Donald Trump University - Branding at it's Best

'Donald Trump', say the name in most parts of the world and people will know the name and know the hair. They will probably also know that he is wealthy. With wealth they believe he is successful. How did this New York Real Estate Entrepreneur grow into such a household name or rather, should I say, household brand?

Donald built a brand with Ivana's help that was all about the image of class, expertise and profits. Even when he was suffering in business and got the creditors to work with him he always managed to fly around in a private jet. Even the creditors knew Donald's real value is in his brand. What are you doing to build your brand?

If you are just starting in business you need to write down what personal image and what business image you want to portray to the world. Write a 'Mission Statement' that mirrors the image you want to portray and then print it on the back of your business cards, on your letterhead and on your signage.

I remember being in a situation where a customers kitchen designs were becoming cost prohibitive. In other words, the law of gravity made her requirements near impossible to deliver. On the job site, with no customer around, I had my site foreman complaining that it could not be done, that we were wasting too much time and costing the company money. After debating it for a few minutes and discussing the options I realized that it could be done but, at a cost. I ended the debate by simply reminding the foreman that the cost of lost time discussing why we can't do it is best spent just doing it and making it happen. He was having trouble with this concept so then I asked him to pull out our business card and turn it over to the back. He then read aloud our mission statement that simply stated; "...the 'Key' to our success is building on our Customer's Dreams."

He stopped, thought about what he just read and then turned from me and began to get the job done. The end result was an outstanding and unique kitchen design that had the overhead cabinets appearing to float away from the wall. The client and our cabinet suppliers were so amazed that we had many suppliers coming to take pictures for future standard design considerations. In addition, the word got out and we had a local Home and Garden Magazine do a 6 page article on the renovation and our company. I also became a contributing "expert" writer to the magazine which eventually got me in the Who's Who Registry filed in Washington, DC.

Our Brand was established. Is yours?