Found this on Mashable the other day – “10 Ways Personal Branding Can Save You From Getting Fired”

I’m not sure if this is a good thing or not, but I think its something to read.  I’ve been involved in VERY interesting job”stuff” recently and in the past.  I think these points are good – but I think more importantly we have moved from a time which a company has a brand and you are part of that company –> to a point where each person has a personal brand and you take it with you.

1. Become an invaluable asset to your colleagues, professional network & clients
   The first people who get laid off are the ones that are not needed for business to be conducted. If the business depends on your services and expertise, then you will, more than likely, remain in your current position, despite the economic climate.
2. Position yourself as the go-to-person for a specific skill
   When it comes to branding, you want to own a word or phrase in the minds of others. It’s also beneficial to be someone that gets called upon when a specific need arises. A lot of young adults are branded as technically proficient, partially due to being raised in a sea of computer wires. Have you ever been asked to help someone in the office with a computer program?
3. Gain self-confidence and rise to the occasion
   The worst thing you can do during a recession is lose faith, be uncertain and show it emotionally on the outside. An individual’s success or failure lies in their mental state. Those who are confident in their own abilities, skills, internal network and the future, will survive and thrive during a period of economic struggle. If you see an opportunity, go and grab it.
4. Focus on social equity, not just monetary equity
   During a recession, many people choose to focus on every penny they have. They save money, instead of spending it (of course). The issue is that you come off as “cheap,” which will hurt your brand image. Also, people divest or don’t put much energy into building social equity (relationships/strong network), but rather monetary equity. This is a problem because money can’t really get you another job if you’re laid off, but your network can.
5. Build contact lists before you need them
   I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase, “build a network before you need it.” Well, today I’m offering you a social media strategy if you ever need to recover from being laid off. If you create a blog, join social networks, create a database of your network and possibly start an email newsletter; you are in effect establishing lists.
6. Go on a branding spree by advertising it everywhere
   Your brand needs to be where people are searching, especially where your unique audience is searching. I don’t think it’s revolutionary that you brand yourself on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, but I would like to offer you a few other sites that may connect you with other passionate and ambitious brands, such as VisualCV.com and Jobfox.com.
7. Make your brand so visible that people can’t avoid seeing you
   When you admire some of the most successful personal branders on the Internet, like a Robert Scoble and a Pete Cashmore, one thing remains consistent: they are everywhere! This works in their favor because people remember them. If they were everywhere, but didn’t have credibility, a reputation or strong backing, then it might not have a great impact on you.
8. Become so remarkable that complete strangers talk about you
   When you were growing up, and maybe even right now, people talked about you behind your back. These were typically people who you knew and maybe didn’t like. Well, in the age of web 2.0, you can visualize and track these conversations, from blog to blog and profile to profile. If you have a loud enough voice and take a stand on a topic, you can be a brand that is spoken about by people you may not even know. These individuals might actually be able to pull you into a new opportunity at some point.
9. Be a content producer, not just a consumer
   It’s really easy to brand yourself an innocent observer. The problem is that consumers aren’t sharing any value with the world, while producers are building value in themselves and getting their ideas noticed. Try and start a podcast series or write a blog about what you love. Something you’re really passionate about, whether it be work or play. People will begin to notice and be drawn to your brand. Being a producer is much more rewarding, and it causes your network to flourish, thus positioning your brand for career success.
10. Have an “endorsement mindset”
    Last but not least, and possibly one of the most important things to keep in mind, is the power of positive endorsements. Collect endorsements throughout your life like you would collect baseball cards. You are the chief marketing officer for the brand called you, but what others say about your brand is more impactful than what you say about yourself.

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