Yes! Your personal brand is the image you aim to convey to your company.Research shows that executives that dress well make more money.
It markets who you are as a complete self-package. Personal branding requires appropriate clothing selection, a polished appearance, articulate speaking, and authenticity. Self-branding fosters a presence that literally omits an aura of confidence that demands respect!
Ready to take an honest look at how your personal brand is working? Join me on April 21st for a unique live event, “Presence for Profit: How Your Personal Brand Affects Your Bottom Line.” Learn about how your personal brand impacts bottom line profits.
Here’s why perfecting your personal brand proves vital in earning a C-Level Position…
Authenticity is Key… So Be Yourself, in Everything You Do
Start your personal brand development by asking yourself these questions:
- How do you want to show up?
- How do you want others to perceive you?
- What is unique to you and your authenticity?
Your personal brand needs to resonate the moment people meet you. Staying honed into your brand will attract like minded individuals, so in everything you do, remain true to what is unique to you.
It’s not simply dressing the part of a C-Level Executive – you have to be authentic in that part. That means uncovering the essence of who you are as a successful businessperson and being willing to share it with the world, through your clothing choices, your demeanor and your choices.
Personal Brand vs. Corporate Brand
A company’s corporate brand is an overall marketing concept. It focuses on the big picture rather than highlighting individual products. Nike has the swoosh symbol, Apple has the most innovative technology, and Starbucks is an internationally recognized coffee brand.
What’s the bottom-line? Their corporations share the reputation of exceptional quality and high standards – that’s all part of their corporate brand. Similarly, your personal brand aims to accomplish the same objective.
Marketing yourself as a package rather than focusing on individual attributes will help others perceive you as a well-rounded and appealing candidate for C-level positions.
Aligning Your Personal Brand with the Company’s Brand
It can be tricky to build your brand while mirroring your company’s brand.
Take for instance Target. Their company brand is red everything – doors, carts, heck, even employees shirts! As a Target employee, the red shirt and khakis are required. The uniform simply aligns your appearance with the company’s brand… but even though you’re decked out in your khakis and red polo shirt, you still remain true to your personality. It would be impossible not to! Your grooming, jewelry choices, even mannerisms define you as you.
Your corporate entity is no different. Mindful consideration of your unique qualities and how you are different than someone with your same job title are important to this process. Be comfortable with being uncomfortable! Force yourself out of the rut of resorting to the same old jacket and shirt! Take a step back – look at your current wardrobe with a fresh perspective. I call this creating your “Style Recipe.”
Your Style Recipe in Action
Here’s an example. Let’s say your style recipe characteristics are capable, elegant, friendly, eclectic and energetic. Those are the words you’ve chosen to represent yourself in the workplace. As such, your attire should reflect that!
Your outfit should project energy, confidence, and should make you stand out! You can convey elegance in how polished you are – tasteful makeup, your walk, poise, posture, your hair.
In a nutshell that is your style recipe and ultimately creates your personal brand.
Now, let’s align this with your company’s brand. If your company’s dress code calls for suits, then women can add a loose scarf around their neck, a jeweled necklace, a blouse with a pattern, or heels with an accent color. Men can boast colorful socks under their dress pants, a unique and playful tie, or a patterned pocket square.
Keep your selection modest and tasteful, it’s an opportunity to market your brand so get creative! See how fun and creative you can be when designing your Style Recipe? Once you know your recipe and can embody those traits in and out of the office, you’ll begin to see people treating you differently – and truthfully, you’ll feel differently, too!
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