Personal Branding – Differentiate Yourself from the Competition

Personal branding is a revolutionary way to think about managing your career. It helps you clarify and communicate the qualities that make you special, differentiating you from your peers so you can greatly expand your success.

Just like a company or product brand, a personal brand is more than just a marketing statement. A company’s brand is its reputation, embedded in the minds of the public. Likewise, your personal brand is how you are embedded in the minds of your colleagues and competitors. It is not only what you say and how you present yourself but also – and more importantly – what you do and how you do it.

You might present yourself well and “talk a good game,” but you will only have a successful personal brand if you also offer something of value that is different from those around you. And the reverse is also true: Even if you bring real value to your company, your personal brand will not thrive if no one knows about it.

Companies routinely discard employees who do not bring value to the organization. Ensure that your career is secure by actively marketing and tending your personal brand. Position yourself in a way that leaves no doubt about who you are and the value of what you can do.

Ask yourself, are you:

• Being noticed and rewarded for your good work?
• Pigeon-holed with an old image?
• Aware of what your professional image really is and what it should be?
• Able to create the perception you want to project?
• Ready to ignite your new image?
• Communicating confidence and growth?
• Self-promoting yourself?
• Communicating your career objectives?
• Pro-active in your career development?
• Perceived as the same person you were 10 years ago?
• Taken for granted?
• Actively networking?

Whether you are a senior executive, an entrepreneur or an employee of a company of any size, your personal brand is one of the most important weapons in your arsenal for long-term success in the new world economy. So ask yourself, what is your personal brand? Is it the brand you want? What can you do to ensure your brand thrives?

If you are having difficulty in developing your own special brand, see Cynergy’s webcast, “Branding - Intro to Personal Brand Authenticity” by Jamie Tran.

Working Smart + Living Your Values = Balance in Life