<div><strong>Tanvi Bhatt</strong><br><br>Take a moment to absorb this brand leadership epiphany: A hundred days are a lifetime in the life of a newly elected leader or the president; but a blink and a miss in the lifetime of branding!</div><div> </div><div>Some of the most iconic world leaders have achieved in the first 100 days of their presidency what some presidents have not-in their entire term. History celebrates the achievements and the impact thereof, of the Roosevelt presidency, the Reagen presidency and of course the Obama presidency with poetic accolades; the changes they brought into the system within the first 100 days of their presidency are not only remarkable but outright inspirational. That brings us to the second part of this newfound insight-the ephemeral relativity of 100 days in branding: how does one build a brand in 100 days-especially when it takes years or even decades in the world of branding to build a brand that is celebrated for its value, consistency and commitment towards building credibility, reputation and legacy. <br><br>The most iconic brands of the world right from Coca-cola, GE, IBM, Toyota are atleast a few decades old-if not a century; and the same is true with an obvious variation in the timescale for people brands too! Icons like Jobs, Branson, Musk, Dr. Kalam, Tata and Teresa, have become such beloved people brands today because of the three common traits that all iconic brands share: Value, Consistency and Commitment to serve, to change the world-which they personify in every act of reason.</div><div><br>We started this series of articles last week with Be Iconic in 100 days- 100 steps to build the Brand You' (<a href="http://www.businessworld.in/opinion-columns/be-iconic-100-days-100-steps-build-brand-you#sthash.2DHNmWLY.dpbs" target="_blank">Read here</a>). This week we take you through the next 10 steps to build the Brand you:</div><div> </div><div><strong>Brand Your Dreams</strong></div><div> </div><div><table align="right" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="1" style="width: 200px"><tbody><tr><td><img alt="" src="http://bw-image.s3.amazonaws.com/tanvibhatt200.jpg" style="width: 200px; height: 200px;"></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Tanvi Bhatt</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><strong>Your Brand is a Dream:</strong> A promise awaiting realization, awaiting fulfillment! Jobs dreamt of a novel, different, a more beautiful interaction between humans and technology; Branson dreamt of disrupting every conventional method of business; Teresa dreamt of serving the poor and helpless; Martin Luther King dreamt of quality in opportunities for all Americans and Gandhi dreamt of freeing India from violent tyrannical rule by adopting non-violence! Have a Dream for yourself, your Career, your Life, your Community, Your Society, Your Country and Your World- and ensure the world is IN on your dream! Today, you are shaping the story of your future, your dreams; while you indulge into story-telling of a successful journey you've had this far; it's even more important to indulge in 'story-shaping'- the act of telling the world 'the story of your future, the story of your dreams', and then proudly work towards making it come true! </div><div> </div><div><strong>1.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Tell me your Dreams</strong></div><div>What do you dream of? What would you do if you knew you wouldn't fail? Do you dream of changing the world or changing your life? Whatever it be; dream. Every story begins with a dream and ends with a legacy! Dream Bold.</div><div> </div><div><strong>2.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>What is missing</strong></div><div>Your dream, your vision is born out of a burning gap in your life or your world. What is that gap, the lacunae, the missing factor which you believe you can fulfill? Look inside, look around-get inspired to do more and be more. Dream More. </div><div> </div><div><strong>3.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>What would you change</strong></div><div>If you were given the power-what is the first thing you would change in your world, and why? We often feel deeply about certain causes yet refrain from doing anything to change its status quo. Think, Feel, Be Moved first-to move the system next. Dream Nobel.</div><div> </div><div><strong>4.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>What would you solve</strong></div><div>You don't need to be Jobs to build something spectacular-All you need is an Idea: An idea which promises a humble change. Scout for the challenges in your industry; problems that your customers are wary of; issues that you grapple with daily. Then ideate, explore newer, faster, simpler, cheaper ways of overcoming those challenges and solving those problems. Dream Smart. </div><div> </div><div><strong>5.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>What opportunities no one envisions</strong></div><div>This is where your true thought leadership will be tested! Dream like a thought leader: 'People often don't know what they want, until you show them what they don't have-and how their life can change with your big idea!' Have a telescopic vision for the future trends, a camera vision to bridge the present-future gap, and a microscopic vision to create micro-opportunities in present. Dream Distant. </div><div> </div><div><strong>6.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>What would you be celebrated for</strong></div><div>Life must be a celebration; a celebration of your dreams. Every single day, fill your heart with such purpose that shames all intent. A purpose to celebrate life and all its possibilities for you, its destiny for you! Ask yourself: What ALL am I capable of and how will I impact the world by doing ALL of that? Let your life and your leadership be a celebration of this higher purpose that ignites you every single day. Dream Higher.</div><div> </div><div><strong>7.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>What should be your epitaph </strong></div><div>Let your core 'purpose of being' resonate in everything you do. We all live with a golden rule of life, a core purpose which governs all our actions-what is your purpose? Define your purpose and focus on it as you lead your dreams as well as others. Personify your purpose such that it is the singular thought in the hearts and minds of your community all through your life, and immortalizes you even after. Ensure your epitaph gives an ode to your 'purpose of being'. Dream Beyond.</div><div> </div><div><strong>8.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>What could be your legacy</strong></div><div>Legacies don't have to be universe altering; but they do have to be YOUniverse altering. Dream, Dare, Do and DENT-however subtle it be-do put a dent in your YOUniverse. <br> </div><div>Even if you change the life of one other person than yourself, it becomes your legacy to the world. Now imagine, as a leader the power and potential you have to inspire your communities to be this change and in turn change their respective worlds! Dream Amplification. </div><div> </div><div><strong>9.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Define your What and your Why</strong></div><div>Leaders lead with a clear vision and the reason thereof. Do you know where you are leading your communities; Do your communities know why they must follow your vision; Does the world know why you dream of changing it for good? Your WHAT is your Vision: What do you aspire to change? Your WHY is your Purpose: Why does it drive you to make this change? Your WHAT and its WHY is what attracts people towards your leadership brand and the dream it seeks to build. Dream Good.</div><div> </div><div><strong>10.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Shape Your Story</strong></div><div>Everyone indulges in story-telling of the past; only few visionaries have what it takes to celebrate their 'story-shaping' for the future. In today's eco-system, we have the never before opportunity to co-create our future, co-shape the story of our future, co-dream of a better future; and owning your future is the first step towards it. OWN your Dreams, Brand Your Dreams and start shaping the story of your future. Shape your story, the world is watching. Dream Titanic.</div>