Diana Jennings - Speaker, Image Consultant and Personal Branding Expert

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

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

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?

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?

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

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

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

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.

Welcome to the Brand You Image Blog!

Hello, I’m Diana Jennings a Personal Brand Strategist and Image Consultant based in Irvine, California. I use my understanding of people and passion for personal development to support corporate managers and executives in their career advancement, by helping them to develop a professional appearance to support their authentic brand.

I’ve come to realize that career development is generally measured by training courses and positions held. Have you noticed that these training sessions tend to address areas where there is a perceived skill deficit amongst all employees? While that deals with specific skills it doesn’t always give you the requisite tools for truly moving up in your organization. Simply said most career development programs fail to address the true reasons that employees are deemed not ready for advancement, a personal brand that is not consistent with the organization’s brand.

To help professionals at all levels manage and develop their career, I have launched this blog, and designed one-on-one and group programs to teach individuals how to develop their personal brand and manage their image to best project the quality of their skills, knowledge, product and services. The benefit of developing a personal branding strategy will help you take control of your career’s direction and the employer’s out there benefit when their workforce projects an image that strengthens their organization’s brand.

It is my desire through this blog to provide insight and information that will help you move a step closer to reaching your professional goals.

I look forward to your comments and welcome your questions.