Personal Branding
To varying degrees, folks around the office have been talking a lot about “personal branding” these days. As the expression suggests, this is the business—and the art—of branding the individual, as opposed to (or in addition to) branding a company. A company may have a brand, but so too does/should the CEO of that company. Or, to take a more recent and local example, the Detroit Pistons have a brand, but so does Allen Iverson. Do they match? If this was your company, would you want a rogue personal brand jeopardizing that of the company?
For many entrepreneurs, speakers, authors, personalities, consultants, etc., there really is no company, other than the individual, so personal branding takes on a whole new level of importance.
I know of no one that pursues this concept with more energy and passion than Hajj Flemings, author of the Brand Yu Life and the brains behind “Brand Camp.” If this sort of thing interests you, you will enjoy getting to know Hajj and his work. I know Brandon has. Follow him on Twitter as well.
If this is something of concern to you or your company, we should talk.
This post has 3 comments
November 11th, 2008
The line between the personal/employee brand and the corporate brand is virtually non-existent in today’s world. Firm’s should be taking the right steps to brand the people they have working within their organization as authentic individuals who are personal, passionate and forward-thinking when it comes to their chosen field.
Think of personal branding in the corporate world as the ultimate CRM tool, especially for b2b companies who place customer relationships on the highest pedestal.
November 11th, 2008
Personal Branding is a very hot topic because it impacts employers, employees, and entrepreneurs (pure and part-time)and they are realizing the importance. I think a lot of this awaking has to do with the rise of web 2.0 where relative unknown have a platform and a following.
As the voice of my business the impact of every decision I make impacts not only me but all my shareholders. It forces me to be very deliberate in my actions.
As a side note. . . With the rise of personal branding there will be more conversation beginning to surface about employer brands and how to manage personal brands within that structure.
November 11th, 2008
Thanks for the comment, Hajj. (Told ya he was energetic and passionate.)