Google ranking is definitely a good place to start to assess someone’s personal brand though a John Smith will have more trouble emerging from a Googl search than I would.

The equation you describe to measure someone’s personal brand / reputation is exactly what we do at TRAACKR. We try to get a full representation of someone’s online presence to value their public persona. We have a rough beta already available on traackr.com.

But failing that, what I’ve noticed in the past 12-18 months is this: 99% of the time, when I go into a presentation or meeting with potential (or even existing) clients, at least half the people in the room have Googled me beforehand.

Since I have a pretty strong Google ranking (something like 25 out of the first 30 returns are me, and from a variety of sources including ‘real’ media, not just stuff I’ve put out there myself), the people sitting around the table tend to be more prepared to listen to what I have to say.

So it cuts down on the time I have to spend building credibility in the boardroom.

yinka olaito’s last blog post..Brand reputation management

While ‘personal branding’ is simply a new term for an old concept, the use of the term in the context of this blog seems to give a blanket moral sanction to the me me me me generation in today’s workforce. It’s OK to be totally self serving. It’s OK to spend half my waking hours trying to develop my ‘personal brand’ on the social sites. My ‘brand’ is more important than my actual contribution.

Does anybody do anything for the good of the company anymore? For the community? The country? For each other? Eric Brown (Mar 21 Above) cuts to the chase here, “…at the end of the day, it is about what you have produced.” As an employer, I want productivity – not just the sizzle. At the same time, if an employee’s personal brand creates added productivity or value to the product and the employee can prove it, fine! But don’t expect to get paid for it without a trial period, no matter what your resume or your Twitter following or your virtual image happens to be.

Politicians position themselves for reelection. Executives position themselves for bonuses and stock options. With good or bad intention, most of us seek to improve our lot. But do we always do it with integrity? Or are we just enthralled by that image in the mirror?

Terry O’Gara (Mar 23 above) is right on the mark, “…the best strategy to employ is to develop one’s personal reputation by doing good work.” I still believe that approach is best. And Beth, to answer your question, I am happy to work and be compensated based on performance. I hope many others are as well.

Thanks for bringing up an intriguing subject.