Keep shining!

Sue Currie

Managing Director

Shine Communications

Helping YOU Stand Out

Consider that most people want to interact with people they like. Therefore to succeed in your career, it’s critical to establish strong personal and professional relationships. One way of building relationships is through personal branding.

Personal Branding

But what is personal branding?

I believe it covers three areas…

• Personality – communicating the inner essence of you – your uniqueness, qualities, strengths, skills and passions
• Package – your visual communication. How you appear through dress and personal presence
• Promotion – building recognition and reputation

Before you set off on the path of building or reinvigorating your career it’s a good idea to really think about who you are – work out what your stand for. Particularly as a manager or service provider you need to consider that you are an integral team member of that company. Wouldn’t it be a good idea if you really matched the organisation you work with to your own personal style? How can you do this?

Do a personal audit to determine your values and vision, your strengths, look at your goals. Does your vision align with that of your company? Do you need to acquire new skills to contribute more value?  By understanding your values, life and work skills and how to apply them to your role and company, you will have a strong foundation for building an exhilarating career.

Package YOU

Consider also that YOU are a package. What does your package look like? What is your design, colour and look? What message does your personal image send? Your clothes, appearance and grooming are the external image of your brand.

Some organisations have a uniform that reflects the company brand and image, but even if your company does not, there is definitely an underlying code of dressing particularly in a business environment which is smart, polished and professional.  By understanding the brand qualities you want to project with the work you do, you can create a look that is suitable, creative and stylish to help make your mark.

At the office, every email, voice mail or phone call you make creates impressions that build your business brand. In person how you shake hands, make eye contact and how you conduct yourself in social situations all go toward your personal brand. You need to take care of the details. High standards of personal presentation and presence will help you stand out as a well regarded member of the team.

Write down some adjectives of the type of person or brand you would like to be or project. Think of yourself as the product you are designing a package for. Cut out and collect some words, images and colours from magazines. Create a brand portfolio of ideas and visual examples. As you do this exercise you will begin to discover your style and what appeals to you. This is your logo – your own personal brand.

Time now to think about how to promote yourself – get noticed. First and foremost we need to be good at what we do. But what else can give us that extra edge? 

Volunteer to help or organise a special event such as lunch or after work drinks to help build relationships with colleagues and clients.  Send thank you notes or items of interest to clients or perhaps to suppliers that have gone out of their way to help you. Have lunch with colleagues in the canteen or meet for coffee rather than email all the time.

Networking & Executive Protocol

Another way, to build powerful and beneficial relationships in business is through networking.

Imagine, you have just joined a large, corporate organisation and your senior manager has requested that you represent the company at a networking event the next evening.  Are you excited yet? Chances are, no!  More likely, your palms are sweating, your heart is beating faster and a million questions are running through your mind...

How will I introduce myself?

In terms of handshakes, what are the rules?

What conversations are appropriate for a business event?

How do I exchange business cards?

For many executives, networking is an important part of the way you do business and sales are frequently attained via the relationships created with others. So what is networking really all about? Quite simply, networking is the development and maintenance of mutually beneficial relationships. It’s about getting what you want and helping others get what they want too. In today’s competitive climate, networking is a fundamental tool to success – being great at what you do is no longer enough and in general terms as mentioned – people do business with people they like.

Exchanging a business card at an event, does not constitute networking, nor is it about free food, drinks or schmoozing. Whilst these activities may form part of the process, unfortunately people’s misunderstanding of the term causes them to network ineffectively. Remember, building a relationship takes time, effort, refined people skills and the ability to nurture key alliances. Whilst networking has the potential to be some of your easiest work, as with any business function, there are certain protocols and behaviours that must be observed.  Next time you attend a networking function, be sure to mind your manners and create both a positive first and lasting impression.

Nikki Heald, Managing Director of Corptraining, says, “It is assumed that when people reach a certain level in an organisation that they automatically understand how to network effectively and conduct themselves correctly in a business environment. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.”

In fact, Nikki, whose company provides contemporary and customised training solutions for a number of high profile organisations says, “Conveying credibility is fundamental to business success and in some instances, technical knowledge may not be sufficient to get clients over the line. Refined inter-personal skills provide a competitive edge and it’s worth considering how these impact on client perceptions.”

So what will be your point of difference to help you stand out and Shine?

Shine Seminars

I have joined forces with Nikki Heald of Corptraining to deliver Corporate Class a program to help your emerging leaders and executives achieve recognition, enhance personal brand and shine. Call 1300 855 102 or click here for further information.

Other programs delivered by Shine Communications include:

Priming the Press – public relations strategies

Facing the Press – media communication

Speak for Success – presentation skills

Brand You – personal brand and image

Business Shine – business manners and etiquette

Shine News

In last month’s newsletter I wrote about the benefits of entering awards. As a result I am speaking on that subject for Meeting & Events Australia (MEA) members on October 14.

Another award you may be interested in entering is the MCEI Marketing Awards. Please visit the Marketing Communications Executives International website more information.

The winner of last month’s refer a friend competition was Merilin Jovanovic of Westpac. To go in the draw to win your copy of Apprentice to Business ACE, please refer a friend.  

T: 1300 855 102

E: sue@shinecomms.com.au

W: www.shinecomms.com.au