Do any of these situations sound familiar?
- you’re in the subway and you notice that the CMO of Starbucks is standing right across from you. You know She’d be getting out on the next station. You build up the courage and walk up to her and then …
- you see the girl of your dreams hailing a cab at the entrance of the hotel. You know that you can’t let her get away. So you put your best smile on and then …
- you run into a well known VC at the checkout booth at Carrefour. Finally, you within arms length of getting some funding for your great project. You give her a slight tap on the shoulder and then …
… and then YOU FREEZE!
Look closely at the situations presented above – do you notice any overlapping factors?
- it’s something you really want
- it’s within your reach
- you have a short window of time
You were so close … to get that job, girl, funding … but you blew it. Why? Because you weren’t ready. Louis Pasteur said it best, “chance favors the prepared mind”. And yours just wasn’t! Don’t blame your bad luck, because the latter was standing right there, in your face! You had one shot, and you let it go!
Understanding your personal brand allows you to be in full control of your brand attributes – what I referred to as personal brand DNA in previous posts. This in turn allows you to formulate an elevator pitch in any situation your presented with. The name “elevator pitch” reflects the idea that it should be possible to deliver a pitch in the time span of an elevator ride, or approximately thirty seconds to two minutes (source: Wikipedia)
My personal brand DNA is best described as Creative, Passionate, and Dedicated – this applies to all aspects of my life, be it work, family, love, friends … this DNA strand inspires my situational elevator pitches.
Your DNA is acquired by matching your brand identity (what you think your brand stands for) with your brand perception (what others think of your brand). William Arruda and the team at REACH Communications Consulting have developed a FREE Personal Brand Assessment tool that can help you do that and much more. I would highly recommend it to be a first step to self discovery. Next I advise you think of your personal brand just like any other brand with strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Yes, I am talking about a Personal SWOT Analysis – you may think that is easy but I really want you to try it. Here’s a link to the template you can use. The combination of the results of these two tools would provide you with enough information to formulate your personal DNA.
So what are you waiting for? Will you freeze the next time you’re presented with a lifetime opportunity? Or will you be prepared? Think About It!
John, as always your analogies are splendid and make us wonder…Proud of you as always.
PS: I took the assessment test you suggested we take in your post 360Reach, you should be getting an assessment eval on my behalf…a good first step on my part don’t you think?!?!?!
That’s great news little sis. I will most certainly fill it out. As you said, I hope this will encourage you to build your brand and take control of your legacy.
PS. I, too, am very proud of you!
Great point! In order to position any brand, it is necessary to know from where the brand is starting. I think this is also a great argument for doing a regular vanity Google search or even setting up Google Alerts. You never know what you might find.
Awesome post John! I was able to perform a 360 Assessment late last year. It was refreshing to learn how others perceive my brand identity.
Knowing who you truly are and being guided by your purpose allows us to be authentic and at ease in our marketing strategy. I call this “Relaxed Intensity”.
Thx again for sharing! You’re awesome!
I think your nomenclature of the way we work (aka Relaxed Intensity) is not only spot on, but it is a true reflection of your personal brand – Create Live Be
Never heard that quote before John; I usually go with – “Luck is the residue of design”.
Basically the same idea…just a little more poetic. 😉
Hi,
Have trouble reading your blog. Most of the time, screen is dark gray with black words. I don’t think anyone could read this.
Sometimes it comes up with a lighter background which is readable.
Since I’ve put you on my blogroll, would of course like people to be able to read your words!
Hi Marilyn,
First off, I’m humbled that you added me to your blogroll. Second of all, I’d like to thank you for your constructive comment regarding the aesthetics of my blog. Frankly, I’m surprised that the text appears dark since I I have set it to appear as white on a grey backdrop. In any case, I’m in the process of changing the whole look and feel of the blog, and I hope I would get your feedback once I do that.
Thanks again for your loyalty and feedback,
Sincerely,
JA
oh my god…I’m a nobody…but I use that as my brand…I write about politics…I’ve branded myself a “nobody” with opinions, and you would not believe how much noboding I can do.
Once of the best brands is Glenn Beck…has he been to you? I wonder.
So NOBODY is actually SOMEBODY to the public and SOMEONE to people that care! Unorthodox, but this is the art of branding Joy. I wonder though, has the impersonation of NOBODY been a result of anonymity since the subject you’re passionate about is politics, or is it simply to mask the person and focus on the subject on hand?
As for Glenn Beck, frankly, I am not familiar with, but you can be sure I’ll be looking more into his brand and see how his inspiration to you can nurture my inspiration to my audience.
thanks for sharing and keep’m coming
J