Managing the Brand of You

[how we market ourselves to others]

Joe Kull PwC

January, 2012

Branding, Reputation, & Character• All deal with recognition– Branding-What is stamped/told– Reputation-What is thought by others– Character- What you are

• Value imposed…value believed…values exists• Branding is fleeting; reputation more

permanent; character is at the core• The ‘you’ experience: image, expectation,

existence

Why brand?

• Because you are you• Social media has leveled the playing field– Not enough to be good; must be memorable

• If you don’t brand, others will• Could lead to personal transformation

Know thyself [navel gazing]• Be good at something• Synch up skills and bliss-be

compensated for your passion–We do well what we like to do

• Do what you believe, and believe what you do

• http://smallbiztrends.com/2009/05/best-personal-branding-tips staci woods

Know thyself [the navel looks back]

• Self discovery-talents, values, warts, and lice• Face anxieties, fears, aversions, addictions• Forgive yourself, accept yourself• Continuously invest in yourself• The how am and how do of being remembered– Are impressions in synch?

• Pick out a product, person you admire– Can you be a surrogate?– Why not? What attributes are missing?

Profound understanding of yourself

Branding ‘tools’-Relationships• Networks work both ways• Actions speak louder than words;

people remember actions• Commitment, timliness• Follow up, thank you, be a friend• Learn to communicate–Cards, letters, calls

Branding ‘tools’-social media• Be present• Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn--start a group• Google yourself• Sort out your online identity• Email etiquette-keep it clean• Personal commercial, maybe a video• Use key words; be searchable• Watch frequency

Opportunity and change

• Be lucky-it’s the collision of opportunity and preparation–Opportunity is hard work realized

• Stay open minded, global• Forget college-learned to learn• It is a journey, not a destination• Feedback, reassess• Nothing ventured, nothing gained

Kull’s tips• Make mistakes• Be a yardstick of quality • Best things in life are free-’hi’, ‘thanks’, ‘pls’.• Remember where you came from• Show up• Appearances matter• It's a small town, small community• Look, listen, learn; laugh• You must have a godfather/mother• Beware transitions• Don't get ahead by getting even• Keep the human touch • Difference between self confidence and ego• YOU are the tone at the top

Thoughts become words;words turn into action,

and actions form your character.

And that is who you are