The Personal Brand Revolution

By Author: Rob Parker
Total Articles: 311
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Whether you like it or not, the personal brand you project affects other's decisions as to your intelligence, character and ability, and determines whether or not they want to do business with you. The way you dress (and act) has a remarkable impact on the people you meet professionally and socially. This greatly affects how they treat you. Many business people have told me that deals have fallen through, second appointments cancelled; sales have stagnated simply because they dismissed the importance of personal packaging.

If your personal brand (image) is not professional and congruent, attractive and attracting you will be passed over - guaranteed. Therefore, to be competitive, to have a greater influence on others, attract more business and be more successful it is critical that you pay greater attention to personal branding.

Before you sell anything... your product, company or service you sell yourself first. Shift the balance of power in your favor when you brand yourself you are perceived to be more desirable and in demand. Brand Status increases the bottom lineboth personally and corporately.

Now, ...
... take large successful companies for instance. They understand the power of branding a product. They spend a lot of time, money and energy to create a brand that is eye catching and appealing enough to sell their product through to market. They want to ensure that the buyer builds a strong connection with that brand.

An individual who has a well-defined personal brand has more status and a tremendous advantage over the competition. Whether it's social or business, when you are well branded you are pre - sold, giving you a huge advantage over others selling themselves.

Perhaps, like many individuals, you have not even thought about how you are being perceived. Can anyone leave something as important as his or her most valuable asset to chance?

We know that in the current economy, competitiveness has increased dramatically.
Business has become more serious and conservative - not only in attitude and business attire -the suit has returned to corporate America. Personal image consultants are being hired by companies to train their employees in the fine art of manners, business etiquette, dining and appropriate dress.

Even though intelligence, experience and education count, they tell us they are simply not hiring those who do not possess these all important soft communication skills. It is the whole package that counts.

In 2008 the hallmarks of successful entrepreneurs in a fast paced global marketplace are their confidence, manners and poise. Mediocrity is dead -----and it's about time...
we have turned the cornerthere is a revolution a footit's The Personal Brand Revolution. The sloppy casual dress, the sloppy work ethics, behavior and manners left the scene. It's no longer acceptable to dress inappropriately or do business with the wrong fork.

There is a return to formality, elegance, manners and sophistication. It's evident in what's happening all around us. People are getting dressed up again and dining in fine restaurants. We are entertaining clients and being entertained as well.

Experience has shown that when we understand the power of perception, that we will make the changes necessary to ensure that we communicate more effectively through the power of personal branding.

Here are some Hot Tips to pay attention to.

Ensure that your personal brand matches your goals - 2 years - five years.

Be authentic and be the best you possibly can.

Know the competition. Take a close hard look at them.

Know your target market and adjust your brand accordingly.

Keep evolving. What worked yesterday doesn't work today. Change and staying current is critical to your success.

We all know that when we look good ...we feel good! It's only natural that we will attract more of what we want in our lives. Be a smarter marketer.... to attract the best, you need to be the best!