The Engaging Brand

Why YOU don't matter?

Sounds strange from the person who believes in the power of people, in the belief that each person brings value to this world. However, what I mean is that you mean little on your own. If there was just you, then your power would be diminished.

I believe it is our role in society, our connection to others which makes us special. That is why I love social media because it allows you to forge those connections, to develop relationships and to create your own personal brand. It allows you - the individual - to come alive through the value you deliver through your connections.

When you think about life, we matter because of what we bring to this world....we matter because of our relationships, because of our interaction with others.

Maybe what I should say is YOU don't matter, WE matter :)

Information is not power, sharing is not power...

Information used to be power, though in reality it was never power. After all if no one knows that you know....then how can you use that power!

I was brought up to believe it was the sharing of information that gave you power. I have always loved sharing, that is why I love running seminar's and speaking at events...

But the more I think about it....an evolution has happened. Information is now at the end of a computer keyboard. Sharing is now at the end of a Google search.

It is not the sharing that is hugely important...the sharing should be the free element of your brand. It is the context in which the information fits that is the premium element.

That is why I have no problem giving away my knowledge. If I don't then you could always Google and find it out. What people will pay for is the relevance of that information to their specific context.

I realize it is now the personalization of information, the filtering, the sharing of individualized information which is powerful

10 How to Wow Tips!

I interviewed Frances Cole, Founder of Cole Media Management, on The Engaging Brand podcast back in August last year. So I thought I would let you know that the paperbook version of her book How to Wow has just been published and to celebrate this new paperback version I asked Frances for her Top 10 Tips on How to Wow

1. "You" is the most persuasive word in the English language. (Yale University Study) Use it often.

2. When you give people the "because" behind why you are making a request, you increase the possibility of cooperation from 60 to 94%

3. When you're asked a tough question. Pause. inhale, then speak on an exhalation. This will give your voice resonance and authority.

4. If you're making cold calls or doing interviews on the phone, stand, smile and-- if possible-- look in a mirror. This will give your voice far more energy and enthusiasm (38% of your impact comes from your tonal quality.)

5. No one responds to "Too cool for school" posture. Sit up and forward in your chair. (55% of your impact comes from what your body is doing while you're talking.) 

6. We trust you when we can see your hands, we don't trust you when we can't. Keep your hands on the table in meetings and out of your pockets when standing.

7. Introducing yourself is a presentation. (Think of "My name is Bond. James Bond.) Don't throw this away. (And if you're going to say, "I'm happy to meet you" SOUND happy.)

8. Your voice mail greeting is the first contact the majority of the world has with you. Make sure it is free of ambient noise and that you don't sound exhausted/overwhelmed/drunk/flirtatious. Also, if you're going to say, "I'm sorry I missed your call." SOUND sorry.

9. Don't use email for problem-solving. Pick up the phone or speak to the person face to face.

10. Never underestimate the power of a well-worded thank you note. When you write, be specific about what the person's gift/generosity/time did to improve your life. 

Your Talent is a Social Object

Hugh Macleod talks about social objects and I couldn't agree more...I think you can take this concept into the world of attraction and retention of talent. Do you give people good things to share about your talent, do you create a social object around your personal brand?

• Do you find ways of giving value to all the people you meet?
• Do you ask how you can provide value to the people you meet?
• Do you achieve your goals on time, on budget...on promise?
• Do you try and go beyond what is asked of you...do you add an extra piece of value free of charge?
• What is your unique selling point....something that people will talk about? Do you try and fit into the crowd or stand out from the crowd?

Personal brands are social objects in nature. We talk about people that we meet, talk about people that touch our lives in both good and bad ways. What I feel is important is that each interaction with you, is a good experience for the other person..if it is then you will get free word of mouth advertising.
Do you see yourself as your "own brand" which will deliver the basics but not the experience...or a premium brand that will leave the consumer wanting to talk positively about you?

Widget Me! Widget Competition for Personal Branding

Widgets are something I get asked a lot about in my social media training sessions. I was driving today and just wondered what my widget would look like?
If you had to develop a widget that expressed your personal brand and build a widget that highlighted the value you bring to the business world then what would your individual widget look like?

1. What colour would represent you?
2. What is the value that you can bring to others, and how could you express that on a widget?
3. How do people interact with you - do you think about the different ways, do you offer different ways?
4. How easy is it for people to interact with you?
5. How portable is your personal brand?
6. What is your personal social object? What is your USP that people will talk about?
7. What would be the name of your personal widget - what 3-4 words would describe you?
8. How visible is your personal brand on the web?

If anyone wants to build or (just design for me to produce )a widget that expresses my personal brand as "consumed" by readers or listeners to The Engaging Brand podcast - then there will be a $100 on offer to the winner...oooh could live to regret this!

Choose Your Monday Morning Colour

Monday morning blues can be evident in corporations. I have never been someone who has suffered the blues - maybe the occasional pink or burnt orange but mainly reds - as I have never thought about work as something I have to do...it is something that I want to do.
Why? Well, I don't see Monday as the start of a new week.Dad always said "Life is what you make it..you see blue, you get blue...you see a rainbow, you get a technicolour life"

I see Monday as another chance to create something spectacular in the world

• A chance to make someone smile, feel valued.
• A chance to inspire others to understand how they can make a difference in the world.
• A chance to connect, connect at a human level. In connecting you fulfill that basic need in both yourself and others.

So my challenge is if you are seeing tomorrow as a start of a long week, ask yourself

"What can I do to change the world tomorrow? What can I do as a small step on creating that personal legacy that I want at the end of my life?"

What is Life About...?

Well I found it on a card in Whole Foods today after speaking with author David Vinjamuri (watch out for podcast later this month)- who has just written a great book called Accidental Branding, lauching in NY on 9 April with Craig Newmark, Roxanne Quimby and J Peterman

Anyway I always have a look at the cards and I found this anonymous quote

"Life is not about finding yourself, it is about creating yourself"

I love this idea as finding  - when you think about it, insinuates that you know what you are looking for.....whereas, creating give me the thought of knowing the raw materials and combining for a sum that is greater than the parts....

Are you looking for something in your life or are you creating what you want from life?

Interesting question....

Brand You...Or Brand New YOU

I heard a wonderful session by Jane Delfino, Innovations Director of the Manchester Academy of the United Learning Trust last week. She was speaking about how she wants to develop the minds of children, she said
she wanted them to have "a belief that identity was not their destiny"

What a powerful thought not just for children for for leaders, managers and even brands. Our labels can define us if we let them, yet our future is there for US to define.

Imagine a world where brands believed passionately in their destiny not just their logo, that leaders expanded the minds of their teams to believe that their present titles did not have to be their destiny, imagine a world where you believed that your personal brand, your present circumstances did not have to be your destiny.....Wow! I feel inspired just thinking about it

Now you have imagined it, let's do it.....together

Getting into the Spirit of Christmas

The tree is now up and the holiday season is approaching so it inspired a thought about how to think about life - not that I am encouraging drinking, just adding flavour to the post!

• Be whiskey - embrace a little risk in your life. You may not always succeed but at least you have tried.
• Stop wining about what is wrong and take steps to change what you don't like...
• Remember the champagne moments and celebrate the progress that both you and those around you have made.
• Punch higher than you think possible....dreams are there to motivate you, what are your dreams that you want to make reality
• Beer giver! Remember the more you give the more you will receive
• Sherryish the talent around you - never fear talent...embrace it.

Remember you life is a cocktail of dreams, of people, of hope, of inspiration....

Anyone got any to add....

Your Brand Story...A Film Starring You

Have you ever picked up a book and just not been able to put it down, it grips you...it intrigues you...you think you know the ending but you're not sure. Along the way there are twists and turns, they throw you...What if I offered you the chance to write your own best seller?

Well, you can ...your brand story is there for you to write. You choose the story, you live the thrills, you live the downs....but most of all you choose the ending. You are the hero in your very own brand story.....heroes never have an easy ride but they make it through by getting back up again when they falter.

Dad once got me to write a review of my "brand story novel" - a review that would go on the back of the book when I had lived my life. After I had written it he turned and said "You now know the story, you have written it down. You now get the chance to star in the reality film. Live that story each day, and make, what at the moment is  fiction into fact by ensuring that you achieve the success that you want. Bring your success story to life"

He was right....you are starring in your very own film, your very own drama...it is up to you to ensure that the ending is a happy one...