Are your communication skills all about electronics or the message?
At a recent communications conference, the speaker asked how many of the attendees used BlackBerries? Hands shot up. “How many of you use Twitter?” came the next question. “How about FaceBook?” Again hands – at least every other person’s – waved in the air.
Obviously, the audience had become adept in social networking and the associated electronics. But, then came the question, “How many of you communicate effectively?”
The room became quiet and only a few hesitant hands went into the air.
Personal Branding is all about exuding your brand effectively to your brand community. If you communicate with clients, vendors, team members and/or management, it’s not about how instantaneous your communications are. It’s all about how clearly and concisely you send your messages…and once received, if the message is clearly and concisely understood.
And even with cell phones, hand-helds of every description and the Internet . . . management across the country continues to place poor communication at the top of their list of challenges. Here are the results from a recent corporate survey to encourage us all to evaluate the quality of our communications:
* 85 percent said their business has lost money due to ineffective presentations, proposals or e-mail.
* 55 percent said employees could not easily find information they needed.
* 45 percent said information for business use is either inaccurate, incomplete or out of date.
* 44 percent said information they use often lacked adequate detail.
* 44 percent said an average of 30 minutes to an hour was wasted each day due to ineffective written communications within the company.
Be careful. Today’s electronic communications are far superior to anything we’ve ever known – and using these wisely can only move the level of our communications up and even beyond. But, as we employ these electronic tools to stay in touch with clients or as a resource in order to achieve a higher performance level, let us not forget the importance of language and writing skills…the basics of communications for all of us.
Valerie
Read more articles like this here: http://www.valerieandcompany.com/
What We Can Learn About Branding From Michael Jackson
Within days after his death, Michael Jackson tunes took the top nine places on Billboard’s Top 100 List. Retailers sold out of his CDs and his videos were in high demand. Even in death, the power of his mega-brand was very much in evidence.
However bizarre we might consider this entertainer, what lessons can we learn from Michael Jackson and his brand?
Here are a few:
- Jackson took time and care in establishing the power behind his brand. He wasn’t in a hurry – so it took 40 years or so.
- With few exceptions, every Michael Jackson product reached for – and achieved — the next level of excellence.
- The singer’s popularity and appeal as a performer was leveraged among several generations of consumers.
- Each Michael Jackson product (tours, television performances, music videos and video games) carried consistent elements, i.e., one spangled glove, white socks, military jackets and his signature dance moves.
- To reinforce his brand, Jackson took creative risks to remain on the cutting edge of his industry.
- He crafted a style that was unique in an industry of look-alikes.
Of course, Michael Jackson’s branding wasn’t without its dings and dents over the years, but – for the most part – even the most bizarre behaviors and lawsuits didn’t extinguish the passion of his fans…or the appeal of his music across the generations.
Read more about branding here:
http://www.valerieandcompany.com/personal-branding/strategic-personal-branding-and-you.html
Don’t Leave Your “Hidden” Strengths Out of Your Personal Brand.
Mark had been a Cubmaster in the Boy Scouts for years. Under his leadership, the group had become one of the largest and most active in his community. However, when Mark, a chemical engineer, began branding himself, guess what? He left his leadership style and success in Scouting by the wayside. No, it wasn’t connected to his professional achievements, but anyone seeking him as a consultant, manager or team member would have been impressed. Claire, a volunteer with the local hospital’s clown corps, never mentioned she had spent two Saturdays each month, bringing cheer to patients of all ages. She didn’t see it as an important part of her personal brand, but if you asked anyone about the importance of getting before groups, dealing with unwilling audiences or the difficulty in bringing sunshine into the gloom that accompanies serious or chronic illness – they’d tell you Claire possessed not just a special talent but a true gift!
Want to learn about How to Brand Yourself to Success? Then go to:
http://www.valerieandcompany.com/personal-branding/strategic-personal-branding-and-you.html
Valerie
I’m so excited about the NBC5 Interview!
I was a featured guest on the Dallas NBC5 series, “Ready for Recession Recovery.” In an interview with series host Brian Curtis, I provide expertise in building a personal brand for potential job seekers. I also offer valuable tips on how you can enhance your personal development through the branding process. To see this interview and learn more about personal branding, go to http://www.valerieandcompany.com.
Want to know more? Take a free personal brand quiz at: http://www.reachcc.com/brandquiz. Then, after reviewing your results, email Valerie at Valerie@valerieandcompany.com to schedule a telephone consultation so you can learn more about the next steps in building an authentic and relevant personal brand.
News Flash
I am so excited I just had to share this with you.
I spoke about Personal Branding on NBC Channel 5 News and it is going to be broadcast soon. I don’t have the date yet (stay tuned) but just had to share this exciting news with you.
In the meantime you can listen to my audio on “How to Brand Yourself to Success” here:
http://www.valerieandcompany.com/personal-branding/strategic-personal-branding-and-you.html
I’ll post soon with the date!
Valerie
What’s Your Brand?
If you think you’ll get ahead, simply by just working hard, think again.
If you have a job, you have a responsibility to do the work, but you simply must be more than that. You must set yourself apart to be distinctive in the minds of those who can influence your career. Think of it as creating a brand for “You, Inc.”
Consider a strong company brand that’s familiar – like Starbucks, Disney, BMW or Nike. Companies spend billions of dollars creating brands that make them and their products stand out in your mind.
Brands command customers – and, often, more money for their products. As an example, why do consumers pay more for a cup of coffee at Starbucks? Probably because of the experience, the available Wi-Fi, the custom drink made expressly to your order or the friendly environment. Why do people go to DisneyWorld or DisneyLand when there are many other theme parks? Many would say because it’s magical, family-oriented and safe.
So what makes you different? What are you known for? Why would a client choose to work with you rather than someone else that does what you do?
These questions should be top-of-mind for you today in order to secure your future success. As the saying goes, people do business with people they know, they trust and they like.
It’s important to craft yourself into a marketable brand that has all of these attributes. It’s also important to make yourself memorable so your boss – and your client — will place you top-of- mind or, on their speed dial at the very least.
Ask yourself, “What am I known for?
If you’re not sure of the answer, that’s a problem. Take time now to determine what makes you relevant and credible. Are you showing the passion you have for your role – or are you simply doing a job? Are you branded as a leader or just a hard worker? Remember: Leaders get promotions and opportunities. Hard workers often get more hard work.
Showing your uniqueness means you need to get better at marketing yourself. This means, when you are clear on what you are known for, you will have the self-confidence to tell others, always in a way that is not bragging.
When, for example, was the last time you told your boss about the role you played that made a difference in getting the account, or meeting a deadline? Like most of us, it’s probably been awhile – so why not show the boss your idea that was used on that last, successful project? He or she may not realize it was YOUR idea that won the account.
Is this bragging? No, it’s positioning!
Here are four questions to answer as you begin branding yourself:
1. What is different and unique about me? What makes me stand out from my peers/competitors?
2. Am I using my strengths and showing my core values to always deliver on my promise of value?
3. Am I doing what excites me and keeps me energized vs. just playing a role? Am I doing what I’m are good at and really like to do?
4. Am I spending enough time building my brand with those who can influence my success? This doesn’t mean playing politics, but it does mean spending enough time with your boss and clients so they will experience your strong brand.
Building your brand in the hearts and minds of those who can make you wildly success is likened to building brand equity. No one can do this but you.
