Personal Branding

You’re Branded... Branded... Branded...

It's time for me, and you, to take a lesson from the big brands; a lesson that's true for anyone who's interested in what it takes to stand out and prosper in the new world of work.

Regardless of age, of position, or of the business we happen to be in, everyone needs to understand the importance of branding. We are CEOs of our own companies: for Me Inc. to be in business today implies that our most important job is to be head marketer for the brand called You.

It's that simple, and that hard. And inescapable! The good news, and it is largely good news, is that everyone has a chance to stand out. Everyone has a chance to learn, improve and build up their skills. Everyone has a chance to be a brand worthy of remark.

Along the way, if you're smart, you will figure out what it takes to create a distinctive role for yourself; you create a message and a strategy to promote the brand called “You”.

What’s Your Brand

You're every bit as much a brand as Nike, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, or the Body Shop. To start thinking like your own favourite brand manager, ask yourself the same question that brand managers at Nike, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, or the Body Shop ask themselves: What is it that my product or service does that makes it different?

If your answer wouldn't light up the eyes of a prospective client or command a vote of confidence from a satisfied past client or, worst of all, if it doesn't grab you, then you've got a big problem. It's time to give some serious thought and even more serious effort to imagining and developing yourself as a brand.