Diana Jennings - Speaker, Image Consultant and Personal Branding Expert

Building a Positive Image On-line

Diana Jennings — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:47:40 -0800

Building a positive image that communicates a consistent message will ultimately strengthen your personal brand. Since non-verbal messages oftentimes speak louder than words, take care about what your images convey about you. For example, it’s important that the headshot posted on your website or social networking profile reinforces your brand attributes. How do you do that?

Professionalism

While professionals typically hire professionals, with today’s digital cameras, a headshot taken by a friend can easily look as good as one taken by an in-studio photographer. In choosing the background, just be sure to look for a solid wall that’s light in color, and avoid architectural details like paneled doors and shutters. Place yourself one to two feet in front rather than standing up against the wall. You’re not posing for a mug shot, so relax and smile.

Attention to detail

To help the viewer focus on you, your skills and your message, pay attention to your appearance details. Are you well groomed? Is your tie perfectly tied? Is your collar lightly starched? It is common for employer’s to believe that those who are attentive to personal details are also attentive to the details of their work.

Confidence

The position of your head and body can easily communicate that you mean business or you’re tired and just want to get the photo over with. Look directly into the camera. Take a test shot and study your shoulders. Do they look like you could carry the weight of the world or do you look defeated?

Credible

If you want to be taken seriously, make certain that your messaging communicates a theme. Do you project consistency among styles? Are your clothes sending one message (conservative professional), but your hair (spiked like a rocker), grooming and accessories sending another? Strong brand communication is consistent.

Easy Going

The cut of your clothing can subtly communicate whether you are easy going, traditional or creative. If your desire is to let everyone know that you’re an easy going person, consider a jacket that has a relaxed cut, rather than a jacket that is tailored or asymmetrical.

Authenticity

Finally, and most importantly, if you don’t own the attribute or plan to develop it, don’t attempt to communicate it. Eventually, when others meet you in person, they’ll figure out that your on-line identity wasn’t for real. Remember, strong brands are clear, well developed, and carefully nurtured.

Protect your reputation and keep in mind that the sum of the details will define your brand. Make sure that every small detail reinforces the right branding message.

Personal Branding vs. Image: What's the Difference?

Diana Jennings — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:36:02 -0700

I’ve been meaning to answer this question for quite some time and was surprised that no one has beat me to it. That’s probably because there are very few individuals who are experts in both areas.

Image and brand are often used interchangeably when describing how people are presenting themselves or their company. In fact, they are distinctly different. Image is only the visual representation or packaging. A brand is the “experience” the individual, product or company represents. In other words, your image is only one aspect that communicates your personal brand. So, I’m always surprised when I hear graphic designers and business owners referring to a logo or others talking about “appearance” as a brand.

Personal Branding is your communication of your unique strengths, skills, values and passions. It is the communication of the entire package of experience, education, results, verbal and non-verbal behaviors combined with physical appearance and what you choose to surround yourself with. The way you project these traits can help you stand out from your peers or competitors to clearly communicate your unique value. Over time, your personal brand becomes your reputation and how people describe you.

Successful personal branding is about identifying the qualities that differentiate you and project authenticity. To be authentic, you need to have a clear understanding of your goals, vision, purpose, values, and passion. Ask yourself, “Is my behavior consistent with my values?”

Before you can communicate your value, you need understand how you are perceived and what is of value to your target audience. This is at the core of the personal branding process. The process helps you see a complete picture of yourself and empowers you to be able to manage how others view you. Once you’ve developed this kind of clarity, you can begin to communicate your unique value. Your personal brand is the sum of your image, what you do, and who and what you surround yourself with. And remember, everything that is visual sends a message about who you are.

As a personal brand strategist, I am able to take the work I do as an image consultant to a much broader and deeper level to help individuals develop strong personal brands. Together, we strategize the communication plan and determine how to visually represent your brand in both the real and on-line worlds.

Free Teleseminar

Diana Jennings — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 10:30:48 -0700

On Wednesday, July 15, I will be a guest speaker on the Colors of Change Teleseminar Series. I will be discussing how Personal Branding can help you create the success you desire and deserve.

As a participant, you will learn tips to leverage your image and why Personal Branding is important to help you differentiate yourself from your competition. This Teleseminar is particularly helpful for entrepreneurs, job-seekers, those who are in career transition, and those looking to take an already successful career up to the next level.

Personal branding is the communication of your unique strengths, skills, values, and passions. It is the entire package of experience, education, results, and verbal and non-verbal behaviors combined with your physical appearance and what you choose to surround yourself with. The projection of these traits helps you stand out from your peers or competitors and clearly communicate your unique value to all with whom you associate. Your personal brand becomes your reputation, and over time, it becomes synonymous with how people describe you.

Bonus for Participants: Participants of this seminar interested in uncovering their personal brand will receive a complimentary Personal Brand Assessment. You may purchase an extended version of the assessment with data analysis and summary report, a $97 value, for $75. And for those serious about taking action, I am offering the extended version of the assessment data analysis and summary report plus a one-hour telephone consultation for $225. The one-hour consultation includes a review of your results and suggestions for implementing your brand results.

Host: Theresa Swift of Swift Resolve Coaching
Event: It's a Brand You World--Succeed by Being Your Best Self
Date: Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Time: 11:00 a.m. (Pacific), 2:00 p.m. (Eastern), 8:00 p.m. (Paris, France)

Please register using the following link:
http://www.swiftresolvecoaching.com/ColorsofChangeClasses.html

(If the link does not work, cut and paste the link into your browser.)

I hope you are able to join us for this educational opportunity.

Best,

Diana

How To Be THE Employee THEY Just Can’t Live Without

Diana Jennings — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:18:54 -0700

Wouldn't it be nice to BE the employee your company just can't live without? Well recently I was asked to write an article for the Orange County chapter of the American Society for Training & Development (ASTD).

When I was asked to write this piece, there were a number of facts that were sent to me. Clearly, as the economy continues to soften more and more stories, like the one below will become common place.

"According to a April 7, 2008 Workforce Management article, roughly half of 1,300 executives polled earlier in 2008 said that they are planning layoffs this year. Washington Mutual announced cuts of 3,150 employees. Macy's announced cuts of 2,300 employees. CitiGroup, where I work, announced 20,000 cuts at the start of the year, and continues to add a few thousand more here, a few thousand more there... It's getting personal, now...

The fact that businesses are taking a hard look at their budgets, challenging what they deem to be unnecessary costs, is not new. However, there's an interesting twist to this economic slowdown that I've not experienced before -- an increased focus on talent management to ensure that when the economy recovers, the business is well-couched to recover right along with it.

While there is a lot of discussion about aligning training to business needs, I'd like a discussion about how an individual works to stand out among those who seek to retain the top talent within their organization."

I hope you enjoy the article.

Best,

Diana

Download How_To_Be_THE_Employee_THEY_Just_Can't_Live_Without.pdf

The Devil is in the Details

Diana Jennings — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 11:26:35 -0700

Our neighbors are painting their house. A simple thing like a new paint job has a big effect on a house. You can’t help but notice how that fresh coat of paint has made their house and the neighborhood look better. It is no different for you as you examine your professional image.

There’s something about a polished appearance that opens doors for people both professionally and socially. Have you ever seen how someone with a great looking smile lights up a room? Or perhaps you've experienced increased self-confidence when you know you look fabulous.

How we dress and behave sends all sorts of messages to the people we meet. Do you wonder how others see you? If you work, do you project an image that will take your career to the next level? If you're a stay at home mom or dad, do you project an image that will help take your spouses career to the next level?

Updating your image doesn't need to be extreme. Starting could be as simple as wearing your best colors, clothes that fit your proportions, whitening your smile, or taking care of your fingernails. It’s about looking your best. Some people try to figure this out on their own, with varying degrees of success. Others turn to professionals who help them insure they get it right. Visit the Individual Consulting page on my website for more information on appearance related services.

If you haven’t been satisfied with the results of the teeth whitening process you’ve tried, you may consider Correcting Severely Discolored Teeth with Porcelain Veneers. Dr. Norman Huefner, a general and cosmetic dentist in Laguna Niguel, California has designed sensational smiles for people from around the globe.

And... if you’re looking for the secret to keeping your nails looking great? Check out Georgyanna Giardini’s techniques for perfectly buffed nails.

Like the neighbors painting their house, simple changes can make a big difference.

Are you picture perfect?

Diana Jennings — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 06:00:00 -0700

I was cleaning up my desk the other day and came across a flyer from someone I see at some of the networking events I attend. I kept it because I like this person and would really like to refer business to this individual. But I hesitate, and I’ll tell you why.

The attention to detail of this flyer made me question the quality of their professional services. For starters, the head shot bothered me. It looked like a social snapshot cropped down. In addition, the copy and layout was poor. Thinking about the picture, the choice they made not to use a professional head shot makes me question if this person is at the top of their game. Quite frankly, this does not reflect positively on their brand.

The point I’m trying to make is that everything you do sends a message. The flyer does not send the professional message that I’m sure this person intended. When it comes to marketing our business and ourselves we need to be at our best. In this case, a professionally taken head shot would have dramatically improved the marketing piece.

Having a professional take your photograph is only part of the messaging. The important part of getting a great photo is the preparation. The camera doesn’t lie, so you need to determine how you want to be perceived. For information on how to prepare for a photo shoot, read my article:

Download Picture_Perfect.pdf

What Message is Your Business Wardrobe Sending?

Diana Jennings — Mon, 26 May 2008 06:03:00 -0700

I watch very little television but when I do, one of my favorite shows was “Dancing with the Stars”. I’ve always admired ballroom dancing and enjoy watching how the couples on the show inject their personalities and often bring an updated twist their routines. It’s also fun to listen to Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno voice their expert opinions when judging.

I do think though that Len at times took a lot of flak from his fellow judges and the audience when he criticized the dancers for taking creative license to an extreme. It was after all a Ballroom competition. What sometimes happened was that the essence of the classical dance got lost within the modernized choreography therefore could no longer be considered genuine ballroom dancing.

Similarly, companies are now faced with re-evaluating casual Fridays and dress in general. What originally started out to be relaxed dress, a break from the formal suit and tie environment evolved to jeans, tee shirts and flip flops. It went so far as women exposing mid-drifts and cleavage.

Think about dressing for work and the temptation to focus on the trends in fashion and not on the company or your position. What happens is that your message of professionalism, quality of work and the brand of your organization gets lost in translation. If you’re going to take some creative license with your business attire, make sure that you haven’t diluted or changed the message that you want and need to communicate about yourself.

The Company "Summer" Dress Code

Diana Jennings — Mon, 19 May 2008 06:00:00 -0700

Before the weather really heats up, you may want to think about sending out a reminder of your company’s dress code policy. It’s not enough to state that you expect employees to dress in an “appropriate” or “professional” manner. You need to be as specific as possible and include images that illustrate examples that best support your corporate brand. It’s also helpful if you include photographs of appropriate and inappropriate styles.

Regardless of how relaxed your environment may be, it is in your company's best interest if your dress code include sections on:

Hair
Clothing
Visible Undergarments
Body Piercing and Tattoos
Makeup
Head Coverings
Footwear
Fragrance
Casual Dress

The more detailed and specific your dress code policy, the less likely you are to encounter problems or employee distractions in the future.

Wearing Pantyhose at Work

Diana Jennings — Mon, 12 May 2008 06:00:00 -0700

One of the most common questions I get from women during a group presentation is regarding hosiery. How important is it for a woman to wear pantyhose to work? My answer is, “In business, it is extremely important for women to wear hosiery.”

Many readers may consider this “old school”, but you need to know that a woman who bares too much skin at work is taken less seriously than her male counterpart whose casual dress tends to be more traditional.

The trend of going bare legged is just that, a trend. And it’s the trends and new styles that create a professional fashion dilemma for many women. As sheer as they may be, think of hosiery as a barrier between you and the outside world. Their absence in a business environment leaves you exposed and communicates a personal message rather than a professional one. For more information, read my article:

Download Why_Wear_Hosiery.pdf

Projecting Your Brand

Diana Jennings — Sun, 04 May 2008 13:56:29 -0700

Image and appearance isn’t all that matters, but it is what people notice first. You can be qualified for the job, but if you don’t look the part you’ll leave doubt in people’s minds. A strong personal brand has the right blend of skills, education, experience, appearance and proven results.

During my years in Silicon Valley, I observed competent individuals whose careers faltered because they did not posses a strong personal brand. I was particularly aware of this because the brand that I communicated opened doors for me professionally. Unfortunately, there was an occasion when my skills weren’t quite where they could have been causing me to bite off a little more than I could chew. Boy, did I learn my lesson.

The bottom line is that to get ahead your image and overall brand needs to project the quality of your skills, talent, product or service if you want people to take notice and remember you. And if what you project is greater than what you are capable of delivering, good for you but you better get a move on fine-tuning your skills so that you don’t lose credibility.