Have you ever wondered what distinguishes one of us from another? What makes someone stand out? Trite question, but you know what I mean. Take an organisation of 30 people. Of that group, there are sure to be one or two who are complete standouts, for various reasons, mind you not always good ones, but wherever they are, these people are in the forefront. Others, or most of us, labour and toil away in a corner cubicle and dress carefully and stylishly, and say the right things and do the right things and finish the right things on time. But we aren?t standouts. We?d like to be, though wouldn?t we?

So, what?s the difference? It?s branding. Yes, branding, the same technique that Donald Trump has been using for years. He has developed his name and his persona into such a brand that the mere mention of The Donald will spell instant success to any project, even ones that he just stands next to, but has no financial interest in. He doesn?t have to sell property; he can just sell his name to make enormous profits? Why?

Humans are uncomfortable with the unknown. Familiarity in foods, households, clothes, politicians, destinations is highly preferred, even if the choices are not terribly interesting. Brands are familiar, and even bad familiar brands will be purchased before good unknown brands. Brands are always about emotions that draw out powerful feelings in others, such envy, confidence in you. Nothing is more effective than a personal brand that says: ?I?m the one to get it done for you!?

If being a brand equals unparalleled success, how do you brand yourself in your workplace (where there are 100 insurance brokers, or 600 accountants, or 700 lawyers, 1,000 front-line salespersons) to ride that train, although gravy it may not always be?

By setting out a formulated time frame to become visible.

Here?s another secret; visibility is more important than ability. That?s right, accomplishing a superb job on a simulated spreadsheet program won?t get you anywhere if hardly anyone knows about it. While ability is extremely important; unknown ability is never recognised.

If you are interested in becoming a brand, you should carefully assess your current working environment and key into an area where you can become a standout. You may find that you have a particular analytical talent, or are good at a particular type of sales.

Gear yourself to being the problem solver; the can-do person; the trusted person who finishes the job; the person with high integrity who always finishes the project while making everyone feel good about their role. And then you have to tell people about it, without boasting. And that?s the sticking part; after all, no one likes a braggart. Hone in that; concentrate on that; have a phrase that labels you that you can use whenever you work with other people, ?I?m a can-do IT person who solves Microsoft Windows puzzles?; or, ?I specialise in corporate trade tactics (articles),? ?I?m a seriously inspired service salesperson named Mr. Mechanic Magic. Whatever it is, in your line of work, become the very best, and use your brand label every single chance you get. If you are the best mechanic around and keep calling yourself, Mr. Mechanic Magic, people will remember and trust you. You will become a brand!

Branding will reap no rewards if you are not genuine. You will need to inspire trust, by being consistent, real, expert, flexible, talented, and not afraid of failure, display absolute integrity, mentor, perform at a high level; show positive energy at all times, and always make your peers look good to.

Absolute killers, no matter how talented you may be, are constant negativity, competitiveness, phoniness, and superficiality in dealing with others.

Ask yourself every day, ?Am I more worried about how I look, or how I am performing?

Fool the negative stereotype thinkers, become a personal brand and financial success will follow.

There are a number of books on branding, but I would recommend ?The Brand Called You? by Peter Montoya. It may be the best motivational book you have ever used, and no, I don?t receive any referral fees!