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Are You Slow To Change & What Does That Mean For Your Personal Brand? 0

In personal brand management, a big key to success is your ability to adapt to circumstances and change.  If you aren’t flexible and dynamic, then there’s no room for you to grow, develop an effective and genuine personal brand and succeed.

Many industries are perceived as static and slow to change and grow.  One in particular is the legal industry and lawyers.  I work with plenty of fabulous lawyers and law firms up for the challenge of developing a personal brand that is dynamic and flexible.  However, the legal industry as a whole is not viewed as such.  For those of you who remember, think about the show, “Paper Chase”.  Not sure that perception has changed over the decades since that show aired.

I was just at the American Bar Association (ABA) Law Practice Management (LPM) conference in Napa, California.  We were working on developing a program for lawyers, when this topic came up again.   As we work hard on bringing new concepts and trends to lawyers and working on helping younger lawyers see the need to be outgoing, dynamic and brand-oriented, we always keep in mind a few thing.  Lawyers can be slower to change, more risk-averse and more security-oriented.

If you think about it, these generalized traits make sense.  The law is about precedent and following what came before to get to a new place in the future. Legal educational institutions and firms have been around for centuries and take pride in having this longevity.  I remember my international law professor had been teaching at my law school for something like 30 years by the time I took his class- and the running joke was that there hadn’t been many changes to the curriculum since he started at the law school.

However, with the longevity and prestige there is always the danger of stagnation.  This stagnation comes from following precedent, becoming comfortable with “what has always work in the past” and a general fear of trying new things, growing or following new trends.  Fear of the unknown is common and something I appreciate.

The way to grow and succeed, though, is via a shift in perspective.   Appreciate your tried and true ways, but always keep your eyes and ears open for a new method and process.  Your personal brand will thank you for it and so will your family and clientele.

Posted on: 05-7-2012
Posted in: American Bar Association, Careers, Personal branding, Poor Image, Uncategorized

Are You “Cheap”? 0

Do you avoid paying your fair portion of the bill when you go out to lunch with a big group of business associates?  Do you have all sorts of excuses to avoid paying your business/life coach or vendor on time?  Why should you buy your assistant the expensive holiday gift- after all, you share your assistant’s services with a partner in your firm, so the partner should buy the nicer gift since he/she makes more money than you as an associate?  Do you not go to feed the homeless with the rest of the office because there is no money to be made or prospects to be found at the homeless shelter?

So we all know of the stereo-types regarding cheapness.  Obviously we can’t assume someone is cheap and attribute a negative personal brand to him/her, just because of a stereotype.   It is unfair and not often true.

However, we have all seen the above-mentioned questions in the first paragraph play out.  And- make no mistake about it, we have ALL taken note of your cheapness in these situations.  We just don’t say anything to you.   Maybe we don’t consciously realize we think you are “cheap”.  However,  we’ve stored away the causal connection between: 1) you, as a (insert your career title here) and, 2)  you as a cheap person.  The further conclusion we likely draw is that you are petty, greedy, a hoarder and all about yourself.   Guess what folks- you now have a really negative personal brand that will require some serious work to rehabilitate!!

If you come across as cheap it means  we do not want to do business with you.  After all, you may rip us off or deny us our fair share of services, kudos, or kindness. No one in business wants to refer business to someone who is cheap. Not only do we not do business with you, but we likely don’t even want to be friends with you socially.  You’ll likely be the one to bring the $2 bottle of wine to the holiday gift exchange.

So stop and think- are you cheap?  Have you done things that could be seen as cheap or stingy?  Or do you freely give of yourself and your time because you care about people and want to help?  You have complete control over this personal brand perception maker/breaker.

EMAIL US AND SHARE A “CHEAP COLLEAGUE” STORY THAT HAS LEFT YOU WITH A NEGATIVE PERSONAL BRAND  PERCEPTION OF THAT PERSON.

Posted on: 12-12-2011
Posted in: Behavior, Business Brand, Careers, Community Service, Corporate Image, Personal branding, Poor Image

EASY TIPS FOR POWER DRESSING FOR SUCCESS THIS FALL 0

1.   Clothing is about being your best self for work and personally.  You are a walking billboard for whatever you do for a living.  Think of attire as creating a visual scenery that gets our attention so we can decide we want to talk to you more and get to know you better.  There is power behind your attire!

2.   Don’t go with all trends.  Not all trends flatter every person nor will they convey your optimal brand for success.  Plus, trends can get expensive.  Instead infuse one or two things into your wardrobe that are trendy.

3.  The main goal is to be yourself and convey a genuine personal brand:  have high self-confidence and be comfortable.

a) Pick clothing that you are comfortable wearing and provide for ease of moment.     If you feel uncomfortable in your clothes, then you will come across as stiff, uncomfortable and edgy.  Not the ideal personal brand for success.

b)  Pick colors that accentuate and add color to your skin tone.

c)  Pick colors that attract and engage others while making you feel good.

d) Wear low-maintenance garments that don’t fade, ball-up or attract stains. If your clothes look worn out, so will you.

4.  Pick your accessories wisely.  One or two accessories can bring your entire outfit to life and give the appearance that you know what you are doing and have a mission of success.  Plus, people now have more to talk to you about- accessories are conversation starters!

5.  No matter what your weight, you can look well-put together and dressed for success.  Create length in your silhouette by elongating your body line- wearing v-neck collars and shoes that have more of a pointed toe-box.

 

Posted on: 10-10-2011
Posted in: Being Memorable, body weight, Business Brand, Clothing, Personal branding, Poor Image, self-confidence, Self-image
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