The power of the personal brand

For many months I've worked in an environment where I've been educated in the importance of having a personal brand; something about me that ensures I stand out from everyone else.

So, I thought, I'll create one.

Stuck.

How the hell does one create their own brand?? Do I need a logo or perhaps a snappy name nickname?!? Hmm... nope, this needed more thought.

After many confused conversations about this abstract concept, I realised that I already had one!

I am my brand!

Each one of us is unique and different, we all have different backgrounds, experiences and ideas for the future; what makes each of have a brand is what we do with that knowledge, experience and how we shape our future ideas.

Here's an example: a colleague told me today about the guy who created the Amazon style CV (link below)

http://www.webpronews.com/guy-builds-web-resume-that-looks-like-amazon-product-page-2013-01

Genius! He has a background in and extensive experience in Web development and he has knowledge of how to create something which looks exactly like the Amazon product page. So he uses those skills, thinks about his audience and BAM!!! The idea hits him!

His CV has now gone viral and he's had over 300 job offers!

Now granted not all of us are this creative or this lucky! But, there is something to be said for standing out, being the person that offers something a little different in an environment where everyone is offering similar things.

This resonated with me. I am a consultant working in an environment full of 'T's' and I am the 'F'. 'T's' being people who think in very logical, transactional ways and 'F's' being those who think more about feelings and emotions. Meaning, my focus in business is of course people. As  I've said in previous posts I believe all business should be underpinned by psychological ideas - psychology being the science of human behaviour. Without people we don't have business; understanding people and their needs means we can better use their strengths and understand their weaknesses and use this to help to drive business strategy.

So, being an 'F' amongst 'T's' is my brand. Of course there's more to just being different its what you do with it that counts... ;)

So I'm now about to embark on developing my brand, being the person who brings forward the importance of psychology to an environment of IT, systems and processes.

Luckily I have a mentor or two and I'm now developing my plan of action, something I expect to take many months if not years to develop and I expect there to be much pushback as some of my not so 'fluffy' colleagues and clients reject my need to look after my fellow man.

I'll keep you posted.