Jen Dalton, Founder, BrandMirror; Certified Personal Brand Strategist; Author
Jen Dalton is a certified personal brand coach and a founder of Brand Mirror, an organization focussing on your current reputation and how to present it. A keynote speaker, panelist, and podcaster, Jen is an all-rounder.
Podcast
Overview
Who doesn’t know the importance of a brand in business? But, how often do we give a thought to personal branding? A concept that might sound strange is of high value, especially in times, when everyone strives to have a meaningful work life.
A personal brand, like a company’s brand, is an ongoing and never-ending process. One has to consciously put in efforts in developing and maintaining one. But what does that mean? How to start? How to maintain? We have all your questions answered with a personal bran coach today.
About Jen Dalton
Jen Dalton is a certified personal brand coach and a founder of Brand Mirror, an organization focussing on your current reputation and how to present it. A keynote speaker, panelist, and podcaster, Jen is an all-rounder. She has also authored two books, “The Intentional Entrepreneur” and “Listen.”
DISCUSSION
Jen gives an account of her desire to become a personal brand coach as she realized her true calling after ten years of her corporate career. She defines personal branding as how people feel about us when we are around them.
She explains, “Personal branding is about reputation, what are you known for, your credibility. Some people think branding yourself as a product, but I don’t agree with that. What promises you are making to your clients, audiences. When they work or are around you, what should they expect from you.”
However, she explains that it is not to be confused with “personal bragging.”
Thoughts on Personal Branding
Jen explains the six stages that one needs to go through for making a personal brand.
- The first three are of internal reflection: the importance of discovering values, strengths and the change one wants to see.
- The last three stages are of analyzing the how of it: about the process of building a brand and making the desired change.
She talks at great length about the common mistakes that a lot of CEOs and leaders make about personal brands. She says, “CEOs get wrapped up in company mission, however, you also need your mission, values what they believe and stand for.”
Jen also talks about the role of social media in building one’s brand. She states the two key things to leverage it successfully:
- What do you enjoy doing?
- Where is your target audience?
Culture and Personal Brand
Jen talks about the impact of culture on one’s personal brand. She feels it to be a reflection of one’s values. She remarks, “However, the impact of culture also depends on how much you want to share, depending on how much you want people to know about your culture and how much a part of it is you.”
Jen also talks about the behavioral practices in building one’s brand. She emphasizes a lot on being empathic and a good listener. She says, “We need to understand that every person has something to offer.”
Jen’s Books
Jen’s first book, “The Intentional Entrepreneur”, was an attempt to reach a wider audience and spread her business. She states, “I wrote it because I wanted to do things differently with the business.”
Her second book, “Listen”, was an outcome of her reflection after a heated argument with her husband over political opinions. She states it was at that moment when she took a step back to reflect and realize the importance of listening. She says, “You need to be able to share, learn and change your mind.”
Profile
Every year she set goals around people impacted. In 2013, her goal was to help 100 people, in 2014 to help 1,000 people, and in 2015 to help 10,000 people, etc. – all in person, through one on one coaching and/or speaking.
