How to Make a Delicious Brand Cocktail…

May 1, 2013 By Leave a Comment

After a recent trip to Jamaica, my 7 year old daughter said to me, “Mom, I miss hotel life…” Me too, Honey, me too. One thing I miss is having a lovely waiter bring me some delicious, frothy concoction to my pool side chair. On the plane ride home I was already thinking about how I could recreate some of the wonderful treats from vacation, but it won’t be the same. I’ve decided everything tastes better when you are wearing flip-flops.

There is something special about the poolside frozen drink. Sure you could order an ice-cold Coke or even a wine spritzer to quench your thirst, but where’s the thrill in that? When was the last time your Chardonnay came with a maraschino cherry and an umbrella? A good mixed-drink experience is a performance, a spectacle. It is a wild, fun ride that ends with a very happy customer. Hmmm, sounds like a recipe for good branding…

Here is my recipe for a crowd-pleasing Brand Cocktail: [Read more…]

Filed Under: Bold Branding, Brand Building, Personal Branding Tagged With: , , ,

Find Your Path with Personal Branding

October 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Find Your Path with Personal BrandingWe live in a world where everyday there are more and more options available to us, especially for women. It used to be that as a woman your two main career choices were either nurse or teacher. Nurses and teachers happen to be my personal heroes so I’m not knocking those professions. Now, however, a woman can choose to be just about anything her heart desires. This is a great improvement, but it comes with its own set of challenges. With so many options it can be hard to choose a direction. Wouldn’t it be great if there was some magic wand you could wave that would just point you in the right direction? Well, there is and it’s call personal branding.

At its core, personal branding is about clarity, clarity about who you are, what you have to offer, and how you want to express that in the world. When you are clear about what makes you tick and what your unique contribution can be, your decision process becomes infinitely easier. You start to recognize which opportunities will enhance your life experience and which ones will lead you further away from home base. You personal brand is always there for you to tap into like a life compass.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Decision making, Personal Branding, Simplicity, Clarity & Focus Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Feel Good Branding

September 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Feel Good BrandingIf you've been reading this blog, then you are probably somewhat familiar with branding and some of its benefits. Good branding can create a loyal, excited following. It can increase your sales. It can differentiate you from your competition and establish you as an expert in your field. Wow, those are all fantastic benefits of branding!  However, I think the very best benefit of personal branding is not often talked about. It is the FEELING YOU GET from living and working from and with those parts of you which feel most authentic and exciting TO YOU.

If you are in business, you are in business to make money. If you were not doing business to make money, you would be dabbling in a hobby. So of course, when you think about branding you will focus on the financial benefits. You are not going to waste your time and marketing dollars on frivolous, touchy-feel-good gimmicks. However, what could be more valuable than your own happiness. I know it sounds pretty grandiose to talk about personal branding that way, but that's the way it is. When you are really in touch with what makes you tick, what you are good at, how you best express yourself in the world and when you can move through your life freely and enthusiastically working from those premises, you feel a deep satisfaction and joy. The kicker is feeling good and excited about how you work and express yourself can also be financially rewarding.  It's a win-win situation.

When you are joyful in your work other people respond to that energy. Have you ever met someone who seems to radiate good vibes? How does it make you feel to be around that person or interact with them? Great, right? There is a gas station near my gym that I love going to. The attendant there has such great energy. Rain, snow or shine he has a smile on his face, asks how I'm doing and gives great service. Do you think I drive out of my way to get my gas there?  You bet I do. It makes me FEEL good to buy my gas there. His energy is infectious.

When are clear about your personal brand and become comfortable projecting that brand into the marketplace, YOU become that infectious person others are drawn to.  However, the greatest gift is the way you feel about yourself and that, my friends, is priceless.

Filed Under: Authentic Branding Tagged With: , , , ,