It’s a Brand New Year

- Building Your Brand Series XII -

It’s a brand New Year

Welcome to 2013, you made it – alive!

See it was not so bad, think back of all the new things that you managed to do in 2012 and how each of these experiences have made you a better person.

Thank you to all my readers who sent me greeting cards over the holidays, I have personally written to all those who did enclose your business card or write in your address. Those of you who were thinking of sending me a card but never got down to it, it is never too late and no time is a bad time to reach out to people to say hello and to spread the warmth.

We had quite a doozy of a holiday season, a short trip to the US, Chicago was brilliant and we have vowed to go back in the summer. Three days and we made half a dozen new friends. Then we had lots of time with the family here in Toronto and celebrated all the good things that we enjoyed in 2012 and took out time for prayer too.

Now we put 2012 behind us and are all energized and looking forward to our time in 2013.

For some - new beginnings, for others same old same old but for everyone, a renewed vigor and re-energized efforts to make sure that all your dreams come true in this, the Year of the Snake.

Volunteer, network, blog and get 100% complete on LinkedIn. 3 out of 4 isn’t bad but all four and you are already brewing up your concoction for success.

They say 2013 is Canada’s year in the sun, many new things are being planned and Corporates are feeling more positive about investing in the future. Interest rates will remain steady and FDI is slated to grow. All this gears itself towards a bright year ahead and job opportunities. 

Embracing Diversity will be the new mantra. Diversity is now accepted as Canada’s given and Diversity will be the platform that Canada will use to take itself to the next level. We are all part of this new awareness, this new and energized approach to life forward and this new Canada. I look forward to becoming a Canadian Citizen this year and to play even a greater role in bringing us New Canadians on the map.

Each one of us, citizen or future citizen will play our part and have our hand holding up the flag proudly and with honor. 2013 here we come.

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Born of Czech and South Asian lineage, Gautam Nath now lives in Toronto. He is the Managing Director of Multicultural Marketing Solutions Canada and serves on several Boards and Committees in the city. Gautam is also one of the Top 25 Canadian Immigrants of 2011.

Holiday Branding

- Building Your Brand XI -

(As printed in the Canadian Immigrant Magazine Dec 2012 issue)

Holiday Branding

December is here and it brings Holiday cheer and Christmas spirits. Children are all very excited about the season and stores are buzzing with discounts and season’s decorations.

The mood is exuberant and people are all talking about their winter plans and getting together of family members and friends. It has begun to get cold and promises to be a white winter ahead.

They say that this is a season when jobs are not being advertised, offices are closing and people are making plans for the holidays. So for many newcomers, it may feel like we have to take a hiatus till the New Year comes around the corner and many of us begin to think that we have to stop our branding and networking efforts.

Not so, not in the least and please do not let the environment fool you to think otherwise. Your branding store stays open and continues however it takes on a different dimension.

It is this time that you use to give back, to recognize and to use the season to do some things different but all towards building your brand.

The season is about gifts and greetings and so here are some actions that each of us can take to continue in building our brand in this new country of choice.

Over the time each of us has been in Canada, we have made some acquaintances, some mentors, some friends and even perhaps found some family here. Here are different things that we can do to use our time during the season to continue to build our brand salience.

Make a list of friends and organize a seasons get-together, make it a pot luck and BYOB so that there is less cost pressure on you or any one family; people don’t mind bringing a dish and sharing bread together especially if they are also newcomers and have fewer friends here than back in their country of origin. Your organizational skills, planning and coordination will show especially if you pay attention to fine details of putting together a great friends meeting with music and festive decor. They will remember you beyond the meal you share for the initiative that you took in making this happen. “He is a go getter they will say”.

The second action step is to make a list of those who have mentored you in the year that has past and those you would hope will continue or begin in the year to come. Invest a bit in gift hampers and personally go and visit them and express your gratitude in having them in your life. I do not need to explain the effect this will have on these individuals and the consequent rub off on your goodwill with them. Chose your hampers to suit each personality so it shows that you have actually taken individual efforts rather than a one suits all selection.

The next part is something than many people have forgotten with the advent of the internet which is the concept of season’s greetings cards. Hallmark, 123 Greetings and a zillion other sites are there which offer free e-greeting cards and most, and I mean almost everyone, uses this to send greetings these days. However as with all branding, how does your brand stand apart from the many other brands in the market? By doing something different and being recognized as that. And so here I recommend personalized hard copy greeting cards sent by conventional snail mail or if you can afford it and time is tight, local hand delivery. Make a list of people you have met over the course of your journey here and also those who may be in other countries and dedicate the time to write and post personal cards to each individual. The effect of a hard copy card is so much more than a link and a click on the email, they normally get a large number of those and you are but one more. You have shown that the individual is important to you and that you have taken that extra step to prove that. Here I put out a challenge, in order to help motivate you, I ask every reader to send me a card this season. I promise to place your card under our special white Christmas tree that gives sparkling angel dust and all good wishes to the sender. Let this be a test for you.

And last but not nearly the least is family. This is the time to recognize family, both immediate and near relatives. They have stood strongly besides you through the year supporting your efforts and challenges that you have faced in your personal journey. They have also made sacrifices and have faced challenges and this is an opportunity for you to acknowledge that and to build new reserves of support that you may continue to need as the New Year unfolds.

Each initiative is a season’s opportunity to build your brand while doing something beyond the usual activities we do throughout the year.

Happy Seasons Greetings, I will be looking in my mailbox, your challenge is to find out where it is.

Tips for newcomers to Canada

http://p.atcontent.com/Gautam/879185795454713N5.text/

– Building Your Brand VII- The Top 25 Canadian Immigrants Award

– Building Your Brand VII -

The Top 25 Canadian Immigrants Award

(Canadian Immigrant Magazine - July 2012 Issue)

This article is to congratulate the Top 25 Canadian Immigrants Award winners of 2012 and to the hundreds of people whose lives each one of you have affected.

Being recognized for your achievements and the dedication and efforts that each one has given back to Canada is not the end of the journey but marks a beginning of a new one. I know because I too am a past award winner.

Frame the actual award and hang it proudly where you can see it every day so that it drives you to even greater heights in giving back to this lovely country. 

The Top 25 Award while seemingly is given to individuals, stands for so much more. It marks the sign of success against challenges and recognizes the determination and perseverance in reaching our goals. It motivates countless of new immigrants who have come to Canada wanting to make and live a better life. It encourages others to be selfless and count life’s little blessings.

Our world after winning the Top 25 Award does not change dramatically; no one comes and signs you on for a James Bond movie or invites you to the Oprah show. As you were before, so shall you continue. 

But with a difference, people now listen more carefully and your words take on new meanings. That is the recognition which the Award brings. A recognition to yourself and a recognition from others and so like I do, learn to wear the award proudly.

Our journey needs to be told as it is a story that helps others in their journey forward and build new award winners of the future. 

Many agencies that serve New Canadians have approached me since the award and requested for a presentation to an adult audience. These were newcomers who were interested to hear about Canada, about my journey and take away lessons that they could apply in their day to day lives. 

The time and effort in giving back has virtually doubled since the award and every day makes me feel good and proud of what I do, helping bring change to the lives of New Canadians. I get phone calls and emails from many newcomers who want to reach out and hear my journey and this is time well spent as they move on charged with renewed energy and drive. That is the magic of the award; it lives on and energises lives of many others who come in contact with you.

A leading television channel reached out to me and made a documentary introducing newcomers to Canada, the camera crew spent time filming my day at the office, at home and at several sessions where I was speaking to New Canadians. 

The immigration office recorded my interview and currently screens it at pre arrival sessions held among soon to be immigrants from South Asia. 

As a newcomer myself, sharing my story whether face to face, in front of an audience or using social media, it is all about people helping people and building what Canada is well known for – the best country in the world to live in.

We have become Brand Ambassadors and have to dedicate the effort and energy to others and to make dreams a reality.