Personal Branding

Personal Branding Dwayne Husbands IABA Annual Meeting 5 August 2011

Agenda

Personal branding What is personal branding? • Process of defining a personal brand to raise your profile in the workplace and respective profession. • Continuous process which requires fine tuning to further your growth and development • Requires initiative and dedication Why is personal branding important? • Shape your career • Be competitive • Protect yourself in a down market • Position yourself in an up market • Command attention

Levels of personal branding • Industry • Company • Area (geography) • Division/department/practice • Specialty area/product line • Methodology, technology • Client • Individual • Levelsat which you brand • Integrate your brand throughout the firm and the industry: • Your “value” is compounded at each upward level • Integration makes it harder to separate the individual from the firm/company from the methodology

Tips for developing a successful personal brand • Develop a solid reputation at work • Improve communication skills • Build relationships and networking • Become involved in the industry

Develop a strong reputation at work • Critical success factors to developing a good reputation at work includes: • Work ethic • Be diligent • Meet deadlines • Work quality • Minimize errors • Complete and thoroughly check your work • Add Value • Make meaningful contributions • Explore opportunities/initiatives to add value • Team player • Embrace company culture • Focusing on these critical success factors will help to distinguish yourself from your peers and help distinguish your brand • Others will take notice of your efforts

Communication • A successful actuary is not only able to perform quantitative work and analysis but also effectively communicate explain his/her work to others in a clear manner. • As part of branding, you must be aware and focus on your: • Oral communication skills. • Written communication skills • Listening skills • Body language

Build relationships and networking • Networking is a great way to enhance your professional reputation and solidify your personal brand. • Successful people surround themselves with a well developed support network. • Successful networkers believe in cooperating with others and in helping them be successful and achieve their goals. • What is a Network? • Made up of a group of individuals who exchange information, contacts, support, advice and practical assistance for professional or social purposes. • Networks are can be formed with the people who work together on a daily basis, those who share common interests and experiences, etc. • Built based on criteria such as influence, skills, experience and position. • Once networks have been developed they need to be nurtured by maintaining regular contact with people, assisting when possible and by building linkages between those who form part of the network.

Who to include in your network? • It takes time and effort to identify appropriate contacts and develop relationships. • The following is an approach to which can be used to develop a network: • Identify your needs • Whose support, advice or cooperation do you want / need? • Identify role models/seek a mentor • Identify people at your Company and the industry who have been successful in achieving results and influencing others. • Determine what you have to offer in return to people in your network • Develop a network map • Develop a map of your potential network including the names, areas of responsibility/expertise, ways you can assist and vice/versa. • Develop an action plan

Personal branding tips for the industry • Join an industry committee • IABA, SOA, ASNY, etc. • Explore opportunities to take a leadership role • Explore public speaking opportunities at industry events • Write an article for an industry related publication (actuarial, insurance, pension, etc.) • Expand your network • Develop a reputation (Ie. subject matter expert, leader, innovator, etc.)

How to get started • Personal branding starts with self awareness, particularly identifying your: • Strengths • Areas for improvement • Value to your company • Impressions made on others • Develop a plan • Consult your mentor • Seek official and unofficial feedback • Monitor your progress • Develop a scorecard

How to get started – Self awarenessAreas for improvement Potential areas for improvement include: • Recognize and address your weaknesses • Counter the reputation that actuaries possess poor soft skills • Improve your actuarial skills • Keep up with current events • Pay attention to latest developments in the industry, actuarial profession and at your company • Identify a few initiatives which can truly add value to both your company and career

How to get started - Monitor your progressSample scorecard • Develop a scorecard to actively monitor your progress in regards to improving your personal brands and achieving your goals Responsibilities Development Other

Conclusion • Personal branding is very important to career growth • Continual process which requires initiative and dedication • Remember… • Be visible • Be innovative • Add value

Questions?

Personal Branding