Brag!: The Art of Tooting Your Own Horn Without Blowing It

Its NOT about the bragging rights

Brag to many of you would be considered a four letter word that is considered not one you want to be associated with. But take a look at the full title before you start to judge.

The great thing about this book is that it's all established from a point of authenticity, very much like the personal branding approach. It is not about being BRASH or BOASTFUL , in the current climate you can probably not afford to be those either.

If a company has not made any downsizing announcements yet, you can be 99.9% sure that the senior team have had those discussions. The conversation that is included in that is looking at an employees value to the organization.

The harsh reality of todays workplace and career management in general is that you cannot rely on others to keep an watchful eye over your career - they are too concerned with their own and after all you know yourself best and what you are good at.

Enter some of the great suggestions from the BRAG! book. This book is one of my recommended reads for those looking in to the whole concept of personal branding and if that type of approach sits comfortably with them, it's a start , by no means a definitive piece but a good start. What I really like about this book is that it has some great suggestions for people in just about every eventuality - even if you are not working or looking to return to the workforce.

Start off by looking at the "Take 12" Self Evaluation - which can actually be downloaded from the book's related web site. This evaluation gets you to look at what you have done in terms of development, are good at, known for and remembered.

This is the basis for formulating your 'brag bites' and 'bragalogues' - sound bites or taglines and mini elevator speeches that can be used at various 'bragging' opportunities with different target audiences.

A shortfall of the book (or at least my copy!) is that because it was published in 2003 it is a way behind the times with regards to the advances in social networking etc. The Techno-Brag certainly needs updating - but makes some good solid points about having a clear plan.

For those of you in more active job search the book is also relevant and has a chapter devoted to the Job Interview and bragging your way in the door . Also speaks my language in not relying on the resume to do the talking for you - Peggy Klaus talks about once you are in the door - I believe this has equal merit well before that too.

And for those happy where they are and looking to get along internally the chapter around Performance Reviews is also another good example of using the brag to great effect.

A quick pick up and read book, likely can be finished in a couple of evenings - after all how many more series of Survivor or 24 are going to be that different?

At least this book will give you some practical skills and ideas that apply to the real world - not those of fiction or reality TV.

A clever guide on how to brag without seeming like a braggart

Do you believe that it is unseemly to brag about yourself? Well, Hall of Fame pitching great Dizzy Dean would differ with you. As he said, ¿It ain¿t bragging if you done it.¿ Author Peggy Klaus agrees wholeheartedly. In this book extolling bragging, Klaus explains that strategic self-promotion often is the best way to avoid being overlooked (and possibly downsized) in the dog-eat-dog business world. Of course, when you brag, you should not seem to be doing so. Klaus explains how to accomplish this dodge gracefully. getAbstract believes that anyone in business could benefit from Klaus¿s savvy advice. Just don¿t be a ¿brag bomb¿ and let all that success go to your head.

Brag without feeling Foolish

Finally, an easy to read self help book on how to make your self a star without feeling like an idiot. For many of us who work hard in the trenches but do not feel comfortable extolling our virtues, some easy to use techniques and ways to brag without feeling foolish or arrogant. Klaus makes it fun and emphasizes that in this competitive environment we have to find creative ways to self promote. A great read and a big confidence builder.

Brag: The Art of Tooting Your Own Horn Without Blowing It

Klaus is right ¿ self-promotion isn't bragging ¿ but only if it's done right ¿ with a carefully developed plan. 'Personal publicity' is a valuable business tool that career women must add to their strategies for success. It¿s easy to wrongly assume that a mentor (for those lucky enough to have one), or supervisor will take control and make sure that we gain professional visibility. Women, especially, show far too much humility about their talents and skills. If we want people to value our skills, we must first show that we value ourselves ¿- by making sure our accomplishments are visible to targeted audiences. If we want people to hire us or promote us, buy from us or invest in our companies, they have to know who we are, what we have accomplished and why they should do business with us! The first step is to develop a 'personal publicity plan,' a step-by-step process that will help even the most timid become comfortable with the concept of self-promotion.

Brag: The Art of Tooting Your Own Horn Without Blowing It

Professional visibility is a critical component to building a strategy for success. A simple statement, but often an ignored concept - especially by women who show far too much humility about their talents and skills. If we want people to value our skills, we must first show that we value ourselves ¿- by making sure our accomplishments are visible to targeted audiences. If we want people to hire us or promote us, buy from us or invest in our companies, they have to know who we are, what we have accomplished and why they should do business with us! The first step is to develop a 'personal publicity plan,' a step-by-step process that will help even the most timid become comfortable with the concept of self-promotion. From: Marion E. Gold, author of the 'Personal Publicity Plan: A Guide to Marketing YOU.'

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