry updates, I position myself as a thought leader and a valuable resource. These posts’ engaging discussions and interactions further amplify my visibility and attract potential clients who resonate with my expertise and perspectives.
Combining referrals and daily LinkedIn posts has proven to be a winning formula for client acquisition. The trust generated through referrals, and the visibility and engagement fostered by daily LinkedIn posts create a dynamic ecosystem that attracts clients who align with my expertise and values. By harnessing the power of these strategies, I have built a thriving client base and positioned myself as a trusted authority in my field.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hiddengemcareercoaching.com
- Instagram: HiddenGemCC
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicadwinder/