1) The document discusses the importance of personal branding and developing a brand for oneself, as individuals are now CEOs of their own companies, called "Me Inc.".
2) Building a powerful personal brand provides a promise of quality, consistency and reliability to clients that fuels loyal relationships and allows individuals to stand out in their field of expertise.
3) Developing an emotional connection through one's personal brand allows individuals to tap into emotions that drive decisions and become a story that resonates with people on a deeper level.
2. "Regardless of age, regardless of position, regardless of the business we happen to be in, all of us need to understand the importance of branding. We are CEOs of our own companies: Me Inc. To be in business today, our most important job is to be head marketer for the brand called You." Tom Peters in Fast Company, 1997
3. “ If you can build a powerful brand, you will have a powerful marketing program. If you CAN’T then all the advertising, fancy packaging, sales promotion and public relations in the world won’t help you achieve your objective.” Al Ries and Laura Ries "World Class Brands” in Executive Excellence, March 1999
4. “ Branding is the hottest concept in marketing today, and it’s an idea that is not just for the deep-pocketed, highly glossed Coca-Colas and Nikes of the world. An increasing number of independent-business owners are embracing branding as the guiding philosophy for building their companies.” Nation’s Business
5. "Your personal brand is a promise to your clients... a promise of quality, consistency, competency, and reliability." Jason Hartman
6. "When most people think of a brand, they visualize a slogan, a logo, campaign, a promise, or a product. A brand is much more. Your company's brand is a powerful relationship fueled by a loyal belief system and knotted to the principle of providing exceptional value." Karl Speak
7. "In fact, in these times of economic uncertainty, a solid CEO Brand is, perhaps, more important than ever." AdWeek
8. "Even individuals need to develop a brand for themselves .... Whatever your area of expertise, you can take steps to make people think of YOU when they think of your field." Accelepoint Webzine
9. “ In a competitive world, organizations are realizing that only people can brand products or services effectively – that we are not just selling a branded product but a mass of branded people who support and deliver it.” Helena Rubinstein, The Lab
10. "If you can, be first. If you can't be first, create a new category in which you can be first." Al Ries & Jack Trout, The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing
11. “ A great brand taps into emotions. Emotions drive most, if not all, of our decisions. A brand reaches out with a powerful connecting experience. It’s an emotional connecting point that transcends the product.” Scott Bedbury/Nike, Starbucks
12. "It's clear that today's celebrities are becoming Brands unto themselves. But now even middle managers can get into the act. So if you see your VP of finance in the gossip pages next to J. Lo, don't be surprised." Fortune
13. "Branding gives you an exceptionally effective way to broadcast who you are to your target market quickly and efficiently." MultiChannel News
14. "Today, brands are everything, and all kinds of products and services - from accounting firms to sneaker makers to restaurants are figuring out how to become a brand surrounded by a Tommy Hilfiger-like buzz." Tom Peters
15. "Branding adds spirit and a soul to what would otherwise be a robotic, automated, generic price-value proposition. If branding is ultimately about the creation of human meaning, it follows logically that it is the humans who must ultimately provide it." David Aaker
16. “ A great brand is a story that’s never completely told. A brand is a metaphorical story that connects with something very deep – a fundamental appreciation of mythology. Stories create the emotional context people need to locate themselves in a larger experience.” Scott Bedbury/Nike, Starbucks
17. "Well orchestrated brands have depth and richness. They are like personalities, in that the best of them are made interesting and beautiful by a unique blend of interesting and beautiful component parts. It is only in the harmony of the whole that the brand lives." TOM PETER
18. "A brand's strength is built upon its determination to promote its own distinctive values and mission." Professor Jean-Noel Kapferer,
19. "Branding demands commitment; commitment to continual re-invention; striking chords with people to stir their emotions; and commitment to imagination. It is easy to be cynical about such things, much harder to be successful." Sir Richard Branson, CEO Virgin.
20. "Organizations in the future will manage feelings, beliefs, perceptions and values - the asset of emotional capital – as the hidden resources with the power to translate people's knowledge into positive action." Kevin Thomson, author Emotional Capital (1998)
21. "Your brand is a gateway to your true work. You know you are here to do something – to create something or help others in some way. The question is, how can you set up your life and work so that you can do it? The answer lies in your brand. When you create a compelling brand you attract people who want the promise of your brand – which you deliver." Dave Buck
22. http:// twitter.com/alihadi http://facebook.com/proactivebrand http:// www.scribd.com/alihadi http:// www.google.com/profiles/alihadipk http:// friendfeed.com/alihadi http:// www.slideshare.net/alihadi/slideshows http:// www.linkedin.com/in/alihadi Looking forward to a long and successful partnership with you and your company. More about “Me Inc.” Email: [email_address] < OR> [email_address] http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v = DApscqsosHo Company Profile