Build your brand

Ours is a world that is overwhelmed by brands. Everywhere you look, they are there seeking your attention. There are those we encounter everyday, we eat them, wear them, read them, drive them and even sleep and wake with them. From Businessday Newspaper, to the Forbes magazine, Coke to Kia, to mention just a few.

Brands have personalities and exude aura. We fall in love with them and bow for them. Like old and trusted friends we value them and revere them. We reminisce on our love affair with them and seek them out like buddies. We market them, promote them, advertise them, even without being paid. Brands are powerful, aren’t they?

Now, there lives a very powerful brand. This brand is on display every second, minute and day. This brand is beautiful, bright and brilliant like a star.

Unfortunately, this brand is snubbed, ignored, relegated, negated and underrated. That brand is you! Yes you can be ‘ME INC.’, ‘ME INT’L’, ‘ME LTD’,. You may not realize it but ‘You’ are a powerful brand.

Each day you package yourself and step out, you are selling your brand. Like a book, people are reading you. They are taking note of what you stand for and what you can offer. They watch what you say and do. They take note of every move you make.

The challenge is; How do you stand out?

What makes you unique?

Why do you need to thrive and not just survive?

Here are some ways you can help your brand to emerge.

BE REAL. Micheal Angelo once said that no one is as miserable as that person who wishes to be someone else other him/herself. You must be yourself. You must be authentic to be able to unveil your best qualities. It is your uniqueness that stands you out and makes you memorable.When you are real, people find you more interesting and more engaging.

BE CONSISTENT. When you define ‘The you’ and what makes you tick, and stick to it, you are perceived as credible and reliable. Avoid sporadic burst of activity and extended absence. You have to guard your image and reputation to avoid living below expectations. Be diligent in carrying out your responsibilities. Play your roles and carry out assignments efficiently. Your passion sustains your dedication to remain the best.

BE RELEVANT. Relevance happens when you connect with people. No wonder David McNally et al, asserts that ‘a brand is a  relationship, not a statement’. It lies in your capacity to build trust and maintain goodwill with people in your life:at home,at work and other communities you belong to. Relationship is part of your asset base. When people can rely on you and enjoy being with you, it means that they accept and respect your values.

Indeed, having a great brand depends on your ability to run a Systematic  Personal Assessment.  The goal  is for you to define, refine and fine-tune your brand and its values. Come to think of it, companies and corporations spend huge amount of dollars, pounds and naira to build, reinforce and sustain their identity. For less than the cost of a cup of tea, you  can as well build your brand as an individual. By having good grooming, positive attitude, proper social skills, effective communication skills and others, you can stand out. When your personal brand emerges, you will experience a turn around in your personal and professional life.

CHIAMAKA BOBBY -UMEANO