Senior Vice President of 
and Chief Customer and Commercial Officer
bp – Everything Communicates
Managing Brand YOU
Believe it or not, I am not going to jump on the beat up bp bandwagon. This is a human and environmental catastrophe resulting in the loss of lives, livelihood, estuaries and an entire quality of life. Tragic!
However, there are 3 key lessons for us all in how this situation has been handled by bp leadership that are very relevant in the area of personal branding.
1. EVERYTHING COMMUNICATES – One sound bite, visual image, or non=verbal cue can become the label by which people will remember you. Your speed of response and how well you address issues may be seen as a measurement by which others judge you. Be aware that people are very alert to even the simplest of statements that can be viewed as a symbol of your inner thinking. Ensure you are sending the proper message in all situations.
2. AUTHENTICITY MATTERS – Virtually every personal interaction involves some level of emotional connection. In a world of legal guidance and political correctness, there comes a time when you need to look your audience in the eye and be Real. People are amazingly forgiving when they believe in the message and the messenger. Be true to yourself, talk straight, and be empathetic. Care about others.
3. DELIVER ON YOUR PROMISE – Quite simply, ensure you are consistently delivering what you promise, in your life, job, and daily commitments. Be on time to work, be prepared for the school assignment, do your homework, deliver on your quality message, etc. In today’s “business casual” environment, be seen as the dependable team mate and deliver upon your obligations.
You can differentiate yourself by considering Brand YOU a constant work in progress.
Finally, polish your personal brand every day or it can tarnish over time.
-jerry
Georgia’s Business
Managing Brand YOU,people development
In this challenging job market, it is more important than ever to differentiate yourself with prospective employers. Anyone can successfully create a space that is true to themselves and meaningful to organizational leaders in search of great people. I had the privilege of sharing my personal thoughts with Richard Warner of Georgia’s Business weekly television show.
Maybe you can get a couple of helpful hints by viewing our conversation on the Georgia Public Broadcasting website.
As always, I welcome your comments.
Top 10 Personality Brands in America
brand management,Managing Brand YOU
What makes a powerful brand? Sales? Popularity? Longevity? According to a recent BusinessWeek article, the top five U.S. brands for 2008 were, in order: The Coca-Cola Company, IBM, Microsoft, General Electric and Intel.
Obviously, selecting those that shine the brightest and are best defined in the minds of the American public is a bit subjective yet criteria for selection are public awareness, authenticity and a well-defined personal brand identity. These are the same criteria that make a consumer product a strong brand. The more clear and concise the image other people have of them, the more memorable and impactful they are.
So, these are my Top 10 Personal Brand picks in America for 2008.
- President Barack Obama – Sworn in on January 20, 2009, Obama became the 44th president of the United States. A graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Law School, President Obama has credentials beyond reproach. He was the first African American to become president of the Harvard Law Review and was elected senator of Illinois in 2004. Brand Obama is more than intelligence; he is a world-class communicator, collaborator and compassionate leader. He has planted a strong seed of optimism during the greatest economic challenges since the Great Depression, leading with a genuine smile. President Obama is THE power brand of today.
- First Lady Michelle Obama – Mrs. Obama, a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School, met her future husband when he joined the law firm where she was employed. The mother of their two beautiful children, Malia Ann and Natasha (known as Sasha), Michelle was thrust into the public domain during President Obama’s marathon campaign to the White House. She proved that she could maintain her strong independent mind while letting the world get to know her personal side. Now she is a statement of education, women’s issues, fashion, parenting, communication and the turnaround of America.
- Oprah Winfrey – Brand Oprah, reached into the democratic process and urged millions of Americans to exercise their privilege, right and obligation to VOTE. By casting her personal support and endorsement to Barack Obama she demonstrated her own willingness to take a stand. Oprah’s entertainment and media impact is huge and growing. Her Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in Henley-on-Keip, south of Johannesburg, South Africa, is a living statement to her commitment to human betterment. Even her open and honest confessions to the real challenges she has faced with weight management reminded everyone of her realness.
- Miley Cyrus – Hannah Montana was omnipresent during 2008. With her father, Billy Ray Cyrus at her side and the Disney magic, Miley released her album Breakout which debuted at #1 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart with first week sales more than 350,000 copies. Not bad for a 16 year-old.
- Ellen DeGeneres – Fun-loving, married and making people happy on her daily talk show, Ellen has really hit her stride. Dancing her way through each Ellen DeGeneres Show, she has proven that you can be true to yourself while bringing joy into the lives of every day people. This modern Brand Ellen is proving that authenticity and confidence can translate into commercial success. Well done Ellen!
- Michael Phelps – At a mere 23 years young, Phelps holds 14 career Olympic Gold Medals, a record eight during the Beijing Olympic Games, plus seven current world records in swimming. He has appeared in every major newspaper, the cover of Sports Illustrated and even hosted a season premier of Saturday Night Live. In spite of the recently released party boy pictures, he remains a strong brand.
- Brangelina – Really two people, they are known as a single brand. Brad and Angelina are the ultimate Hollywood duo and we all know them and what they believe in. They are big-time celebrities, but their brand extends well beyond the silver screen. From their humanitarian efforts spreading from New Orleans to Darfur, perpetual film-making and parenting, the paparazzi can’t seem to get enough of the Brangelina phenomenon.
- Tina Fey – This 30 Rock star and veteran of Saturday Night Live transformed into a look-alike / act-alike for Sarah Palin. She single handedly galvanized a group of SNL actors with a year of comic relief during the stressful months leading up to the election. Tina makes America laugh.
- Anderson Cooper – AC360 has come on strong in the world of television journalism. His years of experience came to the forefront during the Katrina disaster, and now Cooper is a talented prime timer who was right in the thick of reporting the various angles of the election in real time.
- Joel Osteen – This televangelist connects with millions of viewers each week as the senior pastor of Lakewood Church, a 16,000-seat arena previously home to the Houston Rockets. He is a best-selling author who really came on strong during 2008 with his message of optimism, goodness and empowerment. Whether you buy into his religious foundation or not, his message in these challenging times seems to be a welcome piece of positive news for his growing audience.
Personal Branding in the Digital Age
brand management,Managing Brand YOU
Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking to Dan Schawbel, personal branding guru for the Gen Y sect and author of Me 2.0: Build a Powerful Brand to Achieve Career Success. Dan’s site, the Personal Branding Blog, explores personal branding in the digital age and offers a fresh take on many of the same principles we discuss in Managing Brand You. We delve a little bit into “Brand Jerry” in this interview and how anyone and everyone should approach personal branding at different career levels and paths. Enjoy!
Managing Brand YOU Now Available on Audio
Managing Brand YOU
BREAKING NEWS!
Managing Brand YOU, 7 Steps to Creating Your Most Successful Self is now available on digital audio downloads through audible.com in the Business category. You can also download through iTunes.
Gildan Media Corporation has done a great job of putting together the voices of Jerry and Ira in an easy to use “Book on Tape,” format. Hats off to Gilles Dana for his personal belief in the work and commitment to getting this message into a contemporary format.
Download it today and you will have the entire book on your iPod whether you are in your car, on an airplane or just sitting on a commuter train.
ENJOY and please forward your comments.
LEADS at Spelman College Launches Intergenerational Leadership Mentoring Program
brand management,inspirational leadership,Managing Brand YOU
Spelman College, founded April 11, 1881, is a very well respected and celebrated university in Atlanta, Georgia. This small, historically Black college for women is committed to making a positive impact on society through sisterhood, empowerment, leadership, love of learning, community involvement and change.
LEADS at Spelman College delivers on the stated mission of developing and teaching a leadership model based on the experiences of African American women leaders. Through innovative training and mentoring programs, LEADS develops Spelman students, women who have made “a choice to change the world,” into leading women who are leading change.
On September 16th in the Johnetta B. Cole Living and Learning Center Auditorium, LEADS at Spelman College inaugurated yet another outstanding commitment to leadership, The Spelman College Intergenerational Leadership Mentoring Program. Once again, Spelman College is demonstrating its commitment to the great tradition of developing leaders for today and tomorrow. This new Mentoring Program is based on an interactive and mutual relationship among three generations. The Mentoring Program envisions empowering students to develop wise decision-making skills that accelerate their personal, professional, and community service developments. The face-to-face dialogue addresses roadblocks and obstacles to success.
Spelman College students will now be able to engage directly with powerful mentors from fields including legal, business, medicine, architecture, acting, fashion, and community leadership. These one on one nurturing relationships will contribute to new ways of thinking, shared experiences, exciting networks, with dedicated partners in growth. Both mentors and mentees have the opportunity to benefit greatly from this structured mentorship.
Congratulations to LEADS at Spelman College for once again setting the standard for excellence.
Phelps-mania: A Global Brand is Born in Beijing
brand management,Managing Brand YOU
Michael Phelps has clearly emerged as the biggest story of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, so far. Only time will tell how strong Brand Phelps will become but suffice it to say, this is a global brand in the making. There are brilliant lessons for us all in the Michael Phelps brand platform.
First, Phelps has remained focused and proven his willingness to sacrifice in the quest of his inner drive and passion. Swimming has been his area of dedication since age 11 and now he has a record 8 Gold Medals, in a single Olympics, surpassing the previous record of 7 set by Mark Spitz in Munich during the 1972 Games. He can now boast of having won a total of 14 Gold Medals in the Olympics.
Successful brands focus and sacrifice!
Second, Phelps used his competition to actually strengthen his own brand. While swimmers from other countries predicted his inability to win so many Golds, he posted their actual comments in his locker for mental motivation to reach new levels of personal achievement. This was especially true when the French team openly claimed they would smash the USA team during the relays.
Successful brands beat competitors through differentiation and conviction!
Third, Michael Phelps could not have accomplished his 8 Gold Medals, without winning 3 team relay events. He understood the power of teamwork and the need for synergy in the pool. In all three relay events, he had to rely on the strength of 3 others in order to stand on the Gold Medal awards platform.
Successful brands have a comprehensive strategy and game plan to win!
USA Swimming is another part of this winning story. With so many children and adults in America looking for ways to develop themselves mentally and physically swimming emerges as a very viable activity. One should expect a surge in swimming interest might follow this Phelps-Mania.
Once again only time will tell if Phelps stays true to his own brand positioning and leverages this extraordinary and historical Olympics effort into a greater purpose or cause.
As personal brands, we all have the opportunity to excel in our own area of focus.
What is your own passion?
Are you focusing intensely on what matters to you?
Have you set appropriate long term and short term goals with clear strategies to achieve these objectives?
Michael Phelps is now a Global Brand Icon and he has reached this status through perseverance, focus, and plenty of support from his mother and team mates.
You do not have to be in Beijing going for 8 Gold Medals, to Manage Brand YOU. Take these key learnings from our newest Beijing Champion and determine how you will commit to creating your most successful self.
Best of Success.
Reinvent Brand YOU and Thrive in This Turbulent Economy
brand management,Managing Brand YOU,people development
Differentiate OR Vegetate!
Look no further than the city of Seattle for a lasting example of a successful reinvention. Back in the 20th century, Seattle had become one of the shrinking cities in the USA. With a declining defense industry, a struggling logging industry and a climate that was hardly idealistic, Seattle was a city that was losing population and self esteem. At one point, an outdoor billboard expressed the public sentiment with a bold statement, “Will the last person leaving SEATTLE – Turn out the lights.”
Today, Seattle is a vibrant, hip city that has gone through an incredible “brand repositioning.” Fueled by the likes of Microsoft, Starbucks, Amazon.com, Alaska Air, Nordstrom, music, technology, innovation and environmentally sensitive lifestyles, Seattle is a great example of the power of reinvention.
During these turbulent times when the news is riddled with yet another corporate downsizing, rising gas prices, and declining home values it is easy to feel a bit overwhelmed. NOW, however, is the perfect time to take stock in your own life situation and consider your own personal reinvention.
Are you in a career that is susceptible to a future downsizing or have you already been the victim of such a restructure? Do you have a bona fide plan for your future? How well are you differentiated in today’s marketplace?
These are just a few questions, everyone from the CEO to a front line worker should be asking themselves before it becomes a reality. This turbulent economy represents tremendous potential for those individuals who are playing to their strengths and true to their inner essence. But everyone should have a personal plan to stand out in the crowd by differentiating themselves with unique skills and capabilities.
10 Tips for Personal Differentiation:
1. Embrace and Accept Change . . . Do Not Fight Reality
2. Be Able to Describe What Makes You Different, Better and Special Compared With Others In A Sentence
3. Learn New and Relevant Skills All The Time
4. Know What You Like To Do and What You Do Not Like To Do
5. Meet New People In Different Areas All The Time
6. Volunteer For Interesting Assignments
7. Take Intelligent Risks
8. Establish and Deliver Your “Brand You Promise”
9. Look For Unfilled Needs That You Can Fulfill
10. Have a Positive Attitude and An Optimistic Mindset
Today is a great day to examine how well you are prepared to win in this turbulent economy. While the prospect of change and uncertainty can be very troubling, taking proactive control of your future is very empowering and quite liberating.
After all if Seattle can reinvent, certainly you can do the same.
Manage Brand You, now and forever.
Managing Brand YOU to hit retailers in July
Managing Brand YOU
Managing Brand YOU, 7 Steps to Your Most Successful Self is moving along in the world of publishing. According to the most recent information, the book should be bound in mid June with availability to the public through Amazon about a week to 10 days later. Ideally by the middle of July, MBY will be in your local bookstore. Pre-order your copy NOW, through Amazon.
Managing Brand YOU Hits Publisher’s Weekly
Managing Brand YOU
Great Breaking News!!
The April 28th Publisher’s Weekly is out and Managing Brand YOU is IN. Check it out, @publishers weekly when you get a chance. “The true message of this widely appealing book is about being true to yourself and then intentionally and dependably projecting that authentic package to the world.”
I couldn’t have said it better myself.
speaking
Media
Jerry enjoys speaking publicly, to small or large audiences, on various topics ranging from personal motivation and development to creating customer alliances, and of course on Managing Brand YOU.
recent media
about the
book
by Jerry S Wilson
& Ira Blumenthal 
What is the book all about?
Nationally respected brand experts Jerry Wilson and Ira Blumenthal have helped some of the most exceptional companies and individuals in the world perfect their images.
Now, in Managing Brand YOU, they reveal their proven seven-step process for personal brand building. Using illuminating examples from successful corporations like Coca-Cola and Starbucks, as well as high-profile celebrities like Bono and Oprah, Managing Brand YOU gives readers a step-by-step guide on how to build their own brand.
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