"You're not alone, in fact this type of cancer is the fastest growing type of oral cancer in men under 55, who do not smoke and are not heavy drinkers" That word "cancer" immediately causes a heightened level of awareness as well as obvious concern. Last October after a great summer vacation with my family in Jamaica and what I thought was a viral lump in my neck gland had… Read More »Cancer is personal, so it’s part of my brand
We are so blessed that our children attend what is what I believe is Canada's and fast becoming the finest Montessori program in North America. In working a few years ago with the principal and owner on the brand of the school we took one of his other passions "music" and developed an annual school fundraiser and over the years have had some amazing artists including Sarah Hamer, Kathleen Edwards and… Read More »When school feels like home
As part of the continuing theme "Review Your Year With No Fear", there is still time to review 2010, just e-mail me paul @ charlesb32.sg-host.com and I will send you the first three lessons. The final lesson comes out in a few days and is more about looking forward to 2011, so I thought that this article, written by colleague Jamie Broughton of Footprint Leadership, was a great lead in… Read More »Resolutions Schmezalutions
2010 A YEAR OF FEAR? In my business 2010 has for me been a good year, on par with 2009, which was particularly pleasing as 2009 was my best since starting Square Peg over 7 years ago. But what has been even more fantastic this year has been seeing my wife Keri develop in to a very capable and successful business owner and leader. Last week I was so proud… Read More »Is Your Personal Brand Ready for 2011?
According to AshleyMadison.com, the discreet dating service, Blackberry users are bigger cheats than iPhone owners in Canada. A recent survey found that Blackberry smartphones were logging in to the website as much as three times more. This might be due to the demogpraphic of the owner or that the 'sinful' user likes the increased safety of the Blackberry encrypted service. Although the use of such a service is certainly also… Read More »Stop Callin’, Stop Callin’ , I don’t want to think anymore
This is a Vuvuzela – the African horn that is being blown incessantly at the World Cup soccer matches, it sounds like a cross between a car horn and a persistent mosquito! There has been a lot written and said about how annoying it is and that it should be banned – but this is counter to the brand of South Africa as host of the World Cup, I do… Read More »OH – Canada! played on the vuvuzela
For the last few months I have been making much more use of public transport (more to follow in another blog post) and I am sure many of you have seen the coverage, photos and even videos of employees on the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) subway and buses? Certainly this type of coverage and negative online commentary is not good for a brand that is already under pressure to… Read More »Do you whistle while you work?
My approach in life has always been to give, help, inform or support without the expectation of reward – beyond the fact that the person or cause I am helping is hopefully a little wiser or just feels a little better about themselves and their position – it's a core part of my brand. In online forums and other social media I have been signing off 'Just My Toonies Worth" for… Read More »Welcome to Just My Toonies Worth – 30 seconds or less of personal branding tips, resources and ideas
There was an article posted by on the Harvard Business Review How Michael Jackson Became a Brand Icon and interestingly it's author John Quelch kicked off with the following comment; "Countless books advise how to build your personal brand. Michael Jackson was so unique that he cannot realistically serve as anyone's role model in that effort" But, I beg to differ, the fact is Michael Jackson was a personal brand… Read More »How Michael Jackson, The Brand Icon, CanTeach You Something About Personal Branding
"Where there is love, there is life" – Gandhi It would be interesting to profile Van Morrison in the personal branding process. Obviously a highly skilled and talented musician, but also firecely private and very unexpressive or emotional on stage – almost the opposite of everything you see in the music business today. A couple of Fridays ago I surprised my wife for our wedding anniversary by taking her out… Read More »Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?