You are a brand.
Start acting like one.
Stop defining yourself by where you work; start defining yourself by what you do- the problems you solve, the solutions you provide.
If there's anything like a cliche question- "what do you do?" is top of the list.
Everyday we bump into old friends from way back in high school, from way back in children's church, from that ballet class your parents made you join ages ago who are only interested in that one question "what do you do?" By the way I bumped into an old friend and I asked him that question, and he replied- 'I sit on my deep brown couch, legs propped on the bean bag, flipping channels and dipping my fingers into bowls of popcorn!"
(Believe that and you'll believe there are brick houses on the moon.)
Yes, you are a brand.
What problems do you solve at your workplace on a daily basis? What solutions do you provide for your company's clients? This is what you do. No, you're not a marketing executive with Ying&Yang Plc. You help businesses grow their customer base. You help businesses find and attract more customers for their business.
So, when that C.E.O that thinks he's all that and a bag of chips sends you that letter/mail that says 'It was nice doing business with you, now clean up your desk,pack your bags and go home," you walk out of the building with a whistle, and your dignity right on top. And when you bump into that old friend from high school and he asks what you do, you don't say "I used to work for Ying&Yang until last week" or "ermm....I'm actually searching for a job" or "I'm in between jobs" (what exactly does this mean, by the way?. Instead, you put your chin up, look him straight in the eye and say "I help businesses increase their customer base."
So, what do you do?
