Like Mother...Like Daughter

Personal Branding is not possible in certain conditions. False. 
Let me share my personal Experience.

Pregnancy changes many equations in life; including the measurements of your body. After around four months of serving nourishment to the fetus inside my body, I got a call from my gynecologist for first ultrasound. While deciphering the medical terms, she asked the nurse to check my blood pressure, height and weight. I stepped on the scale and watched the needle travel in a wide arc around the dial. In a second, it found its resting place. Some very good meals (for celebrating the news of arrival of our first baby) flashed before my eyes. 

My problem was twofold: I could not go on a diet and I wasn't allowed to do rigorous exercise. I pacified myself telling that its idiotic to think about personal style when a whole world is evolving in my belly, constantly! But being a professional Brand Consultant, I had to meet dozens of people daily. Once during one of my meeting, at J W Marriott, Juhu, I encountered my sister with her friends. She did not disturb me in my professional setting but I did expect a call from her, soon.

Instead of my sister, my Mom called. She demanded to meet, ASAP. Period. I couldn't understand what could be terribly wrong. Later that evening, after my work, I went to meet her. My mother is one part angel of mercy and one part dictatorial devil. The woman is one person crusade to keep her immediate world beautiful. She will point out when my hair has grown long. She will come to my house and angle the sofa to a better position. She will let me know, if it is time to reorganize my wardrobe even. To paraphrase, Monstors Inc., She scares because she cares.

After a warm conversation with my dad, She lead me to my sister's room. My sis is a very loyal henchman for my homely mafia. She worships Mom. They observed me for around half a minute in silence. Then started discussing in kind of a code fashion language. The rest is a sort of blur. But I found myself trying on different styled clothes which truly flattered my new body shape..!!

I would love to share all the tips given by those dynamic duo here:

GENERAL TIPS FOR WORKING WITH YOUR CURVES

1. Dress for the size you are - not what you want to be or once were!. Work with what you have. Own it.
2. Dress from inside out - A well fitting pair of inner-garments will camouflage all lumps and bumps.
3. Clothes should Skim your Body - not cling to it like sausage casing! Think high waist, wide trousers, and A-line or flared skirts.
4. Don't cover your curves! Big clothes on big body only make you look bigger.
5. Skirts should end just before or under the kneecap. Your legs will look longer.
6. Shorter, fitted jackets will also flatter your legs - and your waist.
7. Avoid elastic waistbands. they might be comfortable but they add bulk to your mid section.
8. Keep necklines open - A deep V or scoop neck lengthens your neck.
9. A dress with a belt will cinch you in, focusing attention on your smaller waist.
10. Wide feet need to be counter balanced with wide heels. A thinner heel only draws attention to your wider foot.

Coming back to the day of a better change in my life. 

All three of us were a little giddy after success. If I didn't know better I would say I was thin. I do, however, know better- the fact is I am NOT THIN. But here is my new found reality: You don't have to be thin to look great!!

Share your stories and add your comments after trying on the tips. I am eagerly waiting for your feedback.

Concept of Advertising Yourself

In my work as a lecturer and consultant, I often meet new entrepreneurs or professionals who trash their credibility by making statements like, "My marketing strategy is to advertise online."

Misunderstanding and mixing the concepts of marketing,advertising and often branding as well, will make any entrepreneur look inexperienced and can give observant clients a reason to question your ability.

Understanding marketing, advertising and branding is not that difficult. Peter Gasca, startup consultant, explains these concepts considering a human being as a product to be marketed. This can thus be simple guideline to "Brand Yourself"; keeping in mind the renowned principles of Management.

Marketing

Marketing is the message that your business gives to others. 

You control how people perceive you by controlling what you present to the world. It is your first and ongoing impression.

For instance, 'the way you dress'. 

What you choose to wear in the morning is a reflection of how you want others to view and judge you throughout the day. Yes, you have to be presentable when you go for a job. But you need not worry much if you are going for groceries.

Advertising

Advertising is the message about your business that others are receiving -- again and again and again. 

It deals with when and where of the propagation of the message that you pass. Each human mind understands the concept with respective situation. Thus to target people in your desirable state of mind you have to consider where and when to declare the message.

Wearing cargo pants while going for groceries will not be as wired as wearing them to work. Similarly usage of slang may seem cool in college but that charm hardly works among the relatives..! Knowledge of where and when is the world of advertising.

Branding

Branding is the message that you receive from others. 

Branding is the happiness and value proposition people put on you. Good reviews, the willingness to pay attention to your opinions, vision, interpretation and the general goodwill; in short, the exceptional value that you create for people is your brand. You can guide your branding proposition with a well planned marketing strategy and a well executed advertising strategy, but ultimately your brand is controlled by your consumers.

A guy wearing cargo pants in a Grocery store is perceived as 'responsible'; may seem 'careless' while going to work, if observed in same attire. Picking up any instance, to build an impression about you, is solely in hands of the observer. 

Thus, Personal Branding is a slow but ever evolving process of creating your worth in the Society.

10th March, The International Day of Awesomeness!!

Wired right??

But it is not totally dumb idea to take a day off and celebrate self-uniqueness.

People are awesome every day. I believe Mondays go roughly compared to the weekends but getting saddled, going for work and waiting for the next holiday doesn't make the work dull. Awesomeness oozes out of you when you greet a client, organise your desk, satisfy your superior, or simply help your colleagues. Smile on someone's face is the mark of your Awesomeness..!!!

It is not some philosophical lecture or some trap. The idea behind the International Day of Awesomeness is simple- to feel good about yourself. It's not that you need to wish someone or make it an event or present gifts to anyone. Introverts may enjoy their cozy bed and extroverts may hang out with friends. But do not forget to pat your back for being so unique.

"Because everyone needs an excuse to be awesome"

Do share your celebration style, that may be as unique as you, in the comment box below.