Building Your Brand

 

  • 1.Where did this value come from?

  • 2.What is a story/example of what it looks like to you?

  • 3.How does it show up in your work?

 

Self SWOT

  • What is one strength that you bring?

  • How does it differentiate you?

  • What is one challenge you see in the next years?

Strengths:

  • What experiences, achievements, and expertise differentiate me from others?

  • What qualities, skills, and credentials do I bring to the table?

  • What network of supporters do I have (i.e., sponsors, mentors, advocates)?

Weaknesses:

  • What are the areas of improvement that may hinder my career progression? What feedback have I received in performance reviews?

  • How can I address these weaknesses (i.e., gaps in my qualifications or experiences) and acquire the skills and knowledge to reach my career goals?

Opportunities:

  • What opportunities exist within my organization or industry for career growth (i.e., professional associations, nonprofit volunteering positions, thought leadership)?

  • Are there any emerging trends, technologies (i.e., AI, design thinking, etc.), or knowledge/capabilities that I can leverage to propel my career forward?

  • Are there any mentorship or coaching programs available that can support my career development?

Threats:

  • Are there any potential obstacles or challenges that may impede my career progression?

  • Are there any changes in the company structure (i.e., promotion/hiring freeze, layoffs, flat structure, etc) that could impact my career trajectory?

  • Are there any external factors (i.e., recessions, industry consolidation or automation) that could affect my career prospects?

 

Discuss:

How can you share what you bring?

  • Present: What is your context?  What do you do & who do you help? Show don’t tell. Ideally: connect to some piece that overlaps with their work world.

    • •Hi, I’m Ashley and I’m a software engineer. My current focus is optimizing customer experience. I help XYZ to ABC. For example….

    • •Nice to meet you all. My name is Michael and I’m the creative director. I work in the Brooklyn office. I help XYZ to ABC. For example….

    Past: What was your journey here? What does it excite/interest you?

    • •My background is in computer science. Before joining this team, I worked with big data to identify insights for our clients in the health care industry.

    • •I’ve been at the firm for eight years. Most recently, I worked on the Alpha Financial account, where last year’s campaign won us an award. I’ve always been really interested in XYZ because ABC.

    Future: What opportunities/challenges do you see ahead? What might we need to rethink?

    • •I’m honored to be here. This project is a significant opportunity for all of us.

    • •I’m excited to work with you all to solve our clients’ biggest challenges! For example…