While some students put learning opportunities on the back burner during the summer, Broad Spartans are eager to discover more. In this time of social and physical distancing, the Financial Markets Institute hosted its first-ever seminar focused on personal branding and soft skills, with more than 60 student scholars from around the world in attendance.
“All professionals have a professional brand, whether they realize it or not,” David Hawthorne, director of FMI, said. “Our goal was to have a training and education program that was dedicated to students’ personal brand and the soft skills required in the business world.”
Hawthorne sought out expertise from Bluestone Executive Communications to offer the FMI scholars help with “best-in-class business behaviors.” With over 20 years of experience in executive consulting, the agency’s team specializes in topics such as leadership, speech writing and coaching and media training.
The seminar, held last month, touched on physical elements of a personal professional brand, including body language, handshakes, business cards and email etiquette. In addition to presentations, the seminar included interactive exercises, giving scholars an exciting opportunity to put their new skills to the test.
“The program was very well received,” Hawthorne said. “It had a unique focus on the importance of an individual’s brand, personal etiquette, digital decorum, Zoom appeal and many other non-tangible elements that are critically important in today’s business world.”
