On Fri 27 May in Stoke, I'll be addressing hundreds of local business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals at the Staffs Marketing Academy Action for Business: LIVE! event. I'm speaking on the topics of personal branding and reputation. Have you ever considered what a good reputation will do for you?

There are huge benefits of a great reputation, all of which are mentioned in my bestselling reputation book. Once you become just a little more conscious of what others are thinking and saying about you behind your back, you can develop a massive edge over your competition!

As a taster to that session, I'm going to give you three of the major benefits of a brilliant reputation.

If somebody googled you, what would they find? Do you have an online presence, and indeed, do you want one? How open are you to the power of the internet to build your connections, your profile and your business?

Whether you call it virtual networking, online networking, social networking or e-networking, this relatively new phenomenon is here to stay!

Everyday, thousands of people join hundreds of online networking forums, communities, sites, clubs and virtual worlds. And here's why...