A personal brand is multi-dimensional, encompassing many intertwining layers representative of articulated and demonstrable authenticity. To break this down, your brand is who you say you are and how you demonstrate it by way of skills, experience, background, education, networking partners, industry affiliations, expert status, innovative acumen and relevant personal presentation.
Personal presentation that is out of sync with a professed personal brand may lead those that you seek to influence to call into question the credibility of the other dimensions of your brand. Case in point, I worked with a client that sold couture wedding dresses. The salon was beautiful the dresses were amazing and the base price for her gowns began at $10,000. Upon introduction, there was an immediate disconnect between her personal presentation as it related to the products she sold. She was completely ill-kept with disheveled hair, broken nails, the heel of one of her shoes was damaged, her dress was wrinkled ...she was a mess! Perhaps she had a bad day, nevertheless, her first impression was less than desirable. She went on to share that she often did not resonate with her vendors or clients, get the picture? Her personal presentation was not only out of sync with the high-end designer products she sold, but also led her clients to question the authenticity of those products and her credibility as an expert.
Endless examples abound of individuals that sabotage their personal brand and competitive advantage by failing to execute an image that is appropriate for their target audience and those that they seek to influence.
- What about the provocatively dressed sales representative that wants to transition into management ?
- What about the brilliant research analyst whose attire consistently borders inappropriate and management is uncomfortable with any exposure to high profile clients?
- What about the overweight personal trainer?
- What about the ill-kept hair stylist or make-up artist?
- What about those that feel that their background and education are enough to propel their careers to the next level, despite a poorly executed presentation?
- What about the administrative assistant that wants to transition into an executive assistant role, yet lacks the personal polish and presentation for the executive suite?
- What about the HR professional that lacks the polish and presentation required in a conservative corporate culture?
Personal presentation and image are critical to your personal brand. I repeat, personal presentation and image are critical to your personal brand! Personal presentation that is out of sync with your personal brand and that does not resonate with the audience you seek to influence, puts your credibility and brand authenticity at risk. Ask yourself the question, "Does my personal image and presentation lend credibility to my personal brand or that of the brand I seek? TLT Consulting Services specializes in connecting the dots and creating buzz around your personal brand. Let us show you the power of your personal brand!!
Until next week...
