June 21, 2010
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ME Inc.
We all know that companies brand themselves everyday. If I say "Just Do It" or "Think Differently" you know I am referring to Nike and Apple. This kind of awareness is not on accident and in fact is carefully planned out to build an image around that company. It's meant to make you see them in the way they want you to see them. Nike makes sports apparel so they want you to be competitive, and get out there to win. Just Do It Already! Apple has tried to be its own unique company that is out to break the mould everywhere they go. Think about the spark they have lit in the MP3, Mobile Phone, and just recently the Tablet computer market. They want you to view all these things differently and when you do to think of Apple. They are innovating and changing markets everywhere they go.
Have you ever thought about a persons brand through? We all have on whether or not you realize it. If I say Tom Cruise you may think crazy, Scientologist, or even great actor, and action star. You see his brand was one way in the 80's and 90's but has changed in recent years and it has made it difficult for him to sell people on his movies.
And then of course there is your own personal brand. It's what people think of when your name is spoken. It's what people see in their mind when you're brought up in conversation. This is the most important brand that you need to be worried about and it's probably the last one you ever thought about. This might sound silly but it's very true. Authors, directors, and artists have known this for a long time. They work hard to cultivate a specific image. Are you projecting the image you want? Are people thinking about you in the right terms and if not then why? These are serious questions that are important for you to understand about yourself. Have you ever been overlooked for a promotion, or gotten an interview only to never hear from them again? It could be because your brand is not aligning with what they are looking for. The clothes you wear, the accessories you use, the way you walk and talk all give people an impression of you. It's all part of your overall brand. It tells people what kind of person you are. If you're applying for a job and show up to the interview with messy hair, wearing jeans, and a wrinkled t-shirt then what do you think they see you as? Lazy, unmotivated, and ultimately not what they are looking for. Now take that same interview and you show up dressed in a suit, or business appropriate attire, clean, made up, and prepared. The image is much different. In each scenario you may have been qualified for the job but in only one did you show you were qualified. You created a brand that told them about who you are before ever saying a word.
It's time you take control of that brand and start letting people in on who you want them to see. It's time for you to step up and be CEO of ME Inc.
Comments (5)
This is true when it pertains to the adult work force and people who should know better. Try instilling these ethics into a teenager looking for a job who is hell-bent on wearing the latest Che Guervera t-shirt to the interview. Or gets the idea that Hollywood knuckleheads rubbing elbows with the likes of Chavez is ok. Our culture is totally skewed. And this is what our kids see and think that's right. Makes parenting extremely difficult.
@SpurStraps - I am sure your right. It's very difficult today to get children to see reality and not what the media just wants them to see. Especially when they are at a rebellious age. They just want to do the opposite of everything their parents tell them to do. Hang in there though and I am sure one day they will appreciate everything your trying to teach them now.
@The_Wandering_Coyote - Sorry about the rant.
@SpurStraps - Hey if it felt good to just get it out then there is no reason for an apology. It doesn't bother me at all and sometimes you just need a place to vent. It's cool.
@The_Wandering_Coyote - Thank you.
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