I found the cartoon above on my favourite webcomic of sarcasm, romance, math and language! Take a look at the site http://xkcd.com/125/ it's great.
The cartoon reminded of a book Thomas Gad and Anette Rosencreutz wrote called 'Managing Brand Me'. They discusses the fact that celebrities are often described as 'brands' to be managed, yet we rarely apply the concept to ourselves.
Their book covers a four dimensional method of personal branding that includes a functional, social, mental and spiritual dimension. Now, I have to admit, that the concept made me feel a little depressed at first - "You won't fit me in to a brand pyramid. I am not an onion" I cried (internally), but the idea became more and more interesting, the deeper I got in to it.
As Coco Channel once said; 'in order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different'. What they were proposing was a simple 'how to' guide to help you realise what you stand for. A way to differentiate yourself in work and life.
Their blog http://youflow.wordpress.com/about/youflow-abstract-idea/ builds on the theme highlighting that in a world where we are producing ever more content ourselves and opening up our lives for all to see on social network sites and more, it is important to understand what you are saying.
My problem was that when I first picked up the book I had divorced branding from being something human, assuming it was for products and services alone. Clearly, what we say and do links directly to how we are perceived by others. What was I thinking.
- From the Marketing Department of Mr Sam d'Amato TM