Customer Reviews

Be Your Own Brand: A Breakthrough Formula for Standing Out from the Crowd

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Have you ever known someone who didn't match up to their press release and/or who wasn't the same person "off camera"? If so, read Be Your Own Brand. McNally and Speak neatly help the reader become cognizant of the fact that who we think we are can be challenged by simple word association, i.e. I ask someone you know "when I say(fill in your name here)what comes to mind?"

The authors lead the reader through an introspective journey that allows one to ponder whether they have the same drawing power as a fast food chain or a soft drink. As a learning tool, Be Your Own Brand helps the reader get below ones surface (image)to consider their core beliefs and values (soul) that others can
easily differentiate about us. A whole lot of good thinking in less than 150 pages.

This book re-casts in marketing speak Adam Smith's old injunction for businessmen, that they ought to be honorable, because dishonorable behavior will damage their reputation, and thereby damage their business. Of course, those who have not noticed that other people judge them by their behavior, are probably so far gone that this book wouldn't help them anyway.

That said, thinking of oneself as a commodity, like toothpaste or hamburgers, can be a useful heuristic device for understanding the perceptions other people make about you, and where their understanding might not align with your own. It is, as the authors point out, not enough to simply be a good person. If other people do not "perceive" you as a good person, then you're unlikely to get many of the benefits of being a good person. The authors' most interesting peice of advice is to use metrics to measure how well your behavior matches your "brand" (the kind of person you want to be) and to also actively measure how well your "brand" accords with others' perceptions of you.

This is a rather starkly utilitarian perspective on self-development. This book contains several ideas in the details that are useful thought-experiments for understanding where there may be a disconnect between what you think you are, and what other people think you are.

"BE YOUR OWN BRAND" is a great book with a powerful premise. Instead of regurgitating all the old marketing themes about branding, David McNally and Karl Speak, uncover the fundamental truths. Creating a unique stand-alone identity requires a commitment to build special relationships - with yourself, your co-workers, your customers and the public. The authors make it easy to read and understand. In addition, there are lots of practical strategies that will inspire you to take action. This is a must read for everyone in business!

In my own career I have learned that to succeed I need to know how to market myself. I found this book to be extremely helpful in that regard. I especially liked the authors' philosophy that strong relationships result from people providing value to each other. The book was concise and to the point, however, I would have enjoyed more "real life" examples. Overall, I found it to be both insightful and practical.

"I approached this book with great skepticism. Seeing myself as a brand was not appealing but the truth is we are all 'branded' in the eyes of others. What struck me immediately was the observation that people cannot see inside of me, they judge me by my actions. In the end I found the ideas in this book to be intriguing and compelling"

An extraordinary book. McNally and Speak see a brand as a relationship- you trust certain brands because you know instantly what they stand for. They show you how you can make yourself into a kind of "brand" that people trust, not through some kind of con job but by learning how to memorably communicate who you are- what you stand for, what your values are. It's not a question of devising some kind of artificial image. In fact, if you try to fake it, make something up, you will fail. It's learning how to express your essence, make a connection with people in a way that will stick with them. This is something that you can use in your personal life as well as in business.

Be Your Own Brand is a must read! The book illustrates the importance of identifying your core values in business and in life through a series of real-life stories. I must admit that I was skeptical at first and resisted the idea of identifying myself as a brand. However, this amazing book convinced me that the better I know myself and the more dedicated I am to living by my own personal values, the more success I will be in life. Be Your Own Brand shows you how to be true to yourself!

How people perceive you is who you really are. At first I didn't understand how that could be true - but after reading this book that statement became very clear. This book opened my eyes to the idea of perceptions and how perceptions are so important. How people perceive you is how they understand who you are. They can only know you through your actions, because that's all they can see. The only one that knows what you're thinking is you. So make sure your actions reflect who you really are. If the you on the "outside" aligns with the you on the "inside" you'll be much happier for it.

Be Your Own Brand was critical in re-energizing my career! The simple, yet extremely profound, process outlined in this book is quintessential for anyone wanting greater clarity, focus and meaning in both their personal and professional relationships. Creating a personal brand aligned with my values not only created greater energy and enthusiasm, it provided me with a daily 'measure' for decision-making and prioritizing everything I do. If you truly want to make a difference in others lives...as well as your own...this is a 'must read'!

Speak and McNally have revised their 2003 effort not only updating one of the earliest guides to personal branding but adding some useful ground rules for using social media in an effective and practical way.
You will be challenged to actively "get into your own head," with focused exercises and examples of individuals who stand out in their fields as a result of creating powerful personal brands.
The concepts are easy to understand, including the common sense idea that "the brand on the inside" (the sum of individual's personal brands) create the brand on the outside (an organization's perceptions to customers, suppliers and competitors).

It's a great opportunity for a readers to see how they are perceived by others, including colleagues, customers and family.
Making a difference in every relationship is also a recurring theme.

The book presents itself not as a "feel good" book, meant to inspire for the short term, but as a "do good" book, showing the way to long term success in every relationship.