Written on the 5th of March 2015 by Rachel Quilty, Personal Brand Strategist
50 Shades of Personal Branding
By now you've heard about or watched the recently released first instalment of the Fifty Shades Trilogy - Fifty Shades of Grey? Before you read on I offer a warning with this article, some of the contents maybe a little provocative but not too x rated - read at your own risk .
A great deal of negative commentary surrounded the release of Fifty Shades of Grey, specifically about the lack lustre love scenes. Many people asked where was the erotica??
If you haven't seen the film, I am sure you'll be shocked at the volume of nudity unless you were anticipating a movie with a XXX rating rather than R.
And well, if you've read the books you'll know firstly, a lot of the expected erotica is in the next book and secondly, the book series is not all about sex. All be it, there are a number of extremely steamy scenes within the pages of the book that had over 80 million readers fanning themselves.
People are shocked when I say the Fifty Shades series is not all about sex. I think the books are about determining your personal brand values and boundaries; understanding the psychology behind a healthy self identity; and ultimately recognising we are all worthy of love. Let me know your thoughts once I've explained my rationale below.
Personal branding is about finding clarity, about and within yourself. Removing or reducing the shades of grey and becoming crystal clear about who you are and what your mission is. Fifty shades of grey is where most people dwell - unclear and unsure of who they are, what they represent and where they're going.
The fifty shades line is significant. The frustrated revelation "Because I'm fifty shades of #$@!ed-up, Anastasia" is voiced by Christian Grey. His dark desires and lifestyle stem from a broken, traumatic childhood where control becomes paramount and disturbingly confused with childhood memories and experiences.
Anastasia however, after a conscious decision to taste the temptations of the dark side, retreats from the darkness; establishes her boundaries reinforcing her values and personal limitations. These measures intrinsically force Christian to question his values, what is important to him and the future expression of his love.
"This is a man in need. His fear is naked and obvious, but he's lost. . . Somewhere in his darkness.
His eyes wide and bleak and tortured. I can soothe him. Join him briefly in the darkness and bring him into the light." Anastasia Steele E.L. James, Fifty Shades of Grey
Each of us will be tempted, tested by trials and tribulations and forced to determine and maintain our values - what is important to us.
"We're coming near to the end of the bridge, and the road is once more bathed in the neon light of the street lamps so his face is intermittently in the light and the dark. And it's such a fitting metaphor. This man, whom I once thought of as a romantic hero, a brave shining white knightor the dark knight, as he said. He's not a hero; he's a man with serious, deep emotional flaws, and he's dragging me into the dark. Can I not guide him into the light?" Anastasia E.L. James, Fifty Shades of Grey
This is at the heart of personal branding. Our brand is strengthened by our strong sense of self and our clear understanding of our own self identity.
Within our training series - Brand Yourself the Authority we case study the Fifty Shades Brand, so you can imagine we have a lot fun, laughs and red cheek moments (no palm-twitching pun intended). We look at the characters, the author, the brand attributes and the erotic brand empire which is Fifty Shades of Grey.
This article is not to discuss the brand attributes of Fifty Shades or the lifestyles reflected or its moral fibre but to provoke your thinking, like the book. In your life where are your Fifty Shades of Grey? Where is your area of calmity? Where is your area of clarity? What are your personal brand values? What or who may be tempting you to step away from your true self or your true calling? Where are your brand boundaries? What are your hard limits? Where have these been compromised? What can you do to move into the light?
"I don't have a philosophy as such. Maybe a guiding principle, Carnegie's A man who acquires the ability to take full possession of his own mind may take possession of anything else to which he is justly entitled.' I'm very singular, driven. I like control... of myself and those around me." "You sound like a control freak." The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them. "Oh, I exercise control in all things, Miss Steele," he says without a trace of humor in his smile." E.L. James, Fifty Shades of Grey
I often say our spotlight is in our story, in our shame. "There's a very fine line between pleasure and pain. They are two sides of the same coin, one not existing without the other." E.L. James, Fifty Shades of Grey. Christian Grey's fears, subsequent lifestyle and personal journey are what rivets the audience as he struggles towards the light. While Anastasia Steele's concise conscious consideration of her choices provokes our own internal debate about saying no, resisting temptation and remaining true to ourselves. Understanding your strengths and weakness is invalable to your brand and it is often said that your greatest strength is also your greatest weakness. Case in point, Christian Grey's self control has made him financially successful while also manifesting in a darker issue, which he himself recognises and hence his comment about being fifty shades.
Finding your true self and your personal strengths is often the journey exposed as we establish and build our personal brand. Discovering and creating your personal brand is simply revisiting the foundations of your brand, your personal and professional values and establishing a blueprint for your personal brand growth.
"This is all I know, too. Perhaps together we can chart a new course." E.L. James, Fifty Shades of Grey
Copyright permission: You have permission to use this article by respecting the copyright by publishing the entire article as it is with no changes and by agreeing to include the above reference at the end of the article, or where you quote the author in which case please include the authors name and company name. In the event you wish to use any or all of this content please advise Jump the Q.
The brand Fifty Shades of Grey and all quotes of EL James, Fifty Shades of Grey remain the property of EL James and associated brands.
About the Author:
Rachel Quilty is a Personal Branding Strategist. She is also known as the "Authority" on Personal Branding within Australia.
Rachel is the owner and CEO of Jump the Q Inc, a Personal Brand consulting firm with offices in Brisbane as well as in Las Vegas, in the US.
Rachel is also the Author of the book, 'Brand Yourself: How to design, build and position your personal brand' which is also now listed on Amazon.
Rachel regularly speaks on the importance of personal branding and strategic brand management. She assists her students and clients around the world to leverage their professional profile and expertise to establish their personal brand as the authority and recognised leader within their industry.
Rachel regularly speaks at seminars, conferences and workshops on personal branding, professional image and developing your signature brand. She has presented at Bond University, Gr iffith University Business School, Ernst & Young, Westfield, NSAA; conferences in Las Vegas, Hawaii, Tasmania, Gold Coast and Expos in Brisbane.
Rachel has also been featured in Australia on the Today show as well various national radio programs including 4BC & ABC. She recently featured in the Australian Institute of Management magazine and is regularly featured in popular magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Cleo, Marie Claire and national newspapers include the Courier Mail, Sun Herald and the Weekend Australian.
Rachel made a splash in the USA with a recent interview on Voice America Radio hosted by Personal Finance Guru Jordon E Goodman the author of a dozen best sellers and is a regular on CNN and The View. Rachel also recently spoke in Las Vegas at the Ultimate Joint Venture Boot Camp with some of the most prominent speakers in the world.
Media Contact:
Rachel Quilty
Brand Strategist
Jump the Q
web: www.jumptheq.com.au
Please email questions or story angle and a schedule call for interview.
Written on the 5th of March 2015 by Rachel Quilty, Personal Brand Strategist
50 Shades of Personal Branding
By now you've heard about or watched the recently released first instalment of the Fifty Shades Trilogy - Fifty Shades of Grey? Before you read on I offer a warning with this article, some of the contents maybe a little provocative but not too x rated - read at your own risk .
A great deal of negative commentary surrounded the release of Fifty Shades of Grey, specifically about the lack lustre love scenes. Many people asked where was the erotica??
If you haven't seen the film, I am sure you'll be shocked at the volume of nudity unless you were anticipating a movie with a XXX rating rather than R.
And well, if you've read the books you'll know firstly, a lot of the expected erotica is in the next book and secondly, the book series is not all about sex. All be it, there are a number of extremely steamy scenes within the pages of the book that had over 80 million readers fanning themselves.
People are shocked when I say the Fifty Shades series is not all about sex. I think the books are about determining your personal brand values and boundaries; understanding the psychology behind a healthy self identity; and ultimately recognising we are all worthy of love. Let me know your thoughts once I've explained my rationale below.
Personal branding is about finding clarity, about and within yourself. Removing or reducing the shades of grey and becoming crystal clear about who you are and what your mission is. Fifty shades of grey is where most people dwell - unclear and unsure of who they are, what they represent and where they're going.
The fifty shades line is significant. The frustrated revelation "Because I'm fifty shades of #$@!ed-up, Anastasia" is voiced by Christian Grey. His dark desires and lifestyle stem from a broken, traumatic childhood where control becomes paramount and disturbingly confused with childhood memories and experiences.
Anastasia however, after a conscious decision to taste the temptations of the dark side, retreats from the darkness; establishes her boundaries reinforcing her values and personal limitations. These measures intrinsically force Christian to question his values, what is important to him and the future expression of his love.
"This is a man in need. His fear is naked and obvious, but he's lost. . . Somewhere in his darkness.
His eyes wide and bleak and tortured. I can soothe him. Join him briefly in the darkness and bring him into the light." Anastasia Steele E.L. James, Fifty Shades of Grey
Each of us will be tempted, tested by trials and tribulations and forced to determine and maintain our values - what is important to us.
"We're coming near to the end of the bridge, and the road is once more bathed in the neon light of the street lamps so his face is intermittently in the light and the dark. And it's such a fitting metaphor. This man, whom I once thought of as a romantic hero, a brave shining white knightor the dark knight, as he said. He's not a hero; he's a man with serious, deep emotional flaws, and he's dragging me into the dark. Can I not guide him into the light?" Anastasia E.L. James, Fifty Shades of Grey
This is at the heart of personal branding. Our brand is strengthened by our strong sense of self and our clear understanding of our own self identity.
Within our training series - Brand Yourself the Authority we case study the Fifty Shades Brand, so you can imagine we have a lot fun, laughs and red cheek moments (no palm-twitching pun intended). We look at the characters, the author, the brand attributes and the erotic brand empire which is Fifty Shades of Grey.
This article is not to discuss the brand attributes of Fifty Shades or the lifestyles reflected or its moral fibre but to provoke your thinking, like the book. In your life where are your Fifty Shades of Grey? Where is your area of calmity? Where is your area of clarity? What are your personal brand values? What or who may be tempting you to step away from your true self or your true calling? Where are your brand boundaries? What are your hard limits? Where have these been compromised? What can you do to move into the light?
"I don't have a philosophy as such. Maybe a guiding principle, Carnegie's A man who acquires the ability to take full possession of his own mind may take possession of anything else to which he is justly entitled.' I'm very singular, driven. I like control... of myself and those around me." "You sound like a control freak." The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them. "Oh, I exercise control in all things, Miss Steele," he says without a trace of humor in his smile." E.L. James, Fifty Shades of Grey
I often say our spotlight is in our story, in our shame. "There's a very fine line between pleasure and pain. They are two sides of the same coin, one not existing without the other." E.L. James, Fifty Shades of Grey. Christian Grey's fears, subsequent lifestyle and personal journey are what rivets the audience as he struggles towards the light. While Anastasia Steele's concise conscious consideration of her choices provokes our own internal debate about saying no, resisting temptation and remaining true to ourselves. Understanding your strengths and weakness is invalable to your brand and it is often said that your greatest strength is also your greatest weakness. Case in point, Christian Grey's self control has made him financially successful while also manifesting in a darker issue, which he himself recognises and hence his comment about being fifty shades.
Finding your true self and your personal strengths is often the journey exposed as we establish and build our personal brand. Discovering and creating your personal brand is simply revisiting the foundations of your brand, your personal and professional values and establishing a blueprint for your personal brand growth.
"This is all I know, too. Perhaps together we can chart a new course." E.L. James, Fifty Shades of Grey
Copyright permission: You have permission to use this article by respecting the copyright by publishing the entire article as it is with no changes and by agreeing to include the above reference at the end of the article, or where you quote the author in which case please include the authors name and company name. In the event you wish to use any or all of this content please advise Jump the Q.
The brand Fifty Shades of Grey and all quotes of EL James, Fifty Shades of Grey remain the property of EL James and associated brands.
About the Author:
Rachel Quilty is a Personal Branding Strategist. She is also known as the "Authority" on Personal Branding within Australia.
Rachel is the owner and CEO of Jump the Q Inc, a Personal Brand consulting firm with offices in Brisbane as well as in Las Vegas, in the US.
Rachel is also the Author of the book, 'Brand Yourself: How to design, build and position your personal brand' which is also now listed on Amazon.
Rachel regularly speaks on the importance of personal branding and strategic brand management. She assists her students and clients around the world to leverage their professional profile and expertise to establish their personal brand as the authority and recognised leader within their industry.
Rachel regularly speaks at seminars, conferences and workshops on personal branding, professional image and developing your signature brand. She has presented at Bond University, Gr iffith University Business School, Ernst & Young, Westfield, NSAA; conferences in Las Vegas, Hawaii, Tasmania, Gold Coast and Expos in Brisbane.
Rachel has also been featured in Australia on the Today show as well various national radio programs including 4BC & ABC. She recently featured in the Australian Institute of Management magazine and is regularly featured in popular magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Cleo, Marie Claire and national newspapers include the Courier Mail, Sun Herald and the Weekend Australian.
Rachel made a splash in the USA with a recent interview on Voice America Radio hosted by Personal Finance Guru Jordon E Goodman the author of a dozen best sellers and is a regular on CNN and The View. Rachel also recently spoke in Las Vegas at the Ultimate Joint Venture Boot Camp with some of the most prominent speakers in the world.
Media Contact:
Rachel Quilty
Brand Strategist
Jump the Q
web: www.jumptheq.com.au
Please email questions or story angle and a schedule call for interview.
Written on the 23 April 2011 by Rachel Quilty, Personal Brand Strategist, Author and Speaker
Before Oprah. Before Richard Branson and long before Lady Gaga and Paris Hilton.
There was an incredibly powerful and persuasive personal brand – Jesus Christ.
They say, “Your authority is founded in your authenticity.” To build a compelling and appealing personal brand you must be able to clearly define who you are, what you stand for and the results you wish to achieve.
Jesus recognised his purpose and his mission while here on earth. He had a clear understanding of who he was and what he stood for. And despite temptation was not swayed from his purpose.
One of the most powerful verses in the Bible relates to Jesus’ death which is particularly relevant at Easter, in John 19:30, “He said, “It is finished!”And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”
Every single one of us should seek our purpose with the passion and commitment of Jesus. I am inspired and in awe of this verse. I want to conclude my life being able to say, “It is finished.” I have achieved my God given assignment here on earth. I have fulfilled my life purpose.
What would you like your tombstone to read? “Mission Complete” or “Almost. “, “ Nearly! “, “OK- Not close!”
In his thirty-three years, Jesus was able to establish a Brand like no other. From the short period of his ministry, the name Jesus Christ is and was established as a household name to almost two thirds of the world population almost two thousand years later.
According to Wikipedia – “As of the early 21st century, Christianity has around 2.2 billion adherents The faith represents about a quarter to a third of the world's population and is the largest religion in the world. Christians have composed about 33 percent of the world's population for around 100 years.”
Jesus Christ is also recognised in Islam and the Jewish religions as a prophet extending his name beyond the immediate Christian faith. The Islamic faith represents about a quarter of the world’s population.
Now this is an incredible feat when you consider with today’s modern technology it is possible to generate similar results using viral internet marketing and social media strategies and television syndication. Oprah, Justin Bieber or Lady Gaga have used these methods to achieve significant results.
We know God has a strategic purpose for your life. And you are asked to “Live as You are Called.”
I also believe you are unique positioned to help someone and that someone who has similar experiences would love to ask you how you managed, how you survived, how you got through it, how you stayed sane, how do you regain hope, how do you re-build your life, how you coped, how you fought it, how you lived to tell the tale.
Someone needs to hear your message. Someone needs your help. Someone is searching for an answer and a solution that you are ideally positioned to deliver.
My goal for each client is to help them recognise they are blessed to be a blessing and discover their true purpose.
Your assignment is to determine your purpose, uncover your gifts and become a person of persuasion and influence. You are intended to be envied. People should come to you and ask how you do what you do? How are you so successful? Why are you so happy? Why are you so calm?
I think discovering your purpose is so important that we have developed a process of unearthing your gifts and talents, created a questionnaire for discovering your purpose and developed a Brand Yourself Action Plan to build your profile and establish your personal brand as the authority in your industry.
We have included in our new book,”Brand Yourself. How to Design, Build and Position your Personal Brand”, a comprehensive overview of the Brand Yourself Action Plan. Read more at www.brandyourselfbook.com
Do you know what your life purpose is? Have you found it? Are you looking?
Do you feel that you are not reaching your potential? Are you wondering does your life matter?
If so I have three suggestions:
1. Have a conversation with God about your life purpose. After all, the inventor knows the purpose of his creation and invention (you).
2. Read more about your purpose in the Brand Yourself book at www.brandyourselfbook.com
3. Do both.
Let’s looking at the branding elements of Jesus Christ:
Brand Vision: Save every person on earth
Brand Mission: Live as man, and die for man.
Brand Purpose: Recover dominion lost by Adam
Brand Culture: Love and forgiveness
Brand Message: Jesus is the Son of God and died to bring you back into perfect relations with God.
Brand Theme: Acts of Random Kindness and Miracles.
Brand Objectives: Followers to become Christ like
The word Christian is a Greek term for “follower of Christ or the anointed one or the Light”. It is a verb or a doing word. The original Christian movement was noted by its joy, peace, love and kindness.
According to Wikipedia - A Christian is defined as a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament. "Christian" derives from the Greek word Christ, a translation of the Hebrew term Messiah.
Central to the Christian faith is love or Agape. Christians also believe Jesus is the Messiah prophesied in the Hebrew Bible, the Son of God, and the savior of mankind from their sins. Most Christians believe in the doctrine of the Trinity ("tri-unity"), a description of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The term "Christian" is also used adjectivally to describe anything associated with Christianity, or in a proverbial sense "all that is noble, and good, and Christ-like." It is also used as a label to identify people who associate with the cultural aspects of Christianity, irrespective of personal religious beliefs or practices.
When researching this article it was interesting to learn who was a Christian. And with God's help I know why they are amongst the super successful.
Famous Christian, Celebrity Christian and Personalities include the following:-
Abraham Lincoln
George Washington
Christopher Columbus
Isaac Newton -
Samuel Morse - morse code
Martin Luther King Jr
Anne Hathaway
Taylor Lautner
Miley Cyrus
Avril Lavigne
Alicia Keys
Kathie Lee Gifford
HG Heinz of Heinz Ketchup
Sam Walton - founder - Walmart
Zig Zigler - motivational speaker
CS Lewis
TS Elliot
Norman Vincent Peale
JRR Tolkien - The Hobbit
Danielle Steele - author
Johnny Cash
Elvis Presley
Whitney Houston
Brandy
Liza Minnelli
Barry White
Joel Madden
Kid Rock
MC Hammer
Backstreet Boys
Boyz II Men
James Brown
Eric Clapton
Alice Cooper
Dolly Parton
Mr T
Mickey Rooney
Chuck Norris
Tom Hanks
Mel Gibson
Reverend Billy Graham
Pope Benedict XVI
Pastor Rick Warren
Lead Singer U2 Bono
Kenneth Copeland
NFL Quarterback Kurt Warner
Retired NFL Coach Tony Dungy
Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin
Sir Cliff Richard
Florence Nightingale
Helen Keller
John Wesley
John Newton
Martin Luther
Victor Hugo
Ben Franklin
Interesting Christian Facts:
Georges Lemaitre, a Roman Catholic priest proposed the Big Bang Theory
Lord Kelvin 1824 - 1907 British Physicist, Laws of thermodynamics and Absolute Temp Scale noted "I believe that the more thoroughly science is studied, the further does it take us from anything comparable to atheism." Queen Elizabeth referring to the Bible - "Tell your prince that this book is the secret of England's success."
Modern Songs that reference Jesus and Jesus’ life purpose:
Beautiful Day - U2 ( Most U2 songs)
Jewel - Hands, Innocence Maintained
Creed - My Own Prison
Kanye West - Jesus Walks
Van Morrison - Full Force Gale
Peter Gabriel - Solsbury Hill
John Denver - Follow Me
Doobie Brothers - Jesus is Just Alright
Dylan - Gotta Serve Somebody
Charles Burnett - Run to Jesus for Refuge
Cliff Richard – Whenever Gods Shines His Light
Peerless Four - I'm a Soldier in the Army of the Lord
Violent Femmes - Jesus Walking on the Water
ZZ Top - Jesus Just Left Chicago
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Bless His Ever-Loving Heart
Marshall Tucker Band -My Jesus Told Me So
Maria Muldaur & John Fahey - Trials, Troubles, Tribulations
Womack Brothers - Yield Not To Temptation and Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray
Soul Stirrers - Touch The Hem Of His Garment
Hank Williams - I Saw The Light
Lawrence Reynolds - Jesus Is A Soul Man
Staple Singers - Wade In The Water and Uncloudy Day
Bob Dylan - Every Grain of Sand
Billy Joe Shaver - If I Give My Heart To Jesus
Bob Marley & the Wailers - Redemption Song and Get Up Stand Up
The Housemartins -People Get Ready
Pink Floyd
Robbie Williams
When you think of the greatest brands in the world – Jesus Christ, Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Mother Theresa, Oprah and the list goes on – consider the spiritual backbone that supported these people through some of the most horrific experiences. Their faith in their true purpose sustained them through great hardship.
Often they found peace in dire situations by trusting that inner spirit and voice that all would be well. They accepted that they did not have all the answers in circumstances that were out of their control. In fact, they were provided strength and a guiding light by trusting in a power greater than themselves.
We are all made of body, mind and soul. We are often quick to recognize and support our body and mind. Yet we neglect our soul or our spiritual health.
Are you neglecting your spiritual health?
As an avid reader of personal autobiographies and biographies, I am continually reminded that faith and belief in a higher power is an essential ingredient to personal success and to attaining the most incredible achievements.
Brand Yourself! And Jump the Q! Your personal brand should reflect your abilities and potential. Rachel Quilty, Personal Brand Strategist, known as ‘the Authority’ on personal branding and author of must- have book ‘Brand Yourself’. Rachel encourages Jump the Q clients to think strategically when developing a personal brand to get that job offer, gain that promotion or win that client.
Jump the Q assists you to strategically and systematically leverage your professional profile and build your personal brand to become the authority in your industry. Get your free personal branding tactics and tips at http://www.brandyourselfblueprint.com or buy the book www.brandyourselfbook.com
We assist you to develop your Personal Brand Strategy by:
- Discovering your purpose.
- Designing your best personal brand.
- Devising a personal marketing plan.
- Developing your Signature Brand.
Copyright permission: You have permission to use this article by respecting the copyright by publishing the entire article as it is with no changes and by agreeing to include the above reference at the end of the article, or where you quote the author in which case please include the authors name and company name. In the event you wish to use any or all of this content please advise Jump the Q.
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