It’s a unique quality that is specific to every human being. Everyone is a brand. Try this little experiment. Wear your best friends clothes for a week. See if people notice a difference. What they notice is your one-of-a-kind style has now changed, although subtle (sometimes not so…), it can get big attention. Personal branding is huge on style, as much as it is for the most major corporations. But it’s more than image. Does that image align with your mission or message?
IBM used to be about the blue colored letters in their own unique font, McDonalds has the golden arches, Microsoft has its windows, Coke has it’s ribbon and Nike has…well, I know I don’t have to tell you because you already know. That’s what you MUST create for yourself in 2011. When I think of you or share your specific talents to someone else, are they going to see that the moment you walk into a room?
Maybe. I’m working very hard on that myself. It’s no easy task.
“Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.” -Carl Bard
Starbucks announced they are changing their logo. Why do they need to say, “Starbucks Coffee” on their logo when they are engrained in the social conscience. If you listen closely to what CEO Howard Schultz is saying in this short video, you’ll discover that it is important at this juncture to drop the word coffee because as a mega-company, Starbucks now has the brand klout to take on any industry they want…and they will. Essentially, Starbucks has branded coffee just like Xerox branded the photocopy and Kleenex the tissue.
So, what can you do? Put some thought into your personal brand. How are you being consistent across all mediums? Are you scattered or do you have a focused image and message about who you really are?
What are you going to make your message going forward?
Agree/disagree? Share it here please.
(Now, read my previous blog: eVolve)