What is Your Brand?

GordonMiller
GordonMiller
Staff

Posted: Dec 5, 06 7:25am

What's Your Brand?

Starbucks, Mercedes Benz, Nike. All recognizable brands to most of us. To me, they each stand for something identifiable and somewhat unique.

How about you, what's your brand? Although it may go against your instincts somewhat, having a personal brand identity is pretty important in today's work world.

Why, you say? In essence, it's because we work in such a hyper-competitive environment that we need to distinguish ourselves from others in a positive way.

Start by thinking of those things that make you special and unique. Maybe it's a skill or strength you have that most don't. Maybe it's a distinctive degree or certification or award you have won.

Maybe it's your visual identity. I know a guy who has built his brand around the bow ties he wears every day.

Then, once you have that memorable brand identity determined, it's all about developing a self-marketing strategy. (I bet a few of you can't bear the thought of marketing yourself, huh?)

You might start by checking out TBD's Career Change Workshop, and Stage 4 of the Seven-Stage Process is "Develop Your Unique Brand."

http://www.tbd.com/content/article/basic_article.article:::work_ccw_stage0

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6 Comments // 6 Members
karmagoddess
karmagoddess
Founding Member

Posted: Dec 7, 06 2:27pm

What's Your Brand?

Starbucks, Mercedes Benz, Nike. All recognizable brands to most of us. To me, they each stand for ...

I have a very strong personal brand. It has emerged throughout my life: I'm the out-lier. For example, I recently had a hip replacement and allowed my daughter to bring two extra dogs to my house when she came to care for me, and a friend to leave his dog during the day. So I was nursed by a team of golden retrievers.

I re-invented my own work 27 years ago when I left my secure job as a college professor to start a company in an industry I knew NOTHING about (public relations). After I built the company and then downsized it and built it again, I re-invented work again when I went to Intel, and again when I left and started Stealthmode Partners.

dj55308
dj55308
Founding Member

Posted: Nov 14, 07 7:51pm

What's Your Brand?

Starbucks, Mercedes Benz, Nike. All recognizable brands to most of us. To me, they each stand for ...

Hey Gordon -

Funny. I just did a 'branding' excercise again today at an "Authentic Leadership" seminar (by Leider & Cashman). I was thinking how it would be an interesting subject to post here on TBD. Looks like you beat me to it! :o)

My purpose statement is to "help people find creative ways to improve the quality of their life"

The tagline for my brand is "There must be a BETTER way".

AnitaP
AnitaP
Founding Member

Posted: Nov 14, 07 8:10pm

Hey Gordon -

Funny. I just did a 'branding' excercise again today at an "Authentic Leadership" seminar (by Leider &...

I like that dj. My tagline would be my internet name: Anita Porpoise, which explains why I don't have a brand.

GordonMiller
GordonMiller
Staff

Posted: Nov 15, 07 7:42am

Hey Gordon -

Funny. I just did a 'branding' excercise again today at an "Authentic Leadership" seminar (by Leider &...

I know a guy who started a business networking group here in Denver. He uses the tagline, "I get paid to introduce one executive to another."

Maybe you could start a new post on personal taglines?

hotlegs
hotlegs
Founding Member

Posted: Nov 15, 07 8:03am

I have a very strong personal brand. It has emerged throughout my life: I'm the out-lier. For example, I recently had a ...

karmagoddess,

May be your out-lier could include "reincarnating work so it works for me"! Thanks for the comment and photograph. It made my day!

Older
Older
Founding Member

Posted: Nov 15, 07 8:08am

What's Your Brand?

Starbucks, Mercedes Benz, Nike. All recognizable brands to most of us. To me, they each stand for ...

Does it Really matter when 98% of everything is Made in China? Smile