Stop being such a commodity: introducing BrandYou
You’re game. You just cranked out a new Flex app or recently flexed your AJAX muscles. (Some kind of flexing has occured, that’s for sure.) You’re up on your standards compliance and have developed several sites with a CSS-only layout. You even know a little bit about accessibility and usability.
Believe it or not, you’re becoming a commodity, you dinosaur. Soon enough, all of the edges you’ve cut will be old hat. Give it a year or two. Then you’ll spend more sleepless nights learning the next fad. Sure, this pattern will bring you success. And it’ll always be required of you. But there’s potentially something missing.
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it professional, personal branding, information technology, it
I recently surfed the kahuna and found an eBook that claims to give you that little extra something that takes you beyond success. Personal Branding for Technology Professionals (PDF) by Rajesh Setty encourages you to “Distinguish Yourself and Thrive!”
Personal branding is the subject of the book. When I think of the term personal branding, I immediately feel like I need to move to California. I picture an overly-energetic short man named Lars in black tights following me around and teaching me how to dress and exercise. He uses the word “bitch” a little too liberally. And I’m constantly searching for that perfect pair of shades. Thank God that’s not exactly what Setty suggests.
The real message of the eBook is to get to know yourself, particularly your strengths. Particularly the strengths that distinguish you from other IT professionals. Then exploit the hell out of those strengths. Focus on your interpersonal dealings with colleagues and clients. Let your personality shine. Of course, this doesn’t come easily. It sounds like a lot of work, and Setty assures us that it is. Think of your personal brand as a lifelong journey.
Personally, I want to give it a try. I’ve read through the book and hope to fill out the worksheets in it. I know it’s going to be awkward. I’ll probably feel weird being in my own body while I’m doing it. But it sounds somewhat in line with some of my other heroes‘ thoughts on what it requires to be remarkable.