Package Yourself to Shine
- Date: 2007-09-15 - Word Count: 558
Share This!
Often I talk about public relations as being relationships with your public. I believe building personal relationships is critical to business success. Most people want to do business with people that they like. One way of building relationships is through your personal branding, differentiating yourself from your competitors by being you, and allowing that uniqueness to shine.
You are also the package, just like a product. What does your package look like? How's the design, colour and look? What message does your personal image send?
Your image is a bit like the weather. People notice when it's extremely good or extremely bad. In person how you shake hands, make eye contact, how you conduct yourself in social situations and the clothes you choose to wear help to build your personal brand. You need to take care of the details.
Your clothes, appearance and grooming really are the external image of your brand. What image are you projecting?
If we look at famous brands and the "look" they project through their people, Virgin Blue, in Australia as an example, has a strong corporate image of being friendly, fresh and cheeky. Qantas on the other hand has an image that is far more conservative, more corporate. Both companies spend millions on getting their look right. Not just the external branding of logos and signage but the uniforms and image of the people within the organisations.
Everything is totally co-coordinated from the outfits to the shoes, hosiery, earrings and luggage - it's a coordinated professional look as they can't afford to have anyone in those companies presenting negatively. Jetstar on the other hand have a completely different image. It looks more casual and down-market and portrays an image of being cheap, no frills. So much so that the credibility and trust of the airline is questioned. Jokes are made about its inefficiency and safety record - although there is no negative record to support those rumours.
Not all organisations have a uniform - but there is definitely an underlying code of dressing particularly in the corporate environment which is smart, polished and professional.
Now having said that it doesn't mean we all need to look and dress the same. By understanding the brand qualities you want to project with the work you do and the customer you want to attract you can create a look that is suitable, creative and stylish to help you stand out.
To begin, write down some adjectives of the type of person or brand you would like to be or project. Think of yourself as the product you are designing a package for. Cut out and collect some words, images and colours from magazines. Cut out images of clothes and shapes that appeal to you and reflect the words you have chosen for yourself. Create a brand portfolio of ideas and visual examples. Establish a strong visual image that is your blueprint.
As you do this exercise you will begin to discover your style and what appeals to you. This is your logo - your own personal brand. It is a very useful exercise as you can now take your brand portfolio to an image consultant or a photographer, graphic designer, web designer or any other consultant who is helping you to build the brand and image of your business.
Begin to think and feel your new brand image and live your new image until it becomes part of you.
You are also the package, just like a product. What does your package look like? How's the design, colour and look? What message does your personal image send?
Your image is a bit like the weather. People notice when it's extremely good or extremely bad. In person how you shake hands, make eye contact, how you conduct yourself in social situations and the clothes you choose to wear help to build your personal brand. You need to take care of the details.
Your clothes, appearance and grooming really are the external image of your brand. What image are you projecting?
If we look at famous brands and the "look" they project through their people, Virgin Blue, in Australia as an example, has a strong corporate image of being friendly, fresh and cheeky. Qantas on the other hand has an image that is far more conservative, more corporate. Both companies spend millions on getting their look right. Not just the external branding of logos and signage but the uniforms and image of the people within the organisations.
Everything is totally co-coordinated from the outfits to the shoes, hosiery, earrings and luggage - it's a coordinated professional look as they can't afford to have anyone in those companies presenting negatively. Jetstar on the other hand have a completely different image. It looks more casual and down-market and portrays an image of being cheap, no frills. So much so that the credibility and trust of the airline is questioned. Jokes are made about its inefficiency and safety record - although there is no negative record to support those rumours.
Not all organisations have a uniform - but there is definitely an underlying code of dressing particularly in the corporate environment which is smart, polished and professional.
Now having said that it doesn't mean we all need to look and dress the same. By understanding the brand qualities you want to project with the work you do and the customer you want to attract you can create a look that is suitable, creative and stylish to help you stand out.
To begin, write down some adjectives of the type of person or brand you would like to be or project. Think of yourself as the product you are designing a package for. Cut out and collect some words, images and colours from magazines. Cut out images of clothes and shapes that appeal to you and reflect the words you have chosen for yourself. Create a brand portfolio of ideas and visual examples. Establish a strong visual image that is your blueprint.
As you do this exercise you will begin to discover your style and what appeals to you. This is your logo - your own personal brand. It is a very useful exercise as you can now take your brand portfolio to an image consultant or a photographer, graphic designer, web designer or any other consultant who is helping you to build the brand and image of your business.
Begin to think and feel your new brand image and live your new image until it becomes part of you.
Related Tags: personal brand, image, shine, personal image, sue currie
Sue Currie, the director of Shine Communications Consultancy and author of Apprentice to Business Ace - your inside-out guide to personal branding, is a business educator and speaker on personal branding through image and media. Sign up for free monthly tips on personal and professional PR athttp://www.shinecomms.com.au/contactmanager/default.cfmand learn more about how you can achieve recognition, enhance your image and shine. Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- The No. 1 Rule For Projecting Confidence - Speak With Authority
One of the most important characteristics a person can project in a business setting - or any situat - After the Autumn Checkout European Debt Crisis and U.S. Brewing Rebound
In the commotion caused by the Fed on interest rates come to an end, the "disastrous" for the euro a - Advantages Of Arcade Game Rentals
There are many different advantages to arcade game rentals. Most people need something to release th - A General Primer on Truck Cargo Nets
In modern highways it is quite rare to see truck cargo nets in action, this is because they are usua - The United States Will Burst More Severe Financial Crisis
Not long ago, suddenly announced that the central bank to raise interest rates, the interest rate hi - Niche Marketing Profits - 3 Easy Steps to Finding a Profitable Niche Market Income in 10 Minutes
Like most beginners I was having a very difficult time trying to find a niche market to earn extra m - The Importance of Hospitality Management Consulting Firms Toronto
Businesses and the managers that help guide any business are in a constant state of improvement and - New Keynesian Theory Label
2010 winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics three theories have been labeled as "New Keynesian" labe - Federal Reserve Pouring Money QE2 Unpredictable Fortune
U.S. economist Milton Friedman proposed a "throw the cash from a helicopter" view, while the practic - Fiscal Consolidation Should no Longer Delay
British Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne today announced fiscal consolidation policy, shoc
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Common Financial Problems to Avoid
One must first change their habits and not procrastinate. American Consultants Inc at offers key fi - How a Bad Hire Can Hurt Your Business
What's worse - hiring the wrong person or not hiring anyone at all? Companies can become almost des - Joel Comm Is Dr. Adsense
What is Adsense? If you are new to making money online and net marketing, you may not know what Ads - 5 Steps For A Dynamic Wealth System Online
Recipe: Opportunity + knowledge + Dynamic Wealth System + Your Action = Massive Success!!! Step 1 - How To Stop Foreclosure
Losing your house to a foreclosure can be very scary. There are times when circumstances are ou - How to Always Pitch A Strike
As business owners, we are always working on new ways to convince people to become customers, client - Membrane Diffuser Solutions for Wastewater Treatment Systems
In the aeration basin of a typical wastewater treatment plant there are both organic and inorganic m - Another Year Hating Your Job or Loving Life?
Copyright © 2007 Mary Foley I've come to the conclusion that to be successful - really successf - Dyestuff Industry In India And China
World demand for dyes and organic pigments to touch $10.6 billion in 2008According to a study on dye - Cma-cgm Case : the Series of Lawsuits Continues in Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, France, England and the United States
Damietta company case : The series of lawsuits continues in Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, France, England a