Brand U

My most recent keynote and workshop that I am promoting is all around personal branding. It’s Me You Want is about positioning people in the workplace. Whether they are graduates starting in the world of work, people looking to be promoted internally, career changers as well as those who are self employed or entrepreneurs of startups and growing businesses.

Why personal branding?
Well think of it this way. If I mentioned the following people what would you think of?
Anita Roddick, Richard Branson, Bill Gates, Nelson Mandela, Jamie Oliver, Paris Hilton(!), Oprah Winfrey.

We have an image of these people in our mind and what they stand for or what organisations they represent. So I decided that I would do a little experiment with about 200 or so close colleagues who all know me. I asked them the following question.

If someone was to ask you on a professional level “What does Dave do?”and you didnt have access to my website, blog or business card, what would you say? In one sentence if you please. Honest as you will!!

Want the results?
Well you will just have to wait a minute.

Personal Branding is not some kind of ego trip. It is not your journey into narcissism but rather a way of positioning yourself to say this is what I do and this is how I could be of benefit to you. Whether you are positioning yourself to join a company, promoting your company to customers to companies or whatever. This is what people buy into. YOU! So in a crowded market if your message is to be heard, what better message to get out there than “It’s Me You Want!”. More to come…..

So back to the results of this survey (drum roll please…..)

1. An inspirational speaker and trainer
2. A speaker who motivates and encourages young people
3. A mentor and career guide
4. A networker and connector of people.

These results have got me thinking is this how people see me first and foremost? Is this my brand? Is this brand consistent across wherever people see me both on and offline? Hmmm..

So here’s a test. Why not ask people who you know the same question?

Affirmations

It’s the repetition of affirmations that leads to belief. And once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen. - Muhammad Ali

UP! for COFFEE

I coach a few professionals and students each month on my programme UP! for LIFE. I am passionate about taking people to the next level in their careers and jobs and ultimately in enjoying this part of their life.

One of the things I realise is that some people don’t want (or can’t afford) a full series of coaching sessions with me, so………I am thinking that at least once a month people can come catch me in a coffee shop in Borders on a Friday afternoon.

Here is the catch. I am an avid reader of books so when I am going to be around the price of the conversation and advice is one of my selected books from my Amazon or Shelfari wishlist. I will let you know.

So if you are UP! for COFFEE (or any hot drink) anytime soon watch this space and I will let you know when I am in London town.

Intellect

“We should take care not to make the intellect our god; it has, of course, powerful muscles but no personality. It cannot lead; it can only serve.” Albert Einstein

Career Foreplay

I was redrafting my main speech More Than A Job the other day and was looking (as speakers do) for hook to get people’s attention. I was thinking about the idea of people wanting success in their life and being the man that I am thought about comparing it to fulfilling sex. How about including Career Foreplay as a notion for those looking for passion in their work and life.

Before I ran out there looking for a trademark however I thought I would google the term first

Hello Monday Morning

Survey results have showed that UK staff took 21 million “sickies” last year at a cost of £1.6bn. The survey, conducted by the CBI and insurer AXA, found that seven out of 10 employers believed staff liked to “extend” their weekend while 39% said possible fake illness claims coincided with events such as major sporting tournaments. (source CareerBuilder)

21 Million! That is amazing! OK confession time. When I was employed I pulled a couple sickies myself..but with..hmmmm…good reason.

Bookshelf: Business Nightmares

Rachel Elnaugh is the high profile entrepreneur who made her name in business as the founder of Red Letter Days and also as a judge on The Dragon’s Den. Being a celebrity entrepreneur made it just as painful as the media were all over her when her company went through a real bad time and was “rescued” by fellow Dragon’s Peter Jones and Theo Paphitis.

Rachel is one of the few entrepreneurs whose blog I subscribe too (Guy Kawasaki is the other) and it is interesting to note her views on business, and see the human side not revealed on TV, since the fall from grace and subsequent return to building business. In a few weeks I will have the pleasure of meeting her (well getting my book signed anyway) when she launches Business Nightmares. The book focuses on twenty celebrity business people (including Rachel) whose fall from grace was public and how they had to deal with this. I think it serves as a great antidote to “entrepreneurial TV” where often the harsh reality of when things go badly wrong is not shown. Looking forward to my signed copy.

A Brand New Day

This blog was formerly focused on careers but we have now extended it to all aspects of potential and well being. Whether that be work, health or life in general. This is what we are passionate about at Milestone Unlimited so thanks for visiting.

Are You too Scared?

This evening I was listening to a programme on the local radio about people being afraid of leaving their jobs. The main reason that was put forward was that because of programmes like The Apprentice, Dragon’s Den, etc and the aggressive approach of interviews in those shows. The radio host also mentioned that personality tests, panel interviews, assessment centres and the whole process that some people have to go through.

On the radio programme they mentioned a site started by Jobsite called BeMyInterviewer. I think it is a wonderful idea to have video posts of what certain people expect from interviewers. The only irony is for me that the people who are on the site are the same ones which seem to intimidate or prevent others from leaving jobs to go into interviews.

Whilst this does not replace a serious coaching session or role plays on this matter, the questions being asked are definitely a starting point for many who are too scared to do interviews.

Focusing on Good News

On my recent trip to the summit in Thailand I spoke to David Katz, Director of Social Responsibility at VIACOM. He spoke about the desire to report more good news as so much news can be negative. An interesting conversation ensued between him and Chris Cramer, ex president of CNN.

It made me really think about the positives that can rise their heads when so much seems negative. I previously wrote about a blog I susbcribe to which reports nothing but good news. I even write a blog to encourage positive conversations about Africa and Africans in the Diaspora.

Recently while listening to a podcast from Curt Rosengren,