[...]... kind I envisioned Now, Chris Hilicki explains in her book the reasons why this is so What belief do Chris and I have in common? Simply this: Be yourself and you’ll achieve the ultimate success This is more than a belief—it’s a profound principle It may be harder and it may even take longer, but it will take you higher and farther than will following the paths of others It will make a difference in your. .. to grow in my personal and professional life As this book explains, returning to the basics of self-examination builds compelling, influential brands We all have a brand, whether we realize it or not Whether you are considering your organization or yourself as an individual, your brand is what people think of you You might be referring to your brand as your image, your reputation, or the impression you... successful in life The Relationship between Attention and Brands We get attention because of what people think of us Whether we are concerned about our personal image or the identity of our corporation or organization, we are talking about our brand identity Where is your brand identity now? 3 4 MAY I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION, PLEASE? This book is about building a better business based on how you share your genuine... to have experienced accomplishment and achievement in my young life I traveled around the world as a scientist turned marketing executive, and became the president of a national leading children’s publisher by age 38 I was respected for my opinion and work before I turned 40 Then, sick with a complicated medical condition, including cancer and a rare autonomic dysfunction disease, I had a little time... solid foundation upon which any brand can be built and maintained As an author, I believe in the power of books—they provide entertainment, ideas, or inspiration It is rare that all three elements are combined in one book, but Chris delivers the total package and more This is a practical and proven guide that anyone can use, with no two people or companies following the same path or achieving identical... help us achieve our desired level of success through building our unique brand, based on the true stories that lie within each of us Chris understands the power of an individual’s life stories in developing a successful brand In my book The Traveler’s Gift, you are taken on a journey that leads you to discovering the “seven decisions that determine success.” May I Have Your Attention, Please? will help... else.” Is that why we look at others who seem to have it all and think, “If I m just more like them, I ll have what they have ? Authentic brands make a different promise They turn the promise of an abundant life into the practice The most successful people have an identity that is founded on authentic, true-life stories These kinds of identities garner the kind of attention from others that simply makes... My “Impossible Journey” team: Robert Smith, Andy Andrews, Scott Jeffrey, Jared McDaniel, Chip VanCronkhite, Mike and Gail Hyatt, Misty Williams, and Adam Black your wisdom and hard xvii xviii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS work are what success is made of Your love and dedication are what make success worthwhile • My PR guy, Dick Gersh, who believed in me as much as I believed in myself • My editor, Pam van Giessen,... competitive edge that can never be lost or copied A powerful brand is becoming increasingly important as globalization continues The potential customer base is growing quickly, but the number of companies vying for its business is growing even faster A powerful, unique brand brings instant recognition to your company and the product or service you provide Whether you are the CEO of a major corporation,... but they can’t copy your mind I understood this to mean that the ultimate competitive advantage in life is to use your mind to be original, not to copy Be the real thing Stop trying to be like the other guy Stop trying to blend in when you were meant to stand out I m honored to have helped build a successful publishing company with a brand I use branding strategies to translate the unique and powerful . Cataloging-in-Publication Data: Hilicki, Chris. May I have your attention, please? : build a better business by telling your true story / Chris Hilicki. p. cm. ISBN 0-4 71- 67889-9 (cloth) 1. Success. ii May I Have Your Attention, Please? Build a Better Business by Telling Your True Story Chris Hilicki John Wiley & Sons, Inc. ffirs.qxd 11 /30/04 9:49 PM Page iii Dedicated to Rich, for loving. powerful life-changing experiences in preparation for the eter- nal life. xviii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS flast.qxd 11 /30/04 9: 51 PM Page xviii Part ONE Believe in the Brand ccc_hilicki_pt1 _1- 2.qxd 11 /22/04 10 :53