Know-How Exchange : Career/Training

Have you spoken in depth with someone who is doing what you want to do? It would seem that you might want to start with a series of interviews with people who are already where you want to go, to see what they think is important, and to "test the waters" through them.

Dear kothari_saloni

Do you really understand what branding's all about? If you don't (and it's OK to admit as much), then you need to grasp one fundamental idea: branding isn't the key, it's converting skeptical leads into loyal users who themselves learned that the product or benefits the product afforded them solved their problem.

The true focus ought to be on creating relationships, offering benefits and solutions, and on increasing sales.

It's this bridge between product and solution that's the brand. Lots of people in the creative and marketing worlds don't get this, yet they churn stuff out day in day out and charge clients a bundle of money for offering—in truth—often less than the client needs.

It's vital you get to grips with what branding means to you, but, more importantly, what it means to the clients and customers of the companies you'll be serving and working with.

Contact a brand consultancy via www.brandchannel.com and ask if they've anyone one staff (head of HR, or new business development) who wold mind you asking them questions about what it is they do. This way, you'll get a better feeling for your chosen field.

You DO NOT need an MBA to get into this field, but it can help. However, the qualification one gets with an MBA isn't what's important, it's what you do with it and how it helps other people.

I hope this helps. Good luck to you.

Gary Bloomer
Wilmington, DE, USA