• You Inc. = Optimism Devin Hughes         posted in: Motivation and Inspiration
    The start of 2012 has been intense, as I have traveled coast to coast and back in less than a month.  As I sat on countless airplanes, waited in too many airport lounges, and contemplated the meaning of life, the sheer number of negative people I encountered along the way struck me.  Could it be a coincidence?  Was the universe sending me a sign via negative Nancy and pessimistic Paul?  I g...
  • 2012 and You Inc. Devin Hughes         posted in: Motivation and Inspiration
    As we sit here the first few days of 2012, it is almost impossible not to think about what the new year has in store for us.  Most of us would agree that the economy is not in tip-top shape nor are we.  The gyms are crowded this time of the year as people scramble to lose a few pounds while remaining focused on their New Year’s resolution to lose those love handles.  “Hey, I was next on ...
  • Secret Sauce For Personal Branding Devin Hughes         posted in: Sales, Branding, Marketing
    I am so very lucky. I have the opportunity to travel the country and speak about personal branding to a variety of people from various teams, groups and organizations. It’s a topic that I am passionate about and one that I can speak about based on my journey as well as others. Invariably, one of the first questions asked during my presentations this past year was by someone looking ...
  • Personal Branding is Not Optional Devin Hughes         posted in: Sales, Branding, Marketing
    I had the opportunity this past week to speak to a group of entrepreneurs about personal branding.  As you might imagine, I was delighted to share my experience and its significance with the large crowd.  Much like a prizefighter, I was warming up back stage, as I was getting ready to deliver a knock out talk to a packed room. Shortly after I began, an older man in the back of t...
  • If today was your funeral, who would show up and what would they say? Devin Hughes         posted in: Leadership
    This past month, I attended a funeral, which had a profound effect on me.  It was for a former childhood friend whose life was cut short by a sudden illness.  I arrived early and watched a diverse group of people arrive to pay their final respects – young, old, mom, dad, extended family, neighbors, co-workers, classmates, teammates and college friends.  I had no idea that he had touch...
  • Personal Branding Is Not A Hobby Devin Hughes         posted in: Sales, Branding, Marketing
    Building your personal brand is not easy.  Beyond all the hype and success stories that you read and hear about, it is a grind.  I often compare it to trying to find a light switch in a dark room that is unfamiliar to you.  It will certainly make you second-guess yourself as you often wonder if you will ever see the finish line.  Imagine for a second running a marathon where the finish...
  • My Personal Branding Breakfast Club Devin Hughes         posted in: Sales, Branding, Marketing
    I had the pleasure of spending an entire day recently at a local coffee shop due to a power outage at my office.   As you may have guessed, the mere thought of being without Internet access was completely unacceptable.  The plan was so to sit, peck away on the laptop, drink coffee and soak up the atmosphere.  It was my idea of turning lemons into lemonade. The store was packe...
  • Personal Branding is a Contact Sport Devin Hughes         posted in: Sales, Branding, Marketing
    In the age of ubiquitous social media, I find that so many people lose sight of the fact that developing a personal brand involves real relationships with actual human beings.  Technology has become “comfort food” for far too many of us in developing Me Inc. similar to popcorn at a movie theater.  It is so easy to become enamored with the number of connections and followers we have a...
  • You get out what you put in! Devin Hughes         posted in: Sales, Branding, Marketing
    Make one more call each day before you shut it down.  There are approximately 260 working days per year.  Do the math.  Success is an acquired taste but one that you will come to enjoy if you will get in the habit of doing just a bit more each day. It is by no means easy but nothing great ever is.  Stay focused on creating an authentic experience and you too can differentiate ...
  • Use the Rule of 3 for Personal Branding Devin Hughes         posted in: Sales, Branding, Marketing
    If you are not familiar with it then I suggest that you introduce yourself quickly. I believe that it is the most highly effective technique for disseminating information with a punch. As an aspiring Brandpreneur, you have been told, over and over, ad nauseam, that your ability to convey your message with impact is critical to your long-term success. Like so many of us, I ...
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