What is your BRAND?

The weather in Bengaluru is changing and was under the weather, so will not upload a podcast this week. However, a coaching conversation this week became the motivation for this topic.

Recently a client was sharing how she is seen as hardworking and trustworthy but is always overlooked for promotion. As we explored further, she stated, " I do not have to tell the world, what I do, my work will speak for itself." Remembered what Neeraja Ganesh said in one of her talks that stayed with me," You may be the best trumpet player in town, but if you are Playing in your garage, who will listen to it? Come out and play in front of the world." When I shared it with my coachee, she smiled and nodded. This is where the conversation moved into personal branding. What is personal branding? Why is it important to work on your brand value?

"A brand is the set of expectations, memories, stories, and relationships that, taken together, account for a consumer's decision to choose one product or service over another," says Seth Godin marketing and leadership expert, best-selling author, and speaker. Every one of us is a brand, and we need to work around what we can give and how we stand out. It is what the consumer is telling each other about the experience of interacting with us. Therefore, working consciously is very important.

"All of us need to understand the importance of branding. We are the CEOs of our own companies: Me Inc. To be in business today, our most important job is to be head marketer for the Brand called You." Tom Peters’ words play a very important role in explaining the power of personal branding. Therefore, decided to make BRAND an acronym. This is what each alphabet could stand for.

Beneficial:

Whatever you are creating, a service or a product, remember to provide a solution to your client. Whatever is your service, let it be something that eases the problem of the client. If the client sees the benefit, he will give his time listening to you. Even to consider you as an option, you need to be addressing some of the challenges or at least an important one.

“The key is, no matter what story you tell, make your buyer the hero.” – Chris Brogan

Reputation:

What is it that people speak about you? Focus on the market segment that you want to capture. The way your expertise is seen is important. Understand that your value systems are completely a choice. What is it that you are projecting about yourself as a professional? If you are not focussed on your branding, your market is already building your brand, the way they see it.

"It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you'll do things differently." Warren Buffet’s words are proof.

Authentic:

Walk your talk as much as possible. It is important to understand that everyone you interact with can be your brand ambassador. Make the interaction an experience worth recalling. It is so important to be honest to who you are. Listen when people speak to you and be genuinely interested. It is not about you always. This trust is the glue of connection.

“In a world where you can be anything, be yourself.” – Etta Turner

Niche:

Niche is what you bring to the market that is exclusively your expertise. Find out what you can bring specifically to the space of work that becomes synonymous with your expertise. As you start working on your niche, you arrive at that area of expertise that is specific in its gives and very specific in the takeaways for the clients. This helps you speak with focus about what you bring to the table.

@AdamSmileyPoswolsky, millennial workplace expert and author of The Breakthrough Speaker is very specific when he says, “Carve a niche and then carve a niche within your niche. The best personal brands are very specific.”

Depth:

Once you carve that niche be very specific in your offering. Start understanding your subject very clearly. Start developing a deeper understanding of the topic and work on expertise in that area. Try and understand your specific area at a deeper level. Become synonymous with that subject that if there is a need in the market you are seen as the go-to person by people in your circle. They recommend you and the rest is magic.

Bestselling author and motivational speaker, Zig Ziglar says it best. "If people like you, they will listen to you, but if they trust you, they'll do business with you."

So what is running through your mind as you read this?

Would love to know how you are working on your BRAND.

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As the new month begins here is a testimonial of a client who finished her

10-week Coaching. Her inability to crack the final rounds of the interview made her sign up for the coaching. Today as I share her testimonial, she is a Design Lead at IBM.

"I never thought my voice could be a vital element of the conversations I had, and its effect on people and situations in my life, professionally or personally. I loved every session with Rashmi, and am trying to put the learnings into practice. From tone modulations to mindfulness to teachings from the Bhagavad Gita, it was a knowledge-packed interaction. I especially love Rashmi's calm yet lively aura. I highly recommend taking this course if you are exploring to add a dimension to your personality by enhancing how you speak and think."

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SELFI is a newsletter where I share my reflections on life. Moments where some simple elements stayed on to create a SELFI moment! Moments that force the #voiceinme to express. Do subscribe if you like what you read and share it with anyone you think will benefit!

Do contact me if you want to fall in love with your VOICE and Vocal presence through one-on-one coaching or if you are looking to facilitate a customized leadership program for your team.

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