Entrepreneurs Can Change The World

A few days ago I saw this video for the first time. Masterfully created, the pacing, music and graphics come together in just a few emotional minutes that leave me feeling alive, inspired, empowered.

Of course this is part of a viral marketing campaign, but honestly, I could care less. If they are being authentic about their brand and are using their business as a way to promote positive growth and a renewed human spirit in business and the world, then I'm willing to participate in spreading the word about them. Please take time to visit Grasshopper to about their service small businesses. You can also follow them on Twitter.

Trust, Revisited

Over the last month and even as I type, I've been dealing with an issue of broken trust. Working through this incident (series of incidents, really) has brought me face to face with my own trust issues again. This time I am able to see that I betrayed my own heart and soul in my haste to give trust to someone else. I'm apparently bound to repeat this lesson until I learn that I'm fully equipped to act in my own best interests without bringing to truth whatever fear is lurking in the dark parts of me.

Here's the other thing I've realized. I cannot put the full burden of responsibility to repair the broken trust on the other person. Whether with family, friends, or business relationships, it appears the journey starts with trusting oneself. Maybe I need to decide if there would be benefit in continuing the relationship. And then if there is, be clear on what boundaries we'll have and what actions I will and won't tolerate - both my own and theirs.

By the way, I won't go into the background story about the incident that has prompted this post. I'm not in to the eye-for-an-eye thing. It's just not necessary.

How's it Lookin'?

I received an email from an accounting firm today with a row of portraits of women who work there. I found it difficult to imagine myself in one of those photos, starched collar perfectly placed atop my conservative blazer's lapels, carefully calculated and straightened hair only slightly ruffled from my walk to the photography studio, earrings that dare not venture near my chin line.

While I wouldn't call myself wild, I definitely march to the to beat of a slightly different drummer. As a brand strategist working in the marketing world, I can get away with that. Yet if I were a CPA or an attorney, I wonder, would clients take me seriously?

We do judge books by their covers. When we meet a professional for the first time, I suspect our brains search for what a CPA, an attorney or a corporate CEO should look like and pass our judgment before we consider her intelligence, skills and experience. It's a game we all play, I suppose. Sadly, the less-than-adept-at-fashion probably lose that game more than they deserve.

As competition for work becomes more heated, every little bit of our personal brand is a factor. That may bite, but perhaps now is a good time to review your personal brand strategy and check all branding, including personal packaging. Make sure that what you see in the mirror matches what you're saying on your resume or in your marketing messages.

Hmm. I think I'll call my hair stylist.

Image courtesy of iStockphoto.