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Not long ago, I was on a long drive. My phone battery was running dangerously low, and I had forgotten my car charger. The previous night, I hadn’t charged the phone fully either, so I was running out of power fast. Along the way, I spotted a shop that looked promising, a bright, well-arranged phone accessories store. From outside, you could see neat displays of chargers, cables, headphones, and other gadgets. I pulled over, walked in, and asked for a charger.

The shopkeeper confidently presented a range of options. He assured me that all were “good quality,” and encouraged me to test one. As I looked around the shop more carefully, something caught my eye. Almost everything in that store was an imitation. Ninety-nine percent of the products carried names that looked familiar but were not quite right. A “NOKRI” instead of Nokia. “Samsong” instead of Samsung. A tiny tweak in spelling, logo, or packaging, but the clear intention was to imitate trusted brands.

The young man selling them believed in what he was offering. He insisted these were reliable and affordable alternatives. But to me, the reality was different. These were products built on deception, meant to confuse customers who weren’t paying close attention.

That visit left me reflecting. Why do some businesses rely so heavily on imitation? What makes a brand so attractive that others feel the need to copy it? And more importantly, how can original brands guard against this without losing focus on their core mission?

Every strong brand, at some point, faces imitation. It’s almost inevitable. The better your product, the more likely someone, somewhere, will try to replicate or counterfeit it. Books get pirated. Music gets duplicated. Software gets hacked. Shoes, phones, detergents, clothing, you name them. Once people see that a product is valuable, they will attempt to ride on its name.

But imitation carries two sides: it can be a compliment, and at the same time, a threat. I would like to explore both. I’ll share real-life stories, lessons from the market, and practical ways brands can protect themselves while still growing boldly and authentically.

Why Great Brands Get Imitated

One of the first truths to settle in your mind as a brand builder is this: imitation is often the tax you pay for excellence. People rarely copy what isn’t working. If your product or service is being imitated, it usually means you are doing something right.

Think about it, nobody bothers pirating a book that nobody is reading. No one wastes energy duplicating software that has no users. Nobody forges a brand that consumers don’t respect. Imitation is often the strongest signal that your brand has crossed a certain threshold of relevance.

When I stood in that phone accessories shop, staring at the “NOKRI” cables and “Samsong” chargers, it struck me: these big names had become so dominant that their identity was a magnet. Even a poor imitation of their names carried some weight in the marketplace. To the casual customer, seeing a name that looked familiar was enough to assume quality. That is the hidden advantage strong brands enjoy—the mere recognition of their names influences purchase decisions.

The same is true in publishing. For years, I have seen authors complain about piracy. But think about it: a pirated book is hardly ever a poorly selling one. It’s the bestsellers that get copied. If a book has no impact, no one takes the trouble to scan, print, or circulate it illegally. So, strangely, piracy is proof of value—though it’s still a threat that must be dealt with wisely.

We see this across industries:

1. Fashion: Designers in Milan or Paris showcase a new design, and within weeks, fast-fashion brands churn out look-alike versions.
2. Technology: Apple launches a new iPhone, and within months, cheap replicas hit markets from Accra to Bangkok.
3. Music & Film: Big hits are the ones duplicated on flash drives and streaming platforms.

The principle is simple: only the visible, valuable, and desirable get imitated.

Now, should brands take pride in being imitated? In a sense, yes, it’s a sign that your work carries weight. But that’s only one side of the coin. The other side is dangerous, because imitation can also dilute trust, confuse customers, and undercut genuine innovation. And that’s where the challenge lies.

The Dangers of Imitation

While imitation can signal that a brand has achieved recognition, it comes with a heavy cost. Imitation is never neutral; it creates ripples that affect three groups—the consumer, the original brand, and the imitator.

1. The Consumer’s Loss

The first victim of imitation is usually the unsuspecting customer. Picture someone walking into that same shop I did. They see a familiar name on a charger and assume it’s original. They buy it, only to discover after a few weeks that the charger burns out or damages their phone. Trust is broken, and the customer pays the price for what they thought was a smart purchase.

Poor-quality imitations often fail in performance and durability. They may even pose health and safety risks. Fake medicines, for example, have endangered lives across Africa and Asia. Counterfeit electrical appliances have caused fires in homes. When consumers can’t trust what they’re buying, the whole marketplace suffers.

2. The Original Brand’s Struggle

For genuine brands, imitation chips away at credibility. Imagine working tirelessly to build a name, only for someone else to ride on it cheaply. Customers who get burned by fakes may wrongly blame the original brand. Over time, this erodes loyalty. A consumer who buys a counterfeit, thinking it’s real, may walk away saying, “This brand has fallen in quality,” when in truth, they never owned the authentic product.

Imitation also drains resources. Original companies are forced to spend heavily on legal battles, tracking counterfeiters, and educating customers about how to spot genuine products. Instead of focusing purely on innovation and service, brands are distracted by fighting shadows in the market.

3. The Imitator’s Trap

At first glance, imitation looks like an easy way to profit. Why spend years building when you can tweak someone else’s logo and ride their popularity? But in the long run, imitation is a dead end.

First, imitators rarely gain long-term trust. The market may tolerate them for a while, but eventually, consumers catch on. Second, they lock themselves out of innovation. By depending on others’ ideas, imitators never truly discover their own creativity or identity. They survive only as long as someone else is leading the way.

And let’s not forget the legal risk. Brands that are serious about protection will pursue lawsuits, seize goods, and blacklist companies involved in counterfeiting. Many have been shut down overnight.

So, while imitation might look like a shortcut to profit, it’s actually a trap. It undermines consumers, damages originals, and cripples imitators.

Protecting Your Brand

Knowing that imitation is inevitable, the wise brand doesn’t fold its arms. Protection is not optional; it is a responsibility. If you believe in the quality of what you are building, then you must guard it like a treasure.

1. Intellectual Property (IP) Matters

The first step is legal. Every serious brand needs to secure its intellectual property—copyrights, trademarks, and patents. These are not just fancy certificates; they are shields. They give you the right to challenge anyone who attempts to duplicate your work.

If you have a unique name, register it as a trademark. If you’ve written a book, secure the copyright. If you’ve designed an invention, patent it. Many small businesses in Africa overlook this, thinking it’s for big corporations. But the truth is, the earlier you secure your rights, the stronger your position when disputes arise.

2. Stay Visible and Educate Your Market

Another layer of protection is visibility. Brands must constantly educate their customers on how to recognize authentic products. From holograms on medicine packs to serial numbers on electronics, small actions can make a big difference. When consumers know how to identify the original, fakes lose their power.

In fact, some global brands use imitation as a teaching moment. They create campaigns that say, “If it doesn’t look like this, it isn’t ours.” This keeps customers alert and loyal.

3. Quality is the Strongest Shield

At the end of the day, paperwork and campaigns are important, but the strongest protection is uncompromising quality. A fake will always fall short sooner or later. If you consistently deliver excellence, your real customers will stick with you, even when imitations flood the market.

I recall a detergent brand that entered the Ghanaian market years ago. At first, people assumed it was just another knock-off. But over time, the brand won customers by being consistently good. Even though cheaper imitations surfaced, they couldn’t match the performance. Today, that detergent competes shoulder-to-shoulder with global giants.

4. Choose Your Battles

Don’t sweat the small stuff. Not every imitation deserves a lawsuit. Some fakes are too insignificant to waste resources on. The key is discernment. Guard against those that pose real threats, but don’t be distracted by every shadow. Sometimes, letting the market expose poor imitations naturally is wiser than chasing them endlessly.

Protecting your brand is both legal and practical. It is about shielding what you’ve built, but also about keeping your promise to customers intact.

Building a Competing Brand Instead of Copying

When I stood in that accessories shop, another question struck me: If these imitation products are really “as good as the original,” why don’t their makers simply build their own brand? Why not give it a distinct name, a clear identity, and let it compete in the market?

Imitation feels like an easy road, but the truth is, there is room for everyone in the marketplace. You don’t have to pretend to be someone else to find customers.

A Lesson from the Detergent Aisle

Let me give you an example. Some years ago, a new detergent entered the Ghanaian market. At first, people were sceptical. They assumed it was just another copy of the major global names. But the company behind it did something bold: they positioned the product under its own brand identity. They focused on quality and consistency.

As time passed, customers discovered that this detergent was not only cheaper but also just as good as the big names. It didn’t need to hide behind an imitation logo or a misspelled name. It stood on its own merit. Today, that detergent is not merely surviving—it has carved out a substantial market share.

Why Copy When You Can Compete?

Here’s the point: if your product truly has quality, you don’t need imitation. You can step out boldly with your own colors, your own logo, your own tagline. Will it be easy? No. But the market rewards courage.

The global marketplace is huge, and every segment has room. Not everyone can afford premium brands. Not everyone wants the cheapest option either. That leaves a vast middle ground where authentic, well-built alternatives can thrive. Instead of confusing the market with look-alikes, why not fill that gap honestly?

Find Your Niche

The secret is to find your niche and serve it well. Maybe the big brands produce a product at a premium price. You could offer something with nearly the same quality but more affordable for everyday users. Or perhaps you can add a feature they’ve overlooked, something that matters to your local market.

When you serve a niche authentically, your customers will become your marketers. Word-of-mouth spreads quickly when people find a brand that truly meets their needs. That’s how movements start—not by imitation, but by originality and consistency.

The point is, if you believe in your product or service, my advice is simple: stop imitating, start competing.

Learning the Right Way from Big Brands

Now, let’s be clear: not all imitation is harmful. There is such a thing as good imitation—the kind that learns from best practices without copying blindly.

Big brands have lessons every small business can borrow:

1. Customer service: How do they treat their clients? What systems do they put in place to keep loyalty strong?
2. Consistency: Notice how their packaging, quality, and messaging remain steady over time. That consistency builds trust.
3. Innovation: Study how they respond to change. Most global brands didn’t become leaders by staying the same; they evolved.

The difference is this: don’t steal their name, their logo, or their colors. Instead, imitate their discipline, their culture, their attention to detail. Then add your own creativity on top. That’s how small brands grow into strong ones—by learning the principles, not stealing the labels.

In all, imitation will always exist. Every genuine brand has a fake version somewhere. Every bestselling book has a pirated copy. Every successful product has a cheap knock-off. That’s the reality of the marketplace.

But as brand builders, we must go beyond lamenting. The real question is: how do you respond? Do you waste all your energy chasing shadows, or do you double down on creating authentic value?

From my thoughts and experiences, here are some clear takeaways:

1. See imitation as a signal of relevance. If people are copying you, it means you are doing something right. Don’t panic—take it as proof that your brand is visible.
2. Protect what is yours. Secure copyrights, trademarks, and patents. Educate your customers on how to identify the real thing. Don’t leave your brand naked in the market.
3. Compete with courage, not imitation. If your product is good, give it a name, an identity, and let it stand. The market is wide enough to reward originality.
4. Deliver uncompromising quality. Fakes will always exist, but quality will outlive them. Stay consistent, and your true customers will remain loyal.
5. Learn principles, not packaging. Imitate discipline, innovation, and customer focus—not logos, names, or colors. That’s the healthy kind of imitation that leads to growth.

At the end of the day, the best protection for your brand is not fear, but excellence. Serve your customers well. Build trust. Stay true to your values. That way, even in a world full of counterfeits, your brand will continue to shine as the original.

Now. It’s your turn. What do you need to do about your current brand?

Remember, I’m your brand and publishing consultant.

     CEO BRANDING: The New Art of Personal Branding for Profit and Impact   * Amazon Kindle Edition

• Kelvin Clive, Bernard (Author)
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• 54 Pages - 02/12/2019 (Publication Date)

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Today, I would like us to discuss brand legacy, but not in an abstract sense. I’m talking about how a personal brand can live long after your career peaks. And who better to illustrate this than Celine Dion?

You know her, 27 albums, over 250 million records sold, one of the highest-paid performers in history, and a voice that hits notes most people can only dream of. If you love music, you know the energy, the passion, the way she commands a stage. But here’s the thing: for the past four or five years, Celine has been mostly absent from public performance.

Why? In 2022, she was diagnosed with Stiff-Person Syndrome, a condition that severely affects her ability to sing and perform. Suddenly, the unstoppable force of her career hit a pause. And that’s where the lesson begins, for anyone building a brand, a business, or a personal legacy: seasons change. Life throws surprises at us, and sometimes, even the strongest, most disciplined careers can slow down or stop.

The question is: what do you do when that happens? What structures, systems, and values have you built to carry your brand forward when your energy or circumstances shift? That’s exactly what we’ll explore in this article—lessons from Celine’s career, her family, her team, and her discipline, all showing us how to create a personal brand that can outlast even the toughest seasons.

Seasons Change — Build for the Unplanned

Life happens! Brand legacy isn’t tested on your best day; it’s proven on your hardest. Celine Dion reminds us of that. In 2024, her raw, moving documentary I Am: Celine Dion pulled back the curtain on a superstar navigating a life-altering diagnosis. It wasn’t glitter—it was grit. And it forced a simple truth on all of us building brands: seasons change, often without notice.

Celine publicly revealed in 2022 that she lives with Stiff-Person Syndrome (SPS), a rare neurological disorder that causes painful muscle stiffness and spasms—conditions that make singing and touring unpredictable. She ultimately canceled all remaining dates of her Courage World Tour to focus on recovery. That decision wasn’t a weakness; it was wisdom. It showed a brand putting health and longevity ahead of hype.

So what’s the lesson for us? Plan for winter during summer. In your “up” seasons, when the phone is buzzing and the stage is bright, build assets that will outlive the spotlight: a strong body of work, repeatable systems, owned channels, and a community that believes in your values, not just your vibe. That way, if life throws a curveball, your voice can keep traveling even when you must stand still.

Here’s how to future-proof your brand through difficult seasons:

1. Document and diversify. Don’t rely on one stream (events, gigs, speaking). Package your knowledge—books, courses, catalogs, licensing, partnerships.
2. Systemize your excellence. Create playbooks for how you show up: your process, your standards, your cadence. Systems keep the brand steady when you can’t be everywhere.
3. Lead with values. When you’re transparent about your journey, people connect to your humanity, not only your highlights. That connection sustains you in quiet seasons.
4. Protect the asset. Your health is part of your brand strategy. Rest, rehab, and rhythms are not luxuries; they’re insurance.

Seasons will shift. Illness, loss, market shocks, something will come. Build a brand that can breathe through it.

Maximize Your Prime

Celine Dion’s career tells us something every brand-builder must hear: your prime doesn’t last forever, so you must maximize it while it’s here. Look at her catalog—27 albums, more than 250 million records sold worldwide, decades of sold-out tours. She didn’t wait to “get ready.” She worked, produced, and poured herself into her music at full throttle when her health and voice were at their peak.

That’s the call for you and me. When strength is on your side, don’t coast. When opportunities come, don’t procrastinate. Use your energy, your passion, and your skills to the fullest, because you don’t know how long that window will stay open. Celine is living proof, after years of commanding stages worldwide, today she can’t perform publicly due to her health. Yet her earlier dedication ensures she has a legacy to lean on, and her music continues to travel even when she can’t.

Let’s bring it closer home. Think of the late Daddy Lumba’s contemporary, Daddy Lumba himself—still singing, still recording, performing right until recent years. For decades, he has consistently released music that has become a cultural soundtrack in Ghana. During his prime, he didn’t slow down or hold back. He gave his best, year after year, and today his songs continue to shape generations.

So, what does this mean for your brand?

1. Work like time is limited. Don’t stretch out what you can do today for “someday.” Your prime isn’t endless.
2. Produce a body of work. Whether it’s books, products, innovations, or services—create something that remains when you can’t show up in person.
3. Stay consistent. Legacy isn’t built in one big moment, but in steady deposits of effort over time.
4. Measure impact, not applause. The goal isn’t to compete or compare, but to know you gave your all to the people and platforms entrusted to you.

When you maximize your prime, you build a reservoir of impact to draw from in quieter seasons. You won’t look back with regret; you’ll know you gave your best when the lights were brightest. And that’s the foundation of a lasting legacy.

The Power of Support Systems

Behind every enduring brand is a support system that keeps it grounded. For Celine Dion, that foundation has always been her family. Long before the sold-out arenas, it was her parents and siblings who introduced her to music, nurtured her gift, and stood by her side. Even at the height of her career, when global fame could have easily swallowed her, she prioritized her role as a mother and never lost sight of her family values. Today, as she faces the challenges of Stiff-Person Syndrome, it’s that same family support she leans on.

This is a clear reminder: no matter how talented, skilled, or ambitious you are, you cannot build a lasting brand alone. A strong support system—family, mentors, friends, or a trusted team—becomes the safety net when storms hit. They hold you accountable, lift you in low moments, and sometimes even carry the weight when you cannot.

For anyone building a personal or business brand, here are the lessons:

1. Invest in relationships early. Don’t wait until you’re in crisis to value people. The time you put into family, friendships, and partnerships today will be the same structures holding you tomorrow.
2. Anchor in values. Celine’s devotion to family shaped the way her brand was experienced. People admired not only her voice but also her humility and sacrifice. Your values become the invisible thread tying your brand together.
3. Share the stage. In the documentary, Celine asked her team to own their craft and love what they do. On stage, you could see every member—musicians, sound engineers, backing vocalists—fully alive in their role. That wasn’t by accident; it was culture. She built a brand where teamwork mattered as much as talent.

Teamwork multiplies impact. A brand may have one face, but it takes many hands to keep it standing. When you build a system where everyone understands their role and is empowered to give their best, your brand doesn’t collapse when you step aside—it continues because the people carry it forward.

The truth is this: a strong voice might make you known, but a strong support system will make you last.

Beyond the Core Gift – Adding the Extra

A great gift can open doors, but it is the extras you add that keep the doors open and the room full. Celine Dion understood this principle deeply. Yes, she had one of the most powerful voices in history, but she never relied on her raw talent alone. She treated her voice as the foundation, not the finish line. In her words, her performance was “bigger than the song.” That meant every show wasn’t just singing—it was storytelling, stagecraft, rehearsal, choreography, and emotional connection. That’s what turned concerts into unforgettable experiences.

For brands, the lesson is clear: your core skill will get you noticed, but the added layers of refinement and excellence will secure your legacy. Think of it this way:

1. A speaker may have powerful words, but it’s their delivery, timing, and audience engagement that make them unforgettable.
2. A business owner may have a solid product, but it’s customer service, packaging, and brand storytelling that build loyalty.
3. An artist may have raw creativity, but it’s discipline, consistency, and presentation that elevate them above the crowd.

Celine rehearsed endlessly. She respected the stage. Every performance was a crafted experience because she understood that talent alone doesn’t sustain; it must be sharpened, polished, and paired with skill.

So, what does this mean for you?

1. Invest in learning. Don’t settle with “I’m good at this.” Take courses, seek mentorship, and expose yourself to training that enhances your craft.
2. Build supporting skills. If you’re a writer, learn marketing. If you’re a leader, develop communication. If you’re a musician, study performance and production. These additions multiply the impact of your primary gift.
3. Aim for unforgettable, not just adequate. Don’t stop at doing what’s expected. Surprise your audience, exceed their expectations, and create moments worth remembering.

Your gift might get you in the room, but the extras will make people want to keep you there. Celine’s concerts remind us: legacy isn’t just about what you can do—it’s about the experience you leave behind. Add the extra, and you secure your brand’s place long after your season ends.

Thinking Impact Beyond Profits

Every lasting brand eventually comes to this crossroad: will you measure success by profits alone, or by the impact you leave behind? Celine Dion’s journey shows us that while fame and money may follow talent, what truly defines legacy is the lives touched and the influence that endures. Her concerts weren’t only about tickets sold—they were about connection. Her songs became anthems for weddings, funerals, victories, heartbreaks, and healing. They weren’t just hits on a chart; they were woven into people’s stories.

For anyone building a personal brand or business, this is a reality check. Chasing money alone creates shallow success; building for impact creates a legacy that outlives you. That’s why the most powerful brands think beyond their balance sheets. They ask: What story will people tell about me when the lights go out?

Here are some lessons to carry:

1. Shift the scorecard. Yes, profits matter—you need revenue to sustain growth. But also track how many people you’ve influenced, mentored, or inspired. That’s the metric of true relevance.
2. Create value that lasts. A product may fade, but an idea, a system, or a story can continue shaping lives for decades. Package your knowledge and contributions in ways that outlive your active years.
3. Give back intentionally. Legacy brands look for ways to pour into others—through philanthropy, mentorship, training, or simply showing up authentically.
4. Think succession early. Don’t let your impact die with you. Train people, document your methods, and build structures that allow your vision to live beyond your personal involvement.

Celine’s performances, her teamwork, her discipline, and even her vulnerability in the face of illness remind us that legacy isn’t measured only by what you gain, but also by what you give. The applause fades, the contracts expire, the seasons change—but the impact you make in people’s lives will echo long after.

As you build, ask yourself: when the profits stop rolling, will the impact keep flowing? That’s how you know you’ve built something bigger than yourself.

In all, from Celine’s rise as a prodigy to her decades at the top, through health challenges that grounded her stage presence, she demonstrates the pillars every brand must consider to outlast a season or even a lifetime.

First, seasons change. Life will throw unplanned challenges, but a well-built brand can weather storms if it has systems, documented work, and values that guide it when energy and circumstances shift. Second, maximize your prime. Your peak period is limited; pour your passion, skill, and energy into creating a body of work and experiences that will keep speaking for you long after the spotlight dims.

Third, support systems matter. No one sustains success alone. Family, mentors, and a capable team form the foundation that carries a brand through highs and lows. Fourth, go beyond the core gift. Raw talent opens doors, but refinement, rehearsal, and added skills make your work memorable, professional, and enduring. Finally, think beyond profits. Measure your impact by the lives you touch, the knowledge you share, and the influence you leave behind. True legacy is built on contribution, not just transactions.

Celine’s brand is enduring because she mastered all these elements. She combined talent with discipline, passion with preparation, and personal success with meaningful impact. Her story reminds us that legacy is intentional; it requires foresight, investment, and care. Every decision you make today, how you work, who you involve, and what you build determines how your brand will be remembered tomorrow.

As you reflect on your own journey, ask: Are you preparing your brand to breathe through seasons, peak moments, and unexpected challenges? Are you investing in people, skills, and values that will outlast your personal contribution? Your legacy is not a distant possibility; it’s the sum of what you do now, consistently, thoughtfully, and passionately. Build it well, and the best of your work will continue long after you’ve stepped off the stage.

The best is yours.

Remember, I’m your brand and publishing consultant.

     Doing Work That Matters: Thriving in Your Place of Assignment   * Amazon Kindle Edition

• Kelvin Clive, Bernard (Author)
• English (Publication Language)

• 76 Pages - 06/25/2025 (Publication Date)

  $4.99 Buy on Amazon UnGoogleable Brands: The Rise of the Silent Brands * Amazon Kindle Edition * Kelvin Clive, Bernard (Author) * English (Publication Language) * 68 Pages - 03/01/2025 (Publication Date)

  $3.99 Buy on Amazon REBRAND: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding * Amazon Kindle Edition * Clive, Bernard Kelvin (Author) * English (Publication Language) * 127 Pages - 07/16/2014 (Publication Date)

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Why Drafting, Prototyping, and Preparation Matter in Your Work

Where are your sketches? Great things don’t come cheap!

Today, I’d like to take you back to a few personal stories that have shaped my perspective on the world of creativity, business, and execution. These stories carry a simple but powerful lesson: before you put out the product or service you’ve been dreaming of, you must go through a process of concept prototyping and preparation.

This goes beyond art. It’s about building anything worth building: a business, a book, a brand, or even a career.

Back to KNUST – My First Lessons in Preparation

During my time at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), I studied Rural Art, which included coursework in sculpture, woodwork, and clay modeling. The rule in every creative project was clear: before you touch the clay, the wood, or the stone, you first needed to develop your idea on paper.

This meant going through conceptual sketches and idea development stages before creating the final piece. The lecturers didn’t just want to see your finished product — they wanted to know the thinking that led to it.

But here’s what happened.

A few of us, with minimal experience in sculpting or carving, would bypass the planning stage entirely. We’d grab a lump of clay and start molding whatever came to mind. Or pick up a piece of wood and start carving immediately. The only “plan” we had was in our heads.

When presentation time came, the lecturer would ask, “Where are your concept sketches? Where is your idea development stage?”

We would scramble. Some students would finish their sculpture first, then go back and hurriedly sketch something just to “prove” they had gone through the process. But in truth, the final work came first, and the so-called sketches were drawn after the fact.

It was a shortcut — and while it might have saved time in the moment, it robbed us of something bigger: the ability to think through, refine, and improve our ideas before execution.

The Danger of Skipping the Drafting Stage

That experience stayed with me, and over the years I’ve seen the same mistake play out in other fields.

In art, skipping the sketch stage means you might miss the chance to test, tweak, or even completely rethink your approach before committing valuable resources.

In writing, skipping the drafting stage leads to books or articles that could have been far better if the author had taken the time to explore different angles, remove weak sections, and strengthen the message.

I’ve written many books, and I’ve helped others write theirs. I’ve met people who are amazingspeakers, powerful preachers, eloquent orators — but when it comes to writing, their work feels flat. Why? Speaking often flows in the moment, while writing forces you to slow down, process, and refine your thoughts.

A draft allows you to:

1. See the gaps in your logic.
2. Add new analogies and examples.
3. Remove what doesn’t serve your main point.
4. Strengthen the structure and flow of your message.

In short, the drafting stage turns raw talent into polished work.

The Blueprint Principle

Think of your first draft, sketch, or prototype as your blueprint.

In architecture, nobody builds a house without a blueprint. You don’t buy the bricks and cement, then start laying them down in random shapes until it “feels right.” You plan the rooms, the dimensions, and the placement of doors and windows. You test different layouts on paper before the first brick is laid.

The same is true for product development, brand building, and even personal projects. When you take the time to map out your concept:

1. You open space for more creative ideas to emerge.
2. You spot flaws before they become costly mistakes.
3. You create a structure that keeps you focused when the real work begins.

The Power of Seeing it on Paper

Here’s something I’ve noticed: once you get an idea out of your head and onto paper (or a digital board), the possibilities multiply.

With a physical sketch, a draft manuscript, or a mockup in front of you, you can suddenly see opportunities you didn’t see before.

When I was working on a wood sculpture back in school, I remember sketching a figure on a block of wood. Looking at the sketch, I realized I could carve additional, smaller details into the design that weren’t in my original idea. That extra step gave the final piece more depth and meaning.

In the same way, when I draft a book, sometimes the best sections come from ideas I didn’t even have in mind at the start. They emerged because the process itself sparked new connections.

Prototyping gives you room to iterate. You can add, subtract, rearrange, or even create something entirely new from the same raw materials.

Giving Your Work Time to Breathe

One of the best ways to strengthen your ideas is to step away from them for a while.

When you write a draft, create a sketch, or build a prototype, don’t always rush to finish. Put it down for a day, a week, or even longer. Then come back to it with fresh eyes.

You’ll be surprised how much clearer you see things after some distance. That brilliant section you loved yesterday might suddenly feel unnecessary. Or you may notice gaps that need filling.

In art, stepping back lets you see the balance and proportion of your work more clearly. In writing, it gives you a new perspective on your arguments and flow. In business, it helps you see whether your product truly solves the problem you intended.

Adaptability – The Third Stage of Creativity

Even with the best planning, what you have on paper might not translate exactly to the real world.

When you start working with actual materials — whether wood, clay, metal, or digital tools — you may realize that adjustments are needed.

Sometimes it’s because the materials behave differently than expected. At other times, new possibilities emerge that you couldn’t have anticipated during the planning stage.

For example:

1. A planned sculpture might need a different type of wood for durability.
2. A book chapter might work better as a blog series first.
3. A business product might need a feature you hadn’t considered, but becomes obvious during early testing.

This is why the best creators are also adaptable innovators. They hold their vision loosely enough to let it evolve.

Instead of saying, “But this isn’t what I planned,” they ask, “What can I make with what I have now?”

Why This Matters for Every Field

Whether you’re an artist, a writer, a business owner, or a brand builder, the lesson is the same:

1. Start with a concept – get your ideas out of your head and into a form you can see and shape.
2. Prototype or draft – create a low-risk version to test and refine.
3. Adapt and innovate – let the real-world process shape and improve your vision.

Skipping these stages might feel faster, but it often leads to wasted resources, weak results, and missed opportunities.

Putting This Into Practice

Here’s a practical way to apply these principles:

1. For Creative Projects
   1. Always start with multiple sketches or idea outlines before settling on a final direction.
   2. Test different approaches and combinations.
2. For Writing
   1. Begin with a rough outline, then expand into a full draft.
   2. Be ruthless about cutting what doesn’t strengthen your message.
3. For Business or Product Development
   1. Build a minimum viable product (MVP) before launching.
   2. Use customer feedback to refine before scaling.
4. For Personal Growth
   1. Treat life goals like projects: plan, test, adapt.
   2. Don’t fear revising your approach when new information emerges.

In all, your masterpiece, whether it’s a product, a book, a brand, or an artwork, doesn’t just happen. It’s the result of intention, iteration, and adaptation.

The idea in your head is only the seed. The sketch, the draft, the prototype, that’s where you nurture it. And the willingness to adapt? That’s where it blossoms into something even greater than you imagined.

So, as you work on your next big thing, don’t skip the concept stage. Don’t rush past the draft. Give yourself the gift of preparation, and you’ll give your audience the gift of excellence.

The best is yours.

Remember, I’m your brand and publishing consultant.

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If Giants Advertise, Why Aren’t You?

Today, we are looking at marketing and the need for advertisement amidst all the digital stuff, social media, the bars, and all of that. I was having a conversation with a colleague and this subject or marketing and ads came up, so I decided to share some insights to help all of us.

Is there a need. Do I need to place ads as a small business owner or whatever business I’m running? Is it necessary? Can’t I use any other smart means and forget about paid ads? I’m going to share some data with you that will amaze you.

Then we’ll look at a few things that you need to do as a small business owner, whether you’re an enterprise or a brand, to increase sales and revenue and establish your name and brand.

If the Giants Are Doing It, Why Aren’t You?

Here’s the thing. When the top-performing companies in the world, the big names we all know and admire, are pouring billions into advertising, that should tell you something important.

Let’s talk data. According to recent reports from 2024 and 2025, Amazon, the global e-commerce giant, spent a staggering $31 billion on ads in a single year. Think about that. This is a company everyone already knows, yet they still invest heavily in making sure people don’t forget them. Why? Because they understand that visibility is a currency in today’s market. And it pays back, Amazon reportedly gets a 300–400% ROI on their ad spend. That’s massive.

And they’re not alone. Microsoft spent somewhere between $25 to $30 billion last year, focusing on enterprise marketing, cloud services, and especially pushing platforms like LinkedIn. Even a company like Google, the company that sells ads, spends billions on its ads. Why? Because even they need to stay visible.

The numbers don’t lie. Google’s parent company, Alphabet, invests heavily to keep its brand relevant across platforms. Their average return on ad spend is around 200%. It’s a cycle that works: visibility brings clicks, clicks bring conversions, and conversions bring revenue.

Let’s go to the beverage world; Coca-Cola reportedly spends $4 to $5 billion every year on advertising. And we all know how visible that brand is. They’re everywhere. From billboards to Instagram reels, Coca-Cola’s branding is hard to miss. They don’t stop because they know attention is short-lived; you have to keep earning it.

Even Apple, the tech minimalist’s dream brand, spent $2 to $3 billion on advertising in 2024. They could rely on word of mouth or loyal customers, but they chose not to. Why? Because they understand the principle: You can’t sell a secret. If people don’t know, they won’t buy.

So here’s the question I want you to honestly ask yourself:

“If these companies—who are already known, trusted, and highly profitable are consistently placing ads, what makes me think I can grow my business without it?”

Advertising isn’t optional. It’s essential. The moment you stop being seen is the moment you start becoming invisible. No matter how good your product or service is, if no one knows about it, it won’t sell.

Advertising isn’t just a smart strategy. It’s a survival tool in today’s competitive marketplace.

The 5% Who Win — A Lesson from Working with Authors

Over the past decade, I’ve worked with thousands of authors—coaching, guiding, and helping them publish and promote their books across platforms like Amazon. And here’s a sobering truth I’ve discovered:

95% of authors I’ve worked with never invest in advertising.

And guess what? They don’t sell.

They launch their book, post a few times on social media, expect their friends and family to share it, and then wait. Some even get discouraged after a few weeks when the sales don’t roll in. But the 5%—the rare few who strategically run ads—they win. They make consistent sales, build loyal tribes, hit bestseller charts, and get repeat readers.

What’s the difference? Investment. They see advertising as a seed, not an expense. And the harvest? Visibility, sales, credibility, and momentum.

You see, the people who are consistently in the top 10 or top 20 lists on Amazon are not always the best writers or most gifted storytellers. Often, they are simply the ones who market better. They don’t just depend on luck or hoping a post goes viral, they run ads, track performance, test strategies, and optimize for results.

Let me put it plainly: if you publish a book and don’t advertise it, it’s like printing flyers and leaving them in your drawer. Nobody will know, and nobody will care. But place a targeted ad, and suddenly your book is in front of interested readers, people ready to buy, read, and recommend.

This doesn’t just apply to authors. Whether you’re a speaker, coach, solopreneur, or running a local business, visibility is the oxygen of your brand. And the only way to keep getting seen in this noisy world is to pay for attention.

We live in a world where attention is monetized. Organic reach is shrinking. Algorithms are fickle. Friends won’t always repost. Likes don’t equal sales.

But ads? Ads give you access. Access to new audiences. Access to global markets. Access to people who don’t know you yet but need what you’re offering.

Let me say this with clarity: if you want your brand or business to grow, you must be willing to pay to be seen. Those who don’t advertise will keep wondering why their peers are winning. Those who do? They’ll keep winning.

So, if you’re an author, entrepreneur, or creative and you’re holding back on ads because of fear, cost, or uncertainty, let this be your wake-up call.

The difference between staying hidden and getting noticed is one decision: Will you invest in advertising or not?

Why You Should Advertise: Visibility, Mindshare & Revenue

Let’s break this down simply. Why should you run ads? What’s the real benefit?

1. Visibility & Brand Awareness

The more people see you, the more they remember you. The more they remember you, the more likely they are to buy from you.

Running ads, especially in today’s digital age, helps you stay visible in a world overloaded with content. The competition for attention is fierce. If you’re not actively showing up, you’re falling behind.

People need to see your brand multiple times before they take action.

Visibility builds familiarity. Familiarity breeds trust. Trust leads to conversions.

Look at how Temu came out of nowhere. In just a short time, they’ve flooded every corner of the internet with ads—YouTube, Facebook, mobile apps. And what happened? People started asking, “What is this Temu thing?” That curiosity turns into clicks. Clicks into purchases.

It’s a simple marketing truth:

What people see often, they tend to believe is valuable.

2. Top-of-Mind Awareness

Ads help your brand stay top of mind. That means when a potential customer is ready to buy something in your category, your brand is the first one they think of.

Think about Coca-Cola. Even if they’re not your favorite drink, you can’t deny that you think of them first. Why? They’ve mastered consistent advertising. Every campaign, every billboard, every sponsored post—they’re staying in your face. And that’s not by accident.

They understand that attention is seasonal. People forget quickly. So, they remind us constantly: “We’re still here. We’re still the choice.”

Your business is no different. Whether you’re selling books, fashion, food, or courses, if you’re not actively positioning yourself, someone else is filling that space.

Top-of-mind brands get the first call, the first sale, and the first referral.

3. Revenue and Returns

Now let’s talk money.

Advertising is not just a visibility tool—it’s a revenue strategy. Every successful company you admire is using ads to drive results. Their billions in ad spend aren’t charity; it’s business. Smart business.

As I mentioned earlier, the average return on ad spend (ROAS) for many top firms ranges between 200% and 400%. That means for every $1 they spend; they’re making $2 to $4 back.

Now scale that. Imagine spending just $100 and getting $200 or $400 worth of sales. That’s the kind of math that scales brands fast.

And yes, not every ad will be a hit. Some will flop. But the data is clear: consistent, optimized advertising leads to growth. The results compound over time.

So whether you’re a startup or seasoned entrepreneur, the message is the same:

If you want consistent revenue, you need consistent visibility.

If you want consistent visibility, you need to advertise.

Here’s the final section of your article, polished and aligned with your voice:

Advertising Is Not an Expense — It’s an investment

Let’s shift the mindset.

Too many small business owners, solopreneurs, and creatives still see advertising as a cost. Something to avoid. Something to postpone. Something to only “try” when there’s extra money.

But here’s the truth:

Advertisement is not an expense, it’s an investment.

It’s the bridge between where your brand is and where it can be.

The sooner you stop seeing ads as money lost and start seeing them as money planted, the sooner you’ll start reaping long-term returns.

Yes, the digital space has taken over. While traditional advertising still has its place, digital ads dominate—and for good reason. They’re cheaper, more targeted, trackable, and scalable. Platforms like Facebook, Google, Instagram, LinkedIn, and even TikTok allow you to reach your ideal audience based on interests, behavior, geography, and more.

And when you run ads well, even with a modest budget, the returns can be exponential.

Here’s the irony: when people see your ad, they subconsciously think,

“This must be valuable. They’re investing in it.”

They assume credibility. They assume quality.

Visibility creates perceived value, and perceived value drives sales.

Whether you’re selling online courses, a book, a fashion line, or handmade products, placing ads gives the impression that your brand matters. That it’s not some side hustle you’re toying with, but a serious business with serious solutions.

You want to change the game? Start showing up like you’re already a big deal.

And the beauty of digital ads is this: platforms like Google even help you promote once you start spending. Their algorithms work in your favor. They want your ad to succeed because when you win, they win.

So, here’s the bottom line:

1. If you’re just starting, start small, but start.
2. If you’ve plateaued, increase your investment strategically.
3. If you’re growing, scale your ads as your audience grows.

No more excuses. No more waiting. No more hoping friends will share your post enough times to spark a movement.

Pay the price to rise. The best is yours.

Marketing works when you work it.

Remember, I’m your brand and publishing consultant.

     Doing Work That Matters: Thriving in Your Place of Assignment   * Amazon Kindle Edition

• Kelvin Clive, Bernard (Author)
• English (Publication Language)

• 76 Pages - 06/25/2025 (Publication Date)

  $4.99 Buy on Amazon UnGoogleable Brands: The Rise of the Silent Brands * Amazon Kindle Edition * Kelvin Clive, Bernard (Author) * English (Publication Language) * 68 Pages - 03/01/2025 (Publication Date)

  $3.99 Buy on Amazon REBRAND: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding * Amazon Kindle Edition * Clive, Bernard Kelvin (Author) * English (Publication Language) * 127 Pages - 07/16/2014 (Publication Date)

  $9.99 Buy on Amazon

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Birthing Creativity Unusual Ways.

“Kids don’t wait for permission to be creative—they just get bored enough to try something new.” — Bernard Kelvin Clive.

Today, I’d like to discuss something I call “From Bored to Boardroom.”

Don’t we all get bored at times?

Well, it’s about how creativity is born—often not in the moments of pressure or hype, but in the quiet, sometimes repetitive spaces of life. The playgrounds. The routines. The places we often overlook.

Let me begin with a simple story, something I’ve been observing with my kids lately. Not just my kids, but others too. especially when I take them to the playground.

I’ve been watching how they play, how they interact. How do they explore? And the tools they use: the slides, swings, bicycles… You name it. And one thing keeps standing out to me.

The Playground Discovery

There was this one day at the park. The kids saw this new high slide. At first, they were cautious. Hesitant. They stood around it, quietly watching how others used it. No one wanted to be the first to try. It was tall. Intimidating. And unknown.

Eventually, someone gathered the courage to try it out. Then another. And another. My kids, too. Little by little, they gave it a shot. Climbing slowly and sliding down carefully. Sometimes falling, looking for help. You could tell—it was a mix of excitement and fear.

The same thing happens with bicycles. When they get a new bike, they’re excited—but unsure. They try pedalling. They fall. They need help. You support them, and they get up again. But soon… they get it. And the moment they do—oh, everything changes.

That’s when the real story begins.

The Birth of Boredom

Once they master the tool—whether it’s the bike, the swing, or the slide—they go all in. They enjoy it. They play. They laugh. But eventually… they get bored.

And that’s when the magic starts.

You’ll see them begin to improvise. They’ll try riding the bike with one hand. Then no hands. Then standing. Then, carrying a teddy bear while riding. They’ll try sliding backward instead of forward. Or climbing up the wrong end of the slide. Swinging while standing instead of sitting.

Why? Because they’ve mastered the basics, and now their brain is saying: “What else can I do with this?”

They’re not just playing anymore. They’re creating.

From Familiar to Fresh

The boredom pushes them to explore. The ordinary is no longer enough. The repetition becomes too predictable. So, they start pushing boundaries. Sometimes what they do is scary. Risky. Even dangerous. But that’s where innovation begins.

I watched my kids do things with those same old tools that I’d never even imagined. Not because I told them what to do, but because they had outgrown the basic use. And now their creativity had kicked in.

That’s when I paused and said, “This is it. This is what happens in business and branding, too.”

The Business Parallel

See, it’s the same for us. In business, we start like those kids. New idea. New space. New tools. We struggle at first. We copy what others are doing. We need support. Then we master it. We get comfortable. We can do it in our sleep.

But then what?

Boredom.

And if we don’t allow that boredom to speak—if we don’t pause and engage our minds at that moment—we’ll plateau. The cycle will repeat. We’ll coast. And eventually, the thing we once loved will feel flat.

But here’s the key: boredom is not the enemy. It’s a signal to greatness.

It’s your system telling you, “You’ve mastered this. Now, stretch it.”

This is where new ideas are born. This is the tipping point between running a business and building something revolutionary. Between brand maintenance and brand reinvention.

The Creativity Zone

There’s a zone where the routine becomes too easy, too automated. You can close your eyes and do what you do. That’s your sign. It means: you’ve entered the boredom zone.

Now here’s what the kids teach us: Don’t stay there. Break it. Flip it. Explore.

Use the same tools differently. Flip the slide. Ride the bike backward (metaphorically). Bring your teddy bear on board (collaborate, repackage, remix). Do something new with the same resources.

This is how fresh creativity is born—not always from newness, but from stretching the old in new directions.

Give Yourself Permission

One thing I’ve realized is this: kids permit themselves to fail. They don’t mind falling. They’re not embarrassed to try something wild. And that’s why they keep discovering.

But we adults? We’re so calculated. We’ve done this for years. We know how it’s “supposed to be done.” We fear looking silly. We fear breaking the flow.

But what if that’s exactly what we need?

To break it. To reimagine it. To do the “wrong” thing and discover something right.

Many times, I’ve seen kids shift from crayons to chalk, then to paintbrushes, to try new things. Not because they were told to—but because something in them said, “Let me see what happens if…”

That’s how talents are revealed. That’s how creativity is birthed. That’s how the next level is unlocked.

From Boredom to the Boardroom

The boardroom isn’t just a meeting place. It’s a mindset, a decision-making zone. And to truly get there with fresh, impactful ideas, you have to pass through the playground of experimentation.

Sometimes the slide is where it starts. But the boardroom is where it lands.

From the sandbox to strategy.

From play to purpose.

From repetition to reinvention.

This journey matters. And it only happens when you allow boredom to drive curiosity—not complacency.

So, here’s what I’m saying:

1. Master your craft, yes.
2. But when you feel the ease, the autopilot, the “I-can-do-this-in-my-sleep” moment… pause.
3. Ask, “What else can this become?”
4. Permit yourself to try. Permission to fail. Permission to explore.

Because just like those kids at the playground, your next big idea might not come from something new—it might come from doing the same thing differently.

Creativity is born when you’re bored enough to go beyond the basics.

So today, allow yourself to enter that creative zone.

Stretch what you know. Break the cycle. Flip the slide.

Try standing on the swing.

Think about it. The best is yours.

     Doing Work That Matters: Thriving in Your Place of Assignment   * Amazon Kindle Edition

• Kelvin Clive, Bernard (Author)
• English (Publication Language)

• 76 Pages - 06/25/2025 (Publication Date)

  $4.99 Buy on Amazon UnGoogleable Brands: The Rise of the Silent Brands * Amazon Kindle Edition * Kelvin Clive, Bernard (Author) * English (Publication Language) * 68 Pages - 03/01/2025 (Publication Date)

  $3.99 Buy on Amazon REBRAND: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding * Amazon Kindle Edition * Clive, Bernard Kelvin (Author) * English (Publication Language) * 127 Pages - 07/16/2014 (Publication Date)

  $9.99 Buy on Amazon

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Ways to Preserve Your Brand for the Next Generation

“Documentation is the oxygen your business needs to breathe beyond your lifetime.” — Bernard Kelvin Clive

We often speak of legacy like it’s a retirement plan—something to think about in our twilight years, after the work is done. But legacy isn’t built at the end; it’s shaped in every intentional decision we make along the way. In my journey as a writer, brand coach, and father, I’ve learned this truth repeatedly: what we fail to prepare for today can’t be preserved tomorrow. Whether it’s a business, a belief, or a brand, what truly lasts is what we start grooming early, not just in systems, but in people. This article is a call to action for builders, dreamers, and parents alike: pass it on, but start now.

I will share with you three key areas to work on. Here we go!

Start Grooming Early

Some time ago, I was working on a ghost-writing project for a retired police officer. He was over 80 years old—yes, eighty!—and as we got into the book, he casually mentioned that he was now going into real estate. My colleague and I laughed—not at him, but in wonder. At 80, most people are winding down, not starting up. But here he was, not only learning but doing. He had already begun a project with a team and even directed us to visit the site. I was stunned. Why real estate at this stage? His answer? “People still need good places to live. And maybe it could be something for my children.”

That hit me deeply. This man wasn’t just thinking about himself—he was thinking about legacy. Not a mere inheritance of assets, but of mindset, opportunity, and a working system. That’s the essence of passing it on.

Fast-forward to a youth event I spoke at, with teens who had just completed their Basic Education Certificate Exams (BECE). You could feel the fresh energy in the room—some buzzing with excitement, others laid-back and indifferent, like they had hit life’s peak already at age 14.

After the session, I couldn’t shake a thought: These are the ones we hope to pass the baton to… but are they even ready to receive it?

That’s the dilemma many brands and businesses face. You build something with heart and soul, but when it’s time to hand it over, those next in line aren’t prepared—mentally, emotionally, or practically. So what happens? The brand fades. The business collapses. The legacy is lost.

This is why grooming must begin early. We can’t wait till we’re ready to exit. We need to bring people along through the journey, not just at the end of it.

One of my friends, a photographer, noticed how curious his son was about his gear. Instead of shooing him away, he began to give him child-friendly tools to explore. From small shoots to helping out on real projects, his son is learning by doing. Another friend with a passion for cars introduced his son to auto mechanics early, not by force, but through exposure. That’s how passion transfers.

It’s not about forcing your dream down someone’s throat—it’s about giving them the environment to catch the fire for themselves.

Takeaway:

Start now. Whether you’re a parent, a brand builder, a business owner, or a mentor, bring someone along. Don’t wait till you’re retiring or fading out to find a successor. Begin the grooming journey early so they can grow through the tough times with you. That’s how sustainable brands are built.

Document the Process

A big challenge in Ghana—and many parts of Africa—is how much knowledge dies with one generation. Think of all the local herbalists, skilled craftsmen, or traders who pass without leaving a trace of how they did what they did. The knowledge, systems, and success die with them. Why? Because there’s no documentation.

When big brands in the food or pharmaceutical industries grow across borders, it’s not just because of the product—it’s the process. They document. They have formulas. They have manuals. So, whether it’s a McDonald’s in Accra or Tokyo, the product tastes the same. That’s legacy in action—documented systems that can outlive the founder.

Contrast that with a local herbalist who cures dozens of ailments but never writes down a single formula or records his methods. The minute he passes on, so does the medicine. That’s not just a personal loss—it’s a national one.

As we build our brands and businesses, we must be intentional about preserving knowledge. Write it. Record it. Teach it. Make it reproducible.

Documentation can be:

1. A manual or guide
2. Training videos or voice recordings
3. A well-written book (yes, I can help with that!)
4. Even simply mentoring someone directly through repetition

Whatever the medium, make sure it’s clear and transferable.

Takeaway:

Don’t just build—record how you’re building. Because that’s the only way others can continue from where you stop.

Adapt and Innovate

Let me circle back to the 80-year-old man again. What stood out was not just his age or ambition—it was his willingness to enter a new field. He could’ve held on to his past achievements and retired in comfort. But instead, he dared to learn something different for the benefit of others.

That’s what passing it on requires—not just giving people our old systems, but also preparing them for the future.

Too many people want to hand over their businesses to the next generation with no room for change. We pass down not just the business but also the outdated ways that no longer serve current realities. That’s a problem.

The next generation is curious. They come with questions, new tools, new approaches—and that’s not rebellion, it’s readiness. But if we stifle their creativity in the name of tradition, we risk losing both their interest and the business.

Brands that survive generations don’t just preserve values—they embrace innovation.

Think of companies that have grown for over 30 years: they didn’t stay stagnant. They added new ideas, adjusted their methods, embraced tech, and allowed the next leaders to bring fresh eyes. Legacy isn’t about freezing your brand in time. It’s about building a foundation strong enough for others to innovate on top of.

Takeaway:

Let the next generation innovate. Give them room to grow the brand in ways you may not have imagined. Guide them with your values, but don’t trap them in your systems.

Legacy doesn’t happen by accident. It’s a deliberate effort of grooming early, documenting clearly, and adapting wisely. What you build today should not die with you tomorrow. So, bring someone along. Let them learn your heart, not just your hustle. Let them innovate, not just imitate. Because when we start grooming early, we don’t just leave behind businesses—we leave behind blueprints for greatness that others can build upon. That’s how we truly pass it on.

Now, it’s your turn, go make it happen!

The best is yours.

Remember, I’m your brand and publishing consultant.

     Doing Work That Matters: Thriving in Your Place of Assignment   * Amazon Kindle Edition

• Kelvin Clive, Bernard (Author)
• English (Publication Language)

• 76 Pages - 06/25/2025 (Publication Date)

  $4.99 Buy on Amazon UnGoogleable Brands: The Rise of the Silent Brands * Amazon Kindle Edition * Kelvin Clive, Bernard (Author) * English (Publication Language) * 68 Pages - 03/01/2025 (Publication Date)

  $3.99 Buy on Amazon REBRAND: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding * Amazon Kindle Edition * Clive, Bernard Kelvin (Author) * English (Publication Language) * 127 Pages - 07/16/2014 (Publication Date)

  $9.99 Buy on Amazon

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In An Evolving, Tech-Driven World

“Stay curious. What worked five years ago may no longer work today—keep refreshing your skills.” — Bernard Kelvin Clive.

We are in a world where things keep shifting—fast. Every day, something changes. A new technology. A new app. A new tool. AI technologies are everywhere. Businesses that existed five years ago have either changed completely or disappeared. New industries are emerging by the minute.

So, the question is: how do you stay relevant?

How do you keep your brand, your product, and your service from becoming obsolete?

Let’s talk about some key things I believe will help anyone—business owners, solopreneurs, brands—stay relevant in this fast-evolving world.

1. Build on Timeless Principles—Not Just Tools

First and most fundamental: You must be grounded in principles, not products.

Too many people build their brand on tools. On platforms. On trends. But tools come and go. What is hot today will be forgotten tomorrow. If your brand is built only on tools, when the next shiny thing comes along, you’ll be lost.

Build your brand on timeless principles. On values that do not change.

What do I mean? Principles like empathy. You’re not just selling products—you’re connecting with people. Your business is not just about exchanging goods for money. It’s about caring.

Principles like trust—don’t just polish things to look beautiful on the outside, but deliver real quality. Don’t just sell something that looks good but lacks substance.

Principles like kindness, love, empathy, integrity.

When you weave these values into your product or service, people will connect with your brand. They will trust you. They will love doing business with you.

Because here’s the truth: AI will change. Tools will change. Platforms will change. However, people will always crave genuine human connection.

Think of it this way: As an author, people don’t just want to read your book. They want to know the person behind the words. As a public speaker, it’s not just your message—it’s your tone, your energy, your voice that connects.

Even in a virtual space—podcasts, videos, online communities—people still want to feel that human presence.

A good friend of mine still sends handwritten notes to his clients. In a world of automated emails and AI bots, that little handwritten note stands out. It makes people feel seen, and valued.

Another Real Estate business owner I know, always adds a personal handwoven bracelet as a ‘Thank You’ gift —just to maintain that human touch. These are small things, but they matter. Robots can’t replace empathy. They can’t replace trust. They can’t replace human connection.

So, whatever you do—whether you’re selling products or services—bring in your human side. Build your business on principles, not tools. That will keep you relevant through every wave of technology.

2. Keep Learning, Keep Evolving

There’s a saying I love: “If you’re green, you grow. If you’re ripe, you rot.”

You must always keep learning. Always keep evolving. Stay humble.

Recently I read an article about Microsoft replacing some of their top coders with AI tools. These were people who had worked with the company for years, but suddenly a tool came along that could do the job faster, and cheaper.

Now, I’m not saying this to scare anyone. I’m saying it to make this point: If you stop learning, you risk becoming irrelevant.

What worked five years ago may no longer work today. The way you marketed your brand five years ago may not reach today’s audience. The tools you used three years ago may now be outdated.

You have to stay fresh. Stay updated.

Ask yourself:

1. What’s new in my field?
2. What are the new platforms?
3. What are the new technologies?
4. What new skills do I need to learn?

Enroll in new courses. Attend webinars, conferences, seminars. Read books. Talk to people in your industry.

If you’re in education—what are the new learning tools available today?

If you’re in music—what are the new styles, trends, and technologies?

Stay curious. Stay green. Keep growing. Because when you keep learning, you stay ahead of the curve. You won’t be caught off guard when your industry shifts.

3. Build Collaborative Ecosystems

Here’s another key: Stop trying to do it all alone. Shift from solo to collaborative.

In today’s world, collaboration is critical. Ecosystems are the future.

Yes, personal branding is great. But ask yourself:

1. Who can I partner with?
2. Who can I collaborate with?
3. What networks can I plug into?

As the Good Book says, “One can chase a thousand, but two can put ten thousand to flight.” That’s exponential growth.

Recently I visited a friend’s business. He was working on a new project—not because he needed more work, but because it gave him access to a great new network in that industry. That’s smart. That’s staying relevant.

You need the right partners. The right collaborators. The right team.

If you’re an author—you might need a great designer, a marketer, or a photographer.

If you’re a speaker—you might need an event planner, a PR partner, or a movie producer.

Don’t isolate yourself. The right partners can help you scale more quickly, reach new markets, and remain relevant.

Communities and ecosystems are the way forward. Find your tribe. Build your network. Plug into the right partnerships—and watch your business grow.

4. Own Your Unique Voice

One of the most powerful ways to stay relevant is to own your unique voice.

In today’s world, a lot of fields are becoming commoditized. Everyone is doing “the same thing.” AI can generate content. Tools can mass-produce products.

So how do you stand out? By bringing your unique story, your perspective, and your heart into your brand.

What is it about your chocolates that makes them different?

What is the story behind your art?

What is the passion behind your coaching or consulting?

People don’t just buy products. They buy stories. They buy hearts. They buy connections.

AI can’t create that. Only you can.

Show your behind-the-scenes. Share your journey. Bring your personality, your values, and your voice into everything you do.

That’s what will resonate with your audience. That’s what will keep them coming back—not just for the product, but for the person behind the product.

5. Stay Customer-Centered

At the heart of every business is one thing: customers.

No business survives without clients. No brand stays relevant without an audience.

It’s easier—and more profitable—to keep an existing client than to constantly chase new ones.

So:

1. Focus on your customers.
2. Listen to them.
3. Wow them.
4. Delight them and give them an unforgettable experience.

Give them more than they expect. Surprise them. Show them you care.

You can upsell, offer bonuses, run special promotions—but beyond all that, what people remember is how you made them feel.

When customers fall in love with your brand—when they feel valued, cared for, and connected—they will stay loyal. They will keep coming back.

And that loyalty will keep you relevant—no matter how much the world changes.

So, to put it all together simply, If you want to stay relevant in this fast-changing, tech-driven world, here’s what you need to do:

1. Build on timeless principles.
2. Keep learning, and keep evolving.
3. Collaborate—shift from solo to ecosystem.
4. Own your unique voice.
5. Stay customer-centered.

Do these things consistently—and your brand, your business, and your message will not only stay relevant but will thrive through every season of change. And don’t forget to try your own strategies and ideas to keep your brand and business afloat.

If you enjoyed this, I’d love to hear from you. Please shoot me an email: bernardkelvinclive@gmail.com. And if you want more, grab any of my branding or business books on your favorite online platform.

The best is yours.

Remember, I’m your brand and publishing consultant.

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“You don’t grow by showing up everywhere—you grow by going deep somewhere.”—Bernard Kelvin Clive

There’s an undeniable attraction to mastery. The world is drawn to excellence—whether it’s in art, music, business, or branding. People are drawn to the finished product, the seamless delivery, and the effortless appearance of work well done. But what’s often unseen, overlooked, and unappreciated is the silent discipline, years of failure and learning, and the persistence behind every moment of brilliance. This is what I call Mastering Your Art.

As an author of over 70 published books—and one who continuously writes, coaches, and helps others build their brands and publish—I’ve encountered a wide range of people: from aspiring writers to entrepreneurs, all eager to make their mark. Some are often stunned by the speed and precision with which I deliver results. They marvel at how quickly I write, and how decisively I guide them through branding or publishing. But the truth is, what looks easy is the product of years of unseen rehearsals.

The Illusion of Ease

Recently, I assisted a client in getting her book published on a digital platform—a task that had taken her weeks to complete with no progress despite seeking help elsewhere. She was referred to me, and within 30 minutes, I had everything sorted. Naturally, she thought it was easy. And when I quoted my price, she tried to bargain.

I smiled and said, “It’s not that easy.”

What she didn’t see were the years of late nights, failed attempts, learning curves, and endless hours of practice. What looked like a quick fix was the outcome of years spent mastering my systems, tools, and craft.

That experience reminded me why it’s important to talk about mastery—not just as a badge of honor but as a process of discipline, obscurity, and reinvention.

Here are six key stages that I believe everyone must pass through to master their art, build a brand with impact, and position themselves as leaders in their field.

1. Unseen Rehearsals: The Offstage Grind

Every great performance is preceded by days, months—even years—of unseen rehearsals. Before you see a dancer command the stage, a writer win awards, or a singer touch hearts, they’ve spent countless hours behind closed doors—failing, learning, and trying again.

This is what I call the “labor in obscurity” phase. It’s when you’re unknown, no one is clapping for you, and no results seem visible. But this is where the foundation is laid.

Too many people want to skip this. They rush to show up on social media and declare themselves “brands” without the necessary skillset or depth. But shortcuts to exposure without mastery will eventually reveal gaps you can’t hide.

Whether it’s writing, coaching, music, or art, you must invest the time. As Malcolm Gladwell popularized, the “10,000-hour rule” underscores the need to consistently practice your craft if you want to perform with excellence.

Your unseen rehearsals are not a waste of time—they are your most critical work. It’s where you polish your tools, develop your voice, and correct your weaknesses. Skipping this stage is like building a skyscraper without digging a solid foundation.

2. Moments of Stillness: Strategic Silence

At some point in your brand journey, you’ll need to embrace what I call “intentional invisibility”—a period of stillness and strategic silence.

This may sound counterintuitive in an age where everyone is being told to “show up” online daily. But silence isn’t inactivity—it’s reflection. It’s that space where growth becomes internal before external. It’s the “quiet between the notes that makes the music.”

In this season, you might stop posting for a while. You might turn down speaking engagements. You might sit back to evaluate what’s working and what isn’t. Stillness helps you recalibrate.

Without stillness, you risk burnout. You might keep producing content, but lose direction. You might stay active but lack clarity. Strategic silence allows you to reflect, restrategize, and come back stronger and sharper.

Your value doesn’t diminish in silence—it’s simply being refined if you are working on yourself.

3. Cultural Clarity & Brand Positioning

Mastering your art also means owning your identity. One of the most powerful ways to position your brand is by embracing your cultural background and infusing it into your work.

Look at Ghanaian singer Wiyaala. Her music and performances boldly carry her cultural identity—from her outfits to her lyrics. She doesn’t try to sound like everyone else. She sounds like herself—and that makes her unforgettable.

Think of Black Sherif (Blacko) and his ability to blend local language, unique vocal style, and soulful storytelling into his music. It resonates. It feels authentic.

Sarkodie, Ghana’s rap king, stuck to his fast-paced, Ghanaian-themed rap when everyone was shifting to foreign influences. His consistency built a loyal audience because people saw themselves in his art.

Your brand should do the same. From your colors and fonts to your messaging and product offerings, ensure they reflect the culture and audience you want to reach.

Cultural clarity is about identity. What do you stand for? Who do you serve? What makes you different?

The clearer you are on your identity and positioning, the easier it is for your audience to recognize, connect with, and trust you.

4. Create Systems, Not Just Passion

In the beginning, your brand grows on passion. You love what you do. You spend hours creating, experimenting, and serving. But eventually, passion must give way to structure.

Mastery requires systems and patterns that make your process repeatable, scalable, and sustainable.

For instance, as an author, I’ve developed templates and tools that help me write and publish faster. I’m not winging it every time—I follow proven systems I’ve built through experience.

Whether you’re an artist, coach, speaker, or entrepreneur, you need systems. These may include:

1. Writing or content templates
2. Publishing workflows
3. Client onboarding checklists
4. Financial structures
5. Marketing calendars
6. AI tools to automate tasks

Without systems, you will burn out. You’ll become the bottleneck of your success.

What starts as exciting will become exhausting unless you standardize and simplify your processes. And in today’s world, leveraging AI and automation is no longer optional—it’s essential for anyone serious about 10X growth.

5. Rejection Is Part of the Journey

At some point, you’ll experience what I call “brand rejection.” You’ll post something that gets no traction. You’ll release a product and hear crickets. You’ll offer your services, and people won’t respond.

This doesn’t mean your work lacks value. It simply means those weren’t your people.

Not everyone is your target. Not everyone will appreciate your voice or process. And that’s okay.

The key is not to shift your standards or compromise your values for temporary applause. Instead, stay grounded in your message and mission. Keep showing up for those who resonate with your brand. They are your tribe.

Rejection also sharpens you. It forces you to refine your message, reposition your value, and reconnect with your “why.”

Mastery involves growing thick skin. Chale, you’re not for everyone—and you shouldn’t be.

6. Stay Green: Keep Evolving

“If you are green, you grow. If you are ripe, you rot.”

That’s one of my favorite reminders in the journey of mastery.

No matter how successful you become, never stop learning. The moment you think you’ve “arrived” is the moment you begin to fall behind.

The world is evolving. Technologies are changing. Consumer behaviors are shifting. If you’re not upgrading, you’re downgrading.

So read new books. Learn new tools. Take new courses. Attend conferences. Subscribe to industry trends. Put your ear to the ground—and your heart to the sky.

As a brand leader, you must remain a lifelong learner. That’s how you stay fresh, relevant, and innovative.

In a nutshell: Mastering your art is not an overnight success story. It’s a lifetime commitment to growth, excellence, and purpose.

Let’s recap the six essential pillars of brand mastery:

1. Unseen Rehearsals – Invest in practice when no one is watching.

2. Strategic Silence – Embrace quiet moments for reflection and recalibration.

3. Cultural Clarity & Brand Positioning – Be rooted in your unique identity.

4. Build Systems – Create structures that scale your passion sustainably.

5. Embrace Rejection – Not everyone is your audience. Serve your tribe.

6. Stay Green – Keep learning, upgrading, and evolving.

I hope these pillars guide you in building a brand and life that speaks of mastery, depth, and impact. You don’t just want to be known—you want to be remembered.

If you’re ready to take your brand, book, or business to the next level—whether it’s coaching, speaking, or publishing—feel free to reach out. Please send me a message at bernardkelvinclive@gmail.com or find any of my 70+ books online by searching Bernard Kelvin Clive in your favorite bookstore.

The best is yours.

Remember, I’m your brand and publishing consultant.

     UnGoogleable Brands: The Rise of the Silent Brands   * Amazon Kindle Edition

• Kelvin Clive, Bernard (Author)
• English (Publication Language)

• 68 Pages - 03/01/2025 (Publication Date)

  $3.99 Buy on Amazon REBRAND: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding * Amazon Kindle Edition * Clive, Bernard Kelvin (Author) * English (Publication Language) * 127 Pages - 07/16/2014 (Publication Date)

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Welcome to another episode of Your Personal Branding Podcast. Bernard Kelvin Clive here. Today, I have a special guest with me — Loren Nelson. Loren, welcome to the show!

Loren:
Thank you so much for having me. I really appreciate it.

BKC:
Let’s dive right in. We often talk about personal branding, digital marketing, and all things in between. From your perspective, what is personal branding really all about?

Loren:
For me, personal branding is tied to self-worth. It’s about knowing who you are — being self-aware enough to show up in the world as your authentic self. That’s where true authenticity lies: in self-knowledge and the courage to be seen clearly by others.

BKC:
I love that. Many people begin their personal branding journeys by jumping on digital platforms — LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok — and putting out great profile pictures, fancy bios, and avatars. While that’s common, I often have issues with that approach. You mentioned something critical: self-awareness is the starting point.
So let’s go there — how does one begin building personal self-awareness as a foundation for branding? How do I get to know myself and then build a brand in the right direction?

Loren:
That’s such an important question. First, we need to understand that becoming self-aware is a process. It’s not instant. It often involves unlearning things we’ve been taught since childhood — beliefs, expectations, behaviors.

A lot of people think personal branding happens overnight: “By tomorrow, I’ll have this amazing brand.” But the truth is, it takes time and deep reflection. We need to look at how our experiences have shaped us — how certain situations formed our character and values.

One way I’ve developed my own personal brand is through journaling. I reflect on past experiences, how they’ve impacted my worldview, how I show up, and the kind of impact I want to create. Journaling has been a key tool for me — and I’d highly recommend it to anyone on this journey.

BKC:
Let’s talk more about journaling. Someone listening might say, “Loren, journaling sounds hard. I’m not trying to write a book or script my life!” They may also worry about oversharing. What would you say to someone who finds journaling intimidating? How can they start — and use it to grow while also bringing their audience along on their journey?

Loren:
I completely understand that concern. Personal branding isn’t about telling the world everything about you. It’s not about exposing yourself. It’s about clarity and relevance.

You start by getting clear on the industry or space you want to be known in. Then, ask yourself: What experiences or lessons have I learned that are relevant to this space?

Deep introspection is great for personal growth, but when sharing publicly, you only need to share what adds value and builds credibility within your niche.

Here’s how I approach it: Imagine you’re preparing for a job interview. You’d list the skills, experiences, and achievements that are relevant to the role. Do the same for your personal brand — list experiences that reflect your credibility and give you authority to speak in your space.

And yes, that includes moments of failure or hurt — those are powerful when framed as lessons. Write them down. Reflect on the stories behind them. Go deep.

Most people shy away from depth because it’s uncomfortable. And in a world of short attention spans, it feels easier to stay surface-level. But depth is where the real connection happens. If you want to build a strong personal brand, it’s absolutely worth the effort.

So, begin with your stories — the experiences, lessons, even losses — and shape them into valuable content for your audience. That’s how you build with purpose and authenticity.

BKC:
Let me add a little something to that. One thing I often recommend is starting with the FAQs — frequently asked questions — in your field.

Just list out the questions people regularly ask you in your area of expertise. These could be related to your career, business, or industry challenges. Start sharing insights and responses to those questions. It’s a practical and relatable starting point for content creation.

By doing this, you not only offer value to your audience but also begin to build confidence in yourself and your authority in that space. Over time, it helps you gain traction and credibility as you grow your personal brand.

Now, Loren, here’s something that comes up a lot:
Let’s say someone is transitioning from one career to another. For example, maybe they’re currently in HR but are developing a strong interest in AI technologies. How can they make that transition effectively — from one clearly defined field into another — in a way that helps their audience buy into their journey, trust their voice, and recognize their evolving relevance?

Loren:
That’s such a great question. Career transitions can be beautiful, and in many cases, necessary for our growth and evolution.

There’s this outdated idea that we need to pick one lane in life and stick with it forever — become an expert in just one thing. But the truth is, we’re multi-dimensional. We have the freedom to evolve, to explore, and to pivot. That’s something to celebrate, not suppress.

Now, when it comes to transitioning, one of the most powerful things you can do is bring people along for the ride.

Here’s what I mean: People love watching a journey unfold. They connect more deeply when they see someone start from somewhere familiar, go through the process, and grow into something new.

If you suddenly show up claiming to be an AI expert, but your audience only knows you as “the HR person,” there’s a disconnect. But if you say, “Hey, I’m currently in HR and I’ve recently developed a strong interest in AI. I’m starting this transition, and I want to share the journey,” people will relate to that. They’ll be curious, supportive, and more likely to engage with you.

They might ask, “Oh, what sparked your interest in AI?” or “How’s the transition going?” You create space for conversation, connection, and growth.

And as you go deeper, share the process:

• What courses are you taking?
• What books are you reading?
• Who are you connecting with in the AI space?
• What insights are you learning?

This is also a golden opportunity to network, seek mentors, and build new relationships. Showcasing the journey — not just the destination — is one of the most authentic and effective ways to rebrand during a career shift, especially on social media.

BKC:
Yes, exactly. To add a bit more to that — we are in what I often call the “Me Era.” Everyone wants to show up as an expert. But what really resonates today is vulnerability.

When you openly admit, “This is a new field for me — I’m not yet an expert. I was an expert in HR, but I’m now transitioning into AI,” that honesty draws people in.

You invite your audience to journey with you. You say, “Come along with me. I’ll share my successes, my failures, and my learnings.” That openness builds trust. People begin to say, “Wow, this person is genuine — I can relate to that.”

Personally, about 15 or 16 years ago, when I started writing and publishing books, I began teaching others how to do the same. And one of the first things I did “channeling” — was create a simple pathway. I gathered a core group and began offering value for free.

No charge. No paywall. Just impact.

I would host free virtual sessions to teach them how to write and publish. From there, I received lots of frequently asked questions — that helped me refine my content. Eventually, I introduced low-entry paid versions of those sessions.

But by that time, I had already built trust. These people had seen my growth, been part of my learning journey, and now believed in the process.

So what happened? They trusted me. Because they saw where I started and where I was going. I didn’t hide my flaws. I was vulnerable. But I also showed I was evolving. That’s what allows people to say, “Okay, this person can help me grow too.”

Loren:
Yes! And I’d love to share a bit of my own story to build on that — just so our listeners can appreciate the power of that growth process.

And you’re absolutely right, Bernard. Starting for free is so important. But I know, especially for people who are trying to position themselves as high-value, it can feel uncomfortable. Like, “Shouldn’t I be charging for this?”

But the key is understanding why you’re doing it. You’re building credibility, gaining experience, and creating opportunities.

Now, my story — whew! Where do I even begin? [laughs] I’ve done quite a few things, but let’s go back to the very beginning.

My first ever business was a haircare company called Levore. I started it when I was just 18. I had no experience — none — in haircare. But I was ambitious and willing to learn.

You see, my mom used to make homemade hair products for us. One day I thought, “Why not try branding this and turning it into something real?” So I began using my personal brand to talk about the products, showcase results with my own hair, and just put myself out there.

It was uncomfortable. But that discomfort was essential to my growth.

I started going door-to-door in Milwaukee where I was schooling — literally knocking on business doors, salons, and retail stores asking to speak to the manager. I’d say, “Hi, I’d like to place my products here. What’s the process?”

I had no idea what I was doing. I didn’t know I needed barcodes. I didn’t understand the logistics. But I was willing to try. And eventually, I got my products into four retail locations. That was a big deal for me back then.

That experience taught me the importance of confidence — and of showing up, even when you feel like you don’t have it all figured out.

Then came my next pivot. Through all of that, I discovered that I really loved marketing. I loved storytelling, inspiring others, and building campaigns. So I leaned into that. But again, I didn’t have formal experience in marketing yet.

So I started doing what I knew best: I gave value for free. I hosted free training sessions. When I moved to Atlanta, I started working with local Black-owned businesses — completely free of charge.

I handled their entire campaigns: photography, videography, strategy, execution — all of it. Most people would say, “I’m not doing all that for free!” But I knew I needed the experience. And I strongly believe in creating your own opportunities.

Why wait for someone to give you a chance, when you can create that chance for yourself?

Most of the entry-level jobs I saw would only give me access to one slice of the marketing pie. But I wanted the whole thing. So I made it happen.

Some of the campaigns I ran were highly successful — but sadly, I had to move shortly after, which meant I couldn’t fully commit long-term. That’s also around the time I began traveling more to Ghana.

Now fast forward: today, I’ve worked with major Christian hip-hop radio stations, record labels, and global brands. And I can honestly say that everything I’ve built in my business and career today started with doing the work — even when it meant doing it for free.

So if you’re listening: create your own opportunities. Don’t be limited by what’s in front of you. If you know where you want to go, don’t wait for a seat at the table — build the table.

From literally zero dollars — actually, negative dollars — I’ve come to a place where I can only thank God for how far I’ve come. And you can do the same.

BKC:
That’s amazing, regarding your growth and your brand journey. You know, one of the challenges many young people face today is this: they want to see the money, but they don’t want to put in the effort. They want to look like the big brands or operate like the major players, but without doing the hard work that got them there.

That’s why starting for free can be a powerful lever. As you rightly mentioned, you first need confidence in yourself. You need to test the waters with your skill, product, or service—and the easiest entry point is often doing it for free.

Now, that “free” isn’t just free—it’s you paying it forward. You’re preparing yourself and your offering ahead of time. It’s the entry price to becoming a strong brand. You gain feedback, experience, and momentum that you otherwise wouldn’t have if you just waited to get paid.

And you also pointed out something key—many expect instant success. But you’ll knock on some doors and get rejected. People will say, “Who is this girl? Where is he coming from?” They’ll compare you to existing brands. But if you keep showing up, learning, and improving, you’ll get to the point where people say, “Wow, we’ve seen them grow. This is impressive.”

If you use that free period to intentionally build your portfolio, that becomes your proof. Without that, you’re just doing things without substance. So, confidence, consistency, and building your body of work—that’s what it takes.

Loren:
Yes! And to add to that, when you’re doing free work or starting out, you must be intentional about the direction you’re heading in.

Let’s say you’re doing things for free but they aren’t aligned with your ultimate goal—you may wake up a year later and realize you’ve been busy, but not progressing toward your vision. So the free work should be strategic.

BKC:
Exactly. That’s why it’s important to create a roadmap. Know where you’re going from here—what you want to learn, what skills to acquire, and how you plan to move from free to fee.

And even while doing things for free, you can begin to position value. For example, you can say, “This service normally costs X, but because you’re my first client, I’m offering it at this price.” That way, you’re not totally devaluing yourself—you’re framing your growth.

We need to educate people about this balance. If you just give things away without setting expectations, it becomes hard to later charge what you’re worth. So even in your free phase, define your goals, your worth, and your exit strategy from that stage.

Loren:
What have been some major pitfalls or challenges you personally faced when starting, and what do you see young people dealing with now?

One of the biggest things is rejection—it’s real, and it hurts. But honestly, I’m thankful I faced it early. If you don’t learn how to handle rejection, you’ll give up quickly.

I see that a lot—young people get rejected once or twice and say, “Okay, this isn’t for me.” But rejection is part of the process. I learned that especially from going door-to-door, both with my own business and working in sales.

You start to realize: every “no” gets you closer to a “yes.” I actually got excited hearing “no,” because it meant progress.

So it’s all about reframing your mindset—don’t fear rejection. Learn to love it. It builds you.

The second thing is: trust the process.

We scroll online and only see people’s wins, highlight reels. It can lead to unhealthy comparison and make us undervalue where we are. But every part of the journey matters—even the nights you’re crying in bed, unsure if your idea is worth it.

I’ve been there—stressed about how to pay my bills. But I loved what I was doing. I was broke but passionate. And I knew I’d figure it out eventually.

If you’re doing something just for the money, those tough nights will break you. You won’t be able to endure the process of becoming an expert. But if you love what you do, you’ll push through.

So be okay with the process. Know that in the beginning, you might feel like you suck—and that’s okay! We all start somewhere. That early struggle is required.

And never let someone else’s success make you feel behind. You’re not behind. You’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.

BKC:
That’s amazing. You know, about growth and personal brands—one of the biggest challenges many young people face today is that they want the money – which is good, but they don’t want to put in the work. They want to showcase big-brand results – look successful, without committing to big-brand efforts.

That “start for free” phase is a huge lever for any business or personal brand. As you rightly mentioned, it first takes confidence—putting yourself out there and testing the waters with your skill level, your product, or your service. And the only way to do that sometimes is to start by offering your value for free.

But that “free” is really a way of paying it forward. You’re investing in yourself, building experience and credibility. That’s the real entry point for successful brands—getting feedback, learning in real-life scenarios, growing through the process.

Too often, people think success means launching and instantly booming. But there will be rejections. You’ll knock on doors and hear “no.” People will question who you are and what you’re doing. But if you stay consistent—keep showing up, keep learning—you’ll grow. People will take notice.

During the free period, you’re building something critical: your portfolio. Without that, you’re trying to prove value without proof. So, yes, confidence matters, but so does constancy—practicing regularly and building that body of work. That’s what gives substance to your brand.

Loren:
And to add to that, when you’re building your brand and you’re in that free phase, be intentional about your direction. If you’re doing free work that doesn’t align with your long-term goals, you’ll look back in a year and realize you’re no closer to where you want to be.

BKC:
Absolutely. It’s about having a clear roadmap: Where are you headed? What skills do you want to gain? How do you move from free to fee? Even during the free period, it helps to say, “This would usually cost X, but you’re getting it at no cost because you’re my first client.” That way, you’re not undervaluing your service—it’s strategic.

And we need to educate people about that. Because when you’re totally free without defining the free, it becomes hard to switch gears when it’s time to charge.

Loren:
Exactly. So Jenny, what are some of the major pitfalls you’ve personally faced? And what challenges do you see young people struggling with when building brands?

The biggest one is rejection. It’s painful. But I’m grateful I experienced it early. Because if you don’t learn how to grow through rejection, it’s easy to give up. A lot of young people today get rejected once or twice and then say, “Maybe this isn’t for me.”

For me, going door to door taught me that every “no” gets me closer to a “yes.” I’d get excited hearing “no,” because it meant I was closer to success.

You have to reframe rejection—love it. It’s a sign you’re moving.

Second, trust the process. We live in a world where we see everyone’s highlight reels on social media. It can make you feel like you’re behind. But even the nights when you’re crying in bed, wondering if the idea is worth it—it is.

You need to love what you do. I was okay being broke because I loved what I did. But if you’re doing it just for money, you won’t last. Success takes time, and you’ll feel like a failure for a while. But that’s okay. Everyone starts somewhere.

Don’t let someone else’s highlights make you think you’re not enough. You’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.

BKC:
Yes! Progress might be painful, but if it’s purposeful, you can push through it. That’s why loving what you do is so key. But you also need to find where what you love intersects with what the market needs. Because otherwise, you’re just obsessed with your passion alone.

You have to ask: How is what I love helping someone? Is it entertaining, solving a problem, or meeting a need? When you find that fit, it gives you the stamina to endure the tough nights—because you know your product is valuable.

That’s the magic zone: when love meets need. When your passion also serves others.

Loren:
That’s so true. Business is service. It’s about empathy—knowing what people need and why they need it. If you only focus on what you want to do, you miss the chance to bridge that gap.

The more you give, the more you get. That’s where the value and the money are. So yes, love your work—but love your audience too. Solve their problems. Give them transformation.

BKC:
So Loren, let me ask: what would be your billion-dollar advice to the world? Maybe three nuggets. What do people need to know from your experience?

Loren:
Wow, that’s a big question! But okay, here are my three:

1. Know Your Worth.
   How you show up matters. What you accept or reject reflects your self-value. For me, even as an African-American woman, I’ve had to know my value and how my voice impacts my community. Some companies could offer me a million dollars, and I’d still say no—because if it hurts the people I care about, it’s not worth it. So know who you are, where you come from, and let that guide your decisions.
2. Strive for Excellence.
   Excellence isn’t a one-time act—it’s a way of living. Whether it’s customer service, your processes, or your presence, excellence attracts people. When you operate with high standards, others recognize your value—and it helps you stand out.
3. Trust the Process.
   Yes, it’s cliché. But there are no shortcuts. Growth is hard. The farther you go, the more responsibility you’ll carry. So commit to doing hard things. If you’re not ready for that, it’s okay to stay where you are. But if you are ready—then embrace every part of the journey, even the uncomfortable parts. Because that’s what makes you a better leader, business owner, and human being.

BKC:
Incredible. So the billion-dollar nuggets from Loren:

1. Know your value.
2. Strive for excellence.
3. Trust the process.

These are timeless principles for anyone building something meaningful.

Loren:
I’m Loren Nelson — a personal brand and sales coach. I help entrepreneurs turn perfect strangers into paying customers online, using the power of their personal brand. I’m also the founder and CEO of LMM Africa, a digital marketing agency working with brands around the globe. We’re especially proud to support Christian hip-hop artists, radio stations, and other impact-driven brands.

Our mission is to shift narratives — how Africans see themselves, do business, and collaborate. We’re about elevating without tearing others down.

You can find me on Instagram — my favorite platform and where my community thrives — at @thelaurennelson. I’m also on LinkedIn at Loren Nelson.

BKC Final Thoughts:
Community is everything. And so is choosing the right platform. Loren thrives on Instagram. For you, it might be TikTok, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, or Facebook. The key? Choose your lane — and show up with consistency and authenticity.

Remember Loren’s three billion-dollar nuggets:

• Know your worth.
• Pursue excellence.
• Trust the process.

Give your best, serve your people, and stay committed to the journey. That’s how success happens.

Connect with Our Guests and Host:

Loren Nelson:

• Instagram: @thelaurennelson
• LinkedIn: Loren Nelson

Bernard Kelvin Clive:

• Instagram: @bernardkelvinclive
• X: @bernardkelvin
• Facebook: @bernardkelvin
• YouTube: @bernardkelvin

• Website: www.BKC.name

   UnGoogleable Brands: The Rise of the Silent Brands   * Amazon Kindle Edition
  

  • Kelvin Clive, Bernard (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 68 Pages - 03/01/2025 (Publication Date)

  $3.99 Buy on Amazon REBRAND: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding * Amazon Kindle Edition * Clive, Bernard Kelvin (Author) * English (Publication Language) * 127 Pages - 07/16/2014 (Publication Date)

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Building a Brand with Honesty, Heart, and Hard Work

“Passion alone is not enough. Your brand must meet a need, solve a problem, or serve someone.”

— Bernard Kelvin Clive

Let me tell you something many won’t admit: the brand you’re trying to build won’t come fully formed on day one. It won’t shine like those global names you’re admiring on Instagram. It won’t command five-figure deals or fill conference halls the moment you hit “post.”

The process often starts with uncertainty, a quiet idea, or a frustrated question like, “How do I even begin?”

That’s where I was over a decade ago—just a simple guy with a passion, a few books to my credit, and a desire to teach others what I was learning along the way. No fancy graphics – logos and all that stuff. No followers in the thousands. Just grit, generosity, and desire for growth.

What I discovered is this: branding, career, and passion only align when you permit yourself to be both a student and a guide. To show up flawed but faithful. To serve before you sell. To plant long before the harvest.to show up with love and lead, even uncharted paths.

This article isn’t a blueprint for overnight success. It’s my simple reminder that vulnerability, value, and vision can take you from “starting for free” to becoming a brand people trust—and pay for.

Career Growth and Transitions

We are in what I often call the “Me Era.” Everyone wants to show up as an expert. But what truly resonates today is vulnerability.

For example, instead of quickly transitioning into a new area and calling yourself an expert because you were in another field. Here is the right approach. When you openly admit, “This is a new field for you — and not yet an expert’. Let’s say you were an expert in HR, but I’m now transitioning into AI Technologies,” that honesty draws people in.

You invite your audience to journey with you. You say, “Come along with me. I’ll share my successes, my failures, and my learnings.” That openness builds trust. People begin to say, “Wow, this person is genuine — I can relate to that.”

Personally, about 16 years ago, when I started writing and publishing books, I began teaching others how to do the same. And one of the first things I did — “Layering,” as I call it — was create a simple pathway. I gathered a core group and began offering value for free.

No charge. No paywall. Just impact.

I would host free virtual sessions to teach them how to write and publish. From there, I received lots of frequently asked questions — which helped me refine my content. Eventually, I introduced low-entry paid versions of those sessions.

But by that time, I had already built trust. These people had seen my growth, been part of my learning journey, and now believed in the process.

So, what happened? They trusted me — because they saw where I started and where I was going. I didn’t hide my flaws. I was vulnerable. But I also showed that I was evolving. That’s what allows people to say, “Okay, this person can help me grow too.”

Free to Fee

Let’s talk about growth and your brand journey.

One of the challenges many young people face today is this: they want to see the money, but they don’t want to put in the effort. They want to look like the big brands or operate like the major players — but without doing the hard work that got them there.

That’s why starting for free can be a powerful lever. It first requires confidence in yourself. You need to test the waters with your skill, product, or service — and the easiest entry point is often offering it for free.

But that “free” isn’t just free — it’s you paying it forward. You’re preparing yourself and your offering ahead of time. It’s the entry price to becoming a strong brand. You gain feedback, experience, and momentum that you otherwise wouldn’t have if you just waited to get paid.

You also need to understand: that many expect instant success. But you’ll knock on some doors and get rejected. People will say, “Who is this girl? Where is he coming from?” They’ll compare you to existing brands. But if you keep showing up, learning, and improving, you’ll get to the point where people say, “Wow, we’ve seen them grow. This is impressive.”

If you use that free period to build your portfolio intentionally, that becomes your proof. Without that, you’re just doing things without substance. So yes, confidence matters — but so does consistency, and building your body of work. That’s what it takes.

Have a Clear Roadmap

It’s important to create a roadmap. Know where you’re going: what you want to learn, what skills to acquire, and how you plan to move from free to fee.

Even while offering things for free, you can begin to position value. For example, you can say, “This service normally costs X, but because you’re my first client, I’m offering it at this price.” That way, you’re not devaluing yourself — you’re framing your growth.

We need to educate people about this balance. If you just give things away without setting expectations, it becomes hard to later charge what you’re worth. So even in your free phase, define your goals, your worth, and your exit strategy from that stage.

Too often, people think success means launching and instantly booming. But there will be rejections. You’ll knock on doors and hear “no.” People will question who you are and what you’re doing. But if you stay consistent — keep showing up, keep learning — you’ll grow. People will take notice.

During that free period, you’re building something critical: your portfolio. Without that, you’re trying to prove value without proof.

Passion vs Market Needs

There is always the challenge of passions not paying and what the market needs. Let’s look at a simple framework that can help if you find yourself in that state.

Passion will be the fuel that will keep you through the low moments, to progress steadily until you reach the state of profitability. Progress might be painful, but if it’s purposeful, you can push through it. So, to begin with, it’s important to build a brand and career path around what you love to do.

That’s why loving what you do is so key. But you also need to find where what you love intersects with what the market needs. Because otherwise, you’re just obsessed with your passion alone.

You have to ask: How is what I love helping someone? Is it entertaining, solving a problem, or meeting a need? When you find that fit, it gives you the stamina to endure the tough nights, because you know your product is valuable.

That’s the money zone: when love meets a need. When your passion also serves others.

Actionable Steps for Moving From Free to Fee

Now that we’ve unpacked the layers, let’s bring it home. Building a meaningful brand, career, or creative path that lasts requires more than talent or good intentions—it involves motion. Here are five actionable steps to move from free to fee, without losing your essence:

1. Define Your Learning Phase with Purpose

Don’t just do free work—document it. Capture the lessons. Gather testimonials. Let your learning season have structure, timelines, and reflection points.

2. Clarify the Transition Point

Set a date or milestone when your offer will evolve. For example: “After my first 5 clients, I’ll introduce a starter pricing model.” Don’t stay in the free phase indefinitely.

3. Build a Visible Portfolio

Whether it’s a personal website, a pinned tweet, a LinkedIn carousel, or even a WhatsApp status — let the world see your work. Your brand needs a footprint.

4. Practice Value Framing

Even when offering something free, describe its real value. Say, “This service usually costs X, but you’re receiving it complimentary as part of my beta phase.” This sets expectations.

5. Align Passion with Market Relevance

Keep asking: Who does this help? What problem am I solving? A passion that doesn’t serve may feel fulfilling, but a passion that meets a need becomes sustainable.

Your brand is not your logo. It’s not your tagline. It’s the sum of your consistency, character, and contribution. Start with what you have. Give value. Learn loudly. Then grow intentionally.

And remember: it’s okay to begin with free—but never forget where you’re going.

From free to fee — that’s your journey. Walk it boldly.

Hey, and this blog and podcast were featured among the top 100 blogs and podcasts in 2025 by Feedspot

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Gifted but Gated: Doing the Work That Matters “Don’t just package yourself to look good; position yourself to do good.”— Bernard Kelvin Clive We’re continuing our series on Gifted but Gated—a deep dive into doing the work that truly matters and building a personal brand that cuts across borders, breaks barriers, and outlives businesses. Today, I want us to explore something personal, something practical. Discovering the Gift Years ago, while studying at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, I pursued a program at the College of Art, Rural Art. Among the many disciplines we studied, one stood out to me—Sculpture, specifically the course titled “Wood Work.” It was a fascinating class, though quite different from the kind of art I naturally gravitated toward. I remember some of my classmates like Kwame Kyere Diabour and Preko George—these guys were extraordinary. They could pick up an ordinary log of wood, make a few chalk or pencil markings, and start carving. In no time, beautiful figures and forms would emerge from the wood. I often stood in awe. I would ask myself, “Where did they see that image?” I tried. I did. I attempted to carve, I observed, and I even tried to understand the science or logic behind it, but it just didn’t click for me. While I had artistic skills in other areas, when it came to sculpture, I couldn’t see what they saw or feel what they felt. It was then I realized something critical—there are different kinds of gifts. Understanding Your Zone of Genius We all have a desire to do great things, to learn, to grow—but there is always that one area, that space, where you fit most naturally. There’s something you were uniquely wired to do—and when you do it, it flows. Others might try to learn the same thing, but they won’t quite execute it the way you do. That’s the difference between skill and giftedness. Your gift is often the place where work stops feeling like work. It becomes a joy. A calling. A way of expressing the excellence and grace that was deposited in you from birth. As Michelangelo once said, “I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.” That’s the essence of true gifting—seeing what others can’t and bringing it to life. The Work That Matters So, I ask you: What do you see in your craft, in your career, in your art? Maybe, like me, you’re able to write and bring out creative content that others might not be able to conceptualize. Maybe you see systems where others see confusion. Maybe you inspire people with your voice or your ability to listen. That’s your gift. Find your space. Discover your voice. Lean into your gifting and build your career or business from that place. When you align your gift with your purpose, work transforms from duty into delight. You’re not just sacrificing your time—you’re pouring out your essence. And the world notices. From Gift to Brand This is where brand building begins—from the inside out. The foundation of an authentic personal brand is not a fancy logo, a curated social media page, or a string of buzzwords. No. It starts with the recognition and refinement of your gift. You take that gift, add skill, and begin to polish it. You sharpen your craft through practice, learning, and feedback. That’s how mastery is built. When you speak, write, design, build, or consult—your expertise shows. It shines through in your delivery. Branding that lasts is branding that is born from your gift. Skill and Execution Many people today fall into the trap of polishing without substance. You see it all over LinkedIn and social media—people packaging themselves to look polished online, but when hired, they fail to deliver. The execution doesn’t match the presentation. This is a major problem. If you’re not rooted in gifting, if you haven’t put in the work to develop your skill, the results will expose you. And that isn’t just bad for your career—it’s a crack in the foundation of your brand. Don’t build a brand just to look good.

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Career Levers – Gifted but Gated To we will explore how to break through a career ceiling using your personal brand. Many people find themselves feeling stuck in certain careers or fields. Previously, we discussed the factors that can cause individuals to stagnate or face limitations in their professional growth. Today, we focus on how building a strong personal brand can help you overcome these challenges and break through career ceilings, regardless of your field. Developing your brand involves several key actions: enhancing your professional presence, positioning yourself for discovery and recognition, and ultimately, achieving success and celebration in your work. More importantly, it enables you to offer services that positively impact others while also being profitable. I will guide you through this process using what I call the ‘Five C’s’—a framework designed to strengthen your career brand, overcome barriers, and excel in your chosen field. The Five C’s for Breaking Career Barriers 1. Courage “Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.” ― Dale Carnegie The first and most important thing you need is courage. You must build confidence in yourself and believe that you have what it takes to move ahead. This is the courage to say, “No, I am not staying in the same place—I am moving forward.” Without courage, you may have plans and desires, but taking the first step—which might feel shaky, wobbly, and difficult—requires boldness. That same courage is what allows scammers to carry out their schemes so boldly. Many scammers exhibit this quality, stepping out fearlessly even when they know they could be caught, jailed, or exposed. So, if you have real substance—true expertise and value—you must build courage within yourself. You need the courage to take the first bold step in your career, to believe in your abilities, and to break free from limitations. The first thing you need is the courage to do, the courage to be, and the courage to believe in yourself—building inner confidence to move from one phase of your career to the next. That is what you need. You must carry yourself forward with courage. Now, courage will help you make decisions. Once you build confidence, the next step is… 2. Credentials One of the key factors that help build confidence and push your career forward is credentials. In many professional fields, credentials are critical. In the medical field, for example, a doctor studies for seven to eight years to obtain their qualifications. Lawyers also study for a similar period. Credentials validate your expertise and position you for success. One way to build credentials is through certifications. You might need to take certification courses to solidify your expertise in a field. You may already know, but formal credentials—such as licenses and certifications—add credibility to your skills and open doors. For example, in accounting, ACCA certification provides recognition. In certain professions, you must renew your license periodically to prove that you’re still competent. Doctors, teachers, and other professionals must refresh their expertise to maintain their standing. Credentials are very important in helping you move forward in your career. Even if you are talented, lacking formal recognition can hold you back. However, credentials must be legitimate; while others may forge credentials to deceive people to land them the jobs they need, it never ends well for such. That’s why you must earn yours the right way—through the proper channels. No shortcuts, no fakes—just real, solid credentials that validate your expertise. 3. Credibility The next important factor is credibility. Credentials often help build credibility, but they are not enough on their own. A doctor may have the title, a lawyer may have the certificate, and a professor may have the academic qualifications,

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“The next generation is watching—let your brand be the permission they need to rise.” — Bernard Kelvin Clive So today we are looking at some personal branding mistakes that people often overlook in building their personal brand, particularly through the lens of cultural and religious settings—especially in Africa—and how brands can break through to succeed and impact the lives of those who matter to them most. The need to build a personal brand—rising above the noise, social limitations, and cultural myths or biases—is critical to standing out. You know, long before now, some religious and cultural systems didn’t give women the opportunity to lead or take the front lines. I mean, to spearhead great initiatives or even engage in challenges like going to war—those were seen as men’s responsibilities. Over the years, things have evolved, and now women are taking up major roles. However, the belief systems that shaped earlier generations still hold many women back. When they reflect on how society or their ancestors perceived them, they often shrink from who they’re meant to become. Though some women boldly step out and have a voice, fame, and platform, many are still hindered by social norms and expectations. 1. The Self-Belief Gap: Overcoming Cultural Limitations The first challenge—and mistake—is the struggle with self-confidence and self-worth. Women, especially, need to examine their backgrounds and identify the cultural and religious beliefs that have limited their voices or discouraged self-promotion in business or leadership. Once this awareness sets in, they can intentionally break out of those limitations. When you realize why you’ve been held back, you can more consciously challenge and change the narrative. So yes, now is the time to step out—as many women are already doing—to voice your opinions, share your message, advocate for others, and drive innovation and change. This break in stereotypes becomes fuel for future generations. When young girls see women boldly and rightly positioning their brands, not just to be loud but with a clear sense of purpose and understanding, they are inspired to do the same. This first mistake doesn’t just affect women—some men are also held back, especially in African societies where children are taught not to speak unless spoken to. You don’t ask questions, you don’t question leaders—be it in religion or governance. This stifles creative expression and personal growth. If you want to build a strong brand, address the mindset and belief systems that limit your voice. When that self-belief gap is bridged, younger people can step forward—not boastfully, but rightly—and confidently own their space. Personal branding isn’t self-promotion for fame; it’s about putting your best foot forward, adding value to others, and showing up in ways that help and inspire. 2. The Perfect Persona Trap: Don’t Fake Flawlessness The second mistake I find rising brands making is positioning themselves as flawless—like the ideal, perfect brand. They step out with an “I’ve got it all together” attitude. You see them on TikTok or Facebook presenting a polished image that suggests they’re always on top, never making mistakes. That’s a big mistake. We don’t build authentic brands that way. When you create a perfect image—flawless, untouchable—you eventually lose credibility. People stop relating to you because they can’t connect with someone who seems unreal. Every human has flaws, weaknesses, or struggles they deal with behind the scenes. To build a truly authentic brand, let some of those struggles be known. Share the parts of your journey that others can learn from. When people know you’ve been where they are—or are still navigating challenges—they gain courage and connection. They know you’re real. Reveal the real behind the reels. You don’t have to spill everything. Just enough vulnerability to show that you’re human. Let them see your growth stages. Let them appreciate who you’re becoming.

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“A business without customers is just a hobby with expenses.” – Bernard Kelvin Clive Today, we continue our series on customer care, customer experience, and handling negative feedback. This is especially vital for small business owners and brands who want to build and sustain a cordial relationship with clients. Businesses thrive on clients—without them, there is no business. That’s why every single customer should be treated like gold. There are many instances where businesses fall short, and these shortcomings must be addressed. In the previous article, I shared some personal experiences with vendors and clients, and how I handled them. That piece sparked a lot of conversation—others shared similar stories, especially from the entrepreneurship ecosystems in Ghana and Nigeria. So, let’s get into some of those insights and lessons. The Customer Care Shift: From Humble to Haughty Most small business owners start off strong with customer care. When they’re just launching, their focus is on gaining traction. By default, they treat their first clients well—polite, patient, and attentive. “Please buy from me.”“Try my product or service.” These are common initial pleas. The tone is warm and welcoming. That behavior is often the reason they get their first few loyal customers. But here’s the problem: once they begin gaining popularity—especially online with digital followers—their attitude shifts. The very people who helped elevate their brand suddenly start receiving less attention or, worse, are disregarded. I call this the celebrity stage. It’s the point where some brands think they’ve “arrived.” When Complaints Are Met with Disdain If a customer complains about a service or product that didn’t meet expectations, that feedback should be seen as an opportunity to grow. But what often happens? Customers are treated with disdain. It’s worrying, especially when the very customers being disregarded are the ones who helped build the brand’s foundation. Businesses should never forget their “first love”—those early patrons who gave them a chance when nobody else did. Create a category for such customers. Recognize them. Honour them. Treat them with intentional respect and benefits. They are your core tribe. The Price Trap: When Growth Pushes Old Clients Away Another issue arises when businesses start pricing their products or services higher after gaining some traction. Again, there’s nothing wrong with charging what you’re worth. However, a strategic pricing model should still exist—especially for your early supporters. Offer loyalty bonuses or discounts. These clients held the fort for you. They shared your posts. They referred people. They were your marketing department before you had one. If your pricing suddenly becomes exclusive and unreachable to your early adopters, you’re essentially pushing them out. That’s not how sustainable business is done. Put customers in different categories and serve them accordingly. If growth is overwhelming, delegate. Employ systems or people to handle parts of your customer relationship management. Use tools to automate and streamline. Numbers can overwhelm, yes—but systems can balance the load. The Cost of Disregard: Real Stories That Hurt Let me share some real-life stories that reflect these challenges. Worlanyo’s Disappointment: From Supporter to Ignored Nanyi Wolanyo, a clinical psychologist and a member of a mentorship group I’m part of, shared how she supported startups and friends in business by buying from them and referring clients to them. At some point, however, these businesses began ignoring her. She would place orders and get no responses or delivery. This really hurt her. She said, “You were the same people who begged us to buy from you. Now you’re acting like you don’t need us.” That is a trend that must be addressed. If you’re growing and cannot manage everything, communicate clearly. But never disregard those who held you down when you were nothing.

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In this article, we’re looking at trends and traditions—the dangers of following trends blindly and the risks of sticking to traditions when the signs are clear for a transition. In it right? In a small business management group, we discussed the content we share for an organization whose portal we manage. One of the interns suggested that we should run the captions in a particular way because they had seen several similar organizations using the same pattern. I paused for a moment and then told them that just because others are following a particular pattern doesn’t mean it’s the right fit for us. Firstly, it doesn’t mean it’s right. What they are doing may be completely wrong. Just because they are screaming and shouting doesn’t mean we should also scream and shout to get the attention of our audience. We need to run our content through a set of filters to ensure that what we produce aligns with the brand we are working on. Blindly following trends is dangerous both for business owners and brands. The fact that something is trendy doesn’t mean we should all jump on it. That said, there is a time for leveraging trends. However, for brands to stay on the right path and maximize exposure, they must always have standards and metrics to work with. Brand Alignment: Does the Trend Fit Your Identity? When something is trending and we want to follow it, the first check we need to run is what I call brand alignment. What is trending at the moment? For example, everyone is using voiceovers and dancing on TikTok. But is that something that aligns with our brand strategy, values, and signature? Does it fit with the kind of audience we want to impact? If it doesn’t align in any way—regardless of its reach and impact—or if we can’t find a way to align it with what we stand for, then we must uncheck that trend. Brand Values: Staying True to What You Stand For The second filter to apply is brand values. Every brand, whether a solopreneur, MSME, or large corporation, has values. What are your brand values? Authenticity? Honesty? Integrity? If a trend violates your core values, then it’s not something you should follow. Just because people are craving certain types of content doesn’t mean you should feed them with it. Staying true to your values ensures long-term trust and credibility. I recall a conversation with a few friends about different types of brands. We observed some individuals skyrocketing in their industries by adopting certain methods. Someone asked why we weren’t trying those methods. We all laughed because we knew what we stood for. Our brand values were based on honesty and authenticity. Yes, others were succeeding, but for us, it didn’t align. Just because people are making money from a certain trend doesn’t mean we should follow suit. There’s something within a person’s core that tells them when something doesn’t feel right. We can make millions, yes, but if it doesn’t sit well with our conscience, then it’s not worth it. Ethics: Is It Right or Wrong? The third filter is ethics. Some believe that to break through in business, you need to be ruthless and relentless—doing wild and crazy things to gain attention. But even amid that, you need to step back and ask yourself: Is this ethical? Are you violating certain principles or values? Are you twisting arms, misleading people, or engaging in deceptive marketing just to sell products and services? If something is unethical, no matter how successful it appears, it is not worth the compromise. Every business or industry has its code of conduct and ethics. Journalists, public speakers, PR professionals, and content creators all have ethical standards to uphold. Violating these ethics for the sake of trends can be damaging in the long run. Yes, others may disregard ethical standards to trend, but if you filter your decisions through these values and realize they don’t align, then it’s best to avoid them. When to Leverage Trends On the flip side, not all trends are bad.

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Entertainers Seek Likes. Entrepreneurs Seek Leads. Have you ever posted something online and received thousands of likes but saw no real business growth? In today’s digital world, it’s easy to get caught up in the numbers—likes, views, and shares. However, if you’re serious about building a brand or growing a business, you must focus on the right metrics. The Fundamental Difference Entertainers crave likes. Entrepreneurs crave leads. Entertainers go after likes. Entrepreneurs go after leads. This distinction is so critical for one’s success in the digital ecosystem. If you position yourself as someone who simply follows the trends, chasing followers and social media virality without a solid plan to monetize your efforts, you may miss the essence of doing business in this digital age. Positioning Yourself for Growth You need to decide: Are you merely entertaining people for likes, or are you strategically positioning yourself to generate leads? Having a post go viral with thousands of likes means little if it doesn’t translate into something tangible. Consider this—some people have massive engagement on their posts, but it doesn’t lead to anything meaningful. It’s just entertainment. There’s no clear call to action, no structured pathway for conversion. On the other hand, entrepreneurs—real business-minded individuals—focus on monetization. They seek leads, not just visibility. The Power of Leads Over Likes Great entrepreneurs understand this concept. You may see their posts getting fewer likes, but behind the scenes, they are generating leads and converting them into paying customers. That’s the mindset small business owners, entrepreneurs, and personal brand builders must adopt. Your goal should be to provide value, help, and impact lives. But at the backend, there should be a system that constantly generates leads, allowing you to monetize what you do and scale your business. If you focus only on likes, you may end up with a massive following that doesn’t contribute to your financial growth. That’s why you must shift your focus. The Business Behind the Content If you’re an entertainer—creating funny videos, skits, or viral content—that’s great. But what’s the business behind it? Do you have a long-term plan? Do you want to be a stand-up comedian? Do you intend to monetize your content through brand deals or advertisements? Without a structured strategy, you’ll simply be another content creator hoping for recognition instead of someone strategically building a business. Thinking Like an Entrepreneur Instead of just posting and hoping for likes, think like an entrepreneur: When you start thinking this way, you’ll realize that every piece of content should have a backend strategy. It’s not just about putting content out there; it’s about building a system that converts engagement into income. I’ll share three examples from Ghana to illustrate a key difference: entrepreneurs seek leads, while entertainers seek likes. First, comedian Parrot Mouth, a Christian comedian, runs the Laugh It Off program two to three times a year. While he has a social media presence, he doesn’t rely on online clout to sell tickets. His visibility helps, but he has a solid system that ensures tickets are sold and venues are booked in advance. That’s the difference—a business strategy behind his online presence. Having a social media following is great, but without a system to generate leads and convert them into sales, it’s just vanity. Your presence should work for you, not just make you visible. Another example is Dr. Jeff Bassey, who runs ILS International Leadership and Strategy Institution. He has trained corporations, institutions, and multinationals for years. If you check his Facebook presence, he shares deep, insightful content, but his posts don’t always get high engagement. Yet behind the scenes, his business thrives because he has a system in place to secure clients. Many with massive online influence don’t achieve a fraction of his succ...

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The ten times ten strategy: creating a silent brand army “True influence starts small; ten committed individuals can quietly create a movement that echoes across industries.” — Bernard Kelvin Clive Today, I continue with the emergence of silent brands. Businesses and brands doing remarkably well but unseen in the digital sphere, devoid of clear signs or online presence. We will use a strategy similar to how several multilevel marketing (MLM) functions. Using the (MLM), approach in recruiting and building a team, their conventional wisdom such as “bring x number of people, and they will bring x number, in that order” is widely used. Similarly, we will be using a methodical, scalable technique that will enable us to acquire a presence in the market even without great visibility, therefore strengthening a powerful, selling brand. Digital Visibility: The Challenge The concept of “1,000 true fans” and the difficulties of establishing a digital presence in a market growingly saturated are well-known ideas. Still, there are ways people and small businesses could flourish even without a significant online presence. I refer to one such strategy as the “Law of the 10x.” Solopreneurs, business owners, and young professionals ready to work silently but regularly behind the scenes will especially find this approach helpful. The Law of the 10x Strategy The Law of the 10x is a basic yet efficient strategy: assemble a ten-committed army. These are folks that understand your vision, are dedicated to your cause, and can assist spread your message. The trick is that each of these 10 people must also recruit their own 10, producing a ripple effect that will multiply your reach tenfold. If you have a strong group of 10, and each of them has their group of 10, you’re now dealing with 100 people. If each of those 100 individuals hires 10 more, you have 1,000. The arithmetic is simple, but the impact is immense. Addressing Potential Challenges While this paradigm has considerable potential, it is crucial to overcome a few challenges: 1. Defining Success Metrics What does success look like for a Silent Brand Army? Growth in numbers alone is not enough. To quantify effectiveness, consider engagement levels, conversion rates, or customer retention. Defining these indicators from the start will assist track development. 2. Recognizing Growth is Not Always Linear The technique predicts that each individual would recruit exactly 10 more, but in practice, development is typically unequal. Some may bring in fewer than 10, while others may bring in more. A contingency strategy should be in place to accommodate changes in recruiting and assure continued expansion. 3. Upholding Quality Over Quantity A wider network is great, but quality counts. How do you ensure that recruits remain interested and committed? Clear expectations, constant training, and incentives will assist in sustaining excitement and consistency. 4. Keeping the Momentum Going Once the Silent Brand Army is founded, how do you sustain it? Regular check-ins, progress tracking, and team incentives can help retain motivation. Without continual interaction, networks risk stagnation. 5. Selecting the Right Initial 10 Your foundation dictates your success. How do you choose the correct first 10 members? Look for individuals who align with your beliefs, have leadership potential, and are willing to actively engage in the success of the business. Building and Empowering Your Core 10 To recruit your first 10, you may need to reach out to more than 10 people initially. It’s necessary to keep the core group small yet highly focused. The people you select should believe in your vision and be willing to help spread the message. Once you have your solid 10, your next duty is to empower them. Equip them with the tools, resources, and information they need to market your brand or business. Make sure they thoroughly grasp your product or service, the objective you’re trying to fulfill,

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“Attention is one of the most prized assets in this age” – Bernard Kelvin Clive. In this digital age, attention is indeed one of the most valuable assets. The ability to capture and hold attention determines the success of brands, businesses, and individuals. To illustrate its true worth, let’s examine the Super Bowl halftime show, a prime example of how strategic attention management translates into massive impact and value. Did you know that a 30-second Super Bowl ad costs approximately $8 million? According to a report by Forbes, when you factor in production costs, talent fees, and marketing expenses, the total investment can range between $10 to $20 million. Why such a high price? Because at that moment, millions of people are glued to their screens, providing brands with unparalleled exposure. The greater the audience, the higher the value of the attention being sold. However, not all attention is equal. If you’re getting millions of viewers but not converting them into lasting engagement or revenue, then that attention may not be as valuable as you think. The key is to ensure that the attention you attract is worth the return on investment. Here are four key lessons from Super Bowl halftime performances that brands and individuals can apply: 1. Bring Quality Talent Together Every successful halftime show features a lineup of high-caliber artists. In 2022, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and Mary J. Blige delivered a legendary performance. In 2024, we saw Usher and the squad also taking it to another level. Similarly, in 2025, Kendrick Lamar headlined a show that brought together top-tier talents. These performances weren’t random—organizers carefully curated experts in their field to ensure excellence. The same principle applies to building a brand. You must develop and refine your talent to offer premium-quality products or services. Subpar efforts do not command attention; quality does. Invest in skill-building and innovation to ensure that what you offer is irresistible to your audience. Additionally, think about what makes you unique. What specific skill, product, or service do you bring that differentiates you from the competition? In today’s digital landscape, standing out is critical. If you’re just another brand or creator without a unique angle, it’s difficult to command attention at the level you desire. Quality is not just about skill; it’s about originality and innovation. 2. Collaboration and Teamwork They don’t show up alone, halftime performances are never solo efforts. Even artists known for their individual brilliance collaborate with other musicians, dancers, and stage designers. The 2025 show featured a well-orchestrated fusion of music, choreography, and visuals, all executed by a highly skilled team. Likewise, businesses and personal brands thrive when they build strong teams. A solopreneur may start alone, but success often requires assembling a team of experts—someone for media, another for marketing, and others for execution. Collaboration amplifies impact, ensuring that every aspect of your brand is polished and well-received. Consider how major brands work with influencers, designers, and strategic partners to create a stronger presence. If you want to gain premium attention, you must surround yourself with people who enhance your strengths. Even global icons understand that teamwork is essential. The Super Bowl halftime shows prove that even the biggest names don’t work alone; they bring in support to ensure excellence. 3. Perfect the Craft: Practice and Rehearse Top-tier performances do not happen by chance—they are rehearsed rigorously. The 2025 Super Bowl show was largely pre-recorded, with live elements seamlessly integrated for a flawless experience. Artists spent months perfecting every detail to ensure a world-class presentation. For brands, the lesson is clear: continuous improvement is non-negotiable. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a speaker, or a content creator,

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The Power of Ungooglable Brands: The Silent Influencers Who Shape Industries Understanding Ungooglable Brands This week we continue our series on the ‘Rise of the Silent Brands. This is the thing; not all the powerful brands are visible. Some of the most influential individuals and businesses operate quietly, pulling the strings behind the scenes while remaining virtually unknown. I call them “ungooglable brands.” They don’t flood search engines, nor do they chase online fame, yet they hold the real power—making decisions that shape industries, politics, and businesses without the public even realizing it. These individuals include quiet influencers, global shapers, and industry movers who operate under the radar. They may not have a social media presence, but they command significant influence in politics, business, and various industries. Their impact is felt, but their identities remain concealed from the public eye. The Power of Invisible Influence A while ago, there was a local political contest in Ghana in one of the municipalities. Among the candidates, one was a well-known, capable, and likable figure in the community. The other was relatively unknown, yet he somehow managed to garner substantial support. During the campaigning period, both candidates actively engaged the electorate, but as the elections drew closer, an interesting dynamic unfolded. While the popular candidate seemed to have a strong chance of winning, the real power resided in a group of unknown decision-makers. These were the silent influencers who could tilt the vote in favor of a particular candidate. The lesser-known candidate, despite his lack of widespread recognition, strategically sought the endorsement of these key figures. Eventually, he secured their support, won the election, and went on to make significant changes in the community. This example illustrates how unseen power structures shape outcomes, not just in politics but in business and other fields as well. The Role of Silent Investors and Venture Capitalists Beyond politics, there are also ungooglable individuals who wield financial power—silent investors, venture capitalists, and funders who operate outside the public eye. These are individuals with substantial wealth who choose to remain unknown. They do not seek public recognition but are accessible only through exclusive networks. These investors provide funding for startups and major business ventures, but their names are rarely mentioned in mainstream media. To access their resources, one must be part of the right circles or offline networks. They prefer anonymity, not out of secrecy, but as a strategic choice to maintain privacy, control, and focus. Why Do Some People Choose to Remain Ungooglable? 1. Privacy and Security If you are in the public domain, you are likely the public’s. You lose your privacy. But not everyone wants that. Are you part of such? A reason many people choose to stay ungooglable is to safeguard their privacy and security. In a world where every move is under surveillance, some individuals prefer to remain off the radar. Mark Zuckerberg, despite being at the helm of the biggest social media empire, has struggled with keeping his personal life private. Visibility attracts scrutiny, unwanted opinions, and sometimes, serious security threats. The truly powerful know this: staying unseen grants them the freedom to move, decide, and influence without unnecessary interference. 2. Focus and Clarity Being in the public eye can be distracting. When the masses celebrate you, it’s easy to become swayed by external expectations rather than focusing on what truly matters. Many high achievers choose to operate behind the scenes to avoid the noise of social media and public scrutiny. This helps them remain sharp, dedicated, and undistracted in their pursuits. 3. Letting Work Speak for Itself It’s easier to sell quality and excellent work than something merely embellished to look good.

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Today, I’m continuing the discussion on the rise of silent brands, but this time, we’re focusing on personal brands. The rise of silent personal brands is incredibly important, especially in an aging system like ours. The Silent Brand in Action Sometime back, I was with my business consultant, John Armah, who specializes in helping MSMEs and businesses grow. During our discussion, a colleague of ours came up in conversation. Then, someone said, “It’s been a while since we saw his posts on social media. Where has this guy been?” The interesting thing is that this individual has built a solid offline presence that’s now globally connected—with very little social media presence. Yes, this person found ways to position himself strategically, network with the right people put the right mechanisms in place, and pitch his expertise effectively to the right audience. I thought, That’s amazing! So today, we’re going to break down how you can achieve something similar. The Misconception About Personal Brands Many people believe personal branding is all about the loud noise you make on social media. While digital platforms are important, they’re just one piece of the puzzle. Other structural pillars are equally, if not more, critical. How to Build a Silent Personal Brand Using our friend as an example, here are the key steps to building a silent personal brand: 1. Know Yourself and Your Expertise The first critical step is knowing yourself and your area of expertise. At this stage, you should already have a clear understanding of your field. Ask yourself: – What is my expertise? – Who do I want to serve? – Who do I want to reach in terms of higher-level verticals and horizons? For example: – “I’m a publishing consultant. I can help people publish their books.” – “I’m an MSME business consultant. I can help businesses grow.” – “I’m an environmental activist. I can help people live healthier lives.” – “I’m a fitness coach specializing in helping nursing mothers lose weight while loving their bodies.” Once you know your niche, you can identify the key people you need to connect with. 2. Network Vertically and Strategically After knowing your expertise, the next step is networking—specifically, networking vertically. Identify the people at the top who can help amplify your reach and connect you with key clients or opportunities. This could involve: – Attending high-profile networking events (offline or online). – Targeting specific programs or gatherings where key people are likely to be present. – Positioning yourself in places like hotel lobbies or venues where you can meet influential individuals. Always be prepared with a pitch deck and a clear, concise way to communicate your value in 30 seconds to one minute. Whether online or offline, your ability to respond to emails promptly and professionally is also crucial. Research the people you want to connect with, understand their interests, and tailor your approach to grab their attention. 3. Share Your Expertise Relentlessly When you meet people, focus on sharing your expertise and adding value—not just making money. Ask yourself: – How can I help this person? – How can I become a part of their journey? – How can I showcase my work and what I’m capable of? Network your way to the top by consistently delivering quality work. Avoid broadcasting every deal or meeting. Instead, let your work speak for itself. Over time, your value will solidify, and your reputation will grow organically. 4. Leverage Word of Mouth As you build your expertise and network, word of mouth will become your most powerful tool. People will start talking about you in rooms you’re not even in. For example, someone might recommend you for a high-profile speaking event because they’ve heard about your work from others. This kind of organic recognition is what solidifies a silent personal brand. 5. Know Your Worth and Charge Accordingly Not everyone will appreciate your value, and that’s okay.

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Can brands be silent? Some think they must be loud and everywhere to make an impact. Today, let’s explore “The Rise of the Silent Brands” — brands that are quiet yet impactful and profitable. A few months ago, I traveled to Kumasi, Ghana, for a project. While settling in, I needed to get some water. When I asked for popular water brands at a small neighborhood shop, they handed me an unfamiliar brand. Initially, I was hesitant and decided to look elsewhere. I visited a larger store in the municipal market, but the same unfamiliar brand was all they stocked. Surprised, I had no choice but to buy it. The following day, I went out again, taking a different route, hoping to find the brand I preferred. To my surprise, every shop along that path also sold the same water. It became evident that this was the dominant brand in the community. Despite the noise on radio and TV about other popular brands, this quiet brand reigned supreme in that area. This experience got me thinking about the power of silent brands. These brands don’t rely on flashy advertisements or billboards. They succeed by understanding their market, meeting specific needs, and building loyalty. Here are the key pillars that define these silent yet powerful brands: 1. Understanding Market Dynamics Silent brands excel because they understand their market’s needs and pain points. Many gain an advantage by being the first to enter a market. When a brand is first, it often secures a lasting place in customers’ minds. However, staying there requires consistently meeting expectations. In many communities, loyalty to these brands persists despite competitors’ advertising efforts. People stick with what works for them, and silent brands thrive by providing exactly what their market needs without unnecessary noise. 2. Focusing on Quality Silent brands prioritize quality over quantity. Instead of targeting broad audiences, they cater to a specific niche. By identifying gaps in the market or unmet needs, they deliver exceptional products and services that resonate with their audience. For example, in the case of apparel, a brand might discover a market’s preference for a particular design. By focusing on crafting high-quality products tailored to that preference, the brand builds a loyal customer base. This commitment to quality often sets them apart. 3. Delivering Exceptional Customer Experience Customer experience is a cornerstone for silent brands. How customers feel when interacting with a brand significantly impacts their loyalty. Many silent brands operate offline, making face-to-face interactions vital. Whether it’s through timely delivery, friendly service, or addressing customer concerns, these brands prioritize creating an emotional connection. Positive experiences encourage repeat purchases and foster long-term relationships. 4. Staying Authentic Authenticity is key to a silent brand’s success. These brands don’t imitate competitors; they carve out their unique identity. From packaging to service delivery, every element reflects originality. For instance, a brand might use biodegradable materials for packaging, aligning with sustainability values. Such authenticity not only appeals to environmentally conscious consumers but also sets the brand apart from imitators. Customers value genuineness and are quick to recognize and reject imitations. 5. Leveraging Word of Mouth Word of mouth is the lifeblood of silent brands. When a brand delivers quality and exceptional service, satisfied customers become its ambassadors. In close-knit communities, recommendations carry significant weight. People trust feedback from friends and family more than advertisements. This organic form of marketing helps silent brands grow steadily. For instance, in the community where I stayed, the water brand’s popularity was largely due to word of mouth. Its reputation for reliability made it the preferred choice, even without loud advertising campaigns.

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Today, we are looking at the idea that two can play the game—a story about partnership and how it can enhance your brand and business as you move forward. Guess what, this blog was named among the top 100 Branding Blogs by Feedspot Let me share this story with you. A couple of weeks ago, as a dad, I was observing my kids play. Young kids play a lot, and most time, I’m there watching them. Sometimes they play on their own, picking up toys or creating their games. But on this particular occasion, I noticed something interesting. My older daughter was calling her younger sister to play with her. She was so insistent, almost crying, that she needed her sister to join her. I wondered why it was so important, so I asked her. She explained that the game they were playing required two people. One needed to act as a teacher and the other as a student. Sure, she could have used her imagination to create a figure to play with, but this time, she wanted her sister to sit in the “class” so she could teach her directly and have her repeat the words after her. This got me thinking. It sent a signal about partnership and building a community. Yes, there are things we can do on our own. As freelancers or solopreneurs, we can go far and accomplish much. But there are certain levels—certain thresholds—that we cannot break through alone. Like my daughters, there are games we can play solo, but some require others to join us. These bring synergy, excitement, and bonding. In life and business, it’s the same. Some levels you need to reach on your own, but there are other stages where partnership is crucial to go further. Without it, you may never achieve those heights. Lessons from Global Brands Let’s look at some examples of partnerships that have shaped the world: The Question to Ask Yourself Who do you need on board to take your business to the next level? Who do you need in your boat to cross over to the next height you desire? These are critical questions we should ask ourselves. Look at the strengths and weaknesses of potential partners. Consider what each of you can bring to the table to enhance your business and brand. It’s great that you’ve come this far on your own, but moving forward, who are the critical people you need to shortlist? Who can help you break barriers and move to the next stage? These are the people you need to identify and work with. Lessons from Failed Partnerships While partnerships can propel you forward, not all collaborations work. Let’s consider some examples of failed partnerships: Key Considerations for Partnerships Before entering into a partnership, there are critical things to consider: The Power of Two Going back to my daughters, there are games that only two can play. Similarly, in business, there are certain goals you can only achieve with the right partner. The Bible beautifully says, “One can chase a thousand, but two can put ten thousand to flight.” The synergy and motivation from the partnership can break barriers and exceed expectations. Moving Forward This year, take time to identify the key partnerships you need. Whether it’s scaling your business, launching a new product, or expanding your influence, the right partners can make all the difference. Be strategic and intentional in building these relationships. Just like my daughters’ game, some goals can only be achieved together. I hope you find the partners who will help you reach new heights in your business and brand this year.

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Capable vs. Competent: Understanding the Difference What does it mean to be capable yet not competent? At what point can someone declare themselves competent, and how do we distinguish between capability and competence in both personal and professional spheres? Let’s break this down. Capability: The Starting Point Capability refers to your ability to perform a task or take action, even if it’s not at an expert level. It’s a foundation—a skillset or willingness to do something, even if the result isn’t perfect. For example, imagine you’re at home with a minor plumbing issue. You may be capable of applying a temporary fix, such as using glue or tape to stop a leak. This solution might hold for a while but isn’t sustainable or reliable in the long term. For a permanent fix, you’ll need a professional plumber who is competent in their craft. Similarly, in professional settings, capability can serve as a stopgap. Suppose the receptionist is momentarily unavailable, and you’re at the desk. You might be capable of welcoming visitors and asking them to wait until the receptionist returns. However, this is different from being competent in managing the front desk, which might require specific skills like handling complex inquiries or managing schedules efficiently. Competence: Mastery and Expertise Competence, on the other hand, is the ability to perform a task not just adequately but with expertise and precision. It’s what distinguishes a professional from an amateur. Take the example of an author. As a writer, you may be competent in crafting compelling content. However, you might lack the expertise in graphic design required to create a professional book cover. While you might use tools like Canva to design a basic cover, the result may not match the quality of a design created by a competent professional. To ensure your book stands out, hiring an expert is wise. Knowing When to Delegate Understanding where your capabilities end and competence is required is critical, especially in business. Here’s a simple approach to apply: Capability and Competence in Business In every business, success depends on blending capability and competence. For example: By distinguishing between the two, you can make better decisions about how to allocate your time and resources. Building Competence Over Time While hiring experts is vital in certain areas, there’s always room to grow your competence in other aspects of your life or business. For example: The key to thriving in both personal and professional life lies in understanding the difference between being capable and competent. Clients and customers value competence—they expect high-quality service, exceptional care, and flawless execution. To achieve this: By putting this perspective into practice, you’ll not only grow your business or brand but also build a reputation for excellence. Remember: Capability gets you started, but competence keeps you ahead. Recommended Resources

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Building Capacity for the Race Ahead I believe this will be helpful not just for the coming year but also for the days and years ahead, particularly as we focus on setting and achieving goals, meeting resolutions, and hitting targets. In times like these, it’s important to reflect on how we can strategize effectively for the future. I want to discuss what I call the “relay focus” in a race. This analogy can help guide us as we prepare for the new year and work toward our goals. Whether you’re planning to lose weight, take a new course, explore a new career path, write a book, or make lifestyle changes, these reflections can be valuable. Whatever your aspirations or resolutions—what you want to stop doing or start doing—this is a worthy pursuit. I encourage you to go for it. But first, let me share a story to provide some perspective. The Two Athletes in High School Back in high school, during athletic competitions, two young athletes always drew attention and applause from the audience and student body. There was Anas Moro—an energetic young man with an athletic build, well-statured and full of vigor. He excelled in sports, particularly in relay races like the 4×4, 100-meter dash, or 400 meters. Whenever Anas competed, he was always at the top of his game. Then there was another athlete, AK. Anas and AK were often neck and neck, each winning or losing to the other in close contests. However, something about Anas stood out to me back then—his energy was remarkable. Most athletes start and finish a 100-meter dash with the same level of energy, maintaining a consistent pace. Anas excelled at this. But what amazed me even more was his performance in the 200-meter and 400-meter races. Anas would start with incredible energy and sustain it to the finish line. Whether he came in first or second, his unwavering intensity was always evident. Reflecting on Anas’ approach, I realized something profound. Some of us are like Anas. When the year begins, we charge toward our goals with the same high level of energy and enthusiasm, maintaining focus and zeal throughout. Even when we don’t hit every target, our energy rarely falters—we stay determined and keep moving forward. But not all of us are like Anas. Who are you: Anas or AK? You might be more like AK. Let me tell you about him. In every race, whether it was the 400-meter dash or another event, AK had a different approach. He would start slowly but gain momentum along the way, particularly during the curves. In a 400-meter dash, the curves often give runners an extra boost, as the wind seems to push them forward. AK took full advantage of this. During those stretches, he would overtake several competitors, steadily increasing his energy as he advanced. By the time he reached the final stretch, AK was often in a much stronger position, sometimes even winning the race. What stood out about AK was his ability to tap into a new wave of energy and zeal as he progressed. It was as though he shifted into a higher gear, catching the wind and pushing through with renewed determination. Move at your own pace Some of you may find yourselves like AK. You might start the year, a project, or a new venture slowly, gaining momentum as you go. Don’t compare yourself to someone like Anas, who maintains a high level of energy throughout. You might be more like AK, building pace gradually and making steady progress over time. You might start slowly, peak gradually, and move forward step by step—building momentum until you finish your race. Don’t compare your start to someone else’s. Your capacity, energy, and approach may differ from another person or competitor. Avoid trying to match someone else’s pace or copying their strategy. Instead, take the time to understand yourself. Reflect on how you should approach a new project, course, or venture. Assess the capacity you’ve built in that area and how it can help you progress—starting small, gaining momentum, and ultimately achieving your goals. Remember,

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Hey, guess what this podcast was listed among the top 100 branding blogs by Feedspot. Thanks to all of you for your support. The theme here is reflections—an especially relevant concept during times like these, as the year winds down and a new one approaches. This is a good moment to reflect on what we accomplished over the past year, what we couldn’t achieve, and what we hope to work toward in the coming years. Reflection is vital—a deep introspection that allows us to examine ourselves internally, evaluate what we’ve done, and identify what we can learn from those experiences. Let me share a story to illustrate this point. The other day, I found myself in a suburb of Accra, at one of the vibrant city locations. Amidst the ever-evolving skyline, I noticed new skyscrapers rising in various spots. One building, in particular, caught my attention. Its architecture was striking, and from my vantage point, I could see a projected model displayed on its side, showing the architect’s vision for the completed structure. The building itself appeared to be about 80% complete, with a sleek, modern design and a glassy facade that sparkled in the sunlight. It was undoubtedly a beautiful piece of architecture. But something caught my eye—a reflection. From a certain angle, the building mirrored the image of an older, dilapidated structure across the street. This other building, with its dated architecture, peeling paint, and decades of wear, was far from appealing. Its reflection distorted the beauty of the modern skyscraper, masking its elegance with the image of neglect. At night, when reflections disappeared, the skyscraper stood out in all its glory. But in the light of day, the reflection of the old building detracted from its charm. This struck me as a profound life lesson. As individuals striving to build our lives, brands, and businesses, we naturally focus on becoming the best version of ourselves. However, even if we achieve greatness, our impact can be diminished if we fail to uplift those around us. The Risk of Standing Alone As you grow and stand tall—becoming the remarkable one in your circle—there’s a risk. If your peers, colleagues, or those you could have mentored remain stagnant, their lack of progress can detract from your achievements. It’s like being the only impressive house in a neighborhood. You’ll stand out, but not always in a positive way. Instead of admiration, you might attract unwanted attention, criticism, or envy. Worse still, the disparity between you and those around you could lead to challenges that undermine your success. The imbalance creates tension if you don’t lift others as you rise. On the other hand, when you invest in building up your community—even if they don’t reach your level—you create harmony and strength. This is a call to recognize the importance of people in your journey. As you develop your brand, career, business, or any personal area of growth, you should also prioritize mentoring and uplifting others. They may not match your achievements, but helping them reach a respectable and meaningful level—whether in education, representation, or skills—adds value to your growth. When you surround yourself with capable, thriving individuals, their reflections enhance your own. Instead of negative associations or gaps in progress, you’ll foster an ecosystem of collective success. It ensures that as you shine, those around you shine too, reducing the distance between your achievements and theirs. Ultimately, success isn’t just about standing tall; it’s about ensuring the people in your circle grow with you. Their success complements yours, creating a powerful, positive reflection that uplifts everyone involved. Who are you Carrying Along? As we reflect, it’s essential to recognize that we need people. Life’s journey isn’t meant to be traveled alone. As the year winds down and you set goals for the next, take a moment to ask yourself: Who do I need to bring along to the next level of my life?

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“Masters today, were Starters Yesterday, so begin now.”― Bernard Kelvin Clive Today, I want to share some thoughts on public speaking, drawing from my latest book co-authored with my friend, Samuel Agyeman-Prempeh, on the fundamentals of public speaking. In the book, we discuss the basics for anyone—entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, or professionals—looking to venture into public speaking or presentations, whether for business or sales. These foundational tips will help you kickstart your speaking career. We also share our personal experiences, including the challenges we’ve faced and how we’ve overcome them throughout our 15-year journey in the field. The Debate Recently, when I announced the release of the book on one of the platforms, a friend —Gilbert reminded me of something that happened about 25 years ago. We were in our teens, attending junior high school. The story he shared with me reflects how far things have changed and reminds us that, no matter where we start, we can always rise from our failures and work towards success—especially in public speaking. Let me take you back to that time, about 25 years ago, when I was a student at Calvary International School in Accra. One of our teachers, Mr. Nduom, often organized debates between the boys and the girls on Fridays. On one such occasion, I was selected to participate. At the time, I was a quiet, shy boy, and the thought of public speaking was intimidating. Our team consisted of three boys: Cyril, Gilbert, and me. Then there were the three girls: Vera, Theresa, and Irene. It was a classic showdown—three boys against three girls. But as boys, we loved to play. When the debate topic was given, we didn’t prepare at all. During break time, we played. After school, we played some more. We simply didn’t take it seriously. The Boys Played while the Girls Prepared! The girls, on the other hand, were well-prepared. They had organized everything—each speaker knew her role, from the first to the last. Their speeches and arguments were structured and rehearsed. Meanwhile, the boys? We scrambled at the last minute, jotting a few things down on scraps of paper just before the debate started. Cyril, our first speaker, stood up and spoke based on the little we had managed to write. But it wasn’t much. Then it was the girls’ turn. Theresa delivered her speech with confidence, and it was clear they had the upper hand. Next, Gilbert, our second speaker, did his best to fill in the gaps with what little was left on our paper and added some impromptu comments. Irene, the girls’ second speaker, followed, delivering her part with the same level of preparedness and poise. Now it was my turn, as the last speaker for the boys. But by then, there was nothing left to say. Cyril and Gilbert had already used everything we had written. I stepped up to the podium, but my mind was blank, and my voice trembled. Tears began to roll down my cheeks as I stood there, overwhelmed by the moment. To my surprise, the audience applauded—not for what I said, but for simply showing up. It was both humorous and heartwarming, and we all laughed it off. To make matters worse, the entire class had gathered—a large crowd—and there I was, standing on stage with nothing to say, consumed by fear. It was a humbling experience. We lost, I learned! In the end, the boys lost, and the girls won. Looking back on that experience from such a young age, it was my first real attempt at public speaking, and it showed. We were completely unprepared, and our content was virtually nonexistent. Afterward, the teacher gave me a funny nickname, and it stuck with me throughout junior high school. We all laughed, and that nickname became part of my identity for the rest of my time there. Start Somewhere! But reflecting on this story, it serves as a reminder that we all start somewhere. We may have failed in our early attempts at public speaking, but those moments don’t have to define our future success.

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The Impact of Parenting, Modelling, and Mentoring on Kids Bernard Kelvin Clive here. Today I want to share with you how pairings, careers, or passions influence us in diverse ways in terms of who we become, and even the career paths and decisions that impact our lives in the later years. Story 1: Kobby Blay and His Son I visited my friend Kobby Blay, who is a practicing nurse and also passionate about digital media and photography. He had a professional camera, and anytime I visited him, I noticed he would take some shots around. His son, observing his father, developed a desire to play with the camera. One day, the boy picked up the camera. Instead of shouting or screaming, Kobby used it as a teaching moment. He showed his son how to strap the camera around his neck and hold it properly. Although the camera wasn’t meant for the boy, Kobby’s consistent guidance helped nurture his son’s interest. The boy began taking family pictures, developing his skills by mimicking his father. This hands-on experience allowed the boy to understand the basics of photography and potentially sparked a lifelong interest. Story 2: My Kids and Books My kids often wanted to play with the books I had at home. Despite my initial concern for the well-printed books, I noticed they would always find and play with them. Seeing me write and type on my laptop, they began mimicking these behaviors. My books, which were tools of my trade and passion, became objects of fascination for my children. They would try to write inside the books, play with them, and even pretend to read them. As an author, I realized that my children were naturally picking up my interests. Though they were young and just playing, they were beginning to develop a sense of what they might enjoy in the future. It wasn’t about directing their future but giving them a path to explore their passions and talents. This playful engagement with books was laying a foundation for their appreciation of reading and writing. Story 3: The Charcoal Seller’s Daughter So the other day, I visited my local charcoal seller and noticed that her young daughter was mimicking her. The girl would pick up a small cold pot and pretend to cook, just like her mother. This observation reinforced the idea that children often imitate their parents’ actions, picking up their interests and skills indirectly. The daughter was not only learning about cooking but, also about the daily routines and responsibilities involved in her mother’s work. This imitation game was a crucial part of her learning process, helping her understand and appreciate her mother’s efforts and potentially guiding her toward similar interests in the future. Story 4: My Wife and Cleaning My wife does a lot of cleaning at home, especially on weekends. Our kids observed this and one day, I found them in the bathroom, sprinkling water and soap, attempting to mop the floor. They weren’t told to do it, but they wanted to mimic what they had seen their mother do. This revealed how children internalize and replicate the behaviors they observe in their parents. These cleaning activities, though simple, were teaching them valuable life skills. They learned about maintaining cleanliness and the importance of taking care of their living environment. This also instilled a sense of responsibility and independence in them, as they were eager to contribute to household chores. Thinking about Parental Impact These legends show how our daily actions, interests, and professions affect the next generation. Parents, business owners, and mentors must be aware of our actions and the beliefs we impart to others who look up to us. Exposing kids to good deeds and possibilities will enable them to find their passions and skills. Let us reflect and consider our background. Which factors helped to define our choices and career routes? Knowing this will enable us to guide the next generation more deliberately. For example, our children should witness us reading often if we ...

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A little Story of Patience and Brand Recognition in this episode The power of a well-developed brand can’t be overstated. Over time, focusing on a specific niche and consistently delivering value establishes you as a trusted expert. So let me share a story that exemplifies this principle. This happened just today Years ago, as a young speaker, I aspired to invite a renowned speaker to an event. The challenge? His high-profile status made him expensive, especially for an unknown organizer like myself. Plus so many gatekeepers that prevented me from getting access to him. Ultimately, we couldn’t secure him. Sad but we moved on. Fast Forward! A decade later, I received an unexpected call. It was from the very same speaker I’d tried to invite a decade earlier! My consistent work and expertise in digital publishing had preceded me. They’d found me through an online search, impressed by my brand and books on Amazon. My brand opened the door. 😉He needed some digital branding and publishing services from me. You see the importance of building your brand over time. Consistent effort in a specific niche allows your work to speak for itself.You gain leverage, access to valuable opportunities, and increased value perception, thereby translating into higher potential earnings. Chale it takes time to build a solid brand, let’s begin today! So, what brand are you building? Don’t underestimate its power. Be consistent, patience, and focus on building credibility. When the time comes to showcase your expertise, people will recognize your value and be willing to pay your worth. I’m Bernard Kelvin Cliveyour personal branding coach Recommend Books on Amazon 5 Minutes Habits (Audiobook) Retreat: Reflections for Busy Businessmen (Audiobook)

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Today we’re diving headfirst into the power of exceptional customer experience.  I will share with you why prioritizing your clients, especially in the realm of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), is the secret weapon you’ve been overlooking. “Often times consumers, clients, and customers are not just buying a product or service, they are buying an experience, a feeling, a perception, a person(YOU)” – Bernard Kelvin Clive Let’s face it, customer service in some parts of the world can be, well, let’s just say lacking. And for many SMEs, the focus often lands on simply getting the job done. But what if I told you that by shifting your mindset and truly prioritizing the customer experience, you could unlock exponential growth for your business? Intrigued? Then buckle up, because we’re about to explore real-world examples and practical strategies to make exceptional service your competitive edge. Here’s the first Story Two Designers and the Power of Going the Extra Mile Let me illustrate this concept with a recent experience I had. A few weeks back, I needed some new signage created for one of my clients. Knowing the importance of a visually appealing and functional design, I contacted two graphic designers specializing in sign-making and posters. Both were familiar faces, having worked with me on previous projects. To ensure a well-informed decision, I briefed them on the project’s specifics and requested they visit the location to assess the space and gather inspiration. Both designers readily agreed and promptly scheduled site visits. Up to this point, everything seemed on par. However, the story takes a fascinating turn when we look at their follow-up approaches. The first designer, let’s call him David, returned with a straightforward email containing an invoice outlining the estimated cost for the project. It was a clear and concise message, but it lacked something crucial—a spark of initiative. David had completed the bare minimum; he’d assessed the space, formulated a price, and presented it without further engagement. Now, don’t get me wrong, a clear estimate is important. But in this competitive landscape, it just wasn’t enough to stand out. The Art of Exceeding Expectations The second designer, Sarah, took a distinctly different approach. Following her site visit, Sarah not only sent a detailed quote, but she also went above and beyond by creating three unique design samples for the signage. These weren’t just generic mockups; each sample showcased a distinct visual style and layout, catering to different aesthetic preferences. This thoughtful gesture demonstrated not just her design skills, but also her understanding of the importance of client input and collaboration. The impact was undeniable. When I presented both options to my client, their reaction was clear: Sarah’s effort to personalize the experience by providing design choices instilled a sense of confidence and partnership. They felt valued and understood, not simply handed a price tag. In contrast, David’s impersonal approach, while competent, failed to capture their imagination or create an emotional connection with the project. How Going the Extra Mile Benefits Everyone Now, Sarah’s proactive approach wasn’t just about winning this specific project. It’s about understanding the ripple effect exceptional service can create. Think about it this way: The Value Proposition of Exceptional Service Some might argue that exceptional service comes at a cost, but hey what doesn’t cost? Yes, and that might be true in terms of time and effort. However, the intangible value it creates far outweighs the initial investment. Here’s why: Here is the Second Story A month or two ago, I needed to take my kids somewhere via Uber. The first driver arrived, and as I was helping my children into the car, he launched into a series of complaints. He questioned whether I was alone (despite clearly seeing my kids) and expressed frustration about the potential trip duration.

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Encounter with a Vulcanizer: Branding Lessons for MSMEs Every business has its ups and downs, but learning how to maximize each moment can help the business thrive and grow. You see, the ability to adapt and embrace new technologies is not just an advantage—it’s essential for survival and growth. This realization came to me vividly during a seemingly mundane visit to a local vulcanizer because of a car tire issue. The vulcanizer, an expert in his field, impressed me with his knowledge and skill. I had learned that he has been doing this for the past decade and he is the go-to guy in the hood. However, despite his expertise, I noticed his reliance on outdated technology and traditional methods in his operations.  A critical lesson for small business owners can be learned from this experience: investing in modern tools and technology will enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and ultimately, business success. The vulcanizer, with nearly a decade of experience, was proficient in his work. His business was thriving, with a steady stream of customers benefiting from his expertise. Yet, his reliance on old systems and methods, such as a gas system for tire repair, reflected a broader issue many small businesses face. Despite having access to modern car tires and understanding current market needs, his equipment remained traditional, mirroring what many Ghanaian artisans use.  Considering this situation, I wonder why he hadn’t invested in modern equipment such as hydraulic jacks or other advanced gadgets that could have created further revenue opportunities. This reluctance to embrace new technology is not unique to him but is a common trait among many small business owners who become complacent with their current success and expertise. Many fail to realize how technology can streamline traditional processes, increasing efficiency and competitiveness. In today’s digital age, where advancements like artificial intelligence are revolutionizing various sectors, failing to keep up with technological trends can leave businesses at a significant disadvantage. The truth is that investing in new technologies and tools is more than just an upgrade; it’s a strategic move that can dramatically enhance a business’s operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. Modern equipment can speed up service delivery, improve the quality of work, and attract a broader customer base looking for quicker, more reliable services. The thing is that adopting modern vulcanizing tools can significantly transform the vulcanizer’s business by making tire repairs and changes faster and more efficient. Hydraulic jacks, for instance, speed up the process of lifting vehicles, allowing for quicker service, while impact wrenches make removing and tightening lug nuts much faster than manual methods.  This efficiency means a vulcanizer can serve more customers in a day, increasing business turnover. You see their tons of them, tools like modern tire changers and wheel balancers ensure that tires are fitted and balanced with precision, enhancing the quality of service. Such efficiency and accuracy not only boost customer satisfaction but also reduce the likelihood of errors, making the service more reliable. Here again, the use of advanced equipment like high-quality air compressors for inflating tires to the correct pressure and vulcanizing machines for effective puncture repairs ensures that the job is done right the first time. This level of professionalism and quality attracts customers who value their time and vehicle safety, potentially allowing the vulcanizer to charge a premium for superior service. Safety is another critical benefit, as modern tools are designed to protect both the worker and the vehicle during repairs, minimizing the risk of accidents and damage.  Just by delving a little bit deeper one can find so many ways of stepping up their business in ways to be more efficient and profitable. However, the challenge for many small business owners lies in r...

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“Where you plant your feet determines your feats.” — Bernard Kelvin Clive Let me share this with you.  One morning, while I was cleaning my car, I noticed something interesting. I had worked hard to make the car’s body look shiny and clean, even though there was a lot of dust around because of the Harmattan season. But when I stepped back to look at my work, I saw that the tires were still dirty. This made the whole car not look as nice as I thought. This situation reminded me of a lesson from my childhood. When we were kids, my uncles would tell us to make sure we washed the tires of the car really well, not just the body. They said that a car doesn’t look completely clean if its tires are dirty, even if the rest of it is spotless. They kept reminding us that this was important, showing us that we often focused on the parts that were easy to see and forgot about the rest. This lesson is not just about cars; it’s also about life. A car needs good, clean tires to move properly, just like we need to take care of all parts of our lives to succeed. It doesn’t matter how good something looks on the outside; if the parts that really matter, like the tires on a car and the engine, aren’t in good shape, then it won’t work well. So, washing my car and seeing the difference after cleaning the tires made me think about how important it is to pay attention to everything, not just what people see first. Just like the car, we need to make sure we’re taking care of the important parts of our lives, not just the ones that look good to others. This teaches us to be thorough and to remember that every part, no matter how small or hidden, counts in making something complete and ready to go. Just like people spend a lot of money on nice rims for their car tires to make their cars look great, we should also take care of our feet because they carry us around. This is kind of like saying that in life, our feet are super important because they help us stand and move. If you’re into bodybuilding, you know that every part of your body needs to be strong to carry yourself, especially your feet/legs. It’s the same with our feet in real life. Our feet are like the base or foundation of everything we do. When we’re doing anything in life, having strong feet (or a strong foundation) means we can handle tough times, carry heavy loads, and go to amazing places. So, it’s really important to think about how we take care of our feet and what we’re asking them to do. It’s like asking, “Have I made myself strong enough to take on new challenges in my work, my personal goals, or whatever I’m trying to build?” Think about what you wear on your feet and what kind of load you’re expecting them to carry. Building a strong foundation, or making sure our feet are ready, is super important. It helps us be ready for the next step in whatever we’re doing, like moving up in our jobs, growing a business, or making our brand better. Investing time and effort into making our foundation strong means we’re ready to take on what we dream of doing. So, it’s all about making sure we’re ready and strong from the ground up. Just like a car with fancy rims stands out, making sure our foundation (our feet) is strong can help us stand out and succeed in what we’re aiming for. Our feet play a central role in how we present ourselves, both as individuals and as brands. When people see us, one of the first things they notice is our feet. This makes our feet a key part of our foundation, something that supports and holds us up. It’s really important to wear good shoes, as they say a lot about our appearance.  You might be dressed really nicely, but if your shoes don’t look good or don’t match your outfit, it can mess up how you look overall. This is even more true during the Harmattan season. You can dress up as nicely as you want, but when you walk on dusty roads, your shoes get dirty. If your shoes are dirty, it doesn’t matter how nice the rest of your outfit is; it won’t make you look ...

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How to Grow Your Personal Brand in 2024 It’s to take your brand to the next level. Whether you’re a new brand or an established one, you need to achieve at least one of these milestones/goals in the upcoming year to remain relevant and competitive. 1. Raise the bar on yourself It is all about having a growth mindset to place a demand on yourself to go higher and do better. Let me draw your attention to this simple observation: I know several brands in my circle that offer the same services and products of high quality and standard, yet they are underpaid by their clients. Why? Well, my survey revealed one major setback: a lack of confidence in their expertise. They lack the boldness to price their products and services as they deserve. Let me break it down this way. The Psychology of Pricing with Confidence: Listen, if you don’t place a premium price on yourself, others will treat you like a commodity. Truth be told, you are powerful, gifted, talented, and skilled. Yes, you, you have to believe that. It all begins with self-belief and confidence in one’s abilities. Perhaps, you have settled for crumbs for your brand and business. No! Yours is the gold, gear up and go for it. Until you raise the bar on yourself and work toward becoming a better version of yourself, you will only have the leftovers of those who dare and do mightier things. Building confidence in yourself is building confidence in your brand. If you’ve been doing well, great! It’s time to step up your game and go up the notch. Stretch for a higher and greater opportunity. You can do more. In the coming weeks, months, and years, lift your game, pursue excellence, and master your craft. 2. Build Capacity for Growth Any brand that does not grow fades away. The competition is fierce, and the noise out there is loud. If you don’t build yourself up and create significant capacity for growth and expansion, you will fade out faster than you think. This demands consistent improvement, exploration, charting new terrains, and pursuing bigger goals. Over the past year, many interesting things happened, and some went viral on social media – from Nigeria’s Hilda Baci breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking time to Afua Asantewaa Aduonum of Ghana attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the longest singing marathon by an individual. A few things stand out. Firstly, the desire to break a record – that audacious attempt is worth commending. The second thing is that these records were way beyond their capacity, but they had to build the capacity to get it done. It stretches them, it challenges them, and it also gives reason for others to attempt breaking other records, be it in public or private. It gave enough people a reason to pursue larger goals and bigger dreams. My question for you is this: What bigger goals, dreams, and aspirations would you attempt in the coming year? Go for your big wins! The best is yours! Recommend Books 5 Minutes Habits (Audiobook) Retreat: Reflections for Busy Businessmen (Audiobook)

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How can you enhance your content creation and branding with these five productivity tools? Enhancing Productivity in Content Creation and Branding In today’s podcast, I discuss five productivity tools that can significantly enhance content creation and branding. So, I’ll share some insights from that episode, focusing on the importance of finding the right tools to boost productivity and maintain your unique voice while creating content and building your personal brand. 1 The Power of Audio-to-Text Tools The first tool I discussed was Swellai.com, a powerful tool for recording and transcribing audio. What sets Swell Icon apart is its ability to generate titles, summaries, article formats, and even social media shareable content based on the audio message. This feature is particularly useful for podcasters, as it allows us to maintain our unique voice while using AI content-generating tools. 2 Proofreading and Editing with Grammarly Next, I delved into the world of proofreading and editing with Grammarly. This tool quickly spots grammatical errors and provides corrections, making it an invaluable asset for content creators. Other tools like Quillbot and ChatGPT can also be used for proofreading, but Grammarly stands out for its ease of use and accuracy. 3 Simplified.com: A One-Stop Content Creation Platform I also discussed Simplified.com, a platform that offers various features like graphic designing, image generation, video editing, and social media content creation. It’s a one-stop platform for generating extra content in different formats and also allows for sharing and promotion on social media. 4 The Versatility of Canva Canva, a popular platform for creating graphics and text, was another tool I highlighted. Canva is an AI-integrated tool that allows users to create various types of content, such as infographics, social media posts, and document formats. The free version of Canva is highly versatile and can be used for writing content, designing book covers, and creating social media posts. Canva provides a wide range of templates to assist users in their content creation process, saving them time and energy. 5 Selling Digital Products with Gumroad Finally, I discussed Gumroad, a platform that helps users market and sell their digital products. After going through the content creation process, users may have something they want to sell, such as a digital product or a recording. Gumroad provides an easy-to-use platform for selling various types of products, including courses. The Importance of AI-Powered Tools In today’s digital age, using AI-powered tools to work faster and more efficiently is crucial. By combining these tools effectively and positioning oneself in the market, users can achieve significant productivity gains. Whether you’re a podcaster, a blogger, or a digital marketer, these tools can help you streamline your content creation process and build a stronger personal brand. The right tools can significantly enhance your productivity and help you maintain your unique voice while creating content and building your personal brand. Whether it’s Swell Icon, Grammarly, Simplified.com, Canva, or Gumroad, each tool offers unique features that can help you work faster and more efficiently. So why not give them a try and see how they can transform your content creation and branding process? Recommended Reading Market-in-g!: Conversation with a Marketing Guru – Seth Godin Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

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Building your brand in challenging timesGrowing in times Like These!The acronym for GROWTH is a great tool for personal and professional growth. Each letter represents an important trait or action that can help you navigate the different stages of growth. Let's go through each one:G- Grits & Guts: Grit is a combination of perseverance and passion for long-term goals. It means having the determination to see something through to the end, even when things get difficult. Guts, on the other hand, is the courage to take risks and try new things, even if you're not sure you'll succeed. Together, grits and guts can help you take on new challenges and overcome obstacles in your path to growth.R- Reason & Research: Reasoning and research are essential for making informed decisions and setting realistic goals. By being logical and analytical, you can evaluate different options and choose the best course of action. Researching and gathering information also allows you to have a more well-rounded understanding of the situation and can help you to make more well-informed decisions.O- Objectivity and Oscillating: Objectivity is the ability to look at things objectively and to see them for what they are, rather than getting bogged down by emotions or biases. Oscillating, or being flexible and adaptable, means being able to adjust to change and to see things from different perspectives. Together, objectivity and oscillating can help you to be adaptable and make the most of new opportunities.W- Work: Of course, no growth can happen without putting in the work. Consistent and deliberate effort is key to achieving any goal and making progress.T- Tenacity: As previously discussed, Tenacity is the ability to persist in the face of adversity and keep going despite obstacles. It is the willingness to keep pushing forward even when things get tough, and the determination to not let setbacks and failures defeat you. It is this persistence and determination that allows people to achieve great things, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.H- Humility: As previously discussed, humility is an important trait for growth because it allows you to acknowledge your limitations and areas for improvement, and to learn from others. When you approach new challenges and experiences with humility, you're more open to learning, feedback, and critique, which can help you grow and develop in new ways.Recommended ReadingMarket-in-g!: Conversation with a Marketing Guru – Seth GodinBooks by Bernard Kelvin Clive

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13 years ago, I had the privilege of meeting Kobby Blay, a driven and passionate young nurse. It was at the peak of my first book launch and blog and I was doing multiple radio and TV interviews. We all felt passionately committed to driving positive change in our society through our gifts and passions. Kobby was on a mission to fill the gap in health information through his blog and medical photography. His unwavering passion led to the creation of the highly successful Ghana Health Nest, which has become a trusted source of health information. Kobby's passion project has taken him on a journey around the world, and it can happen to you too!I have seen firsthand how several of my friends have transformed their passions into profitable ventures. Today, I am thrilled to share my knowledge and offer tips and strategies to help you kickstart your own passion-driven business. It all starts with taking that first step and starting today!Are you tired of working in a job that doesn't fulfill you or align with your passions? Are you ready to turn your passions into a profitable business? If so, you're not alone. Many young professionals dream of turning their passions into a successful career, but often struggle with knowing how to get started. That's where this guide comes in.Turning your passions into a profitable business is not only a way to make a living doing what you love, but it's also a way to live a more fulfilling life. By pursuing your passions, you can bring your unique talents and skills to the world, and make a positive impact in the process.So, how do you turn your passions into profits? Here are some key steps to get you started:Identifying your passions and skills: To monetize your passions, it's important to first identify what you are good at and what you enjoy doing. This could be anything from cooking, writing, photography, or any other skill or hobby that you are passionate about. Once you have identified your passions and skills, you should circle what you want to monetize and focus on. This could be something that you have been doing for years and have become an expert in or something that you have recently developed a strong interest in.Packaging your skills and passions: Once you have identified what you want to monetize, the next step is to package your skills and passions into a product or service that you can sell. This could be anything from writing an e-book, offering cooking classes, selling photographs, or any other way that you can monetize your skills and passions. The key here is to find a way to turn your skills and passions into a product or service that others will be willing to pay for. That's the catch - you need a product or service that people will pay money for, otherwise your efforts will be futile and frustrating. Getting your product to market: Once you have packaged your skills and passions into a product or service, the next step is to get it to the market. Marketing starts right from the conception of the idea of the product or service. This could be done through a variety of channels such as social media, word of mouth, online advertising, or any other way that you can reach your target market. You can simply place a post on your WhatsApp status or Social Media page to test the market if they are interested in it. This stage can also provide valuable feedback for your product, so pay attention to what people will be saying and filter them well to your advantage. You can also consider building a website or creating a portfolio to showcase your work and make it easy for potential customers to find and purchase your products.Establishing systems and processes: To ensure that you deliver an excellent product, it is important to establish systems and processes in place. This could be anything from having a clear pricing structure, setting up a payment system, or having a process in place to handle customer inquiries and complaints.

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The Top 5 Myths about Goal Setting - And How to Ditch Them for GoodAre you trying to make changes in your life but feeling stymied by goal-setting myths? Do you ever wonder if setting goals is worthwhile? You are not alone if this sounds familiar. Goal setting is a popular topic, especially during this time of the year, but it can be fraught with misconceptions. In this article, I will debunk the top five goal-setting myths and offer practical advice on how to get rid of them for good. Continue reading to learn how setting goals can help you achieve your dreams and realize your full potential.1. Your Goals must be in writing!Not entirely true, you can have unwritten goals.You know what? When I wrote the last book - Bruwaa, which I published last year, I didn't have a goal of writing it, but once I thought about it, I wrote it and published it!You should have a goal, but your goal doesn't have to be in writing. For achieving goals, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. You can still make your goal, even if it isn't written down.2. Goals Have to Be Big to Be WorthwhileOne of the biggest myths about goal setting is that you need to have big, lofty goals for them to be worthwhile. This couldn't be further from the truth. Hey, smaller goals can often be just as effective and sometimes more achievable.Big goals can seem intimidating and overwhelming, which can prevent us from even starting. Breaking down our goals into smaller, more manageable steps can help us stay on track and make progress. Plus, achieving those smaller goals can give us the confidence boost we need to keep going.Rather than setting an ambitious goal like "start a business" or "get a promotion", set smaller goals that are related. For example, if your ultimate goal is to start a business, your smaller goals could include researching potential business ideas, writing a business plan, or finding a mentor who has experience in the field. Each of these tasks should have a specific time frame attached to them so you can track your progress.By breaking down your goals into smaller steps, you’ll still be working towards the same end goal but without feeling overwhelmed.3. You Need to Know Exactly What You WantSetting goals can often seem intimidating because you feel like you have to know exactly what you want before you even start. But that’s not the case at all! You don’t have to have a perfect plan for achieving your goals in order to start the journey.Truth is, it’s perfectly normal (and recommended) to start with a general idea of what you want and then build from there. When you don’t have all the answers, don’t let that stop you from getting started. You can always adjust and refine as you go.Start by writing down the outcome that you want. What do you ultimately want to achieve? Once you’ve identified that, ask yourself some questions: What resources or skills do I need to reach my goal? What steps do I need to take to get there? Who can help me?These questions will help you develop a clearer picture of what you need and how to get there. As you answer each question, jot down any ideas or insights that come up. You don’t have to have all the answers right away. This is just an opportunity to gather more information so that you can move forward.Your goal doesn’t have to be perfectly defined when you start. As long as you have a clear idea of the outcome that you want, that’s all you need. The rest will come together as you go.4. You Need to Set a Deadline. Goals Must be Time-Bound!One of the most common myths about goal-setting is that you need to set a deadline for achieving them. Many people think that setting a goal without a deadline just isn't enough and that there needs to be a specific time frame within which you must reach your goal.However, this is not necessarily true. It's important to understand that deadlines are just one part of the process of goal setting,

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Building your Personal Brand as a Student

Here are a few quick tips to help!

“Personal Branding is the combination of one’s SKILLS and TALENT to produce VALUE for others, that creates an IMPRESSION, PERCEPTION, and REPUTATION…” - Bernard Kelvin Clive

1. Start with a clear vision for who you want to become and what your goals are. (Find yourself)

2. Be innovative and think outside the box when it comes to marketing your brand. (Find your power, Get Skilled!)

3. Develop an effective social media strategy that will help you connect with your target audience. (Find your place)

4 . Think about ways in which you can monetize your brand, and make sure all of your strategies are legal and ethical. (Find a need)

5 . Stay true to yourself, and don't be afraid to experiment - this is how you'll find out what works best for you and YOUR brand!

6 . Keep track of trends so that you know where the industry is going, and adjust accordingly!

7 . Make use of technology resources available online to amplify the reach of your brand. (Pay to Play)

1. Stay humble - no one succeeds alone! Collaborate with others in order not only build a better yourself but also strengthen relationships across different industries/disciplines/geographies...etc

2. Don't forget networking events; these opportunities provide excellent opportunities to network with potential customers as well as professionals within related fields. (Network)

10 Always remember: be your best self and live your commitments in line with what you believe.

Your brand is as important as the value you consistently bring to the marketplace, don't lose your worth!

Bernard Kelvin Clive

Recommended Books

Q.EST. Building a Reputable Presence Online

On Becoming An Authority

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And How to Overcome It

Social media has become a huge part of our lives—and it's also created some problems we need to address. Social media addiction is increasingly common, and it affects more than just younger generations. If you feel as though you're spending too much time on social media or that it causes problems in your life, this episode will help you understand the issue and give you ways to overcome your social media addiction.

What is Social Media Addiction

Social media addiction is the idea that one's use of social media is negatively impacting their life. Research has shown that social media addiction can result in a feeling of time wasted. Although your online connections may have close and casual relationships with each other, most likely there will be more time spent with friends in person. With this lack of proper communication and interactions, comes a society that is being swallowed by its devices.

Are You Addicted? Signs of Social Media Addiction

One of the most common signs that someone is addicted to social media is when they feel like their life would be better if they spent more time online. This may mean the person is living vicariously through other people's photos or doesn't know how to spend time outside. Others have found themselves neglecting relationships with friends and family because they are so consumed by their social media life. One study even says that social media users are at higher risk for depression than those who don't use it.

Although most think these issues only exist among teens, as social media usage has been steadily increasing in adults over 50 years old, addiction rates in this age group are on the rise as well.

The Signs of Social Media Addiction are

Social media is the first you check when you wake up and the last before bed, then you are addicted or geting addicted.

If tou can't spend a day wothout checking your social media pages and apps. If you feel you are spending too much time on social media, and you are worried about how it may be affecting your life, it's important to get support. Try talking with a close friend or family member first. They can help you determine whether your use is problematic, and if so can help you decide on steps to change your habits. Talking with a therapist or counselor can also help overcome social media addiction, as they can teach useful coping strategies for building better habits when using social media.

What Are the Risks?

Social media addiction may seem harmless but there are many risks involved. One is that people could develop anxiety or social anxiety as a result. If someone spends their entire day scrolling through their phone, they don't have the chance to be a part of reality and interact with other people. Another risk is that it makes someone too self-conscious, almost in an obsessive way. They will constantly compare themselves to others on social media and become overly critical of their appearance and life achievements.

In other words, many times what you see on social media isn't real, but it can make you feel like your life is worthless and that nobody likes you or cares about you.

How to Overcome Social Media Addiction

Social media addiction is a very real phenomenon that has been studied extensively in recent years. Many people log onto their favorite social media sites in the morning and don't even realize how much time they've spent until they look at the clock. The addiction goes beyond just browsing and can lead people to become preoccupied with their timeline, often neglecting other tasks like work or personal responsibilities. Social media addiction can also cause feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression. Luckily, there are ways to overcome this condition. One study found that spending more time away from screens can increase physical health benefits and reduce mental fatigue ̶, especially for teens who spend as many as nine hours a day online on any given day!

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Why do authors lie to themselves? 

It's because they think that telling them these lies will help them write, edit, publish, and sell their book. 

Unfortunately, the opposite usually happens - some authors waste days of their lives with lies and empty promises.

Every author writes to fulfill their dream of seeing their work in print, but many get swept up in the day-to-day business of publishing and forget why they started writing in the first place. The result? Author burnout, writer’s block, and more unfinished manuscripts than published books. 

Today, I will share with you three lies that authors tell themselves and explain how to avoid these self-destructive mistakes.

1 My Book Will Become a Bestseller

One of the many lies authors tells themselves is that their book will become a bestseller.

Especially if the book is published on Amazon. In reality, only a few books become bestsellers - Yes! There is a science and strategy to it. We'll save that for another time.

The problem is that many authors and books do not become best-sellers, regardless of how well-written or interesting their content is. I'll go over strategies for becoming a bestseller later, but let me say that factors that can influence whether a book becomes a bestseller include competition from other similar titles by authors, the timing of the release, and marketing effort.

I advise authors not to make becoming a best-selling author a major goal in their publishing journey, as this can potentially derail their writing. I've met several authors who were disappointed because their books didn't sell even ten copies or become a bestseller as they had hoped.

2 My Content is Just Perfect

One of the most common lies that authors tell themselves is that their work is flawless. This lie is mostly believed by religious people, who are so glued to their ideologies and interpretations of their faith. From the title of the book to the cover design, they would never give in to opposing opinions. This belief may cause them to avoid making any changes or adjustments to their manuscript, even if it isn't working well. It may also prevent them from seeking feedback from others, which would aid in the improvement of their work.

This can stifle your creative writing and render you unsuitable for professional criticism.

Constructive criticism is necessary for the development of a good piece of writing. Receiving feedback on your work will help you identify areas for improvement and how to implement those changes to ensure that the final product meets all expectations. Relying solely on self-evaluation can result in stagnation and decrease writing quality over time.

3 I can do this alone it's Easy

Another lie authors tell themselves is "I can do this alone, without any help."

If you think that you can do everything by yourself, then you need some help. 

Getting your work published through self-publishing is often portrayed as an easy and quick process, but it isn't always that simple. As a result of the tremendous amount of work necessary to publish a book, self-publishing may be harder than going through traditional publishing houses. To turn a manuscript into a paperback or hardcover book, you need an editor, beta readers, proofreaders, designers, and printers.

Setting up your website can be difficult enough without having to deal with all of the logistics of actually publishing a book.

It's not an easy task, and it takes a dedicated team of experts to pull it off successfully.

The author may sometimes want to be the writer, editor, and expert, but this is not always the case. In my experience, most writers and authors who act in that manner produce crappy content that doesn't deliver on their promises. 

To publish your book successfully, you need experts in a variety of fields to assist you. Even if you want to self-publish, you won't be able to do it all by yourself.

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Do brands last a lifetime? What makes some brands survive while others fail?Think about this question as it relates to your own life. What brands and products do you remember from your childhood? Are those brands still existing?If so, what could their main secrets be? If they are no longer around, what could have led to their extension? So, perhaps you already know the answers to these questions.

My favorite childhood car brand was the French-built Peugeot. The Peugeot company was founded in 1810 by Jean-Pierre Peugeot, who began making coffee mills and bicycles.Despite not having seen my grandfather's functional Peugeot 504 (Peugeot's first Saloon Car), I did see the spoilt immovable car kept in the garage. The car's round headlights and sunroof caught my attention at the time. On occasion, he gathers his young children and tells them stories of his car-related antics. From Ho to Hohoe and Aflao to Accra, he traveled.It was the most adored vehicle in the 1970s and 1980s. I used to only consider traveling by the Peugeot. All this time I was hoping for a meaningful experience that I would be able to talk about with my grandfather. Was his account of the car similar to my personal experience, in other words? Brand’s perception vs customer experience.Admirably the Peugeot still exists today with different models made, and the company has evolved.

Today, I will share with you three key secrets among the many that help brands thrive over generations.

There are several ways brands can survive and thrive. The key to success lies in understanding these strategies and applying them to your business.

Let's get started…

Customer-focused: if your goal is for your customers to feel satisfied and you put your all into it to achieve that result, your customers will come back to serve you in many ways. Some may become your unofficial brand ambassadors. Brands that attain iconic status are people-minded. They take pride in their work and they go the extra step to ensure that their clients and customers are satisfied. Brands that last know that they're in business because of people. They realize that these people will be spreading the good word and image about the brand, which will bring in more clients and more money. Brands that last put a premium on their customer acquisition and retention processes and don't let it happen by chance. are the ones that succeed over the long term. The key to creating enduring customer value is to figure out how to build sustainable competitive advantage, not just for individual companies but for entire industries. Be value-driven!

Communication: Brands that last keep their communication channels open all the time. Lasting brands use both new and old media to promote your business. Social media is used to engage with people, listen to them, provide feedback, and promote products and services. Listening helps provide avenues for bettering your products and services and strengthening your brand’s presence Lasting brands have a strong digital presence and constantly improve their digital presence to stay top of mind for their target audience.These actions help to strengthen the bond between the brand and its customers

Consistency: Consistency is key. Nothing remarkable can be achieved without consistency. It’s the value, the voice, and the brand that drives home the message. Brands that last are always improving, always innovating, and always marketing their products and services Follow Coca-Cola's lead. They've improved, even their formula, packaging, and messages, and constantly market themselves.Returning to the Peugeot brand, one of their success secrets has been their ongoing commitment to innovation and improvement. They never gave up, and today it's one of the most sought-after cars in Europe by tourists.In addition to nine other Car of the Year wins in Spain, they have won five Car of the Year awards in Italy.

I will summarize it all by ending with the words of James C.

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Tips for Building a Reputable Online Presence

Tips for Building a Reputable Online Presence

"We must be careful not to let our current appetites steal away any chance we might have for a future feast." ~ Jim Rohn

Let's look at some factors to consider while developing a great online presence:

1. Branding

Branding is the first step towards building your online personal brand. You will be perceived based on how you present yourself, so make your brand worth every glance. Make use of both visual and verbal content. Your content is your digital currency, and the value you provide determines how much it appreciates and depreciates over time.

You need to decide what type of content you want to create around your niche. Do you want to focus on creating videos? Or maybe you are more interested in writing articles? Once you know what kind of content you want to produce, then you can start thinking about how you can make this content better than anyone else out there.

1. Social Media

Social media is another great way to connect with people who share your same interests. This is a great place to get started if you are looking to build your own online personal brand. If you have never created any social media profiles before, then you might want to consider starting with Facebook. You should always use a platform that makes you feel comfortable and happy. Don't stress too much about trying to figure everything out right now. Just start somewhere! Don't create an account only to leave it idle; instead, be consistent with your content and provide value to your audience. That's how you get your message out while also keeping your brand at the forefront of people's minds.

1. Email Marketing

Most essential, use your content to develop a list and then grow your business from there. Your email is your powerful connector for establishing rapport with your audience and even sell your services. Email marketing is something that you can do from anywhere at any time. All you need is a computer and an internet connection. So, don't wait to sign up for an email list. Start sending out emails today to help you build your own online personal branding.

Above all stay trustworthy!

Recommended Books

www.amazon.com/author/bernardkelvin

on becoming an Authority

Above all stay trustworthy!

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The Rise of the Gig Guys, Are you in?

“You have no idea how many people may require your services if only you could muster the confidence to put your skills to use” – Bernard Kelvin Clive

I'd been up all night trying to memorize a slew of notes for a mid-semester exam. My eyes were heavy with sleep at 3 a.m., and my head couldn't take it any longer. As I contemplated whether to go to bed or go for a walk to get some fresh air, the door flung wide open with a boom! He was hot and sweaty, and his clothes were dirty with clay from his ceramic work at the Art Shed. KKD, my roommate, rushed in and yelled, "chale, we have to go to town; Asafo Market, Kumasi, this morning at six o'clock and back for early morning classes at seven o'clock." "Huh!?, I am tired!", I replied.

"Believe me, it's a good deal!" he retorted!

When he announced the news, sleep fled my eyes and my energy was quickly restored...

The concept of side gigs and freelancing was extremely popular among students at KNUST's College of Art & Social Science. Particularly in the Rural Art Department(IRAI). The course's innovative and robust nature not only provides individuals with academic information to earn diplomas and certificates but also prepares them for the world of work.

The course was challenging and rigorous, requiring students to study six main art disciplines in addition to other necessary semester courses.

Other extracurricular activities would be difficult to fit in. Perhaps this is why I graduated '4 - 0' no 'intɛ' (girlfriend).LOL.

As difficult as the course was, so was the delight and satisfaction that came with the side gigs where students get to sell the products they created. We dubbed it ‘comɛ’, after the word "commercial." 'Man must survive,' is a common slogan we chant during the gigs.

Several of my classmates were ‘comɛ’ experts. Sandy Gyimah, often known as Toa, bursted with enthusiasm and versatility. Toa could sell anything, including the jute ropes used to make Macrame goods. (Toa is a serial entrepreneur at the moment.) George Preko was a brilliant carver and designer; I still have one of his sculptures at home (he now operates a creative advertising agency). Saka was a natural entrepreneur who saw money practically everywhere. (Saka, now a real estate mogul of Saka Homes). My roommate Kwame Kyere Diabour(KKD) was multitalented and creative; just give him an idea and he'll make it a reality, be it wood, clay, or whatever. (Dr. KKD, now a senior lecturer at the University of Education, Winneba (UCEW)).

These individuals had the potential to generate money right on campus. I recall KKD landing a big gig back then, manufacturing citation plaques for one of the municipal assemblies. That's why he dragged me to town that morning to obtain some supplies for the work.

We had a feast that weekend when we delivered the completed work. Chale, the feeling was gooood!

Later, using my leatherworking skills, I began making stunning backpacks out of ‘tye&dye’ leathers. (The first of its sort on campus.) I remember making one of these backpacks for my Massdrama colleague, Michael, aka 'Pocho' (now CEO of Team1000words). Instead of the inscription 'pocho,' the words turned out to be 'poche,' a story for another day.

The point is, in all of these situations, I noticed a common success factor running across with these guys: their 'comɛ', side-gigs were in areas where they were talented and had some degree of competence. [What are your present skills?]

The lesson here is that there is always something extra to do, whether it is a side gig, freelancing, or running a full-fledged business. The catch is to rely on your natural abilities and things you are proficient at or can potentially develop, this, then becomes the first point of entry. All of my friends mentioned were gifted in some way, and the course had also helped them develop their talents, making it quite easier to monetize.

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Why do you want to write a book?

The recent boom of interest in self-publishing has led to an explosion of books being created. While there are positives to this new market, it could also have negative impacts on book quality.

Writing a book can be a daunting, time-consuming task. However, it is one of the best things you can do and leave as a legacy. There are many benefits to writing a book. Writing helps you better understand your thoughts and who you are as an individual. It also allows you to contribute to the world by adding to the vast body of knowledge that already exists on the subject. One of the most common reasons people write books is to share experiences, teach lessons, or inspire others.

That said, not every idea will make it into books. Some ideas and write-ups are best kept as blog posts and articles.

Blog posts and articles are the perfect media for publishing content on a given topic. Blog posts are a great way to share insights and tips for readers, while articles provide in-depth analysis of specific topics.

Sometimes these articles and blog posts serve a better and more timely need than if they were written in books.

As much as I advise people to write books, I also place a caveat that not everything can turn out as a book or for that matter a great book.

This is because the task of writing a book has several pitfalls that need to be avoided. For example, some people don't have the time or discipline to write a book. Others have an idea that isn't likely to sell well in the market.

The first governing principle on writing books is the reason for the book. Now, it may seem like an obvious starting point, but many people forget about it or neglect to consider it. If you don't know what your book is about or what you want your readers to get out of reading it, then how can you expect them to buy and read your book?

That serves as a precursor for publishing. It informs the option of the right audience, the market, and the specific need.

In my book publishing classes, I always assert my belief that authors should clarify their reasons for writing a book before beginning the publishing process.

This will give them a clear vision of their goals and what they want to achieve. If they would like to write a book for profit, they can use this information when choosing how much time and effort to put into writing. For authors who are not looking for monetary gain, it helps know if this is something they are willing to sacrifice their time, energy, and money on it.

It is clarity that will set the direction of the book publishing project. People write for so many reasons, either to make money, inspire, educate, or gain social status.

In a recent Facebook post by the Zimbabwean telecommunications mogul, Strive Masiyiwa, who also founded and presides over Econet in Zimbabwe, Canada, and Zimbabwe respectively; he had this to say “I wanted to reach people who don’t usually read books. I ended up reaching more than 100m according to Facebook!” He believes that a book would have limited him in reaching out to a large number of people.

Additionally, he didn’t want people paying for his content, he said: “I did not want people to pay for this material.” So he resorted to using Social Media as a means of sharing his content. He's the go-to guy for entrepreneurs seeking to learn more in the field. He offers deep insights and openly engages with his audience on Facebook. I highly recommend every young entrepreneur follow his page on Social Media to learn more.

His 'why' was crystal clear, so he chose the appropriate channel that would help him achieve his goal.

There are some people just like Strive, experts in their various fields without a book in their name yet they share insightful long post content on social media. Perhaps, they may write a book someday. Something I always encourage them to do, however, for now, they believe the best medium to reach their audience is through...

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Tips to grow your brand

FInd your unique audinceFeed them value - over deliverGenerate 'Word of Mouth Marketing' - Power referralsFeedbacks - get them and use them properlyStay ConsistrentStay Creative - Be diffirent

Branding Resources

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12 Things to Dare in 2022

“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.” ― Andre Gide

There comes a time in our lives that we must step out of our comfort zones and prisons and get into new territories. 

We all have some areas that we need to Dare to venture into in the coming year. So, today I present to you some ideas for daring discoveries. Go through and give it a shot.

1. Dare to Break mental strongholds

It all begins in the mind. Your mind is either your prison or palace. Several people have been stopped not by demons but by their own beliefs: self-limiting believes. So many “I can’t” block the flow of possibilities. To do and have more, one must first believe. Expand your capacity to receive. Sometimes we place a cap on what we can achieve based on our past failures, which ought not to be so. Until one breaks self-imposed barriers in the mind, success becomes a wild goose chase. Believe you can and work towards it. See it first in your mind then work towards it. 

“Don’t let mental blocks control you. Set yourself free. Confront your fear and turn the mental blocks into building blocks.” ― Dr. Roopleen

1. Dare to Raise the bar on yourself

Truth be told, unless you deliberately upgrade yourself and see the worth in you, people will always treat you less than you deserve. They will devalue you and underpay you. You must dare to make a conscious effort at all costs to work harder on yourself, become a better person in your niche.

I believe you are capable of achieving more. Place a demand on yourself, sacrifice more and stretch to reach for great heights. Self-worth is your first wealth.

"I dare you, while there is still time, to have a magnificent obsession." ― William Danforth

1. Dare to Write a book

Writing may not come easily for everyone, however, everyone has a story, an experience, lessons to share. This may be the best time to write that book for you. Your story needs to be heard. Whether aiming at becoming a bestseller or not, make it a goal to share your story, lessons, strategies, and thoughts with the world. Listen, you may be helping someone you may never meet or know. Just start writing.

At best hire a ghostwriter to professionally help you with your book.

1. Dare to go on a date

If you've been postponing the idea for the date, now might be a good fit to give it a shot. Yeah either married or single, you can just pick a location to go spend some quality time with yourself, your spouse, fiancée, or family. It makes a lot of difference. Hey, why don't you dare ask that person you've been admiring all this while for a date? You may be lucky, dare, go for it!

1. Dare to Travel/ tour/ retreat/ vacation

Travelling opens are a new world of possibilities, to meet people of diverse cultures, lifestyles, and beliefs. It offers you an opportunity to learn and have fun. Perhaps, you have never traveled outside your village, town, city, or country. This may be the time to do so. Plan for that trip today.

Additionally, Dare to Go on a retreat!

You also deserve some vacation.

Go out of town, find a serene place to meditate, have deeper soul searching, pray and commune with God.

1. Dare to learn a language

Language is a very powerful communication tool, if you are at least multilingual the better. Learning a new language can be empowering, just add one more you your list.

1. Dare to go back to school/ learn a Skill

Dare to go back to school, either online or offline. You may think it is too late but hey! No! You can still take that course. 

Learn something new. Upgrade yourself. Find out what skills are needed in your industry and learn. It offers you more opportunities in life. Skills get you hired. If necessary, make it happen this year. Make inquiries and pick a form.

1. Dare to Start a business (side hustle)

It is a good practice to have multiple streams of income.

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"If you don't prepare you will repair" - Bernard Kelvin Clive

The Power of Brand Preparation.

In this episode I talked about the power of preparation in brand building.

Preparation is a critical process in the brand-building journey. If you don't prepare you'll repair. So start right and build right, prepare!

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"Find a balance between the art of writing and the business of publishing"

As an author, the question that has been asked on countless occasions has been 'How do you find inspiration to write?'Today, I will share with you some simple truths and challenges faced by writers and authors alike.Listen, there would be days you have the drive and internal motivation to write, the flow will be natural and uninterrupted. And well there will be other days that regardless of what you do, the inspiration and flow will not be there.Yeah, that's life, don't let the not-so-good days discourage you.The recent pandemic (Covid-19) took the world by surprise. While it shut down some businesses it also reshaped the minds of others.Before this, many thought to themselves they were too busy to slow down to enjoy the simple pleasures of life or pursue the list on their bucket list were awaken to the realities of life.For the last 12 months, I have seen several people writing and publishing books, yes! Surprised? Suddenly, they've got the time to write and share their stories and ideas with the world.Truth be told, sometimes it takes an uncertain tragic situation to turn men towards living their dreams.The thing is that, if one desires to write, every day presents an opportunity to do so, it might not be as fast as one desires, but there will be progress. That simple action and habit will lead to many creative ideas being birthed.We are all sometimes slack, slow, and lazy about taking simple action, but when we commit to it, a whole new world of possibilities is born.So, here are simple tips and tweaks to help you in your writing and publishing journey.1. Block some time off your daily schedule to write. It could just be 30minutes.2. Write when you are inspired or not. It's the habit that counts.3. Treat your first draft as such, it's a draft, don't try to polish it during the writing process.4. If you are writing a book, make it a great one. Put all your all into it. That's the beginning of your success.5. Invest in a professional editor6. The secret has been to always start promoting your book before it's ready. Promote before publishing.7. Great writers are readers as well. So read other books, build yourself up.8. Join a network of writers and authors, this helps greatly.9. Quality design sells. Get a professional cover and book layout designer to do your book cover and typesetting.10. No matter how great a writer you are, never try to do everything on your own. Engage the expertise of others, it pays!11. Don't stress yourself over who should write the foreword for your book12. If you desire to stay in the game for a long time then, consider writing multiple books(series) than trying to make a killing from just one book.13. Book tiles do change. Your current book title may need to change before publishing14. Publish on Amazon and other platforms. Sometimes smaller platforms may offer you more royalties. Don't be limited, spread!15. Make friends with bloggers, publicists, and book reviewers, if not hire them when necessary. They help create buzz around your book.16. Blogging and podcasting are great marketing channels. If you can, consider guest blogging and podcasting. They are a prodigious book promotional avenue.17. Get reviewers for your book online. Reviews help to drive sales for your book.18. Prepare to be a guest on TV/Radio, Podcasts, etc. An avenue to market your book.19. Get an author website or landing page for your book. Giveaway some content!20. Be consistent and committed to writing. Craft your writing style. Write for your ideal audience and grow!21. Learn well the art of writing and the business of publishing. Book Publishing is a big business, do all you can to stand out!Bernard Kelvin CliveAmazon bestselling author of over 50 published books.

Recommended books:

CEO BrandingSimple Branding Guide for Small Business Owners

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In this episode, I discussed the subject of branding and rebranding with Susan Meier.

Susan Hamilton Meier coaches business leaders on how to position their brands with clarity and impact. An alumnus of Harvard Business School and the Boston Consulting Group, Susan has helped the world's leading brands understand their customers, evolve their strategic vision, and create effective communication. Based on her experiences, she developed a workbook that equips entrepreneurs and small business owners with the same tools her Fortune 50 clients use to identify their brand's unique niche and craft their key messages.

RESOURCES:

Books by BKC www.Amazon.com/author/bernardkelvin

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"Branding is more than just a creative name and cute logo..." - Bernard Kelvin Clive

Building a brand is about much more than coming up with a brand statement, logo, and colors. And still, too many businesses seem to think that’s all there is to it. This is why so many of them end up getting lost in the sea of other competitors and can’t seem to stick with their audience. But if your goal is to get your brand out there and attract the right people, you have to know how to build a brand strategy and avoid some crucial mistakes. Here are a few of them.

Not Starting with a Brand Strategy

The biggest issue is not coming in with a strategy. You should always start with your biggest competition and see what they’re doing. This will inspire you as to what you can do and how you can differentiate yourself. You also need to have a clear audience of who you’re catering to. Remember, this is all about your customer and aligning yourself with their experience. If you start from this angle, you’ll realize that fonts and colors have very little to do with your brand. It’s about being as persuasive as possible to your core audience.

Not Delegating

This is another major issue for many companies. They might want to put their in-house marketing team on the job when they might not understand all the aspects of branding. Branding online and offline are two completely different things, and people who do not have the expertise to build a brand online cannot be expected to learn on the fly and get good results.

You need to hire a team for the job and find one with significant experience working on this type of project. People like main-rose.com are a perfect example. Outsourcing online branding will result in better results and will allow you to save time and money. You’ll also be able to allocate your team to asks they are better at.

Cutting Corners

A lot of people try to build their brand on the cheap. The issue is that a cheap brand will become synonymous with who you are, and it will be very difficult to shake off. This is why you need to invest all that you can into a proper design at first. While the logo isn’t everything, it is still a very important part of branding, so don’t make the mistake of hiring someone on Fiverr to do the job. What you’ll get is a mishmash of overused stock photos and cheap fonts. While you can get away with a cheap site at the beginning, make sure that the colors and logos are consistent and that the logo is professionally made.

One of the big issues with having a cheaply made logo is that you might have difficulty transposing it to different formats. You don’t want to have to redesign the logo so that it looks the same on print and online.

These are a few examples of mistakes people make when building their brand. Make sure that you avoid these, and understand what makes a strong brand to begin with.

Recommended books:

CEO BrandingSimple Branding Guide for Small Business Owners

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If you have a desire to write a book or you have a book written and want to generate more revenue from it, then this is the right episode for you.

In this episode my guest Dr. Angela, shares with us, secret strategies of writing a book and making a 6 figure income out of it.

Dr. Angela E. Lauria is the founder of The Author IncubatorTM and creator of the Difference ProcessTM for writing a book that matters. The Author Incubator was ranked #275 on the Inc. 500 fastest growing companies and #60 on Entrepreneur Magazine’s Entrepreneur 360. Dr. Angela won the Stevie Award’s Coach/Mentor of the Year Award and her program, The Author’s Way was named Coaching Program of the Year and was named, by entrepreneur Magazine, as one of the top 10 most inspiring entrepreneurs to watch –one of only 2 women on the list.

Dr. Angela has helped over 1,000 authors-in transformation write, publish, and promote their books. Her clients have been responsible for over $100 million in cumulative revenue. She has a B.A. and an M.A. in Journalism and Media Affairs from The George Washington University and a PhD in Communications from The European Graduate School. She is a Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Amazon bestselling author of:

Make ‘Em Beg To Work For You: How to Find, Hire, Manage, Reward, and ReleaseAll-star Players to Help Make your Dream a RealityMake ‘Em Beg to Be Your Client: The Nonfiction Authors’ Guide to Selling, Serving, andFunding a MovementMake 'Em Beg to Publish Your Book: How To Reach A Larger Audience & Make AFull-Time Income In The Extremely Overcrowded World of Personal DevelopmentThe Incubated Author: 10 Steps to Start a Movement with Your MessageThe Difference: 10 Steps To Writing A Book That Matters.She lives at The Author Castle in McLean, Virginia with her husband Paul, son Jesse and their Castle cats Princesses Feathers & Foxy McFuzz Bucket.

RESOURCES:

Download FREE books by Dr. Angela www.TheAuthorIncubator.com/freebooks

Follow me on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/TheAuthorIncubator

Books by BKC www.Amazon.com/author/bernardkelvin

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3 Proven Brand Strategies that Global Brands Employ

How to Stay in the Game

"Leads are seeds not harvest; cultivate them gradually" - Bernard Kelvin Clive

In the new age of marketing, advertising, branding, and sales promotion, the ancient landmarks of success cannot be overridden with fanciful marketing schemes and sleazy sales tactics. Although these strategies can help up to some degree, overly using advertising to grow a brand won’t cut it, you will need a more robust approach, proven and tested.

While certain brands may thrive for a season, others transcend generations. The difference between these two parties most often is not that much.

Research and study of brands over the years have revealed some truth about successful and unsuccessful brands.

Here are three pivotal differentiators that serve as the pillars of successful branding strategies of great brands.

1. Growth Strategies

“Companies that invest more in digital transformation actually outperform their peers over time. These companies are more prepared for disruption, better able to monetize new digital channels, and better able to build a bigger user base. What’s more, this phenomenon exists regardless of industry.” — Geoff Cubitt, CEO, Isobar US

Brands that succeed over a long time are deliberate about their growth and development. Their success never happens by chance but by choice. They are determined to grow and expand into new products, services, and markets.

They believe that any brand that does not grow dies. Seams and times do change, and that which worked yesterday may not work today. So brands must consistently learn new ways of operating to keep the wheels of fortune turning in their favor.

They become intentional about employing the use of technology to their advantage; by focusing on the tools that will help them deliver better and quality results.

Every growing brand rides on the winds of technology and innovation, from Brands such as Apple to Tesla and the basic WhatsApp messenger on your phone. These successful brands employ innovative measures to ensure that their products and services meet the ever-changing needs of the market.

In moving forward, key areas brands must put more into for research and development to grow are data science and artificial intelligence. As rightly put by Vitaly Gordon, Vice President, Data Science and Engineering, Einstein, Salesforce

“You don’t need to know how the technology of a microwave works to use it — it is simply a tool. We’re now entering the same phase with AI, thanks to the huge influx of no-code, point‑and-click tools. AI will become a widely used utility by everyone, regardless of technical background. As a result, most of the AI applications in the coming years will be built by people with little or no AI training.”

1. Customer Care – People centered

“We’ve been talking about the importance of ‘customer-centricity’ for some time. But until now retailers have lacked both the technology and the mandate to connect marketing, sales, service, and commerce systems to enable a 360-degree view of the customer. Now that relevant and personalised engagement has emerged as a key differentiator, retailers will finally make the investments to deliver on the promise of putting the customer at the center of everything they do.” — Rob Garf, Vice President, Industry Strategy & Insights, Salesforce

In competitive marketplace brands that genuinely care about their clients will outlive and outsell their competitions. Brands that succeed purposefully care about their customers. They are not in business just to make money, they are driven by the needs and wants of their market. Consistently feeding the market.

Great brands understand that their competitors are just a click away and that loyalty only exists to the point that the satisfaction of the customer is met. If the need of a customer is consistently and deliberately overlooked brands fall is imminent.

3.

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Digital Growth Strategies

In this episode I outline steps and strategies to help you build an authority.

On Becoming an authority areas discussed

Who's an AuthorityValue of an AuthorityStrategies to Become an AuthorityNiche Finding -Investments -- study, teachEstablishing your voicePlatform BuildingKey principles to be employedconsistencycommitmentcreativity (branding, simplify)Obstacles to overcomeLegacy

Recommended books:

GOALS Are Dead! Simple Strategies for Achieving your Goals While Enjoying Life.DOERS 12:52CEO Branding

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“Masters today were starts yesterday, begin now!” – Bernard Kelvin Clive

Let’s dare to do more this year!

Now is the time to spice up and step up your personal brand! Becoming a better you!

Life gets better when you get better.

Pick and do what you can, challenge yourself.This might not be for everyone, however, everyone can find something worth daring.1. Write a bookThis may be the best time to write that book in you. Your story needs to be heard. Just start writing.2. Go on a dateYeah either married or single, you can just pick a location to go spend some quality time with yourself, your spouse, fiancée or family. It makes a lot of difference.3. Travel/ go on a tourPerhaps, you have never traveled outside your village, town, city or country. This may be the time to do so. Plan for that trip today.4. Learn a languageLanguage is a very powerful communication tool, if you are at least multilingual the better. Learning a new language can be empowering, just add one more to your list.5. Go back to schoolYou may think it’s too late but hey no! You can still take that course. If it's necessary, make it happen this year. Make enquires and pick a form.6. Start a business (side hustle)You may need an extra income or may have plans for a startup business. Just begin, get the needed resources and launch out.7. Adopt a childIf this is the best option for you, go for it. Your adoption may just be to cater for the needs of someone's child. Do it!8. Start a familyIf you've been planning to settling down and the right time is up, go ahead don't keep postponing it. Prepare for. a wonderful family life.9. Plant treesContribute to a greener world and save lives by simply planting a tree. We need fresher air and a better environment. Be a tree planter.10. Run a MarathonYou may just decide to do this for the fun of it not necessarily for a medal. Experience it!11. Go on a retreatGo out of town, find a serene place to meditate, have deeper soul searching, pray and commune with God.12. Start a farmA backyard farm would be an ideal starting point if you have space for it. Be it plant or animal farming, cultivate this as a hobby or business. The returns are worth the effort.13. Acquire a landIf you have land, you can have more. If you have none, now it's a great time to secure one. Invest in lands, it always appreciates.14. VolunteerService to others is service to God. Offer to serve freely in any capacity that you can. Be of help to others.15. Compose a songYeah! You don't need to be a musician or songwriter to write a song, you just need to appreciate life and nature to begin. Do it in your way. Sing your song.16. Start a personal libraryYou need not be a lover of books to start a library. For posterity sake, have a resource of books that can help generations after you. It could be a great way to transfer knowledge and impact lives.17. Grow your assets (invest)It is a good practice to have multiple streams of income. It makes life worth living and lightens the pressures of life.18. Read more booksAnd one more book to your reading list, then another, then another. Read as much as you can. Get enlightened.19. Learn a skillLearn something new. Upgrade yourself. Find out what skills are needed in your industry and learn. It offers you more opportunities in life. Skills get you hired.20. Give anonymouslyIn a society where people take pleasure in the public display of alms, do the opposite. Give and give quietly. You don't need to publicize your act of kindness.

1. Quit: Disengage the DysfunctionalYes! Winners do quit and quitters do win. There comes a time that you must stop doing things that are not working and no longer saving it purposes – quit ridding the dead horses!

It’s okay to quit that dysfunctional relationship, quit that job, quit that association, and move on. Life is too short to keep riding dead horses, there are more oceans to conquer more dreams to achieve. Step put boldly and pursue you dreams.

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“Any brand that does not innovate and grow, dies!” – Bernard Kelvin Clive

Brands evolve!

Regardless of the current stage of your brand, if you desire to stay top of mind and in business, you will need at least one of these milestones/goals to reach in the coming year.

Go through this list and be challenged to take your brand to another height.

1. Raise the bar on yourself

I know quite a number of brands in my circle who offer the same services and products of high quality and standard yet they are underpaid by their clients.

Why? Well, my survey revealed one major setback, lack of confidence in their expertise. They lack the boldness to price their products and services as they deserve.

Listen, if you don't place a premium price on yourself, others will treat you like a commodity.

Truth be told, you are powerful, gifted, talented, and skilled. Yes you, you have to believe that.

It all begins with self-belief and confidence in one's abilities.

Perhaps, you have settled for crumbs for your brand and business.

No! Yours is the gold, gear up and go for it. Until you raise the bar on yourself and work toward becoming a better version of yourself, you will only have the leftovers of those who dare and do mightier things.

Building confidence in yourself is building confidence in your brand.

If you've been doing well, great! It’s time to step up your game, go up the notch. Stretch for a higher and greater opportunity.

You can do more.

In the coming weeks, months, and years, lift your game, pursue excellence, and master your craft.

1. Invest in a professional coach

Truth be told, successful people hire coaches. They don't try to figure everything out on their own, they ask for help and support - coaching.

To move your brand to the next level, a coach is imperative.

Coaches guide you on paths they are more knowledgeable and have proven records of their success.

Hire a coach to help you in selected areas of your life and brand. It saves you time and money.

The potential return on investment in a coach for your brand is priceless.

1. Build partnership

There's strength in numbers and unity of purpose.

In building and growing your brand, forming strong alliances offer you great leverage you can't have doing things all on your own.

There are times you need to partner with other successful and big brands to grow your business. Therefore, I advise you to seek mutually beneficial connections.

In partnering, consider what you can offer your partners and vice versa, what they will be bringing to the table.

Once all is set, always remember to have a partnership agreement signed before you go on with any task. If possible, seek legal advice.

Effective partnerships grow Brands.

Make it a major goal to build a partnership in the coming weeks, months, and years.

1. Scale - enlarge your territories

Too often many people settle too soon when they attain what they may seem successful in their own eyes.

The temptation to settle could be so high when praises come from all corners. Yes, you may be doing well. It is good to celebrate but even greater to make the most of the situation at hand - repeat that which worked and scale your brand.

When the season to grow comes don't rest on your past fruits, there are more lands to conquer. Grow your brand beyond your current comfort zone.

You may be doing well considerably in your niche. Sometimes your niche may become your comfort zone when you fail to recognize the season to expand.

Take a well prepared and calculated giant step with your brand in the coming weeks, months, and years. The world is your oyster.

1. Work on your feedback

As I always say "feedbacks are ways brands can look back".

I know of brands that have failed and have dimmed out because they took lightly the feedbacks of their clients and customers.

Perhaps, you've lost a fortune over the years because of your indifference,

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Three Stages of Thyself – Personal Brand

Man is a complex being.If care is not taken, the pressures of life and demands of society would worsen the woes and complexity of men.

In a world where many play the 'like game' to be accepted and loved by others, many have succumbed and submitted, living lives less than they should, just for the praise of men. Accepting crumbs, less of their worth.

It takes a determined heart, courage, and commitment to stay true to oneself and calling.

It has become very necessary for men to wake up from their slumber - bootlicking and blind loyalty to live their dreams - be who they were called to be – and live life to the fullest unapologetically.

Permit your true self to stand out from the crowd to shine – building an authentic personal brand.

Let’s quickly look at the three stages of knowing thyself.

The process of getting to know one’s self takes time, it’s not a one-off event achieved by a swoosh of a magic wand. It’s almost a lifelong process of discovery.

Truth is that you will never be able to fully discover who you are.

Man is endowed with many abilities, most often people only scratch a percentage of it.

Know thyself: Introspection, access and accepting yourself

However, the fulfilling part is that, when you begin to identify the traces of who you are, setting the pace for your life’s success, it is important to consider Socrates' statement, " Man Know thyself”. These simple words, timeless and encapsulated with great wisdom have served as a wake-up call and guiding light to many. Sometimes in the haste to be known- fame, name, and money, many sell themselves cheap.

“Follow your heart, listen to your inner voice, stop caring about what others think.” ― Roy T. Bennett

Date Thyself; dating yourself implies making time for you – having a ‘me time’. Take time to understudy and understand yourself, your actions, and inactions.

What’s your personality? Do you understand yourself? These are questions you should be asking yourself.

At this stage, you must know and understand how your temperament affects your life and how to maximize it. A brief look at the Four main temperaments. Truth is that all of us have all these temperaments in us, however, one or two become dominant, thereby defining you. However, these temperaments can be worked on to make the best of it. One need not say ‘that’s who I am and I live my life that way’, dating yourself will enable you to navigate through the many phases of your temperament in understanding yourself and charting a path that will best help you and others.

I encourage you to take the temperament test if you have not done that already. You can easily Google-find a trusted website to do that.

Pay attention to things that inspire you and that which drains you. How you react to the situation around you. By doing that you will develop a deeper understanding of yourself – strengths and weaknesses. Aiding you to make better-informed decisions about your life.

NB: Knowing and understanding your personality type helps you define your brand to build it successfully.

Let these words by Eleanor Roosevelt sink deep into your thoughts, “Do the things that interest you and do them with all your heart. Don't be concerned about whether people are watching you or criticizing you. The chances are that they aren't paying any attention to you. It's your attention to yourself that is so stultifying. But you have to disregard yourself as completely as possible. If you fail the first time then you'll just have to try harder the second time. After all, there's no real reason why you should fail. Just stop thinking about yourself.”

Be thyself: Putting forth your ‘persona’ by properly representing yourself - this third phase is quite challenging because it's that phase that truly represents you. The thing is that you can know thyself and date thyself but not properly be thyself because of many external compelling forces – soci...

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Personal Branding Today's Take Away

Staying Sweet in Spirit & Style

1. Know your roots (your roots here represents your gifts and talents. It's not necessarily being born into a Royal or wealthy family. Your talents and gifts will be your strongest roots to grow. Find them and feed them.

2. Learn the ropes (Study your roots, history, and mysteries, every trade has it's secrets, know the tongue of your trade) The unique things that will set you apart for generations. It may be minute, but polish it, make that gem shine. Master your gifts and Polish your crafts.

3. Ride with confidence. You are the first version(First Lady/Gentleman) of your Life - act accordingly). Step out with your best foot forward always. Your giftedness is your Royal gold, hold it up high, be proud of it, and harness its potentials. Knowing who you are and what you carry boosts your confidence. Stride with boldness.

4. Stay in style. Dress your best. Daze and dazzle daily. You are a Royal, dress like one. Let your appearances speak volumes about you - sell yourself with your brand visuals. Slay and stun your world. Remember to dress for the occasion - never go unprepared, under-dressed, or over-dressed. No one size fits all, each occasion and platform demands a certain outlook.

5. Be tactful and stay relevant. Don't lose your luster and relevance as you grow(age). Mentor others, impact, and offer more value.Employ strategies to stay top of mind consistently. 

Let the Queen & King in you Reign.Stay Sweet in Spirit and in Style.

“The most important thing to remember is that you can wear all the greatest clothes and all the greatest shoes, but you’ve got to have a good spirit on the inside. That’s what’s really going to make you look like you’re ready to rock the world.” —Alicia Keys

Inspirational Image attached: First Lady Melania Trump and Duchess Camilla - A member of the British Royal Family

Resources

DOWNLOAD the eBook

Digital Disruption: Personal Brands that will Crush it after the Pandemic

Branding Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

Branding Courses

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"When you don't change when the time is ripe, change will change you" - Bernard Kelvin Clive

When things Suddenly Change – SHIFT

Adapt to new trends but don’t follow the MassesChange strategy and test it speedilyAmplify that which works and keep tweakingStay relevant

Don't let your brand die!

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What leaders and brands can do in times of crisis to rebrand and reposition.

The Pandemic has significantly impacted us; every aspect of life can feel it’s the bite, brands, individuals, and businesses alike.

It is up to leaders, brands, and personal brands to reposition and rebrand to take advantage of the ongoing tides.

“Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success.” – Dale Carnegie,

The truth is that things are just not going to revert to normal not anytime soon. Things have taken a whole new shift and form and until brands and individuals begin to realize and seek advantage of the situation regardless of its negative impact, brands will either fade away and be forgotten or be outwitted by brands who have taken advantage of the situation.

So there are few things I am going to share which will help leaders, brands, and organizations, take the "bull by the horn” and make the best out of the situation, we have found ourselves, as the adage goes… “make lemonades out of lemons”. I am going to share with you, what you must do as a market leader, as an industry leader, as a brand, and as a global industry in times of crises like this. What do you do? Are you changing your strategy or style?

Here are THREE simple things you can do to reposition your brand in times of crisis.

Now the very first thing brands need to do is:

Simplify: Look at ways to SIMPLIFY the things you do already. In challenging times like this, you can't afford to make things cumbersome, people will tune off. Find ways to make things simple for your audience to absorb.

If it is tutorial lessons. Give your clients and customers simple steps that they can follow and get results. Provide them actionable tips, strategies, blog posts, articles, or if it's a product you've been selling, make your marketing strategy sound simple as well as your messages.

A minimalist approach to work; helps in your product processing and products so you can cut down the cost of unnecessary hype and excess.

Simplify the process and simplify the strategy.

Digital marketing to online business, simplify the process don’t compound or make it complicated. Aim at cost-cutting, efficiency, and effectiveness to be productive and profitable.

So firstly think of what ways can I simplify my brand or my business. How can I simplify?

Can I do virtually now so I can cut down double transportation because we are in lockdown periods or restricted movements? So I simplify the process; we are going to do it virtually, the conference is going to be virtual so that people will purchase so there will be a very limited process. if it needs to be delivered then the dispatch or delivery company does that. If not, every meeting can be done virtually which is good.

You cut down transportation cost, other unnecessary overhead costs then you make a profit or you sell digital products.

As an author, people are now very close to buying print books. So what other avenues are available. I will look at audiobooks, digital books, eBooks so that people can download and purchase than investing so much in print paperback editions.

Having, ebooks and audiobooks will cut down your production cost easily and maximize your profit.

A couple of months ago Antony Robbins put together a remarkable record-breaking evens. He took his regular ‘Unleash the power within’ event virtually – broadcasting it live.

Over 20,000 participants globally connected from over 100 countries right from their homes. In the 4 days’ virtual event, he invested heavily in technology so that all these participants from over 100 countries could watch him live for 4 days being on screens performing and demonstrating these personal development skills to them.

Look at what can be done via technology. He didn’t let the pandemic or the situation stop him, but he came out of the box to do something which is simplifying the process by b...

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If Google can’t find you, you virtually don’t exist.

The battle for digital presence and relevance have surged in the past few months.

Before the pandemic, a significant number of organizations and individuals locally frowned on the benefits and impact of the internet. However, COVID-19 suddenly shifted things, the internet and internet business has become the de-facto place to thrive, without which one must fear extinction or lose of business and relevance.

Things cannot be done in the same old way – a shift has happened!

The pandemic has compelled a lot of traditional businesses and brands to go digital, increasing the noise level in the digital landscape. It has now become more important to build your personal brand digitally than ever before.

From dating to finding jobs, clients, and customers online, the average internet user will perform a search to gather some information before taking action. What does this mean to you?

This is to say that if you are not discoverable digitally you are losing some digital goods.

I believe that regardless of what enterprise you find yourself in, the internet – social media is a must-have tool to aid the brand growth. If you are already using the internet/digital as a tool, then great. It’s time to amplify its usage and make the most of it. If you haven’t begun, then begin now, the internet – social media has come to stay and the earlier you embrace its potentials the better. 

Before you dive into the digital space to grab a portion of the land, here are a couple of tools and tips to help you started with ease.

So, here are some tips and tools to help. Make the most of it!

Get Education

Yeah! Don’t ever start and endeavor without getting some level of information in that field. Advisable, always learn from the best, read books, get mentorship, coaching, take courses. Learn all that you can in that area before you delve into it. This will safeguard you from damaging consequences and prepare you for success.

Website

To rent a piece of the internet space demands you build a website, that’s your digital real estate.

Firstly, you must have a website for your brand and business, either a personal blog site or corporate business/organizational site. It’s one of the best ways to build trust in the digital landscape and it becomes your 24-hour shop.

Secondly, whether your site is an eCommerce one or not, you will need to have it secured. Purchase an SSL certificate to be installed on your site. It increases google ratings and rankings, builds credibility.  

Digital Promotions

One of the easiest ways to get off the ground faster than ever online is by investing in promoting your brand – product and services. Do not just rely on organic traffic and leads.

As the noise increase online, it becomes quite difficult to be heard if you are not positioned properly and you don’t utilize paid advertisement for your brand. Building organic reach is great, however, you need paying ads in addition to reach a wider and more targeted audience. Don’t overlook paid ads, invest and reinvest in the ones that work for you.

Be you! Be Human

A posture that doesn’t properly represent you nor your brand will hurt you! Yeah! Your brand’s voice should touch a heart. In your online and offline interactions ensure that you have the customer at heart. Relate with them as humans; be fun, be likable, and be real. Build a good rapport with people and it will increase your word-of-mouth promotion for your brand. Humor plays a good role in sales, so learn how to use it effectively.

Be Consistent

If you want to stay in business and grow your brand for a long period and not to for a quick name, fame, and money, then consistency should be your guiding light. Don’t start one thing then quickly move to another, don’t promise one thing and deliver the vice. Brands that stick do repeatedly that which works. Repetition of providing value sends your brands flying high in t...

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Cutting through the Noise with the power of your voice.

In this episode my guest David Wolf throws more light on audio branding - podcasting and audio books.

You will discover

Benefits of Podcasting

Why Now is the Time to Produce an Audio Book

Advantages of audio content

Davis Wolf is the Founder and CEO of Audivita Studios, Audiobook and Podcast Producer, Nationally Syndicated Radio Host, Media Entrepreneur.

Resources

Audio Production (Audivita)

DOWNLOAD the eBook

Digital Disruption: Personal Brands that will Crush it after the Pandemic

Branding Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

Branding Courses

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"Think of How you can Build and Brand a Movement as a strategy for your Brand" - Eric Ressler

In this episode, my guest Eric Ressler shares strategies to help your Social Impact organization to Standout with Branding

Eric Ressler is the Founder and Creative Director at Cosmic, a Social Impact Creative Agency. Cosmicempowers social impact organizations to catalyze real-world change by helping them nail their impact story,build brand awareness, and inspire action.Download, Listen and Share

Recommended Resources

Design By Cosmic

DOWNLOAD the eBook

Digital Disruption: Personal Brands that will Crush it after the Pandemic

Branding Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

Branding Courses

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What Do you say: King Already?

Traits of Outstanding Personal Brands

In our personal branding session today, let me share with you one of the traits of successful Brands using a Ghanaian artist.

If you've been a follower of my branding lessons, from any of the platforms, be it radio, TV, blogs, or social media you would have noticed one name stands out in most of my examples.

That name is Shatta Wale.

Google just 'Shatta' and his name and works surfaces.

His songs and Brand has become a household name.

There are several strategies one can learn from the Shatta brand, even if you don't like his personality nor music. He has a lot to teach with his brand.

I'm expounding on just one of the many lessons from his brand journey.

The law of the Word - Declare it and Be it!

In 2013 he released a song titled 'Dancehall King'' and declared himself the king of dancehall music in Ghana. The album art of the track had him seated on a throne wearing a crown – can you imagine that? The same pictorial scene was seen in the video of the track.

A portion of the lyrics read "Dancehall king, In a di whole Ghana". He was proclaiming his stands, what I will say is the Mohammed Ali strategy, He says it and does it!

In the year 2014, with the Dancehall King track, he won the artist of the year in Ghana's Vodafone Music Icon.

Shatta didn't just claim the title against his rivals, he has been working hard to prove it.

Lesson one, People are more likely to call you the name/title you use for yourself. They will treat you the way you present yourself and treat yourself. Learn to put a premium price on yourself.

Lesson two, once you make it – your goal, live to its expectation. Just like the 'fake it till you make it' approach.

Perhaps that was his goal, and today arguably has become the king of dance hall music.

Fast forward to 2020, the renowned musician Beyonce featured him on her album 'Black is King', with the track titled 'Already', check Beyonce feat Shatta Wale - Already. The video clip hit a million views in less than 24 hours of its release. Instant hit huh!

Interestingly, part of the lyrics of the song reads 'king already'.

Here we go…

"Long live the king, you a king, you no wait

King already, already, you no wait

Top everything, everything, you no wait

King already, already, you no wait"

The word king can be heard repeatedly in the song and he has become king already.

What words do you say about and believe about yourself?

Words carry power. Words play a major role in branding.

What do they say about you?

This is what you need to do:

"Create your brand with your words and establish it with your deeds." - Bernard Kelvin Clive

Recommended Resources

DOWNLOAD the eBook

Digital Disruption: Personal Brands that will Crush it after the Pandemic

Branding Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

Branding Courses

https://bkc.name

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What is your name?

"It's what you invest in the name that makes the brand relevant"

Names trigger emotions, they evoke memories and they inspire actions. Out of the billions of people on earth, everyone has a name. 

In West Africa, names are so important to the extent that names they give to children always have a meaning associated with it. It's the meanings that define the names and consequently impact the lives of the bearers. 

Examples from Ghana; a third-born male child of the Akan Tribe has the name 'Mensah'. 'Enyonam, from the Ewes means 'God has been good to me'.

Names make people feel special. Names help in easy identification and differentiation purposes.

It's in the same way brand names impact the market and its users.

The significance of names cannot be overemphasized; names have played vital roles since the first being occupied the surface of the earth.

History books have been filled with a significant number of names that cannot be forgotten by virtue of the various roles they played. It is by those names that we can refer to their deeds; good or bad.

How then do you choose a name that can resonate with your personality, product, service, and market?

I have identified three ways brand names can be crafted to help make it memorable, impactful, and identifiable.

“A good name is to be chosen rather...” – Proverbs 22:1

Before we delve into that, here are some ideas to guide you to pick a brand name, then you can decide to fit it into any of these three ways.

Pick a name that describes what you do. An example would be Salad Masters (Into Salads). 

Pick a name that doesn't relate to what you do; it could be something you create. An example is Google (Has nothing to do with their products and services, the name was made up)

Pick any of your names or all of your names. An example Tyler Perry Studios

Pick a name that triggers emotion and connections. An example Cravings Cafe. (This may want you to crave for food)

Pick a name that defines your niche. An example is ToddlerCare

Pick a name and play with the spellings and enunciation. An example is SQIN Care, that's Skin Care. 

Pick a name in another language or a translation in another language. An example is Tonaton(In Ghana it's a Twi phrase that means, buy and sell.

The ideas are endless, don't be stack, permit yourself to daydream and craft your unique brand name.

Now, how to choose your Brand names, using my rule of three (3)

Firstly, go for one name:

Going for one name will imply either you have a unique name or you are willing to sacrifice to put in more work to make the brand name stand out and relevant.

'One name brand name' doesn't come cheap.

Here are some global examples of 'one name brand name' starring from musicians, authors, thought leaders, religious leaders, products, and services.

Example: Oprah, Ronaldo, Otabil, Messi, Sarkodie, Shattawale, Obrafour, Stonebwoy, Manifest, Sinach, Oyadepo, Beethoven, Shakespeare, Jesus, Mohammed, Pele, Google, Yahoo, Facebook, Apple, Microsoft, Toyota, Honda. Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Quartz, Zoom, etc

Secondly, you go for two names. A two-name brand name also demands a level of commitment and hard work to make the name count. In using two-names, the names can be rhymed easily, they can complement each other or they can be simply unrelated. Any option you choose will be fine. The caveat is not to make its pronunciation a mouth full. :-)

Let's look at some global examples from all sorts of products, services, and individuals.

Example: Michael Jackson, Jesse Jackson, Seth Godin, Peter Drucker, Harry Porter, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, Tom Cruise, Tony Robbins, Fred Hammond, Joe Mettle, Cece Twum, Billy Graham, Bob Marley, Amakye Dede, Cindy Thompson, Kwame Eugene, Black Secret, Victoria Secret, Eastwood Anaba, Counselor Lutherodt, etc

Thirdly, you go for three names or initials or mixed. Anything more than three(3) should be kept as init...

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Selling is Service

The Current pandemic has totally impacted every aspect of life and business, in this episode my guest Mike Zeller, shares strategies to help brands and individuals to survive and blossom in-spite of the challenges.

Mike Zeller is a mentor and speaker who, at his core, is most passionate about helping entrepreneurs and thought leaders gain clarity on their zone of genius while unleashing their potential to make money and impact. Through that process, they also learn how to design their business around their strengths and a life of fulfillment.

You will learn about:

Creating ideal Client Avator

Getting Clients

Repeat Business

Recommended Resources:

Digital Disruption ebook visit www.bkc.name/ebook

Brand Mastery visit www.bkc.name/courses

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How Brands can become a market leader in times of crisis

“Tell a story that makes the customer the hero or potential hero of the story – Edwin Dearbon

Key tips

Market ResearchTell StoriesEmpathizeValue CreationBe AgileMove fast

My Guest:  Edwin Dearborn

The Orange County Register featured Edwin Dearborn as a true “Marketing Expert”. Edwin has also been featured in Entrepreneur, CBS MoneyWatch, Social Media Today, and other national media outlets. Edwin has appeared as a keynote speaker for Sony and the American Marketing Association. Edwin was formally educated in marketing and public relations in Hollywood, CA in the early 1990’s.

Recommended Resources:

Three Degrees of Separation by Edwin Dearorn

Digital Disruption ebook visit www.bkc.name/ebook

Brand Mastery visit www.bkc.name/courses

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Apps, Tools, and Services

I have compiled a couple of tools and services for promoting your brand and making some money on the internet. 

3 Keys to Carry Along

I have identified three key things/ tools to help you in promoting your brand and doing business online.

The first is to invest in paid adverts, yes, the free lunch is over, it is going to cost you some dollars to rake in more dollars. You must be willing to invest in paid ads to get desired and targeted reach in most cases. I highly recommend using Facebook ads and Google ads. There are other ad services available depending on your niche, if you find such do give it a shot.

The second most important thing you will need is to have subscribers/lists  - people to constantly engage with and to do that require you to have a mailing list. That’s a list of emails of people who have subscribed to your services. To constantly communicate with them. I recommend using a service called systeme.io to help you get started with your list creation.

The third valuable skill to have is copywriting skills, the ability to craft compelling sales contents – ads, emails, website content, product description, blurbs, etc. This skill will help you leverage your brand and business success. Copywriting is one of the most powerful skills to learn in digital marketing. Take time to learn this and the rest would be easy.

Now let’s get started!

AMAZON (Dropshipping)

Sell digital and brick and mortar goods and services.

Dropshipping is an e-commerce technique in which the seller acts as a middle man in that he, takes orders on behalf of a producer, manufacturer, distributor, or supplier. When an order is placed he used the producer to deliver the items.

Amazon, the world’s largest ecommerce platform, makes it easier to make money by dropshipping or selling your own products.

https://www.amazon.com/

Benefits of Amazon Includes;

• Positive Customer Trust. Builds trust with your audience.

• Product Content: Offer Information Customers Actively Seek, Want, And Need. Advertisers can place their ads on product pages where shoppers actively seek product information.

BLOGS

The purpose of a blog is to attract visitors to your site. The more visitors you have read your content, the more likely you are to convert these interested users into qualified leads and boost sales.

Benefits of blogs include;

• Boosts Search Engine Optimization.

• Develop Relationships with Potential and Existing Customers.

• Establish Your Business as an Industry Leader.

• Connect People to Your Brand.

• Provide Value for Your Readers.

BOOKS

Print and electronic books.

You can make money from books by either selling white-label books or writing and selling your own books. Books are of the avenues to promote your expertise – your brand.

COPYWRITING

Copywriting is re-arranging words to make things sell better. It is a written content that aims to increase brand awareness and ultimately persuade a person or group to take a particular action. Writing better copy enables you to convert more readers into customers. 

Benefits of copywriting 

• Presents quality content to your audience.

• Connects you with potential customers on a variety of platforms.

DOMAIN REGISTRATION / Domain names

Did you know that great domain names are the easiest way for customers to find you online? You can help your visitors find you by using a domain name that is short and memorable. Domain registration is the process of acquiring a domain name from a domain name registrar. You will have the choice to register the domain on several different top-level domains if available, such as .com, .org, among others. 

Benefits of a domain registration include;

• Domain names can be used to establish a unique identity in cyberspace.

• It builds credibility on the Web.

• Registering your domain name improves your promotion chances and therefore your site's "visibilit...

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Ingredients to Spice Your Brand

I wish I could cook scrumptious meals effortlessly like my grand-mum. Well, if wishes were horses...

However, I learned some things about cooking from my grand-mum which can be translated into the branding and business fields.

You may be in the kitchen of your brand, cooking what you hope to be one of the best meals – delicious, mouth-watering, yummy and nutritious. What would be a good spice for this meal?

Today, we are using the kitchen and cooking as analogies for building our brand, drawing from everyday life.

Here are the 3 ingredients to spice up your brand. 

1. Creativity

Branding is about differentiation, and without differentiation you have no brand. You will just be like any other without a brand, a commodity among the lot. However, if you creatively find ways to set yourself apart from the masses, your brand will gain the needed attention. Creativity is a key differentiator factor of brands.

Building your creativity comes in at various stages and forms – from visual representation, to your brand, to the intangibles - storytelling strategies, et al. The first thing to do is to identify which area that you can easily stand out. Then you capitalize on that as a differentiation factor. Once that is done, you don’t settle, you work on other areas creatively. To stay top of mind and top of your game, you need to have at least 3 key areas of differentiation. 

Ask yourself, what three main areas or things would people find different and attractive?

Granny's tip and lesson: I wonder how granny can make sumptuous Jollof from leftover stew. Sometimes, she just combines herbs here and there, adds some vegetables to make a great meal. 

Her secret: "Keep experimenting, never be afraid to try uncharted paths"

Tips to help you creatively:

• Sometimes, just go against the tides; do the opposite. 

• Listen to the pains and problems of your audience (there lies a solution in there). 

• Ask your audience of best ways you can help them (sometimes they have all the answers). 

• Simplify, less is more. 

• Have fun; play along with your thoughts. 

• Sample the best in your field and pick cues from them. 

• Read books and blogs. 

• Try ideas from totally unrelated fields (e.g. Applying Snail farming ideas to Fashion Bags). 

• Crowdsource for ideas, ask Facebook, Quora, etc. 

• Ask weird questions. 

• Credibility

Trust is a very relevant ingredient that has stood the test of time. There may be new ingredients to add in the future but this has become the salt of brands. Without trust, you have no brand and no business. You can afford to fake everything, do all the nice things to get traction, grow followers, and make a name but, if your trust quotient is broken, your brand will come crashing down. In an age where people are quick to use things about them for fame and name, brands that desire to stay relevant and make more impact must be trustworthy. Let your products and services be of premium value and not to embellish them with ads, social media posts, and sleazy sales tactics. If you win the trust factor, your brand will thrive. Trust triggers word of mouth marketing for your brand.

Granny's tip and lesson: Even when we didn't know what granny was up to at the kitchen mixing various ingredients, we were assured that something spectacular and tasty was being prepared. She had earned our trust. 

She said: "I may not always cook the best meals but I will offer you the best I can.” She admits when her meals occasionally don’t turn out as expected. We grew to trust her beyond the kitchen.

Tips to help and prove credibly online:

• Deliver what your brand promises (over-deliver). 

• Don’t project and promote what you don’t have.

• Say what you mean and mean what you say.

• Take feedbacks gladly. 

• Get testimonials and reviews for your products and services(brand). 

• Have a contact number you can be reached on.

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Making Your Brand Stand Out from Your Competition

When you are running your business, you will find that there will be a lot of other businesses providing the same services as you. This leads to a fierce competition as you’ll all be fighting to secure customers.

The good news is that there some great ways that you can make your brand stand out from your competition from providing new products and services to trying new marketing strategies and more. Find out some of our tips in the article below.

Study your Competitors

One of the first ways that you can make your brand stand out from your competition is by making sure you have a look at your competitors and find out exactly what they are up to. When you do this, you can see what is working for them and what isn’t. Found something that they don’t offer? Use this information to make your brand shine.

Promote Your USP

If you have a look at your business competitors and notice that they all focus more on certain products and services then, you should have a look and see if there is anything that could be seen as your USP. You’ll want to promote this as best as you can to make your brand stand out. When it comes to promoting your services you will need to make sure you utilise Social media so you can create ads and use social media to push and promote your services.

Make Your Prices Reasonable

The next thing that you should do if you want your brand to stand out from the competition is to make sure you make your prices reasonable. If you make your prices affordable and reasonable then, you will find that more people will be inclined to use your services over others. Make sure not to drop your prices too low, of course, as this can affect your profit.

Introduce Employee Benefits

Raise Brand Ambassadors

If you are wanting your business to be successful and stand out from others then, you will need your employees to do as much work as possible to take on new tasks and clients. To get your employees motivated to do more, you should consider introducing employee benefits to your team. Consider using an employee benefits platform in order to provide tailored benefits to your employees. You can also motivate them by hosting team days and setting goals in order to make your brand one that matters. See the benefits and roles of brand ambassadors.

Follow Your Own Ideas

To make your brand stand out and not look the same as your competition, it is important that you try and stick to your own ideas instead of copying others. This is because it will make your brand look different from the others in your industry. It will also be a lot more personal to you as it will be all your own creative ideas and not from others. Put a face on your company and use this to get some customers on board.

Be different at all Cost

Overall, there are a lot of different brands out there that you will need to compete with and you need to make sure that you stand out. Brand awareness is one of the key things you’ll need to focus on so don’t forget to put some strategies in place from the get-go. Do some competitor research and motivate your staff if you want to beat the competition and make your brand stand out.

Hopefully, all of our tips will help you to achieve that.

Resources:

DOWNLOAD the eBook

Digital Disruption: Personal Brands that will Crush it after the Pandemic

Branding Books by BKC

Branding Courses

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Emailing Branding Strategies

Making the most of your emails.

“In the world of digital communication tools, email has become the king”. 

According to Statistica, there were about 293 billion emails sent daily in 2019 and the number is expected to hit about 347 billion by 2023. (Statisica.com)

Electronic mails referred to as emails, one of the earliest digital marketing tools, (and)have become so powerful over the years. Emails have become a primary communication tool on the internet.

One cannot afford not to have an email address.

Importance of Having Email Address

Emails have become part of one's daily virtual life. It's therefore imperative to make the most of it. Here are a couple of reasons why you need to have an email address.

Your email serves as a form of digital identification tool. It is one of the primary ways to register for almost any digital service. Social media sites require an email address for registration.It's your address to receive Digital goods. For eCommerce purposes, emails are required for translations. Even if you're purchasing products that would be delivered physically. The address is used to receive product details, receipts, and tracking information in some instances.In purchasing digital goods, most often the products are delivered via emails. Without an email address, you virtually become handicapped. You can do very little online without an address.Emails addresses reveal your identity to an extent and also speaks volumes about the personality behind it.Email addresses are used to confirm your virtual identity. Most often activating subscription services, are sent via emails.Businesses are transacted via emails; it eases transactions and makes it easier tracking with emails. Families, friends, and loved ones keep in touch via email communications; one of the most used means of sending and receiving information among friends

The Role of a Branded Email address

Majority of internet users do create email addresses using mail services by yahoo or Gmail, the latter being more popular and widely used. These providers help with free email address creation, a good way to begin with. 

However, to step up the game for your brand, requires that you get an email in your personal or company's domain name, an example would be: cynthia@cynthiaclive.org,  john@javenturecapital.com 

The branded Email address has numerous benefits including:

Trust Building: emails would be more trusted than that from a generic email service providerEstablishes authenticity: Many digital service providers would prefer emails activated from branded domains than that of the generic provider.Brand promotion: since mails are used more often, the more people see the address the more brand visibility gained and chances for them visiting your website would be very high.Mark of professionalism: not only is it nice to have a branded email address, but it also speaks to your profession. Your firm would be seen as more professional having its domain email address.Privacy control: having a self-hosted email addresses limits the fear of compromised emails, as it offers you full control over the privacy of your mails

Using Email Signature for Branding & Marketing

One of the underutilized features of emails has been the footer section.

The Footer is the bottom part of an email that allows you to input content that will automatically accompany every mail sent.

You may enter details such as; company brief, contact numbers, social media handles, official website, etc.

The goal is to enter relevant information that stands the chance of promoting your brand.

Don't ever leave your email footer blank, especially for your brand/company. 

You can use it to advertise an upcoming product, service, a newly released product, events, etc. 

Quick tips:

Stick to a particular font styleFont and style should be legibleUse company brand colorsDon't make it clumsy by overloading it with contentIf ...

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Building your Digital Presence on a Shoestring Budget

Tools, Tips, and Strategies

Seasons and times will compel many to chart unknown waters, others out of curiosity and necessity.  Regardless of the trigger, having an online presence and brand has become a must-have in this age.

More so, the pandemic has propelled and created a sense of urgency to digitize. 

Over the years I have noticed that several people struggle with getting started with their digital presence, where to begin and the basic tools and strategies to utilize.

Today, I will be sharing with you tools and tips on how to kick start your digital footprints.

1. Get a domain. 

A domain is your website address, where users can find your website on the internet. 

I recommend you use your name or your brand/business name. An example bkc.name, bernardkelvinclive.com, cynthiaclive.org, eugeneayim.com, samueladjei.com, ebenezerasumang.com, dailyaccra.com, ghanaweb.com. There are many top-level domain extensions, the common ones being .com, .org, you can have. blog, .info, .me, .name

The average costs of a .com domain extension are $12.99

You can purchase a domain from godaddy.com, namecheap.com, domains.google.com, bluehost.com, etc.

Once you get a domain, quickly create an official email address with your domain name. That becomes your official email address.eg. info@yournamedomain.com, firstname@yournamedomain.com It positions you a serious professionally

1. Get a blog/website designed and hosted. 

That would be your official internet home. Your website becomes your 24/7 online storefront. To market and promote your brand and business. It increases your brand visibility, authority, and breeds trust.

I recommend you using WordPress.org, Medium.com, squarespace.com, wix.com because they make a blog and web design quite easy without much technical know-how.  

You can hire a professional web developer to set up your website/blog for you. With a budget if $100 minimum, you can have a simple blog/website set up for you. Search in your locality and you are sure to find a web designer to help you with a website and blog. You can contact www.bkc.name/consulting 

A basic blog site should have a home page, about page, blog page, and contact page. 

Once your website is done you need to be populating it with content- quality, timely and relevant content!

1. Get a mailing list. A list of subscribers (emails of people) you can regularly communicate via emails.

You can use your website to capture email addresses of people by creating a landing page/ squeeze page. A dedicated page where you offer something in exchange for users’ email addresses. You can offer whitepapers, eBooks, checklists, audiobooks, infographics, webinars, etc. Just ensure that you are giving out something they would love.

You can use the following services/ mail providers to help you set up, capture, and manage your e-mail lists: mailchimp.com (highly recommend as the free version can help you achieve a whole lot), leadpages.com, constantcontact.com, sendinblue.com, convertkit.com, mailerlite.com, aweber.com, etc.

If you are using WordPress there are lots of plugins that can aid in setting up a landing page and collect email addresses easily, Sumo comes highly recommended.

Use the one which meets your budget and can still provide the basic needs such as a signup form, landing page, autoresponder.

Your mailing list is your goldmine for your online brand and business.

1. Get your social media handles

Your social media handles are the names you choose for your brand. Either you get a handle or edit the URL(link) of your social media channel. Example Facebook provide an automatic URL(link) when you sign up using your name unless you change that deliberately it may be showing a link like facebook.com/kwame-amoah235, I changed mine to facebook.com/bernardkelvin 

You would certainly need social media,

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“The 21st Century Christian/Church must rethink ministry via the lens of technology. A powerful tool in the hands of the believer.” ― Bernard Kelvin Clive

Here are Eight(8) Strategies to implement!

1. Give them something worth their attention. What would they see and read? Ensure that your intention for their attention is clear. you know exactly what you want to offer, Jesus was offering salvation ― life (John 10:10). 'When they saw the miracles Jesus had performed...they followed!' Your brand visuals must be appealing and attention-grabbing to drive home your message.

2. Wow them! 'When they saw the many miracles he performed... Jesus always did something spectacular. eg. Turning water into wine. Wowing your audience leads to organic following and engagements and sales. Offer value!

People would come to your portal/ page to experience it.

1. Meet their needs all-round! Jesus taught them spiritually he also met their physical needs - hunger. He had compassion for others, driven to meet the needs of others. He fed the 5000 after his live conference/ webinar. Be sensitive to the needs of your fans and followers. Focus on your market needs, and offer solutions.

2. He established his authority and clarity.

Firstly, you need to know your assignment as a person and that of your business. That helps you weld your authority and grow your influence to impact and for profit. Know your worth and the value you are offering. Set the records straight, distill popular opinions from facts like Jesus did. The woman at the well got to know Jesus was the true Saviour ― living water. Jesus killed ambiguity surrounding the worshiping of God. His authority was at work. Jesus came to fulfill the prophecy of redemption.  Your authority gives you influence. Clarity breeds confidence! Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty" ―  6:35

Authored many books, I declare "I am an author[ity]"

1. Raise brand ambassadors. The woman at the well, after engaging with Jesus, knowing the depth of his knowledge went out freely to evangelize. Your expertise will help create brand evangelists to spread your brand.

2. Use stories and anecdotes. Jesus was a great storyteller, He weaves stories and anecdotes to drive home his messages. Engage your audience with stories they can relate with while teaching them. Stories sell your brand well, creating lasting memories.

Great brands use stories in marketing their products and services. What's your brand story like?

1. Have private and public engagements. Jesus had some private meetings at some level and public ones. He engaged Mary & Martha privately and did so with His disciples (key ambassadors), regularly. Segment your audience to know what's for the masses and what's for a select group.

Provide products and services for the different categories of your market.

There are times you need to engage with some of your fans via inbox(private groups, membership, and premium access)  and other times publicly. Be sensitive and selective with private and public data sharing. So don't you don't 'throw your pearls before swine'? ― Matthew 7:6

1. Understand your audience: Use their language!

Jesus used terms based on the cultural background and settings of his market so he could communicate clearly and precisely.

Where he had told his disciples he will make them 'fishers of men' ― He was speaking to a predominately fishing community. (Matthew 4:19)

The 'parable of the sower', he used the analogy of farming, with that his audience can grasp the depth of his message.

Use industrial jargon in communication sparingly; performing audience analysis would better inform you on the choice of your language, tone, and strategy.

Download, Listen and Learn.

Resources:

DOWNLOAD the eBook

Digital Disruption: Personal Brands that will Crush it after the Pandemic

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In this episode you would learn about branding, cultural and businesses barriers and benefits in doing business in Africa.

You will discover:Culture of BusinessLessons from the Chinese How to survive in an unknown market

My guest, Marek Zmysłowski is a Polish-born entrepreneur and executive, focused on online businesses in Frontier and Emerging Markets. He co-founded Jumia Travel – Africa’s Biggest Hotel Booking Portal listed on NYSE as part of Jumia Group and HotelOnline.co – a Travel Technology Company. In 2014, he was chosen as one of the Ten Most Important People in Tech by IT News Africa Magazine. He is a Lead Mentor at Google’s Launchpad and World Bank’s XL Africa Program.

Download, Listen and Learn.

Resources:

BOOK: Chasing Black Unicorns

DOWNLOAD the eBook

Digital Disruption: Personal Brands that will Crush it after the Pandemic

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Building your personal brand in a digital age… what to do and what not.

In this episode, my guest Kami, through more light on how to build an authentic brand.

Kami Guildner believes women’s voices matter. She is a connector. A storyteller. A success coach for women.

Kami’s entrepreneurial journey was sparked by the breath of a horse over a decade ago. This magical epiphany moment led Kami to discover her purpose of leading change-maker women to give voice to their most important messages and create a ripple effect of worldly impact. 

Kami weaves soulful-inspiration into mindful business strategies, helping her clients up-level their business. With decades of leadership, marketing, strategic planning and business growth expertise, Kami guides her clients to master their marketing, money and mindset. Kami’s soulful spirit leads her clients to unleash their magical manifestation powers and live out loud fueled with vitality and courage.

RESOURCES:

Join the Facebook Group  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1386664118079263

DOWNLOAD the eBook

Digital Disruption: Personal Brands that will Crush it after the Pandemic

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"This is a good time to ask yourself, what skills are you lacking?" - John Armah

The impact of this pandemic has been frightening.

‘...these are not ordinary times for Business Owners, Employees and Households, these are indeed not ordinary times.. the bigger question has been, what is the impact and risk of COVID-19 on Business and what factors can help mitigate this risk

What do you do as an entrepreneur or business owner?

In this episode my guest John Armah shares strategies to help you overcome the challenging times and bounce back better.

John Armah is a Business Development Practitioner and Trainer in business start-ups development, with experience in the development of new markets, start-ups, MSMEs and business strategy, business financing and business development. He is the Board Chairman of Junior Achievement Ghana, and the Chairman of the JA Africa Board Chairs Council, a global non-profit organization committed to promoting entrepreneurship development around the world. He serves on other Boards advising Startups and SME’s on Restructuring, Capital Raising, Growth, and Business Development.

John Armah consults for Governments, Major Corporate, Donor Partners, Institutions on Business Development, Business Financing, Startup Ecosystem, and Entrepreneurship Development, He has worked in key markets across the world and named as part of the Forbes 30 under 30 Most Promising Entrepreneurs in 2016 and 20 under 40 Most Influential Business Leaders in Ghana among others.

‘..these are not ordinary times for Business Owners, Employees and Households, these are indeed not ordinary times.. the bigger question has been, what is the impact and risk of COVID-19 on Business and what factors can help mitigate this risk

A gift for you!

DOWNLOAD the eBook

Digital Disruption: Personal Brands that will Crush it after the Pandemic

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Video is a huge lever to bring the human element back to business.

My guest today is Matt Barnett the CEO of Bonjoro who walks us through how to effectively use personalized videos in your business communications.

Listen learn and share.

Resources:

30 ways to use video for leads, conversions and creating referrals

Awaken the Giant in You

CEO Branding

Goals Are Dead!

Branding Beyond Visuals

Business Networking Made Easy

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

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How to maximize your ‘Stay-at-Home’ Season

“It is reminding us of how important our family and home life is and how much we have neglected this. It is forcing us back into our houses so we can rebuild them into our home and to strengthen our family unit.” – Bill Gates

Here are a number of ideas and activities you can consider to maximize the moment.

1. Introspection: sit back and review your life, take stock of where you've been, what you've done and where you are going. It's a good time to reassess your life. Ask yourself questions, be hard on yourself and gradually get answers to them.

2. Relax: take time to slow down, have a good rest as much as you can, your body and your mind needs it. Don't get too busy, take it easy on yourself.

3. Read books (materials): use this period as an opportunity to read some books. Read it at your own pace and add to your knowledge. Subscribe to useful online newsletters, magazines and blogs. 

4. Listen to audiobooks: one of the quickest ways to consume contents is by listening to the audios. Get as many audio books as you can, listen intentional, listen while doing chores, let it just play at the background. For your kids, Amazon has made available it’s audible platform for kids all over the world to listen to a huge collection of stories for free as along as schools are closed. Visit https://stories.audible.com/start-listen

5. Enjoy music: create your own playlist of your favorite tracks and enjoy. [I'm currently enjoying my classical playlist]

6. Write a book: your story is unique; someone need to read that. Your wisdom is great, share it with the world. Begin today, just write! [Send me a mail if you desire to write a book]

7. Kid's Time: if you are blessed with children use this period as an opportunity to bond better, get to know them well. Play fun games with them. I bet, this would be one of the best investments and memories you'd never regret.

8. Learn a skill: pick any area you'd like to learn and delve deeper. Take an online course or coaching. Add to what you already know. Enrich yourself.

9. Practice your craft: if you had always wanted to paint, do it. Try some new recipes. Dare something and do it! 

10. Drive-Through: not a time through a fast food joint but a time through the woods or hood. Drive slowly through town, observing nature and savoring the moments. Observe all those things you've been missing in your daily commute. [This will not be appropriate of your City is Lockdown]

11. Teach a course online: Share your expertise, either as a side gig or voluntary activity. Many online platforms offers such opportunities e.g. teachable.com, skillshare.com, udemy.com you may want to start a YouTube channel. All these could help with some extra income as well.

12. Spark up the love: if you are blessed to be married, make the most of the moment. Revive the love and romance in your marriage. If in a relationship, get creative with SMS to keep the love going.

13. Seek God: get to know your creator the more, spend time praying and listening to God's voice. It’s good time to invest in prayers. Praying for the affected, pray for family & friends and pray for the world.

14. Plan Properly: a good time to look at your schedules in life. If you have not had any, then do so, set goals and targets to pursue. Plan your career. The aftermath of the crisis will have an impact on many careers, think ahead, plan and prepare.

15. Healthy lifestyle: check your diet to ensure you are having a well-balanced diet. Exercise daily to stay in shape and healthy.

16. Reconsider your Relationships: it's a good time to prune, know those who really matter and those who matter to you as well. There are levels of relationships and not everyone should have a front roll seat in your life; cut of those you need to and nurture the ones that needs to. Nurture the good ones and disconnect from the ill ones.

17. Create your gratitude list: one of the most frui...

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“Branding is more of a perception than a product(service).” – Bernard Kelvin Clive

Beyond colors, logos and all the visually appealing attributes of brands, there are other intangibles that trigger their success.

Today, I will share with you what I call the invisible forces of brands.

In countless instances, I have seen a number of individuals and businesses placing so much emphasis on their brand tangibles at the expense of the intangibles?

Visuals play a very critical role in branding. However, beyond visuals come the values, services offered, products and customer satisfaction, customer care, consistency of delivery of brands promise, etc.

The above mentioned attributes do more good to a brand than just overly focusing on the visually appealing stuff.

A couple of months ago I recommended a friend’s business, let’s call it ‘Kim Catering Services' (KCS) to a client(Vernon) who badly needed their services. I had informed the client and told him the company does a pretty good job. As my recommendations came highly valued, the client took my word for it and engaged the services of KCS. KCS had sent one of her staff to inquire about the specific needs of Vernon. After the first meet up, KCS never sent any message nor invoice, just nothing. Vernon kept asking what the issue was and all KCS did was to keep promising to deliver to no avail. Long and short of it is that, the business between the two parties never happened.

Another request came in from the same client for another recommendation despite the first incidence. I recommended another friend’s business to the client. Much to our chagrin, the same back and forth and bad customer-client relationship was exhibited and transactions never happened. In mind-blowing fashion, it happened a third time!

Then, I thought to myself, there must be something really bad happening here. Although these recommended companies are great, well-known brands in their niches, they failed the test of brand delivery. They have all the niceties of branding but their invisible forces are killing their brands silently and slowly. This is not only unique nor limited to these three brands but so many other local brands around.

They invest in their brand tangibles – logos, colours, signage, social media and make loud noises yet they fail in delivering their intangible assets. Yes, these brands are damn good at what they do – no doubt, yet they haven’t come to the realization that the overlooked aspect of their branding would be undermining their brands.

Key areas brands must reinforce in their branding process include but are not limited to:

Brand Values: What the brand stands for and the willingness to sacrifice to ensure they stay top of their game. Right from the initial brand building process, every company should sate what their values are such as: integrity, respect, leadership, professionalism, excellence, etc. These become the underlining forces that drive the brand. When customers experience these attributes, they tend to leave a great impression on their minds about the brand. Some time back, I observed something awesome at one of the branches of GCB Bank where an elderly man had entered to withdraw money. Despite the long queue, one of the tellers immediately instructed the security man to offer him a seat and the staff quickly attended to him. An act like this will send string signals to many of their clients about the bank caring for them (elderly). Brands that live up to their values are highly recommended. What are your personal values and those of your brand?

In choosing your brand values, ensure that they are meaningful, different, memorable, actionable, clear, and timelines. Take cues from the following global brand values:

BMW has

·         Integrity: Asking customers for frequent feedback.

·         Respect: Treating each customer with dignity and courtesy.

·         Responsibility: Holding themselves

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How Brands Can Stay Woke in Epidemics 

“To have your brand deep-rooted in the hearts of clients & customers requires empathy – humanize your brand” – Bernard Kelvin Clive

Life happens! Life is filled with the unaccepted, regardless of how carefully and practically you plan, sometimes things may just go off unannounced and unexpected. What you do in times like that is as relevant as your plan.

In the wake of the current alarming epidemic, a number of brands have suffered losses and others are making gains, however, it’s not about win or lose. Yes, whatever the case some may win others may lose but exceptional brands that care for its people will be looking at staying relevant but not just cashing in for profit.

Today, let’s consider ways brands can stay relevant and make impact and continuously stay top of mind. I have identified 3 main ways brands can drive change regardless of ongoing cultural or global crisis. 

The very first thing brands can do is to prepare for the unexpected; have precautionary plans, anticipate likely mishaps and develop strategies to handle that. If these steps are taken care of, it reduces the shock and likely negative impact of the unforeseen and unexpected 

Here are the three main things you can do to salvage the situation:

Evaluate:

The good old book has these wise words to govern us, it reads “…Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak…” – James 1:17. In times of pandemics, brands must put on their best listening ears, to gather all they can before they take any other steps.

The first most important step to take towards resolving crisis is to get all the needed information at hand. Ask all the necessary questions regarding the current happenings to understand the situation. Now, with enough data, you would be in the best position to handle it and address it right.  The caveat is that in a digital era, it’s easy to sample data on social media, which may not be accurate, so always verify source, get to root for authentic messages. Once you have the needed information, you are in a good position to align that with your strategic plan to help curb the situation. You prepare and plan on how to use the information gathered effectively. 

Empathize:

People love to identify with those they love and those who show them love. Great brands are people-centered, they show care and support. To move men to take action in areas you desire requires you to touch their hearts. 

In times of crisis and pandemics, people get affected in many ways; which in one way or the other may impact your brand. Yes, you may not have anything directly to do with them. The truth is that we are in a connected world, what affects one, may eventual affect the other. If not directly, its consequences may be damaging. The best way to get your brand out there is to identify with those affected, show care, love and support. Let them know they matter.

You don’t just stop at sympathizing with them you go out to help. You offer support in many ways that you can. At the heart of crisis, people need support not brands making loud noises about their products and services or trying to cash in by selling their brands. Great brands give, you may decide to offer massive discount, free gifts and offers etc. You should consider these acts as an investment of your brand in the lives of people. It may cost you a lot but its potential returns are huge. Your brand will be engrained in their hearts as a caring brand and if they want to do business or recommended a product or service, surely yours would come highly recommended. 

I recall one act that Nestle (GH)Ltd, did for its distributors/retailors during the erratic power outages (Dumsor) in Ghana(Accra); they gave out high quality solar powered lamps out for free. These little acts meant a lot to their distributors and retailers; which is still been talked about by some of them. One little act of empathy and support can greatly affect a brand.

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Here are key Mindsets to develop for your Brand

The truth is that every brand will be tested at a point in time, if not most of the time.

Ground Mindset:

This is having the fundamentals of your brand right. Don’t jump the initial stages of defining and reasons for your brand. The ground rule is to know 'your 'why' for your brand. Develop your brand and business purpose into one simple statement that you can share with others easily – let’s call it, your elevator pitch.

Answer these questions…

Why are you branding? Why are you in business? What unique value are you bringing to the market place? Who needs and wants are you meeting? Once you have clear answers to these questions the others follow. You can then look at your brand name, logo, tagline, attributes, identity, etc.

Firstly, get grounded, get your brand basics right then you can build successfully on it. Don’t start of social media, branding is not just about social media. It’s a great tool for building your brand but it’s not all about branding.

Growth Mindset:

Brands are like living organisms; they grow and evolve. Successful established brands understand the growth mindset and hereby use it to their advantage. The growth mindset has to do with the understanding that to become a better brand requires a process. Going from one stage to the other and it doesn’t happen just by a sudden push of a bottom to propel one to the top. When you have that understanding you will prepare your grounds/foundation and build on it gradually. You are determined to find ways to better your best.

Growth has to do with consistently improving, fine-tuning and tweaking to ensure your brand stays fresh and strong in the mind of your audiences. A growth mindset asks; what can I do to become a better brand? What can I do to give more value to my clients? A growth mindset listens to feedback and makes things better, they refuse to stay the same. They constantly add new things to make the brand better.

In connection with your personal brand, you may need to take some extra courses, go back to school, get some coaching, learn a new skill, read wider and try new things. When you become better your brand becomes better. Just like living organisms, any brand that does not grow dies!

Grow your brand consistently, become like the proverbial wine – age with grace.

Glow Mindset: 

It’s good to grow in every aspect of life and consequently to glow (polish, perfect) your brand and business. Growing is not just good enough you need to move the nudge up a little. You must glow! Glow mindset in brand building is the quest and strive for excellence. To reach the iconic stage of branding. To be known to represent nothing short of remarkable, excellence and value creation. Glowing is the icing on your cake, it is the light on the candle. When you glow you make your brand more visible and impactful.

Glow mindset refuses to stay the same, they polish their pearls till it glows. They do all they can to stay top of mind – to be the only preferred choice. Glowing kills ambiguity and uncertainty in the minds of consumers. It shortens their decision making cycle. Once your brand comes to mind, you shine through.

Be consistently remarkable – glow!

Key take-home:

Average brands settle at just growing and exceptional iconic brands glow.

They don’t just shine, they outshine the competition, the become team-leaders, thought-leaders, pace-setters, trailblazers. They keep setting new standards and records. Can you name some glowing brands? List them and learn from them.

RECOMMENDED Resources:

Awaken the Giant in You

CEO Branding

Goals Are Dead!

Branding Beyond Visuals

Business Networking Made Easy

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Bernard Kelvin Clive is an Author, Speaker and Corporate Trainer. Ghana’s foremost authority on Personal Branding and Digital Book Publishing. An Amazon bestselling author of over 40 published book...

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The best time to write and publish a book is now.

Yes! No matter how busy you may be, there is a way you can have a book in your name to share your ideas, establish your expertise or grow your business.

In this episode my gust Michelle Vandepas, The CEO of Grace Point Publishing walks us through the process of getting your books published.

Listen, learn and share.

Download, listen, learn and share

Resources:

GracePointPublishing.com

CEO Branding

Goals Are Dead!

Branding Beyond Visuals

Business Networking Made Easy

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

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Benefits of Personal branding

Are you known, unknown or too-known?

Growing up in Sub-Sahara Africa, it was quite uncommon for successful people (experts) to toot their horns, it was seen as bragging, being boastful and proud. Rarely did I hear or see someone beat their chest and raise the head up high to declare their expert status. They would rather do their great deeds quietly and let others praise them for it. A culture which I think had hampered many great talents who would have shot up to the limelight if they were a little ‘loud’ about what they could do best and had packed themselves to that effect. 

However, times and seasons have changed, if one is that good at what they do now and doesn’t make frantic effort to be known, he may die in oblivion.

You know what, without the right understanding of a thing, it’s abuse is inevitable. It’s about time to delve deeper and uncover the greatness embedded in you and put your best foot forward, letting go off the old beliefs holding you back. To shine brighter and let the world know what you’ve got to offer – making the world a better place. As the good old book puts it “you can’t light a candle and put it under a table”. It’s meant to glow and offer light. 

That’s you! Hello there, welcome to the personal branding age, the ‘me- era.

In the “me’ era, the value people place on individuals as brands is premium. This is to say that people are giving more attention to personal brands now than ever before. From celebrity brands to business mogul brands. The power of ‘me. is on the rise. So, then how do you take advantage of the rising tides and times? Come along with me…

To begin with, let’s define personal banding. 

Personal branding is how you distinctively market your uniqueness. How you position yourself to offer value to the market.

If you’ve been battling with yourself whether to start building your brand or not, may these benefits spark a new positive desire to begin.

Here are some benefits of branding yourself – personal branding.

1. Credibility: Personal branding positions you as an expert in your field or niche. It establishes your expert status, and guess what? We largely trust experts. If you can be trusted in this age, you have a business, but if you cannot be trusted you’ve lost business. Personal branding helps you build trust. By constantly delivering on your brand promise establishes trust. It tells people, you are authentic and credible, you promised X and delivered X. A successful personal brand is consistent in all it does.

2. Connection:

One of the greatest assets in life is to have a network of people who know your worth belief in you and willing to engage your services. That’s the value personal branding offers you. Building your brand sets you apart from the huge competition out there, getting you closer and closer to your audience and the right market for business. It helps you build meaningful relationships with other businesses and brands. Your connection grows not just wider and better, because you know exactly the kind of people you want to impact, influence and do business with. Your brand reveals who you know and who knows you! Are you known in your field?

1. Contracts:

Imagine having built a large following on social media and having firms hiring you just to endorse or mention their brand in your post. Boom! That’s influencer marketing using your brand as a tool to market other brands. It’s easier dealing with a well-known brand than an obscure one, yes, that’s the power of your brand. It makes you more visible to a whole lot more people that you can leverage for business. Your brand contacts lead to contracts.

1. Cash:

Regardless of what we do, we would need money in one way or the other, and this where your personal brand kicks in, to work on your behalf. It markets you to others who will be willing to exchange money for your products and services. A well-built personal brand will bring in revenue....

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Make a difference with your brand this year. Dare for more!

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Myths about Goal Settings

1. A goal must be in writing. Not entirely, you can have unwritten goals.

2. A goal must be time-bound. Setting timelines for your goals helps but not all goals need deadlines.

3. A goal must be specific. The truth is that sometimes a goal only gets more apparent when you start working towards it.

4. A goal must be attainable. Sometimes you just don't have proof that a goal would be achieved. You can only hope and act on your faith.

5. A goal would make you happy. Happiness is a decision. If you tie your happiness on the realization of a goal, you will live life unhappy. You can reach your goals and still feel empty and unfulfilled.

Regardless of these myths, research has proven that people who set goals are largely happier, and are more successful than those who don't.

So, now let's get started with our goals.

Recommended book: Goals Are Dead! Simple Strategies for Achieving your Goals while Enjoying Life

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20 Twenty20 Tips for a Great Year

How to Make It Your Best Year Ever

Bernard Kelvin Clive 

How different would you live your life if there was no calendar?

At the end and beginning of every year, there is an increase in goal setting activities, people set goals and resolutions with the hope of achieving them. The question is, what if these activities were a lifestyle, done throughout the year and not tied to a particular ending or beginning?

What if, we simply decide to enjoy our daily lives while pursuing or set goals and dreams? Well, today I present to you tips to make the best of your daily life, hence your year.

Let’s get started!

Tip #1

Define your Success

Success means different things to different people. To begin with, define what success (a great year), means to you. In your terms, don't let society determine that for you. Once you've done that, you set yourself free from the pressures of society by not leaving to impress others and ready to succeed.

Tip #2

Be Decisive

Decide to make it great. Once you define what success and a great year or life mean to you, the next thing to do is decide to make it so. You are a decision away from your life's breakthrough. You hold the keys to your life's happiness. Decide this day, to make the rest of your life the best you can ever have.

Tip #3

Your big idea!

You must have an intriguing idea, a dream; something you are so passionate about, a problem to solve, a need to meet, a mark to make. That is your Dream, Your Vision, Your Goal: Be specific! See the big picture. How will it be like, when you finally get it? What will success mean to you? Set crystal clear goals; goals that will set your heart on fire. Make it important to you.

Tip #4

Focus

(Follow One Course Until Successful). Master One thing. Don’t dissipate your energy. Ask yourself, what one thing do I want to be noted for this year? Then channel all your energy and resources to make it happen. Become so good at what you do that you can’t be ignored. So, become the best in your chosen field. 

Tip #5

Raise the bar on yourself!

Think Big! Expand your vision and expect more from yourself than anyone, then, go make it happen. Compete against yourself and challenge yourself daily. Use your creative imagination. Think win, win, in all the time. Ask: How can I help someone win today? How can I be a miracle to someone? 

Tip #6

Build a team

Carefully select your dream team. Remember: you are the average of your 5 closest friends you spend the most time with. Evaluate your circles in the previous year, did they help or hamper your progress? Then revise where necessary, it matters! TEAM: Together Everyone Achieves More 

Tip #7

A better approach

Ask yourself, how can I do this better? Innovate! Permit yourself to succeed in those areas. By working in the area of your strengths, your talents, and gifts you can master your craft with ease. 

Tip #8

Fail fast!

Hey! Don’t be afraid to fail. Feel the fear and do it! Face your fears. Things may not turn out as you planned but don’t give up, learn from them. Get up anytime you fall and fight on! It’s all part of the growth process. 

Tip #9

Stretch yourself!

Don’t just do the easy and fun things to just get by, leave your comfort zone, exceed your limits, and break that barrier. Do the difficult task. Discipline yourself to succeed. 

Tip #10

Write things down!

Write your goals down and read them often. Revise them as when necessary. You must stay current; be updated on current trends around the world especially in your field. Read great materials, books, articles, etc. 

Tip #11

ACT!

Action that Creates Transformation. There are lots of talkers around, but don’t be one of them, be a doer, a goal chaser, a dream maker. Act Now!!! Just, make it happen! 

Tip #12

Results

Be productivity minded not activity-filled. So many things will call for your time

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Personal Branding Predictions for 2020+

"We're the generation. We can't afford to wait. The future started yesterday and we're already late"- John Legend

The question is, what do brands have for the future and not what does the future hold for brands. For brands that are determined to stay top of mind in business today, will require more than what worked yesterday. They must be willing to go the extra mile and pay attention to the following pillars/predictions. Have a prepared mind to harness future possibilities.

The truth is that the digital landscape is predictably unpredictable. However, with the right data, one can prepare ahead, stay abreast and take advantage of the ever-changing tides of technology.

Here are what to do and expect in the coming year(s).

1. Brand reinvestment:

To reap a bounty harvest in any field of endeavour requires sowing good, seeds in a good soils and nurturing it to grow. Right environment and timing are critical success factors. In the same way, any brand that desires to make the most of the coming times must begin planting (preparing) and pruning (strategizing). Great brands don't just show up overnight, they are deliberately built. In effect corporations must educate their staff and equip them appropriately by investing in them (seed sowing and nurturing) if they desire to thrive.

In the coming years, Companies will begin empowering their employees to build strong and influential personal brand, so they can leverage it. Corporate employee brand advocacy programs will be on the rise. That will be the game-changer. Personal branding for corporate gains. It's going to be a win-win for the employer and the employee.

Additionally, brands must always reinvest in plans and strategies that are working and never to settle. Invest in research and development and invest in employers as brand advocates/ambassadors.

1. Jobs and Hiring:

Companies will be hiring candidates with established personal brands/ influencers aside from their expertise and qualifications. Candidates with strong Personal brand, social media presence will be the preferred ones.

It's time to pay attention to your 'Personal Brand. If you are a job seeker, begin building your online brand today. Note that every piece of content you churn will either help you or hurt you. You've got the power to build that strong brand now.

1. Content Building:

It's not about ‘content being king’. The truth is that, there is and will always be lots of content on this age. What's needed most is, relevant, timely and accurate content. Providing relevant and usable data that can scale brands and businesses.

In the coming years, Brands will start creating and curating original content for promotion. Creating their data banks. Media and data will be the tool to be used as a driver for growth and dominance. Video content demands will still be on top.

What are you to do?

Pay attention to every video publishing platform and invest in quality content production, not the hype.

So, it's your time and turn to act now.

“The Future belongs to those who are building Brands now, for they will be sought-after” - Bernard Kelvin Clive

The future of branding is personal. [Ponder]

NB: My Podcast (Personal Branding Podcast) was listed as one of the Top 10 Personal Branding Podcasts on the Web by Feedspot.

Download, Listen, Learn and Share.

RECOMMENDED Resources:

Awaken the Giant in You

CEO Branding

Goals Are Dead!

Branding Beyond Visuals

Business Networking Made Easy

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

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Have you ever had your social media post stolen before? Someone claiming ownership of your creative work? What do you so?

In this episode my guest Audrey Dauvet, an International Intellectual property expert throws more light on that.

Download, Listen, Learn and Share.

RECOMMENDED Resources:

Awaken the Giant in You

CEO Branding

Goals Are Dead!

Branding Beyond Visuals

Business Networking Made Easy

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

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Branding: How to Use Data to Drive Business Growth. The power of data.

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"The future is not just about the use of TECHNOLOGY it’s about the use of the MIND more creatively - THINKNOLOGY" - Bernard Kelvin Clive

The Future of Brands demands harnessing two important assets

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6 Costly Social Media Marketing Mistakes To Avoid.

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The 7 Lies We Tell Ourselves about Personal Branding

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“Until you dare to take on new challenges you wouldn’t discover your full potential.” ― Bernard Kelvin Clive

1. Dedication: Have you ever watched ants lining up in a long trail to pick food particles from a spot? You may ask what happens when those food particles are exhausted. Do the lines of the ants gets vanish? Ants display single-eyed focus on the task at hand. Once they get started on a project, they are glued to it till completion. So, Great Brands are dedicated! Dedicated to their course.

2. Discipline: Sometimes we all wonder why ants keep packing foods. They prepare for the future. They don’t live in the here and now. They go through a rigorous routine to prepare for seasons ahead. The Bible says though they have no ruler – they get things done. Great Brands like ants prepare for the future. They learn from the present to leverage the future. To be a great brand requires self-discipline!

3. Design: Planning. It’s amazing to know the quantum of planning that is undertaken by ants in every project they embark on. They plan and communicate the plan effectively to get it achieved. When an ant finds food, it leaves clues to help the others trace it so they don’t lose track of it. Planning leads to the effective execution of projects. Great Brands like ants plan. The plan becomes their road map to success. What is your plan for your brand and business growth?

4. Development: They build their homes and their colonies. Development is about patiently preparing for the task at hand and ahead. Learn to develop your personal brand, business growth strategy, to properly harness its powers for profit and impact. Great brands don’t just happen overnight; they go through a process - stages of development. 

5. Dominance: Ants can be found in almost any part of the world - that's total dominance! It’s easy for ants to dominate any environment with their numbers and team spirit. They easily take charge of an environment and fight for their colonies – territories. Great brands, dominate, they do all they can to be top of mind in their fields. They fight for their territories. They make their presence known and wage attacks from every angle. Learn to make your brand dominate.

6. Die-hards: Tell me, have you tried to derail ants from getting to their destinations? You would realize that when you place an obstacle in front of them, they always find a way around it. They are unstoppable. Great brands like ants don’t just give up when faced with challenges. They fight and fight harder. Ants and great brands possess the spirit of determination. No quitting, be determined to succeed.

1. Daring: Ants do mighty things. They lift weights about 50 times their body size, just with their jaws. That’s herculean! For one to succeed and rise in any field of endeavor, one must have the ability to build one’s inner muscles of agility to rise above the status quo. The giant in ants propels them to do far more than they seem capable of. Until you dare to take on new challenges you wouldn’t discover your full potential. Brands that hit the iconic status dare new things; they innovate.

Resources:

Awaken the Giant in You

CEO Branding

Goals Are Dead!

Branding Beyond Visuals

Business Networking Made Easy

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

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"You've got to be wildly different"

In this episode my guest Joshua Lisec shares secrets for writing books and great contents.

Every day Joshua Lisec help authors manifest the mission behind their voice. He is founder of The Entrepreneur’s Wordsmith LLC, Ohio’s first Certified Professional Ghostwriter, a multiple-time #1 International Bestselling Ghostwriter, a Forbes Contributor ghostwriter, a TEDx speaker, and a two-time published novelist. Since 2011, Joshua has ghostwritten forty books and has been featured in TED, TEDx, BBC Radio London, Foundr Magazine, American Express, Yahoo!, Fatherly, The Huffington Post, and numerous other outlets. During a recent podcast, Dilbert comic creator and New York Times bestselling author of Win Bigly Scott Adams recommended Joshua to aspiring authors who need help writing and publishing a book.

Here are the Pillars

CredibilityConnectionCompellingCounter-industry – why are you different, Call to action. Make it clearCirculation – broaden, open up your book idea

The Pillars of Influential Content

Resources:

Joshua’s YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/joshualisec  

CEO Branding

Goals Are Dead!

Branding Beyond Visuals

Business Networking Made Easy

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

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10 Sins Brands Commit in Digital Marketing

1.    Not establishing a strong brand presence online and offline. No clear brand identity)

2.    Buying generic data (email addresses, contact numbers) for broadcasting

3.    Not having a specific goal of being online, no action plan.

4.    Using the same social media strategy for every platform

5.    Not engaging with the audience online

6.    Failing to optimize pages and websites (outdated website information)

7.    Failing to use digital automation properly.

8.    Depending too much on manual approach and not relying on data, analytics

9.    Failing to get feedback and implementing feedbacks

10.    No being accessible via local search. Location search, Google Maps, etc.

Resources:

CEO Branding

Goals Are Dead!

Branding Beyond Visuals

Business Networking Made Easy

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

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In this episode I interviewed the Growth Hack expert and Marketing Manager of Uber Latin America, Vaibhav Sisinty.

Sharing secret strategies in digital marketing.

Download, Listen, Learn and Share!

Resources:

Linkedin automation tool (safe to use): growthlead.io

Instagram automation tool: instabotfy.com

CEO Branding

Goals Are Dead!

Branding Beyond Visuals

Business Networking Made Easy

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

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Growing your business through speaking

Most people would not consider speaking as a channel to grow their business. But it can be one of the most powerful channels out there if you know how to do it. Chris was named the fastest growing speaker in 2018 and the #1 on the top 10 speakers list in the Netherlands so he knows a thing or two about being a speaker. Chris shares the mindset you need to be a great keynote speaker and what it can mean for your business. How to create powerful attraction through the stage effect that leads to others seeing you as a thought leader in your space leading to abundant new business and opportunities. 

In this podcast episode my guest Chris Baldwin share with us the 7 Mindset to Develop as a Speaker.

Listen, learn and share!

Make the event organizer and planners life easierMake your speaker agent successful as possibleAlways have a “No Problem” attitude Go for the emotional connectionLive an interesting lie (Storyteller)Always always finish on timeBe so good they can’t ignore you

NB

Know your stuffTake trainingKnow your client: Your client is the event manager, the organizer

Resources:

10Xspeaker.com

CEO Branding

Goals Are Dead!

Branding Beyond Visuals

Business Networking Made Easy

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

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Love can not be confined!

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7 TIPS TO BOOST YOUR BRAND

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When couples work as a team to grow their business and marriage they flourish in all their endeavors.

In this episode Kimanzi and Cindy Constable share their expertise on building global thriving business as couples.

Kimanzi Constable  is a coach, speaker and consultant. An author of four books that have sold over 150,000 copies. Writes for the following publications; The Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, SUCCESS Magazine, AskMen, Mind Body Green, Fox News, The Good Men Project, Yahoo, NBC News, Time Magazine, Business Insider, Addicted 2 Success, CBS News, and over 60 blogs.

Download, listen , learn and share.

Resources:

CEO Branding

Kimanzi Constable (Consulting)

Goals Are Dead!

Branding Beyond Visuals

Business Networking Made Easy

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

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Personal Branding and Marketing with Seth God. This is Marketing!

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Every pain teaches as lesson that can potentially profit us and others if only we pay attention to it.

In this episode my guest Tiffany Toombs walks us through here journey from pain to profit. Teaching you how to stop self-limiting beliefs to live your best life now. Tiffany is the Founder of Blue Lotus Mind and a Mindset Coach who specializes in helping people overcome self-sabotage and limiting beliefs; allowing them to experience success in every area of life.  

Tiffany is a Master Practitioner and Trainer in NLP (Neurolinguistic Programming) and Matrix Therapies. She has overcome physical abuse, infidelity, eating disorders, and miscarriage. 

Tiffany has worked in the health and fitness industry for 18 years and exclusively as a coach for the last five. She combines her science background and knowledge of the body & mind with her spiritual interests and training to achieve the client’s goals. 

Download, listen and learn

Resources:

Stop Being a Selfish B*tch

Goals Are Dead!

DOERS 12:52 (Audio book)

Branding Beyond Visuals

Business Networking Made Easy

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

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The Art of Being a like-able Brand

1. Know yourself: Yes, it all begins with you. Personal branding is about knowing who you are and presenting your best self to meet the needs of others. You need to really know who you are – your strengths and weaknesses. What makes your brand unique. What makes you tick, your likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses. If you take the time to understudy yourself, it better prepares you to handle your relationships, clients, fans, and followers.You will not be taken aback by many things that your audience will reveal about you. It helps you to put your best self forward – your strengths over weakness. That’s the best way you can stand out from the pile! “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

2. Stand for something: Share your values! Be truthful! Be open and upfront with your values right from the beginning. Let your audience, fans, followers, clients know what your values are as a brand – what’s important to you. Your standards that you wouldn’t compromise on. This prevents people from violating your values – your prized possessions. To one person the top values could be integrity, faith, etc. to another honesty, gratitude. What will yours be?As part of sharing your values be honest with your audience, let them know when you go contrary to set values – apologize and do that which is right. You should learn to gracefully correct your audience when they also go wrong. “You must stand for something! It does not have to be grand, but it must be a positive that brings light to someone else's darkness.” ― Anthony Carmona

3. Give value: Offer a helping hand. Be the first to look out for a need of your clients, fans, and followers and find ways to help them with it, in ways that you can. The caveat is: don’t become God in their lives, just be a channel to be used. You are not a superhero – work in the confines of your expertise. Note that you cannot meet every need of client’s, fans and followers. So choose your niche carefully and to offer the best for them. The more value you give the more your clients get hooked to your brand. Your gift will make room for you! Give them more than they pay for and more than what they deserve. “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

4. Keep in touch: make it a point to regularly check up on your clients – call, text, social media, etc. any act that shows your clients, fans and followers are important to you. Keep in touch not because you will need something from them someday but because you care. It’s nice to be nice. This is something @Sarkodie – the celebrated rap musician from Ghana does so well with his followers on Twitter – he constantly engages with them.When was the last time you reconnected with a fan? “There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. “- Proverbs 18:24

5. Respect privacy: Some things are private and should be kept as such. You may be privy to some private stuff about your clients, just keep it as such. Being a coach, mentor, professional requires that you also give people room to be whom they want to be. You don’t need to always be in their space. Always remember the ethics of your calling – your job. Don’t spam people!Learn to set your own boundaries and also respect that of your clients, fans, and followers. Be wary of gossips. “A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.” ― Proverbs 16:28

6. Forgive yourself: Hey, don’t be too hard on yourself when you mess up. Rather hold yourself up to a high standard and don’t settle for less. But when you mess up, apologize sincerely and make amends. You may fall short of your promises every now and then but quickly get it resolved. Make your clients happy.

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“Don't waste the mornings of your life on idleness and laziness, by every means possible wrestle with your passions, your ideas and your dreams. Give it a shot!”

― Bernard Kelvin Clive

Get the audiobook DOERS 12:52

DOERS 12:52   (Available on Amazon)

Goals Are Dead!

DOERS 12:52 (Audio book)

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Are you a doer?

The year just began, have you?

“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” – Socrates

Let me share this with you to encourage you.

Every year Forbes publishes its list of the top 100 richest people. And in this year's Forbes list of the 'Highest Paid Celebrities in 2018', includes a lot of personalities in the Creative Art industry, not forgetting authors - James Patterson[$86M], J.K. Rowling[$54M].

This is the point, gone are the days' parents hardly encourage their children to go into the creative industry because they believed one will never make it in such a field. Now every dream and career stands the chance of making one wealthy. So, parents and guardians, encourage your wards to read & write books. There's hope for the future. Help them develop their creative abilities.

The youngest millionaire on list #3 is a 21year old Kylie Jenner[$900M], founder of Kylie Cosmetics. The oldest millionaire on the list, #4 is 76years, Judy Sheindlin[$400M], a TV Personality.

Remember, You are never TOO OLD to DREAM nor TOO Young to Achieve your Dreams Go, make your dreams happen!

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way. I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe's couplets: Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it!” ― William Hutchison Murray

Begin now!

DOERS 12:52   (Available on Amazon)

Resources:

Goals Are Dead!

DOERS 12:52 (Audio book)

Branding Beyond Visuals

Business Networking Made Easy

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

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18 Items to Discard before the New Year (Ladies/Gents)

1. Old makeups  2. Worn-out footwear 3. Old & worn-out undies  4. Old invitation cards, coupons, Etc 5. Old hair clips, wigs & accessories  6. Old &Unused cloths & jewelry  7. Old & spoilt utensils  8. Unused apps on your phone  9. Stacked unused freebies  10. Unfitting & oversized clothes  11. Old calendars, brochures, flyers, gift wrappers, etc 12. Junks in the fridge  13. Empty containers, deodorants, paper bags. etc  14. Old, broken & unused toys  15. Unused & unprofitable subscriptions & memberships  16. Return borrowed items 😂 17. De-clutter purse, wallet & bags 18. Service your car: change the tyre, oils, wipers, etc.

The Personal Branding Podcast was listed among the "Top 50 Branding Podcasts You Should be Listening To" by MerLine One Inc.

Get the book “GOALS Are Dead! Simple Strategies to Achieving your Goals while Enjoying Life“

Resources:

Goals Are Dead!

Branding Beyond Visuals

Business Networking Made Easy

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

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It's possible!

Let me share a story I read some time ago with you. It might strengthen your faith! 

A story was told of a mountain-climber, desperate to conquer the Aconcagua, initiated his climb after years of preparation. But he wanted the glory to himself; therefore, he went up alone. He started climbing and it was becoming later and later. He did not prepare for camping but decided to keep on going. Soon it got dark Night fell with heaviness at such high altitude and there was zero visibility. Everything was black, no moon, and the stars covered by clouds. As he was climbing a ridge at about 100 meters from the top, he slipped and fell. Falling rapidly, he could only see blotches of darkness that passed in the same darkness and a terrible sensation of being suctioned by gravity. He kept falling and in those anguishing moments good and bad memories passed through his mind. He thought he would die. Nevertheless, he felt a jolt that almost tore him in half. Like any good mountain climber, he had staked himself with a long rope tied to his waist. In those moments of stillness, suspended in the air he had no other choice but to shout, "HELP ME GOD", "HELP ME!" All of a sudden he heard a deep voice from heaven. "What do you want me to do?”"SAVE ME" "Do you REALLY think that I can save you?" "OF COURSE, MY GOD" "Then cut the rope that is holding you up." There was another moment of silence and stillness. The man held tighter to the rope. The rescue team says that the next day they found, frozen mountain climber hanging strongly to a rope TWO FEET off the ground . ..

What about you?

Sometimes on our journey to achieving our goals, there comes a time that proven strategies and our expertise simple fall without any justifiable reason. It's in those moments that we count on our reserve fuel - our faith. Some things can only be accessed via faith. How trusting are you in that rope? (your skills, accolades, and expertise) 

Why don't you let it go? I tell you, God has great and marvelous things for you.

Keep believing and act on your faith. God bless you!

Lessons

1. The Danger of Climbing alone. In pursuing your goals, you may need partners, helpers to aid you. Don't try to do it all by yourself. Share the glory where necessary.

2. He never prepared for campaigning. Having an alternative plan and route is always necessary. A backup plan. Additionally, be open to new ideas and innovations to help you.

3. He had faith in his ropes (strings, expertise). Sometimes the most rewarding breakthroughs may come from amateurs, unexpected places, and people. Be open-minded.

4. Self-gratification. Want all the glory for himself. It's what we do for others that will outlive us than what we do for ourselves. We are here on earth to serve. Your goals should eventually help a lot more people.

Get the book:

GOALS Are Dead! Simple Strategies for Achieving your Goals while Enjoying Life 

Bernard Kelvin Clive  Personal Branding Coach/Brand Strategist at BKC Consulting, Lifestyle Entrepreneur, Amazon bestselling author of 40 published books.

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Before we  get started let me share with you this good news.

My podcast/website was listed by Feedspot as one of the Top 15 Branding Podcasts on the web. 

In this episode I share on bad habits that needs to be replaced before entering the new year.1. Living without purpose and passion2. Procrastination 3. Gossips & lies4. Lateness to appointments and events 5. Excessive Alcohol 6. Poor eating habits 7. Prayerlessness 8. Ingratitude 9. People pleasers, pretenders 10. Greed & jealousy 11. Promiscuity 12. No budgeting & overspending13. Scared-freaks, Non-risk takers 14. Negative people, fault finders15. Dream killers & idea thieves16. Troublemakers, drama people17. Indecisive & indiscipline people18. Unproductive lifestyle: Laziness, idleness, less or no action towards goalsGet the book "GOALS Are Dead! Simple Strategies to Achieving your Goals while Enjoying Life"

Resources:

Goals Are Dead!

Branding Beyond Visuals

Business Networking Made Easy

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

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5 Ways to Stay Relevant in your Field as you Age

Traps that Cause People to Lose their Relevance as they Age

Everyone desires to feel important in one area or the other in life. People tend to measure their worth by so many metrics that make them feel good, loved and appreciated. However, as one age in life, things also take on a new turn.  Sometimes even the prepared are taken aback. The question is how does one stay relevant when aging in one's career and life?

Here are simple things to do and traps to avoid.

Keep learning; make it a habit to learn something at every stage of your life. Your learning helps your earning.

You can learn new skills at any stage and age of your life. Your skills will enable you to stay relevant in many ways. You will still be in demand by people who need your expertise.

Lower your expectations: the trap of feeling entitled to things based on any metric you may want to use should be lowered as you age. Remember no one really owes you anything - love, respect, honor, etc.

People are not obliged to honor you, they decide.

To avoid lots of embarrassments and disappointments as you age, simply lower your expectations from others. Once you learn not to expect too much from others, you will appreciate the beauty of the simple pleasures in life.

Raise the next generation: by pouring out your expertise into others, you learn to keep the cycle of knowledge transfer going and growing.

Leaving a legacy by virtue of mentoring others will cause you to be revered as you age. So, reach out and teach others. If you are retiring from your job, don't retire with all your expertise, share it with others.

Write a book: it's unfortunate that many great minds die and die with their ideas and expertise because they couldn't preserve them for future use. I believe that taking time to read this information now, suggests to me that you are one of the exceptional people who want to have their wisdom preserved to help the next generation.

The truth is that one of the best ways to document your expertise is to write a book. If you can't write a book, hire a ghostwriter to help you.

It's about time to have a good book in your name. A book establishes your expert status and causes you to stay relevant in your chosen field.

Guard your reputation: desist from engaging in activities that will mar your hard earned reputation.

In this age two major traps that cause great men to fall are:

Promiscuity: love for women/sex. Hardly a day goes by without hearing about reputable men falling victims to sex scandals. If married enjoy your wife. Greed: the excessive hunger for money by every means fair or foul has led great men to fall to the dungeons. If you desire an abundance of wealth, keep your deeds clean.

Once your reputation is lost, it becomes almost irreparable.

Build trust and be trustworthy.

Whatever happens, don't lose your relevance. Keep your brand

Resources:

Branding Beyond Visuals

Business Networking Made Easy

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

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"Without proper management great projects fail" - Bernard Kelvin Clive Common Challenges in Project Management and Their Solutions

Project management is a complex task, and the successful completion of a project by an organization is no easy feat. According to a study by Gallup, only a measly 2.5% of companies manage to successfully complete their projects, a good indicator of how companies fail in proper project management. The exercise of managing projects involves ensuring proper utilization of resources, meeting deadlines, sticking to the allocated budget, having clear communication, foreseeing possible risks, and taking preventive measures. Project managers may be unable to deliver their project as expected for not seeing in advance the possible risks and thus failing to put mechanisms in place to avert them.

The following are some common challenges that a project management team may face in project management, as well as possible solutions:

Vague goals

Some project teams do not exactly know what to expect from the project. Lack of clearly defined goals and objectives means the project is doomed to fail. This lack of awareness of the what’s, when’s, and why’s of the project results in confusion, thereby causing the poor delivery of the project. For a project to succeed, goals must be clearly thought out and communicated before the project’s inception.

Solution – The project team should hold a kickoff meeting to clarify the goals of the project. Also, the team should use project management software to define the goals clearly. For example, they can use GRS project management software, which is one of the best in the market.

Poor communication

Improper communication hinders the successful delivery of the project. A good project manager should be a great communicator. Good communication comes in handy, whether you are seeking information from team members and other parties, asking questions, or passing information along. A breakdown in communication results in project failure.

Solution – There should be clearly defined channels of communication for project team members, as well as a clear understanding of what information should be communicated to whom and how to do it most effectively.

Insufficient team member skills

The members are the building blocks of the team, and their expertise and experience determine the team’s competence. Some project tasks require specialized skills or expertise. It is thus vital to ensure the persons handling such tasks are well equipped; otherwise, you should have them trained or bring someone in with the necessary skills to avoid poor implementation, which will lead to the failure of the project.

Solution – The team leader should document the main skills needed to execute the various project tasks and analyze the team members’ strengths and weaknesses. Where necessary, the members should be trained to bridge the gaps, or people with the required skills should be brought onboard.

Unrealistic deadlines

Most project managers struggle with unrealistic expectations on timelines from the client and other stakeholders. The cause of unrealistic deadlines is setting the targets based on factors like aggressive competition, rather than basing them on calculations and data or proper planning. From the onset, the team is put in a position of trying to fit things within determined boundaries that are not realistic, thus resulting in failure to meet the deadline.

Solution – Project managers can overcome issues of project deadlines with proper planning, alternative analysis, and clear communication of the project progress to the client and other interested parties. Having a project calendar to plan events and to monitor important dates can also help.

Resources:

Branding Beyond Visuals

Business Networking Made Easy

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

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How to Start a Business as a Marketing Consultant Marketing consultants are in high demand, and businesses of all sizes are interested in hiring them. As more people search for new tactics to attract customers, they turn to marketing experts for help. If you choose to become a marketing consultant, you can start your own business and work with top companies around the world. High Demand for Marketing Consultants Businesses need marketing consultants to help them generate leads, which leads to higher revenue and sales. Maryville University explains that a hiring survey from McKinley Marketing Partners found that 39 percent of companies were hiring new digital marketers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects higher than average growth in this field.

Many companies need marketing help, but they may not be able to hire a full-time employee. This is the perfect opportunity to start your own business and work as a consultant. Businesses are desperately looking for marketing consultants who can help them. Degree Requirements A bachelor's degree in marketing is a minimum requirement for this position. Although you can also pursue a master's degree, you should at least get a bachelor's to show prospective companies that you are serious and qualified. Having a degree will also help you stay competitive in a growing field.

In addition, while you are getting a degree, you may have the chance to do internships with companies. Not only will this help you network for future consultation work, you may graduate with an offer to continue working with the company. Portfolio Requirements When you are working as a consultant, companies are more interested in your portfolio than a resume. They want to see examples of previous work that was successful. For instance, they may want to see how you implemented a marketing strategy for social media or created a plan to increase organic traffic on a website.

If you have a college degree, you may be able to use some of the work from school to start building the portfolio. Research projects and internships often provide strong examples of your abilities. You will need to create a portfolio online and offline, so more companies can have easier access to it. You want to showcase your best marketing work in the portfolio and fill it with relevant samples. Work Strategies Many marketing consultants start their careers as employees for companies to get experience. Then, after a few years or longer, they open their own businesses and offer consulting. Some people skip the step of working as employees and start consulting right away. There is more than one path to success as a marketer. If you are confident you can succeed without working for someone else first, then you can do it, but it may be more difficult. Branding Ideas Even if you are a solopreneur, branding still matters. You need a business name, logo, tagline and other branding elements. You will have to create consistent branding across social media and your own websites or blogs. Some marketing consultants start as independent contractors and later bring on a team to open an agency. If you plan to do this, then think about how to brand long-term and make sure it grows with your company.

Personal branding can help you attract more customers. As a marketing specialist, you probably do not want to turn this over to another business to handle, especially when you are just starting out, so it is important to take the time to do this well. For example, you might want to become familiar with sites like Canva or Snapseed to make sure everything you produce is on brand. Starting Small Most marketing consultants start small and work alone at first when they launch their businesses. It may be tempting to start hiring staff right away, but you need to build the business first. You need many leads coming in to make sure you can afford to pay the people you hire and yourself. Consider working alone at first until the company grows to a safe size.

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How to Transform your Brand

In this episode David Brier answers the following questions on branding.

Download, listen and share.

What is Branding? How do one differentiate their commodity form others selling same product? What are other ways one can differentiate? Can quality packaging be more important than the quality of product in branding? Qualities of a sustainable Brand How’s banding relevant to start ups. The importance of Branding Startups When should you rebrand? How to separate your personal brand from the company’s brand? How to resurrect a dying brand? Branding beyond visuals, what to know and do? About Branding Intervention

Resources:

Brand Intervention

Branding Beyond Visuals

Business Networking Made Easy

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

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“True artists don't create for their audience; the audience discover them” – Bernard Kelvin Clive

To all writers, poets, authors cheers!!!!

True artists don't create for their audience; the audience discover them. Once an artist starts creating by the dictates of its audience, he seizes to be an artist, he becomes a business man. Artists do art out of love.

You paint the world with your words and make it such a beautiful place. Falling in love or out of love.?

Let's fall in love, not a love story but there is love in it. For writers, poets and authors, the point is this; you must come to a point where you totally fall in love with your writing style, right from the beginning or journey along and totally settle this is your heart that not everyone will love your piece.

Your work may or may not be the best in your eyes, but it's your babe, you've got to love it and make it the best at all times. If you seek perfection it will elude you, seek progress, the desire to communicate something of real value to your reader; to inform, entertain, educate. Communicate your expertise in little ways, not seeking to please the masses.

Someone may pick your piece and be inspired others will not, that's life. If they find your work meaningful, great If not, it may not be for them or not the right time. Don't give up, let love lead. keep giving your best, the universe will reward you greatly. #EnjoyLife

Resources:

Business Networking Made Easy

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

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Thinking of establishing yourself as an expert in your field and to boost your business? Then  publishing a book can be of help. In this episode Julie Broad shares are story and strategy for using a book to achieve this.

Julie Broad is an Amazon Overall #1 Best Selling Author, an International Book Award Winner, and recipient of the Beverly Hills Book Award for Best Sales book. As an entrepreneur

and successful real estate investor she was also awarded the Top 20 under 40 Award. Founder of Book Launchers, she started the company to help busy entrepreneurs and professionals build their brand and boost their business by writing, publishing, and selling a top quality book.

Download, listen and learn.

Resources:

Book Launches

Business Networking Made Easy

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

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In this episode we look at Personal Branding: Finding Fulfillment in Life with Vince Kramer

Vince is an airline pilot and military veteran, Vince Kramer brings a unique experience to the world of self- improvement and purpose-driven growth. His past experience in a stereotypically “macho” field brings a more integrated perspective to the softer field of personal growth not often seen.As a speaker, trainer, best-selling author of “Mastering the Art of Success” with Jack Canfield, and coach, Vince’s distinct combination of experience, education and research helps him develop powerful talks, workshops and online training in finding happiness and success by living life by their design. Vince passionately believes everyone is unique and the creator of their own life. It is his desire to inspire and empower men, women, organizations and families to find success and happiness by designing and creating a life fueled by their desires.

Download, listen and learn.

Resources:

Download FREE resources here

Business Networking Made Easy

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

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Thinking of how to build a personal brand and transition it into a business brand?

Then. this episode is a must listen, my guest Johno Ormond, CEO of Dalia Media shares strategies on how to build a personal and corporate brand.

Download, Listen, Learn and Share

Recommended Resources:

Business Networking Made Easy

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

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Brand building takes time.

In this episode my guest Tim Brown, Web Designer,  SEO Specialist at Hook Agency shares with us strategies for building your personal brand with content marketing and transitioning from a personal brand to a corporate brand.

Download, Listen, Learn and Share!

Recommended Resources:

HookAgency.com

Business Networking Made Easy

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

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In this episode we looked at Branding, Politics, Law and Money with Frazer Rice.

Frazer Rice is a leading private wealth manager, with fifteen years’ experience advising millionaire and billionaire families on finances, including fiduciary and estate matters. His clients include business owners, hedge fund managers, real estate developers, corporate executives, foundations, and established families.

Frazer has been featured in the New York Times, the Daily Telegraph, and the Journal News, and he has appeared on cable television news networks. In addition to his financial expertise, Frazer is a member of the New York State Bar and a graduate of Duke University and Emory University Law School. He hosts a podcast and blog on politics, business trends, and entrepreneurship at FrazerRice.com.

Listen, Lean and Share

Recommended Resources:

FrazerRice.com

Wealth Actually by Frazer Rice on Amazon

Business Networking Made Easy

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

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Starting a business can be made easier when you know and have the right resources.

In this episode we discuss the tools that can make your brand and business building easier.

Using ecommerce cooperative by empowery, my guest Barth Getho shares the advantages available for you.

Listen, learn and share!

Recommended Resources:

Empowery.com

Business Networking Made Easy

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

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8 Clever Ways to Market Your New E-commerce Website

Marketing an ecommerce website is not an easy task. You need to get your approach right if you want to reach more customers and generate a lot of revenue. Here are 8 clever ecommerce marketing strategies that you need to put into action today.

1- Take The Help of Inbound Marketing

Marketing can be of two types - “push marketing” and “pull marketing”.

Under push marketing, you push the customers towards your store even if they aren’t interested. For example, an ad in a newspaper is an example of push marketing.

Under pull marketing, you pull the customers towards your store when they are highly interested. For example, a visitor visiting your site using organic search is an example of pull marketing.

Inbound marketing consists of all such strategies that come under pull marketing. These strategies help to generate visits that are highly relevant and have greater chances of converting into a sale.

Here are some highly useful techniques of inbound marketing:

Search Engine Optimization: SEO helps to generate quality inbound leads by getting your website ranked at the top of the organic search results. Content Marketing: Content is the lifeline of internet. Content marketing helps to increase the visibility of your brand and help to build lasting relationships with your audience.  Social Media Marketing: Nowadays, you are marketing to millennials and social media is the perfect place to reach them. An effective social media marketing strategy improves brand awareness and lets you engage with a broad array of audience. Email Marketing: Emails remain one of the most cost effective inbound marketing strategies that’s easy to get started, delivers the right message at the right time and helps to generate a regular flow of leads. SMS Marketing: You can reach a large number of people at the same time with the help of SMS marketing. SMS lets you to reach customers instantly as and when you need it. Webinar Marketing: Webinar is a cost effective marketing strategy that helps to build lucrative relationship with your customers. Webinars adds to brand loyalty and helps to convert a new visitor to a lead.

2- Create and Promote Your Blog

Blogging is an inexpensive way for ecommerce business owners to drive traffic to their website. Here are the top benefits of blog promotion:

It provides to boost your existing search engine optimization strategies. Blogging is an efficient way to connect with your existing and potential customers. People are able to easily recognize your brand and it educates them about your business vision and personality. Preparing blog posts on long tail keywords lets you get rank for new keywords which means you have greater chances of raising your leads and conversion. The below chart from Hubspot shows that businesses who blog generate 55% more visitors as compared to the ones who don’t.  Blogging is an opportunity for social sharing. People can share blog posts that they like and this indirectly helps to raise publicity of your brand on social channels.

3- Advertise Your Store Offline

Offline promotion is equally important to give wings to your online business. Here are a few effective ways to market your ecommerce business offline:

Take part in local business meetings to network with other businesses and to generate a lot of local brand publicity. Participate in trade shows to directly promote your products. Make use of tools like Shopify POS to accept payments from customers with their methods of choice. POS is a convenient medium to accept payments when you are in trade shows, meetings, kitty parties or workshops.  Take the help of billboard advertisement to educate people about your brand and offers. Offer free products to people as this will encourage more prospects to start buying from your e-store.

4- Leverage The Power of Influencers

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"You have no business until you have customers." Bernard Kelvin Clive In this episode, my guest Jonathan shares his secret of growing customers for your brand using an unscalable sales process.

Johnathan is the Co-founder of Penji, an on-demand graphic design membership or agencies, internal marketing teams, and the print on demand community. With over 250 members and growing, Penji had multiple opportunities to receive outside investment capital, all in which they declined.

Listen, learn and share

Recommended Resources:

Penji.co

Business Networking Made Easy

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

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"The future will be taken by those who are building their brands today" - Bernard Kelvin Clive In this episode I share with you...

17 Side effects of ignoring your Personal Brand

Your brand fades You lose credibility You become less visible You become easily replaceable Your influence decreases You lose your market share Your audience wanes Your competitors win You will be treated with less respect You lose money Your place will be forgotten You will struggle to stay relevant You will be treated as a commodity You will have less impact Your expertise may be despised You can't dominate You will be branded by others

Recommended Books:

Business Networking Made Easy

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

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“Excuse your Excuses” ― Bernard Kelvin Clive Are you Busy?

I'm Busy!

...waiting for the perfect time? Well, now could be that time... Quite often, we postpone doing what needs to be done now to our ideal time, hoping things get better with time... We go like..."I will do this when... -I start the job, - I get a new job - I get a raise - I start dating - I get a new car - I marry - I give birth - the kids grow - I'm on leave - I'm less busy - I recover from this illness - I travel - I finish exams - I graduate - I start my ministry - I start my company - I become rich ...when when when... the reasons and excuses keep lingering...

Do we really want to do the things we should be doing? Yes, there's the need for proper timing, but what do we do with what we have now? Time is of the essence! Choose what you need to do now and begin.

Take time to do the things that matter to you. Make time to care for those you love. Excuse your excuses!

DriveyourAmbition

Recommended Books:

Business Networking Made Easy

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

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Your brand is yours to build.

In this episode I share with you

6 Tips for Personal Branding with LinkedIn

Download, Listen, Learn and Share!

Complete your Profile Details Use keyword rich and apt description for your tittles Use LinkedIn Article feature for blogging Use Native videos Take to interact with others Recommend and refer others (Ask for Recommendations)

Recommended Books:

Business Networking Made Easy

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

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From the Book

"Business Networking Made Easy"

In this episode I share with you:

7 Ways to have a Thriving Networking Relationship

Keep your promises Live with integrity: Never breech Trust Never stop feeding your relationship Don’t backbite: Never talk behind anyone Forgive frequently: Resolve any difference quickly in love Respect and honour the gift of others; Never disrespect any relationship Celebrate people openly

Recommended Books:

Business Networking Made Easy

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

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"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he..." - Proverbs 23:7

In this episode I share my audiobook on positive affirmations for your personal brand building.

Download, listen and share.

Recommended Books:

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Branding Simplified 

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

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If you have ever thought of starting a freelancing business or hiring a freelancer, now is the time.

Listen and learn how to do it successfully.

My guest is Nathan Hirsch Nathan Hirsch is a 28 year old serial entrepreneur who is an expert in hiring online and building eCommerce businesses. He co-founded his first eCommerce company out of his dorm room in 2009 drop shipping products on Amazon.com and built it to sell over $25 million worth of product over 5 years. While scaling, Nathan discovered the power of outsourcing and ended up building a remote army of freelancers.

In 2015, Nathan co-founded and became the CEO of FreeeUp, an online hiring marketplace that allows business owners fast access to a hand-picked network of top talent freelancers in eCommerce, digital marketing, web development, and much more who have already been vetted for skill, attitude, and communication. FreeeUp interviews hundreds of freelancers each week and only allows the top 1% of applicants into the network. The company has been growing at rapid paces (500%+ YoY) and has quickly become a top destination to hire online for over 3,000 businesses around the world.

Nathan has built his personal brand to be synonymous with online hiring and entrepreneurship through 75+ guest appearances on top podcasts: Entrepreneur on Fire with John Lee Dumas, Eventual Millionaire, and handfuls more. Nathan has also become a regular speaker at industry conferences where he teaches other business owners how to hire freelancers and gain back more time in their growing businesses.

Resources: FreeeUp.com Skill Sets Rates for FreeeUp Video testimonial on FreeeUp from Ben Cummings How FreeeUp Works Infographic Free Up Your Business: 50 Secrets to Bootstrap Million Dollar Companies

Recommended Books:

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Branding Simplified 

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

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If you desire to up your game and be recognized as an expert in anything, then this episode s for you.

My guest, Josh Haynam is the co-founder of  interact and he will walk you through simple and practical strategies on how to become an expert in any area with zero previous experience.

Listen, learn and share.

For lead generation Quizzes check Interact

Recommended Books:

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Branding Simplified 

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

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18 Tips for New Authors

1. Write and write a great book or hire a ghostwriter
2. Invest in a professional editor
3. Start promoting your book Now
4. Read other related books on your theme
5. Join a network of writers and authors
6. Get a professional cover designer to do your cover
7. Have your book layout professionally made
8. Never try to do everything on your own.
9. Don't stress yourself over who should write the foreword for your book
10. Consider writing multiple books(series) than trying to make a killing form just one
11. Your current book title may need to change before publishing
12. Publish on Amazon and other platforms
13. Befriend bloggers and book reviewers
14. If you can, consider guest blogging
15. Get reviewers for your book
16. Prepare to be a guest on TV/Radio
17. Get interviewed on podcasts in your niche
18. Book Publishing is a big business, do all you can to stand out by branding. And Always offer a free giveaway.

Bernard Kelvin Clive Amazon bestselling author of over 35 published books.

Recommended Books:

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Branding Simplified 

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

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“Your addiction to daily distraction denies you of effectiveness" - Bernard Kelvin Clive In this episode you will find the 17 Things to drop

Laziness, idleness, less or no action towards goals Procrastination Gossips & lies Lateness to appointments and events Excessive Alcohol Poor eating habits Prayerlessness Ingratitude People pleasers, pretenders Greed & jealousy Promiscuity No budgeting & overspending Scared-freaks, Non-risk takers Negative people, fault finders Dream killers & idea thieves Troublemakers, drama people Indecisive & indiscipline people

Recommended Books:

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Branding Simplified 

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

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"The depth of your network is more important than its length" - Bernard Kelvin Clive

A medical practitioner: Doctor, Nurse, pharmacist etc Legal practitioner: Judge, Lawyer, etc Media practitioner: TV, Radio producer or presenter, etc Branding expert: personal brand coach, graphic designer, photographer, etc Financial advisor: accountant, investor, etc Priest: Pastor, prophet, etc Communication expert, writer, author, Agriculturist: farmer, food vendors: eg Waakye & Koko seller Politician (one in every political party) Real estate agent/ building contractor Security expert: Police, Military officer, etc Educationists: professor, teacher etc Driver: taxi driver, transport officer, mechanic Counselor, psychologist, coach IT Expert Engineer Electrician Travel agent Freelancer: Barber, Hair stylist, “Any job boy" Business advisor/ Social media/ PR expert

Now it is your turn, what other people would you need in your network?

Share with us…

Recommended Books:

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Branding Simplified 

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

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Skills to Give you a Competitive Edge in Your Career Branding

In our ever-changing fast-evolving world, it has become increasingly critical for executives to adapt to these changing trends and demands to meet the needs of the market. The question then is, how does one stay relevant and competitive?

I believe that in this globally competitive world you will need these two keys to unlock opportunities, set standards and stay relevant: 1. Mindset: How you think and what you think impacts your entire life. What do you think about most of the time? "Your mind is either your prison or palace what you make of it is yours to decide" - Bernard Kelvin Clive Developing a positive attitude towards life prepares you for greater gains in the journey of life. Simply Imagine the best, visual the best, Believe, and begin it today! it's possible!

1. Skillset: it's not just about what you have but what you can add to what you have to produce the needed value "It's noble to be skilled but ultimately people pay for the solutions your skills can provide not the skills you possess" - Bernard Kelvin Clive Getting the needed skills for the current and future demands of the market is that which will keep you relevant.

Listen, learn and share! Recommended Books:

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Branding Simplified 

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

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Find out the how you are sabotaging your success.

Words are very important in every aspect of our lives - they become a 'self-fulfilling prophecy'.

What words/statements do you constantly say to yourself?

Listen and replace those  negative statements with empowering ones.

Listen, learn and share! Recommended Books:

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Branding Simplified 

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

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7 Smart Strategies to Write a Book  “Your book goes places you may never go and helps people you may never meet” - Bernard Kelvin Clive If you've ever wanted to write a book, now is the time.

In this episode I share with you simple ways you can become an author.

Listen, learn and share! Recommended Books:

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Branding Simplified 

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

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"Don't beg for platforms, build your platform" ~ Bernard Kelvin Clive

In this episode I  decided to answer a question by Ibrahim on public speaking by sharing with you 10 quick tips on public speaking, from my book Rebrand Mega Pack.

Listen and share.

Recommended Books:

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Branding Simplified 

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

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"Your digital footprints speaks more volumes than your CV" - Bernard Kelvin Clive Learn how to build a powerful brand online using instafame.

In this episode Austin Godsey shares insight on how you can make the most of social media to build a powerful brand online.

Austin Godsey is a serial Entrepreneur, International Speaker, and Top Marketing Earner. The CEO of Global Visionariez, who built GV to 2.3 million in revenue per month and active team of 15,000 customers The CMO and co owner of  InstaFame which has 700 current active paying clients.

Recommended Books:

www.instafame.social

GOALS Are Dead! How to Make Every Day Count

Skills Every young Executive Must Have 

HOOKED: Overcoming Social Media Addiction

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Branding Simplified 

Roadmap to Revenue: How to Sell the Way Your Customers Want to Buy

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

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"Don't just be selling. be connecting" - Bernard Kelvin Clive In this podcast episode my guest Kristin Zhivago share on how brand can sell the way that customers will buy.

Kristin Zhivago has become one of the leading experts on the customer's buying process, and was one of the first to see selling from the buyer's perspective. She speaks and teaches worldwide for companies and organizations. She spent decades as a "revenue coach" helping clients ranging from thriving young start-ups to those in the Fortune 500, including Dow Jones, IBM, and Johnson & Johnson.

Recommended Books:

GOALS Are Dead! How to Make Every Day Count

Skills Every young Executive Must Have 

HOOKED: Overcoming Social Media Addiction

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Branding Simplified 

Roadmap to Revenue: How to Sell the Way Your Customers Want to Buy

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

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"Trust is the new currency for riches" - Bernard Kelvin Clive In this episode I share with you little ways you can build trust.

21 Reasons to Make People Trust You

Build your expertise Always give of your best Talk less do more Payback borrowed money quickly Return borrowed items in better shape Be confident in your expertise Don’t exaggerate, say it as it is Be time conscious – remember ‘time is money’ Respect the time of others – if you asked for 5 minutes, make it 5 minutes Don’t be late to meetings and appointments Learn to meet deadlines Share your successes and failures as well Learn to empathize and sympathize with others Listen and be tolerant Don’t judge what you don’t understand Don’t cheat others Learn to see the best in others Be patient with people, they have their own struggles When you realize you can’t deliver as promised, quickly let it be known If you can’t make it to a scheduled meeting/event, make it known as soon as possible Stick to your values – stay principled.

Recommended Books:

GOALS Are Dead! How to Make Every Day Count

Skills Every young Executive Must Have 

HOOKED: Overcoming Social Media Addiction

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Branding Simplified 

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

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Social media is the new town hall, how do small and medium enterprises(SMEs) with a lean budget make the most out of it?

In this episode my guest Paul Kortman, share some strategies to help SMEs to position their brands on the digital front.

Paul is a certified nerd, a nomad and a marketing extraordinaire who has loaned his insights to a variety of businesses. In 2010, Paul combined his 12 years of expertise in Information Technology, and digital marketing into his agency, Connex Digital Marketing. Since then Paul has gone on to co-found three other companies and help countless businesses succeed through marketing and increased sales.

Listen, learn and share.

Recommended Books:

GOALS Are Dead! How to Make Every Day Count

Skills Every young Executive Must Have 

HOOKED: Overcoming Social Media Addiction

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Branding Simplified 

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

View Details

In a world of varied brands and businesses, how do you ensure that your brand thrives and survives in the wild?

In this episode my guest Jonathan David Lewis  shared insights on how your brand can thrive in the wild -

Jonathan is a branding and business strategist, Jonathan honed his skills during the lean years of the Great Recession, helping brands navigate today’s unforgiving new business paradigms. Jonathan’s opinions are highly sought by numerous business and marketing publications, including Forbes , Digiday , and Advertising Age , where he explores the factors that lead to stalled growth and the principles proven to help companies navigate the ambiguities and dangers of the brand wilderness.  Listen, learn and share Recommended Books:

Brand Vs Wild

GOALS Are Dead! How to Make Every Day Count

Skills Every young Executive Must Have 

HOOKED: Overcoming Social Media Addiction

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Branding Simplified 

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

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"To stay relevant, learn also to be visible" In the the digital age brand visibility is one of the most sort after positions online.

In this episode I interviewed the coolest guy in SEO - Kris Reid  CEO ,CEO of Ardor Media  to discuss some strategies in SEO and Back-linking.

Listen, learn and share.

Recommended Books:

GOALS Are Dead! How to Make Every Day Count

Skills Every young Executive Must Have 

HOOKED: Overcoming Social Media Addiction

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Branding Simplified 

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

View Details

"Any brand that refuses to innovate, dies!" - Bernard Kelvin Clive In this episode I share with you the urgency of staying updated to enhance your personal brand's value and visibility.

If Softwares are frequently upgraded, how much more you? If you don't consistently stay updated and upgrade yourself, you will soon fade out into oblivion.

Remember that anything that refuses to grow, automatically gravitate towards the grave.

Recommended Books:

GOALS Are Dead! How to Make Every Day Count

Skills Every young Executive Must Have 

HOOKED: Overcoming Social Media Addiction

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Branding Simplified 

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

View Details

"Don't do that which is popular, do that which is purposeful" - Bernard Kelvin Clive In this episode I share some tips on how you can create a sticky social media personal brand.

Listen, learn and share

“Brands are like shoes, they come in sizes and styles; one size & style doesn't fit everyone.” ― Bernard Kelvin Clive

Recommended Books:

GOALS Are Dead! How to Make Every Day Count

Skills Every young Executive Must Have 

HOOKED: Overcoming Social Media Addiction

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Branding Simplified 

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

View Details

How better people engagement can drive profits, growth and performance.

In this episode I had Colin James Browne share on the importance of people engagement for companies.

Listen and learn:

• The five pillars of engagement that every company must focus on, in order to create an effective organisational culture, with case studies in how to apply them in your organisation.

Grab a discount ticket with the code BKCCOLIN1 when you email angie[at]liquorishinc.com 

Recommended Books:

How to Build a Happy Sandpit

GOALS Are Dead! How to Make Every Day Count

Skills Every young Executive Must Have 

HOOKED: Overcoming Social Media Addiction

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Branding Simplified 

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

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“It's not so much about what the morning brings; it's what you bring to the morning”

― Bernard Kelvin Clive 3 Morning Rituals to Change Your Life

The power to shape your personal brand is defined by your daily activities.

Early Rise: “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise” – Ancient Proverb

It is said that the early bird catches a worm, how true is that? Wake up early before the sun rises, before the world gets busy. It's believed that the morning hours have mystical powers. The quietness of the morning atmosphere inspires many great ideas and calms the heart. Consider from 12 midnight to 6 AM.

Jesus had the habit of waking up early before day, read Mark 1:35.

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”

Meditation: From Scriptures to ancient eastern practice have confirmed the power of meditation in the mornings. A time set apart to reach your inner spirit and communion with God. A time to turn your thoughts in your mind and imagine the bright future desired. Meditation also sets as a blueprint for your life. Most successful people resort to meditation in the early hours of the day, a regular practice that empowers them. Exercise: Aside from the health benefits of exercising, early morning exercise release endorphins that energize the mind, stimulating a positive feeling and upbeat spirit towards work. So try exercising from simple push-ups to complex aerobics at least 10 minutes daily.

Recommended Books:

GOALS Are Dead! How to Make Every Day Count

Skills Every young Executive Must Have 

HOOKED: Overcoming Social Media Addiction

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Branding Simplified 

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

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In this episode I interviewed John Vespasian as he shared more light from his book on thriving in difficult times; Twelve lessons from Ancient Greece to improve your life today .

JOHN VESPASIAN is the author of eight books about rational living, including “When Everything Fails, Try This” (2009), “Rationality is the Way to Happiness” (2009), “The Philosophy of Builders” (2010), “The 10 Principles of Rational Living” (2012), “Rational Living, Rational Working” (2013), “Consistency: The Key to Permanent Stress Relief” (2014), “On Becoming Unbreakable” (2015), and “Thriving in Difficult Times” (2016).

Listen and learn.

Recommended Books:

Thriving In Difficult Times

GOALS Are Dead! How to Make Every Day Count

Skills Every young Executive Must Have 

HOOKED: Overcoming Social Media Addiction

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Branding Simplified 

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

View Details

"Everyone has a level of influence that can be harnessed for greater good" - Bernard Kelvin Clive

A brand ambassador is a person who is engaged by a company/brand to promote the brand – giving it more visibility, value, and reach to increase the Return-On-Investment (ROI).

begin with, a brand ambassador should have some level of influence - Either paid or volunteer brand ambassadors. They Must be loyal, they must be genuinely interested in your brand and they must be willing to live by the brand’s values and code of conduct.

Here are the 5 Main Roles of a Brand Ambassador in the acronym B.R.A.N.D.

Believe in the Brand:

Brand ambassadors’ first point of calling, connection and communication are to believe in your brand. They are to buy into the brand. If they don’t believe in the brand, there is very little they can do at the core and cry of being authentic in this age.

Represent the Brand:

The role of a brand ambassador is to represent the brand whenever they can and wherever they find themselves. An ambassador becomes the mouthpiece of the brand, in words and in deeds; to positively project the image of the brand in every way possible.

Authenticate the Brand:

A brand ambassador’s role of authenticating the brand implies making the brand more likable, real to consumers to enable them to trust the brand and attract more clients. In essence, they humanize the brand by articulating it genuinely.

Nurture the Brand:

To nurture the brand is to help the brand grow to reach more people, to create more loyal consumers. Brand ambassadors are to bring in more leads and to replicate themselves creating more ambassadors in their circles of influence.

Defend the Brand:

This means to protect the reputation of the brand. Stand in the gap of constantly proclaiming the goodwill of the brand, where others want to defame the brand, an ambassador quickly steps in with the truth. Where there has been a misconception about the brand, miscommunication of the brand and even instances where the brand has erred, the ambassador sets in to resolve issues effectively to elevate the brand’s image.

In all, a brand ambassador is to help the brand dominate in various areas and ways they can use their influence.

In conclusion, Brand ambassadors can either be volunteers or paid individuals to represent the company in various ways. A staff of a company can become a brand ambassador, and I personally advise firms to invest in their staff to make them brand ambassadors, it pays huge dividends. The scary thing is having a staff who doesn’t believe in your product and services but only exchange his/her time for salaries. It’s a sure sign of losing your credibility and sinking your business.

I strongly believe that companies should focus on having both internal(staff) and external brand ambassadors. Consider a staff brand advocacy training program (BKC Consulting).

Recommended Books:

GOALS Are Dead! How to Make Every Day Count

Skills Every young Executive Must Have 

HOOKED: Overcoming Social Media Addiction

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Branding Simplified 

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

View Details

Brand ambassadors humanize your brand Why you Need a Brand Ambassador

A brand ambassador is a person who is engaged by a company/brand to promote the brand – giving it more visibility, value, and reach to increase the Return-On-Investment (ROI).

Branding and marketing have evolved over the years with technology and speed of change and innovation, which has influenced the way brands do interact with consumers and other businesses to properly position their brands. The reason why brand ambassadors are very much needed to help promote, educate and share in the brand's success.

Here are some reasons why you need brand ambassadors:

Lead Generation:

Brand ambassadors serve as leads for your brand, they help bring in more customers. An effective brand ambassador stands the chance of bringing in more business than adverts.

Human Connection:

The truth is that people buy into people. People tend to believe more, what their friends tell them about a product/service than the media/ads. Brand ambassadors help to bring the human touch to your brand; they help build a more personal relationship with consumers thereby making the brand more lovable.

Loyal Customers:

An effective brand ambassador becomes more loyal to your brand because they believe and like your products, they become your first consumers (paid or free). In effect, they also use their influence to lead others to become loyal to the brand.

Reputation:

Your brand reputation is critical to the survival and success of your brand. Your brand ambassadors go out there to protect your brand and ensure that your brand is seen in a more positive light. They can quickly and easily correct misconceptions about your brand.

Wider Reach:

You can’t be everywhere at the same time. This is what your brand ambassadors do; they represent you at places that you can’t be. They become your mouthpiece; they help spread your brand wider to their circles of influence.

Go Viral:

Viral reach here implies getting loads of word-of-mouth for your products by your brand ambassadors either online or offline. Imagine a social media influencer as your brand ambassador tweets or shares about your brand, its effect is huge. Having an influential brand ambassador mentioning or wearing your product on a popular TV show stands the chance of reaching far more people than advertisements.

Feedbacks:

As I say, ‘feedbacks are a brand’s way of looking back’; your brand ambassadors will largely have their ears on the ground to provide you with feedbacks to help enhance your brand. Though all feedbacks may not be positive, they will help you shape your brand, innovate where necessary to produce better tailor-made services to clients.

Recommended Books:

GOALS Are Dead! How to Make Every Day Count

Skills Every young Executive Must Have 

HOOKED: Overcoming Social Media Addiction

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Branding Simplified 

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

View Details

5 Reasons Why You Must build an Author Brand

Author Branding: It is the process of positioning an author as the center of attraction and influence, to be the preferred choice in a given theme, style, category, niche or genre. An author brand focuses more on the author than the books; it ensures that the author’s personality (style of writing, themes, genres) encourages readers to pick his/her books over any other author.

Author Branding is a powerful phenomenon that famous and well established authors used to keep their brands top-of-mind and gain added advantage in many ways.

In an age where brands (personal brands) have become very powerful in every sphere of business, I strongly believe that upcoming authors and writers who desire to make great impact in their writing careers should consider author branding as the preferred way to go. Here are 5 Main Reasons Why You Must build an Author Brand: 1.    Authority: The number one benefit of creating an author brand is that it establishes you as an expert, an authority in your chosen field; you become the go-to person. Try this, go to Amazon.com, or your local library, you will notice that every expert has a tag of a genre, category or theme. John C. Maxell will appear in the leadership expert, Nora Roberts – romance fiction. They are noted as an authority in those areas and they command great respect and influence. This makes their books the preferred one by people who might have not heard about them; this is referred to as Authority Marketing.

2.    Competition: There is a huge competition among authors and books at the marketplace, with thousands’ of books released yearly. Many authors and books get wiped away by the competition and never get a fair taste of neither prominence nor money invested. With an author brand, you can easily stand out from the crowd to achieve the attention needed. In this case, your brand does the marketing.

3.    Credibility: In an age where people can easily publish contents and become authors, it is quite difficult to filter through to get great books and authors to follow. Your author brand will position you as a credible author which will attract to your business credible publishers to work with. Your readers and followers also get to trust you and you become a trusted icon in your field leading to media trust appearances.

4.    Loyalty: Have you noticed how readers rushed in for every release of the ‘Harry Potter’ series? Yea, that is it! J.K. Rowling’s author brand is so powerful that it has built a tribe; raving fans and followers of her books. This can only happen with the influence of an author brand; it builds its own fan base and loyal readers. People who will just be waiting for your next book release, they will go to every extent just to get your books.

5.    Auto-Marketing: Book publishing does not come cheap; either electronic or print books, they all demand a huge investment of time and money. So, will it not be rewarding to have your hard work paid off with some profits? Sure! Even though authors publish books for many reasons, getting returns in terms of cash is rewarding.  At the peak of your author career and brand, it will require less effort to get your book selling. You would have had a loyal following, your authority and influence held in high-esteem, your books begin to drive sales automatically bringing in more royalties.

I hope this will inspire you to begin your journey of building your author brand which will open many doors beyond your books.

For coaching and consulting contact Bernard Kelvin Clive

Recommended Books:

GOALS Are Dead! How to Make Every Day Count

Skills Every young Executive Must Have 

HOOKED: Overcoming Social Media Addiction

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Branding Simplified 

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

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How she is making it in Africa with her online Fashion Shop.

In this episode I interviewed Olatorera Oniru, Founder & CEO of Dressmeoutlet.com

Dressmeoutlet.com is one of Africa's fastest growing, fashion-focused, quality-focused and customer-centric online retailers. Dressmeoutlet.com retails designer apparel and accessories with over 60% of products on Dressmeoutlet.com Made-in-Africa. Dressmeoutlet.com ships globally with customers in the United States, Ghana, Uganda, Nigeria and other countries.

Listen and learn and get a discount code for 40% OFF shopping on Dressmeoutlet.com

Olatorera Oniru is an assiduous entrepreneur passionate about all things Africa. As CEO of Dressmeoutlet.com, she is currently leading initiatives to realize a pinnacle in Africa’s history whereby we would rely less on importation and innovate more with natural resources and citizenry capabilities. A member of The National Scholars Honor Society USA, Olatorera flourished her career working for two Fortune Top 5 companies namely Bank of America Merrill Lynch and General Electric. She also worked for one of the world’s largest telecommunications companies, Lars Magnus Ericsson, as a global consultant and later as Head of Sales Governance. During the course of her employed years, she traveled to over 50 cities in over 10 countries in 4 continents.

Recommended Books:

GOALS Are Dead! How to Make Every Day Count

Skills Every young Executive Must Have 

HOOKED: Overcoming Social Media Addiction

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Branding Simplified 

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

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“The size of your audience is more important than the size of your book” ― Bernard Kelvin Clive 17 Nuggets for Aspiring Authors

Write from your heart Develop your own writing style, find your voice. Write daily, no matter the length, just write. Read books by other authors & experts. Read wide, read beyond your scope. Attend writing & publishing workshops! Learn more from your chosen field and from other authors Get feedback for your writings Review your writings. Don’t be afraid to repeat, repeat that which works. Hire a professional editor, a poorly written book doesn’t sell. Don’t compare yourself with other authors Be prepared for rejection, certainly, some wouldn’t like your works. Market your books from day one. Art is not CHEAP! Sell it! Invest in your book promotion. Paid ads work. Find your audience, build a tribe and write for them. Publish your book! It’s not about the size of your book, It’s about the substance in it! Your book may or may not make you a fortune but write & Publish it anyway!

“It’s not about the size of your book, It’s about the substance in it!” – Bernard Kelvin Clive

Recommended Books:

GOALS Are Dead! How to Make Every Day Count

Skills Every young Executive Must Have 

HOOKED: Overcoming Social Media Addiction

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Branding Simplified 

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

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"He who has no goal goes no where" Your goals serves as your guiding light to your destination.

In this episode we look at the Top 7 Resolutions you can consider for the coming year.

Top 7 Resolutions to Consider 

Learn a new SKILL Start a side business – moonlighting Travel to a village/a foreign land Volunteer to serve – community Keep a Journal/ Write a book Stay healthy – exercise, eat well, have regular medical check-ups Make a 360-day Challenge – Do something daily for the whole year.

Eg. As an author, a challenge to write 300 words article every day.

Download the infographic

7 Resolutions for the New Year

Recommended Books:

Skills Every young Executive Must Have 

HOOKED: Overcoming Social Media Addiction

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Branding Simplified 

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

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"Successful personal brands are agile" - Bernard Kelvin Clive 4 TRAITS of Powerful Personal Brands

CLEAR PURPOSE

Influential personal brands have a clear purpose, which is the most important pillar of powerful brands —for without purpose and a clear direction of your life, brand and business, you will be building a fake brand.

The purpose should speak clearly to your promise of value. Your USP — Unique Selling Proposition.

INNOVATIVE Successful personal brands are agile, they are innovative and they are adaptable to change. They understand that brands and consumers do evolve so they adjust to the changing trends and times while staying relevant.

"Innovation and technology drives my business" - Selorm A. Betepe  AUTHENTIC Influential personal brands understand that the best way to succeed is just being themselves. The world is tired of celebrities who ain't themselves, they soon fade. Be your best self.

“Remember it’s OK to be yourself.” – Richard Branson MAVERICKS

You must be different to stand out! The most powerful personal brands are the difference makers, they just don't fit in, they break rules and set new standards. They have the philosophy of trail-blazers - either they are the first or among the best. Simply Creative!

"...purge mediocrity" - Nana K. Duah

Recommended Book:

Skills Every young Executive Must Have 

HOOKED: Overcoming Social Media Addiction

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Branding Simplified 

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

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"Know your limit and circle of influence; you are not called to meet the needs of everyone" - Bernard Kelvin Clive In this episode I share with you reasons why most personal brands have poor digital presence and what must be done to fix it.

7 Reasons Why Your Digital Presence Sucks

You are trying so hard to impress people. (BE YOURSELF) You are on too many social media platforms, yet not active. (FOCUS) You don’t provide any value; less valuable content. ( CONTENT) You wear too many hats; obsessed with titles without substance. (INTEGRITY) Your bio(about you) is not well written, full of errors and no call to action. (CLARITY) You keep spamming and stalking. (PERMISSION MARKETING) You don’t have a website or a well branded social media page. (WEBSITES)

Recommended Book:

Skills Every young Executive Must Have 

HOOKED: Overcoming Social Media Addiction

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Branding Simplified 

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

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"You may start small but don't stay small" - Bernard Kelvin Clive 21 Social Media and Digital Marketing Tips

Don’t just be everywhere, be everywhere that your clients are, where you matter most. Always and always have a gift to give. Eg, Whitepapers, ebooks, audio, infographics etc. You can’t just ignore Social media – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc Blogs and Websites are still relevant for business growth. Traffic is the golden key that gets you the cash. Get yourself a mailing list. The Free lunch is over. You must pay to get the desired traction. Crowd-funding works effectively when you already have a mailing list, a tribe. Invest in paid advertisement. Don’t just be selling be connecting. You can’t’ Spam your way to success. Content is not king – relevant, timely and authentic content is king Invest in your personal brand – people buy into people first before business. Without value, the hype will be in vain. There are no shortcuts. Remember that what worked today may not work tomorrow, be adaptable! A platform is a must-have for all online marketers and entrepreneurs. Build a loyal fan base because repeat business is the best business for you. Focus: Niche marketing is vital. Remember that your competitors are just a click away. Consistency is the essential ingredient that sells your brand. Invest in your fans, tribe and brand ambassadors, they will bring in more business. Study trends! Stay Relevant!

Recommended Book:

Skills Every young Executive Must Have 

HOOKED: Overcoming Social Media Addiction

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Branding Simplified 

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

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Are you Skilled?

A skill is basically the ability to do something well, to be great at doing something.

My question is what are you great at or what are the things that you want to be great at doing?

A research conducted and published by LinkedIn in October this year, outlined the top 10 in-demand Skills for the coming year and beyond.

Catherine Fisher, the researcher, stated that "While some skills expire every couple of years, our data strongly suggests that tech skills will still be needed for years to come, in every industry. Now is a great time for professionals to acquire the skills they need to be more marketable."

I believe this is the more reason for young executives to get more skills while they can to always stay on top so as not to be drowned by the noise and competition.

Find the hottest, most in-demand skills around the globe:

Note that these are technical and computer related skills.

Cloud and Distributed Computing

Cloud computing, also known as on-demand computing, is a kind of Internet-based computing, where shared resources, data, and information are provided to computers and other devices on-demand. It is a model for enabling ubiquitous, on-demand access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources.

The point is that, because of the massive amount of data being stored and used globally by companies over the internet, cloud computing provides a better alternative to storage – scalable storage, cheaper, remote access to data, etc.

Statistical Analysis and Data Mining

Data mining is a process used by companies to turn raw data into useful information.

What will be the use of all these data collected by organizations if they cannot be analyzed and put to proper use? Experts in this field would be required to make meaning with data.

Web Architecture and Development Framework

Website architecture is an approach to the design and planning of websites that involves technical, aesthetic and functional criteria. As in traditional architecture, the focus is on the user and user requirements. This requires particular attention to web content, the business plan, usability, interaction design, information architecture and web design. It also includes deciding technology stack, site map, and navigation system of website.

Middleware and Integration Software

Middleware is a general term for software that serves to "glue together" separate, often complex and already existing, programs. Some software components that are frequently connected with middleware include enterprise applications and Web services

User Interface Design

User interface design (UI) or user interface engineering is the design of user interfaces for machines and software, such as computers, home appliances, mobile devices, and other electronic devices, with the focus on maximizing usability and the user experience.

Network and Information Security

Information security, sometimes shortened to InfoSec, is the practice of preventing unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, inspection, recording or destruction of information.

Security is one of the top needs in organizations today, services and skills in this area is in high demand.

Mobile Development

Mobile application development is a term used to denote the act or process by which application software is developed for mobile devices, such as personal digital assistants, enterprise digital assistants or mobile phones.

Take a course to learn how to develop a mobile and web app.

Data Presentation

In the field of math, data presentation is the method by which people summarize, organize and communicate information using a variety of tools, such as diagrams, distribution charts, histograms, and graphs. The methods used to present mathematical data vary widely.

SEO/SEM Marketing

Search engine marketing (SEM) is a form of Internet marketing that involves the promotion of ...

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"Your ingenuity will remain dormant until it is provoked" - Bernard Kelvin Clive You are creative! 

Creativity in simple terms implies the ability to create.

Firstly, because we are creatures of the creator - God, who made us in His image and likeness. Simply, if our creator creates, then, we too can create. Every living thing produces after it kind. We are the God-kind.

Secondly, our very own nature yearns for new things, the explorer in us makes us want to experiment new things; that is the seed of creativity. It is those who pay attention to this urge and constantly respond by acting that unleashes the creative genius in them.

If you believe it, then act on it! Watch your creative self & sense at work in whatever area you choose to to let it flow.

The power is in your hands. You are creative!

Your ingenuity unveils your identity.

Go create!

Resources:

HOOKED: Overcoming Social Media Addiction

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Branding Simplified 

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

View Details

How to make your first million... “People have this stereotypical view that wealthy people should be glamorous. The glamour aspect doesn’t grab me. I’ve always believed that wealth isn’t just about what you can buy. Wealth is a like a four-legged table. The monetary aspect is just one leg. The other quadrant legs include emotional wealth, spiritual wealth and physical wealth. Real wealth is having an abundance of ideas and a strong belief system which underpins everything you do in life.” – Nik Halik In this episode, I interviewed multi-millionaire astronaut and international speaker Nik Halik

Nik Halik is the founder and CEO of Financial Freedom Institute, Lifestyle Revolution, 5 Day Weekend and The Thrillionaires. He is a financial trainer with a passion for adventure. This latter interest has led him during the past decade to train as a cosmonaut in Russia, fly close to the edge of the atmosphere in a former Soviet Mig 29 fighter jet, travel to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean to view the Titanic, tour with Bon Jovi with his rock band, HALO skydive jump off the summit of Mt Everest, climb into the crater of an exploding erupting volcano, and enter the hermit kingdom of North Korea to expose a sweatshop factory operating illegally for an American conglomerate.

As a property investor, he has developed techniques and systems for generating significant passive income that enables him to enjoy what he calls his five-day weekend lifestyle. Today, Nik’s group of companies have financially educated over one million clients in over 57 countries. He has trekked to over 138 countries, whilst generating passive income building recurring subscription businesses, and investing in tech startups. He currently resides in Los Angeles, South Beach Miami and the Greek Islands.

More information, please visit http://www.nikhaliklive.com/

Resources:

HOOKED: Overcoming Social Media Addiction

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Branding Simplified 

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

View Details

Secrets to becoming a bestseller with the Jedi of Amazon Kindle publishing, Dave Chesson.

In this episode, I interviewed Dave Chesson of Kindlepreneur.com as he shared insights into kindle book publishing.

Listen , learn and share

Resources:

Kindlepreneur.com

KDP Rocket

Amazon Sales Rank Calculator

HOOKED: Overcoming Social Media Addiction

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Branding Simplified 

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

View Details

"Speed is significant but you need substance to stay relevant" - Bernard Kelvin Clive

In this podcast episode, I interviewed one of South Africa's personal branding experts to share on the steps to building a personal brand.

Joe Joseph Mudau (MBA) is a Director of REDEFINE BRANDS (Pty) Ltd., a company specializing in personal and company branding. He is an author, radio personality, professional conference, businessman and community builder.

Listen and learn

RECOMMENDED BOOK:

HOOKED: Overcoming Social Media Addiction

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Branding Simplified

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Creating an Unforgettable Brand with Rochelle MoultonThis episode is an interview on ways to build an unforgettable brand with my guest Rochelle MoultonHer style is clean (as in clean lines), feminine, and confident. Listen, learn and apply.Her clients feel smart, LA chic, feminine, and confident in her clothing.  RECOMMENDED BOOK:HOOKED: Overcoming Social Media AddictionRebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal BrandingRochelle Moulton is the founder of Be Unforgettable Media. She makes consultants, authors, and artists unforgettable by focusing on what’s unique and real and authentic about them. Rochelle shows her audience, that by embracing who they are, they will win clients, readers and business.

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Signs of Social Media addiction.

RECOMMENDED BOOK:

HOOKED: Overcoming Social Media Addiction

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

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Social Media Branding  “Branding is not just about social media” – Bernard Kelvin Clive In a social media-driven world, it’s quite easy to assume that everything is about social media. This has made people believe all sorts of things that should not have been believed in the first place.

In reference to branding, a number of books and articles online have skewed branding towards social media, more especially the subject to do with ‘personal branding’ – instructing readers on setting up social media accounts, and making them visible, yadda yadda... I addressed that in my book “The Art of Personal Branding”.

The truth is this; social media can be used by individuals and companies to virtually promote their brands. But when the subject of branding is almost replaced with social media activities, that becomes a problem. Because it will mostly lack the depth of branding.

Social media shouldn’t be the starting place; It is only a Channel that individuals and brands can utilize to establish and promote their businesses.

A quick rundown on the rudiments of branding:

An emotional empowering connection people have with you and your firm It’s made up of both the intangible and tangible things It’s more intangible than tangible Brand identity, Logo, colours, style Tone of voice, values, vision and mission Uniqueness, a differentiation factor

With this said, when you find out that your focus is only on social media as a brand that becomes erroneous, quickly re-strategize. Social media is not branding, it’s only a tool to help position, promote and engage your audience online. It doesn’t replace the branding process or its meaning.

As a brand, your focus is to ensure that you use these channels of communications effectively to your advantage, most importantly the channels that can best help you reach your target audience.

If it’s social media, then, make the most of it.

Here are few social media branding tips:

Choose your platform properly; which platform can help you reach your market Have a clear purpose of being on social media Develop a social media strategy and campaign Make your brand visuals appealing and consistent. Be consistent with your message, not forgetting your brand’s tone of voice Engage! Engage!! Engage!!! Don’t just broadcast, it’s a two-way communication channel Listen to your audience and respond to their needs Deliver on your brand’s promise!!!

With these few tips, you can move your brand online upwards!

RECOMMENDED BOOK:

HOOKED: Overcoming Social Media Addiction

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

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How do you stand out from the masses? “Brands that stand out from the competition are purposefully disruptive or different”  -  Bernard Kelvin Clive To stand out from the masses with your brand be disruptive, different, or you die. Over the years I realized that startup brands that are doing exceptionally well had in a way mastered what I call the D.I.C.E. strategy in branding.

They are

Different Innovative Creative Excellent

They D.I.C.E on purpose; doing things differently from their competitors, with distinctiveness, innovation, and creativity with a hallmark of excellence. These are the things that propel brands to great heights of visibility and prominence.

To put all this together in a proper perspective I selected 7 Startup Brands Doing Things differently that you can study and be inspired by their works.

Here are some Ghanaian owned Startup Brand’s that differentiate their products and services from the masses, using creative and innovative ways, in their various markets.

My Pick for this week:

Maza Health: amazingly helping with health transportation in remote areas in Ghana to save lives. CREO concepts: Telling the local story with animations. Graphic and animation firm, popularly known for their creative ‘Day Born’s cartoons’ on Social Media KokoKing; They simply professionally and hygienically packaged the everyday local ‘Hausa Koko’ Waakye-On-Wheels (Cookhouse): Simply made delivery of delicious ‘Waakye’ exciting and fun. UTAMA: creatively make hand-made Bow-Ties & Flying-Ties from African print materials AgroMindset: Simply made farming attractive to the youth while making money Tress App: lovely app that helps women to share and discover new hairstyles.

Bernard Kelvin Clive

RECOMMENDED BOOK:

HOOKED: Overcoming Social Media Addiction

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

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“Feedback are brands free assessment tool” – Bernard Kelvin Clive

The fastest way to look back in retrospect and assess your brand’s performance is to get feedback from your clients. Feedbacks are a great way to evaluate your brand.

The truth bitterly spoken is this, not all feedbacks will be encouraging and empowering, some will come as a shock to rebuke and correct you. Learn to take all in good faith. It’s what you do with those feedbacks that matter.

Some brands have successfully used feedback from their customers to launch a new line of products, improve existing once and made the whole brand experience a wonderful one.

It’s a continuous cycle that must be kept running.

For startup brands, feedback is a great way to help you launch your products and services successfully.

Here are few ways to gather customer feedbacks:

Ask for feedback, in your store, office, workplace, encourage clients to give you feedbacks Provide means of feedback, eg. Online, have a feedback form on your site. Use emails, send questionnaires. Social media, read comments, listen to clients’ needs and wants Always and always ask at end of every sale or pitch. Outsource the feedback process to another firm. Provide online surveys and reward those who do participate

It’s not enough gathering feedbacks, the next process is how to translate this feedback to a more meaningful data to enhance customer relations and also provide quality products and services.

As a speaker and author, I mostly ask my audience and readers to send me a review, after every workshop or at the end of reading a book, this has helped me better some of my presentations and books and some fans/clients have been proud that some of their suggestions have been put to a good use. My book “REWRITE: 7 Obstacle Every New Author Must Overcome’ was birth out of feedbacks from my monthly publishing workshops – Digital Publishing School.

After receiving feedback, it’s up to you to analyze and filter them, what can be acted upon immediately, the ones to ignore and the ones that require immediate or future action.

Remember: Feedback is a means for brands to look back.

Bernard Kelvin Clive

BKCConsulting

31BrandingThoughts

www.BKC.name/consulting

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“The investment you make into a brand, makes its name worth it” - Bernard Kelvin Clive Did you know that the famous brand name ‘Google’ was actually a misspelt word ‘Googol”?

Now, let’s get started.

It sounds good in the ear to have sweet brand names that rhymes and charms but that alone will not make your brand jive.

Some few thoughts to debunk; in choosing brand names, some experts suggest having a name that can be pronounced easily, really? Not so much of that, it does some good anyway, but the point is if your brand name isn’t jaw-breaking but your brand doesn’t deliver on its promise you will fail. Let’s throw in some few examples, illustrate the point that the investments made into brands go beyond its name.

Having a fairly easy relatable brand name for your products and services is great but most importantly focus on delivering on your brand promise. That will cause the name to rise above the crowd.

Who would have thought that an automobile brand like ‘Mitsubishi’ can make it at the marketplace. Quite a heavy name to pronounce, what do you say? At the end of the day, a brand is mostly known by either the brand’s name or its logo. However, it doesn’t come that easily. It requires a deliberate effort to communicate the brand’s value in order to make the name.

Just coming up with just any name is not the best, a name that can sell your brand and a name that will be worth your investments.

The funny parts of brand names are that a name that may mean well in one country and culture may mean something totally the opposite, sometimes even with negative connotations.  A simple example is packaged black pepper sauce in Ghana called ‘Shito” in the local language, the same word in English without the last letter sounds disgusting, doesn’t it? ‘Shit’.  Another example is a spice made in Jamaica called “Cock Flavored’ that supposed to mean chicken flavor, but in America and modern slang the word ‘cock’ implies ‘the male reproductive organ’.

So, it’s very important to do a little research into your brand names before going out there with it, especially if you want to cross borders.

RESOURCES:

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Bernard Kelvin Clive Amazon books

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“Brands are not logos…” – Bernard Kelvin Clive Your Brand is more than just a creative name, cute logo or a complimentary card; it's a promise of value, it's a distinctive voice, it’ s a core message, it's passion driven by purpose, it's a positive impact that creates an impression

One cannot talk about brands without reference to logos, however, a brand is more than just a logo.

Some people mistakenly assume that a brand is its logo, no; a logo is a part of a brand’s identity.

Here are some misconceptions about logos:

A logo must be sophisticated; huh, a logo should be complex, that’s laughable, in fact, the simpler the better.

A logo must reflect what the company does; huh, a logo should communicate the brand That is, not what the company does.

A logo must have less colours; two colours should be enough. Huh, here again, a logo is not about being colorful or not. It focuses on how you choose to market your brand.

A logo must either have symbols or name of the company in a text; huh, simply defy all odds and get your logo to represent your brand.

Too many rules of do’s and don’ts may ruin your brand's logo.

The bottom line is your logo is your differentiation mark, anyway you can make it stand out, do it!

NB: This doesn’t mean design your logo yourself, get a professional graphic designer to do that for you.

RESOURCES:

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Bernard Kelvin Clive Amazon books

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Personal Branding and Career Building talk with Career Strategist Sherri Thomas

Listen, learn and share this podcast interview I had with Sherri Thomas,

Sherri Thomas is a Career Strategist, international speaker, award-winning author, and President of Career Coaching 360 (www.CareerCoaching360.com). She's helped thousands of executives and professionals change, re-brand, advance and take their career in a whole new direction.

Author of award-winning book, "The Bounce Back - personal stories and strategies to you help you bounce back higher and faster after a layoff, re-org or career setback" was named 2013 best career book by Indie Book Awards. Also, author of "Career Smart - 5 Steps to a Powerful Personal Brand".

Sherri is a champion of helping others thrive and live in their best career. AS a keynote speaker, she's spoken at conferences and events around the world including the United States, Malaysia, Israel, Ireland, Singapore, Canada, Mexico and Vietnam. Her career strategies have been published in the Wall St Journal, TIME Magazine, Smart Money magazine, the New York Daily News, Investors Business Daily, and many others.

Throughout her career, Sherri has worked for three Fortune 500 Companies overseeing and holding various positions in marketing, IT, management training and development, and global communications. She successfully reinvented herself and transitioned into various job roles and industries including television, radio, finance, and high tech. Sherri began her career as a radio disc jockey in Phoenix and Monterey, and was one of the few women in the country to host her own morning show.

RESOURCES:

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Bernard Kelvin Clive Amazon books

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“An undiscovered genius has no value in the marketplace” ~ Bernard Kelvin Clive

5 Quick Ways to Self-Promote without being boastful.

With the above quote, we can get started. I believe you will agree with me that we all know one or two people who are so great at what they do, but are not known, or do not get the traction for their expertise as it should be, right?

The point is that we are in an age where if you don’t show up consistently to let the world know what you have and the value you have to offer, you and your business may suffer from the competition.

It requires that you promote yourself to the right audience, by letting them know what you do excellently.

The challenge is that most people find it quite difficult to do this. Either they lack the confidence or have the fear of being labeled as proud.

So, here are simple tips to enable you to promote yourself without being boastful:

The first step is to be really great at what you do. Without that you will be only, deceiving yourself and the public, you may end up losing your credibility. So, be determined to work harder on your craft, be the best in your chosen field. That alone can push you through the pile to the top, you may gain ‘word-of-mouth’ advantage.

The second way you can promote yourself is by using endorsements by reputable firms. Eg. Entrepreneur magazine calls him "the branding guru". Endorsements by reputable firms serve as a key to unlock the hearts of others.

The third way you can self-promote yourself is by using testimonials by respectable people. Eg. “Kwame's keynote speeches are not just inspiring but practical with humor that makes his audience laugh their way through with well actionable advice" Paul McAllen, president of Coca-Cola Canada. Understand that people tend to believe what other prominent people say about you the more than when it comes from an untrusted person.

The fourth way is by using the third person pronouns to describe yourself and your achievements. Eg. He has trained over 500 corporate staff in a period of 6months in brand positioning strategies.

The Last quick thing you can do to promote yourself is to carry a ‘Business Card’. It may seem that a business card is old fashioned, hey NO! It simply does the talking for you in a flash. Ensure that you have your details, endorsements and expertise on it. Never attend a business or networking meeting without one.

The bonus point is, write a book! Yes, write a book to share your expertise.

RESOURCES:

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Bernard Kelvin Clive Amazon books

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7 Ways to Help a Complaining Customer into a Complimenting Customer

Listen

"To listen closely and reply well is the highest perfection we are able to attain in the art of conversation. " - Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Respect

“For us, our most important stakeholder is not our stockholders, it is our customers. We’re in business to serve the needs and desires of our core customer base.” ~ John Mackey

Trust

"To keep a customer demands as much skill as to win one." -American Proverb

Reward

"Customers may forget what you said but they'll never forget how you made them feel. "

Deliver

“Customers don’t expect you to be perfect. They do expect you to fix things when they go wrong.” ~ Donald Porter

Irresistible offers

“Here is a simple but powerful rule: always give people more than what they expect to get.” ~ Nelson Boswell

Relationships

“In the world of Internet Customer Service, it’s important to remember your competitor is only one mouse click away. “ ~ Doug Warner

RESOURCES:

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Bernard Kelvin Clive Amazon books

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How to manage your brand and business in times of crisis.

Listen to the interview I had with Jim Lukaszewski

5 Things Leadership Should Do in Crisis with Jim Lukaszewski America's crisis Guru

James (Jim) E. Lukaszewski (Loo-ka-SHEV-skee) is one of America’s most visible corporate go-to people for senior executives when there is trouble in the room or on the horizon. As America’s Crisis Guru®, Lukaszewski is known for his ability to help executives look at problems from a variety of sensible, constructive and principled perspectives. He has spent his career counseling leaders of all types who face challenging situations that often involve conflict, controversy, community action or activist opposition. He is known for taking a business approach rather than traditional PR strategies by teaching clients to take highly focused, ethically appropriate action. He is a consummate storyteller.

RESOURCES:

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Bernard Kelvin Clive Amazon books

Lukaszewski on Crisis Communication

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One of the best platforms to use in establishing your expertise and#brand now as a Photographer is SnapChat. ~ Bernard Kelvin Clive

In this episode I share some tips to help you use snapchat to expand your brands reach, Snapchat is a mobile messaging application used to share photos, videos, text, and drawings. It's free to download the app and free to send messages using it. It has become hugely popular in a very short space of time, especially with young people. Infographic

How Snapchat Can Expand Your Brand [Infographic]

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8 Ways to Protect Yourself Online Identity theft: "When one’s personal information is stolen and used by an imposter to gain an advantage."  

Don't share your passwords and change your password often Avoid visiting fake sites, pornographic sites and be warned about Phishing sites. Don't share any private information that you wouldn’t want remembered later. Always verify and buy from trusted and secure sites. Monitor your  brand name online, Use tools like Google Alerts Don't share your credit card details, SSN with anyone. Browse safely, clear your browser history/cache. Consider browsing using VPN or OpenDNS Check your privacy settings on all your social media pages to enable maximum security.

Bernard Kelvin Clive is a Personal Branding Coach/Brand Strategist at BKC Consulting, Lifestyle Entrepreneur, Amazon bestselling author with twenty published books. Ghana's foremost authority on Personal branding and Digital Publishing who hosts the #1 ranked Business & Career Podcast in Ghana/Botswana.  www.BKC.name 

Identity theft infographic

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"You have to go where your customers are"

In this episode I had a chat with Tom Schwab (digital marketing engineer )

on branding and digital marketing.

Listen and learn and for the resources mentioned visit

http://interviewvalet.com/branding/

RESOURCES:

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Bernard Kelvin Clive Amazon books

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10 CEO Branding Tips (Infographic)

How to build an Influential Digital Presence for your Brand and Business

“Branding is the ability to constantly create a perception in the minds of your audience/market that there is no product/service that meet their needs and wants by providing distinct value like yours” ~ Bernard Kelvin Clive

To begin with note that where the CEOs personal vision doesn't align with the company's vision the brand will eventually fail.

You are the first brand ambassador of your firm

Your personal brand is as important as your corporate brand

Communicate your brand's value in simple English. (Simplify) succinctly

Wear your brand daily

Find out how consumers perceive your brand

Know what people like most and dislike about your brand

Invest in Employer Branding

Never neglect Social Media as part of your brand LinkedIn is a MUST for CEOs)

Your private and public life are interrelated as long as you are the head.

Stay transparent, stay trusted!

Bernard Kelvin Clive is Personal Branding Coach/ Amazon bestselling author of “How to Repair Your Broken Brand & Manage Your Reputation” plus over twenty-five published books.

CEO Branding Tips

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What does it take to be great?

In this episode we discuss 'The Philosophy Of Builders" The factors that lead to prosperity and happiness have changed little through the ages. From the lives of accomplished men and women, we can extract the three principles they have used to build a better future: self-reliance, tolerance, and entrepreneurship. // // a.mxe)&&f){a.ec++;a.ter.push(f);b=b||{};var c=f.logLevel||b.logLevel;c&&c!=k||a.ecf++;b.pageURL=""+(d.location?d.location.href:"");b.logLevel=c;b.attribution=f.attribution||b.attribution;a.erl.push({ex:f,info:b})}}function h(a,b,d,e,g){c.ueLogError({m:a,f:b,l:d,c:""+e,err:g,fromOnError:1,args:arguments},g?{attribution:g.attribution,logLevel:g.logLevel}:void 0);return!1}var k="FATAL",a={ec:0,ecf:0,pec:0,ts:0,erl:[],ter:[],mxe:50,startTimer:function(){a.ts++; setInterval(function(){c.ue&&a.pec (function(g){var a=g.ue;a.cv={};a.cv.scopes={};a.count=function(b,e,c){var d={},f=a.cv;d.counter=b;d.value=e;d.t=a.d();c&&c.scope&&(f=a.cv.scopes[c.scope]=a.cv.scopes[c.scope]||{},d.scope=c.scope);if(void 0===e)return f[b];f[b]=e;b=0;c&&c.bf&&(b=1);a.clog&&0===b?a.clog(d,"csmcount",{bf:b}):a.log&&a.log(d,"csmcount",{c:1,bf:b})};a.count("baselineCounter2",1)})(ue_csm);

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7 Ways to Cut through WhatsApp Noise to be Noticed #rebrand

How do you stay productive in a world of busy buzzing devices vying for your attention every second; it’s time to switch!

Don't put everyone in your broadcast list: People find that intruding and annoying. If you have a worthy cause, ask permission from your contacts first.

Don't add your Influencers/Mentors into your groups or broadcast list without their permission. In fact they don't even need to be in your groups or broadcast list. Respect their time and connection.

Let's face it most WhatsApp groups are just making lots of noise with no or less value. How do you expect to have effective communication with 50 to 100 people in a group? That is enough noise, if each person is to comment on a post.  Do this evaluate your existing groups and exit some of them, you have nothing really to lose. Your productivity matters!

With regards to having Influencers/Mentors in your WhatsApp contacts: to win their hearts and be in their good books, don't bug them with your trivial stuff I.e. "Hello sir, check my latest song, joke, poem, article and give me your views" like seriously? Again your daily or weekly motivational messages, devotions, poems etc may be beneficial but we all don't want them, seek permission before you spam. Build a long time relationship with them before asking for favours.

Promotions: WhatsApp can be a good promotional tool if used properly. Avoid contact sharing on images and videos of your programs and products. Survey indicates it irritates many people. Instead build good rapport with others. This is what I do: while others broadcast and spam daily, I make a minimum of 30 connections with my whatsapp contacts daily. Not selling or promoting anything rather asking them of their health, life and family. Sometimes that all they need. Offer value.

The hard truth: use good grammar and avoid all these shorthands(acronyms) and jargons. Be polite and formal as much as possible.

Relax and have fun, don't take this 'last seen, last read' etc stuff too seriously. The fact that someone is online doesn't mean they should chat with you, respect their decisions. Be honest to yourself and others and remember the Law of Sowing & Reaping :)

Hope this has been helpful, share it with others sparingly.

whatsapp infographic on productivity

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“Audience engagement is critical to the survival of your brand; if you don't engage them you endanger your brand. It's social interaction.” ― Bernard Kelvin Clive Why you must know what you bring to the marketplace...

In this episode I interview John Bonacci an influence coach, as we discuss branding and marketing, the little things that boosts businesses.

Listen, learn and share.

Display Photo by Gavin Whitner

RESOURCES:

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Bernard Kelvin Clive Amazon books

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How Startup Brands Can Survive in the Digital Disruptive Age

The four C’s that SMSs and Startup Brands must utilize to make it in this age;

Content: you must have content, as it’s said “content is king”, however not just any content, you must have relevant content which your audience will crave for, that meets their needs.

Your content must be timely; there is nothing worse than dead news, so ensure that you deliver your content when it’s needed. You need content that has been tested and trusted; the fact that content is required doesn’t imply throwing unverified, untrusted information out there.

Connection: the first stage is to have relevant, trusted, timely content. The next step is to build meaningful connection with your audience; that is your market, fans and followers. Businesses thrive on relationships. Take time to build key relationships. Having great content that doesn’t resonate with your audience is futile, so by constantly engaging with your audience you will better understand their needs and wants which will enable you provide tailored made solutions for them.

Contacts: from your connection you step up your game by establishing key contacts; connecting with influential people who can help push your business/brand to the next level. Some of them are the gatekeepers in the industry which you seek to penetrate, without them it will be difficult to breakthrough such barriers. Your contacts are the people who have the ability and capacity to help you in various ways. They are influential in their various fields. Take time to make such contacts.

Contracts: your contacts should enable you get other clients, repeat business, and contracts. This is the last stage of the process of sustaining your business/brand in this age. Businesses exist to make profit (whatever that means to your business). Most often than not, it’s your contacts that will lead you to your contracts. That is to say your key relationships/influencers are the ones who will bring business to you. If you build this properly, your business will thrive, if not you will be firing arrows without hitting your target.

In conclusion, take note that big brands can readily afford mass media promotion to compete with price but as a small business owner and startup, focus on delivering outstanding offer with excellent customer experience to win. To survive in business today requires that you keep this cycle running constantly; to have something of value to offer – content, to build a bridge with your content – connection, to connect with key influencers – contacts, to get income coming through them – contracts.

Bernard Kelvin Clive is an Amazon bestselling author of REBRAND: The Ultimate Guide to Personal & Corporate Branding & Rebranding, and over twenty-five published books. A Personal Branding Coach, Brand Strategist at BKC Consulting. He has consulted for and helped hundreds of authors locally and internationally to self-publish books and build author brands. Ghana's foremost authority on Personal branding and Digital Publishing who hosts the #1 iTunes ranked Business & Career Podcast in Ghana. www.BKC.name

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Artiste Branding Lessons from Shatta Wale

In this episode we look at Personal Branding from a different perspective. #Music

The 7 Laws Of Shatta Wale

By Bernard Kelvin Clive & Jeremiah Buabeng 

Shatta Wale is a household name. No debating that. Before you start a long argument about your position on his brand and influence, pause and read what these thinkers/professional speakers Bernard Kelvin Clive and Jeremiah Buabeng have to say about the phenomenon that is Shatta Wale.

The Law of Controversy: if I can stir a controversy at every unique point in time, I can keep my name on the lips of the Ghanaian on the street and therefore sustain my name recognition and my relevance. That's it! The Shatta brand thrives on controversy. And he doesn't fail to deliver one every now and then for our entertainment and for his profit.

The Law of Anti-Establishment: Wale is not unaware of growing public sentiment against institutions such as Charterhouse. He takes advantage of it by calling them out for a duel every now and then and posturing as the victim. Does it work? You bet!

The Law of Disruptive marketing: he, unlike, other artistes always knows how to start top of mind and get the media to keep talking about him. In that way he thrives. He uses his cunning disrupting ways to break the news about his music and movements. Thinking about the fake Adidas move? Yeah! You have got the drift now! A savvy business man, he is!

The Law of the Rebrand: When the first brand isn't working, rebrand! Wale strategically and successfully rebranded from the then 'Bandana' brand that failed to attract him the needed clout to the much widely revered brand  "Shatta Wale".  His rebranding is arguably the most successful by any contemporary artist. It has worked wonders and still thriving. He didn't only secure a name rebrand, but also devised a strategy to annex his genre of music - dancehall.

The Law of the Tribe: he has built an enormous tribe - The Shatta Movement (SM), something most brands, his predecessors and even peers couldn't build or manage. He has a raving fan base that has become his core tool to push his brand to the masses and consequently to the top. A strategy emerging artistes must learn and adopt but of course one that takes genius to execute.

The Law of Unconventional: it's the 21st century, folks, and you can't capture people's imagination if you are doing what everybody does. So Shatta's response to this is: be unconventional! Break the rules! Challenge everything the people are used to seeing and hearing. Some will hate you but that hate will still fuel your fame and keep you on top of your game! It's a formidable Shatta law and it works!!!

The Law of the Ghetto: Shatta is popular for the same PRINCIPLE that made Peace FM worked; he reaches out to the masses, the people on the street, the ghetto. If you a Harvard-schooled prim and proper person, Shatta will likely not be your man. Unfortunately, for you, people like you are in the minority. The majority are on the street. He identifies with hustlers; people who have no strategy to succeed and are counting on their street smarts and aggressiveness to push them to the top.

So there they are, the 7 laws of Shatta Wale. Now, let the controversy begin.

"If you build a solid brand, even when you wear 'FAKE' it will be hot 'CAKE', because you have raving fans who will defend it to their death!" ¬ Bernard Kelvin Clive

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10 Ways You May be Losing Your Brand Integrity

Check no.7 it’s scary My definition Brand integrity is the ability to present one’s brand both in words and deeds to be true, respectable and acceptable without compromising on standards (brand’s promise).  

As Wikipedia has it “Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness. It is generally a personal choice to uphold oneself to consistent moral and ethical standards.”

“If the gap between the projected image and the reality of the customer experience widens, customers smell hypocrisy.” ~ Ballantyne and Aitken (2007, p. 366)

That is to say when the promised value is under delivered and there is no synchronization, then there is a brand integrity issue.

Now take a look at ways that you may be compromising on your brand integrity.

Not having the means to be reached by customers:

To stay in business you must have means to be reached by potential clients and existing customers, if not you stand the risk of losing your business to your competitors. Customers want to reach you buy a click of a button, a call, social media, etc. Make it easy to be reachable.

Ignoring feedbacks:

Feedbacks are ways to assess your brand’s performance, to correct the wrongs and project the rights. It is a continues cycle to strengthen your brand.

Ignoring the use of Social Media:

Doing business in this age without social media presence is almost an error, (depends on the type of business you are into), however having a strong social media presence enhances your business in many ways. Most often than not, it’s the quickest way customers can give you feedback on your brand.

Reacting to feedbacks instead of responding appropriately:

Gathering feedbacks for feedbacks sake doesn’t do you any good. It’s your commitment to work with those feedbacks that matters. Not reacting in anger when it’s not in your favour is a great skill to develop.  Learn to be patient and respond positively to feedbacks

Putting up an Arrogant attitude:

It’s okay to defend your products and services but note that you are in business to serve, to meet the needs of others. Place people first, accept corrections when you err to help make your brand better.

Trying to please everyone:

You are not in business to serve everyone, period!

Not being specific; what you stand for, who your audience are:

You must know specifically what your brand represents and the unique audience you serve, if not your brand will easily lose its value by spreading too thin.

Hyping instead of helping:

As the noise increases in advertisement and promotion; a brands goal is to be seen and heard and then be patronized. Hyping your product just to reach your audience won’t do you much good; instead focus on helping, meeting the needs of your market.

Promising one thing and delivering another:

Simply say what you mean and mean what you say. Keep your brand promise always, don’t over promise and under deliver.

Not having a company culture; personal or corporate guiding values.

Your personal and or your corporate brand values are critical guiding principles to the survival of your brand. You should constantly hold it to be true.

Remember like I always say; “If you can’t be trusted you have no business”

Bernard Kelvin Clive

(Author & Host of Rebrand 2016 Summit)

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7 Strategies to Secure Your Dream Job Looking for a job? Guess what?

"Almost half of the 10 million graduates churned out of the over 668 universities in Africa yearly do not get jobs" - Kelvin Balogun, President of Coca-Cola, Central, East and West Africa

How do you stand out from the masses, and pursue your dream career?

The #Solution "7 Strategies to Secure Your Dream Job" - Bernard Kelvin Clive

In this episode I share with you part1 of the Alumni Career Webinar I had recently, listen, learn and go make it happen!

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Reputation is the opinion people have developed of you based on their interaction with you, your brand or your products and services.

10 things You Must Do to Protect Your Online Reputation

Monitor your brand using Google Alerts Get a professionally designed Brand Identify: Logo, taglines, colors Register your brand name: Trademark, Copyright Register a domain name Get a personal/business website Customize your Social Media URLs Utilize SEO and employ the services of a professional Public Relations Company. Use Live events/ Networking as an opportunity to promote your brand Use Brand Ambassadors/Advocates to promote your brand Charity/Give:, give and give

RESOURCES:

Reputation Management: How to Recover, Repair and Protect Your Brand

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Bernard Kelvin Clive Amazon books

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7 Biblical Branding Lessons Joseph Learnt on his way to Global Influence

Influence is the ability to cause change

From the good old book, the Bible. The Book of Genesis Chapter Thirty Seven

Not to speak too quickly Not to share his dreams with every one Not understanding and studying the meaning of dreams earlier enough Not having a mentor/ coach Not to trust too quickly Not to depend on the promises of men Not to be self-conceited

Excerpts from the book “Biblical Branding Lessons” by Bernard Kelvin Clive

RESOURCES:

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Bernard Kelvin Clive Amazon books

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12 Ways to Create Brand Awareness

Focus on building long-term relationships than a quick sale. Put your audience first, not money first, consider giving value always Give your best content out for FREE; you will be spreading good karma Celebrate your fans/follows/audience on social media; they will spread your brand info. Build trust and always deliver on your promise value. Make your tagline/slogan memorable. Make it visible at most places. Create your own term/word which can be associated with your brand. Crave word of mouth promotion from your audience; it is still one of the best forms of advertisement. Wow your audience and they will spread the word about your brand. Say ‘thank you’ more frequently in many ways; use a card, use email, use tweet, post, etc Use your brand logo on most of your products, make it visible but don’t make it messy Be proactive, try out new things all the time, and don’t follow the masses. Being normal is too predictable for your brand, so stand out, dare to do something positively weird to promote your brand.

RESOURCES:

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Bernard Kelvin Clive Amazon books

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“But then why do we write if not to tackle the fears that others look to us to conquer?” ― J.F. Penn In this episode the award wining author Joanna Penn shares insight into book publishing and marketing fiction and non-fiction books.

Joanna Penn is a NY Times & USA Today Bestselling Thriller Author

Listen and learn how to:

Turn on your creative juices flowing Write and publish your ebooks Market your books Generate multiple streams of income

RESOURCES:

JFPenn.com

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Bernard Kelvin Clive books

Audion Book: Idea Bank

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It's time to rep your #brand. "You are addressed the way you are dressed" 7 Things Every Gentleman Must Carry Daily

Handkerchief/ face towel Pen/Note Pad/Dairy (if not a smart phone) Wallet/ money Smell good (no body odor) Exudes confidence Good haircut (well-trimmed) Watch

7 Things Every Lady Must Carry Daily

Smile Good hairstyle Pen/Note Pad/Dairy (if not a smart phone) Purse/ handbag Decently dressed Handkerchief Smell good (no body odor)

RESOURCES:

Personal Branding Journal

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Bernard Kelvin Clive books

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"Visibility without Value is Vanity" ` Bernard Kelvin Clive #QOTD

7 ill habits to Stop on 

WhatsApp

Broadcasting daily messages (it's spam) Always checking on your ex display pictures and status (you will be depressed) Forwarding chain messages to groups Adding people to groups without their consent Stealing display pictures Leaving your default notification sound on, at public places, events. It irks Believing every information you read as true, eg, breaking news

RESOURCES:

Personal Branding Journal

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Bernard Kelvin Clive books

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The 3 Things you Must do to kick start your personal branding journey.

In this episode my guest Dr. Shahab takes us through steps in building your personal brand and some trends to watch out for in this year.

Dr. Shahab Anari is a Personal Branding Coach, Author and Speaker and Co-author with Brian Tracy of "Ignite your Life"

RESOURCES:

Personal Branding Journal

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Bernard Kelvin Clive books

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"Only you can do you flawlessly" ~ Lily Mensah In this episode my guest Lily Mensah Yeboah shares her strategy for building a personal brand.

Listen and learn and share!

Lily Mensah Yeboah: Sassy, spirited and motivational is the Brand called Lily Mensah Yeboah!  She’s an internationally savvy personal brand connoisseur with a flair for creating professional and endearing presence on paper, in personal and online. As a branding strategist and coach, Lily works with talented individuals in projecting and articulating what makes them unique so they can stand out from others with similar qualifications and expertise.

This fire-brand hosts her own radio show called #TeaWithLily where she interviews the great and the good on tips and tricks for professional and personal growth.

She went to Achimota School;  lived in Orlando, London and Accra; Worked at Arthur Andersen as Senior Marketing Specialist (Financial Services) focusing on branding; Founder and Brand Ambassador for Lyncs Media.

More stuff on LinkedIn or website.  www.lyncsmedia.com

RESOURCES:

Personal Branding Journal

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Bernard Kelvin Clive books

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100 Simple Ways to Promote Your Business and Brand Ever wondered how top brands got to be and how you can successfully build your personal and corporate brand?

Now is the time to get started.

“A man who stops advertising to save money is like a man who stops a clock to save time.” – Henry Ford

Every business in this age has benefited from promotion in one way or the other.

If you are in business today, one of your concerns should be the need to get your products and services to the right audience; the people who want and need them. With our ever increasing noisy world, wading through the thick cloud of noise to have your voice heard could be daunting, but it’s necessary to do so.

In this wise, I have put together 100 simple strategic ways by which you can get this done easily in my latest book “Personal Branding Journal: Building Your Brand in Bits and Bytes Daily” + 100 Simple Ways to Promote Your Business and Brand.

I am glad to share with you 20 out of the 100.

Using offline and online activities…

Get a memorable catchy brand name Create a compelling tagline/ slogan Purchase a domain name for your brand or business Register your business or brand name or get trademarks Use Google Adwords Organize a webinar Create a professional LinkedIn profile Use Facebook ads Have a professional head shot for your social media profile pictures Offer Free 5 minutes phone coaching Create a landing page for your product Offer discounts to repeat customers Use Twitter ads Join professional networks in your field Upload your presentations to net Use your WhatsApp Display Picture (Profile Picture) as a promotional tool Create an exclusive WhatsApp group to share and interact with people Get a specific WhatsApp number for your business for people to contact you Get a supportive social media team Create videos, and trailers of your product and services

For the complete list and set of task to help you build a successful personal and business brand get a copy of the book

“Personal Branding Journal: Building Your Brand in Bits and Bytes Daily” + 100 Simple Ways to Promote Your Business and Brand.

Bernard Kelvin Clive is an Amazon bestselling author of REBRAND: The Ultimate Guide to Personal & Corporate Branding & Rebranding, and over twenty published books. A Personal Branding Coach, Brand Strategist at BKC Consulting. He has consulted for and helped hundreds of authors locally and internationally to self-publish books and build author brands. Ghana's foremost authority on Personal branding and Digital Publishing who hosts the #1 iTunes ranked Business & Career Podcast in Ghana. www.BKC.name

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The best time to start building your brand is now!

Let's get started with this book "Personal Branding Journal" your daily guide to building an authentic, purposeful and profitable brand with 100 Simple Ways to Promote Your Business and Brand

Download your FREE copy of 16 Tips to Make 2016 a Great Year

Personal Branding Journal:100 Simple Ways to Promote Your Business (Amazon book)

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Personal Branding Predictions for 2016 

Here are the 7 Personal Branding Trends to look out for in 2016 in Ghana, Africa.

“A personal (Brand) is more than just a creative name, cute logo or complimentary card; it’s a promise of value, it’s a distinctive voice, it’s a core message, its passion driven by purpose, it’s a positive impact that creates an impression” ~Bernard Kelvin Clive

Personal websites: A rapid increase in personal websites.

This year we saw well branded personal websites/blogs sprouting up with the likes of CynthiaClive.com, Scofray.com, Woyome.com, Jeremiahbuabeng.com

Blogging: blogging will be taking on a new form; we are going to see individuals and companies taking blogging more seriously. We will have lots of individuals spearheading corporate brand blogs. This year we saw people like Kobby Blay of Ghanahealthnest.com championing health blogging , Ace journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni who took journalism with blogging to a whole new level of consistency and trusted relevant information, Naa Oyo Quartey with her lifestyle blog naaoyooquartey.com sharing insightful resources.

Social media influencers: there is going to be a demand of social media influencers to champion brands and business. The well positioned individuals will have the upper hand and will be in high demands.

It's time to build a strong social media following.

Individuals like Adu Amani, Ama Ohene-Agyei, Lawrencia Zigah, Maame Acey Yamoah, Prosper Afuti, Naa Adjeley(Jessica Konney) could be a power influencer to be poached by corporate brands.

Photography: with a smart phone now everyone is a photographer, however in the coming year the demand for professional photos will be on the rise. As we seek to go more professional in our personal brands. Special photoshoots will be required to gain the attention needed.

Video blogs and posts: with Facebook, Instagram and other social media platforms currently optimizing videos, they will be a need to have short videos about product and services all over the place. Personal brand seeking to make huge impact will take advantage of video content Marketing.

NB: if you haven't tried Periscope yet, do so now

Mobile apps: we are in the mobile era, where apps powers the revolution. As the use of mobile apps takes off, we are going to see more local app developers developing apps for various brands, individuals, product and services.

Check the Bisa – Health app, Rebrand – Branding app, The Last Meal – Devotional App, Slydepay – Utility Payment app

Fake Brands: yes, don't be surprise, Ghana is still in the gold rush stage of personal branding and everyone wants to have a share of it. People who haven't built and earned it will jump in quickly with fake 'expert' status, paid false followers on social media etc. Be warned and don't be deceived.

NB: Authentic personal brands are built on the foundation of purpose, true service, trust and credibility.

RESOURCES:

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

REPUTATION  MANAGEMENT: 99 Ways to Build and Boost Your Brand Visibility

Bernard Kelvin Clive books

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In this epsiode Infoproducts guru Christopher John Payne, share his top secrets on...

How to create Infoproducts that Sells using the DEPOT method.

Listen, take notes and take action. Remember to share this and download the bonus gifts from Chris.

Chris is an internationally recognised facilitator, mentor, trainer, entrepreneur and marketing expert.

He is the creator of The Effort-Free Life System, a set of up to 19 CDs, 1 DVD and a 70-page playbook which has sold thousands of sets around the world at a price between US$297 and US$1,497, generating more than $3m in revenue…

As a special thank you to me for interviewing him, Chris is giving away 4 products to help you be successful with info products: 2 of them he normally charges for. Go here: http://www.christopherjohnpayne.com/bernard/ You can ask him any questions via his personal email: hellochrispayne -at- gmail.com

RESOURCES:

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

REPUTATION  MANAGEMENT: 99 Ways to Build and Boost Your Brand Visibility

Bernard Kelvin Clive books

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Ethics for Social Media Lovers at Events

Know your role: If you are not the official photographer, don't distract others. Don't run around taking pictures of every moment. [We know you have a cool iPad, Techno Phone, China Phone, etc., but hey you are not the photographer].

Don't be the first to break the news {especially the mishaps), you are not the MC, announcer or broadcaster. You are a guest, if you are not having a good time, at best leave or sit quietly. Note: it's not about you, stop whining and tweeting about it.

Don't be the celebrity stalker: rushing to take pictures with the 'famed' so you can share on social media. [They may not even remember you, LOL]

"Do you know who I am" status, you don't go assuming everyone should know you, because you are the popular face on TV, voice on radio or Facebook guru. Yes, people may or may not make you out, so relax your ego and enjoy the event, either recognized or not. Maintain a low profile; it's not a celebrity hangout. The focus is on the event not you; don't try to steal the show.

Just be nice to people, you may not know who would be watching and following you on social media. NB: You online brand is as important as your offline brand activities.

RESOURCES:

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

REPUTATION  MANAGEMENT: 99 Ways to Build and Boost Your Brand Visibility

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7 Reasons Why Companies Do Rebrand

Companies do rebrand for so many reasons, however,

Here are the top 7 reasons why companies change their brand name

Company acquisition or merger: If a company is being acquired by new owners or merging with an existing company that calls for a rebrand.

Globalization: when a company wants to go international and another company which bears the same name exists, they might strongly consider rebranding.

Market positioning: When the company wants to reposition in a particular market and also focus on a different product line and caliber of customers.

Vision: Where a company decides to change its vision and mission which is tied to the company’s name, a change of name to reflect its new identity would be required.

Bad Reputation: When a company has suffered serious brand damage to its reputation, one way to recover is to totally rebrand the company.

Close Identity: When you discover that your company name, logo, slogan is has a close resemblance to an existing company, especially a competitor, then its’ best to rebrand. In this particular instance, both companies being in the same local market.

When the company's name or logo bears similarities with a terrorist group. Example is the US Company ISIS which had to change names to differentiate it from the terrorists group which bears same name.

Bernard Kelvin Clive is an Amazon bestselling author of REBRAND: The Ultimate Guide to Personal & Corporate Branding & Rebranding, and over twenty published books. A Personal Branding Coach, Brand Strategist at BKC Consulting. He has consulted for and helped hundreds of authors locally and internationally to self-publish books and build author brands. Ghana's foremost authority on Personal branding and Digital Publishing who hosts the #1 iTunes ranked Business & Career Podcast in Ghana. www.BKC.name

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Here are the 6 Quick Ways to Secure Your Personal Brand Online

Profile Secure your domain Secure your social media names/ URL Get on Linkedin Monitor your brand Hire an expert

RESOURCES:

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

REPUTATION  MANAGEMENT: 99 Ways to Build and Boost Your Brand Visibility

Bernard Kelvin Clive books

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In this episode I interviewed John David Mann on The Art of Giving Value - The Go Giver. John David Mann has been writing about business, leadership, and the laws of success for more than thirty years. Entrepreneurial from a very young age, as a high school student he actually led a group of friends in creating their own successful high school. After establishing himself as a concert cellist and prizewinning composer, he built a multimillion-dollar sales organization of more than a hundred thousand people before turning to writing and publishing.   In addition to coauthoring the Go-Giver books with Bob Burg, John is also coauthor of the New York Times bestsellers Flash Foresight (with Daniel Burrus) and The Red Circle (with Brandon Webb) and the national bestseller Among Heroes (with Brandon Webb). His Take the Lead (with Betsy Myers) was named by Tom Peters and the Washington Post as Best Leadership Book of 2011.   The Go-Giver, having just passed the 500,000 copies sold mark, has now been released in a new, expanded edition, and with a foreword from Huffington Post founder and publisher, Arianna Huffington. RESOURCES:

The Go-Giver

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

REPUTATION  MANAGEMENT: 99 Ways to Build and Boost Your Brand Visibility

Bernard Kelvin Clive books

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How to be a person of influence by offering value.

In this episode I interviewed Bob Burg as he shared insights from his latest book 'The Go-Giver'

Listen and learn about the 5 Laws that can transform your life and business

Bob Burg is a sought-after speaker at company leadership and sales conferences sharing the platform with everyone from today’s business leaders and broadcast personalities to even a former U.S. President.

Bob is the author of a number of books on sales, marketing and influence, with total book sales of well over a million copies. His book, The Go-Giver, coauthored with John David Mann has sold over half a million copies and it has been translated into 21 languages. It is now being released in a new, expanded edition, with a foreword by Huffington Post founder and publisher, Arianna Huffington.

Bob is an advocate, supporter and defender of the Free Enterprise system, believing that the amount of money one makes is directly proportional to how many people they serve. He is also an unapologetic animal fanatic, and serves on the Board of Trustees of Furry Friends Adoption & Clinic in his town of Jupiter, Florida.

RESOURCES:

The Go-Giver

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

REPUTATION  MANAGEMENT: 99 Ways to Build and Boost Your Brand Visibility

Bernard Kelvin Clive books

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"Trust means making an effort, not an excuse." ~ Karin Sebelin How to Build Trust with German Branding Coach Karin Sebelin

Karin Sebelin is an author, entrepreneur, cross-cultural leadership and branding expert.

An entrepreneur since 2011, Karin Sebelin sees personal development as the foundation for happiness.

Karin is a passionate and enthusiastic worker, always willing to learn. She reacts flexible, spontaneous, is extremely creative and develops steadily new ideas.

Through business networking on Ecademy (former Social Business Network) from August 2011 until July 2012 she learned much about tolerance, trust and collaboration. Through her big success in this network - people loved her blogs and work very much and for many weeks she ranked as number 1 in the Ecademy Score ( among 600.000 members ) for being so engaged with and by others – she realized how important trust in our life is and that good leadership puts people first.

As leadership expert for #culture and #trust she is always interested in exciting projects and collaborations. With her book about #trust she demonstrates her great understanding of this topic.

RESOURCES:

Trust - Karin's book

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book

REPUTATION  MANAGEMENT: 99 Ways to Build and Boost Your Brand Visibility

Bernard Kelvin Clive books

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"If you try to appeal to everyone, you are not going to appeal to anyone" ~ Tom Fishburne In this episode I interviewed Cartoonist/Marketer Tom Fishburne of Marketoonist.com on the theme Branding & Content Marketing with Cartoons.

Tom started cartooning on the backs of business cases as a student at Harvard Business School. While in various marketing roles at General Mills, Nestle, Method and HotelTonight, Tom parodied the world of marketing in a weekly cartoon. His cartoons have grown by word of mouth to reach 100,000 business readers each week and have been featured by the Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, Forbes, and the New York Times.

Tom soon realized that cartoons are a remarkable form of shareable media. He launched Marketoonist to help large and small businesses such as Google, GE, Kronos, Motista, Rocketfuel, reach their audiences with cartoons.

Tom is a frequent keynote speaker on innnovation, marketing and creativity, using cartoons, case studies, and his marketing career to tell the story visually. The Huffington Post ranked his South-By-Southwest (SXSW) talk the third best of the conference out of 500.

RESOURCES:

Marketoonist.com

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book

REPUTATION  MANAGEMENT: 99 Ways to Build and Boost Your Brand Visibility

Bernard Kelvin Clive books

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Visual Content Branding

“A picture says a thousand words”

In a crowded, noisy social media world where attention span is in short supply, it has become very critical to pay attention to what one shares in order to get the attention it craves for.

Many great and important contents do get drowned by the noise on social media because it fails to grab the attention of its audience, therefore losing its relevance.

We live in an age where visuals have become essential to the success of a brand.

It is not only visuals in it raw form but the right visuals combined with a carefully planned content marketing strategy.

Consider: Videos, Pictures, Infographics, Explainer Videos, GIFs, Animations, Blogs, Slides, Presentations, Screenshots, Quotes

Why Visuals:

Understand that humans are visually wired, we love to see stuff. It’s the fastest way to grab one’s attention It sends message across succinctly in few seconds as compared to words. It carries emotions better. They are social media friendly Easy sharable across platforms. The brain processes visuals faster They create good first and lasting impressions Visuals get more views than text It increases engagement and opt-ins.

Online tools to create Visual

Visme.co preferred visual.ly canva.com creately.com infor.am wevideo.com prezi.com QuickMemes.com

Bernard Kelvin Clive  Personal Branding Coach/Brand Strategist at BKC Consulting, Lifestyle Entrepreneur, Amazon bestselling author with twenty published books. Ghana's foremost authority on Personal branding and Digital Publishing who hosts the #1 ranked Business & Career Podcast in Ghana/Botswana. www.BKC.name 

RESOURCES:

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book

Bernard Kelvin Clive books

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In this episode the 2014 Toastmasters World Champion of Public Speaking Public Speaking - Dananjaya Hettiarachchi shares tips on becoming an excellent public speaker

“Dreams are funny things. In small amounts they are uninspiring. In large amounts they make you delusional. In the right amounts they become the stuff that makes legends.”

Dananjaya Hettiarachchi World’s number One Public Speaker in 2014, Dananjaya Hettiarachchi has been a Competitive Public Speaker for the past 10 years through Toastmasters International and emerged as the first Asian to win this title. He has made over 50 Keynote Addresses across 05 Continents in both corporate and public functions that have resulted in increased event participation & overall engagement.

Listen to the podcast 6 Steps and Tips on Public Speaking/Personal Branding

Recommended Books

99 Ways to Build and Boost Your Brand Visibility

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Bernard Kelvin Clive books

AuthorPreneur (Audiobook)

Dananjaya Hettiarachchi Site

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"Create value to become valuable" ~ Ryan Biddulph

In this episode my guest Ryan Biddulph  shares his blogging and ebooks success secrets .

Ryan Biddulph is an Amazon Best Selling Author of multiple eBooks. His Blogging from Paradise eBooks have been endorsed by New York Times best selling Author Chris Brogan, Tom Joyner Show Producer and O Network Ambassador Nikki Woods and Million Dollar Business Builders Yaro Starak and Ande Lyons.

He's also a blogger, traveler and internet lifestyle junkie.

Ryan Biddulph was born in Plainfield, New Jersey. After being employed in a series of corporate jobs Ryan worked for 4 years as a security guard at Port Newark, NJ before being downsized. He went on to become globe trotting professional blogger who owns the website Blogging from Paradise. His books are a mix of playful travel stories and helpful, simple to understand and apply practical tips for aspiring online entrepreneurs. Blogging from Paradise books are easy to read, quick flowing works that will help you live your dreams.

Recommended Books

99 Ways to Build and Boost Your Brand Visibility

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Ryan's Blog

Ryan's Books on Amazon

AuthorPreneur (Audiobook)

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In this episode the Go-to-guy on Twitter, John sparks shares secrets from his bestselling book - 365 Ideas To Go From Good To Great On TWITTER!

John Sparks is author of the exciting new book, “365 Ideas To Go From Good To Great On TWITTER!”  (CreateSpace, 2015).  Sparks (@IAmJohnSparks) has earned the distinction of being the “Go-To Man For Twitter”. He grew his account from less than 800 followers to almost 200,000 followers in just two years. He did not buy any of his own followers!

Sparks provides one on one & group Twitter consulting/coaching to celebrities, media personalities, corporations, businesses, and schools wanting to amplify their brand, develop better social media strategies & build quality connections.

He is also available to speak to large/small groups, businesses, civic/community groups, and schools on everything you need to know about Twitter.  Contact John to speak with you about Twitter today!

Recommended Books

365 Ideas To Go From Good To Great On TWITTER!

Reputation Management: 99 Ways to Build and Boost Your Brand Visibility

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

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"Branding is a 24/7 Activity" ~ Edwin Dearborn

In this episode I interviewed Brand & Marketing Expert Edwin Dearborn.

Edwin shares secrets  from his latest book on branding.

The Orange County Register featured Edwin Dearborn as a true “Marketing Expert”. Edwin has also been featured in Entrepreneur, CBS MoneyWatch, Social Media Today, and other national media outlets. Edwin has appeared as a keynote speaker for Sony and the American Marketing Association. Edwin was formally educated in marketing and public relations in Hollywood, CA in the early 1990’s.

His new book, Power Branding Secrets reveals how any entrepreneur, startup or existing small business can catapult their brand’s awareness, thus generating more publicity, inbound leads and higher sales.

Edwin is a veteran C-level executive, having been a CEO of a large non-profit organization in Orange County, CA for over 18 years. As a CEO, he was personally responsible for overseeing the planning and management of his 100 person staff.

Having delivered hundreds of workshops and presentations to thousands of business professionals on branding, marketing, social media and small business, Edwin still travels around the U.S. as a keynote speaker for consulting groups, sharing his unique insight on a myriad of topics. Edwin welcomes all requests to speak for businesses and non-profits around the globe.

Edwin is a cousin of famed western author Louis L ‘Amour, whose middle name was Dearborn. Additionally, famed author and anti-slave activist, Harriet Beecher Stowe, is also in Edwin’s family tree. His grandmother (on his father’s side) was a Stowe.

Born in Inglewood, CA, Edwin now resides in Orange County, CA with his wife and four children. He is an avid motorcycle enthusiast, an American History buff, a connoisseur of fine coffee and a vocal Libertarian.

Recommended Books

Power Branding Secrets

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Reputation Management: 99 Ways to Build and Boost Your Brand Visibility

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"You shy, you die..." ~ John Antonios In this episode I discussed Personal Branding for Career Distinction with John Antionios

John Antonios is a Certified Personal Branding Strategist & Executive Coach in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). He is dedicated to helping you cash in on their passion and take control of your brand legacy.

With over 10 years of branding experience for blue chip companies, like Kellogg’s and SUBWAY, John realized that the success of a certain brand is dependent on the individuals behind it. However, more often than not, one’s personal brand is diluted in the bigger picture, and personal efforts go unnoticed. When John wanted to showcase more of his work than reflected in his CV, it was his tipping point to launch his own consulting business.

John first learned about personal branding and creating his own legacy through extensive research and specializing in social media to leverage his personal brand. He then became one of the first Reach Certified Personal Branding Strategists in his region. Now John Antonios stands side by side with politicians, executives, entrepreneurs, and graduating students helping them understand and promote their brand DNA.

Recommended Books

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Reputation Management: 99 Ways to Build and Boost Your Brand Visibility

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"...Branding is all about getting into the mind of the consumer..." ~Laura Ries In this episode I interviewed Laura Ries discussing #Branding

Laura Ries is a leading brand strategist, bestselling author, sought-after-speaker and television personality.

Laura is President of Ries & Ries based in Atlanta, Georgia. She has been working for 20 years with her father and partner Al Ries, the legendary Positioning-pioneer. Together they consult with companies around the world on brand.

They have traveled to over 60 countries from Chile to China and India to Indonesia teaching the fundamental principles of branding.

Laura and Al have written five books together: The 22 Immutable Laws of Branding (1998), The 11 Immutable Laws of Internet Branding (2000), The Fall of Advertising & the Rise of PR (2002), The Origin of Brands (2004), and War in the Boardroom (2009). Visual Hammer (2012) is her first book on her own.

Laura is a frequent branding analyst on major news programs from the O’Reilly Factor to Squawk Box. She regularly appears on Fox News, Fox Business, CNBC, CNN, HLN. In addition, Laura writes her own popular blog RiesPieces.com.

In 2008, the Atlanta Business Chronicle named Laura a top 40 under 40. In 2009, Advertising Age asked its readers “What’s the best book you’ve ever read on marketing?” The 22 Immutable Laws of Branding as the third most important marketing book of all time was voted number three. (The number one book was Positioning written by her father.) In 2002, Business 2.0 magazine named Laura a “management guru” and issued trading cards with her picture and statistics on them.

Recommended Books

Visual Hammer

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Reputation Management: 99 Ways to Build and Boost Your Brand Visibility

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"Life is about making an impact, not making an income."~  Kevin Kruse

In this episode I interview NY Times Bestselling Author Kevin Kruse on Employee Engagement and Authorpreneur

Kevin Kruse is a serial entrepreneur and NY Times BESTSELLING AUTHOR, who has used a relentless focus on Wholehearted Leadership and employee engagement to build and sell several, multimillion dollar technology companies, winning both Inc 500 and Best Place to Work awards along the way.

Recommended Books

Employee Engagement

AuthorPreneur

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Reputation Management: 99 Ways to Build and Boost Your Brand Visibility

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"Treat life as a complete learning journey" ~ Jeff Bullas In this episode Jeff Bullas, shares insight into personal branding with social media.

Jeff is a social media marketing blogger, keynote speaker, digital strategist, consultant and best selling author. He works with companies and executives to optimize their online personal and company brand through social media channels and other web technologies.

His blog which is found at jeffbullas.com is about all things to do with social media, content and digital marketing. He has spent most of his business career involved with information technologies, telecommunications and the web. Bragging rights include: Ranked #8 on Forbes” The World’s Top 40 Social Marketing Talent” – 2014

According to Kred. com he is ranked #4 as a global marketing “Influencer”. Included in the “Top 100 Social Media Influencers – 2015. Listed as the #1 Content Marketing Influencer by Onalytica – 2015.

Recommended Books

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Reputation Management: 99 Ways to Build and Boost Your Brand Visibility

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Prepare to be amazed!!! As I bring you an interview from a 16 Year Old who makes $3000 on average from Amazon.

In this episode I interviewed Mark L. Messick to share his bestseller secrets on book publishing.

Mark shares 7 Secrets to becoming an Amazon besteller

MUST Haves

Ninja Productivity by Mark Messick

Mark's Books on Amazon

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Reputation Management: 99 Ways to Build and Boost Your Brand Visibility

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In this episode I had a conversation with Linkedin Expert Karen Yankovich on Linkedin Marketing.

Karen Yankovich is a Business consultant and Brand Strategist

Recommended Books

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Reputation Management: 99 Ways to Build and Boost Your Brand Visibility

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5 Book Marketing Tips for Authors “If they like what you are saying, they will buy what you selling” ~ Nicholas Rossis In this episode I had a conversation with Award winning author, Nicholas Rossis, discussing book marketing.

Nicholas Rossis lives to write and does so from his cottage on the edge of a magical forest in Athens, Greece. When not composing epic fantasies or short sci-fi stories, he chats with fans and colleagues, writes blog posts, walks his dog, and enjoys the antics of two silly cats, one of whom claims his lap as home. His children's book, Runaway Smile, earned a finalist slot in the 2015 International Book Awards. What readers are saying about Nick's fantasies: "Most avid readers still have books from their childhood which they read over and over again. 'Runaway Smile' has joined the list." "From the very first sentence I realized I was not reading a book, I was going on an adventure." For more on Nick, visit him on: www.NicholasRossis.me

Recommended Books

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Reputation Management: 99 Ways to Build and Boost Your Brand Visibility

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The Top 13 Things You Shouldn’t Share on #SocialMedia

Your passwords; not even in a chat or inbox with a friend. Pictures about your babe/ kids especially with their names and school details. Pictures with geotags. Country, location, date, time etc. Most smart phones automatically adds that to every picture taken. Check and disable that on your phone Relationship issues. Hey! we all have issues and who said the world cares about yours? Announcing that you bought a new device and displaying pictures of it. Your house address/ location. Your check in details, where you have been, where you are going, etc.

Listen, learn and share!!

Get the Book NOW!

Reputation Management: 99 Ways to Build and Boost Your Brand Visibility

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How to Manage your Brand Reputation Online with SEO "You should guard your reputation very well" ~ Kris Reid My guest this week is Kris Reid, SEO & reputation management Expert, CEO of ArdorMedia.

Kris Reid an Australian Software Engineer that's worked across the world for variety of companies from small tech start ups to giant conglomerates like Visa. He took a hiatus from the corporate scene, backpacking around the world. During his tenure as a vagabond, he learnt the art of SEO and started developing tools to help people rank their websites. 6 years later here we are with Ardor Media Factory, an ever growing team of passionate Content Marketeers

Recommended Resources

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

ArdorMedia

Reputation Management: 99 Ways to Build & Boost Your Brand Visibility

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"Trends are good to follow but it must align to the vision and focus of your brand" ~ @DGawuga Dennis Gawuga In this episode Dennis Gawuga, Brands Expert in Ghana on 'Growing African Brands'

Dennis Gawuga: started his  professional life at Topdog communications as the lead creative, worked on brands like Nescafe, Ideal and Maggi...all on the BTL experiential marketing side of things.

Then moved on to Origin 8 saatchi and saatchi as art director. Handled primarily Guinness and Malta Guinness, Fidelity Bank, Yara fertilisers and occasionally MTN, to mention a few

Currently design director at Brand communications Ghana.

Our passion is for growing African brands to world class standards.

Ecobank, Kingdom Finance (a Saudi African company) Eleni, Glaxo Smith Kline, Devtraco plus, CH group etc. are among some of our clients

Connect with Dennis

Twitter: @DGawuga

Facebook: Dennis Gawuga

Recommended Book

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

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In this episode I share with you the speech I delivered at TEDxAccra on Taking your Brand & Business to the Next Level by being N.I.C.E.

-Niching

-Innovation

-Collaboration

-Execution/ Excellence

Recommended Book

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

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"Make a consumer base product that solves pretty big problem to a really massive audience" ~ Jock Purtle Preparing your company for acquisition.

In this episode I interviewed Jock Purtle

Jock Purtle is the CEO of digitalexits.com a full service website brokerage. They help online business owners find a buyer when they want to exit their company. He personally exited his online business in 2013 and is on track to facilitate over 20 deals in 2014 ranging from $100,000 to $4,000,000.

Recommended

DigitalExits.com

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book

The Art of Personal Branding

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

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“Our security comes from knowing what is it we do well, not just from being connected to any particular company” ~ Dan Miller Finding and Doing the Work you Love with the Career Coach Dan Miller.

In this episode I had the privileged to interview one of my mentors, Dan Miller on Finding and Doing the Work you Love, Carter options and Branding

Dan Miller is the author of the bestselling 48 Days to the Work You Love book, workbook, and audio program. As a life coach, he has guided people through the anguish of unexpected change to the exhilaration of meaningful work and increased time and financial freedom. Dan has appeared on CBS's The Early Show and MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews. He lives the life he describes, combining work and play, with his wife, Joanne, on their nine-acre sanctuary near Franklin, Tennessee.

Recommended Books

48 Days to the Work You Love

Wisdom Meets Passion

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book

The Art of Personal Branding

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

AuthorPreneur: Generating Multiple Streams of Income from Your Book Idea

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Here are the Steps to Create Passive Income Online "...you just need a laptop and an internet connection to start a business..." ~ Jyotsna Ramachandran In this episode I interviewed Jyotsna Ramachandran on How to Successful Start an Online Business to Create Passive Income

You can listen and Subscribe via iTunes or Stitcher Radio

Jyotsna is a HomeEntrepreneur™ (stay-at-home mom + entrepreneur). Her journey towards freedom began when she decided never to be an employee ever again. She tried out various businesses to support her decision- started a staff recruitment agency, became a franchisee of a chocolate brand, did freelance web designing. The arrival of her daughter Advika was the turning point in her life. She realized during her maternity break that none of her businesses were generating income if she was not actively working. She was actually self-employed, she was not a business owner. Had not built in the right systems to automate her businesses. The she understood that in order to enjoy true freedom she needed to create passive income streams. The best way to do that was to start online businesses. She now run a book publishing company called Awesome Life Resources and coach people on how they too can convert their passion into an online business.

Recommended

Job Escape Plan Steps to Create Passive Income Online

http://jyotsnaramachandran.com/

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book

The Art of Personal Branding

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

AuthorPreneur: Generating Multiple Streams of Income from Your Book Idea

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Proven Path to Discovering What You Were Meant to Do with Jeff Goins "You don't have to want to be a writer, you are a writer, you just need to write" ~ Jeff Goins In this episode in an interview with Jeff Goins about Passion, Purpose and Writing in 'Art of Work'

Jeff Goins is a full-time writer who lives just outside of Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife, son, and border collie. He has authored four books and frequently speaks on writing, creativity, and making a difference. His website, Goinswriter.com, has been visited by more than four million people from all over the world.

RESOURCES

Jeff's Website

The Art of Work

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book

The Art of Personal Branding

How to Do it At Any Age

PRODUCTIVITY

AUDIO BOOK – REBRAND

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

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Building a successful online brand. "You have to consistently be managing your brand, you cant build your personal brand, put it out there and just leave it alone" ~ Peter Sterlacci In this episode I interviewed Japan’s Personal Branding Pioneer Peter Sterllacci on Building a Successful Online Brand

As Japan’s first Reach-Certified Master Personal Branding Strategist, Peter Sterlacci is the pioneer of personal branding in Japan. His personal mission is to pioneer a ‘cultural shift one personal brand at a time’ by helping Japanese to stand-out in a global environment to be remarkable, not invisible!

Being a long-term resident in a country where ‘fitting in’ is the cultural norm, Peter intimately understands the challenges facing Japanese to ‘stand-out’ and is dedicated to empowering on-the-move careerists in global companies in Japan to ‘break away’ from the pack and ride to success. He is committed to introducing the leading global personal branding methodology from Reach Personal Branding to global companies, universities, and associations in Japan and adapting this message for the Japanese culture.

Peter Sterlacci capitalizes on his 22-year career in training and development spanning intercultural consulting, international outreach, and executive communication coaching. He has held management positions in a Fortune 100 company, a Silicon Valley start-up, and a major university. Peter holds a Masters in Education from Temple University.

Originally from Ossining, New York, Peter first lived in Japan from 1992–1999 and returned again in 2008 with his wife and daughter to his wife’s hometown in Kyoto. Having a bi-cultural family, Peter considers Japan as another home. His deep knowledge and appreciation of Japanese values and culture forms a strong bond of trust with his clients as he coaches them outside of their comfort zone to “shift gears, get out of the saddle, and sprint to career success.”

RESOURCES

Peter's Website

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book

The Art of Personal Branding

How to Do it At Any Age

PRODUCTIVITY

AUDIO BOOK – REBRAND

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

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...what do you do if you share same name with a famous person?

In this episode I had  a discussion with the Brand Strategist Sean Duffy:

Sean is a founder of Duffy Agency, a digital marketing agency. Duffy Agency specializes in developing proprietary audiences for international brands. The agency has offices in Malmö, Sweden and Boston, Massachusetts with partner agencies in 50 other cities around the world. Sean splits his time between Boston and Malmö.

Sean has over 25 years’ experience working with advertising and brand strategy in Boston, San Francisco, Stockholm and Copenhagen. He began his career in the US as a copywriter with BBDO in Boston and later as creative Director for Knight Advertising in San Francisco. In 1991 Sean moved to Stockholm to work as Creative Director at Sweden’s largest ad agency, Lowe Brindfors. After 10 years with Lowe, Sean started The Duffy Agency in 2001.

In addition to his involvement with the agency, Sean is also Lecturer and Practitioner in Residence at the Lund University School of Economics & Management. He teaches a masters-level course in Online Marketing. His course has an innovative design that incorporates many aspects of online marketing into the learning experience such as social media, gamification and peer-to-peer learning. The class is part of two master's programs: The International Marketing and Brand Management Program and the Globalization Brands & Consumption Program.

As a frequent speaker on strategic marketing and digital brand development, Sean draws on his experience working with dozens of global brands including IKEA, Saab, Volvo, Absolut, VF Corporation, Pfizer and GSK.  Sean has also served two terms as the European governor of TAAN Worldwide. Established in 1936, TAAN is a global network of over 60 independent marketing agencies with annual billings of 1.5 billion USD.

RESOURCES

Duffy Agency

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book

The Art of Personal Branding

How to Do it At Any Age

PRODUCTIVITY

AUDIO BOOK – REBRAND

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

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Strategies to establish your brand online "Strong brands have emotional relationship with their target audience" - Julie Cottineau In this episode I interviewed Julie Cottineau, Founder and CEO of BrandTwist

Julie is the Founder and CEO of BrandTwist a branding firm that helps companies large and small grow their businesses by creating stronger, and more distinctive brands.  Before she became her own boss, Julie was the VP of Brand for Richard Branson’s Virgin Group launching several new Virgin companies in North America and helping established Virgin companies grow. Before becoming a Virgin, Julie served as Executive Director of Consumer Branding at Interbrand as well as a VP Management Supervisor at Grey Worldwide in both the US and France. She loves to teach and talk about brand and has been an Adjunct Professor at Columbia and Cornell and a frequent commentator in social and traditional media such as Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine, and CNN. She is extremely excited and proud to be the creator and Dean of Brand School – the premier online branding class for entrepreneurs Julie lives in Westchester NY with her French husband and two wonderful, beautiful, talented children.

Listen and Learn the 5 Branding Strategies to Use Today!

• Know your target
• Stand for something bigger
• Apply your brand everywhere
• Tell your these authentic story
• Add a fresh twist

RESOURCES

Brandschoolonline

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book

The Art of Personal Branding

How to Do it At Any Age

PRODUCTIVITY

AUDIO BOOK – REBRAND

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“It’s not about how many followers you have, it’s the quality of those you attract” ~ Sue B. Zimmerman In this episode I interviewed the Instagram Expert Sue B. Zimmerman, as she shared on strategies for Instagram Marketing.

Sue B. Zimmerman, aka the #InstagramGal and #TheInstagramExpert, is a master at Instagram for Business. She teaches entrepreneurs, business execs, and marketing professionals how powerful Instagram for business can be. Sue B. is the founder of the online Instagram course Insta-Results, the author of the #1 eBook Instagram Basics for your Business, a Speaker and Business Coach. She also is the founder of SueB.Do & Sue B. Zimmerman Enterprise.

With her extensive knowledge of social media, her ease and comfort with people, and her creative eye for branding, Sue B. is the master at connecting and empowering others to be successful entrepreneurs and marketing gurus. She’s found a really awesome niche teaching social media to clients and absolutely loves the power of Instagram. It has helped her to build her own network and increase sales and she is inspired to teach others what she knows. She also helps entrepreneurs launch and grow their own businesses. By embracing new technologies, there is a sea of possibility waiting for savvy entrepreneurs to navigate.

Resources

Sue B. is the creator of Insta-Results, an online course dedicated to teaching small business owners how to use Instagram to market their business online to make more money. Hashtag your way into the hearts and minds of your customers and they will fall in love with your products and services one post at a time! If you want to gain new followers and want to reach a hyper-focused target market and convert them to paying clients check out Insta-Results HERE.

http://insta-results.com

FREE Instagram Guide

Download these 9 Instagram Apps  

BOOKS

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book

The Art of Personal Branding

How to Do it At Any Age

PRODUCTIVITY

AUDIO BOOK – REBRAND

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“You need to change your mind from sell sell sell to help help help and if you can do that as a business you will win in social media” ~ Mark Schaefer - Content Code, Essential Strategies to ignite your content, your marketing, and your business Mark Schaefer is an acclaimed college educator, author, speaker, and social media strategy consultant who has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and the CBS NEWS. And now you can tap into his deep vision and expertise through Schaefer Marketing Solutions and a tailored program that fits almost any budget.

Recommended Books:

The Content Code ~ Mark Scharfer

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book

The Art of Personal Branding

How to Do it At Any Age

PRODUCTIVITY

AUDIO BOOK - REBRAND

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"Focus on your buyers and your buyers problems" ~ David Meerman Scott My Guest today is International Marketing Strategist David Meerman Scott discussing "The New Rules of Sales..."

You can listen and Subscribe via iTunes or Stitcher Radio

David Meerman Scott Marketing a marketing strategist, keynote speaker, and bestselling author of 10 books including The New Rules of Marketing & PR and Marketing Lessons from the Grateful Dead. "Don't start by talking about your products and services instead think about the people you are trying to reach" ~ David Meerman Scott  

Recommended Books:

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book

The Art of Personal Branding

How to Do it At Any Age

PRODUCTIVITY

The New Rules of Sales & Service

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“Word of mouth is still the most powerful advertisement out there “ ~ Mandy Edwards In this Episode is a discussion on Social Media Marketing with Mandy Edwards

Mandy is the founder of ME Marketing Services, a social marketing company located in Statesboro, Georgia. A proud graduate of the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia she has a thorough marketing background of over 12+ years covering sales, event planning, local store marketing, advertising and now social media. In the fall you can find her along with her family at Sanford Stadium cheering on their beloved Georgia Bulldogs. Mandy has been mentioned in Forbes and Crain's Chicago Business, named to the Statesboro Herald's Top 20 under 40 for 2013 and has been ranked as a Top 100 Social Media Power Influencer for 2015 by StatSocial.

You can listen and Subscribe via iTunes or Stitcher Radio

Listen and Learn:

How to Start you Social Media Marketing Identify the Platform that will work best for you How to guide your teenagers in the use of Social Media

RESOURCES:

www.MEMarketeingServices.com

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book

The Art of Personal Branding

PRODUCTIVITY

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"You never going to build a strong brand if you don't do one thing everyday to build your brand" ~ William Arruda In this episode I interviewed the Personal Branding Guru, Willaim Arruda on Personal Branding Trends and Building a Successful Brand.

You can listen and Subscribe via iTunes or Stitcher Radio

Dubbed the personal branding guru by Entrepreneur magazine, William Arruda is a sought-after speaker on the topics of branding, career advancement, social media and employee motivation. He is credited with turning the concept of personal branding (introduced by Tom Peters) into a global industry. Combining his twenty years' corporate branding experience with his passion for the people, he founded Reach Personal Branding – which now has representatives in 41 countries around the globe.

William is an accomplished entrepreneur, bestselling author and executive coach, but first and foremost, he's a public speaker. He engages, motivates and inspires audiences with his limitless energy and unique blend of wit, story telling and humor. His client list reads like the pages of Fortune Magazine. Adobe, British Telecom, Cisco, Coca Cola, GE, IBM, J&J, JPMorgan, l’Oreal, Microsoft, Morgan Stanley, Nestle, Ogilvy, and Starwood Hotels are just a few in a long list of clients. As a thought-leader, William is a spokesperson on personal branding, online branding and career management.

He has appeared on BBC TV, the Discovery Channel and Fox News Live and has been featured in countless publications, including Forbes, Time, the Wall Street Journal and Harvard Business Review. William is the author of Ditch. Dare. Do! and Career Distinction. He holds a Master's Degree in Education

RESOURCES:

William Arruda's Website

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book

The Art of Personal Branding

Dare.Ditch. Do!

PRODUCTIVITY

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"Small is now an advantage - A world Gone Social" ~ @tedcoine In this episode I interviewed Top Leadership and Management Expert, Ted Coine on Personal Branding with Meddle.it

You can listen and Subscribe via iTunes or Stitcher Radio

Ted Coiné is Chief Relationship Officer of Meddle.it, the next generation of content marketing for brands and individuals. He is a Forbes Top 10 Social Media Power Influencer and an Inc. Top 100 Leadership and Management Expert. This stance at the crossroads of social and leadership put him in a unique perspective to identify the demise of Industrial Age management and the birth of the Social Age. The result, after five years of trend watching, interviewing and intensive research, is his latest book, A World Gone Social: How Companies Must Adapt to Survive, which he co-authored with Mark Babbitt.

Ted is a 3-time CEO/founder who advises the C-suite on social business. He lives in Naples, Florida, with his wife and two daughters.

RESOURCES:

A World Gone Social: How Companies Must Adapt to Survive

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book

The Art of Personal Branding

How to Do it At Any Age

PRODUCTIVITY

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"Niche to get rich" ~ Melinda Emerson, Forbes #1 Influential Woman for Entrepreneurs In this episode I interviewed Small Business Expert, Melinda Emerson on Small Business and Social Media Branding

You can listen and Subscribe via iTunes or Stitcher Radio

Melinda F. Emerson, SmallBizLady, is America’s #1 small business expert. She is an author, speaker and small business coach whose areas of expertise include small business start-up, business development and social media marketing. As CEO of Quintessence Multimedia, Melinda develops audio, video and written content to help her Fortune 500 clients engage small business customers. She publishes a resource blog, www.succeedasyourownboss.com and hosts a weekly talk show on Twitter called #SmallBizChat for today’s entrepreneurs. She reaches 1.5 million small business owners each week on the internet. Forbes Magazine named Melinda Emerson #1 Woman for Entrepreneurs to follow on Twitter. Melinda has been featured on MSNBC, Fox News, NBC Nightly News and in The Washington Post, New York Times,Fortune, Essence and Black Enterprise. She is also the author of the bestselling bookBecome Your Own Boss in 12 months; A Month-by-Month Guide to a Business That Works. Her latest ebook, How To Become a Social Media Ninja; 101 Ways to Dominate Your Competition Online was released in 2012. Melinda is a graduate of Virginia Tech.

RESOURCES:

Melinda's Website

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book

The Art of Personal Branding

How to Do it At Any Age

PRODUCTIVITY

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In this episode is a conversation with Darlene A. Anderson, as she shared on How to Win when it appears you've already lost.

You can listen and Subscribe via iTunes or Stitcher Radio

Darlene A. Anderson is the president and founder of Darlene’s Utopia, a company designed to empower, motivate and provide resources for clients through coaching, speaking engagements, and events.  Anderson is a motivational speaker, personal and professional development coach, philanthropist and author of the autobiographical empowerment book titled, “Not Without A Fight: 10 Ways To Win When It Appears You've Already Lost”.

Under the umbrella of Darlene’s Utopia, Anderson has been able to marry her purpose with her passion for helping individuals elevate to their highest personal and professional potential by using her unique blend of personal and professional experiences as a seasoned social service professional.

Darlene’s Utopia is the producer of the successful "DU’s Conversation Series". Live or recorded, they are engaging forums that draw some of the area’s top relationship experts and life coaches to immerse in stimulating dialogue in an interactive setting.  In 2014, Darlene's Utopia extended their production with"The Making Of Moguls"; an annual entrepreneur’s conference providing education, motivation and resources to small business owners on the establishment and maintenance of successful businesses.

With social networking at its peak, Anderson has leveraged a network of other like-minded professionals in the United States and abroad to develop programs that focus on key elements for empowerment.

Anderson’s strongest asset and greatest desire is linking people together to empower them with various opportunities to start their own businesses, obtain financial freedom, and pursue the desires of their hearts. Through social excursions and networking expos, Anderson provides practical tools to assist people in coping with life's stressors and succeed despite adversities. She continues to serve as an advocate for the under-served populations of New York City.  Whether Anderson is providing professional expertise or service as a philanthropist, she believes that George Fraser’s famous quote defines how adversities should be conquered both personally and professionally “It is the "fire in the belly" that makes the impossible possible”.  Start from within!

RESOURCES:

Darlene's Website

Not Without A Fight: 10 Ways to Win When It Appears You've Already Lost

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book

The Art of Personal Branding

How to Do it At Any Age

Beginner’s Guide to Podcasting

PRODUCTIVITY

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Personal Branding with Seth Godin - Doing work that Matters "If you show up regularly with generosity, everything else is gonna take care of itself." ~ Seth Godin In this episode I had a conversation with Seth Godin on ‘Personal Branding and Doing Work that Matters’.

You can listen and Subscribe via iTunes or Stitcher Radio

Seth Godin: Innovative Thinker & Best-Selling Author

Seth Godin is the author of 17 books that have been best-sellers around the world and have been translated into more than 35 languages. In addition to his writing and speaking, Seth Godin was founder of Squidoo.com, a leading site recently sold to HubPages. His blog is one of the most popular in the world. Before his work as a writer and blogger, Godin was Vice President of Direct Marketing at Yahoo!, a job he got after selling them his pioneering 1990s online startup, Yoyodyne. In 2013, Godin was inducted into the Direct Marketing Hall of Fame, one of three chosen for this honor.

Any business idea is only as good as the subsequent marketing idea that helps it get noticed. Seth Godin has developed into one of the foremost authorities on ideas of marketing, innovation, and creativity. He’s sold millions of books, 17 of which have been bestsellers around the world. He’s launched multiple companies, and has turned the publishing industry on its head by launching his latest book series via Kickstarter. Godin knows that the best leadership, and the best marketing ideas come from ordinary people who put in the work required to discover the greatness inside of them.

RESOURCES:

Seth Godin's Blog

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book

The Art of Personal Branding

How to Do it At Any Age

Beginner’s Guide to Podcasting

PRODUCTIVITY

This podcast is sponsored by Mantra Auto Finance Ltd.

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The 5 Big  Questions... "You've got to follow what you are cut out for" ~Marricke Kofi Gane In this episode I interviewed Marricke Kofi Gane,  discussing 'The 5 Big Questions to Ask yourself before Leaving College'

You can listen and Subscribe via iTunes or Stitcher Radio

Who owns your Knowledge? What is your dream and plan? How have you been wired? What do you know? What do you think about?

Marricke Kofi Gane, is a gifted Author, Philosopher, Public Speaker and Educationist. His writings carry real depth, practicality, are highly motivating yet challenging status quo and displaying a dexterity of mind cum refined humor where appropriate.

He is never shy in some of his works, to show a strong balance between his Christian roots and the reality of living in today's world.

Having started off his career as a Chartered Certified Accountant and an International Development Expert, Marricke brings to bear, real practical experiences from his widely travelled professional, Christian and family life.

He is married with 3 children and lives in England and Ghana.

Discover for yourself, all that his writings stand for - to dare, to motivate, to impact!!

RESOURCES:

Marricke on Facebook

Marricke's Books on Amazon

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book

DO Not Die with Your Music Unsung

How to Do it At Any Age

Beginner’s Guide to Podcasting

PRODUCTIVITY

This podcast is sponsored by Mantra Auto Finance Ltd.

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It's time to build a strategy for your personal brand online. “Ask yourself why…why am I doing this…  build a real strategy and have that strategy linked to your business” ~ Mitche Joel In this episode I had a conversation with Mitch Joel about 'Building a Personal Brand online in this age'.

You can listen and Subscribe via iTunes or Stitcher Radio

When Google wanted to explain online marketing to the top brands in the world, they brought Mitch Joel to the Googleplex in Mountain View, California. Mitch Joel is President of Twist Image - a digital marketing and communications agency. Marketing Magazine dubbed him the "Rock Star of Digital Marketing" and called him, "one of North America's leading digital visionaries." In 2006 he was named one of the most influential authorities on Blog Marketing in the world. Mitch Joel is President of Twist Image - an award-winning Digital Marketing and Communications agency (although he prefers the title, Media Hacker). He has been called a marketing and communications visionary, interactive expert and community leader. He is also a Blogger, Podcaster, passionate entrepreneur and speaker who connects with people worldwide by sharing his marketing insights on digital marketing and new media. In 2008, Mitch was named Canada's Most Influential Male in Social Media, one of the top 100 online marketers in the world, and was awarded the highly prestigious Canada's Top 40 Under 40. Most recently, Mitch was named one of iMedia's 25 Internet Marketing Leaders and Innovators in the world. Marketing Magazine has named Twist Image one of the Top 10 agencies in Canada for two years running (and the only digital marketing pure-play to make the list).

Joel is the Past Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Marketing Association and a former Board Member of the Interactive Advertising Bureau of Canada. He has been involved with the content committee for both Shop.org and the Web Analytics Association, and is on the advisory council for many businesses and charitable organizations.

Joel speaks frequently to diverse groups like Wal-Mart, Starbucks, Nestle, Procter and Gamble, Unilever and has shared the stage with former President of the United States, Bill Clinton, Sir Richard Branson, Malcolm Gladwell, Anthony Robbins, Tom Peters and Dr. Phil. As a professional speaker, Mitch is represented exclusively by Greater Talent Network in the U.S. and by Speaker's Spotlight in Canada.

Joel is frequently called upon to be a subject matter expert for, BusinessWeek, Fast Company, Marketing Magazine, Profit, Strategy, Money, The Globe & Mail and many other media outlets. His newspaper business column, New Business - Six Pixels of Separation, runs bi-monthly in both The Montreal Gazette and Vancouver Sun and he also has a regular column, Media Hacker, on The Huffington Post. His first book, Six Pixels of Separation (published by Grand Central Publishing - Hachette Book Group), named after his successful Blog and Podcast is a business and marketing bestseller. His next book, CTRL ALT DEL, (also published by Grand Central Publishing) will be coming out in Spring 2013.

RESOURCES:

Mitch Joel's Podcast 

Mitch Joel's Books

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book

DO Not Die with Your Music Unsung

How to Do it At Any Age

Beginner’s Guide to Podcasting

PRODUCTIVITY

This podcast is sponsored by Mantra Auto Finance Ltd.

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How to Recover from a Personal, Celebrity Brand Fall.

“For a just man falleth seven times and riseth up again” Proverbs 24:16-18

Over the years we have seen many personal brands/celebrities rise and fall over a blunder, misconduct, and other vices mostly via social media platforms. The first most important thing is to guard your online brand presence.

You must come to terms with this; know and understand that every piece of content you post online about you, your product or services can make or mar your brand. Therefore, if you don’t take charge of your brand presence, someone else would, and guess what… it will be messed up!

Here is what you should do to secure your brand.

1. Don’t immediately jump into any PR gimmicks, either on social media, etc. to address the issue. Gather your facts right, because anything you say or refuse to say can go against you.

2. If you believe it should be resolved legally, let your lawyers handle that and keep it out of the media where possible.

3. If truly you messed up; sincerely acknowledge that you messed up and ask for forgiveness. (Don't fake it)

4. If you genuinely regret and apologized, you can then send out messages/ audio/video/ etc. to your fans or followers to assure them of your trust. You must be real.

5. Don’t hire bloggers, social media folks nor your celebrity friends to spread counter messages about you during the crisis.

6. Sometimes the best way is to quietly stay away from the mass discussion and talks about the issue at hand and quietly heal and recover. "Silence is golden"

7. If you can’t honestly share your errors don’t accept invitations to be on media ( radio, TV, etc) to talk about the issue. People can read between the lines and would know if you are being honest. Let your conscience lead you!

"Failure is not falling down but refusing to get up" - Chinese Proverb

RESOURCES:

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book

99 Ways to Build and Boost Your Brand Visibility

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Bernard Kelvin Clive books This podcast is sponsored by Mantra Auto Finance Ltd.

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LinkedIn expert Viveka Von Rosen shares insights on Personal Branding with LinkedIn.

In this episode I interviewed Viveka Von Rosen sharing on LinkedIn Marketing for Business and Brands "Be really clear who your audience is... You can't be all things to all people" ~  Viveka Von Rosen You can listen and Subscribe via iTunes or Stitcher Radio

Viveka Von Rosen is author of LinkedIn Marketing: An Hour a Day, contributing "expert" to LinkedIn's official "Sophisticated Marketer's Guide" and is known internationally as the "LinkedIn Expert".

Viveka is the CEO of Linked Into Business and co-founder of Linked Prospecting, and she also hosts the biggest LinkedIn chat on Twitter.

Viveka has 30,000+ first level connections and a network of over 38 million people on LinkedIn, and 56,000+ followers on Twitter. Her seminars, webinars and workshops have taught and trained well over 90,000 people. She has personally worked with executives at The New York Times, The Daily Beast, Bloomberg, Adaptive Insights, AON and several other Fortune 500 Companies. She is regularly asked to speak at conferences and events for thought leading Social companies like the Social Media Examiner and Marketing Profs.

Forbes has listed her as a top social media influencer, and she has been cited in Money Magazine, Simple Living, Ragan, CNN, Forbes, Mashable, The Miami Herald, Social Media Today and The Social Media Examiner.

Resources:

www.linkedin.com/in/linkedinchat

linked.into.business

On Twitter @linkedinexpert

b2blinkedinlaunchpad.com

b2blinkedintraining.com

www.lynda.com/trial/vivekavonrosen

http://www.twubs.com/LinkedInChat

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book

DO Not Die with Your Music Unsung

How to Do it At Any Age

Beginner’s Guide to Podcasting

PRODUCTIVITY

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The importance of developing a good business strategy for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) “The stepping stone to having a good business plan is to have a concept...” ~ Susan Sackey Susan is a 20 plus years Public Health & International development expert, having worked with governments, public & private sector organizations all over Sub Saharan Africa, US & Haiti.

As an author she also engages in Public Speaking on diverse themes. She is a mother of 2 teenagers and loves to volunteer in the community. In this episode I interviewed Susan Sackey, who shared on the relevance of developing a business strategy as a novice.

You can listen and Subscribe via iTunes or Stitcher Radio

Email Susan for the FREE Resource document at susan.sackey [at] yahoo . com

RESOURCES:

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book

DO Not Die with Your Music Unsung

How to Do it At Any Age

Beginner’s Guide to Podcasting

PRODUCTIVITY

This podcast is sponsored by Mantra Auto Finance Ltd.

Web Design Services visit www.GoCreateStudio.com

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"There is no one path to becoming a bestseller..." ~ Terry Whalin In this episode I interviewed Terry Whalin on How to Jumpstart  your Book Publishing Dream.

You can listen and Subscribe via iTunes or Stitcher Radio

Listen and find out more on:

The Publishing Process How to get a traditional publisher The essence if building a platform The advantages of social media in publishing

Terry Whalin understands both sides of the editorial desk. A former literary agent, Terry is an acquisitions editor at Morgan James Publishing. He has written more than 60 books for traditional publishers including Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams and several of Terry’s books have sold over 100,000 copies.  He has authored an innovative training for writers, Write A Book Proposal. Terry is an active member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors.

RESOURCES:

Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book

DO Not Die with Your Music Unsung

How to Do it At Any Age

Beginner’s Guide to Podcasting

PRODUCTIVITY

This podcast is sponsored by Mantra Auto Finance Ltd.

Web Design Services visit www.GoCreateStudio.com

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“Don’t just write down goals you don’t care about, write down goals that get you charged up”  ~ Kirbie Earley In this episode I interviewed Kirbie Earley on ‘Setting and Achieving Goals”

Find out how she went back to school in her forties to pursue her dreams.

You can listen and Subscribe via iTunes or Stitcher Radio

Goal Settings that Works; How to Do it at Any Age with Kirbie Earley

Kirbie Earley is the owner of Innovation & Coaching Excellence, a company that specializes in helping entrepreneurs and small business owners with innovation by providing coaching in associated areas of business, such as goal setting, developing core competencies, leadership training and guidance through the innovation process itself.

Kirbie’s goal is to help small business owners understand the intricacies of innovation and how to apply them to small businesses by understanding the underlying success factors that are often overlooked, thus causing frustration and often, failure.

Kirbie has worked with many small businesses through projects, coaching and workshops, developing programs specific to these topics.

Kirbie has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with an emphasis on Psychology from The Ohio State University, which provides her with an in-depth understanding of people, both individually and in groups.

OTHER RESOURCES:

http://yourguidetogoalsetting.com/

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book

DO Not Die with Your Music Unsung

How to Do it At Any Age

Beginner’s Guide to Podcasting

PRODUCTIVITY

This podcast is sponsored by Mantra Auto Finance Ltd.

Web Design Services visit www.GoCreateStudio.com

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“We don’t manage time, we manage activities within time” @bernardkelvin  

A lot can be achieved in one day

Within a 24 hour time frame, I got in touch with some friends of mine to discuss the subject of productivity. Each of them is actively involved in either a project, cause or organization, that is making a difference and helping create a better world. They willingly volunteered to share with me some of the best productivity tips they've learnt and apply in everyday life. I asked them to spare two minutes to answer these two questions:

What is your best productivity tip/phrase/advice? 2. What has been your best tool or app to work productively in your job?

This is a FREE material; freely share this with your friends, we made it for you!

Download the eBOOK

We hope this will help you.

Here are their tips and tools;

1

Schedule work to be done and stick to it. Positive mindset and my laptop

Jennifer Agyeman, Trainer, Image & Life Coach

2

Discover your life’s purpose and engage in activities that help you fulfill it. Notes app: useful for jotting down ideas and setting goals.

Benjamin Kweku Nettey Larbi | Institutional Coordinator, King's College London Summer School (Regent University College of Science and Technology)

3

Victory is not wishing; victory is in working Laptop

Minister David Mills, HR & Leadership Institute

4

Focus on the 20% that bring 80% of results, Organiser

Dr. William Okyere-Frempong, CEO HuD Group

5

Let no one define what you can or cannot do. If you can imagine it, believe it and step out to take action, you can have it. My Notebook . I call it my thought book.

Dr. Samuel Tinagyei, Author

6

Best Productivity Tip: Just do the damn job you're supposed to be doing. Focus on the details and not the generality but also be wary of distractions Best Tool or App: My email [Outlook] and BlueMail

Theo Acheampong | Co-Founder and CEO, Africa Economics, LLC.

7

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. My laptop and Google

Dr. Adwoa Badoe, Author

8

If it must be done it must be done well. Facebook

Kenny P. Tsikata, Author | Preacher | Entrepreneur

9

Whatever you choose to do must be of a royal treat of service for the sake of the people not profit or reward. Give off as though it is a will to your beloved. My best tool has been my networks, media and alternative media

Scofray Nana Yaw Yeboah, Transformational coach

10

I simply stay consistent and persistent. I believe to be productive one needs to stay active doing the right things. And doing them consistently and persistently till you make progress towards perfection. In short, to get results or to be productive, be active. Be consistent and be persistent.

Facebook has been a phenomenal tool for me. Using this tool has enabled me reach and create a niche for myself. It has helped me project what I do as a writer beyond my borders. With the help of Facebook I have connected with and communicated what I do with wonderful people across the globe.

Gamel Sankarl, Author/Ace Inspirational Speaker/Academician

11

If it must be done, it must be done well. I am were i am because i believe in the god of all possibilities.. Only fools who don't change their mind. Google chrome – browser; makes me run so orderly

Daniel Antwi - CEO, ProMobile GH

12

Sole dependence on God's Grace will remove disgrace! Twitter and Facebook

Steward Jane(Author/Conference Speaker/Brand Analyst/Researcher)

13

It's now or never Laptop and Bible

Jonathan A. Bill-Pastor, Author

14

The only way the brain can challenge what the eye saw is by having the mind as his witness. Apple notepad.

DALE Quist, The MindSurgeon

15

You can't do anything well without employing your mind to think through and through.

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“The nature of writing is not just writing, its sales and marketing” @tmorkes In this episode I interviewed Tom Morkes on How to Successful Launch your Book

You can listen and Subscribe via iTunes or Stitcher Radio

Tom Morkes is a West Point grad, Iraq War veteran, CEO of Insurgent Publishing and author of the soon to be released book: COLLABORATE: The New Rules for Launching a Business Online

Listen and find out more on:

How to Face your fears How to think more creatively Publishing books Book launching tips

To Support Tom's crowd-funding project

Here's a page with more info about the book + click to tweet / click to share on FB buttons:

http://tommorkes.com/support-collaborate/

RESOURCES:

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book

DO Not Die with Your Music Unsung

How to Do it At Any Age

Beginner’s Guide to Podcasting

This podcast is sponsored by Mantra Auto Finance Ltd.

Web Design Services visit www.GoCreateStudio.com

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“Dr. Munroe's life was an example of courage, conviction, and mission-driven focus to advance the work of God and Kingdom building in the world. His global passion to develop leaders and build communities of faith and achievement changed my life, as well as all with whom he had contact. His voice will live on through his prolific written and spoken words of hope, purpose, and greatness. He, along with his wife and colleagues, will be missed, but never forgotten in our hearts and minds.” ~ Les Brown  

1.       “The greatest tragedy in life is not death, but a life without a purpose.”

2.       ‘Life’s greatest failure is to be successful in the wrong assignment” 3.       “People generally fall into one of three groups: the few who make things happen, the many who watch things happen, and the overwhelming majority who have no notion of what happens. Every person is either a creator of fact or a creature of circumstance. He either puts color into his environment, or, like a chameleon, takes color from his environment.” 4.       “One of the greatest tragedies in life is to watch potential die untapped.” 5.       “We are a sum total of what we have learned from all who have taught us, both great and small.” 6.       “Success is not a comparison of what we have done with what others have done.”

7.       “Junk is in the eyes of the beholder. Some look, but others see.”

8.       “When purpose is not known, abuse is inevitable”

1. "True leaders learn from others, but they are not made by nor become others."

10.   “You become a leader when you decide to be an original and not a copy.”

11.   “You must decide if you are going to rob the world or bless it with the rich, valuable, potent, untapped resources locked away within you”

12.   “You are not saved for the sole purpose of going to heaven; you are saved to finish your assignment on earth”

RESOURCES:

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

DO Not Die with Your Music Unsung

How to Do it At Any Age

This podcast is sponsored by Mantra Auto Finance Ltd.

Web Design Services visit www.GoCreateStudio.com

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"Personal branding is more than just a creative name, cute logo... @bernardkelvin In this episode I interviewed Elizabeth Kelsey Bradley on How to build a Successful Global Personal Brand.

Listen and find out more on:

The power of a corporate personal brand Product launching using Pinterest Social Media for Branding

You can listen and Subscribe via iTunes or Stitcher Radio

Elizabeth Kelsey Bradley is an award-winning writer, multimedia storyteller, and social media strategist based in Thailand. She works with companies across the globe that need solid social media and content strategy and is also a contributor to numerous blogs and publications, including Wild Sister magazine. You can find out more about her writing and consulting services at www.ekbradley.net

RESOURCES:

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book

Beginner’s Guide to Podcasting

This podcast is sponsored by Mantra Auto Finance Ltd.

Web Design Services visit www.GoCreateStudio.com

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“Nothing anyone else does or says matters to me more than what I SAY AND DO TO MYSELF” ~ Dre Baldwin Building your Brand and establishing your authority online

In this episode I interviewed Dre Baldwin on Brand building: Basketball, Business and Branding.

Listen and find out more on:

Living your childhood dreams How to be mentored remotely Overcoming environmental challenges Social Media for Branding Branding your passion

You can listen and Subscribe via iTunes or Stitcher Radio

With a background as a professional athlete, Dre Baldwin turned a $100 camera and a gym membership into a full-fledged brand and business. As an expert speaker, Dre shows his audiences how to use YouTube to generate incoming business, and how to use your expertise to build or expand you brand.

A Philadelphia native who lives in Miami, FL, Dre began his professional basketball career after receiving a Business Management and Marketing degree from Penn State University in 2004. While traveling through 8 countries in 9 years, Dre began posting his basketball workouts, tips, and motivational messages to YouTube. Over the course of 4,000+ videos — at least one new video per day since 2009 — and 30,000,000+ views, Dre built his “DreAllDay” and “Work On Your Game” brands. He has changed the lives of thousands — not only athletes, but anyone with specialized knowledge who wants to share and doesn’t know how to begin spreading that knowledge.

Dre specializes on how business owners, sales people, and those holding specialized knowledge can leverage YouTube to generate incoming business and expand their brands. Dre is an expert in marketing, brand building, personal discipline, and sales.

RESOURCES:

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book

Beginner’s Guide to Podcasting

www.dreallday.com

https://www.facebook.com/WorkOnYourGame

This podcast is sponsored by Mantra Auto Finance Ltd.

Web Design Services visit www.GoCreateStudio.com

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“It is what you read when you don't have to that determines what you will be when you can't help it.”  ― Oscar Wilde

In this episode I interviewed Harshajyoti on ‘The Art of Book Marketing’

You will discover;

How to get published today How a teenage can use the internet profitably for business How to sell more books on amazon How to sell book even if you have no subscribers(mailing list) How to re-launch your book successfully

You can listen and Subscribe via iTunes or Stitcher Radio

Harshajyoti Das is an Author, Entrepreneur, and the CEO at Munmi IT Solutions LLP (a Facebook re-targeting company). He has written 3 back-to-back bestsellers and is currently writing 2 more books. He is available for talks, workshops, and interviews. He is also the founder of FireYourMentor.com (a platform for self-published authors).

He is currently writing, The Art Of Book Marketing For Self-Published Authors. Apply to become a beta reader at http://Book-Marketing.org

He has 7 years of experience as an internet marketer and has consulted over 1000 businesses since 2010.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book

Beginner’s Guide to Podcasting

http://Book-Marketing.org

http://FireYourMentor.com - It's a platfrom for self-published authors.

Pre-order the book The Art of  Book Marketing 

This podcast is sponsored by ImageWorks Services

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Using Integrity Invoice online you will understand that “People respect you when you appear with more professional document” ~ Moses Adetola

Are you tired of using complex and ineffective applications to manage your business finance?

In this episode Moses walk us through how freelancers and solo-preneurs can present their business brands professional using affordable web base application; Integrity Invoice.

You can listen and Subscribe via iTunes or Stitcher Radio

Adeniyi Moses Adetola is a Creative Programmer and a Technology Entrepreneur. Founded two startups:  1. Divinity Media, a digital agency that loves digital story telling through creative web design & development. 2. Integrity Invoice, a cloud-based service for freelancers and solo entrepreneurs to create and send online invoices to their clients, and keep track of their expenses.

He is passionate about using technology and creative wisdom to develop solutions to real-world business problems.

He is a Nigerian, based in the UK.

“You just don’t have to give up, you are going to hit success one day”

Integrity Invoice

http://integrityinvoice.com/

Affordable and customized online invoicing and expense tracking application for freelancers, solo-entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/IntegrityNewApp

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/integrityinvoice

LinkedIn: http://uk.linkedin.com/in/adeniyimosesadetola

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfoJHKb6nGMnjHCmXdPs5GA

Contact Moses on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adeniyimosesadetola

OTHER RESOURCES:

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book

Beginner’s Guide to Podcasting

This podcast is sponsored by ImageWorks Services

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“You must be actively engaged in your own success” ~  Penny Sansevieri

You can listen and Subscribe via iTunes or Stitcher Radio

In this episode Penny Sansevieri talks about how you can optimize your amazon page to increase your book sells.

Penny C. Sansevieri, CEO and founder of Author Marketing Experts, Inc., is a best-selling author and internationally recognized book marketing and media relations expert. Her company is one of the leaders in the publishing industry and has developed some of the most cutting-edge book marketing campaigns. She is the author of five books, including Book to Bestseller which has been called the "road map to publishing success." AME is the first marketing and publicity firm to use Internet promotion to its full impact through The Virtual Author Tour™, which strategically works with social networking sites, blogs, Twitter, Pinterest, Linkedin, YouTube, and relevant sites to push an authors message into the virtual community and connect with sites related to the book's topic, positioning the author in his or her market. In the past 24 months their creative marketing strategies have helped land 11 books on the New York Times Bestseller list.

To learn more about Penny’s books or her promotional services, you can visit her web site at http://www.amarketingexpert.com.

RESOURCES:

http://www.amarketingexpert.com

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book

Beginner’s Guide to Podcasting

REBRAND Android App

This podcast is sponsored by ImageWorks Services

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“Focus on your readers and on your content”

How do you stay afloat in the midst of the social media waves?

How can you earn a minimum of a dollar a day from your blog?

How to build a mailing list the easiest way?

You can listen and Subscribe via iTunes or Stitcher Radio

In this episode Reginald Chan share some of his best tools and technics for effective social media marketing

Reginald is the founder of Social Media Rush. A blogger since 2005 and it started as a hobby. It soon turned into a very lucrative business. I decided to go full into blogging and online biz around 2009. Been a ghost writer as well during 2005 to 2009. Now, I work with startups especially when it comes to social media and search engine marketing

RESOURCES:

http://www.SocialMediaRush.com

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book

The No Nonsense Guide to Personal Branding for Career Success

Beginner’s Guide to Podcasting

REBRAND Android App

This podcast is sponsored by ImageWorks Services

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"..Any brand that refuses to grow (innovate) dies slowly.." In this new phase of digital economy, brands (personal/product/corporate/) that seeks to thrive and make great lasting impacts with their products and services must pay attention to these two critical survival tips, else they will barely survive and face the imminent danger of extinction:

You can listen and Subscribe via iTunes or Stitcher Radio

Tip 1

Innovate: What worked yesterday may not work today; and what is working today may not work tomorrow. This call for constant change and upgrades; re-evaluation of tools and processes to meet the demands and drives of the new economy. If your brand is still celebrating and relying on its past successes and attributes in this digital age, then the danger of extinction is high.

New Technologies are flying in so fast that unless a brand learns to leverage the use of these tools to its advantage it will not survive the test of time.

A typical example of a brand using technology and innovation is Coca-Cola; no wonder it’s one of the world’s leading brands. They adopted the use of technology to enable the cover of its plastic bottled Coke to be used as credit for making calls in Asia [watch the attached video below]. This way, people who buy the bottled coke keep the cover so as to use any time to make distant calls to family and friends. This is a win-win situation; they are providing value to their customers and solving a problem. This alone will bring lots of businesses to the Coca-Cola Company, make their customers happy, and drive brand loyalty.

The question for you today is; what are you and your brand doing to stay on top of the game? Any brand that refuses to grow (innovate) dies slowly.

Tip 2

Plug-in: It’s about time you think of collaboration rather than competition. Don’t try to reinvent the wheels rather invent add-ons. For brands and especially smaller brands to stay afloat and not be drowned by massive competition from the big brands, they have to think about complementing an existing model/niche with their products or services.

This is the thinking line; instead of creating a new Facebook-like social media to compete with Facebook, why not think of creating an app that can easily be integrated with Facebook, taking advantage of its massive reach.

A typical example is the gaming app company, Zynga, which created the game Farmville for Facebook; they are making millions of dollars with their app. The question is if they had created their own platform will they have made it that way? Possibly No!

This is it; what can your brand add to an existing model, consider what you can bring to the table, what brands can you possibly collaborate with to birth a bigger or more impactful brand?

How can a brand thrive without innovation and collaborative works? Think creative!!!

RESOURCES:

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book

The No Nonsense Guide to Personal Branding for Career Success

Beginner’s Guide to Podcasting

REBRAND Android App

This podcast is sponsored by ImageWorks Services

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“Good Content Marketers do listen: Listen to what people say, watch trends and businesses ” ~ Edwin Dearborn Listen and learn how you can use content marketing strategies to build your brand audience.

Find out the role of trust in brand building.

You can listen and Subscribe via iTunes or Stitcher Radio

In this episode in an interview with Edwin Dearborn on Personal branding and Content marketing

He share tips on how college students can build brand and access jobs with ease.

Edwin Dearborn is first and foremost a marketing enthusiast. The Orange County Register referred to Edwin as a “Marketing Expert”. Edwin is also a veteran C-level executive, having been a CEO of a large non-profit organization in Orange County, CA for over 18 years. As a CEO, he was personally responsible for overseeing the planning and management of his 100 staff. During his tenure, Edwin proactively lead many events and volunteers which resulted in ten’s of millions of dollars in funds raised for charitable organizations and programs around the world.

RESOURCES:

www.edwindearborn.com

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book

The No Nonsense Guide to Personal Branding for Career Success

Beginner’s Guide to Podcasting

REBRAND Android App

This podcast is sponsored by ImageWorks Services

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"Don't focus on collecting, focus on connecting..." ~ Alan Fawcett

In this podcast episode I had a conversation with Alan Fawcett on 'How to Make Connections that really Count'

You can listen and Subscribe via iTunes or Stitcher Radio

Alan Fawcett is the host of infinite pie connection podcast

Listen and find out more on:

What the connection is about. Building Key Relationships The Art of connection Why Mastermind group What to do with ‘them, they and those’…

RESOURCES:

Infinite Pie Podcast

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book

The No Nonsense Guide to Personal Branding for Career Success

Beginner’s Guide to Podcasting

REBRAND Android App

This podcast is sponsored by ImageWorks Services

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"...most people in a room are nice people.." ~ Susan RoAne, Author of How to Work a Room

Do you consider yourself shy?

Do you find it difficult networking?

Do you want to know some 'killer-tips'  to break the ice in communication?

Listen to the expert answer these questions and more.

In this Podcast episode I had a conversation with Susan RoAne

You can listen and Subscribe via iTunes or Stitcher Radio

Susan RoAne, an entrepreneur who’s owns her professional speaking and consulting business is an in-demand keynote speaker. She has shared her message of connection and communication with audiences worldwide, and in diverse publications including the New York Times, Sydney Telegraph, Financial Times, Globe and Mail, USA Today, forbes.com, Men's Health, Cosmo, the San Francisco Chronicle, huffington post and The Wall Street Journal and on BBC worldwide.

Her clients include Coca Cola Leadership, Kaiser Permanente, The US Air Force, United Health Group, Yale University, Apple Computer, Procter and Gamble, authors@google, Intel, Stanford University, The National Football League, Intel and Apple Computer.

RESOURCES:

Susan RoAne website

How To Work A Room Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book The No Nonsense Guide to Personal Branding for Career Success Beginner’s Guide to Podcasting REBRAND Android App This podcast is sponsored by ImageWorks Services

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How do you stand-out from the masses?

How millennials can stand-out and find a job.

3 Steps to use in re-branding you.

In this podcast episode I interviewed personal branding expert Dorie Clark.

Dorie Clark is a marketing strategy consultant, professional speaker, and frequent contributor to the Harvard Business Review and Forbes. Recognized as a “branding expert” by the Associated Press and Fortune, she is the author of Reinventing You: Define Your Brand, Imagine Your Future (Harvard Business Review Press, 2013), which is being translated into Russian, Chinese, French, Polish, and Thai.

Clark consults and speaks for a diverse range of clients, including Google, the World Bank, Microsoft, Morgan Stanley, the Ford Foundation, Yale University, the Mount Sinai Medical Center, and the National Park Service.

Clark, a former presidential campaign spokeswoman, is an adjunct professor of business administration at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. She has taught marketing and communications at Tufts University, Suffolk University, Emerson College, HEC-Paris, Babson College, the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler School of Business, and Smith College Executive Education. She has been named to the Huffington Post’s“100 Must Follow on Twitter” list for 2013 and 2014, and to the #Nifty50 list of top women on Twitter.

Resources:

Reinventing You: Define Your Brand, Imagine Your Future

Stand Out: How to Find Your Breakthrough Idea and Build a Following Around It

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book

The No Nonsense Guide to Personal Branding for Career Success

Beginner’s Guide to Podcasting

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Conversation with book marketing expert John Kremer, He shares from his book (1001 Ways to Market your Books) and answered questions based on boo publishing, book promotion.

Book Marketing expert, John Kremer, author of 1001 Ways to Market Your Books, and founder of the Billion Book Initiative to help the next generation of authors sell another billion books. Over the past 30 years, he has helped thousands of authors, both major celebrities and those just starting out to sell more books. "You can sell a lot more books if you work with other authors than if you try to do everything all by yourself" ~ John Kremer Three nuggets to note:

Build Relationships Start speaking (radio, hangouts, podcast, seminars, events) Build your network (social media)

Listen to the interview to discover ways to market your books

Resources:

Thebookmarketingnetwork.com

Bookmarket.com

Bookmarketingbestsellers.com Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book The No Nonsense Guide to Personal Branding for Career Success Beginner’s Guide to Podcasting CelebrityWeightLoss.com

This podcast is sponsored by ImageWorks Services

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“Bring your passion and bring your patience” ~ Dave Jackson

Interview with Podcast Coach Dave Jackson on Everything Podcasting

Dave Jackson has been teaching people technology since 1995. At one point in his his career he was a three time “Employee of the Year” winner of a 40 million dollar company where he worked in about every department the company had (technician, customer service, marketing, software development, training).

In November of 2005 he launched the School of Podcasting (a site with step by step tutorials on how to podcast). This has lead to other podcasting related sites and services including Podcast Mechanic(consulting), Podcast Clicks (promotion), Learn to Subscribe (free tutorial for listeners),Podcasting Shirts (clothing), Planning Your Podcast (free tutorials). and Cooler Websites (design and blog hosting).

In this podcast episode Dave shares on:

How to start a podcast show

How companies and brands can leverage the power of podcasting

How to monetize your podcast show

Recommended Resources

School of Podcasting

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book

The No Nonsense Guide to Personal Branding for Career Success

Beginner’s Guide to Podcasting

This podcast is sponsored by ImageWorks Services

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In this podcast episode in an interview with Jason McDonald

Jason McDonald, Internet Marketer and SEO Expert shares on how you can use SEO to boost your social brand and manage your reputation online.

You can listen and Subscribe via iTunes or Stitcher Radio

Listen to:

How you can redeem your negative brand online. How to rank high on Google search with specific keywords How to use SEO to boost your brand presence How to set up and start blogging with ease.

Jason is the author of the following books on amazon

SEO Fitness Workbook. A true labor of love, this book guides you through success at SEO like a great personal fitness trainer, would help you to get physically fit. SEO Toolbook. This book is my compilation of hundreds of free SEO tools. Free Google. This book is my guide to all the free goodies available from Google that can help you understand how Google works, and how to position your company at the top of Google search. It also covers Google Analytics and AdWords. Fifty SEO Ideas. This book is my laundry list of fifty amazing, generally free, things you can or should do to improve your SEO.

Resources:

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book

The No Nonsense Guide to Personal Branding for Career Success

Beginner’s Guide to Podcasting

This podcast is sponsored by ImageWorks Services

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“Journalist don’t really cover companies they cover announcements of companies” ~ Conrad Egusa

Download  & Listen to how you can easily and effectively use PR services to your advantage. A better way to get Press for your Start-ups.

You can listen and Subscribe via iTunes or Stitcher Radio

In this podcast episode is a conversation I had with Conrad Egusa on ‘PR and the New Media’; how to effectively use PR services.

Conrad Egusa is an entrepreneur and marketing consultant. He has been featured on publications including The Financial Times, Bloomberg, and TechCrunch. Founder of PR firm Publicize, focused on startups. The company's mission is to change the way startups approach PR. A former VentureBeat writer.

Conrad is the Co-Owner & Chairman of Colombia Reports (www.colombiareports.co), which is the largest English news publication in South America. Colombia Reports was founded in March 2008 and is frequently cited by the New York Times, BBC, CNN and Fox News. Resources: Conrad: LinkedIn Twitter Publicize.co Publicize is a next-generation PR company. They help leading technology startups grow faster. Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding  The No Nonsense Guide to Personal Branding for Career Success Beginner’s Guide to Podcasting This podcast is sponsored by ImageWorks Services

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“If you want to be remarkable do something that is remarkable” ~ Jim Kukral

In this podcast episode my guest Jim Kukral (bestselling author, consultant) shares insight on  personal branding and book publishing.

You can listen and Subscribe via iTunes or Stitcher Radio

For over 16-years, Jim Kukral has helped small businesses and large companies like Fedex, Sherwin Williams, Ernst & Young and Progressive Auto Insurance understand how to:

Build successful new online businesses or energize and refresh existing ones Learn how to leverage social media for more sales, leads and publicity Create imaginative marketing campaigns that get talked about Innovate new products and services that could positively change your business bottom line Attract first-class publicity that actually means something and gives an ROI Make more profits with less work

Download, listen and go Make it happen!

The only excuse you have is that you don’t want it bad enough..

Resources:

www.jimkukral.com

www.godirectbook.com

www.authormarketingclub.com Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding  The No Nonsense Guide to Personal Branding for Career Success Beginner’s Guide to Podcasting This podcast is sponsored by ImageWorks Services

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"A good book isn't necessarily going to be a great selling book" ~  Derek Doepker If you are an aspiring author, writer or have self-published a book and it's not doing too well, this is what you have to pay attention to.

In this podcast episode we discussed the publishing digital publishing business,

with my guest Derek Doepker on the subject:

Why Authors Fail: 17 Mistakes Self-Published Authors Make That Sabotage Their Success (And How To Fix Them)

Derek Doepker is a blogger, entrepreneur, and #1 bestselling fitness author.

Concerning the book this:

"I found Derek Doepker's gem of a book 'Why Authors Fail' from an Amazon recommendation. I downloaded it and was so impressed that I devoured it non-stop. Tonight I'm going to re-read it while making notes and looking up some of the many resource hyperlinks that Derek so selflessly shares.

I can tell you from personal experience as an Amazon BestSelling author that what Derek has outlined is straight goods. I can check-off all 17 mistakes as not only having been there, but still being there in some categories. This guide is not just helpful in the craft of producing and marketing your book - it's a motivator to push on in your writing career. I highly recommend it!

• Garry Rodgers Vancouver, Canada"

Listen to Derek's exposition on the subject in this episode and get your book sky-rocking. Resources Why Authors Fail ebookbestsellersecrets.com Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

The No Nonsense Guide to Personal Branding for Career Success Beginner’s Guide to Podcasting This podcast is sponsored by ImageWorks Services

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"Podcasting is a Marketing and Positioning Tool"

In this episode I interviewed Ben Krueger on the subject of Podcasting, Positioning and Marketing:

Ben Krueger is the owner of Authority Engine and creator of Small Business Podcasting, Podcasting Marketing HQ, and host of the Authority Engine Podcast as featured on Itunes, and Stitcher Radio. -

He’s probably best known around the water cooler as the “Podcast Marketing Guy” and has become the go-to authority on positioning, cultivating and growing small businesses through the power of podcast marketing.

Tips for the episode

NB: Podcasting is a Marketing and Positioning Tool

Concerning podcasting and business: Start with your vision/goal for your company, eg where do you want to see your clients and business in the next two years?

Who are you audience?

Who are your guests?

What are you providing?

Who are we talking to?

How to tailor your content to them? Listen and take action.

Resources AuthorityEngine Beginner's Guide to Podcasting Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book The No Nonsense Guide to Personal Branding for Career Success This podcast is sponsored by ImageWorks Services

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"..offer something that  people really want that is unique..."

In this podcast epsiode I interviewed Dan Norris on building a trusted branded optimized Wordpress site.

Dan shares ideas on what to do when you have a low budget for your website design.

Dan Norris is a driven entrepreneur and an award winning content marketer. He is a co-founder in wpcurve.com, a worldwide team of wordpress developers, providing unlimited small fixes and support, 24 / 7 for $69 per month.

His company became profitable in just 23 days, and hit $23k / month in 12 months."

Here are some few tips from the episode

Offer something unique Refer ability of services is essential Provide great content to build good will and trust Build a community Leverage your emailing list. Quickly offer solutions. Be accessible

Interestingly, Dan reviewed my website on the show. I did some tweaks right after the show.

Listen and take action.

Recommended Resources Differentiating your Website Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book The No Nonsense Guide to Personal Branding for Career Success www.wpcurve.com  Wordpress support services. This podcast is sponsored by ImageWorks Services

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“The sooner you get something started the more likely you get to be successful, get started today!” ~ Mike Michalowicz In this podcast episode I interviewed Mike on Entrepreneurship and Business Branding

Author, Entrepreneur, Keynote speaker Mike Michalowicz  is a regular contributor to Entrepreneur Magazine and is also a columnist for American Express's "Open Forum" series

With a new “profit first” formula  Michalowicz now operates his third million dollar venture, is a former small business columnist for The Wall Street Journal.

The author of:

Profit First Latest Book

The Pumpkin Plan

The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur, which BusinessWeek deemed “the entrepreneur’s cult classic.”

In this interview your will discover how to  position your business and brand for profit

Note:

I.            Explore your true uniqueness

II.            Understand who you are as an individual

III.            Then match it up with your business

How to Establish your business brand

Know yourself Be authentic: Authenticity drives demands Serve a unique customer: Are you serving a niche? Have the right quality of innovation, a distinguishing element Have brand fluidity. Ability to respond to customer demand

Recommended Resources PROFIT FIRST Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book The No Nonsense Guide to Personal Branding for Career Success This podcast is sponsored by ImageWorks Services

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“The key to influencer marketing is to put the influencer first” ~ Barry Feldman

In this podcast episode, content marketing expert, Barry Feldman shares tips for successful Personal Branding and influencer marketing. Barry Feldman owns and operates Feldman Creative, specialists in creating effective online marketing programs. Named  as one of the Top 25 Social Media Marketing Experts You Need to Know by Linkedin.  Barry is a frequent contributor to over 10 of the web's top publishers on the subject of online marketing.

Barry is also available to speak, coach and deliver training for online marketing, copywriting, and persuasion. Contact Barry visit www.feldmancreative.com Recommended Resources Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book The No Nonsense Guide to Personal Branding for Career Success www.feldmancreative.com AudioBooks RERBAND Summit: 7 Speakers Messages on Branding This podcast is sponsored by ImageWorks Services

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"Gratitude is magic, it can change anybody's life" ~ Awesome AJ

In this podcast episode your will learn how to:

Use the law of attraction to your advantage and live your awesome life. Living your Awesome Brand The four steps to use to manifest your dreams.

An interview with a 'Law of Attraction' expert, Ajay Mishra (Awesome AJ) Ajay (AJ) is an inspirational writer, law of attraction expert and life coach. He is helping, supporting, and guiding people around the Globe in living their Dreams. His guidance and teaching are easy, effortless and life-changing. That's why he is branded as "Awesome AJ" for spreading awesomeness into everyone's life. He is an expert in self-esteem building and powerful self branding. His powerful training in building self awesomeness is truly remarkable and life changing.

With his expertise of Law of Attraction, Human Thought Pattern and Universal Way of working, he is helping and guiding thousands of people across the globe in achieving their dreams, healing their Soul, harmonizing their relationship, creating magnificent success at job and studies, magnetizing abundance of wealth, restoring complete health and bringing the gift of love in their lives.

He offers a Life-changing Online Course "28 Magical Practice" to bring happiness into people's life with power of gratitude.

His soul inspiring website bringing joy and motivation to people across the globe.

Join his Unique Tribe of Awesome People at : http://awesomeaj.com/

Inspirational Writer, Self-Improvement Blogger, Law of Attraction Expert, Life Coach and Consultant. // Recommended books Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book The No Nonsense Guide to Personal Branding for Career Success AudioBooks This podcast is sponsored by ImageWorks Services

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"Don't seek to be the loudest voice in the room but rather a clear distinctive voice" ~ Bernard Kelvin Clive

You can listen and Subscribe via iTunes or Stitcher Radio

1. People do business(employ, recommend, refer, deal) with those they: Know, Love, & Trust... If people don't know you for something specific they may not do business with you. If you are not a kind, caring, admirable person with pleasing personality, people may never deal with you. Being likeable is a great asset. If you cannot be trusted in business, you have no business, your credibility is key to survival. "In this age, trust is the new currency for riches”. Can you be trusted?

2. As the world becomes noisier with each passing day and content fatigue with overloaded information setting in, if you don't position yourself as a brand and build strong reputation for yourself, you will be drowned in the noise. Haven't you noticed how people are cramming the social media platforms for attention(tags, likes, shares, retweets, blogs, pictures, etc) daily? Doing all they can for attention. If you consciously build your brand steadily overtime, you will become a go-to-person amidst the noise. Let your voice be heard. "Don't seek to be the loudest voice in the room but rather a clear distinctive voice" ~ Bernard Kelvin Clive

3. If you are not a brand then guess what; you are a commodity, and commodities rarely do get noticed. They are treated less and receive less of value. Your uniqueness in little areas matters. It's your difference that the world is seeking after not your similarities. The world is looking for experts and not generalists.

Now, Go make it happen. Recommended books Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book The No Nonsense Guide to Personal Branding for Career Success AudioBooks RERBAND Summit: 7 Speakers Messages on Branding This podcast is sponsored by ImageWorks Services

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"Learn to see what others are not seeing"

In a world today, where there are so many people looking for few opportunities that exist, each person must find a way of differentiating him or herself to stand-out and be noticed; to build a personal brand.

You can listen and Subscribe via iTunes or Stitcher Radio

In this episode you will hear excerpts from the speeches delivered at the Personal Branding Summit 2014 by

Albert Ocran, Keynote Speaker, Executive Coach Linda Narh, Communication & Marketing Expert Nana K. Duah. Brand Design Strategist Ofie Kodjoe, International Renowned Musician, Radio & TV Hostess Selorm Alfred Betepe. Entrepreneur & Brand Consultant Jennifer Agyeman, Image Consult ant Bernard Kelvin Clive, Lifestyle Entrepreneur

Join the Personal Branding Network (PBN) today; a community of like-minded individuals, growing and building brands with experts in the branding industry.

Watch pictures form the summit here: www.bkc.name/rebrand Recommended books Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book The No Nonsense Guide to Personal Branding for Career Success AudioBooks RERBAND Summit: 7 Speakers Messages on Branding www.RebrandLive.com This podcast is sponsored by ImageWorks Services

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"Attract or repel, if they don't love you they are not your target" ~ Olivia Omega

In this podcast episode I had conversation wit Olivia Omega on building a Personal Brand. You can listen and Subscribe via iTunes or Stitcher Radio Olivia Omega is a freelance consultant with 12 years of marketing, branding and PR experience. She is a personal branding and social media strategy expert with a strong background in brand positioning, traditional advertising, integrated marketing, new product development, graphic design and online community management.

Olivia has taught social media and branding workshops across the country for both large and small business clients, equipping them with the knowledge to successfully use Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and blogs to grow their brands.

Past PR clients have been featured in USA Today, Entrepreneur, Glamour, Daily Candy, O Magazine, Us Weekly, Life & Style, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Insider, Parents, Pregnancy, Fit Pregnancy, Pregnancy & Newborn and more. She blogs at www.laughlivlove.com Visit www.OliviaOmega.com Recommended books Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book The No Nonsense Guide to Personal Branding for Career Success AudioBooks This podcast is sponsored by ImageWorks Services

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“Tough times don't last, tough people do. ” ― Robert H. Schuller

In this podcast episode I had conversation with Manuel Corazzari, sharing his success and struggles and making it to building great brands. You can listen and Subscribe via iTunes or Stitcher Radio Manuel Corazzari is a photographer, brand specialist, musician, public speaker and the husband of Lori Corazzari.

At his early age, Manuel Corazzari flew to Unites States from Costa Rica with $5 on one pocket and a one million dollar smile in the other pocket.

Three months later he end up meeting his future mentor David Jordan Allen that saw the talent and determination on this young person's life, a year later Manuel started learning web design, html and graphics, 5 years later television, TV productions, cameras, and 10 years later advertising, public relations, networking and personal branding.

Today Manuel Corazzari is the CEO of Crown Media LLC. A Technology Company that utilizes media to impact the market world through all the ways of Media! Manuel Highlights are focus on Branding, Networking, assisting the world, and crossing every door of opportunity that faces our way.

Manuel works closely with clients to create distinctive brand identities that have real meaning, relevance and uniqueness, to ensure they stand out from the competition.

Contact him at www.manuelcorazzari.net Recommended books Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book The No Nonsense Guide to Personal Branding for Career Success AudioBooks This podcast is sponsored by ImageWorks Services

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"Without sense of  purpose and clear direction of your life, you will only be building a fake brand of you"

You can listen and Subscribe via iTunes or Stitcher Radio

It will help them better understand themselves, their overall purpose in life to align it with the company's goals.

They will be able to work in their area of strength which guarantees an increase in your company's productivity. No square pegs in round holes. Sometimes a little shift is all that is needed.

They will be more confident to spread information about the company in their own capacity easily; that is to say they will become your company's brand ambassadors.

Personal branding education will help your employees to understand and appreciate their unique qualities and the roles they play in the company and how they affect the company's overall mission to enable them work with fellow workers.

Enhances customer relations and builds brand loyalty. This is very crucial in maintaining customer confidence in products and services. If your staff have a pleasing personality it attracts more clients into your business. They can better communicate company's values in their own voice to clients online and offline.

Bonus: Appearance matters; First impressions count Recommended books Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book The No Nonsense Guide to Personal Branding for Career Success This podcast is sponsored by ImageWorks Services

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"You don't have to be great to get started but you must get started to be great" ~ Les Brown

In this particular episode Chris Bell of the Writers Rebellion Podcast interview Bernard Kelvin Clive; discussing the importance of Personal Branding and Publishing on his podcast show. Listen and be inspired: You can listen and Subscribe via iTunes or Stitcher Radio Interview transcript: CB: Hi Bernard! How are you today? BKC: Hi Chris, I’m good as gold here. CB: Excellent. Thank you for taking the time to come on the show today. BKC: It’s a pleasure I treasure. CB: Awesome. Well I’ve given the listeners the back-cover version of your biography, but tell us more about yourself and what inspired you to start the journey of self-publishing. BKC: Alright, thank you Chris. The name is Bernard Kelvin Clive and I’m inspired by a lot of things and a lot of people. My goal or vision or purpose is to really inspire others to live their God-given dreams using little means, or simple forms in every way I can, in the little things I can do. In so doing, I’m inspiring others and I’m inspiring myself to be the best version of myself I can ever be. It’s all summed up in the words “Inspiring and empowering the soul.” Those are the things I pursue. CB: Excellent, excellent! Do you have a quote that inspires you in your craft? BKC: I actually love quotes; I use quotes now and then and a lot of quotes really inspire me. One of them by Zig Ziglar and amplified by Les Brown: “You don’t have to be great to get started, but you must get started to be great.” CB: SUre, absolutely! I love that quote. I think that is such an inspiration for people who maybe want to write a book or start a podcast or start speaking, but don’t necessarily believe they have what it takes. You know, I started this podcast a few weeks ago, and I feel like I’m very much learning the trade of podcasting. And, it took me a while to build up the courage to actually get started on the podcast, I think because I was struggling with that same kind of thing. But, as I’ve started doing it I’ve learned more and really been enjoying it. So, I think that’s very inspirational for a lot of authors. Well, we as authors know that writing can be so rewarding, but it’s not always easy. Can you tell us about a time where you failed or fell short of your goals.

BKC: Ok, that’s a great question. Basically, with the quote I gave you, that’s one of the ways I really live my life and my writing style, because I believe its a process and a journey and until you begin, you will never get finished or know how much you have within yourself. So, my goal has been, all these years is to always put out something genuine to inspire somebody, no matter how little or small. My greatest challenge in all these processes has been trying to be confined by certain voices or certain people saying your writing style should be like “so, so and so,” or you should write “so, so and so.” And those have been the biggest challenges I find myself in, especially for my very first book in 2010. There were some people that reviewed the book that said I should go in this form or this particular path. But I stuck to my purpose, my goals. This is how I write and how I want to communicate. So to them, I might be a failure because I did not write as lengthy as they wanted or like some other famous authors they know, but in my own way or my own voice. And, that is very challenging for every beginning author or writer that you might be forced to confine yourself to the style or method of certain people. But, when you stick to your own style and find achievement along the way, you then excel at it. CB: Awesome! I think that is such wonderful advice for authors, especially those just starting out who have maybe read some eBooks or some self-published books and think that there is maybe one specific way to go about it. But, I would like to echo what you said and really I think it’s important for authors to find their own...

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Your Personal Branding Tool

In this podcast episode I interviewed the co-founder of OneBIO.me

A personal branding tool that helps create a compelling brand that engages your audience and moves them to believe in YOU.

You can listen and Subscribe via iTunes or Stitcher Radio

Recommended books

Ditch, Dare, Do Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book The No Nonsense Guide to Personal Branding for Career Success This podcast is sponsored by ImageWorks Services

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"Entrepreneurship is living a few years of your life like most people won't, so that you can spend the rest of your life like most people can't"

If you are interested in pursuing your passions and especially starting an online business on the side then this podcast episode is for you. In this episode I interviewed Jan Koch as he shares on “Restarting Your Life: Building an Online Business on the Side” You can listen and Subscribe via iTunes or Stitcher Radio

He is a Restart Strategist, passionate about transitioning from employment to entrepreneurship to restart your life. He built his business on the side and grew it so that it could replace his paycheck. Since then he started Restart Academy and launched a coaching program to help others to build a business on the side. Follow Jan on Facebook or Twitter, and subscribe to his blog at www.jkoch.me.   Recommended Resources www.restartacademy.co Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book The No Nonsense Guide to Personal Branding for Career Success This podcast is sponsored by ImageWorks Services

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"Let your personal brand evolve naturally over time" ~ Navid Moazzez

In this podcast episode on Personal branding, I interviewed Navid Moazzez You can listen and Subscribe via iTunes or Stitcher Radio Listen to a law student who found a new passion in life, his purpose and calling.

Navid Moazzez is an inspiring lifestyle entrepreneur, online marketer, blogger, podcaster and personal branding strategist from Stockholm, Sweden. Navid is extremely passionate about helping entrepreneurs, aspiring lifestyle entrepreneurs and small business owners with their branding strategy, building their authority and personal brand online.   His big mission is to inspire and help other people live life on their own terms so they can achieve their ideal lifestyle. You can find more about him over at navid.me (navid.me is short link for navidmoazzez.com) and he is also the host of the very popular podcast The Lifestyle Architects where he interviews inspiring and successful lifestyle entrepreneurs. Recommended Resources Think And Grow Rich Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book The No Nonsense Guide to Personal Branding for Career Success This podcast is sponsored by ImageWorks Services

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"If you are not a brand, then your may be a commodity"

You can listen and Subscribe via iTunes or Stitcher Radio

In this episode I share the 5 main reasons why your personal branding could be fading out.

1. Lack of clear direction -Purpose

1. Self-centered - self-promotion

2. Inconsistent - content and delivery

3. Lack of credibility - testimonials and social proof

4. Hype without Help - noise instead of voice

Recommended Resources

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book

The No Nonsense Guide to Personal Branding for Career Success

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“If you find something that works double down on it” ~ Steve Scott

Why should you Self-Publish

In this podcast episode we focus on Publishing, an interview with Amazon #1 Bestselling author Steve Scott.

Listen and learn the pros and cons in self-publishing form the expert.

You can listen and Subscribe via iTunes or Stitcher Radio

Connect with steve

www.stevescottesite.com

Recommended Resources

Write, Publish, Repeat

Writing Habit Mastery

Make Your Book Work harder

61 Ways To Sell More Non-Fiction Books

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book

The No Nonsense Guide to Personal Branding for Career Success

This podcast is sponsored by ImageWorks Services

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“All things being equal, people will do business with, and refer business to, those people they know, like and trust.” ~ Bob Burg

In this podcast episode, on the subject of Personal Branding is an interview with bestselling author Bob Burg on the theme:

"How focusing on giving value can influence one's brand"

You can listen and Subcribe via iTunes or Stitcher Radio

Listen and learn how to turn your adversaries in allies.

How to live your true brand and be a person of influence.

Why influence is important.

"Great influencers always believe that: It's not about me it's about the other person"

Recommended Resources

www.burg.com 

Adversaries into Allies

The Go-Giver

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book

The No Nonsense Guide to Personal Branding for Career Success

This podcast is sponsored by ImageWorks Services

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"To build an image you must have self-confidence" ~ Dr. Joyce Knudsen

In this podcast episode is a conversation with Dr. Joyce Knudsen, Life Coach & Assessment Counselor on Image Building and Personal Branding.

She shares her struggles and success stories.

How to build  a great brand on twitter.

You can listen and Subscribe via iTunes or Stitcher Radio

"Failure is  part of success, you must learn to move forward from there"

Connect with Dr. Joyce

www.drjoyceknudsen.com https://twitter.com/drjoyce_knudsen Recommended Resources

The E-Myth Revisited

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book

The No Nonsense Guide to Personal Branding for Career Success

This podcast is sponsored by ImageWorks Services

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"There is a book in you; birth it today!"

Writers are born not made; it should be your talent You must be fluent in English, know grammar and spellings to write a book You must be an expert to write a book You must get a publisher before you write and get published Writing doesn't pay You must be rich to publish a book

Recommended Books

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book

The No Nonsense Guide to Personal Branding for Career Success

This Podcast Episode was Sponsored by IMAGEWORKS Service Ltd.

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In this podcast episode we look at The 3 Critical Components That Must Be in Place Before You Can Live The Life of Your Dreams and Be Free. with my guest Jared James Pedersen

Jared has been studying and implementing both personal development and internet marketing strategies for over 8 years. He has gone through a LOT of books, courses, and seminars and through his experience,

he has discovered the three critical components that MUST be in place before anyone can achieve what they want in life. Today, he's going to share those 3 keys with us on this episode.

Listen and be inspired to take action

Visit

http://www.YourAtHomeCash.com

Connect with Jared

http://www.twitter.com/MrJaredJames

http://www.facebook.com/JaredJamesx

Recommended Resources

What to Say When You Talk to Yourself

Think and Grow Rich

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write a Book

This podcast is sponsored by ImageWorks

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“You need to do what your audience want” ~ Leslie Samuel

In this podcast episode Leslie Samuel of BecomeABlogger.com  shares his success story with us on how his blog opened a lot of opportunities for him; even becoming a University professor.

Listen and be inspired! Share the inspiration!

How Blogging got me a Job as a University Professor

You can listen and Subscribe via iTunes or Stitcher Radio

Ask yourself?

What are you passionate about?

Do people have a significant problem you can solve? “The key thing is finding a unique angle” Take action.

Don’t give up too soon. Blogging has lots of benefits.

RESOURCES:

visit BecomeABlogger.com

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book

Beginner’s Guide to Podcasting

www.dreallday.com

This podcast is sponsored by Mantra Auto Finance Ltd.

Web Design Services visit www.GoCreateStudio.com

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“You need to first establish a personal identity on social media” ~ John Sparks

Today's Guest: John Sparks

John Sparks is a nationally recognized Social Media Specialist and educator. The founder of Onlineimageworks.com 

In this podcast episode you will learn:

How to use Twitter and Instagram effectively How to get more followers How to promote your business on social media How to use specific webapps, website and mobile apps

Resources:

TagsForLikes

Tweepi.com

ManageFlitter.com

Twubs.com

Hashtags.org

Feedly.com

Socialmediatoday.com

Make it Happen! Daily Inspirations

The No Nonsense Guide to Personal Branding for Career Success

This episode was sponsored by ImageWorks

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Today’s guest, Star Bobatoon, Esq, an award-winning Speaker and Trainer

Star has trained and shared the stage, both nationally and internationally with motivational icon Les Brown. "When you need a speaker, you need someone that will bring out the STAR in you. I highly recommend Star Bobatoon." ~ Les Brown, The World's Leading Motivational Speaker On this podcast episode Star Bobatoon shares with us how you can share your story with passion, using the STAR Point - STORY

S: Set the Scene

T: Take your audience on a ride

O: Obstacles, share your challenges, your failures

R: Resolutions, how did you resolve your problems, how did you over it

Y: You focus, how will your story can help them

Listen and be inspired

Recommended Resources

Excuses be gone ~ Wayne Dyer Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write A Book Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding Think and Grow Rich

Secrets of the millionaire mind

Make it Happen! Daily  Inspiration

www.Mystarpoint.com

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“Life is a marathon, so let’s train for it!” ~ Bruce Van Horn

In this podcast episode, I had an interview with author and personal development coach, Bruce Van Hon, on the subject of "Training for Life's Marathon".

“You need to stop listening to other people’s voice and begin to listen to your own voice” ~ BruceVH

Listen  and find out how:

You can prepare for life’s marathon To pick yourself up from life’s struggles To Develop a new positive mindset in life

“Always keep your eyes on your goal”

“The most dangerous voice we listen to is the voice in our own head, what we tell our own self”

Recommended Resources:

Everyone should read Viktor Frankl’s “Man’s Search for Meaning”

This book is vital to mindset set because, in the concentration camps at Auschwitz, he observed that those who survived were the ones who were able to let go of their expectations/demands of life and turn it around and ask themselves, every day, what is life expecting of me today?

Think and Grow Rich

How to win friends and influence people

The Alchemist

Take the Stairs: 7 Steps to Success

Make it Happen!

You Can Go the Distance

Connect with Bruce

www.BruceVanHorn.com

This episode was sponsored by ImageWorks

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“Don’t just be yourself, be your best self” ~ Malcolm Levene

In this podcast episode we look at ‘building an authentic personal brand’ in a conversation with Malcolm Levene.

Your will learn:

Why is it necessary to pitch often Steps to building your personal brand The two parts of personal branding

"When we do the thing, we least want to do & do it first, apart from relief, we raise our self esteem" ~ Malcolm Levene

Malcolm Levene, UK’s leading Personal Branding coach. He has been a Personal Branding coach for over 20 years. His client list has included former Prime Minister Tony Blair, Actor Tom Cruise, Alastair Campbell, Michael Marks CBE, Robert Walters (CEO of Robert Walters plc) and Michael Gove MP.

As a Personal Banding Coach, Malcolm works with businesses and individuals who are desirous of projecting an authentic Personal Brand, a Brand that accurately portrays who they are from the inside out. He offers his extensive experience as it relates to enabling people to attain their goals, maintain focus and be highly effective in their day-to-day interactions. Malcolm’s corporate clients include Prudential, Deutsche Bank, Tesco, Citigroup, Robert Walters PLC, Nestle’, Volvo (UK), The Bank of New York Mellon and KPMG.

Recommended Resources:

The Road Less Travelled

Emotional Intelligence

The No Nonsense Guide to Personal Branding for Career Success

Huffington Post blog about Personal Branding

www.malcolmlevene.com

This episode was sponsored by ImageWorks

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“You have to take steps to build yourself up” ~ Lauren G. Reliford  

In today’s podcast we discuss on how to be your phenomenal self; your personal development journey with my guest Lauren G Reliford.

Note: “The greatest disappointment that anyone can be in life is to do that thing which he is not most fit to do” ~ Lauren G.

She is a motivational force that shares life lessons and the truth of forgiveness with those who are seeking. An author, speaker and entrepreneur.

"Unforgiveness is like you drinking poison and hoping that they die."

In this episode you will discover

How to act in moments of despair How to develop mentally Why forgiveness should be a necessary daily ritual How to live your authentic life

“You are the answer to all your problems.” ~ Lauren G. Reliford

Resources and connection

www.laurengreliford.com

www.queenofforgiveness.com

www.laurengreliford.com/psychocybernetics Make it Happen: Enjoy 365 Days of Inspirational messages, Quotes and affirmations to live the life of your dreams.

This episode was sponsored by ImageWorks

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"Sometimes it only takes one key relationship to explode your business" ~ Derek Doepker In this podcast episode I interviewed #1 bestselling fitness author, Derek Doepker, a blogger, and entrepreneur.

On the subject of Publishing: Selecting a Profitable Niche

Listen an learn the secrets and strategies.

He started his blog "Excuse Proof Fitness" in 2012 to help inspire people to reach their body and mind's fullest potential with innovative fitness "hacks."  He then turned his ideas into bestselling books which include "How To Stick To A Diet" and "50 Fitness Tips You Wish You Knew."

After months of studying and networking with other bestselling authors to find out their secrets, he employed innovative marketing strategies to reach #1 bestseller on kindle in "weight loss" and "healthy living."

He is now passionate about taking the lessons he's learned and helping other authors publish and market their books.  Since March of 2013, he has taught over 1,000 people from all around the world how to successfully publish their books on Amazon's kindle platform.  He is continually inspired by his students' success and wishes to help all authors fulfill their dreams of having a bestselling book.

Recommended Resources:

http://ebookbestsellersecrets.com

www.ebookbestsellersecrets.com/book

Kindle Publishing Bible - Tom Corson Knowles

Crush It With kindle - John Tighe

61 Ways to Sell More Nonfiction Kindle Books  - Steve Scott

Make it Happen!

This episode was sponsored by ImageWorks

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“You can achieve all of your dreams through publishing ebooks if you're willing to master the three key areas of authorship: writing, publishing and marketing" ~ Tom Corson-Knowles In this podcast episode I interviewed Amazon #1 Bestelling author, Tom Corson-Knowles, a serial entrepreneur, blogger and international bestselling author.

Book Publishing and Marketing Strategies

Listen and learn

How to get published today, the best publishing route now. How ebook publishing is taking over print books in sales. Turning your dream of being an author into a reality. 3 Main things that help sell your book.

He started his first business at age 13, manufacturing SAD lamps out of his father's garage. By the time he graduated from Indiana University Kelley School of Business at age 22, he was earning a full-time income from his first successful business which he started in his dorm room.

Tom then decided to share the keys to success he learned along his journey to becoming a financially independent entrepreneur through his books, videos and seminars. Today, he teaches new and established authors and writers how to achieve incredible success by writing and selling ebooks on Amazon Kindle. Tom is the founder of EbookPublishingSchool.com, a free video training program for any writer or author who wants to learn how to successfully write, publish and market their own ebooks.

Tom is also the founder of TCK Publishing, the premier ebook publishing firm that is leading the industry in providing advanced marketing support for its clients. The company's goal is to help every single client earn a full-time income as an author. TCK Publishing specializes in marketing for both fiction and non-fiction authors to help get their message and stories out to millions of readers all over the world.

Tom's bestselling books include "The Kindle Publishing Bible," "The Amazon Analytics Bible," "Rich By 22," "Facebook For Business Owners," "How To Make Money With Twitter" and "The Kindle Writing Bible," among others.

Recommended reading:

Trust Me, I'm Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator The Perfection of Marketing 61 Ways to Sell More Nonfiction Kindle Books

The Art of Personal Branding

Connect with Tom and Get Published

http://tckpublishing.com/

http://amazon.com/author/business

https://www.udemy.com/kindle-publishing-course

This episode was sponsored by ImageWorks

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How to become an entrepreneur of distinction™

“An entrepreneur is a leader of excellence, trailblazer and pioneer who constantly brings change to their generation” ~ Onyi Anyado

My guest is Onyi Anyado, CEO of Onyi Anyado Media House, UK.

In this episode we discuss

6 Keys to Use in Becoming Entrepreneurs of Distinction

Vision Excellence Time Management Determination Creativity Goals

“Get excellence or live average” ~ © O Anyado 2012. Onyi’s Books”

Hitting The Target: A 12 Month Guide To Distinction Onyi’s The Doorway to Distinction: 200 Quotes to Inspire You to Reach New Levels of Excellence.

http://www.onyianyadomediahouse.com/about-oamh/

http://b1coaching.com/

Twitter: twitter.com/Onyianyado777

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"If you want to change the world, pick up your pen and write" ~ Martin Luther Blogging has tremendous benefits and here I will outline some of the advantages. I hope if you have not started blogging you may consider doing so after this. (I look forward to reading your blog)

As much as I believe in the power of blogging there is a caveat to it, it’s not for everyone and may not work for some others. But hey, give it a shot. "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." -Wayne Gretzky To begin with, you must focus on providing quality content, and writing in your own voice.

It makes you a better writer; it builds your confidence. It gives you a voice online in your field, carving a niche for yourself.(Blogging in a subject area you are passionate about) It helps you connect with other people in the world, a networking platform. A two way communication. You have the opportunity to join like-minded bloggers. It can be real fun (A sense of fulfillment). It frees your mind and sharpens you creative abilities: as you’ll be learning, researching and contributing, it enlightens you It is a medium to reach out to others, sharing your thought and expertise to help people. Platform building: Your blog is a tool to help you build your brand and authority. Big bonus: You can publish a book out of your blog. In fact most authors do this. It’s your tool for branding yourself, company, products and services. (Content marketing) Source of income: It can also help you generate income, via paid advertisements.

Recommended Reading:

Why Every Entrepreneur Must Write a Book

The Art of Personal Branding

How to Publish and Sell your book with little or no money

The No Nonsense guide to personal branding for career success

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Make it Happen!

“It is never too late to be what you might have been.” — George Eliot

14 Tips to Make it Happen in 2014

Remember that information, seminars, books, and events don’t change people, people change when they believe and act on the information.  

Tip #1 To begin with, you must have an intriguing idea, a dream; something you are so passionate about, a problem to solve, a need to meet, a mark to make. That is your Dream, Your Vision, Your Goal:  Be specific! See the big picture. How will it be like, when you finally get it? What will success mean to you? Set crystal clear goals; goals that will set your heart on fire. Make it important to you.   Tip #2 Focus: (Follow One Course Until Successful). Master One thing. Don’t dissipate your energy. Ask yourself, what one thing do I want to be noted for this year?  Then channel all your energy and resources to make it happen. Become so good at what you do that you can’t be ignored. So, become the best in your chosen field.

Tip #3 Raise the bar on yourself! Think Big!  Expand your vision and expect more from yourself than anyone, then, go make it happen. Compete against yourself and challenge yourself daily.  Use your creative imagination. Think win, win, in all the time.  Ask: How can I help someone win today? How can I be a miracle to someone?   Tip #4   Build a team: Carefully select your dream team. Remember: you are the average of your 5 closest friends you spend most time with. Evaluate your circles in the previous year, did they help or hamper your progress? Then revise where necessary, it matters! TEAM: Together Everyone Achieves More Download the Full Audio or eBook for #FREE

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My grade 6 Teacher said back then to me...

"You young man must have everything to do with communication.. get into the media"

If they told you you can't, it’s only because they haven't succeeded in doing it. If she told you, you can, it's because like him, she saw potential in you, has been able to do something similar and can only share her enthusiasm and get you to win also. Now, whose account would you believe? Choose life and live my friends. You are a winner! ~ PKBI

Paa Kwesi Inkumsah served as the President of JCI Ghana in 2009. In 2010 he was employed as JCI UN Affairs Commissioner for Africa and the Middle East. He is also the co-president of International Institute for Global Education, an institute with a unique curriculum of studies to establish effective global leaders. In this episode I interviewed Paa Kwesi B. Inkumsah of The Africa Leadership Agenda (TALA) as we discuss raising the next generation of leaders with the need for goal setting for the coming year. List and be inspired. TALA was born of the frustrations of leadership in Africa and looks to offer other perspectives to leadership through programs and coaching.

Connect with PKBI Be part of TALA  ( The Africa Leadership Agenda) Recommended Book: Make it Happen!

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"Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion" ~ Parkinson’s Law

Plan your day in advance (don’t leave things to chance, take charge). Be detailed about each task. Assign a start and possible completion time. Avoid unnecessary phone conversation, it’s your phone and you must have control over it. Don’t mix working time with home-family time. When you are at work, work, when home, make time for the family and yourself. Delegate task: you can’t and shouldn’t do all by yourself. Filter the ones you can do and delegate the rest to people who can even do it better. Avoid unnecessary meetings. Get to know the agenda of meetings before you attend and if it’s not really going to serve any need of yours or you are not compelled to be there, avoid it. Take notes when you attend meetings. Schedule appointments; don’t entertain causal visitors at work. Avoid checking emails first thing in the morning, unless your job depends on it. Turn off email and other notification sounds, they distract. Schedule times for checking and replying to emails. Use a template to serve time on some of your tasks. Get an email template for specific things you do. In responding to first time customers, repeat thank yous, etc. Synchronize scheduled events and appointments on your calendar on all your portable devices, especially if you are using a smart phone. In this way, you will be kept updated. Automate task; things that are done repetitively. Use softwares and necessary tools to help do this.  Learn to filter information that comes in; you don’t need everything, every email, every news; just be selective and get focused. Develop the habit of finishing task you start before moving unto the next project. Prioritize. Consider getting a virtual assistant. Set and use reminders on your smart phone/tablet. Try a day or a week media fast (Off social media). Get your mind to refresh. Learn to say NO! Eliminate! Take a break; rest!

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At the VIP Lounge: "Learning doesn't only happen in the classroom; open up your mind and learn" ~ Dr. Esi Ansah In this podcast episode #250 is a conversation with Dr. Esi Ansah, (Associate Professor, Ashesi University):

The conversation covers:

Empowering women Dreams and passions Hobbies and careers Personal branding and Image Building

Dr. Esi Ansah is a social scientist who teaches Human Resource Management, Leadership IV, Negotiation and Creative Problem-Solving and Organisational Behaviour. She is a product of top-ranked Wesley Girls’ High School in Cape Coast (Ghana).  She earned three Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology, International Affairs and French from Florida State University in 1999, graduating in three years cum laude (with honors).  She also holds a Master of Arts degree in Social Sciences from the University of Chicago (2004) and a Master of Science degree in Public Service Management from DePaul University in Chicago (2002). She holds a PhD in Public Administration (2008) from Rutgers University in New Jersey.

Dr. Ansah loves teaching and research, and is highly engaged in various initiatives in the academic community. She was voted by students as the Outstanding Faculty Member in 2008 and 2010, and also as the Most Inspiring Faculty Member in 2010.  Esi’s academic and professional interests include Service Delivery Reform in the Public Sector and Human Resource Management and Social and Public Entrepreneurship.

Esi is also a founding partner and the current CEO of Axis Human Capital Ltd. Since 2008, Esi has managed Axis, growing its client base and establishing it as a respectable partner in supporting organizations in their development, providing business advisory services and recruiting high-calibre candidates for clients.

Esi also uses Axis as a platform to provide mentoring and career coaching to job seekers and young professionals (CV Writing, Interviewing Skills, Career Planning, Entrepreneurship etc.), and is especially passionate about working with young students and professionals.

Esi is actively engaged in various roles in her community, and also serves on the boards of the Longevity Project and Women’s Trust. She is a fellow in the Aspen Institute’s Africa Leadership Initiative (West Africa), and was honored in 2010 by the New York-based The Network Journal (TNJ) as one of the journal’s “Forty under Forty” African Achievers. She describes herself as a simple, high-energy person who never runs out of ideas (she maintains a detailed Idea Bank), and also as a “grounded idealist” with a sense of urgency and an aim to bring positive transformation wherever she finds herself.

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“We are a generation that cannot afford to wait. The future began yesterday and we’re already late.” John Legend.

It this episode I interviewed Motivational Speaker Jeremiah Buabeng, concerning his passion, purpose and dreams.

Discovering your calling Pursuing  Excellence Building your capacity

Listen and be inspired!

At the age of 17, Jeremiah Buabeng discovered in himself a unique gift. He identified that God has given him a talent to inspire people, inform them about the enormous potential that lies within them and to challenge them to become all that they can be. And he responded to this calling with tremendous passion, travelling around the country to stir up the youth of Ghana with his passion-driven inspirational messages.

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How to Prepare for TV & Radio Interviews as a guest For the first timer this can be very challenging, however with a little preparation you can wade through this. It will interest you to know that even those who have mastered the act, just like public speaking, occasionally feel nervous. So you are not alone, it’s a skill you can learn and master.

Having been on both sides of the camera, as a host and guest on various TV and Radio shows, I have compiled some tips to help you prepare for your next interview.

Tips is Preparing for TV & Radio Appearances:

Preparation is key: Read all that you can find about the interviewer and something about the show and previous shows. Online & offline, ask colleagues. Impressions: Yes! First impressions still counts: Make it a point to look your best, don’t over dress. Be clean of anything that will make you unconformable. Choose your colors carefully to represent your brand. If it’s a regular TV show with constant studio settings and color then ensure that your attire doesn’t conflict the colors in the studio settings[You don’t wear a red shirt when the studio couches are red]. After makeups before you go on set check your appearance on the TV monitor beforehand, if possible.

Experts range: mostly you will be called in the area of your expertise, so be confident about what you know. If it’s your book; know your materials thoroughly, inside out. Find-out if the interview is live or recorded. Note that if it is live there is nothing like of the record, so every word counts. Get to know the subject of discussion if it’s not about your book and also any question you may have before that day. Some hosts prefer the conversational type of interviews, where they won’t be any questions sent to you before the day of interview; if so relax and chat, you are the expert in your field, share your thoughts. Prepare properly for it. In answering questions, be clear and precise. Give practical examples where necessary. Try to limit your answers to about three sentences. Be straight to the point where necessary. Get to the venue at least 30min early so you can relax and get yourself acquainted. When you are anxious, it show in your posture and speeches, relax!

Be confident, be yourself, be natural. Don’t try to imitate anyone. Do maintain your composure at all times and seat yourself comfortably. On radio do adjust and test any equipment before the program begins. If you are speaking into a microphone, maintain a distance of at least six inches.

Openings and Closings: These are key for any interview. Prepare your sound bites; your power punches (words). What do you want your listeners or readers to remember you for? What do you really want them to learn?

Resources:

99 Ways to Build and Boost Your Brand Visibility

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Bernard Kelvin Clive books

AuthorPreneur (Audiobook)

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7 Pillars to Build a Personal Brand as a Leader “Many men may see the King in a Kid but it takes a true leader to nurture it”  I define Personal Branding as the combination of one’s skills and talents to produce value for people that creates an impression, a perception and reputation in the mind of others.

Benefits of Personal Branding for Leaders

It puts you in the lead; you become ‘Top-of-Mind’ in issues relating to your niche.  It enhances your credibility: widely known people are perceived to be credible and when you work with integrity and authenticity you will become a sought-after leader. A credible leader. It helps you raise other great leaders; people will trust and respect you.

1.      Purpose: Vision

Voice | Insight | Serve | Inspire | Organize | Nurture

Where there is no vision, the people perish. —Proverbs 29:18

2.      Principle: Values

Richard Branson said that, he asked someone who worked close to Madiba, what made him such a great leader. The respond was this: "He is always consistently honest. He says the same thing behind closed doors as he does to someone's face. His actions come from the perspective of what's right for someone in the village. He has no personal agenda."

3.      Practice: Service, “"A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way." - John C. Maxwell

4.      Provision 

“Outstanding leaders go out of their way to boost the self-esteem of their personnel. If people believe in themselves, it’s amazing what they can accomplish. —Sam Walton

5.      Protection: Security

6.      Promotion: Reward

7.      Preservation: Legacy

“I start with the premise that the function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers. —Ralph Nader

Resource: 

REBRAND: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

The Non Nonsense Guide to Personal Branding for Career Success

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Albert Einstein stated "Try not to become a man of success but rather to become a man of value."

What does success mean to you?

"Success isn't just about what you accomplish in your life, it’s about what you inspire others to do"

What do successfully people do differently?   Listen to this episode for more. Be inspired!

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A conversation with a Technology Entrepreneur on Tech-start-ups and funding.

My guest on YouthWise Forum, Kane Mani CEO of Origgin, share insights into technology and mobile start-up firms in Africa, Ghana.

Download, Listen and Share.

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Hello! I made this for you, I know you have a book inside of you; you want to start blogging, writing those poems, stories, articles, drama, etc. You know it, and I am doing this for you today. To inspire you to get started, continue, and keep moving to make that dream a reality. I believe you paint the world with your words and make it such a beautiful place as a writer. For writers, poets and authors, the fact is this; you must come to a point where you totally fall in love with your writings, style, right from the beginning or along the journey and totally settle this is your heart that not everyone will love your piece. Your work may or may not be the best in your eyes, but it's your babe, you've got to love it and make it the best at all times. If you seek perfection it will elude you, seek progress, the desire to communicate something of real value to your reader; to inform, entertain, educate. Communicate your expertise in little ways, not seeking to please the masses. Someone may pick your piece and be inspired others will not, that's life. If they find your work meaningful, great if not, it may not be for them or not the right time. Don't give up, let love lead. Keep giving your best, the universe will reward you greatly.

21 Thoughts to Inspire You in Writing

1.      Just Begin:

“Planning to write is not writing. Outlining, researching, talking to people about what you're doing, none of that is writing. Writing is writing.” ~ E. L. Doctorow

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2.      It takes time:

“However great a man’s natural talent may be, the act of writing cannot be learned all at once.” ~ Jean-Jacques Rousseau

3.      Your book is your authority:

“One man is as good as another until he has written a book.” ~Benjamin Jowett

4.      Be Precise:

“Good things, when short, are twice as good.” ~ Baltasar Gracián

5.      Make it a Habit:

“I put a piece of paper under my pillow, and when I could not sleep I wrote in the dark.” ~ Henry David Thoreau

6.      Go after it:

“You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.” — Jack London

7.      Writing birth writing:

“The desire to write grows with writing.” — Erasmus

8.      Share your thoughts:

“Rejected pieces aren’t failures; unwritten pieces are.” — Greg Daugherty

9.      Filter:

“So the writer who breeds more words than he needs, is making a chore for the reader who reads.” — Dr. Seuss

10.  You are an author:

“The multitude of books is a great evil. There is no measure or limit to this fever for writing; everyone must be an author; some out of vanity to acquire celebrity and raise up a name, others for the sake of lucre and gain.” ~ Martin Luther

11.   Progress:

“You need not expect to get your book right the first time. Go to work and revamp or rewrite it. God only exhibits his thunder and lightning at intervals, and so they always command attention. These are God’s adjectives. You thunder and lightning too much; the reader ceases to get under the bed, by and by.” ~ Mark Twain

12.   Quote them:

“The wisdom of the wise and the experience of the ages are perpetuated by quotations.” ~ Benjamin Disraeli

13.   Amateur to a Pro:

“Every artist was first an amateur.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

14.   Say it, if you have to:

“When you have nothing to say, say nothing.” ~ Charles Caleb Colton

15.   Concise:

“A man who uses a great many words to express his meaning is like a bad marksman who, instead of aiming a single stone at an object, takes up a handful and throws at it in hopes he may hit.” ~ Samuel Johnson

16.  Read great minds:

“To read good books is like holding a conversation with the most eminent minds of past centuries and, more-over, a studied conversation in which these authors reveal to us only the best of their thoughts.” ~ René Descartes

17.  Pin it:

“There are a thousand thoughts lying within a man that he does not know ’til he takes...

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Ethic: rules of behavior based on ideas about what is morally good and bad [Webster]

The No Nonsense Guide Ethics:

1. You don't get on social media platforms to insult your elders(Even your colleagues) and then say you are asserting your rights and... it's Freedom of Speech.

2. You don't chat with your potential boss or the elderly with slang and acronyms such as: GM, sup? Eh can't you write just 'Good Morning'?

3. You don't use your employers work time on social media to complain about your current job, someone is watching. You keep 'liking' every post every hour on Facebook and you tell me you are at work. Are you serious?

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On this radio interview with Helen Yawson [Singer, Vocal Coach, Pastor(KICC Ghana), Wife and Mother. Leading the nations to worship the Most High God] we touched on the following areas; her Music, Motivation and Ministry. Including...

Voice training Dating and relationship tips. Upcoming 'Helen Yawson in Concert'

Guest Artistes: Joe Mettle ThreadStone (Nigeria's Premier Rock Band)

Enquiries: 0242 845 205 / 027 7479443

Download, Listen and be inspired.

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She stated "It's not about the money.. it's the passion and fulfillment in it"

Listen to the conversation I had with Akua Boatenmaa Adjei on WomenPreneurs and be inspired! It's fun-filled!

WOMENPRENEURS is prelude to Woman 2.1 Summit 18th & 19th October 2013 at the National Theatre. These are women who are actively turning passion into profit, transforming our nation and inspiring the next generation through entrepreneurship. It is brought to you by in partnership with BKC Consulting, and supported by Live Your Dreams, Rolemodels Ghana, FashionistaGH, Centrifuj, ENewsGh and hosted by Bernard Kelvin Clive

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Marriage! ...Do I stand a chance? ...What is keeping me getting into one?... Does it really matter? On YOUTHWISE Forum ...platform for the discerning youth!  with relationship expert Patriarch George with Lawrencia Elikem Zigah as we discuss the subject "Preparing ones self for marriage... what one needs to know and do"

Listen to the audio/podcast below

Sometimes it is easy to look at those around us and 'covet' their bad experience. Divorce, infidelity, failure, waywardness, substance abuse, promiscuity, indebtedness, costly compromises, name them. We see people experience them and we think we are no different and it's ok if any of them comes our way, that we can't help it.  Why don't you start failing your exams because others failed? Why don't you reduce your speed because others are trailing you in the field? It's because you fancy the crown or the prize so much you want to get to it at all cost.

How do you respond when you give your best to your partner and people try to make you feel it is not worth it because others did same and got disappointed, got divorced, got cheated on? How do you react when you try to straighten your children and people trying to discourage you? How to do take it when people try to kill your dreams?

Do you give up because there is enough overwhelming evidence of what they are saying or you are far motivated by the crown and the prize that you will be willing to be the sole motivator of yourself even when no one is cheering you on so you cross the line for which you have prepared yourself for?

There will always be failures, the divorced, the cheated, the wayward, the promiscuous and the lot, and there will always be YOU. Do not confuse the two because you are surrounded by them.

Keep your eyes, ears, mind and heart on that which you seek to get in life and it shall come to you.

PG Sebastian www.pgpedia.org

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Don't you desire to be liked, loved and appreciated in life?  Either in virtual life on real life, its basically the same. Now crossing over to social media and especially Facebook, my question and concern has been this: What is the value of a Facebook 'Like'?

Here are four points I summarized the top reasons into: 1. Influence - Brand 2. Endorsement  -Support 3. Agreement - Affirm 4. Value - Inspiring, Encouraging, Educating, Entertaining

When I asked this question on Facebook here are some of the answers from comments... //

Post by Bernard Kelvin Clive.

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Personal Branding for the Job Seeker

“All of us need to understand the importance of branding. We are CEOs of our own companies: Me Inc. To be in business today, our most important job is to be head marketer for the brand called You.” - Tom Peters

Does personal branding really matter? This is it: whether you are a job seeker or entrepreneur, your personal brand and online presence has immense effect on you. A recent survey by Jobvite stated that more and more recruiters are turning to social media to aid them in their job recruitment, and that an individual’s online presence is one great determinant for securing a job.

“Candidates best watch what they put on their social profiles, as an overwhelming majority of recruiters form negative opinions from posts flaunting drugs, alcohol, and profanity—and 42% of recruiters have apparently reconsidered an applicant (either positively or negatively) based on what a social profile revealed.” ~ Jobvite

The shocking revelations, confirms lots of the point and concerns raised in the book. The simple guide helps readers, to use the Four D’s (4 D’s) and Four P’s (4 P’s) to build their personal brand. Let’s take a quick overview:

Discovery – Personal Discovery ~ Purpose. Development – Working on your talents ~ Preparation. Design – Platform building, Career and work life ~ Positioning Deployment – Service and execution ~ Publicity, Promotion

Here are some action tips for the job seeker:

Identify your key strengths in the area of your talents Sharpen your gifts, polish your craft. Seek knowledge in those areas, to become an expert in your chosen field. Join a mastermind group – a community of like-minded people. Be open minded, listen, learn and be adaptable to changes, especially technological change. Build quality networks, and attend professional networking events. On social media, keep a professional profile, bio and picture, and share your expertise.

The goal is to build a brand base on authenticity, value creation and service. Here again, according to the bayt.com report, about 9 out of 10 search for people’s profiles online after they have applied for a job or about to meet in person either for business or other activities. It’s proves that personal branding and having an online presence is really important in this age, and that it can either work for or against you. From the report it stated that, “In fact, even something as simple as a photograph could influence decision-makers, with eight in 10 (79.6%) respondents of the belief that their online photo effects how they are perceived." The crust of the matter is that these polls were not conducted anywhere than East and North Africa. It’s now time to take your personal brand seriously. Don’t be left out.

This is what an international Best seller had to say concerning the book:

"With the speed of changes in the world today, success has no geographical borders. In this engaging book, Bernard Kelvin Clive shares principles from his own success in Ghana that can inspire and guide readers anywhere in the world. With a gentle and humble spirit, he reminds us that building a name for ourselves is most easily done not by manipulating and pushing but simply by serving others. I highly recommend The No Nonsense Guide to Personal Branding for anyone who has a voice to be heard." Dan Miller, author of New York Times bestselling 48 Days to the Work You Love.

Remember: It’s time to make your career and brand count. “#SocialMedia can get you the attention you want but not the trust you need. You got to build trust. #PersonalBranding” ~ If you are interested in learning how to position yourself properly online, a copy of the book “The No Nonsense Guide to personal Branding for Career Success”

Your brand matters.

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"You can't have a great business person in a copycat" ~ Penelope S. Bartels-Sam Podcast Episode #237

On #WomenPreneur Series I host Penelope S. Bartels-Sam CEO, InCharge Global, on YOUTHWISE Forum on Top Radio 103.1 FM. Be empowered by the outstanding lady as you listen to her inspiring journey into Entrepreneurship; the good, bad and ugly, with lots of fun along the journey. 

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.” —Steve JobsWOMENPRENEURS: prelude to Woman 2.1 Summit 18th & 19th October 2013. These are women who are actively turning passion into profit, transforming our nation and inspiring the next generation through entrepreneurship. It is brought to you by in partnership with BKC Consulting, and supported by Live Your Dreams,Rolemodels Ghana, FashionistaGH, Centrifuj, @ENewsGh and hosted by Bernard Kelvin Clive

Download and Listen!

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You only win the game of life if you participate. Most often we wait for forces outside us to urge us to live our dreams, but all that it takes is embedded in you. You got to live your dreams inside out. Nobody truly cares and committed to make it happen unless you do. If you act now and move, forces will come to aid you along the way, but even if you don't show up you will be proud that you made the move.

Understand this: Anyone who believes in your dream will sacrifice in a way to support(cash, connection, prayer, service, advice, etc) and if they don't nothing will motivate them to do so. If you find out that some of your close friends and family don't support your dream, don't hate them, love them and just let them be, if you force them to fit into your dream picture, you will probably set the stage to kill your dream and eventually yourself. Not all will share in your dreams. God knows how to offer you the needed support. Live your dreams

Go, make it happen! "You've done it before and you can do it now. See the positive possibilities. Redirect the substantial energy of your frustration and turn it into positive, effective, unstoppable determination" ~ Ralph Marston I use Grammarly for proofreading because it takes my "error[ticks] away. :), (ticks away my errors).

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What makes your heart sing?

Sometimes I wonder why we do what we do. The motive and motivation, Why we fight, envy and kill?Questions! Questions! Questions! What makes your heart smile? What if money didn't really matter? What makes you happy? How do you like to spend your life? What do you desire? What if money was no object? What would you like to do if money were no object?  What would you do if you had all the money in this world? Where will you go? What career will you pursue?

All of us have dreams and ideas we really desire to achieve. Take a moment and do this: have an inventory of your dreams, the things you truly desire  to do and have; note them down, be very specific with details. Think through them and ask yourself why you desire those things, search deep within for answers.

You know often times we pursue careers that are not truly in line with our heartbeats, having audio not synchronizing with our video. Be inspired to go after your dreams. Do not die with your music unsung.

Think about this: “Because children grow up, we think a child's purpose is to grow up. But a child's purpose is to be a child. Nature doesn't disdain what lives only for a day. It pours the whole of itself into the each moment. We don't value the lily less for not being made of flint and built to last. Life's bounty is in its flow, later is too late. Where is the song when it's been sung? The dance when it's been danced? It's only we humans who want to own the future, too. We persuade ourselves that the universe is modestly employed in unfolding our destination. We note the haphazard chaos of history by the day, by the hour, but there is something wrong with the picture. Where is the unity, the meaning, of nature's highest creation? Surely those millions of little streams of accident and wilfulness have their correction in the vast underground river which, without a doubt, is carrying us to the place where we're expected! But there is no such place, that's why it's called utopia. The death of a child has no more meaning than the death of armies, of nations. Was the child happy while he lived? That is a proper question, the only question. If we can't arrange our own happiness, it's a conceit beyond vulgarity to arrange the happiness of those who come after us.” ― Tom Stoppard, The Coast of Utopia I came across this video and I believe it's worth watching; be inspired!

[youtuber youtube='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ko98LhDpwY']

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The question is, What are you living for? “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson Let me share this story with you concerning purpose:

From the SeattleTimes, A college fraternity invited a favorite professor for an evening meal and then a discussion. During the discussion, the professor turned to the student and asked, “What are you living for, young man?”" The student replied, “I am going to be an electrical engineer.” “Yes,” replied the professor, “I understand that’s going to be your profession but what are you living for?” The young man was thoughtful and apparently baffled by the question. Finally he said, “I am sorry, sir, but I guess I haven't thought that one through.”

That's my question for you today as well... What are you living for?

Listen to the podcast for more.

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5 Inexpensive Ways to Be More Attractive

Come on… doesn't it feel so good to get all the attention when needed? So, how do you woo and wow your audience or the world around you; in such a busy world? How do you draw attention without craving for it? Let’s find out…

We are going to use what I call the S.W.O.R.D. formula.

The sword here signifies your authority, gifts & talents, abilities & skills. Every gifted person needs this sword to fight the challenges of life, to succeed, and be more attractive.  It’s nothing complex, basically simple, but very effective way to be more attractive.

The great Philosopher, Jim Rohn, stated “To attract attractive people, you must be attractive. To attract powerful people, you must be powerful. To attract committed people, you must be committed. Instead of going to work on them, you go to work on yourself. If you become, you can attract.”

Here you are:

S ~ SMILE: A smile is a language understood by every tribe, culture and country. It lightens up the darkness in every situation. When you carry a smile always, you become easily approachable, seen as a friendly person and attractive ~ charming!  It costs nothing but its benefits are huge. Never dress without one, Smile. SMILE ~ See My Instant Life Energizer.

2.     W ~ WORDS:  Words are spirits and carry life. Use it well and you gain the admiration of many, mishandle it, and then it ruins your reputation. Choose your words wisely. Knowing what to say is as important as how and when to say it. Speech may be silver, silence golden, but wisdom knows when to use what. Your words must be seasoned with salt. Have you ever been so attracted to a person just by words, wise words and the manner of its use? Cultivate the power of the right use of words with right speech tone then you will be unstoppable.  “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” Proverbs 15:1

3.     O ~ ORDER: Anything sequentially, systematically and perfectly done attracts attention. This calls for discipline, a great deal of time and meticulously working on a task, goals and your dreams. You must make delivery of excellence your goal in whatever you do; becoming a person of distinction.  “Anything worth doing, is worth doing right.” ― Hunter S. Thompson

4.     R ~ RESPECT: Anytime you show respect to someone, you honor the person. Having a sword doesn’t make you superior to anyone; it’s rather a tool to serve. Firstly, you must learn to respect yourself, treat yourself well, and then secondly treat others with honor. You respect their time, their opinions, and their religion and believe system. This is one key that opens doors to you. Go out to day to honor others, your parents, the elders, your colleagues and watch favor flowing to your doors. “I speak to everyone in the same way, whether he is the garbage man or the president of the university.”  ― Albert Einstein

5.     D ~ DRESS: Your appearance matters a whole lot; key phrase “Man look at the outward appearance”. As much as appearance can be deceptive, on the average it creates the most lasting first impression. You got to dress good, look good and smell good. That in itself boosts your self-confidence. Believe in yourself and what you have. Don’t impress just express the true beauty in you. “Your appearance, attitude, and confidence define you as a person. A professional, well-dressed golfer, like a businessperson, gives the impression that he thinks that the golf course and/or workplace and the people there are important.” ― Lorii Myers

So with your SWORD, you can design and live the kind of life you desire and attract the right people into your life. Go, make it happen!

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Love is such a beautiful thing...

Over the past weeks, I have been discussing the subject of ‘love and relationships’ with a couple of friends and finally compelled and compiled these questions. I believe these questions will do you some good in your relationship. Mike Murdock remarked that questions are very powerful and questions show trust, passion, and focus. So here are the questions…

Could any feelings of affection and romance be revived if you met a previous partner even though you feel strongly committed to me? How are you preventing this? Do you occasional feel attracted to your ex and why? What are your future personal goals, next 5 years? Do you feel stressed when you have no money? Will you be willing to help me pay my previous debts? What do you admire most about the way your parents treated each other? Do you believe in life after death? What does your religion say about that? What are your spiritual beliefs? What one specific thing will I do that will cause you to lose trust in me? Do you believe in distant relationships? What will happen to our relationship if I travel to a different city or country because of work for a year or more? Which of your parents were you very close to when growing up and what's your relationship with them now? Will marriage without children be a bother to you? If yes, how will you cope with it? Are you struggling secretly with something in your life that you would like to share with me? If not what will you do if I find it out? What did you dislike most about your ex and would not like to see happen? What does affection mean to you? How can I make you feel more loved? Who are your mentors, what qualities do you admire most about them? If you had the opportunity to change one thing about yourself, what would that be? Would it be ok for us to go through each other’s phone book, SMS, email and Facebook account? Would it be ok for us to open one bank account? Are you ready to share with me how much you earn and your spending habit? What do you like most in marriages? Is there anything about marriage that scares you? Is there anything you would regret not being able to do or accomplish if you married me? If you always say you are going to do something (calling, texting, running errands, chores, etc.) but never do it, what is the most effective way to bring this problem to your attention? What do you dislike about my type of clothes and dressing style? What makes you want to talk to me? What about me tickle you? Do you believe that our parents should know our financial condition, whether good or bad, just because they want to? How far should this go? Is there anybody close to you who doesn't believe we should get into marriage? Have there been times when you were uncomfortable with the way I behaved with the opposite sex? If so, when and what did I do? If we eliminated physical attraction from our relationship, what would be left? Would you still love me if I put on weight in future?

Recommended Books:

GOALS Are Dead! How to Make Every Day Count

Skills Every young Executive Must Have 

HOOKED: Overcoming Social Media Addiction

Rebrand: The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding

Branding Simplified 

Books by Bernard Kelvin Clive

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This week on WomenPreneurs series on YouthWise Forum, I interviewed Mary Anane Awuku, CEO & Founder of APRIL JUNE Ltd.

WOMENPRENEURS are women who are actively turning passion into profit, transforming our nation and inspiring the next generation through entrepreneurship. It is brought to you by in partnership with BKC Consulting, and supported by Live Your Dreams, Rolemodels Ghana, FashionistaGH, Centrifuj, ENews Gh and hosted by Bernard Kelvin Clive

Enjoy the interview

ü  Why did you decide to embark on this entrepreneurial journey?

While working in the bank, I came to a realization that my abilities and capabilities were being underused. I then decided to leave the bank to pursue what I had always dreamt to be, an entrepreneur.  I conceptualized the idea of setting up a courier service to provide delivery and errand services for workers whose busy schedules and traffic situations could not permit them to go about their personal or official duties easily. Workers in this category include those in the financial institution where I used to work. I love the kitchen and baking has always been my passion. I started baking for sale after I high demand from friends and family for my cakes.

ü  What makes your company and its products and services distinctive?

COURIER: While most courier services targets corporate entities we target individual needs more. We realized that there are a lot of individuals who desire errands or courier services to see to their personal deliveries from their homes and offices to various locations which is not which is very uncommon here in Ghana. Also parents who want to send packages to their wards is boarding schools but can’t make the time. April June is there to do all these errands.

CLEANING: Ones again April June has a special package for home despite the office that we send our cleaning services to. Home can also call us for daily cleaning services or weekend cleaning services depending on the availability of the client. We have very affordable packages and we don’t compromise on quality service and customer care.

CAKES: Have a bespoke cake ordered and delivered to your doorstep for free which you can’t get from anywhere.

ü  What has been your worst experience since you started?

Fortunately or unfortunately I don’t have any worst experience. This is because I see every negative in my business to be challenges not problems. This might be the reason why I have not taken a critical look at anything I will classify as a worst experience.

ü  And your best?

Every time that I sign a new contract or make a sale it put smiles on my face and I call it a real working day.

ü  What keeps you awake at night?

Thoughts of how to outdo my competitors and to be seen as number one in my industry.

ü  What are your keys to success in business?

Create a competitive advantage Knowing my customers and exceeding their expectations Managing company finances wisely Building a top-notch business team Proper business planning Taking time off.

ü  What are the future goals for your business?

Our goal is to been seen at the top of my industry ladder.

ü  What is your message to Africa’s young aspiring business people and entrepreneurs?

Develop some of the characteristic that are shared by successful business people. This way you can see how you stack up. Even if you don’t have all these characteristic don’t fret. Most can be learned with practice and by developing a winning attitude especially if you set goals and apply yourself through strategic planning.

ü  How can Africa realize its full potential?

Africa needs to motivate its current entrepreneurs by awarding outstanding ones and financing those who have great ideas and business but are cash trapped. Forums should be held for “wonnabe” entrepreneurs and successful ones should also make themselves available for mentoring.

ü  How do you relax?

By going for salsa dance or swimming.

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"..There is hope for your future.." keep #hope alive! Don't give up!

YouthWise Forum Discussion on Suicide with Kobby Blay.

What are suicidal feelings like?

Suicidal feelings can be terrifying.

If you can no longer see why you should go on living, your distress will seem unbearable. You may hate yourself and believe that you are useless and unneeded. You may feel rage, shame and guilt.

Repeated painful experiences, particularly losses, can lead you to blame yourself and feel that you haven't lived up to your own standards. Faced with an unbearable situation, unsolvable difficulties, overpowering feelings of guilt, failures or conflicts, you may start to think that death is your only option.

Sometimes everything gets on top of me. I get tired of fighting and wish I wasn't here anymore.

You may feel suicidal for no apparent reason. You may think that you have no reason to want to kill yourself. This can trigger feelings of deep guilt and shame and you may find it difficult to tell others what you are going through.

People kept telling me that I should be grateful because I had a lovely husband, a nice house, and two perfect children. This just made me feel more terrible and guilty for thinking about killing myself.

Whether you are aware of a cause or not, it can be difficult to relate to others at this time, so you are likely to feel withdrawn or irritable. Even if you have family and friends around, you may find it impossible to tell them how bad you feel. If you have been badly hurt by someone close to you, you may be thinking of suicide as a way of getting back at them. It is understandable to be angry with people who have hurt us, but suicide turns that anger in on ourselves.

What you may experience:

sleeping badly and waking early a change in appetite weight loss or gain feeling cut off from your body or physically numb a loss of energy you may have stopped taking care of yourself e.g. neglecting your physical appearance.

Mixed feelings You may be very clear that you want to die; you may simply not care if you live or die; you may be thinking of death as a release. If you feel powerless to influence circumstances that are distressing you, the idea of suicide may give you a sense of being in control again. Depending on your beliefs, you could be looking forward to ‘nothingness’ or to being reunited with loved ones or to reincarnation.

If you feel low and suicidal for no apparent reason, this can also make you feel powerless: if you can’t find a cause for your difficult feelings, you may find it hard to believe that there might be a solution.

You may be harming yourself by cutting, biting or burning your body. Perhaps you are getting into fights or taking extreme risks. You may also be overdosing on drugs, binging on alcohol or have developed anorexia or bulimia. However, even when you are not sure why you are self-harming, it is usually a means of trying to stay alive – trying to kill the pain you are feeling inside rather than a wish to actually kill yourself. For most people, suicidal thoughts are confusing. As much as you want to die, you may also want a solution to your difficulties in life and you may want others to understand how you feel and to help. Such mixed feelings and being unsure what to do can cause great anxiety. This is why suicidal thoughts can be frightening and confusing...

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This week on WomenPreneurs series on YouthWise Forum, I interviewed Yvette Ansah, CEO & Founder of Fresh Bites.

Track by: Eli (EliMusikGH)

Why did you decide to embark on this entrepreneurial journey?

I did not make a conscious decision to become a health and wellness entrepreneur. You can say I fell into it. But when it clicked that this was the path I was born to be on, I flew with it! For me, embarking on this journey means freedom and taking charge of your destiny.

What makes your company and its products and services distinctive?

Fresh Bites is all about making the pursuit of health fun and accessible. We offer clients healthier alternatives to foods currently on offer on the market. What we are saying is, on those days that you are craving a healthy meal, call or email us, create a healthy salad, order a fruit cup for pick up or we can bring it you in your office or home. How easy is that?! We are passionate about living well and this translates into our ability to understand and anticipate the wellness needs of our clients.

What has been your worst experience since you started?

That would be when one of my most trusted employees stole money that was meant to be deposited at the bank. He really knocked the wind out of my sails! I was so sad when it happened. I really trusted him and just couldn’t wrap my head around it.

And your best?

I love, love, love it when we get positive feedback from clients! We had a client who along with exercise and our salads dropped a ton of weight earlier on this year. It felt so good to see how his entire outlook on living had shifted and to know that my company played a part in that.

What keeps you awake at night?

New ideas! There are nights when I literally cannot get my mind to calm down and fall asleep because I have so many thoughts going through my head. What can we do next? What new combinations can we come up? What other products can we offer to our clients? How can we sell more salads? And then there are times too where we may have messed up on an order with a client and process that too. Why did we mess up? How could we have prevented it? But, I am trying not to do too much of that these days. As my one of my dear friends says “The past is a video tape you keep playing in your head! Let it go!”

What are your keys to success in business?

Perseverance. Resilience. Enthusiasm. Passion. Buckets of energy. A sense of humour. Faith.

What are the future goals for your business?

My brand is about health and happiness. I believe, 100%, that healthier people are happier. They are more productive, have more passion to pursue their goals and are generally just badass!

In terms of future plans, the goal is to continue growing as a successful wellness lifestyle brand, coming up with products and services that will help our clients (companies, schools, individuals) reach their health goals.

What is your message to Africa’s young aspiring business people and entrepreneurs?

Dream big. Be passionate. Don’t waste time. Find the courage to take the plunge and go after your dreams. Be ready to work hard.

How can Africa realize its full potential?

I get so excited when I think of Africa! We have so much potential on this beautiful continent. But, we can never unleash this potential if we operate within a mindset of small thinking, mediocrity and doing just enough to get by. And we can definitely forget about getting ahead as a continent, if individuals elected into power do not put their nations interests ahead of self-enrichment.

If we are to unleash Africa’s fullest potential, I believe we need a movement. A movement made up of individuals who are passionate and who care deeply about Africa. People, who are willing to sacrifice their time, share their knowledge and who accept nothing but excellence when it comes to whatever they are working on.

This is our Africa and developing a culture of ha...

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This week on WomenPreneurs series on YouthWise Forum, I interviewed Sara Nana Ama Yeboah, CEO & Founder of Sangy Nursing Services.

Track by: Eli (EliMusikGH)

Why did you decide to embark on this entrepreneurial journey?

Embarking on the Entrepreneurial  journey……as a nurse at a regional hospital the inability of the working class people to care for their aging parents, their sick kids and themselves pushed me to establish an organization that could render professional health services to these categories of people and even the general public.

What makes your company and its products and services distinctive?

Unlike other health organizations Sangy Nursing Services carries these health services to your doorstep…..home care for the elderly, health education and medical outreach programs.

What has been your worst experience since you started?

I don’t have a WORST EXPERIENCE……..I call them Challenges……when I had to find nurses for Kasoa and Madina clients and didn’t have any staying around these locations and therefore had to wakeup 3 am every other day drive to Kasoa and then to Madina before going to work at Ridge Hospital……..it gave me beautiful experiences afterwards, though.

And your best?

My best Experience……was with a client whose relatives challenged me to get their 72 year old dementia mum talking after not talking for a year………we did that in 3 weeks……Fantastic experience.

What keeps you awake at night?

My Family….After work it Family time!

What are your keys to success in business?

My Key to success……a. God b. Respect c. Hardwork

What are the future goals for your business?

The Sky is our springboard…….and God our Executive director, we hope to take excellent health care to the door steps of all

What is your message to Africa’s young aspiring business people and entrepreneurs?

Young entrepreneurs there is no lose money anywhere, Pursue your dreams, start with what you have and be passionate about your dream believe in God……all others will be history.

How can Africa realize its full potential?

Africa cannot realize its full potential if Young Entrepreneurs refuse to make it happen….the future of this continent is with the young Entrepreneur.

How do you relax?

I hardly relax but when I do I sing my heart out …..I love singing…..both at church and at home.

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Life is indeed full of ups and downs, highs and lows... all this brings the balance in life. Everyone needs motivation in way one or the other.  A question was asked that... Who motivates the motivator(Motivational speakers)? Your guess may be as good as mine. Motivation comes through and from various sources and people in life. But for this very moment let me share with you the inspiration I find in Gloria Estefan’s song lyrics “If I could reach higher”. So to you all out there with a dream, this is for you, reach out for your dreams, Your dreams will not die!

Some Dreams Live On In Time Forever Those Dreams You Want With All Your Heart And I'll Do Whatever It Takes Follow Through With The Promise I Made Put It All On The Line What I Hoped For At Last Would Be Mine

If I Could Reach Higher

Your Dreams

Just For One Moment Touch The Sky From That One Moment In My Life I'm Gonna Be Stronger Know That I've Tried My Very Best I'd Put My Spirit To The Test If I Could Reach

Some Days Are Meant To Be Remembered Those Days We Rise Above The Stars So I'll Go The Distance This Time Seeing More The Higher I Climb That The More I Believe All The More That This Dream Will Be Mine

If I Could Reach Higher Just For One Moment Touch The Sky From That One Moment In My Life I'm Gonna Be Stronger Know That I've Tried My Very Best I'd Put My Spirit To The Test If I Could Reach

If I Could Reach Higher Just For One Moment Touch The Sky I'm Goona Be Stronger From That One Moment In My Life I'm Gonna Be So Much Stronger Yes I Am Know That I've Tried My Very Best I'd Put My Spirit To The Test If I Could Reach Higher If I Could If I Could If I Could Reach Reach I'd Reach I'd Reach I'd Reach' I'd Reach So Much Higher Be Stronger

English: Gloria Estefan in 2009. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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YouthWise Project: WOMENPRENEURS this week I interviewed Regina Agyare Founder & CEO of Soronko Solutions.  WOMENPRENEURS is a prelude to Woman 2.1 Summit 2013. It is brought to you by in partnership with BKC Consulting, and supported by Live Your Dreams,  Rolemodels Ghana, FashionistaGH, Centrifuj, ENews Gh and hosted by Bernard Kelvin Clive

Listen to the interview we had on air(YouthWise Forum on Top Radio 103.1FM)

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Today's podcast features an interview I had 3 years a go with Joselyn Dumas on The One Show, Viasat 1 TV. Listen to the fun and filla. It's been a journey. Your Dreams will Not Die.

(Joselyn Dumas is a Ghanaian TV presenter and actress. She was picked as the 2012 face of the Range Rover Evoque in Ghana) 

You can watch the video on YouTube.

[youtuber youtube='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmG94d5CrCI']

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On WOMENPRENEURS this week I interviewd Mabel Simpson Founder & CEO of MSimps. On Youthwise PROJECT on TOP Radio 103.1 FM, Accra. WOMENPRENEURS is a prelude to Woman 2.1 Summit 2013. It is brought to you by in partnership with BKC Consulting, and supported by Live Your Dreams, Rolemodels Ghana, FashionistaGH, Centrifuj, ENews Gh and hosted by Bernard Kelvin Clive

Listen to the interview we had on air.

NB: Little hitches in the audio

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3 Quick Reasons Why Every Author, Speaker, Entrepreneur needs Personal Branding

Tom Peters rightly said “All of us need to understand the importance of branding. We are CEOs of our own companies: Me Inc. To be in business today, our most important job is to be head marketer for the brand called You.” 

People do business with those they trust, know and love. Your brand proves your authority: that you are an authority in your field to be trusted. Your personal brand becomes your business marketing channel to reach out to your market, your fans, your tribe, etc.  That is your platform.

“It’s important to build a personal brand because it’s the only thing you’re going to have. Your reputation online, and in the new business world is pretty much the game, so you’ve got to be a good person. You can’t hide anything, and more importantly, you’ve got to be out there at some level.” - Gary Vaynerchuk, Author of Crush it!

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"We buy things we don't need, with money we don't have, to impress people we don't like"

On The InvestoPreneur Series on YouthWise Forum we tackled the following questions: 1. What is Financial Discipline? 2. How does a person becomes discipline financially? 3. What steps should will lead a young person? 4.  On your way to becoming discipline financially what are some of the hurdles or challenges you will need to over come?  5. What is multiple streams of Income? 6. How do one identify these multiple streams? 7. In identifying multiple income streams, what is the role of your gifting or talents

Resource Person: Charles Amaoko Atta (RSD), CAL Brokers Ltd.

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Motivation: Brighten Your Corner We cannot all be famous Or be listed in "Who's Who," But every person, great or small, Has important work to do. For seldom do we realize The importance of small deeds, Or to what degree of greatness Unnoticed kindness leads. For it's not the big celebrity In a world of fame and praise, But it's doing unpretentiously In an undistinguished way. The work that God assigned to us, Unimportant as it seems, That makes our task outstanding, And brings reality to dreams. So do not sit and idly wish For wider, new dimensions where you can put into practice, Your many good intentions. But at the spot God placed you Begin at once to do, Little things to brighten up The lives surrounding you. If everybody brightened up The spot where their standing, By being more considerate, And a little less demanding. This dark old world would very soon Eclipse the evening star, If everybody brightened up The corner where they are! ~ Helen Steiner Rice ~ Radio Talk Show YOUTHWISE Forum ...platform for the discerning youth! on Top Radio 103.1 FM discussing "Developing a Healthy Lifestyle - Your Health, Your Wealth" with Abigail Ashley (Health Activist & Host of Food Gallery Show). Discussing the subject of "Graduate Unemployment" with Albert Kusi, LEC Creativity International and Minister David Mills , Launching of "Graduate Corporate Connect" ~Connecting the Graduate to the Corporate World. A national crusade in reducing graduate unemployment.

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Many times we've all allowed people into our lives with the hope of great friendship only for it to turn out a sour relationship. Many conceal their real character behind faces and flattery; some come into your live for their selfish ambitions, what they can get and not what they can give. Many have found themselves in unhealthy relationships; friendships that has caused them many pain and lost opportunities. Nevertheless, beginning today you can make a positive change to choose friends who support you and the vice-versa and separate yourself from those negative draining ones. You have to set limits of the type of friends and their level of accessibility to your own life. Remember: A Friend who attends to you only at his spare-time is not worth your prime-time. You must understand that “Not everyone should have a front row seat in our lives. There are some people in your life that need to be loved from a distance. It's amazing what you can accomplish when you let go of or at least minimize your time with draining, negative, incompatible, not-going-anywhere relationships. Observe the relationships around you. Pay attention. Which ones lift and which ones lean? Which ones encourage and which ones discourage? Which ones are on a path of growth uphill and which ones are going downhill? When you leave certain people do you feel better or feel worse? Which ones always have drama or don't really understand, know, or appreciate you? The more you seek quality, respect, growth, peace of mind, love and truth around you, the easier it will become for you to decide who gets to sit in the front row and who should be moved to the balcony of your life." Finally, I recommend that you join a mastermind group, community of like-minded individuals who sharing their experiences, success storied and helping each other soar higher.

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WomenPreneurs: A monthly feature of women who are transforming our nations and inspiring the next generation through entrepreneurship. A selected SATURDAY at 9AM every month on YouthWise Forum hosted by BKC on TOP RADIO 103.1 FM. Accra, Ghana.

This week on WOMENPRENEURS. Our guest was Ami Yomekpe, Architect, Founder & CEO of Afro Mod Trends.

Why did you decide to embark on this entrepreneurial journey?

I discovered my talent for fashion whilst developing my thesis for my second degree in architecture in KNUST. My project was the development of a fashion mall with its attendant socio-economic impact in the catchment area. I started off with sketches in a notebook and eventually developed samples from these sketches. These samples were very well received and it was then that I decided to use my talent to generate income as well as impact society positively as my earlier research had proved.

What makes your company and its products and services distinctive?

Afro Mod Trends is built on the cause of “Fashion for change”. We believe in harnessing our talents and unique abilities as a catalyst to make our world better. This transcends from the highest employee to the lowest. Be it the smile from a satisfied customer, or the look of joy when an order has been completed on time, we take delight in ensuring that our level of excellence and customer satisfaction is upheld.

What has been your worst experience since you started?

I will not say I’ve had any bad experiences so far as I see negative outcomes as a learning experience and an opportunity to grow and improve.

And your best?

My best experience so far is being selected among Africa’s most outstanding women leaders by the Moremi Initiative as one of the 28 MILEAD fellows for my work as an architect and entrepreneur.

What keeps you awake at night?

New ideas and products keep me awake at night. My mind is constantly working out how to improve the brand and to extend its reach further to promote the cause of “Fashion for Change”.

What are your keys to success in business?

Determination is crucial to success not only in business but in every aspect of life. However, the ability to realize mistakes and learn from them is equally important. With these, a keen business sense and a good listening ear, success is very achievable.

What are the future goals for your business?

At Afro.mod.trends, our vision is to be a leading fashion and home décor brand by establishing an internationally recognized and sustainable brand that satisfies the demands and desires of an ever growing clientele. We envision an industry where sustainable fashion is a norm. Our

collections of unisex apparels, accessories and home décor products will continually

be evolving to keep our clients abreast with the latest trends at an affordable price.

Ultimately we hope to start exporting our products internationally.

What is your message to Africa’s young aspiring business people and entrepreneurs?

Creating and generating income is easy. Sustaining this is the hard part. You must make sure your foundation for your income generation is solid, sustainable and not based on profit making only. You must be personally invested in using your talents to impact someone’s life positively and ultimately promote societal change for the better. I believe in this premise and if we have a lot more entrepreneurs thinking and acting on this, our world will be a better place.

How can Africa realize its full potential?

Africa is a continent in transition with a third of African countries’ economies growing by rates exceeding 6 percent in 2012. We have a vast amount of untapped wealth in terms of natural as well as the human resource. However, we cannot develop if these are not managed properly. African governments will need to reverse a worrying trend of corruption. In order for the continent to see long-term gains,

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What your attitude on Facebook may be saying: An Amateur or a Pro. Your #Brand.

“There are four ways, and only four ways, in which we have contact with the world. We are evaluated and classified by these four contacts: what we do, how we look, what we say, and how we say it.  ~ Dale Carnegie

Here are some of the things I have observed, have fun with this and note that it contains some relevant information. 1. Amateurs send friend requests to everyone but the Pros are strategic because they believe in this 'your network determines your net worth'

1. Amateurs display their ignorance openly by their post and comments(they are quick to break the news without getting the facts, spams others) but the Pros are particular about what they share. They create value for others.

2. Amateurs join every group but pros join selective groups that are profitable.(it's not about the number of groups but the quality offered). 

3. Amateurs tag people in every posts they make and craves for attention but the Pros tag only when relevant.(so they command attention)

4. Amateurs share lots of their personal photos and tag everyone in every photo(very annoying habit) but the Pros only tag a person only when they are in the picture or to convey specific information.(eg. Info-graphics)

The fact that Facebook now allows Hash tags doesn't mean you should rush tag everything. #BKC

“Every pro was once an amateur. Every expert was once a beginner. So dream big. And start now.”

Recommended Book: "The Art of Personal Branding"

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Building a Business around Your Lifestyle

What is your ideal entrepreneurial lifestyle? What is your business about? Are you in real business or just entangled in busyness of life? Many a time, you might know exactly what you want and even how to get it, and would have read all the books that need to be read in a particular field, listen to the expert’s advice but fail to do the things you need to do to make that giant leap. To live that business lifestyle you really desire for. What really stops people from taking action, is it Fear, Procrastination, the status-quo, or you tell me. It's primarily the lack of courage and confidence to act on those desires.

There is a possible way out of this maze. One rule of thumb has always been to find someone who has already done what you want to do successfully and model that person. Is that easy, probably not but it gives you a sure proof that you too can do it.

So today let me share with you Barb’s 5-step process: building your business around your lifestyle.

1. Determine Your Initial Needs – What amount of money do you need to make monthly to take care of all of your obligations?  It’s fine to choose a realistic number, and to not arbitrarily shoot “too high” too soon.  Once you’re regularly receiving the initial amount you set, you can always raise your goals from there.

2. Know Your “Big Why” – Money in itself has no value, it’s just paper.  But it’s the things that the money will allow you – the things you’ll be able to do, be, have, and experience as a result of that money - that’s what’s important.  If you want to manifest abundant income in your business, you need to know what it’s for.  Money for the sake of money is not a big enough “driver” for most people – what dreams can you fulfill with that money?

3. Design Your Desired Lifestyle – How many days do you want to work each week?  How many hours each day?  How many clients do you want to serve?  Define these parameters from the beginning, rather than just “hoping” somehow it will end up this way.  Once you know these details, it will inform how you design your programs, and how you price them!

4. Create Your Programs and Packages – Knowing how much you need to make, how often you want to work, and how many clients you want to serve, you can now design the appropriate programs and packages that will meet those needs!

Remember that your clients are always paying for the results – the outcomes that they’re going to achieve from working with you…. the alleviation of their stuck points and the achievement of their vibrant vision.

1. Choose Your Number – After all of the aforementioned “due diligence,” you should have a good sense of what the appropriate investment for each program or package would be.

Stand by these numbers.  Always remember that your fees reflect that confidence you have in your services and the value of the transformation your clients achieve. When you come from that position of power, your clients will feel that conviction. And this gives them the encouragement to make that empowered next step, pay you what you’re worth, and create the life they’ve always desired.

More resources check: Business Coach & Mentor Barb Wade specializes in teaching entrepreneurs how to make more money more easily while enjoying a business and lifestyle that reflects their priorities. Download Barb's "Word-for-Word Scripts To Overcome Objections" and book more high-paying clients now at www.BarbWade.com

Recommended Book: How To Do It AT Any Age.

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WomenPreneurs: A monthly feature of women who are transforming our nations and inspiring the next generation through entrepreneurship. A selected SATURDAY at 9AM every month on YouthWise Forum hosted by BKC on TOP RADIO 103.1 FM. Accra, Ghana.

This week on WOMENPRENEURS. Our guest was Korkor Kugblenu MD of The Body Butter Company.

Learn how Korkor started her business. What keeps her going, passion. Guess her favourite music... About going natural and natural products form Africa/Ghana Inspiring you entrepreneurs.

WOMENPRENEURS is a prelude to Woman 2.1 Summit 2013. It is brought to you by Bernard Kelvin Clive, and supported by Live Your Dreams,Rolemodels Ghana, FashionistaGH and Centrifuj

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21 Things You Can Do in The Bathroom

bath·room  /ˈbaTHˌro͞om/ : A room containing a bathtub or a shower and usually also a washbasin and a toilet.

I guess you will be thinking and imagining wild things at this point... Whatever it is you are right. Here, the bathroom comprises of the toilet and shower/bath. Some of the things may be possible or not depending on your bathroom setup. Time is of the essence! Let’s get started… Have fun... You can do:

Shopping/Banking: yea, this is the Internet age. You can do this simply with your mobile phone/tablet transfer money across the globe, check account balance, etc. It's really fun shopping in the bathroom; buy books on amazon, bid for items on eBay. You can do your entire window shopping there. Examine your body. Take a critical look at your body parts and examine them and attend to those parts as soon as possible. Be thankful for everything you have. Note the parts that need to be worked on. Grooming: trim your nails, have a clean shave and all those petty stuff that needs attention. Read a book: either a print book or an ebook. This can be very enlightening. Remember reading is good for the soul. Read something positive. Have a chat: SMS, using Instant messengers, whatsapp, FB chat etc. Create your to-do list. Plan your day or week. Note things down. Brainstorm: think deeply about your projects, dreams and goals. Allow the streams of ideas to flow freely. Learn/ Lectures/Webinars: discover new things right there, read your previous lecture note. Attend an online webinar, revisit things you missed. One fun thing to do is to read old newspapers, you will find some things you missed. Just bath: enjoy a slow bath either warm or cold water. Take time to bath, using your favorite soap. Make it fun. Capture your ideas: its said that everyone have at least one great idea in the shower. Now be different find ways to capture your ideas. You can keep a note pad around or phone where it won't get wet, so you speedily write those ideas down when they happen. Sing: everyone has a great voice in the bathroom. Sing for a while. Enjoy your own music. Listen to an audio message/book/podcast/sermon/speech etc. listen to something positive. Allow the tap to drop slowly into the bucket/bath and listen to the sound, focus on that. It's a great way to gather ideas. Meditate: be quite, listen to your internal voice/ the holyspirit. If you married: leave a love note on the toilet paper/soap/ or the bathroom mirror. Be creative. Surf the net: browse the Internet especially sites you hardly visit, Google stuff that randomly pops out in your heard, have fun. Rest in there: sleep in the bath. Take a short nap. Write a note, an article, and your book outline. Guess what I'm writing this in the washroom using my iPhone. Exercise: do some exercise in there. Make it your sacred or secret place: it could be your altar where your pray. It could be where your pour your heart out, you cry, share some tears and be free. You let go the pain. Rehearse: practice your speech, sermon, song. Talk to yourself. I do this most often.

EnjoyLife!

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GOALS Are Dead! Simple Strategies for Achieving your Goals While Enjoying Life.

DOERS 12:52

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7 Steps to the Dream “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” ~ Mark Twain Here are the steps to help you do it now!

1. Get a dream: In other to have a dream come true you must first have a dream. Identify your dream; your specific goal, your target.  I believe everyone has a dream, although some people may say that they don’t have dreams or they can’t remember what they are. The problem is that they have pushed them down so deep that it might take some time to bring them to the surface again. Let your dreams out, you are worth it.

2. Write down Your Dreams: Clearly outline your dreams. Put it into writing and read your major goals every day. Get it engrained in your subconscious. How can you live your dreams if you can’t see what they are? Write them down. Remember; don’t judge your dreams or wonder “how?” you are going to make it happen.

3. Slice the Chunk: Break your dreams down into smaller actionable task and steps you can follow through: Example if your goal is to write a book within a year, write your outlines into chapters and set deadlines on how you are going to write it chapter by chapter. After this, start taking baby steps towards your goal. Each day ask yourself ‘what one specific thing can I do to inch me closer to my dreams’ and then do it.

4. Fight your fears: Stop the dream killers. If you face your fears you become fearless. What’s keeping you from living your dreams? Not enough money or time? There will always be a reason not to do something.

5. Get an accountability partner/team:  Some dreams are so huge that you can’t do it all by yourself. You need teamwork to make the dream work. Find an accountability partner if not your team partner, someone who will check on your and hold you accountable on the journey of your dreams. They should be people who love you and will cheer you on as you move toward your dreams.

6. Review your goals: Occasionally pause and look at your goals again, assess yourself how far you’ve gone in the realization of that dream, celebrate tiny progress, correct yourself where you’ve fallen short and get back on track.  Remember: The fun part of living your dreams is the journey. Enjoy the journey.

7. Persist/ be relentless:  persistence has its own reward. You must arm yourself never to give up, because they will be challenges, storms, and obstacles along the way.  Persevere against the odds. Remember: nothing good comes easily.

Make it happen. Anytime you feel like given up, go back and look at your big picture again, your written goals and the reasons why you want it so badly.  Keep the dream alive.

Recommended Book "How to DO It at Any Age"

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Here 27 Tiny Things that makes Life worthwhile...

Life is supposed to be fun isn't it?

I will be sharing with you snippets of information, lessons and practical tips for living an inspired and healthy life.  I believe you may be familiar with most of them, however, take this as a kind reminder to reinforce those habits.

Start being grateful: be thankful for what you have right now. Family, friends, and everything about you. The more grateful you are for what you have the more you get to be grateful. Think abundance.  Don’t limit your thinking by your feelings and by what you see. Break every barrier in your mind. Everyday set out seeking to be good to people. A little kindness is all that is needed. Smile often and Laugh out Loud! Share a warm embrace. Hug someone. Let them feel loved and cherished. Genuinely compliment others. Don’t only expect the best in life; give your best at all times. Remember the “Law of Karma”… what you sow is what you reap. Don’t cheat your way to the top, don’t cut corners. Be honest. Learn to save and invest. Be a person of integrity: say what you mean and mean what you say. Believe in yourself and also believe you have something special to offer the universe. Take a nap, rest when necessary; you are not here to solve the entire world’s problem. Sing out loud; it’s not about your voice it’s about the music inside you. Life is a risk. If you risk nothing, you gain nothing. Risk wisely. Don’t think the world owes you something; it owes you nothing; if you need something go make it happen. Take a walk. You can walk your pet. Take a quite walk alone. Meditate! Pause, think and reflect often. If you are married; have good sex as often as possible. It bonds and heals. Plan and prioritize daily. Keep a journal. Engage in a new hobby. Your health matters. Go green; eat lots of vegetables and fruits and drink lots of water daily. Keep a positive attitude always. A positive attitude won’t solve all your problems but it does well than a negative one. Remember that you are responsible for your actions and in actions. Be happy and enjoy your life regardless. Don’t leave your dreams to the mercies of others; take charge. Frequently purge your life of negative toxic people. If your friends are not helping you they may be hurting. Don’t hoard your blessings, spread them around. Share the good you have with people. Be a blessing. Pray!

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Book recommendation: Simple Secrets to A Happier Fulfilling Life

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Women in Entrepreneurship, YouthWise Forum (Radio Talk Show)

Guest: Kate Nkansa-Dwamena, shares her start-up story and insights on women in entrepreneurship in Africa. She talks about some of the reasons that leads women into business.

Guest: Edith Apraku Boadu, Founder Motherhood Appreciation Project, talks about the essence of Mother's Day celebration. Celebration Mothers and Mother's Day messages, poem and stories by listeners.

Host: Bernard Kelvin Clive

Radio Programme: YouthWise Forum (YouthWise Project) on Top Radio 103.1 FM, TopGhana.com Related articles

YouthWise Radio Show(Youth in Governance and Women in Entrepreneurship)

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How the Rich Thinks

What has been the major motivation for what you do? Tyler Perry said this“I've never chased money. It's always been about what I can do to motivate and inspire people”

Today let’s look at some ways to develop a wealthy mindset.

For it all begins in the mind... “as a man thinketh…”

You know that some dreams require more money than others; and mostly is your idea that attracts the money. Your income is primary determined by your thinking than the economy. What do you think about?

Here are some few ways the rich think differently

They decide to be wealthy They seek opportunities everywhere or create them They create abundance They are problem solvers They are Big thinkers They develop a positive attitude towards life and money They love what they do, and do what they love They take time to think

Download the resources(Ebooks) available below 1 THINK AND GROW RICH – EBOOK 2. THINK LIKE A MILLIONAIRE Why People don't become wealthy [youtuber youtube='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0c2RrJ9ykr4']

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“I6 Secrets I Learnt From My Ex” excerpts...  "If he/she doesn't see or respect your present value nor your future dream the moment you connected, there is little or no chance that he/she will do in future" - Bernard Kelvin Clive  “If you find someone, Who makes you smile, who checks up on you often to see if you’re okay, who watches out for you and wants what’s the best for you, who loves you and respects you, don’t let them go. Keep them close, and don’t take them for granted. People like that are hard to find.” Subscribe to  get a copy for FREE

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BKC Hosts YouthWise Forum. Radio Show:

Part I:

Discussion on "Youth in Governance" with guests, - Lucia Motloung : South Africa, Kwabeng Oppong Kyekyku: Ghana, Susan Mangieai: Kenya, Ayenat Mersie Ejigo: Ethiopia.

Part II:

YouthWise Forum looking at "Women in Entrepreneurship", my guest Adwoa Agyemang(Entrepreneur/Project Coordinator at Ghanaian Londoner) sas we discuss the subject: How we can empower the youth in entrepreneurship, (Young Entrepreneurs Programme) Sponsor: 233Host.com To advertise/partner/sponsor the show call +233244961121