Transitions  

Posted by Kimberly

Webster's definition


Transitions
"1 : passage from one state, stage, subject, or place to another : change b : a movement, development, or evolution from one form, stage, or style to another"

This is an opportunity to reflect on the past, renew major commitments, and build bridges to forthcoming seasons. In this period of change, we must reassess our motives and seek new areas of service, challenge ourselves to see the true beauty in this season of loss and desire expectancy in those things that are to come.

In a period of transition, there is recommendation to do some reflection of our current  position noting that our condition is essential in our succession in the next fraction of this mission until it comes to completion.

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The Great Element of Life  

Posted by Kimberly


The Great Element of Life
I.
The Ganges and Nile meet in an incestuous embrace,
As the Mediterranean looks on in utter disgrace
The very essence of being lurks hauntingly in these waters.
Waves constantly giving and taking,
The great wind breathes and stifles
Yet unmoved by the forces that encompass this core
Buried and tainted yet protected until that day,
Yes! That day!
That day, when the name to which one answers is called
When the sound resonates with a thundering clash
Life in the deep blue makes drowning seem so welcoming
So comforting when one can tell its fate before its beginning
Just to escape from that Red Hot…
Yes! Hot and Red particles that kill yet bring life
II.
I keep drifting trying to find a home
Can my heart be where my home is?
Home, where is home?
Home…
Broken even before it could be made whole,
Home
So, am I forced to carry my home with me?
Or does my home carry me?
I try to grasp land something tangible
Something to hold on to
But it is so porous; it flows through me yet sustains me,
I cannot hold it for it holds me.
I cradle it but it gives me life
I need it more than it needs me.
I am called dust,
I am called sand,
Home calls me pearl so that is what I am.
My core unshaken through this tumultuous voyage
Nursed in the barrage, while hidden in the boson of a clam.
III.
Your discovery is where this deep blue takes you
Planning your homecoming to 
A foreign place you once knew
Drops you on a shore and tries to declare your fate.
Many try to consume you yet they cannot swallow you, 
They lay upon you but cannot become you
Through natural and ordinary to the simple
You glisten in purity and in all your glory
Stretched across an expanse of space, 
Deep and Wide
Six feet under or twelve feet high
Dead or Alive
Really doesn't matter
In either state, you made a home in yourself
Built a house with yourself
The only difference is...
Dust you are but pearl you became.

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Building your Personal Brand- Here is Mine  

Posted by Kimberly







“Kimberly Lavene ‘Stewart’ Bolden”

If you “google” the name Kimberly Stewart, you will find many search results, yet none refer to me. The initial results refer to daughter of famous rocker, Rod Stewart. I have entered into the patriarchy of the Bolden clan via marriage. Yet, today, I seek to build a brand for myself with myself.  The name may seem very common. Nevertheless, the quality, the features, and the style are significantly unique. This particular brand is intentionally differentiated by design and not default. You are formally welcomed to my world. This is a world, which many may find familiar acquaintance, but few rarely do experience. This is Kim’s world.
Who am I?

I am a 25-year-old Trinidadian native who is a graduate of Atlanta Christian College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration (concentration in Management).  My focus is to pursue purpose. I choose to position myself among the best and the brightest in an attempt to follow the purpose and passion that has been infused within me. My ultimate desire is to be a motivational speaker and I have chosen to enter this market via the communication/leadership field.
I also have a dream... that one day I will aid in the education of the holistic student ensuring that he/she acquires all attributes needed for a successful and meaningful life.
Positioning vs. Competitors

            My teaching philosophy is that you teach students as much as they will learn. There is no limit on knowledge and wisdom for they are gifts from God.
                         “In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.”


Points of Parity

            - College Graduate with a Business Degree
- Traditional College Education
- A great emphasis and value on effective communication
-  An interest and experience in a globally expanding career field

Points of Difference
-       A Christ Centered College Education
-       An impeccable Work Ethic- “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”  (Colossians 3:23-24)
-       I do not just value diversity, but I am a monument of diversity. I am evidence of someone and something great.
-       Over five years of working in the communication department for an internationally known non- profit organization. (The Family Planning Association of Trinidad and Tobago)
-       Constant Interaction with people of many varied backgrounds
-       A Diploma from the Association of Business Executives in Business Information Systems with distinction in Management attained at the age of sixteen.
-       Constantly in a Leadership/Administrative Roles
-       Heavily involved in youth and children’s ministry, which requires communication with adolescents on many different levels.
-       Highly Innovative and Analytical
-       Christian Worldview
-       Problem Solver
Core Brand Values

            My value is not distinguished by my worth, but my worth is distinguished by my values.  I am an analytical young woman who is determined to raise the bar of excellence in every opportunity that is afforded to me. My motivation is the understanding that throughout life, I make valuable investments into the lives of others. If I could, I would heal the world of all its ailments and right the wrongs that have been made since the inception of time. I am not Christ, but more and more each day I come close to being more like Him. The gifts possessed are not my own but are catalysts for change in my community, in my career and in my generation.
My Core Brand values:

Humility- The ability to work at something with my all especially when it seems like no one is minding. Through my actions, my story is told.


Perseverance- my fortitude must not only be measured by my accomplishments but by my sacrifices.



Integrity- Right standing is not only inherent in this attribute but also the ability to remain balanced and whole.
Positive Attitude – My attitude would determine by altitude and application of right attributes will assure accomplishments of my pursuits.

My Brand Mantra:
Diverse, Disciplined Daughter determined to excel!
My mission statement:
I exist to unleash my greatest potential while in full pursuit of purpose for when I die I will be void of both!
My catch phrase: - Exceed Excellence!
My URL: http://kimbolden.blogspot.com

Product Strategies:
In an attempt to build my capital, time and money will be invested in to continuing learning to ensure that knowledge, skills and abilities are sharpened. Plans are in place to enter a Master’s Degree in Leadership/Education with an emphasis in Human Communication/Social Influence. Speaking engagements and opportunities for mentoring will also prove fruitful allowing me to maximize my strengths and build on my weaknesses while providing a great experience. I am a package that constitutes many abilities, talents, opinions and ideas. The way I perceive the world and life is essential in my work ethic.
My personal strategy for competitive advantage is my value proposition:
“ All that I do is done with all my heart and in excellence, for in my endeavors I am serving God by serving His people.” This value proposition communicates my brand as one of quality that thoroughly values relationships.
It is essential to develop a strong name and unique style that many are able to identify with when promoting Brand Kim. According to a variety of name books, the meaning of Kimberly is that of a royal fortress meadow that is used to defend countries and kingdoms. I am determined to live up to my name whereby all that I do illustrates a basic need to advocate for deserving parties and educate many persons via a wealth of knowledge and wisdom.

Pricing Strategy:

            This is based on value pricing. My Points of Difference allow me to be more marketable in the arena of communications/leadership. The corporate and professional world values diversity greatly and I propose to use this as a great feature when pricing this package called “Kim”.     
            In Atlanta the base salary for persons entering the leadership/ education field are between $36,583- $65,797. This is negotiable especially since I desire to gain more knowledge and experience in as many disciplines as possible. My incentive is to be an asset to any group or organization. The information gleans helps build my human capital.

Distribution Channel Strategies:

            The Channel of Distribution will be direct as I choose to personally avail myself to many opportunities of advancement. There is no intermediary between the customer and me unless my contact is sourced from a career site such as Monster.com or a referral from someone in my social network.
Marketing Communications

Advertising is done via
            - Résumé
            - Business cards
            - Personal Appearances
            - Networking Sites: http://kimbolden.blogspot.com; http://facebook.com/kimberly.bolden
            - Word of Mouth/Buzz Marketing

Promotion is done via

-       Interviews
-       Volunteering
-       Internships
-       Mentorship
-       Leading Bible Study
-       Teaching adolescents
-       Teaching dance to students
-       Leading Chapel Services and Morning Devotions

Even Marketing and Sponsorships is done via

-       Speaking Engagements
-       Career Fairs
-       Personal Development Seminars

Publicity and Public Relations

-       Web blogs
-       Articles written by me or about me
-       Critique of Social/Spiritual/Financial and Personal Issues

Personal Selling-

-       Applying to Different Jobs
-       Initiating Conversations
-       Volunteering
-       Investing time and other valuable resources in people and notable causes.

Leveraging secondary Associations
There is great association with many other brands. These are the following:
-       The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago: - I am citizen
-       The United States of America- I am a Permanent Resident
-       The Caribbean Islands- Where my family is native
-       Race- Black, Afro Trinidadian/African-American
-       Atlanta Christian College- my alma mater
-       Professional Organizations e.g. Premiere Speakers Bureau, Toastmasters
-       The Christian Community at large
-       Pathway Christian School- Educator
-       East Point Christian Church- Minister
-       Liturgical Dancer
-       Wife of a Minister

Brand Exploratory

-       A survey was created to inquire about people’s perception of me. Attached is a copy of the survey and its results. After analyzing the results from the survey, it is clear from the answers that I was perceived as a highly encouraging and influential person with key leadership and teaching skills. These are very favorable qualities.
-       The Myers- Briggs and the Uniquely You DISC assessments were also conducted. My results illustrated respectively that I was an ISTJ with a DI personality. When my DISC assessment results were tabulated with my spiritual gifts, my profile distinguished that of a Primary C. These personality tests described me as a very dependable and structured person who values completion and excellence. I can be very calculating and cautious, as I tend to become more task-oriented than people oriented even though what drives me is assisting persons. My spiritual gifts of discernment, wisdom, teaching, and exhortation all complement each other.
-       Three Associations made by potential employers, friends, and acquaintances are that I epitomize diversity, I am focused, and I am very expressive.

My brand is currently in the stage of salience. This is the awareness of the brand.
Emphasis is being made to ensure the brand “Kim” is easy to be recognized and recalled. This will be done via packaging: my deportment, my heritage, my knowledge, wisdom, and physical appearance. I want to ensure that I begin my professional career in excellence and build on my communication skills.
The missing or weak blocks in my pyramid are my social skills. I can come across very anti-social or intimidating at first impression even though this really is not who I am. My life is not an open book so it takes time and patience to get to know me. I also need to make acquaintances with professionals in my desired profession.
I have made a concerted effort to get out of my comfort zone to build relationships with people I have little to no knowledge of to ensure that I meet them on a level where we share at least one thing in common.
Enhancing Brand Equity: -
Brand Building Activities that are working for me are
-       Working towards my Master of Arts Degree in Leadership and Education respectively
-       Mentoring Female Teens
-       Teaching and Tutoring (Bible Study/Sunday School/Kindergarten/Youth Church/ Spanish/ Second Grade)
-       Associating with notable causes e.g. Susan G. Komen Foundation
-       Garnering all opportunities available to help others accomplish their dreams
-       Dedication to Personal Development
-       Improving Personal Appearance
-       Taking Speech Classes and attending Workshops
Three Recommendations to enhance Brand Equity
            Joining a professional organization for e.g. Toastmasters will help in basic oratory and communication skills. Forging relationships with persons established in the field or motivational and professional speaking will also be a great asset. This helps in setting a standard for myself and is essential in critiquing myself. Competitive advantage is gained by whom you are associated with. Many of these professional associations breed men and women who are dually noted for excellence and quality. I also must be able to value criticism and use it as a building block to better quality assurance.
Both experience and education are imperative. I cannot truly impart knowledge and wisdom to organizations and persons if I have not been challenged or enlightened also. This means that I must become assertive in all ventures of my life to ensure that I gain full experience, which can be both qualified and quantified by my listeners.
I need to become a face for causes I truly believe in. This means becoming involved in community PR events, being well acquainted with laws, staying updated with current events nationally and internationally so I can speak out primarily based on fact. I can also form strategic alliances with associations e.g. Atlanta Christian College and the Consulate of Trinidad and Tobago based here in Atlanta especially since it is one of its sister cities.
Money can be an incentive but is not a basic motivation.  The purpose is to learn all I can about life. The fulfillment of making a difference no matter how small is what brings me joy. Changing the mindsets of those who are ignorant simply because of a lack of knowledge is what drives me to be educated and equipped with much knowledge and wisdom. For in doing this, many are empowered and valuable investments are made. I am a philanthropist at heart.







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Purpose  

Posted by Kimberly

The purpose for your being becomes the world's inheritance! Please do not abort it. Abortion is when we fail to take responsibility for the potential that is birthed inside of us. We neglect to accept and implement its purpose. When this happens, there is self destruction. Do not die with your purpose still in the raw potential stage because no one benefits.

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God's Impartial Love  

Posted by Kimberly

God's impartial love


The love of God is best personified in the kinship between two people whose oife stories are the total opposite, but thrives against all odds. "Your limitation is God's opportunity." ~ Denver Moore, coauthor of Same Kind as different As me.

http://www.samekindofdifferentasme.com

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Do you know Jesus?  

Posted by Kimberly


Do we desire to be more like Jesus or do we really want Jesus to be more like us? Paul describes us as being living epistles that should be read by all men in 2 Cor. 3 but this gives us greater responsibility. We should ensure that our walk is as circumspect as God wills and not drag Jesus into our mess but allow Him to clean it up. We need a real life personal relationship with our Savior & Lord where nothing can separate us from His love. Not just vow to talk about him, but talk to him daily.

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Happy Labor Day  

Posted by Kimberly

In all that you do, day in and day out, please ensure that your labor is never in vain. Remember your life's work will become the world's inheritance. Work hard and work smart but most importantly work with a purpose.

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