Personal Branding

The time has come for another red-eyed, caffeine driven paper written by a zombie in Neil Hair’s undead army. This time, the paper focus was on personal branding strategies. Apply the five-question framework we have been exploring each class this quarter, I identified the gaps in my branding strategies, and the tactics necessary to increase my online presence. Having trudged through a source collecting marathon, I feel confident that my future steps are both strategic and achievable; that is after the majority of finals week is over.


It seems that finding a niche online is not as easy as it sounds, nor is it simply a matter of bombarding the virtual boards. Instead, a strategy that is aligned with who I want to be personally, and professionally, is most likely to jive with my goals and ability to monitor my reputation. It is still a work in progress, but I have already made a few substantial steps towards the new me. The following is a mind map; a compilation of where I am now, and where I hope to be in the near future:

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In-World Second Life Presentation

Amphitheatres, business suits, and teleporters galore! This week was our trial run for presentations in Second Life. Our group was geographically separated, as I presented choice criteria for our e-marketing strategy in sweatpants from my bedroom desk. With the exception of a few audio hiccups, the presentation was a success. It was amazing to see how well an online medium worked as a professional business communication channel. Not only was it easy to respond via microphone and typed text, listening to other presentations was a joy. One extra advantage provided by second life was the ability to hold relevant discussions with the team members about the positive and negative criticisms of other groups, without interrupting the presentation or missing information. Granted, there is the possibility to lose focus, but I feel that virtual mediums grant an increased ability to multi-task, if used responsibly. I know that my personal learning experience was enhanced by the ability to communicate and critique in real time, while still absorbing the information provided – all in a private chat that did not deduct from the concentration of the presenter.

I am looking forward to our final presentation, after having a stunningly successful experience on the first trail run. Biggest regret? - I neglected to use the helicopter to … perhaps next time the team will have a more grand entrance.

Updated Billboard in Second Life

Finally, the billboard has been finished. Thanks to a great script generator over at 3greeneggs.com, the prims have been set in action. A simple prompt to this blog and a welcome note card with all my contacts is all one will get – but it seems to me that is all one needs. Some of the other billboards looked great as well, but it became tiresome to be bombarded by “Hello…” “Click me” and logos that lurked wherever you went. For the first time I was able to truly identify with the second life communities annoyance with the marketing bombardment. No wonder why there has been a backlash!

In the next few weeks I should be wrapping up my personal branding papers for Uncle Neil. There won’t be much of a breather between that and the final paper. Based on what I have accomplished so far this may not be to my detriment – it seems that all of the projects thus far have only aided in completing one portion or another of the Give A Second Hope business plan. Perhaps this will do the same?

  

I’ve also made my first grand in-world purchase – I am now the proud owner of a police helicopter, spinning blades, radio, exhaust and all! Brian and I had the pleasure of using it to find our “professional’s” house who has been helping us out in class with all things second life. I would give you the coordinates but that would be unfair; but here’s a hint: it is high… really, really high.