Welcome to June's edition of Shine Communique. This month I'm celebrating the release of my book Apprentice to Business ACE - your inside-out guide to personal branding. Yes! Available now for order here on my website for a special introductory offer. It will be available in all good bookstores in August when the price goes up. So place your order now!

As a sneak preview, this month's article looks at how you can Brand Yourself to Become ACE in Your Field.

Keep shining!

Business educator, speaker & author
Shine Communications Consultancy
Helping YOU Stand Out

Shine Feature Article

How important is our image or personal branding? Whether you are a small business entrepreneur or working in a corporate environment it is important to communicate our "look" or the essence of who we are, in alignment with the company brand. It's not just the company's logo that needs to look good; it's the people in an organisation that also represent the company brand. And if you're the head of your business or in charge of a team then it's up to you to portray that brand or image in a positive light.

Here's some tips on how to Brand Yourself to Become ACE in Your Field.

• Do a personal audit to determine your values and vision, your future goals and strengths for you and your company. Defining who you are aligns with your deepest passions. A clue to discovering the feeling or emotion of who you are is to identify where you are and what you are doing that makes you truly happy. For me it's swimming in the ocean, feeling the warmth of the sun, the colours of sunset and sunrise over the ocean, those feelings and colours help me to shine.

• What do people say about you, how do they perceive you? Pay attention to how others describe you when they introduce you and how they treat you. Are you described as fun loving, compassionate, professional or creative? Do these descriptions align with your values and what you stand for? 

• What sets you apart from the crowd, what is your unique "shining" point? What achievements and accomplishments, dreams or desires reveal the emotional, inner side of you and how do you promote that side of you.

• Take a look at some of the outside factors that represent your personal brand, such as the company you work for or the company you keep. Who are your friends, alliances and partners? What networking groups do you belong to?  

• Your business tools also say a lot: find one look or message that describes your business and stick with it. Use the same colour scheme, fonts and design throughout your marketing materials, business cards, letterhead and website. Pay attention to your email messages and voice mail messages.

• Your dress and appearance plays an important part in how others see you. Develop a picture file of looks you like that reflects your emotional side and uniqueness. Start to build a wardrobe showing your style but also appropriate for the work you do and image you'd like to project. Buy the best quality you can afford and make sure your clothing fits well.

• Little things like quality accessories also play a part in your personal packaging. Note quality leather shoes, bags, watch, jewellery and pen. Take care of personal appearance including grooming and appropriate hairstyle.

• Personal manner also plays a part in how others perceive you. Be aware of plus and minus personality traits such as self confidence level, your way of talking, manners and social skills

• Your surroundings and environment project who you are also. You want your business to leave the right impression on your clients, customers, employees and all visitors. Does your desk, signage and place of business reflect an image of efficiency, quality, professionalism and hospitality? Does Brand You say your business is the best?

 Shine Seminars

July takes me back to Australia for work having spent the last two months in Asia including a presentation at the Asia Pacific Speakers Summit in Singapore. It was a great conference with some fabulous speakers.

If you're looking to improve your speaking or presentation skills perhaps you could think about joining the National Speakers Association of Australia or their equivalent in your part of the world. Take a look at their website. http://www.nationalspeakers.asn.au

In the meantime here's an article with a few tips on how to Present for Success.
 
Shine Communications continues to service the Australian and Asian corporate market with programs on personal and professional public relations.Topics include:

Brand You

Business Shine

Speak for Success

Priming the Paparazzi

Lights, Camera Action

Topics can be delivered as a keynote, breakout or training session, in house or at your conference.

Contact Shine for further information

Shine Brand Champion

Oprah does it again. She has made the top of the US Forbes Magazine Celebrity 100. http://www.forbes.com/lists/

The list takes into account celebrities' earnings, internet presence and press, TV and radio coverage. The power of publicity has certainly contributed to Oprah being the star that she is. It has also contributed to building a strong personal brand. Two major elements that contribute to her being number one are credibility and consistency.

Oprah is watched by millions of viewers worldwide each week and according to a Forbes spokesperson could even see her affecting the outcome of next year's US elections. That's one aspect of her credibility. She has built her credibility by being the best at what she does and also very passionate about her role. She lives and breathes the essence of what she portrays. That is true credibility. She very rarely wavers from the truth of who she is and is covered in a positive way often and consistently in the media.

If you haven't yet received your free eBook, Brand Yourself to Stand Out and Shine you can download it here.

Or subscribe to my newsletter with tips on personal branding and PR success and you'll also receive my free eBook.

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Please pass on this newsletter to your friends and colleagues and if you have any comments at all email me.