Is your personal brand failing to impact the competition?

The new iPhone 3GS recent launch saw two impacts - Apple dropping the price of it's 'older' model and more significantly Palm's share price dropping by 7%!

It seem's like never a week goes by without another new phone hitting the market - I heard that the lifespan for a smartphone before it becomes 'obselete' and overtaken by a faster, sleeker, more buttons and gadgets phone is about 3 months.

Is the same happening for you in your career?

Dan Pink in his book A Whole New Mind said that if your job can be done faster by a machine or cheaper somewhere else then you need to differentiate yourself right now.

This is particularly relevant now in a tight job market and where competition to remain useful and employed is becoming key. Even if the economy is showing some signs of recovery you will see it's impact for months to come - the commercial real estate bubble has not burst yet!

So if you are employed how can you have an impact at work so that your value rises?

1. Make sure you get involved in the projects at work that are going to have an impact on the future success of the company and have some senior management sponsors.

2. Look to raise your profile by attending meetings that are not directly your area, but you have interaction with those teams. If you are in finance go to a marketing meeting and if you are in marketing get along to operations or logistics - step out of your bubble and perhaps comfort zone.

3. Keep your boss up to date with what you are working on and keep track of the measures of success - what is the direct impact you are having on the business - make sure you know and then make sure others do too.

If you are currently unemployed how can you impact the competition and get hired?

1. Construct a 'brag' sheet that speaks to your top 5 strengths and how you have used each one of those in a specific situation with a measurable result. Use that as your intro career marketing document - not the boring resume - stand out, be different, get noticed.

2. Be very clear about what value you bring to an organization. They do not care what you want (if you have objective still on your resume GET IT OFF NOW!). What can you do for them? Again this needs to be as measurable and relevant as possible - there are too many others out there with similar skills, experience and education - it's not enough anymore.

3. Go where the competition is not going. Get in front of the senior managers who work with the peole that might hire you. If you are in finance do not go to all the finance networking meetings - all your competitors are doing that - get to the marketing networking meeting.

Cross posted on Reflections of a Square Peg blog

Comments

[gaia gold]

Nice post. This post is different from what I read on most blog. And it have so many valuable things to learn. Thank you for your sharing!

[cheapest lotro time card]

This is particularly relevant now in a tight job market and where competition to remain useful and employed is becoming key.

[Jennydrea]

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[2legcaco]

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[2legcaco]

I agree with this strongly.

On the one hand, it's easy to start a business online using affiliate products with good commissions. But, many find that the competition is stiff and sales are slow because so many others are trying to do the same thing.

There is nothing wrong getting started like this if the purpose is to gain experience. Where the breakdown occurs (in my opinion) is when they "keep doing the same thing, but expect different results." In other words, once they get a little experience and start to get a grasp of some of the more effective methods of marketing online, then it's time to either branch out with new or unique products, or begin creating a focus in a particular niche.

At this point, the key is to do what you have just suggested and seek products or services that the entrepreneur either uses or is familiar with. And then they can begin establishing their "personal brand" from within that niche.

I recommend brand me live site. this can give you more idea.. I hope this can help..

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[jennydrea]

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