As the credit crunch hits hard and 'the fat lady' of world recession begins singing, are there any opportunities or upsides? It's hard to stand out as a professional in a cluttered, noisy marketplace, without giving some thought to your personal brand. If you want to be the stand out choice, building your personal brand helps people come to you. If you're not familiar with the idea of personal branding, take a look at this quick slide show by one of the world leading personal branding experts.

Ever stop to think exactly what your personal reputation is? Probably not. The trouble is, you already have a personal reputation, whether you realize it or not. According to Reputation Defender, the definition of personal reputation is the opinion held by a given part of the community of an individual. This is a good start, but a study of reputation takes this a lot deeper. From my best-selling book on becoming the 'go to' choice for what you do, personal reputation is...

Personal Gravitas could just be your greatest reputational asset.

However, it is a somewhat misunderstood term. Moreover, there is still some contention as to whether it's a good thing or a bad thing. What we do know is this:

Cream rises to the top of the milk.

In the same way, those people with a depth of character, a serious credibility and a compelling personality seem to...

• Rise to the top of their professions.
• Assume positions of major influence.
• Accelerate their career.
• Acquire the best reputations.
• Attract the best ventures and opportunities.
• Exert the greatest influence.
• Add the most value.
• Make the biggest difference.

If you want to rise to the top, you require the capacity to network with higher level people, have higher level conversations and ask higher level questions. You need higher level insight and you need a higher level reputation. If you don't do it on purpose, you run the risk that it might not happen by accident! What are you doing to increase your gravitas? Here are five things you can get started with:

1. Read Read Read! Work on your knowledge, because when applied it gives you wisdom and power. Both are facets of gravitas.
2. Network Network Network! No good being a well-kept secret. Get out there and make connections. Gravitas is often acquired though association.
3. Take a Step Back! Those with personal gravitas seem to speak less, listen more, observe plenty and take things in. They don't feel the need to speak all the time.
4. Ask Insightful Questions! Make people think, keep them sharp and make them clarify things. This makes you look sharp and insightful - two critical elements of gravitas.
5. Take the Gravitas Survey! Go to http://www.personalgravitas.com/shape.html and join hundreds of other prominent business figure, thought leaders, commentators and experts who are offering their insight and understanding to the gravitas debate.

When you get gravitas, incredible things begin to happen!

Always remember that the first builds the second. By getting around the right people, you increase the possibility of introductions and advocacy amongst those people you want to get around. However, too often you associate with the wrong people, and find yourself having the wrong kind of conversations.

Yes, networking is a phenomenal way to source and build relationships. But you have to do it on purpose with the right audience. Here are ten tell-tale signs you are talking to the right people:

1. They are interested in a long term relationship rather than a one night stand.
2. They ask how they can help or advise you rather than sell to you.
3. They make the effort to get to know you beyond the current networking experience.
   
4. They demonstrate and illustrate their expertise, rather than assert and claim.
5. They wait until they have built sufficient credibility before asking for business or referrals.
6. They show signs that they want to talk about non-business things to build trust.
7. They have clarity in both their needs and their proposition - this saves a great deal of time!
8. They ask more questions of you and your business than you do of them and theirs.
9. They are willing to explore possibilities.
10. They are willing to introduce you to their network.

When people invest their time and effort into you, and open you up to a wide range of possibilities, you have someone who makes a great networking connection. Likewise, people who do not show signs of wanting to help and build a relationship do not generally represent the best networking contacts to help you move your business forward.

Final point - are you someone who shows the above tell-tale signs?

With a range of corporate fiascos from British Airways Terminal 5, Northern Rock, the Iraq War and Enron, it's never been clearer that a strong corporate reputation is vital. What's less obvious is the need for strong and positive personal reputations. That is, regarding individuals rather than entities.

I've been delighted that my book How to Build Your Reputation is now in the Top Ten for Personal Development on Amazon. If people are buying this book in big numbers, one might conclude that people like you are now starting to see that reputation is important.

So what is all the fuss about? Well, first, you already have a reputation. However, there are two problems:

1. You don't know exactly what your reputation is
2. You don't know exactly what you've done to get it!

Second, there are many benefits to strategically building your good name, such as 'go to' status, preferential perks, greater trust, less marketing spend, more choice on clients and customers, more interesting opportunities and higher recognition.

One person whose reputation I've been looking into is Dr Ivan Misner, founder of global networking organisation BNI. Despite having not met Dr Misner yet, I know plenty about him, and hold him in very high esteem. Whether deliberately or coincidentally, he follows at least three of the ten personal reputation building strategies:

1. Reputation by Outcomes: Dr Misner founded the world's largest networking concern. That's a specific outcome for which he is known and famous. There are many others, such as authored  books. What have you made happen?
2. Reputation by Relationships: Dr Misner associates with incredible people. His co-authored books tell of strong links with key individuals. Who are you associating with that is enhancing or undermining your reputation?
3. Reputation by Profile: Dr Misner is ubiquitous. He pops up almost everywhere. He is a prolific writer and thought leader. His opinions count and his ideas resonate throughout the business world. Where do you appear that lets people know you're around and what you're doing to make the world better and different?

My best is that this stuff didn't happen by accident! So what are you doing today to enhance your personal reputation?

How to Build Your Personal Reputation and Make Yourself the 'Go To' Professional for What You Do

You can create an impression by how you walk, talk and write. You can influence people to think in certain ways, do certain things and talk about you in certain ways. All you need to control is the messages and cues you're giving them! This powerful Guide is your pocket guide to a better reputation, greater positioning and increased business and career prospects. It contains over 150 of the best strategies, tips and tools that you can start on today to leverage your expert status and make people come to you for what you do. You can't afford to be without it!

e-Guide (instant download):	£9
Pocket Guide (hard copy):	£10
Both (e-Guide & Pocket Guide):	£15

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