Happy Cup Match, readers. Even if you cannot participate in the usual physical festivities, it has to be a nice break away from the relentless medical anxieties and economic news. And, so for something just a tiny bit lighter given that we will, over time be looking at workforce adaptations going forward. What we have become accustomed to may not be the same. Certainly, with numerous expats going home, there will be job openings in different areas where individuals have not had prior exposure. Whether there will be new jobs available, or more openings in the firm where you are currently employed, you want to start off again with the best promotions of yourself. Yes, there may be increased competition, so let’s think about this for just a minute. How can you manage your image to become a standout in your profession now? How can you be the one hired?Aren’t we already subliminally selling our personal value, confidence, ethics, and integrity to compete for our standing at a job and in a community? Moreover, aren’t we trying to deliver on that value every single day of our lives?Take the concept one step further and your statement becomes the selling of you: your personal brand. The key word here is subliminally selling your value — but is anyone noticing your values without you spelling it out every time you are in a group?You may be talented, smart, good-looking, hard-working, but if you spend all your efforts talking about yourself, you just come across as a Bermudian boastie. People find it tiresome and annoying; then, instead of being counted, you are counted out as just another puffer pontificator. There are better, more subtly satisfying ways. Becoming a brand, becoming an influencer, has to be more than just being a boaster. There has to be substance, character, and integrity. Values that people can trust and believe. What? How could I possibly say that, aren’t we in the digital “me first” age? Yes, but, think about who we admire and want to emulate. It’s not Sir Flash and Dash dancer in the $3,000 suit, or Lady Glitterati, all those jewel-encrusted appendages; although, admit it, most of us would love to have what they have. Who we really respect are people of virtue, substance, character, loyalty, perseverance, moral courage, integrity, worth, and undaunted convictions in the face of failure. Great virtues have existed since time immemorial. Regretfully, the United States has recently lost two great leaders who were willing to sacrifice all for the causes of justice, equality, liberty, democracy for all. Most of us cannot influence a nation, but we can use our talents to brand ourselves while we influence those around us to do likewise. In the process, we become a better person and a very desirable job candidate. Getting your standout message across requires confidence, persistence, and consistency. Then, you have to live it. Don’t be a boastie!Modern digital therapy being what it is, you can use your social media expertise to launch your brand and display your influence recognition. But first, be sure to spend some real time eradicating all the superfluous and negative comments, compromising pictures, and other media messages off your personal Facebook, Instagram, and all other communicating, sharing media. All employers screen these mediums out these days. Keep yours positive!Then, do some rigorous research. Numerous publications exist to help with your new initiative, to emphasise your strengths, to tell a story of your accomplishments and your aspirations to do more. Use your imagination. Get together with friends, bolster each other up.The website “The Definitive Guide to Personal Branding” does a great job of illuminating the steps involved in valuing you upwards. Here are a couple of sections.Pillar 1: Building a basic brand: looking the part, physically and digitally.Build a profile on various media and optimise it for search engines• Personal website• LinkedIn• Twitter• Facebook• YouTube• BrandYourself• Vimeo• Tumblr• SlideShare• Medium• About.me• CrunchBase• Pinterest• Quora• Instagram (while this is not as strong for Google search, it is an excellent networking tool and a place to showcase your personality).Pillar 2.1 and 2.2: Building credibility and effective personal branding by strategically building an audience.Pillar 3: Nurturing your audience for personal branding opportunities.Instead of “just making a statement”, you are now in the full-time business of managing all kinds of relationships — work, home, extended family, peers, and community. Your personal mantra should be to:• always be genuine; • be credible;• demonstrate trust;• have integrity;• believe in your worthiness.Image is not everything — but it certainly is the first perception of you. Start working to enhance your personal image, your brand, and how you can be an influencer in your career. Consistency, working at improving yourself, breeds success. The money will follow. Remember this:“People are googling you at every stage of your career” — The Definitive Guide to Personal Branding (brandyourself.com) • Goldie Chan, “The “Oprah of LinkedIn.” A top LinkedIn creator, digital strategist and personal branding expert. Visit: www.goldiechan.com1, Believe in your worth. 2, Study your craft. 3, Make your own experience. 4, Be yourself. 5, Build your village. 6, Always show up prepared. 7, Be consistent, professional, and on time.10 Golden Rules Of Personal Branding by Goldie Chan, Careers, Forbes, November 8 2018, “Oprah Winfrey, the chief executive officer of Oprah Winfrey Network LLC, has defined her own powerhouse personal brand over the years.” https://tinyurl.com/y6bxrnuf• Personal Branding: How to Go from Zero to Hero in No Time, at Neil Patel’s BlogHe is the co-founder of NP Digital and Subscribers. The Wall Street Journal calls him a top influencer on the web. Forbes says he is one of the top ten marketers. https://neilpatel.com/blog/personal-branding/• Influencer: Building Your Personal Brand in the Age of Social Media, by Brittany Hennessy. The blueprint book to manage and monetise your influence as a content creator. Published 2018. • Martha Harris Myron CPA JSM: Masters of Law — international tax and financial services, dual Bermudian/US citizen. All proceeds from these columns are donated to The Bermuda Salvation Army. E-mail: martha.myron@gmail.com