Are you one of those women in business who while scrolling through Facebook stops to take a Quizony test because you have questions about who you really are? OK, I'll admit it. I am one of those women, but it isn't because I don't know my brand. It's because I do! 
Everyone knows the importance of developing a strong brand for their business or their product. So, why is it so hard to understand the necessity of developing a brand for you?
The women in business clients I work with are willing to listen to the why and how they can brand themselves at work, but too often I learn they don't follow through on the task as the "it is all about me" part of branding stops them in their tracks. Let me explain.
It takes strong self-confidence to market yourself to others, sharing the qualities and attributes that allow you to stand out from the crowd. For example, if you want to be known for always showing up and being seen you might decide you will make it a point to be first at every company event and meeting. It may be easy for your calendar, but are you prepared to greet the second person that walks through the door no matter who that person is? It could be the CEO, the COO, the Chairman of the Board, or the kid helping the caterer. Regardless of who it is you must be able to graciously introduce yourself and confidently present yourself as the most important person in that room at the time.
Since I have been a woman in business for more than 40 years, I can tell you that there were a lot of times I was the only woman in the room, therefore, standing out was easy. As a participant of male-only and me groups everyone knew my name. Quite honestly it wasn't always easy for me to remember all of their names. At some point all men look alike. (That comment might get me into trouble, but some of you know exactly what I mean: blue suit, crisp white collared shirt, red and blue striped tie). Anyway, I wanted to be known for more than being the only woman. My brand was and is: always on time, prepared, confident, reliable, outspoken, energetic, on point, influential, well-networked, can sell anything and able to get the job, any and every job, done. Actions speak louder than words means that I must not only tell people these things about me, but demonstrate them in everything I do.
My friend, Tom Peters, wrote the book pictured above, The Brand You 50: Or; Fifty Ways To Transform Yourself from an Employee into a Brand That Shouts Distinction, Commitment, and Passion! No one on the planet understands branding the individual like Tom. As author of the best management book every written: In Search Of Excellence, Tom has spent a lifetime working with companies, learning and teaching that people do business with people not companies. When companies downsize or outsource they don't get rid of the people who have branded themselves as indispensable. These people are advanced and/or promoted as assets that truly sit on the corporate balance sheet.
Yes, branding yourself means speaking out and often about what you do! No one can speak about your value better than you. The most successful women in business I have worked with understand exactly what they are worth to the company they work for and they aren't afraid to let their managers know and their manager's managers know. In fact, depending upon the size of the company you work for there is absolutely no level on the corporate ladder that shouldn't know who you are and what you are doing. You can brand yourself be participating in the company newsletter, online chat, corporate charity event and other. Remember, you are either visible or invisible and your brand starts there. Invisible people are never remembered at bonus time, or for promotion, or for any recognition.
So, the next time a Quizony quiz pops up on Facebook and asks you What Is Your True Personality? Take the quiz. It might just get you started in realizing what your brand is and if you want to change it.
Oh, and I took the quiz and got Independent Thinker.......I'm not surprised, are you?
