The comic book wickepedia defines Ursa as a powerful female villian. We don't want that image to be your brand. Here is the image I'm referring to. Clicking on the boxnet file allows me to see how many people are reading this post.
http://www.box.net/shared/kpikrz1stn
When you envision a large orange bear in a room of people, what comes to mind? Is it something you'll not forget? Baby bears are cuddly and oftentimes given to children to pacify and make them happy. However, the big orange ones are different, powerful, maybe even a little ominous. When you approach a hiring interview or consulting opportunity would you rather go in as a yellow hyena, a calico cat or an orange bear? However, being powerful and different doesn't mean you have to act boastful or threatening, just engaging, likeable and resourceful.
In my tagline I'm trying to send a powerfully branded message - "engaging people and processes to maximize value". What is your value proposition? How are you branding yourself? Be careful not to do so as Superman, Supermom or Superanything. Don't try and oversell yourself as the super hero.
"Value" can be defined in your LinkedIn profile with keyword rich skills, talents, value propositions and specialties. It can be a logo on your stationary, business card or website. It can be in the power statements (10 accomplishments) and 30/60/90 day plan you have in your hiring information packet. It can be the recommendations you have on linkedin. In another blog I'm going to help you get powerful recommendations more easily from your colleagues. It can be the results you've accomplished in each job (3-4 tied to what the company values as success - profits, increased customer satisfaction, reduction in errors, earlier launch success, reduction in operating costs, improve morale, etc.
No one says you can't bring a hiring information packet to an interview. If you do, make sure it's professional and guides your discussion. Displaying it and refering to it will help guide the discussion. It's about why they should engage your services. It's more that the handwritten "thank you" note everyone gives. It's more than wearing the suit and carrying the right attache case. One of the things I've learned about branding is that everyone is being coached to brand oneeself so it takes something really special to stand out. When you find that something special, yourspecial brand or value proposition, that's your Ursa Orange.
I welcome suggestions to this blog. Maybe I'll post it on the message board also.
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