Panellists share tips on branding
LinkedIn Local Manawatu¯ holds first event
The country has just come through an intense period of politicians marketing their personal branding. At the first LinkedIn Local Manawatu¯ event in Palmerston North last week, attendees had the opportunity to learn what personal branding is and how to apply it in their careers.
American company Sprout Social says personal branding is the process of defining and promoting what you stand for as an individual.
Panellist Te Ahu Teki said he calls himself the “cup of tea man” as he is here to serve.
He was brought up on the marae with the values of whanaungatanga (importance of others) and manaakitanga (hospitality).
Teki is a director of organisational development company Tuia Connect Consulting. He said he knows he walks on the shoulders of giants (his ancestors).
Everyone has a culture and identity as your values come from somewhere.
Teki said his identity helps him be more respectful of other cultures.
Nelson Mandela once said if you talk to a person in a language they understand, that goes to their head. If you talk to them in their own language, that goes to their heart.
Put relationships before business and treat everyone like a CEO as everyone is important, Teki said.
Panellist and Massey University arts and business student Leilani Faaiuaso said personal brand is what drives you to succeed.
She is family-oriented, faith-driven, loves people and food, and her Samoan culture is a a big part of her identity.
Faaiuaso said she serves today for a better tomorrow.
When interacting with others don’t see it as a transactional experience when you could have a transformational experience.
Faaiuaso was selected as a young achiever on the 2023 YWCA Y25 programme. It celebrates young wa¯hine and non-binary people doing amazing mahi.
Panellist and residential sales consultant
Charles Allen said before you can develop and share your personal brand you need to know yourself. Do the work on your values and nonnegotiables.
He recently prepared a personal brand summary document and wants to be energetic but not salesy.
He wants to build long-term relationships and be a good human.
Building good relationships takes time. An authentic person will always beat someone who is faking it, Allen said.
Be willing to share information and build expertise; doing this via video allows you to express your personality.
More than 30 people attended the event and host Ramola Duncan plans to run three LinkedIn Local events a year.
The keynote speaker was Natasha Walstra, a partner in American company Heritage Brands. She is a LinkedIn top personal branding voice and helps people share their expertise and grow their networks on the platform.
Beaming in from Charlestown, South Carolina, Walstra said LinkedIn had transformed her career. Instead of cold calling, she would message potential clients via LinkedIn first and then “warm call” them. This built brand awareness and drove credibility.
People want to buy from people, not from a business or organisation. Human-to-human connection is so important. People do business with people, not business to business.
Palmerston North Deputy Mayor Debi Marshall-Lobb outlined her career in education, which has ranged from primary school teaching to lecturing future teachers.
She was the founding principal of Te Kura Kaupapa Ma¯ori o Manawatu¯ and is now dean of Ma¯ori student achievement at Palmerston North Boys’ High School.
This is her 43rd year teaching. Marshall-Lobb said it pays to say yes to opportunities you might not know much about.
She uses LinkedIn for professional reading and growth, and to link with colleagues with similar interests.