So it’s official. According to a recent story in the FT, marketers are taken less seriously at Board level. Well, actually, we already knew that. Now everyone in the business does too, and that will make things much harder.
Just because it is tough for marketing folk to be taken seriously, does not mean it can’t be done. So I am sharing some tips through a series of posts, with the first one, where my tip is to treat yourself as a brand.
Be A Brand
Now I am not talking about creating a fancy logo for yourselves. No, a brand is all about reputation. It’s about everything you say and everything you do. A brand’s personality attracts people; it’s character keeps people engaged with the brand. And the same applies to marketers – as individuals and as a team.
So think of yourself as a brand. Think about what is special about you – you and the team.
As a good starting point, think of 3 to 5 words to describe yourself and the team, in terms of how you want to be seen by the rest of the business.
Okay, let’s assume that one of these words is “creative”. You must then ensure that as much as possible, you are seen as creative, which means that everything you say and do must help people build up perceptions of this.
I realise that you won’t really be able to do this with every word and act, but where you are in contact with the Board and other key people, you must ensure that during that interaction, you are in fact “creative” or however else you wish to be seen, as much as possible.
Lots More
You will come across further tips around the issue of being a brand in subsequent posts. In the meantime, think of 3 to 5 words which relate to how you wish to be seen – individually and as a team.
This is a very simple exercise, but when followed through, very effective.
