I am always fascinated about how people perceive their own personal brand, how important it is to them and how they value it.

This interest was further probed reading the SMH online today. There is an article about Australia’s brand. Apparently, this is a highly topical issue at the moment. Kevin Rudd has been considering ways to unify the nation’s brand and how to source advertising campaigns to appropriately sell this brand. There is even talk of developing a “Brand Australia Council” which will strengthen the current value of around $800billion.

Reading this I realized just how far personal branding actually reaches. It is not just important for personal grow and success at an individual level but equally for companies and in fact nations. All are required to invest, assess how they are perceived and how to appropriately promote and advertise.

So, when did you last consider your brand? Is it unified across work and your life? Does it need to be unified or do you have a different brand for different areas of your life and work? How and what value do you associate to this brand? If the value is not significant enough then start investing now. If you are branding your company and nation to help ensure its success, then why would do the same for yourself!