The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire Edition 25: June/July 2016 | Page 15

PERSONAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Nicola McHale is Vistage chair for the South West, a private advisory group for business leaders. Nicola gives her thoughts on building a personal brand. What is your personal brand and is it working for you? Thousands of pounds are spent on a brand, but how much time, effort and thinking power do you put into your own personal brand? Usually it’s hit and miss, but it's important that you as the leader exude a consistent brand message and live it through everything that you say and do. From the way that you dress, to the way you speak, your table manners, to what you do and how you do it is, seen and heard by your employees, stakeholders and customers – they make decisions about you based on what they see, feel and hear. 93% of communication is non verbal. In the first four minutes - people have made decisions about you and your business. You can't stop it happening, but you can manage it. As an executive impact coach I have worked with the top 20% in the FTSE 500 ensuring that leaders communicate effectively, powerfully and lead with presence and Integrity. This is not about faking it! So what can you do? 1. Stop and think about the key messages that it is vital that you communicate. (Examples: Approachable, successful, professional, caring, trust, challenge?) 2. 3. 4. 5. Now sort out your wardrobe – everything you wear tells a story and sends a message. Posture and body language – think about your posture, entrance and handshake - do you exude personal confidence? (not arrogance). Voice – Does your voice support the message? Can you be heard? Practice your elevator pitch. Listening. Do you listen or do you talk over and interrupt people? Do you hear what is being said? OR Are you formulating your response while someone is talking to you. Stop, pause and really listen. Nicola McHale Vistage Chair and VI International Master Coach It’s worth taking the time and investment to ensure you maximise your personal brand because 60% of people have already made decisions about you and your business. Nicola McHale is author of Transforming Teams, Vistage Chair South West and founder of VI International. [email protected] Mobile - 07887 616606 Uk.linkedin.com/nicolamchale Higher Futures is a higher level skills service offering support to employers in identifying skills gaps and developing tailored training solutions. swindonwiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership Local and flexible - meeting employers’ needs and fitting in with employees’ lives. If you would like to know more about Higher Futures please contact us directly: Higher Futures University level education for people in Swindon and Wiltshire. Email: [email protected] Tel: [phone] @higherfuturesuk www.higherfutureshub.co.uk The Military With the greatest concentration of army resources in the country in Swindon and Wiltshire, Higher Futures also focuses on working with military leavers and veterans. Higher Futures is delivered by Wiltshire Council/Swindon Borough Council on behalf of Swindon and Wiltshire LEP THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2016 15