Look Around HR

Starbucks recently released a new logo that is a little interesting to say the least. As you can see from the picture to the left the logo is a bit unusual- it is basically a topless mermaid and the main color has been changed from green to brown. Some thinks it’s a bit over the top but I’ll let you be the judge.

Starbucks has had some bad press recently. Their sales are down and they recently lost a class-action lawsuit in California. This past February they made the news when they closed all the stores for a few hours in what they called “emergency training.” This made the headlines and did what I believe Starbucks intended it to do- get them some publicity rather than really improve customer service.

I tend to believe that their new logo move was also about publicity. I am not a marketing expert, but know it is important to keep your company “fresh.” Now, this move certainly got Starbucks back in the press, but eventually that will wear down and the new logo will not be so new. Is someone going to not go to Starbucks because of the new logo, or vice-versa? My guess would be not.

We often hear of the bad sides of social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace. Potential employers can search through your pictures and see your keg stand from last spring break or read inappropriate material on your wall.

There is a legal debate going on whether or not an employer can search these sites and disqualify you because of what they see. I’ll leave that debate for the lawyers, and move on to reality- which is employers are checking out these sites, as well as Google.

And that can be a good thing. You can use your page to sell yourself and look professional.

From baselinegmag.com:

“If you approach online profiles as a way to present your professional side to the world, then you have a great opportunity,” says John Challenger, CEO of outplacement consulting firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

More…

“Recruiters are taking a close look at those networks, since it’s like going through someone’s Rolodex,” Challenger says. In the past, he adds, proprietary databases were unique to a search firm, including information on larger networks, but these days, most rely on LinkedIn instead.

He notes, “They’re always swamping that site, because it allows them to search on very specific information. And as younger people move from MySpace and Facebook, it’s likely they’ll spend more time on places like LinkedIn.”

If I were advising someone in college whether it was a current student looking for an internship or a grad looking for their first job, I would let them know that they will be “Googled,” “Facebooked,” etc. And this applies to anyone in the professional world as well. If you do a quick search of yourself and don’t think it looks professional, make an effort to change it. Chances are the hiring manager won’t think it looks professional either.

These networking sites, along with blogs, can be a great opportunity for a prospective employee to find you. Take advantage of this and present a platform of yourself that you want to show off.

There are a number of places you can go on the web to find out about personal branding. It has its own Wikipedia entry and one individual has a blog (and career) dedicated to it.

Today, I have a funny clip relating to company branding. Car dealerships usually have commercials that are a bit out there, and this North Carolina dealership is no different. Enjoy the 30 second spot, and your weekend!