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Promises You Make
Your personal brand makes a promise: “If you buy from me, you will receive a
specific
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value in return.” This
promised value will be born from the values,
virtues,
qualities, and attributes by which you become known. For example, you may
want to create a personal image – a brand – of a person who always operates
at a high level of
integrity, consistently
walks the talk, is an exemplary
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leader
 , and goes the extra mile to
ensure
customer satisfaction.
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Who is your ideal customer?
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What values, virtues,
qualities, and attributes will he be looking for in a supplier of your
product?
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Do you match this profile?
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If not, do you have a
burning desire to
be this kind of person?
These are the key questions you must ask yourself
when beginning to build your personal brand.
Promises You Keep
Unmet expectations are the arch enemy of any
relationship. This is no less true in the relationship between you and
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your customers
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Your brand as a person is determined in large part by whether you
consistently deliver on your promises. Do you keep your word? Do you follow
up? Do your words and actions match with the image you want to create
–
that is, with the values, virtues, qualities, and attributes you claim
as your own? Constantly examine your behavior. When you slip, resolve to get
back on track. To build and sustain a powerful personal brand, your message
must be an accurate reflection on you, the messenger.
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10 Great
Communication Quotes
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Wise Negotiation DOs and DON'Ts
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Just as surely as building a
powerful brand is the key to
differentiating a product in the marketplace and thus building a
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successful business
,
so creating a strong personal
brand is the key to differentiating yourself from
your competitors, thereby ensuring
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your own success
as well as
that of your business.
Your personal brand determines how people respond to you, whether they
listen to you, buy from you, how much they buy, what they are willing to
pay, and so on.
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Synergistic
Selling: 3 Components
The Whole Package
Pay close attention to your entire image. Of course, your character is
of paramount importance. But you make an impact on people in other ways as
well. Your appearance –
the clothes you wear, your personal grooming, your posture –
has an enormous emotional impact on how other people see you, think
about you, and relate to you. Your
attitude is
vital. If you are genuinely pleasant and cheerful in your interaction with
others, they will enjoy being with you. They will be more inclined to trust
you and do business with you.
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Your
People Skills 360
Overall Behavior
Your overall behavior strongly influences the impressions others have on
you. Be punctual for meetings and appointments. Be absolutely reliable,
always keeping your word and your
commitments.
Should you fail in this area, communicate with the other person as quickly
as possible, offering your apology, explanation, and assurance that it will
not happen again. Pay close attention to the quality of your work. In the
long run, there is nothing that will so determine your success in building
and sustaining a powerful personal brand as turning out high-quality work,
over and over again, and over a long period of time.
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Action Exercises
What words do people use when describing you? What words do you
want people to use when describing you?
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A Short Course in
Human Relations |
