2. TAKEAWAYS
How do you build a lasting relationship with your cross-functional
teams?
How do you stay well networked? How do you know how your
messages are being perceived?
Know your audience well enough to tailor your communications
and output of work without diluting their purpose.
Learn the principles of minimalist communications and how to
use them to represent your personal and professional brand to
your organization.
Without compromising who you are, you can easily build lasting
cross-functional relationships, and be better networked and more
productive.
YOUR SENTENCE
3. WHO’S SPEAKING?
NOT a dude or a 6’4 line backer
Nearly 30+ years of experience - living
Various roles, HR Operations, Support, Career Development,
Recruitment, Staffing,
Spent last 2 years as a New Product Introduction Manager at
optical telecom company
Currently Head of Employee Engagement and Communications
at Nimble Storage
Former Spartan, Recovering Cardinal
Passion for inner-city youth (infuseprogram.org)
Engagement architect with entrepreneurial tendencies
4. WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?
What is branding?
Branding yourself
Why branding today?
Getting started: 7 steps for building a brand
The importance of branding
6. SURVEY SAYS
66
%
85
%
75
%OF CONSUMERS
SAID THEY
CONDUCTED ONLINE
RESEARCH ON A
BRAND AND THEIR
PRODUCT
OF CONSUMERS
CHOSE A KNOWN
BRAND OVER AN
UNKNOWN BRAND
WHEN MAKING AN
INITIAL PURCHASE
OF CONSUMERS
CITE BRAND
AWARENESS AS A
MAJOR INFLUENCER
WHEN MAKING A
BUYING DECISION
7. When you see these brands somewhere, you
associate them with a set of expectations or
perceptions
Nike = tough athletes at the height of their performance.
The Golden Arches = fast service and good food
Apple logo = cutting-edge technology.
You associate these concepts, thoughts, and
images with the particular companies because of
the brand each company has established.
NOSTALGIC ASSOCIATION
8. WHAT DO I MEAN BY BRANDING?
Branding is…
An image created in someone’s mind
It’s both tangible and intangible characteristics of a
product or service that make it unique
Products that are branded are often chosen over
similar products because they somehow have a
perceived value of being ‘better’
9. Quick Test
Why do you perceive one as better than the
other than the other? Branding
10. Branding is not just for products anymore…
Use branding concepts for yourself.
In this program you will learn how to establish a
professional brand for yourself AND how to
communicate it effectively.
@ItsAJThomas
11. Think about the way the following people have
branded themselves:
Michael Jordan “ He never gave up…”
Steve Jobs “Made a dent in the universe…”
Abe Lincoln “Freed the slaves…”
Sheryl Sandberg “Lean in…”
Bill Clinton “I did not have sexual relations…”
THE SENTENCE
12. WHY BRANDING IS IMPORTANT
Trust is essential in the corporate world (and everywhere)
People want to do business with and hire or promote
people they know and feel good about
There has been change in what a traditional career path
looks like
People today change careers an average of 8 times
during their lives
Branding can be consistent throughout the changes
(ex. Hard work and creativity can flow through to
different occupations)
13. Branding makes you
memorable
If you can get people (your
colleagues, friends, family,
etc.) to associate positive
traits with your brand,
chances are higher of
making an impact.
14. GETTING STARTED:
7 STEPS TO BUILDING YOUR PROFESSIONAL
BRAND
1. Self-reflection
2. Continuous learning
3. Prepare marketing strategy
4. Build relationships
5. Prepare marketing pieces
6. Develop your pitch
7. Follow up
15. STEP 1: SELF-REFLECTION
Before you start, you need to know what you’re beginning with.
Self-reflection will help you identify the tools you have and the areas
you need to improve.
What keeps you up at night?
What wakes you up in the morning?
What values do you believe in?
18. STEP 3: PREPARE MARKETING
STRATEGY
Have a VISION that has VALUE
By creating a vision statement for yourself, you will
have direction for where you want your brand to go.
19. Be visible to enhance your profile
Volunteer, be involved
Talk about your mission and your
edge /talents / etc.
Everything you do and choose not
to do, can communicate the value
of your brand
E-mails you send
How you conduct yourself in
meetings
Words you say
How you dress
Conversations you have
OLD SAYING:
“You are
what you
eat.”
NEW
SAYING:
“You are
what you
retweet”
20. STEP 4: BUILD RELATIONSHIPS
Network /ˈnetˌwərk/ n.: a group of people who exchange
information, contacts, and experience for professional or
social purposes.
Networking tips:
Word of mouth is powerful; what are people saying about you?
Keep in good contact with your network
Always make sure your network knows of any recent successes
21. Networking
Don’t forget about potential networking circles: friends,
clients, programs you are a part of, family,
organizations
Search out new professional associations or online
communities to add to your network
Find opportunities to weave your personal
mission/vision statements into conversation with your
network
22. STEP 5: PREPARE MARKETING
PIECES
Your promotional pieces should
include:
YOU – your sentence and vision
statements
Personal References
Website/Social Sites
Consider how you will incorporate
your mission/vision into your
promotional pieces
Consider how you will distribute
these pieces
During a 1:1 Meeting with your manager
Distribute to family and friends
Directly apply to an organization
In conversation
23. STEP 6: DEVELOP YOUR PITCH
Any conversation is your opportunity to pitch your brand:
Tips:
Practice makes perfect (take advantage of conversations with
family, friends, colleagues, get feedback)
Dress appropriately and professionally
Prepare (have a few stories on hand that help illustrate your
purpose)
Don’t be too modest (you’re selling your product and you don’t
want to sell yourself short)
Consider how you will incorporate your personal mission/vision
statements into the conversation
24. STEP 7: FOLLOW UP
Good follow-up communication will assist in
creating a positive association with your brand
Return calls immediately (establishes trust)
Respond to all requests – realistically (shows responsibility)
Thank People (associates courtesy with your work)
Write acceptance/decline letter upon accepting a job
Keep in touch with your network
Give back to your network
Live your sentence
25. LETS REVIEW:
7 STEPS TO BUILDING YOUR PROFESSIONAL
BRAND
1. Self-reflection
2. Continuous learning
3. Prepare marketing strategy
4. Build relationships
5. Prepare marketing pieces
6. Develop your pitch
7. Follow up