Sunday, January 31, 2016
YOU ARE A BRAND!
How often do you buy the same brand of toothpaste, food, beverage, clothing, phone, technology device, vehicle etc. because you like the brand?
Maybe you know people who follow similar buying patterns by sticking to their favourite brands.
Most people are loyal to particular brands because of things like their effectiveness, taste, price point, durability etc.
According to Wikipedia, a brand is a name, term, design, or other feature that differentiates one seller's product(s) from those of others.
Whether you like to see yourself this way or not, YOU are a brand!!!
What distinguishes YOU from other leaders, colleagues, external competition etc. is you personal brand.
Obviously, you want to present yourself in the best light, but there are some things that chip away at your personal brand. Protecting your personal brand requires constant monitoring and improvement.
The skills listed below will strengthen and ensure loyalty towards YOU as a brand.
First impressions matter
A bad first impression is difficult to erase. Be nice, be friendly. Be genuine. Always show your best self. Work at building relationships with others. Your brand depends on how others view you.
Look your best
You undoubtedly have heard the saying, "Dress for Success," but in today's business casual environment, we often lose sight of what that means. Professional attire varies depending on your occupation and the company where you work.
Poorly manicured nails or toes, scrubby facial hair, spotted or wrinkled anything will be noticed and affect your image.
What works for an "after hours" event may not be appropriate at the office. A good way to ensure that your appearance is polished is to notice how the Executives in your company dress - then emulate them.
Be crystal clear
Don't over-talk an issue or connect multiple thoughts to each other. Let your sentences come to a definite end. Avoid using a lot of acronyms. Resist turning nouns into verbs or vice versa.
A simple explanation is always the best bet, but as Steve Jobs once said, "Sometimes, you have to work darn hard to keep it simple."
Double check for accuracy
People really despise mistakes. They are costly. Decisions rest on the data or analysis you provide. Without checking your data for errors, your brand is at risk.
Be prepared
Be prepared, be prepared, be prepared!!! Managers and Executives can always spot the person who is unprepared.
Unprepared people don't anticipate what will be asked. They forget vital information. They aren't sure of the risks involved.
Follow through
If you say you are going to provide or do something by a specific time, then do it!!!
If, for whatever reason, you are not ready, you need to update the person requesting/expecting.
Being overloaded with work is not an acceptable excuse for poor follow-up!!!
Listen up
Listening takes effort, real effort. Most of us listen effectively only about 25% of the time.
When we don't listen carefully, mistakes happen or we answer incorrectly. Poor listening skills tar your brand.
Don't argue
Some of us are quick to temper. We blame others for events. It's always somebody else's fault. Accept when you are wrong and learn from your mistakes. It's never good to have a reputation of being feisty.
Be a good-finder, not a complainer
If you work for a company, be proud of what the company does. If you're not then do your leaders, colleagues and clients a favour... Simply leave in a professional and agreeable manner!!!
Don't whine about your managers to co-workers, relatives and neighbors because this is unprofessional. And, whilst the majority of people you complain to will not tell you the truth about your negative brand impression, the truth is... Complaining gets you nowhere!
Be honest.
Tell the truth every time. Don't gloss over events or hide bad news. People know things can go wrong, but they have little tolerance for someone not being honest or for someone who bends the truth.
Look people in the eye
People assess trustworthiness by whether or not you look them in the eye. Having fleeting eye contact is not okay. If you are guilty of this, you have again damaged your brand, maybe even irreparably.
Be helpful
Some people seem to hang a "Do not disturb" sign around them. Colleagues frequently have questions about a process or a procedure. They need help. Don't be the person people avoid.
Companies who are in business for a long time have worked hard to perfect their brand. They never risk their image. Your personal brand is who you are! Guard it. Protect it. Keep a close eye on what you do on a daily basis.
All the best with your personal branding!
Posted in
presentations Facilitating meetings Presentation skills training Public speaking Sales presentations
by effectivecommunication.com.au
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