DEVELOPING YOUR OWN PERSONAL BRAND!! 

YAY OR NAH???????

Many times we associate branding only with products and services offered by companies. Subsequently, we ignore the fact that the same concept can be applied to an individual 's personal brand, isn't that important as well?

Yes it is! I view personal branding as a method whereby each person gets a chance to create attributes, behavioral patterns and traits which makes him/her unique or stand out in front of a crowd. 

For instance, imagine an interview for the position of a new general manager. Now, the requirements for the following position is a degree in business management with ten years’ experience in a similar field. After the short listing process was concluded, five candidates succeeded, which is four persons and yourself. 

The question is how would you persuade the interviewers that you are the primer candidate for this job. What would you do? How do you encourage the panel to choose you over the rest? Which of your characteristics would play a major role in influencing such a decision? 

When you could positively answer these questions that by itself my friend is personal branding. To further explain let me take you back to the beginning of times. The bible states, “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female, He created them” (Genesis 1:27). This peak, the fact that God was the first to instill some sort of branding in all of us but how we personally develop it would be our own brand.

Subsequently, I believe personal branding is absolutely relevant in today’s society as it is the major contributory factor for the enhancement of differentiation. It would be rather a very boring world if everyone was the same with regards to views, likes, dislikes etcetera. We would be like clones living on planet earth. Another point deals with mores and values. As lightly as today’s young generation is taking this topic, it’s one of great concern. The way you dress, talk and communicate in society says a lot about you as an individual that is your own personal brand. Last but not least, self-esteem or confidence sets the tone to being in the spot light among a group of persons.

Although, research has shown that personal branding is a fairly new process that deals with people marketing themselves and their careers, as a brand, (Lake, 2018) It is part of a self-help management technique which was previously about self-improvement. Personal branding is an ongoing process of establishing a prescribed image or impression, in the mind of others, about an individual. Lakes 2018 states that, developing a personal brand is the proactive way of controlling one’s career development and how one is perceived in the marketplace. A strong personal brand will affect one’s ability to get the right jobs, promotions, and increase one’s ability to attract talent and capital (Lake, 2018).

In conclusion, this quote from Oprah Winfrey sums up personal branding, “I've come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that's as unique as a fingerprint and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard, and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you.”(Oprah Winfrey)

Below is a sample of my Personal Brand Statement, which I believe is a great way of initiating and developing a personal brand.

My Personal Brand Statement:

As an all rounded knowledgeable form of God’s greatest creation, I am inspired by my ability to enjoy the best of both worlds. (see picture below) As I juggle through life in the professions of being a student, educator, purchasing officer and small business owner, I am motivated to help others recognized the importance of being flexible and having excellent communication skills. 

My characteristic of being a great listener enables me to give meaningful advice to other. I have a very good sense of humor and a quest for lifelong learning. Though outspoken and down to earth, I am dedicated to keeping a professional image as I have respect for moral and values. 

I am committed to my job and meeting deadline as I am to encouraging others to reach for the sky and advocating the importance of confidence. I have been gifted with the quality of understanding which makes me the prior person to breaking down the walls of conflict.

FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER: https://twitter.com/Akeda23821997 &                INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/akedalezama/

        REFERENCES 

Ø  Lake, L. (2018). The Balance. Retrieved from https://www.thebalance.com/creating-and-growing-personal-brand-2295814

Ø  Nelson Mandela Quotes. (n.d.). Retrieved July 28, 2017, from http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/n/nelson_mandela.html

Ø  (n.d.). Retrieved March 08, 2018, from http://biblehub.com/genesis/1-27.htm

Ø  Kim, L. (n.d.). 22 Inspiring Billionaire Quotes About Successful Personal Branding. Retrieved March 08, 2018, from https://www.inc.com/larry-kim/22-inspiring-billionaire-quotes-about-successful-personal-branding.html