On this episode of the podcast Barry had a really interesting conversation with Elena Agaragimova the Managing Partner of a company called Bessern. Her entrepreneurial journey is a very interesting one that involves the world of higher education and corporate learning. The huge gap between higher education and the corporate world is something that Elena and her business partner are looking to reduce. To help individuals level up and have organisations nurture a happier more engaged workforce.
Listen in below, tune in wherever you listen to your podcasts and feel free to watch the video above.
So enthusiastic and keen to make a difference Elena also provided us with some further insight into the entrepreneurial journey and things to focus on.
1. Your personal brand – work on it whether you are working for someone else or yourself.
What is a personal brand?
Personal brand is what you project into the world, how others view you, it is your motivation and aspirations, it is the way you communicate and your style, it is your ethics and values, and ultimately the different parts that make you You. It is not just what you do in your career, it is a combination of all these factors, as well as how you perceive the world and how to world perceives you.
Test yourself. Can you answer the below questions?
• Do you know what your personal brand is?
• Do you know how others perceive you? If not, you should ask.
• If people come to you for advice, what sort of advice do they typically look for? What do they consider you an expert in?
• Are you getting leads and referrals based what your network knows you can create/provide service to, etc.? Or are you chasing leads and having to sell yourself?
If you can answer these questions, great, you are on the right path. If not, perhaps there is opportunity to work on your personal brand starting now!
Why should you care about Personal Brand?
- People with strong brands are clear about who they are. They know and maximize their strengths. You can leverage your brand in your professional and personal lives.
- By understanding your personal brand, you have a better idea of who you are and what you aim to achieve in your life and where to put your focus. You also understand which areas need improvement.
- Everything about you that anyone else could notice, encounter or perceive is part of your brand. It is important to be aware of your brand and mindful of what you put out into the world.
2 steps to get you started
- Internal. Self-assessment- understand who you are, what your passions are, personal brand is about being you, so be YOU. It is essential to keep it real and define your value proposition, leverage your strengths and ultimately be the best version of you that you can be.
- External. Now that you know who you are and what you aim to achieve, it is time to shift focus on how you wish others to perceive you. You can start by asking people who know you: What is your brand in their eyes? Do people perceive you in a way that you want them to perceive you? Are you consistent in your brand when it comes to your personal and professional lives?
If yes, great, keep working on it. If not, then it is time to re-introduce yourself with your improved brand.
Thank you Elena for the episode and for the additional information above. You’re a superstar
As always, if you would like to let us know you enjoyed it or would like to nominate yourself or someone else you would like us to interview, leave a comment below or drop us a line at wishlist@swenglanese.rocks Listen above or hit us up in iTunes to subscribe to the podcast. We aim to interview more and more successful, interesting business owners here in the UAE. Subscribe to the Swenglanese podcast here in iTunes so you don’t miss any future episodes.