Danny Brown - Latest Comments in People Branding

Re: People Branding

Danny — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 15:38:48 -0000

I agree, and I think that's why there's such a commotion currently about the question of ghostblogging. If it's your voice, it actually needs to be your voice and not someone that's just typing up what they think your readers and visitors want to hear.

Re: People Branding

Danny — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 15:37:26 -0000

Great ethos, Frank, and one that's a key reason that you have so much respect and how you help people every day.

Re: People Branding

Dan Schawbel — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 09:36:28 -0000

Good post here. Your personal brand, to the outside world (people who don't know you), is what they see on your website. That is why your design and writing has to be unique to you. In this world, you can't get away with trying to be someone else and why would you!

Re: People Branding

FRWFNC — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 00:38:46 -0000

Danny,

I have found out quite recently that the only way to truly succeed is service. Of course there is business service but it's service to others that makes real things happen.

I am trying to ask the question on a daily basis of "How can I serve you today?" It does result in some blank stares and muffled chuckles but those are not the norm. In fact, most people are so shocked by the concept that they open up in ways that i couldn't imagine otherwise.

So, Danny, how can I serve you? What can I do to help you?

Re: People Branding

Danny — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:06:36 -0000

It's funny you mention the kids soccer game analogy, Tim. If you can happily scream and holler at a little 6-year old kid just for missing a shot, what does that say about you?

And like you say, every waking minute people are looking and judging. Sometimes blatantly, other times less so. It's easy to mess up - not as easy to recover.

Re: People Branding

Tim Jahn — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:43:19 -0000

Great (and very important) topic here Danny!

People are interested in what your company stands for and how you act just as much as they are in the products you sell.

People understand that your company is comprised of people just like them. They go to their kids soccer games too.

People aren't very interested in doing business with the parents who scream with anger at the kids playing soccer and making the game miserable for everyone.

Today, your brand isn't just what you sell or just what you do or just how you act. Your brand is all of the above.

Re: People Branding

Danny — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 10:19:24 -0000

It's like that old saying (though I can never remember it correctly, so might mess this up!)

"Be careful who you step over on the way up, as it's just more asses to kiss on the way down." Or something like that :)

It's easy to be mean-spirited but you're remembered more for your involvement.

Re: People Branding

Mitch — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 09:40:32 -0000

Great post, Danny, and it's something I talk about often. It's not getting to the top, so to speak, as much as how one gets there. I will skip places that offer terrible customer service, no matter how good their products are. Reminds me of Seinfeld's Soup Nazi; no way I'd have gone after the very first time.

Re: People Branding

Danny Brown — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 01:14:50 -0000

That's a great statement right there, Jeffrey. A lot of people and businesses may feel they can hide behind an online persona, but there's always someone somewhere watching you. If you emit transparency but it's false, you'll soon be found out. And it might not be so easy to recover from.

Re: People Branding

Jeffrey Kafer — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 19:04:49 -0000

Excellent post and so true. And it's amazing how the internet amplifies the perception of your brand. This is why it's critical to mind your Ps ad Qs on blogs, be careful what your Facebook status is, watch what you say on message groups. You're committing career suicide if your public persona doesn't match your publicly available private one.