Branding and Tom Peters: Point #1 What are you known for?

In the brief focus on what Tom Peters had to say about branding oneself (or one’s business) (see below) – let’s expand and understand a little on each point (one at a time).

1. I am known for (2-4 things). By this time next year, I plan also to be known for (1-2 more) …

Let’s hang on with the “this time next year” bit. Let’s focus on now.

• What do you do well? What are you often complimented for? What do you do with your eyes closed?
• When a task comes up, a project, a new venture, a challenge to your department/business/unit: what can you be relied on to do?

That’s the gist of it. And it’s important. ‘Cause if we’re not doing this – building our personal brand – then we’re not helping ourselves in the job market.

When we feel like a change – we’ll find it really tough to differentiate ourselves amongst the masses. We stand the risk of blending in to mediocrity. This is one reason why some Recruiters hate their job – there’s just so much wading through mediocrity to find the one gem they can place somewhere.

You want to stand out. And the good news is: you probably DO NOT have to start from scratch! You very likely ALREADY are of great value just where you are.

But the challenge is to ‘capture’ it. To put it in words. To write your marketing message. Your brand statement. Your – “who am I and what can I do for you” statement. (This is very much what I try to do when writing a CV for one of my clients.)

THEN: you want to – over coffee, alone, brainstorming in your diary/journal – identify some further things that you can work on, to become known for. Improve and develop your brand. You’re a business. Businesses need to change, adjust, modify their approach, learn, re-clarify their objectives, plot the way forward, etc. So do you.

It makes for a more enjoyable, purposeful career/life don’tcha think? And the coffee’s good.