Book Cover“If you’re not a brand, you’re a commodity” – and lets face it, who wants to be a commodity – constantly compared on price and features? I love this quote from Mireille Guiliano in her book Women, Work & The Art of Savoir Faire. She makes a great point. If you want to stand out for the right reasons and be noticed by your boss, your prospects or even that cute guy or girl you’ve had your eye on then you need to become a brand. I don’t mean a product like Nike or Sony, but it can be helpful to look at the strategies employed by successful mega brands. Strategies such as keep it simple (stupid) or KISS. Which means get your brand positioning right, create a memorable message (no more than 3 points) around your difference or uniqueness and then make sure you tell the world. And repeat, and repeat and repeat.

No-one said brand building was an overnight thing. There’s no instant gratification here folks. However, if you get your message (what you tell people about who you are and what you have to offer) and your packaging (how you present yourself physically and stylistically) right, then great things are possible. But… and this is a major limiting factor in most people’s ‘brand-building strategy’ you also need to be consistent in walking your talk and in looking the part. I am a strong believer in dress for the role you aspire to; both professionally and socially. It also helps to be gracious, give without thought of getting, treat others you would wish to be treated, and smile – just because you can.

Become memorable (for the right reasons) and your brand will flourish.

  1. Get your message straight
  2. Repeat it consistently and often
  3. Back it up with your appearance and your behaviour

Do this and you will find you attract better opportunities, more attention for the right reason, and more of the things you desire.