Do We Know What You Do?

My favorite scene in Office Space is when the Bob’s (a couple of corporate consultants) ask one of the middle managers “What would you say, you do here?”

All too often, that’s a legitimate question. I have met people multiple times throughout the years and still have no idea what they do. They talk in circles and large generalities and I really don’t understand what it is they make money doing. And so I assume that they either confuse enough people who are suckers and just buy it. OR (more likely) they aren’t making much money.

YES, what you do might be complicated and intricate, but you need to figure out a way to clearly and simply explain what it is you do to your network. If your mother doesn’t understand it, no one does.

I was just listening to a podcast and they were talking about how many people have no idea what their dad did when they were kids (and many still don’t). We now live in a world where it’s important to know what it is you do and who you serve. If people aren’t hiring you, is it them, or are they still confused what it is you do? Over the next couple of weeks as you explain what it is you do, ask clarifying questions in return and if they give you a funny look, back up and explain it differently. Not louder, differently.