Many business people are reevaluating every expenditure to ensure that every dollar produces value.
This reevaluation includes memberships in associations and other business groups.
Shira Levine wrote a good reminder on six ways to get value from joining an association: A Good Business Move: Joining Associations
Her main theme is that it takes more than just paying an association's membership dues in order to get the most value from the membership -- it takes an investment of time.
Every time you interact with another person their impression of you changes.
With each interaction they have a better understanding of who you are, what you believe -- and how you will act in certain situations.
These changes are more frequent and pronounced when you are out networking at events because those relationships are new. So, it's important to make sure the way people perceive you helps you achieve your goals, and not detracts from it.
Ever since Tom Peters wrote the article "The Brand Called You" writers, consultants, and coaches have been helping people understand the concept of "personal branding."
Unfortunately, most of what has been written about personal branding has been on how to project a "brand image" -- not on how to decide what that image should be.
Heather Schlegel, a marketing consultant and event producer, has combined both personal branding strategy and tactics into a single mind map diagram. Her Personal Branding and Audience Development Worksheet shows how to decide what your personal brand should be -- and how to implement your personal brand strategy.
Take a look at her diagram to see how to evaluate and improve your personal brand image.
