A new Olympic sport made its debut at the 2010 Vancouver Games called “Ski Cross”. It’s frequently described as “Motocross on skis” with four skiers racing simultaneously, elbow to elbow, at an average speed of 65 mph. Skiers leave the gate at the same moment to race through a downhill obstacle course of sharp turns and big jumps.

Many times, the race is decided within the first three seconds. The skier in front has a clear route to define their course, while those left behind are forced to jockey for the best path from the trail that is left. This requires the athletes to consistently and tenaciously improve every aspect of their performance that can give them a competitive edge out of the gate.

Just as these disciplined athletes continue to sharpen their performance; your ability to achieve your desired success may depend on a commitment to hone one of the most crucial tools in your toolbox: your personal brand.

You’ve worked hard to establish your authentic personal brand: defining your personal mission, identifying what distinguishes you from others and persuasively communicating your brand to the world. Yet effectively maintaining your brand is the key to ensuring your brand is not mistaken for a commodity.

How can you begin? Cultivating your brand can start with the simple step of reviewing your online and offline presence for consistency. Do your resume, Twitter account, website, business card and other material reinforce your desired brand message? Do they link to one another? In this digital age, it’s wise to assume that your online persona, even on ‘secure’ social networking sites, will be accessed by colleagues, reporters or even a future employer – so make sure those New Year’s Eve photos are for public consumption.

If you build it, will they come? Defining your brand doesn’t guarantee an ‘audience’, but identifying the niche (or niches) your brand best serves can connect you to the people most likely to be interested in your message. Are you a marketing manager who enjoys giving back to the community? Your niche may be an association of non-profit professionals who could leverage your insights on writing brochures for their organization. Are you a sales executive who loves to run marathons? The local running club may be the perfect audience for your expertise in securing sponsorship dollars.

Once you have uncovered opportunities relevant to your brand by blogging, tweeting or networking – get involved:

• Comment on blogs: Become a recognized voice in your niche by consistently reading and commenting on relevant blogs. Your blog is more likely to reach a new audience by being linked back from those blogs you frequent.
• Attend events: Attend the conferences, festivals, and events where people who share your interests are participating. You’ll expand you network, learn more about your niche and identify opportunities to reinforce your brand.
• Write: There are countless outlets that will welcome your expert insights, including trade magazines, online publications, blogs, even your alumni newsletter. Contribute your ideas and reach new audiences by writing.
• Present: Whether as a conference keynote, panel participant or informal brown bag ‘lunch & learn’ teacher – become a speaker. Record your presentations for your web site or other personal PR efforts (including uploading it to YouTube.)

As you establish yourself as an expert in your chosen niche, continue to cultivate your brand by regularly asking yourself these questions:

• Can people locate me?
  Consistently updating your website, Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, blogs and other profiles with accurate contact information and recent projects will ensure that your audience (or future business opportunities) can find you.
• What are they saying?
  The savvy individual monitors both what is being said about their brand, and what is what is being said about their niche. Social media tools and old fashioned networking will offer a clear picture of whether your personal branding efforts are resonating, and will help you seize emerging opportunities before your competitors do.
• Who am I competing with?
  Knowing the strengths and the limitations of your competitors will help you further refine your brand position and identify opportunities for you to deepen your expertise.

The process of cultivating your personal brand never ends. By applying these effective maintenance “tools” you’ll ensure that, just like the Olympic skier in front, you’ll have a clear path before you.

In business, if your hair sticks out like Einstein, then your work, knowledge and overall organizational skills can be perceived just as scattered. Is this the look you want to project in business?  Unless you are in a rock band, chances are it is not a look for you.

The first step in determining a good hair cut/style is knowing your face shape because it is all about framing your face.  Your face shape also gives you direction for collar lines and eyewear.

CHUVA identifies “9” different face shapes; from a square to a circle, with oval in the middle. This scientific approach helps takes a lot of the guessing out of what is right for you. For example, a square face typically softens the lines and adds length; scientifically speaking. Artistically however, your personal style, classic, dramatic, romantic or romantic can help you style your look.

A dramatic for example, might want to reinforce the angles and keep the squareness of the face. Lifestyle also determines a lot about how you cut/style your hair. If you have to shower and go, then your cut and style needs serious consideration.  There are always some tips to remember when styling your hair.  We have highlighted a few for your consideration.

MEN:
Avoid the slicked-back look! This gives a greasy look and feel.

If you use hair spray, avoid a “fixed” look. Even many TV personalities are too “fixed”. This use can give the perception that you are too fixed, inflexible and too much of a perfectionist.

Ponytails are generally not found in the more conservative markets. If you work in one, you might consider cutting your hair. Know your customer.

Long hair is coming back. Unless you look great in longer hair, avoid it. It could send the message that you are trying to be young again. Although there is nothing wrong with trying to stay competitive with the younger generation, it can do more harm than good.

To try to look more youthful African-American men do well in short cuts while for Caucasian men this cut might look too militant. If you are transferring out of the services into civilian life, consider letting it grow out a bit.

Avoid products that make the hair too stiff or unnatural such as a spiked look. It might work for a more creative industry, but I still suggest toning it down for the interview.

WOMEN:
A professional hairstyle is one that is controlled, kept neat, yet has personal style. For those of you who are fortunate enough to have long, curly, gorgeous thick hair, be sure to use a style and products that help keep that professional look. Remember, it is about perception.

When wearing bangs be sure to NOT cover you eyes. Remember, you communicate with your eyes.

If you color your hair, ensure that your try to make it look natural. For example, if you change your hair color from a dark level to a light level, you will have to attend to it about every two weeks, so if time and money is not an issue, enjoy!

Ponytails can be very effective. Remember to use a hair accessory that matches your hair color; this helps it not to be the focal point. Putting a ponytail on top of the head like that of a water fountain is not professional.  Ponytails pulled back and tight are more severe, while a looser ponytail has a more relaxed look. Again, know your business and your customer.

You can also put your hair up; however, do not go above the crown area. This look is too dressy and should be kept for evenings. This “look” with a suit sends two different messages, one professional and one social, thus creating a disconnect.

For men and women, whatever look you wish to create in business your hair should be consistent with the message sent by your clothing. In addition, remember to not lose your own sense of identity! Let your hair be an extension of your inner essence; just modify your hairstyle as each business situation presents itself.