Blagojevich - now there's a name to bring up when talking about the importance of reputation management. Not in terms of his recent media campaign, but proof of how quickly and completely a bad reputation can permanently ruin a person's reputation or a product's brand. Brand management? Personal branding? Reputation management? Throw your case studies out the window, because Rod Blagojevich will go down in history as showing the true value of a reputation.
Think about it. Technically Rod Blagojevich hasn't been found guilty of anything illegal - yet. He hasn't faced criminal proceedings yet, and in the United States it is still innocent until proven guilty - isn't it?
The only fact that is concrete, is that he shot his mouth off on several occasions and embarrassed himself and the state of Illinois so badly that it's been the leading headline beneath Obama's win.It's as if the Illinois Legislature has said, "Enough, Rod. Frankly, we don't care if you're innocent or guilty. You've already done so much damage to this state that we really don't really care if you are innocent or guilty. Please, just leave."
They are not even allowing him to present witnesses in his defense. "Thank you Rod, but we just want you to sit there for a moment so we can get this over with."What is this all based on? A brief window in time in which he allowed himself to be, well himself.
Nobody knew who he was before this. But the brief look at his language, his attitude, and that Boss Tweed meets Tony Soprano image he created for himself. In effect, his reputation and his brand.
He, in such a short period of time, created such a reprehensible name for himself that he's now being impeached for it. He could possibly be the first person found guilty, not for doing anything criminal, but for establishing a bad brand.
So if you ever have to ask yourself how important branding is, or reputation management is - well just think of Rod Blagojevich. The guy who created such a bad image for himself, he ruined his career and his future in less than a day. Well, ruined that is unless he wants to do talk radio...
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Keeping One's Personal Brand Strong
As John Stewart said "If you ever wondered what Barack's 'Shut the F**k up' face looks like, just watch him when Joe Biden started to joke about the slip up with the oath of office."
It's also one of the best examples of someone protecting his personal brand. In effect, by taking the initiative to repeat the oath, by reigning in his second in command, and by maintaining a no-joke demeanor throughout his campaign and the initial days of his presidency, he has sent a solid message out to the world - "we do not take this job lightly, we understand how serious this office is, and we are not going to allow anyone to undermine us in tackling the tasks ahead."
It is refreshing to see, and is a lesson to everyone out there in terms of what it takes to protect one's brand in today's media world.
It's also one of the best examples of someone protecting his personal brand. In effect, by taking the initiative to repeat the oath, by reigning in his second in command, and by maintaining a no-joke demeanor throughout his campaign and the initial days of his presidency, he has sent a solid message out to the world - "we do not take this job lightly, we understand how serious this office is, and we are not going to allow anyone to undermine us in tackling the tasks ahead."
It is refreshing to see, and is a lesson to everyone out there in terms of what it takes to protect one's brand in today's media world.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Just glad we could help you live out the recession in ease....
Speaking at the FBR Capital Markets conference in New York in December, Walter M. Pressey, president of Boston Private Wealth Management, a healthy bank with a mostly affluent clientele, said there were no immediate plans to do much with the $154 million it received from the Treasury.
“With that capital in hand, not only do we feel comfortable that we can ride out the recession,” he said, “but we also feel that we’ll be in a position to take advantage of opportunities that present themselves once this recession is sorted out.”
Well, ain't that wonderful? I mean, it must be nice to have all these kind people help you out, and ensure you could ride out the storm in comfort.
And don't think he's alone. At the Palm Beach Ritz-Carlton last November, John C. Hope III, the chairman of Whitney National Bank in New Orleans, stood before a ballroom full of Wall Street analysts and explained how his bank intended to use its $300 million in federal bailout money.
“Make more loans?” Mr. Hope said. “We’re not going to change our business model or our credit policies to accommodate the needs of the public sector as they see it to have us make more loans.”
I truly can't even comment on these two statements - on a human level, on a brand level, or on a "never in a million years...." level.
I ask, if We the people can give the money away, can't we call the loan in early? Why not put it up for vote?
“With that capital in hand, not only do we feel comfortable that we can ride out the recession,” he said, “but we also feel that we’ll be in a position to take advantage of opportunities that present themselves once this recession is sorted out.”
Well, ain't that wonderful? I mean, it must be nice to have all these kind people help you out, and ensure you could ride out the storm in comfort.
And don't think he's alone. At the Palm Beach Ritz-Carlton last November, John C. Hope III, the chairman of Whitney National Bank in New Orleans, stood before a ballroom full of Wall Street analysts and explained how his bank intended to use its $300 million in federal bailout money.
“Make more loans?” Mr. Hope said. “We’re not going to change our business model or our credit policies to accommodate the needs of the public sector as they see it to have us make more loans.”
I truly can't even comment on these two statements - on a human level, on a brand level, or on a "never in a million years...." level.
I ask, if We the people can give the money away, can't we call the loan in early? Why not put it up for vote?
How Much Time.....
Well, now that Barack Obama has become President of these United States, how much time does he have? How much time is the American public going to give him until they start ripping him apart for not returning us to pre-depression and pre-disaster times?
At this point, he's got a great approval rating. His numbers are up, which means the Obama brand is flying strong. As of January 14th, most American's throught he was the Man. Which is good. But he hasn't done anything yet. Which means he's been able to convince most of us that he is capable of incredible feats of governance and management merely on his presence and his words.
Don't get me wrong. I love the guy. I think he's the only hope for America now, and well into the future. This is less a commentary on him and his capabilities, and more a comment on We, the people...
Does his strong brand and strong position buy him the two or more years he's going to need to turn America around and show some results? Will it buy him the 4 years that's far more likely to be needed? Or will most Americans give up after 6 months, when it's time to hit the 4th of July celebrations?
American's love two things - praising the underdog, and ripping apart the leaddog. We do it all the time. So now that Obama's not the underdog any more. Now that he's transitioning to the leaddog position, at what point will we start doubting his ability? How long until we start doubting? Will we have the presence to support him when things don't instantly come up sunny? Or will we go back to our usual and look for someone to blame?
The brand is a strong and powerful force. It's done very well for Mr. Obama and his team. But how long will the brand survive without AMPLE actions to take it, and him, to the next level?
At this point, he's got a great approval rating. His numbers are up, which means the Obama brand is flying strong. As of January 14th, most American's throught he was the Man. Which is good. But he hasn't done anything yet. Which means he's been able to convince most of us that he is capable of incredible feats of governance and management merely on his presence and his words.
Don't get me wrong. I love the guy. I think he's the only hope for America now, and well into the future. This is less a commentary on him and his capabilities, and more a comment on We, the people...
Does his strong brand and strong position buy him the two or more years he's going to need to turn America around and show some results? Will it buy him the 4 years that's far more likely to be needed? Or will most Americans give up after 6 months, when it's time to hit the 4th of July celebrations?
American's love two things - praising the underdog, and ripping apart the leaddog. We do it all the time. So now that Obama's not the underdog any more. Now that he's transitioning to the leaddog position, at what point will we start doubting his ability? How long until we start doubting? Will we have the presence to support him when things don't instantly come up sunny? Or will we go back to our usual and look for someone to blame?
The brand is a strong and powerful force. It's done very well for Mr. Obama and his team. But how long will the brand survive without AMPLE actions to take it, and him, to the next level?
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