Most executives and business owners tend to keep to themselves. Of course they go to meetings. They interact with their clients. They even give a presentation or two. But they feel they're work or product will ultimately deliver the success, money and notoriety normally associated to hard workers.

Well — each of these is not enough. You need to be a giraffe.

You need to stand out from the crowd. Be noticed. Have your work seen by the right people at the right time. Stick your head into the trees and grab those tasty leaves.

You need to MARKET yourself. Now how do you do it Rich?

Here are some tips:

Think strategically and broadcast your ideas. Stop messing with all the tactical stuff all the time — think what is going to happen with your company, marketplace, product 6 months, 12 months, five years in the future. Brainstorm with others about what you're thinking. Put a presentation together and present it to people who matter. Get those creative juices flowing!

Stick you head above the cubicle once and awhile. Look around — what's happening in your office, in your neighborhood, your marketplace, the world? If you worked for bookstores, record shops, newspapers . . . you should have seen this coming YEARS ago. But most people stick their heads in the sand. Start using your peripherals — who's moving up, who's going out of business, who's getting fired, who's making the big bucks?

Go where the important people go. This is a big one — mingle with the big boys and girls. If you are an executive, have lunch with them — see how they think, tell them your ideas, mingle! If you own your own business — stop trying to go through intermediaries to get your next client or customer. Go where they go and mingle with them! If you are targeting high-income earners — hit charities, country clubs, salons, gyms — anywhere they might be.

You need to get off the ground and start sticking your head into the clouds. Start thinking and acting that way!

What do you do to be a giraffe? How has it been successful to you?

This has been another installment in my ongoing series, “Are You A Catalyst?” — today’s focus is how stand above the crowd.