How Well Are You Maintaining Your Personal Brand?
Developing and managing your personal brand—that which creates a clear and memorable impression about who you are and what you do—is practically a requirement in today’s economy. Doing so gives you greater control of your career and personal destiny. Take the Self-Quiz below to see if yours needs just a dusting off, or some full-fledged spring-cleaning.
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1. I know what’s important to me, and I can list the values that inform my work and my approach right away when asked.
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2. When colleagues (and those I work with at all levels) think of me, the idea that comes to mind is clear and consistent, from person to person.
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3. I know how I create value for my company and/or my clients. They do, too.
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4. My personal “brand message” is targeted and focused.
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5. I put my brand, my unique contribution and/or approach, on everything I do: presentations, reports, meetings, deals, etc.
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6. I look to connect my personal brand to every situation possible (and appropriate).
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7. I consider myself my own CEO and have a vision by which I lead myself.
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8. My emails are consistently opened, read and acted upon.
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9. I focus on growing and nurturing my professional network, both through offline approaches (e.g., associations, speaking, etc.) and online strategies (e.g., LinkedIn, blog/forum participation, etc.).
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10. I look to find what’s distinct about me and what I bring to the table, rather than try to conform to the norm. In essence, I create my own “unique selling proposition” (USP).
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11. I have a personal brand plan, and I execute the strategy and tactics in it.
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12. I establish appropriate partnerships that will extend my brand and help me get complementary brand value.
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13. I make sure that everything that surrounds my brand (my office, my website, my customer service, etc.) communicates the same brand message.
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If you answered true to at least eight statements, you’re well on your way to building a powerful personal brand. But don’t forget: it’s not only about creating a distinct personality, but also telling the world about it. Don’t hesitate to call if you’d like support shining up your personal brand.