At a time when companies are leaning toward the rebranding of their organizations as people, advertising firms are making a killing in positioning companies as personalities.
At a time when companies are leaning toward the rebranding of their organizations as people, advertising firms are making a killing in positioning companies as personalities. After all, we do not want to do business with companies; we want to do business with people. In order to adopt a personality for your company, you must first hone in and work on your personal brand.
In my recent session with the Vital Voices Program, I was asked to asses my personal brand. Whether we like it or not, whether we plan it or not, whether we want it or not…we all are perceived in a certain way. That is your personal brand. You can embrace it, ignore it, or use it to your advantage to leverage it and meet your goals.
“WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT, WHETHER WE PLAN IT OR NOT, WHETHER WE WANT IT OR NOT…WE ALL ARE PERCEIVED IN A CERTAIN WAY. THAT IS YOUR PERSONAL BRAND.”
What we should really be asking ourselves is how to guide our brand in order to benefit ourselves.
Start by asking four people for two words that describe you. It can be anyone; just ask them to be honest. Once you have gathered your results, ask yourself: Is this how I perceive myself? Is there a gap between how I see myself and how others see me? What actions can I take to get others to see me the way I would like them to? With this simple exercise, you are now becoming more strategic with regard to your personal brand.
You can cultivate your brand by establishing your tone, image, and voice in advance for consistency. Find ways to add value, and ensure that your platforms are consistent with each other. Be purposeful in what you choose to share. Associate with other strong brands and strategic partners. A strong brand is a strong narrative, so be clear about your story, your message, and your value-add.
“YOU CAN CULTIVATE YOUR BRAND BY ESTABLISHING YOUR TONE, IMAGE, AND VOICE IN ADVANCE FOR CONSISTENCY.”
Smart businessmen and entrepreneurs leverage their personalities to grow their companies and their brands—and they use it to their advantage. Most importantly, make sure you remain true to who you are, and keep your voice authentic and real.
For those who want to go the extra mile, lock in a personal website. Start blogging and vlogging. Sync your personal brand with your personal mission statement, and integrate them both with your business. The clearer your personal brand is to you, the more powerful your value becomes—to society, to your community, and to your work.
By: Wafa Alobaidat
