It is 2009 and the Internet is buzzing with experts providing their predictions and trends for the year. I wanted to provide my thoughts on personal branding to help set the tone for an exciting year.
Predictions/Trendspotting
1. Creative Economy: Creativity will be to the information age what manufacturing was to the industrial age. Individuals dependence on being a company man working 30-years at one company or until death do you part will cease to exist. The integration of creativity into business ideas and career will become a necessity and not an option. As a personal brand you will need to think creatively in developing strategic partnerships and ways to stand out. After everybody has updated their Linkedin, Facebook, and Twitter pages, established a blog, added followers, and followed all the same tips what is next? Creativity.
2. Purpose/Mission: People will start to seek opportunities or careers that give them greater satisfaction that they have a true passion for. This is primarily due to the instability in the economy and the reduction of jobs that were more lucrative in good economic times. High paying low education jobs are a thing of the past. People will now look at opportunities that align with how they are wired and what they were designed to do.
3. ‘Personal Branding’ Term Commoditized: The term ‘Personal Branding’ will become more commoditized and genericized. The term has significance and value when implemented, but I believe the term itself will be overused and misused.
4. Traditional Journalist Become Commodities: The voice and influence of bloggers and social media experts increase. Newspapers are losing money with traditional newspaper printing and are looking for ways to compete with the new media. Traditional journalist will have to integrate social media and effectively establish their personal brand.
5. Personal Branding Experts Commodization: With the increase of social media gurus the line between personal branding experts and social media experts is blurring. The personal branding industry will become oversaturated and the cream will rise to the top. Those of us in the personal branding industry will have to work harder to cut through the noise.
6. Establish ‘Blue Movement’: The need to develop the ‘Blue Movement is critical. ‘American Made’ needs to be established as the new luxury product. The ‘Green Movement’ has been very successful because big business have bought into it can the same be done with the ‘Blue Movement’?
7. Twitter Relevance Increases: Twitter will gain relevance as a search and primary news source. Business opportunities with strategist business models and usages will continue to be developed.
8. Personal Brands being Healthy: Being healthy is just as importance as your ranking in Google. You can have all the money and influence in the world but without good health you have nothing. Being fit spiritually, mentally, and physically is critical. Learn to have balance and think holistically because you are the sum total of all your parts.
9. Passion Becomes King: People doing what they love. Passion is the fuel that drives you to do what others are not willing to do. We all have the same 24-hours but passionate people find out how to get more out of their time and produce higher quality results.
I want to challenge and inspire you to shine in 2009. Have an awesome year and share your predictions for 2009 in the comments section of this blog post.
Hajj, Good Morning
Great Post, I plan on sharing this post on our UrbaneLobby.com and Urbane facebook page. I think our residents would appreciate your insight. Would you have any interest in doing a guest blog for us at UrbaneBlog.com?
Let me know your thoughts -Eric
Eric BrownJanuary 2nd, 2009 at 6:25 am
I totally agree with you on The Blue Movement, though it will take time to bring jobs back to the States. We really do need to get back to our roots of being a leader in manufacturing… in everything, not just cars.
Your idea of The Blue Movement brought to mind the power of the Made In Detroit name and logo. It could be applied to everything made in our city and not just a fashion trend. Now that Kid Rock owns the brand, I’d love to see him step up and use the brand to leverage other things made in the D.
Made In Detroit - The Orange Movement.
KostandinosJanuary 2nd, 2009 at 9:29 am
Great post. I totally agree with #2 Purpose/Mission. Added to that, I believe Cause Marketing will have a bigger influence on the way in which people choose to spend their money. Cause Marketing = A product or a business that has aligned itself with a nonprofit/cause.
MikeJanuary 2nd, 2009 at 11:15 am
Great post Hajj. I think your predictions are spot on. I believe that the worse of the financial crisis is behind us and that we will enter an exciting era of new opportunities.
The era of safety in the corporate world is definitely over and people will finally understand the need to develop their own voice, passions and projects early in their careers.
I like your concept of “Blue Movement” and I think it can work. In places like Latin America, “made in the USA” products have a lot of pull and people are willing to pay more for them compared to products coming from the Far East. To really make it work in the US, though, “buy American” must stop being just a rallying cry coined by the workers unions to advance their interests at the consumer’s expense, and become a true commitment to manufacturing excellence. American manufacturers must lead the way by making products that are at the same time efficient, elegant and easy to use.
I also agree with your prediction #5; the best personal branding experts will rise to the top (and you are one of them!). Success will follow those who have integrity and understand the basics, as opposed to those who jump on the social media bandwagon without knowing how to place the latest social media tools within the context of a broader personal branding strategy.
Mario Sanchez CarrionJanuary 2nd, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Hajj,
I am totally with you on numbers 1,2,3, & 9. People typically do not change until they reach the brink of extremely difficult times. What has happened in 2008 has really “forced” a lot of people (blue collar and white collar) to rethink they’re approach to their careers and life.
The Blue Movement that you are predicting I don’t think will happen. I don’t have the faith that America will gain the pride back that we had and begin to only want Made in America products. So much production has left this country that there would have to be a surge in businesses being developed as well as changes to our U.S. Trade Policy. Walmart has a strangle hold on America and collectively we will not organize to stop supporting businesses that sell products from outside of the U.S.
Just my two cents, let’s see how 2009 plays out!!!
Mr. H.L. DanielsJanuary 3rd, 2009 at 6:43 am
Hajj,
Excellent post on 2009 predictions. The people that have weighed in with their comments make some good observations as well.
What stands out for me is #1. Just like you said, after everyone updates all of their online social media what will make them stand out from the rest? Creativity. I firmly believe this and have spoken to several groups about this over the past few months. I have also written a post on my blog (APW3.com) about the opportunities of 2009.
Creativity stands out to me because God has given each of us the ability to present change in our sphere of influence and creativity plays an integral part.
Now is not the time to be timid and insecure about our abilities. Now is the time to work through our issues and press on towards providing creative, quality-induced, meaningful solutions. A product or a service that is both creative and meaningful is never at the mercy of a staggering economy.
Continue to be encouraged and to encourage!
Allen Paul Weaver III
Allen Paul Weaver IIIAuthor, Transition: Breaking Through the Barriers
January 3rd, 2009 at 8:35 pm
Eric,
Thanks for the feedback. I would be very interested in doing a blog post for you. I will follow-up.
Hajj FlemingsJanuary 4th, 2009 at 1:33 am
Kostandinos,
I love the idea of ‘Orange Movement’ made in Detroit. Supporting local business is critical for economic growth. A large portion of the profits are re-cycled in the local economy versus national chains located in local markets.
Hajj FlemingsJanuary 4th, 2009 at 1:35 am
Mike,
I like your comment about ‘Cause Marketing’ I believe in making a difference and their are a lot of non-profits that are doing some great things.
Hajj FlemingsJanuary 4th, 2009 at 1:36 am
Hey Hajj, Happy New Year!
After 6 months analyzing social media I was ready to report back to my private blog, now my advisory board. It came down to one simple question, “Who is the Brand”? As one member said this is a collective a__whippin. I challenged each member to sort out conflicting brand associated with them over the past few years.
I totally and completely salute you on this blog post, “creativity” is the only weapon I use yearly to support my clients as we embrace change, new marketing, and competition.
Personal tip#5-Many call themselves social media experts, but the true test for me is “Does it work”? There is no “one size fits all. In 2009 I plan to bring the feast of “Creative Personal Brand Management” no more three peas on a plate to a hungry business.
Thanks you Hajj and I am looking forward to working with you again the year.
Letitia
LetitiaExecutive Producer
The Twinkie Awards
January 4th, 2009 at 7:43 am
Hajj,
I think you are onto something with the “Blue” movement. I think there was one back in the 1980s when I was growing up. Everything was “Made in the USA,” now you can’t even find anything really.
I wish organizations would listen to this concept and bring it to light. That would create more jobs and bring opportunity to our land that is being downsized and outsourced.
Jamie
Jamie FavreauJanuary 4th, 2009 at 7:56 pm
Great article! I like the idea of a “Blue Movement.” It reminded me of a short story I had read in an fiction anthology called “Tomorrow, Inc.” When duplicated goods became easy to replicate, the economy switched to producing unique items. Each thing was custom made. Kind of a return to how things were before the Industrial Revolution. Craftsmanship was key! Thanks for sharing!
Catherine FordJanuary 4th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
Hajj, Great content here!
Here are a couple of comments in regards to some of your predictions:
1. There is no such thing as a stable job any more. As Seth Godin is often quoted, “Safe is risky.” I think that applies here as well. If you are too comfortable, you aren’t challenging yourself enough.
Get outside of your comfort zone to experience new things. Don’t ever stop asking why. That is where creativity exists.
2. I think we often understand deep in our hearts the importance of making meaning in our lives and doing something we have passion for, but rarely does our world (as a whole) go as far as creating a personal Purpose/Mission and that’s where it all starts to break down. I hope you are right about this one. We need more advocates out there like you make this a reality.
3. Yes, it has already begun.
4. Journalists/Press need to understand that their old model will not work in the new world. We’re moving away from ads and one-way content and into conversations. The sooner they get this the better off they will be. They can exist in the future, they just need to adapt.
5. Yes, just as “social media experts” have become a commoditized joke.
6. This is a tough one for me. I am a strong capitalist and ever since reading Russ Roberts’ book The Choice, I feel that sometimes market shifts, although they can result in short term job losses (and all the pain associated with that) they tend to correct themselves for the better of the market as a whole. His example from the book was that if America had protected the production of Television sets in the US then jobs may not have shifted to the Pharmaceuticals and Medical advancements that our country is known for.
I do however think that if we could align all industries with the technology sector, making it easier for technological innovations to jump into new sectors, there is an opportunity to revolutionize some dying American industries.
7. I think so, or some adaptation to Twitter. The evolution to new networks is endless. Just as one become mainstream, another is rising.
8.I surely hope so.
9. Only those that get this one will be empowered.
Chris WilsonJanuary 5th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Hajj,
Regarding #3, I was having this discussion with @damnredhead yesterday. The term “personal brand” is overused and less effective today. The concept is still relevant, however. The question, then, is “How do we re-brand BRANDING”?
Laurie SladeJanuary 6th, 2009 at 9:08 am
Hajj,
As always, I love your thoughts.
@Laurie
To re-brand branding, I think we have to look at the “personal brand” as more than just civic and professional accomplishments. As I know Hajj would say, the “new personal brand” includes creative positioning (the presentation of your brand), health and wellness (how “you” look and feel), and the passion behind your brand.
It’s no longer about how smart or helpful or active you are. It’s about everything that makes you…. well… “you.”
Hajj, thoughts on this?
Brandon
Brandon ChesnuttJanuary 6th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Mario,
Thanks for your incite. I wouldn’t want to be born at any other point in history. I truly believe that a lot of people will start operation in careers and new business ventures that align with their passion which is very exciting. Continue to do what you do!
Hajj FlemingsJanuary 7th, 2009 at 12:34 am
Mr. Daniels,
Yes, pressure and circumstance have a way of making people change. I think the change will make people better.
The ‘Blue Movement’ was more of a challenge and it would be a major shift in what is happening in America for a lot of reasons political, financial, etc.
Hajj FlemingsJanuary 7th, 2009 at 12:38 am
Great post , I particularly like the commetn on the Blue Movement, it plays right into the local trend that restaurants and grocers are so engaged in right now. Farm to Fork is buy american.
MYprivatebrandJanuary 7th, 2009 at 9:30 am
[…] on oppose sides of the issue. Hajj Flemings is the author of The Brand YU Life, an advocate and leading personal brand consultant. His perspective is you can’t get away from being a pesonal brand and you’d better be […]
SOCIAL MEDIA THROWDOWN > Personal Branding Throwdown - do you really have a brand?January 17th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
These are all great and I plan to blog about this topic and link back. Great job.
ChadJanuary 30th, 2009 at 12:45 pm