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Went Hot: September 5, 2008 - 7:48 am
Posted By: remarkablogger 90 days ago
Topic Type: News Story (Jump to http://www.bruceclay.com)
Category: SEO
It makes me wonder, is it better idea to brand your company as an expert or to encourage your employees to create their own personal brands that empower you?
9 Comments
Comments
This article hits home.
Couldn't agree more. I've worked for several small agencies who made this mistake. It just saps your motivation as an employee when you realize that management not only isn't interested in helping you get your name out there - but they're actually opposed to it.
Andy Beal made a nice mention of this in his post from a while back at Marketing Pilgrim titled Top 10 Business Mistakes Search Marketing Firms Make. Namely, his last point, "10. They're Scared of Losing Their Top Talent." I can definitely vouch for that being a major mistake. It was a big part of why I left two jobs.
Great piece - I forwarded it to my boss - who actually lets me brand myself (attacthed to the company) as much as I want - we actually have time worked into our week for professional development.
Great post Lisa! I couldn't agree more on your subject, it seems as though we all are brands of some sort in our own little or big ways.
Garrett
As someone working to establish herself as a brand, this post truly hits home...especially considering I work for a company that not only discourages developing a personal brand (or doing anything "outside the company box"), but doing so is also a "terminable offense" - whether that branding reflects a direct association between you & the company or not. NICE! Any wonder why I'm on my way out the door? The only question now is whether they find out about my site and fire me or I generate enough contract work to feel comfortable in quitting.
Until then, I'm the squeaky wheel around here trying to cultivate a culture of change and innovation. Unfortunately, I'm one of very few that squeaks loud enough to get the attention of the "powers that be"...which makes me more of a target than a catalyst for change. I'm cool with that. At least when I leave, they can never claim they've not been told. :)
@ SEOaly you and me both - it's hard being the squeaky wheel trying to change minds. I look for little wins.... maybe they'll snowball into big wins, but maybe I'll develop enough contract work too that it won't matter.
@homelessSEO - that's my plan. Despite my distaste for the corporate world and the politics that go along with it, I've always been a part of it...and those above me have and are still constantly trying to shove me further up the corporate ladder.
I don't want to be a corporate magnate! I never have. And the irony is that they want the typical "yes men" around here, and I think I've established that I'm ANYTHING but that. :) Ultimately, I want to work for myself...right now I'd settle for working for a company that sells "website promotion" & "SEO" and actually DOES "website promotion" and "SEO"!
I hope I never lose sight of the fact that "real integrity is doing the right thing regardless of whether or not anyone will know you did it...".
@SEOAly - as it usually is with corporate promotion, the problem is as you say, they want "yes men"
I'm anything but as well, and if I was, I never would have learned or had the successes I have had.
I'd settle for actual "website promotion" & "SEO" too. I'm just keep developing contract work through my network and get my marketing thrills (and much more $$$) there.
I think working for myself sounds great, but maybe it would be better to open a website(s) instead...
Truely hard to brand a company anonymously. People make up the company strength and culture. Liked the post, because it makes us all here important in creating the success and face of the company.