April 10, 2019 – JOLT – What’s brand got to do with it?

“You too are a brand. Whether you know it or not. Whether you like it or not.” – Marc Ecko

The idea of branding…

is mostly associated with the world of trade and commerce.

Obviously, having a well-recognized and respected brand among competitors is worth a fortune…while a soiled brand can be rendered worthless.

Folks in the career space and “thought leadership” learned a while ago that, just as companies nurture brands which have them stand out, having a personal “brand” is a key differentiator.

Being able to distinguish, in a key phrase or title, what it is that distinguishes YOU (your talent, your abilities, your special sauce) from others can make the difference between getting the call or referral or remaining in the pool of unnoticed.

But, if we go even more basic than career and thought leadership, no matter who you are or what you do, as the quote says above, you are a brand…whether you like it or not.

People talk. And they talk about others. How they will talk about you is your brand.

On the one hand, it’s always good to remember, as the title of a book by Terry Cole-Whittaker states, “What You Think of Me is None of My Business.”

However, IF, in fact, you’re going to do business — the business of business, the business of relationships, the business of love, the business of community, etc. — then it may pay to be aware of and/or impact the drift of your brand.  

Your mission today, should you choose to accept it (and are able to handle it gratefully and gracefully): ask a few people to be really straight with you about their impression of your “brand.” In other words, find out what it is that is said when you’re not in the room.

A challenge not for the faint of heart, but ripe for painting a new start.

Your personal brand is capturable and refinable. Want to discover it? Take advantage of the limited-time early-bird discount for The 2-Day Career Relaunch Workshop happening May 10-11 in Irvine, CA. Whether it’s a career change or new business strategy, your brand is worth making memorable.

Got brandedness?

“Branding is what people say about you when you’re not in the room.” – Jeff Bezos