Reflections of a Square Peg

Looking to make a difference in 2008?

I was planning to send out a series of posts between now and the new year to get readers starting to think about the difference they want to make with their personal brand in 2008.

That was until I received Robert Middleton's weekly ezine with this link The Gift of Service - I think it says it all.

Make a difference in 2008. Wishing you a happy and outstanding year for your personal brand.

Get on the Web in 2008

If you have not got a web presence yet make it a new years resolution that your get one in 2008. A great way to start to build your personal brand is to have your own domain either connected to a web portfolio or a blog.

Also that last minute gift idea for someone else - what better than spending less than $10 at GoDaddy.com and buying children nieces, nephews even Granny their own domain!

Where Do You Need to be Seen?

  Perhaps you do not need to spend $10,000 on a plastic pink chair -but perhaps you need to be seen in the place where one is becuase that is where your target audience hangs out.

Take a moment to consider where you are spending your time and money and is it on brand for you? Are you getting exposed to the right opportunities? Are you a member at the right palces or in the best organizations for your brand?

                        

Buff up the Image

Unless you are like Richard Branson, walking around naked to get attention is not a great move in personal branding!

But projecting the right image certainly is.

One of the great things about the holidays is that retailers always have left overs - bit like the turkey dinner! So the SALES soon follow - usually the very next day. Its a great time to find those clothing bargains that will add to your brand and really show who you are.

Its well worth the time, cost and effort to invest in your brand with the use of an image consultant or at the very least get your colours done - it makes such a difference internally and externally.

What Would You Look Like as an Elf?

Showing Your Personal Brand #2 Sometimes you do not even have to spend any money to thank someone this holiday season and still reflect your personal brand.

I never did see the Will Ferrell comedy film Elf - but if humour is one of your attributes then you have to take a look at yourself as an elf by going to the very clever Office Max viral promotion Elf Yourself, its hilarious - and if you have some photos of team members, clients or others I think it would be hard to find someone who did not smile at this.

Make Mine a Double Tall Non-Fat No Foam Latte Extra Hot with Legs!

For the next 5 days, leading up to what is for most the last work days before taking a well deserved holiday break, I am going to be giving you some ideas for gifts that can display to those that matter a little more about your personal brand and show your appreciation.

Showing Your Personal Brand #1

Looking for a more memorable thank you this holiday season? Want to make it personal and useful? What if it could be on brand for you too?

Starbucks may well have the answer, My Customized Starbucks Card allows you to design your own card for someone else, pay for it online and have it sent directly to them.

I am a big Starbucks fan both in terms of their brand, the fact that they allow their employees to develop their own personal brands under the corporate banner and they make good coffee ofcourse!

This is a really great idea at this time of year to say thanks and add a touch of your own personal brand too. I am sure the recipient is going to remember this (and you) for a long time - infact everytime they pull out THEIR card and order that Double Tall Non Fat No Foam Latte Extra Hot with Legs!

Define Marketing - Discuss

Fellow masterminder and business coach Chris Barrow has an interesting blog post - A New Definition of Marketing - about the Chartered Institute of Marketing in the UK and their decision to try and redefine marketing.

It really does bring home why we are seeing such shifts in the whole branding and marketing approach - the consumer is now such an integral part of the mix and how they are treated, spoken to and interacted with now directly affects the success (or failiure) of a brand.

Now take that for a moment and think about your own personal brand. It is not just about what you are doing to communicate it but also how you are doing it and the impact it has on your target audience that determines if it is embraced or rejected - or something in between.

I am expecting to see in 2008 a surge of more people actively loking to manage their personal brands, taking many more pro-active steps and actions to ensure that they are reflected correctly and in turn moving in the direction that they want to go.

What would you do with an $85,000 cell phone bill?

According to a Globe & Mail article a young Calgary man was shocked to receive a bill recently for $85,000 to cover roaming and bandwith charges on his cell phone!

He had signed up for an unlimited plan for $10 a month but obviously did not read the small print and went on to download movies, songs etc!

Now how would you feel about that???!!!!

Brand & Culture More Important Than Money

According to a recent poll by SEI (a provider of solutions to the financial services industry) Relationship Managers in the industry are more likely to stay at their current employer based on culture versus compensation.

69% said Culture was making them stay and 56% had said was the original reason they joined - 59% placed brand and reputation as the main reason for choosing.

This is not just going to apply to financial services but many industries. As markets tighten and companies again consider retaining the best and looking for others they are going to have to take in many other considerations in constructing an enticing package.

We are now seeing many companies starting to incorporate the use of personal branding in to their development and training programs as a differentiator - engaging and retaining their brightest and best to the future leaders.

Why Technology & Personal Branding is so Powerful

I have written a number of posts recently about Facebook and it certainly seems to be a hot topic amongst the personal branders out there and beyond. Like my friend and personal brand associate Jason Alba of Jibber Jobber and author of "I'm on Linked In - Now What?", who is starting on his second book "I'm on Facebook - Now What?" - he is looking for contributions so if you have a story get in touch.

This past week saw the power of the Facebook user (today's personal brand builder) bite back against the slow commercialization of Facebook. One of the applications they were adding was letting your friends know what you had been buying on line - kind of like an unprompted recommendation or endorsement. Now they have been forced by the immediate backlash to make that an opt-in feature - see the Globe & Mail story "Facebook alters new ad system".

This is the power of technology, immediate access (and feedback) and people expressing themsleves in ways they might not have chosen to do (or it was too much of an effort to write a letter to complain) - a favourite Canadian pastime in action. Now they just create a new Facebook group and hit back right in the backyard of the company they are using.

The power of personal branding at grassroots level - not just for career management or building a business, but making change happen for others and with others.