Introducing NGAGE: Become the CEO of ‘Me Inc.’ With Personal Branding Service

• December 1, 2021
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By Jennifer Britton, Senior Account Director, North Strategic

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When it comes to launching a new product or service, we spend weeks and often months strategizing with clients. As corporate brand representatives, we would never enter a launch phase without a sound strategy in place.

Yet, when it comes to personal brands, we see many executives do just that. It’s easy to understand why. With full plates even in the best of times, personal branding just doesn’t seem feasible or worthwhile right now.

But the reality is that it’s never been more important. The past two years have fundamentally changed the way companies engage, both internally and externally. Consumer, partner, investor and employee trust is tantamount, and the time has passed for executives to sit back when it comes to corporate reputation and risk.

That’s why North Strategic is thrilled to officially launch NGAGE, our new specialized service offering designed to elevate your career or other leaders within your organization. With a customized approach to develop your personal brand, NGAGE includes in-depth audits, 1:1 workshops, brainstorms and strategy sessions with our in-house branding experts including former journalists and experienced corporate strategists who have worked with some of the most recognizable brands and seasoned executives in the world.

Whether you’re in a leadership role or just starting your career, the return on investment of a well-thought-out personal brand plan cannot be underestimated. Take organizational psychologist and New York Times best-selling author Adam Grant, the youngest tenured professor and single highest-rated teacher at The Wharton School. Grant has gained notoriety for drawing attention to the term “languishing,” which seeks to define the pandemic-related anguish many people are experiencing. Grant has become the poster boy for the term, which is intriguing given it was coined by someone else.

What makes Grant so different from every other psychologist and author in the world? He has distinguished himself from his peers by focusing his energy on thought leadership. As one of the world’s 10 most influential management thinkers, and one of Fortune’s “40 under 40,” Grant hasn’t been sitting on the sidelines hoping someone will take notice of him. He has taken control of his personal brand.

Grant is one of many examples of individuals whose personal brands are as recognizable as their job titles and the corporate entities they lead. Whitney Wolfe Herd, founder and CEO of Bumble is recognized for her support of women in business as much as she is known for creating Bumble. Michael Katchen, CEO and co-founder of Wealthsimple is known as a fintech advocate, challenging traditional methods of finance, as much as he is for the investment firm itself. And Wes Hall, one of the most influential business leaders in Canada, and founder of BlackNorth, is known for leading the charge on dismantling racism in corporate Canada as much as, if not more than, anything else he’s accomplished in business (the list is impressively long).

This didn’t happen by chance. These leaders are intentional about their personal brands.

Just like them, you have the power to be a stronger voice for the organization you represent, expand your reach outside of traditional channels, and cement your presence as an expert in your field by building your public profile and personal brand.

While the task may sound daunting, you don’t need to embark on your personal branding experience alone. With North as your partner, we’ll leverage our unique expertise in corporate communications, coupled with social and digital strategy, to create and amplify personal branding initiatives that break through the clutter.

After all, it’s not enough to be good at what you do. You need to be seen as good at what you do. As Tom Peters once wrote in Forbes, “Regardless of age, regardless of position, regardless of the business we happen to be in, all of us need to understand the importance of branding. We are CEOs of our own companies: Me Inc. To be in business today, our most important job is to be head marketer for the brand called You.”

We can’t wait to start your personal branding journey with NGAGE today.