Ten years ago, Tom Peters wrote The Brand You 50 – Fifty Ways to Transform Yourself from an “Employee” into a Brand that Shouts Distinction, Commitment, and Passion! He championed the idea that white-collar workers should brand themselves as high impact workers. Loyalty to a company was out, while acting like an independent contractor was in. Peter’s Brand You approach has evolved over time. In 2009, we have Me 2.0 personal branding that extends Brand You principles into a specific action plan on how to brand you; however, Peters work remains a must-read book on why we need to become a distinct brand. Below are highlights on becoming a brand, stepping out independently, seizing opportunities, promoting yourself, and learning curiosity:
Becoming Brand You
- It is up to you…and you alone
- Brand yourself
- Start now
Stepping Out Independently
- Forget job. Forget task. Think projects.
- Package yourself
- Brand You Inc. is about what you value
- Develop a portfolio of attributes and skills
Seize Every Opportunity
- Turn crappy little tasks into gold
- Master bootstrapping
- Build a portfolio of WOW projects
Always Promote Brand You
- A brand is a trust mark
- Obsess on your calling cards
- Build a Web site that wows
- You are your own PR agency
- Learned optimism
Constant Curiosity, Constant Rebuilding, Constant Contacts
- Renew! Renew! Renew!
- Invest in yourself
- Whet your appetite, constant curiosity
- Develop “a great Board of Directors
In your job, see your work in terms of projects that you do for clients. “You are what you do. How you spend your time will define you.” It’s all about you.
As an excuse to throw in an 80s music video, I think Billy Idol’s “Dancing by Myself” is fitting to play in the background as you develop your personal branding action plan.
Billy Idol – Dancing With Myself
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