Fear #5 - “Personal branding - that’s all about image, right? I know that branding, for a company, is the logo, stationery, business cards. So, personal branding means that our team looks the part, correct? I just don’t know that image is such a big deal.”

 

Personal branding is MORE than image. While there is great business in the field of image consulting and great benefit (often an image consultant or even graphic artist is needed when people are working on expressing their personal brand), personal branding is about focusing on your authentic strengths so that you stand out as visible, memorable, credible and eventually profitable!

Your image is definitely one of the components of EXPRESSING your personal brand and is very quickly assessed (in 7-15 seconds is when you make a first impression that’s lasting). But, image with out substance behind it is nothing. Or, image that portrays one thing yet is not genuine can leave a negative impression.

For companies, understand if your mission statement and your customer service vision, don’t match with the way your team interacts with the customer; or the way they portray themselves and your company; or in the very energy they exude — your company will suffer. Ever call someone at a company and get a hold of someone who is unhappy with the company and life in general? It leaves a bad taste that’s hard, if ever, to get rid of.

As a company or team:

• Get some feedback on what your clients are saying (liking and disliking about you). Remember, THIS IS NOT A SALES CALL. So, the key is to listen - not to sell, explain, expound - just listen to what they’re saying. There’s fortune in the feedback!
• Ask your best clients - “if you could change one thing about our relationship, for the better, what would it be?” Then, again, listen to the answer! No explanations, or explaining policies, just listen.
• Ask your staff members -”What’s our single biggest goal in the next 3 to 6 months?” Now, listen again. If you’re getting a myriad of answers, chances are you’re getting a myriad of impressions about your company.

It’s challenging and difficult to work with a company that is inconsistent or has no definition to what they do and what their strengths are and what they’re striving for.

People Are The Brand-

Maria Elena Duron - click my name to Google Me!

Buzz To Bucks Connections– grow your personal brand today
“dedicated to helping executives & entrepreneurs connect strategically through a compelling personal brand”
www.buzz2bucks.com Buzz To Bucks Connections|personal branding agency