Once again I often get called by our community here asking for further clarification on what personal branding is and how it can help in this time. Many believe it is just showing up. This is quite good as a beginner. Showing up is just a straightforward act and any one with good sense can do that but it’s how your presence is perceived that makes all the difference. Dr. Kathryn once wrote ‘personal power comes from leveraging the assets that make you you’. The challenge with many is identifying and positioning these assets. If this is not done properly, I always conclude what is the use of raw power without a focus or responsibility.

Great personal branders own, identify and maximize values in their brands to make the most of it. Personal branding is a process which has many branches hanging on it.

For emphasis, personal branding is simply a way of distinguishing something or someone from all the rest. It is not majorly about selling. People get it wrong here. Neither is it to get a job. These may be by products of it. The ploy is figuring out what makes you unique, special and make it known in all your interactions, elements, business and relationship with your target audience. It is given that individuals should know their target audience. Until you have something unique to offer, something that is original and which is definitely you- not copied-, you do not have a chance of survival.

As we get close to the end of 2008, its time to take stock and make projection. Part of my plan is to go over Rajesh setty’s book Beyond Code again. Aside from the fact that this young man’s life is an inspiration, this book is a bomb. Rajesh is an info entrepreneur who had written not less than six books before he was 16.I will be sharing some of his thoughts in this book today.

For everyone, he advised that there is need for personal process re-engineering. As corporate organizations are involved in re-engineering, individual must also examine his own process and re-engineer them.

Re-engineering as defined by an online dictionary ‘is the radical redesign of business processes and organizational structure in order to achieve significant improvements in performance.

We all have different relationships that we maintained. These includes relationships with a boss, client, family, co-workers, friends, others. All these take our valuable time but they are all essential relationships to keep. The ability to re-engineer and give priority to those that matter is an issue. Note the followings:

1. Why are you keeping the relationships: answer this with all sincerity, because it can help to place proper priority.

2. Establish rules: What are the rules that guide each relationship. Do not mix them up. What roles are you supposed to play?

3. Know where you are: where are you now in the scheme of things?

I strongly suggest that you buy this book as you prepare for next year. I also learnt that Rajesh Setty gave this book away free in the last two weeks, you may want to check if this is still available for download on his site: http://blog.lifebeyondcode.com