"Unleashing Your Personal Brand"

Given the increasingly competitive global landscape, developing a strong personal brand is key to differentiating yourself from your competition. Even for professionals not in job transition, the playing field has changed. We need to control our reputations, how we are perceived, and the value that our key audiences assign us. Perception doesn't always match what we believe to be true, or how we intend to be seen. However, perception IS reality in the mind of others. How they see us may affect the opportunities we are presented with, and our ability to be recognized for our accomplishments. That is why celebrities, for instance, spend millions controlling their "brands" and their reputations to ensure their marketability, and why successful professionals manage their reputations at all costs. Personal branding involves many of the same steps corporations and non-profit organizations take to market their brand assets:

• Identifying and articulating the unique selling proposition (What makes us special?);
• Identifying and understanding the audiences who will find that brand relevant (Who needs what we offer? Who will find our specialness compelling?);
• Marketing to audiences in such a way as to drive sustainable engagement and loyalty. Authenticity is at the heart of personal branding. A brand cannot make you something you're not. It can bring forth the power and strength of your unique qualities, empowering you to develop your desired reputation

Participants will:

• understand and appreciate the value of personal branding in their leadership development. Participants will learn how to market themselves as authentic leaders to peers, colleagues, staff and other key audiences who must find them relevant
• learn how to live their brand, and reinforce their status as leaders through personal style, tone, wardrobe and language which will support and reinforce their brand qualities, thus attracting positive results.

For 22 years, Lida Citroen has led the brand development, marketing and communications programs for large corporate and non-profit organizations, and has helped professional men and women develop strong personal brands. Her background includes leadership roles in economic development, financial services, law, accounting and architecture, directing brand development and strategic marketing. As principal of LIDA360, Lida works with businesses and individuals, developing strong brands and marketing them effectively. Her methodology and approach are innovative and practical -- drawing from the uniqueness of the individual or organization, understanding audience needs, and leveraging brand assets to produce individualized and effective marketing and communications programs. She works on personal branding with business leaders and professionals who desire the tools to differentiate themselves, gain recognition for their qualities and accomplishments, and find satisfaction in their personal and professional relationships. Lida presents her brand training programs to associations, corporations and groups across Colorado. She routinely trains on Personal Branding, Corporate Brand Development, Intentional Networking, and Aligning Staff with the Brand. Testimonials of her presentations and trainings can be found on her Web site at www.LIDA360.com. Lida's programs are entertaining, informative and professional.