Learn To Build A Brand That Shouts Distinction, Commitment, and Passion
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Following up on last week’s interview with personal branding expert Dan Schawbel, here is an abbreviated classic from codymckibben.com. This is a short and sweet review of Tom Peters’ The BrandYou50, a book that changed my life! The value add here is the BrandYou50 cheat sheet that I put together for you, since I know you’re all so very busy and don’t have the time to read these books chock-full of objectives and goals.
I LOVE Peters’ writing style. Very motivational, awesome design…. The book is what he calls a “50 List” of actionable steps you can take to build your personal brand. Your personal brand is your “packaging,” your “product” you offer…your reputation, what you are known for.
Peters speaks powerfully to the “Dilbert nation” of cubicle slaves and employees about establishing themselves as Free Agents, with a more vendor-like approach to your jobs and projects. He talks about the loss of job security, the monotony of office work, etc. Tom believes we will see a transformation within the next ten years–the “INESCAPABLE WHITE COLLAR REVOLUTION” as he calls it–and we have to be ready to adapt. This is an INVALUABLE read if you are interested in entrepreneurship, a side business, or just being damned excellent at what you do. It is geared mostly toward a business crowd, and those in management, but he is fond of lists and bullet points and BrandYou50 is a non-traditional book full of actionable items that are applicable for almost anyone who wants to stand out.
Brand You is about breaking bonds and creating unmistakable value-added “products” (projects!) for identifiable “customers.” The products/projects become “braggables.” The customers become Clients/Co-conspirators-for-Cool/Raving Fans/Word-of-Mouth Cheerleading References.
It took me some time, but I wanted to go through the book a second time to put together my own “take-aways.” It’s a shortened version, but what I came up with is basically a cheat sheet that boils it down from 200 pages to eleven. You’re welcome to take a look at the BrandYou50 cheat sheet if you think you might be interested in the book.
Let me know if you guys get any value out of this, or what changes Peters’ work has inspired you to make in your life. Please share in the comments…
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August 22nd, 2007 at 4:30 pm
Tom Peters is quite the genius once again. No wonder why he is known as the management-guru.
August 24th, 2007 at 10:43 am
I really dig Peters and his bold delivery. This is what I’ve learned from Tom Peters.
Know Who You Are.
Know Why You Are Here.
Know How You Are Unique.
Know How You Can Make a Difference.
Know Who Cares.
Know Whether Or Not You Care.
Thanks for the effort in boiling down the book.
August 25th, 2007 at 1:52 am
Gotta love Tom Peters…..his books have totally inspired me and liberated my thinking…it’s about breaking rules and tapping into ones own intuition! Peters takes you outside the box. I’m over 50 and have spent my life and career in education…..passionately….but, dam it, I am determined to start another career one day and never retire! Brand me!
August 28th, 2007 at 4:02 am
Great post - I love your cheat sheet. Even as one of those boomer bosses - this is relevant stuff. I have bee na Peters fan for years and have seen him in person several times - he was way ahead of his time but dead on!
I am going to pick back up my copy and blow the dust off and do a reread - thanks for the reminder.
August 28th, 2007 at 8:13 am
Dan, Jones, Annelies, I’m so glad you guys have enjoyed this. Thank you for your kind comments and for helping make this post a popular one!
Tom, I’m glad I could encourage you to pick up BrandYou50 for another read! Enjoy.
September 26th, 2007 at 1:04 pm
[...] If you have never read the article, make time to. If you have read it, it is worthwhile reviewing the Cliff Notes Version (Courtesy of Cody McKibben). [...]
September 26th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
[...] One of the books I referenced was Tom Peters’ Brand You 50. Cody McKibben who blogs over at thrillingheroics.com reviewed the book and created a summary cheat sheet for the book - a sort of Cliff’s Notes. [...]
September 29th, 2007 at 7:37 pm
On your eleven page cheat sheet, only ten pages are in what is posted on the web. Would love to see the last page. You did a great job making cliff notes for all of us.
February 11th, 2008 at 10:38 am
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