How To Find Certainty In Uncertain Times

Fine-tune your communication, sales, and branding skills. 

Written by Robyn T. Braley

‘Uncertain’ is the word that best describes the business forecast for fall 2025. The wars in Ukraine, Gaza, and the threat from Iran are at the forefront. Lurking in the background is the question of what China's intentions are towards Taiwan. 

If that wasn't enough, China is now building a coalition with Russia, India, North Korea, and other countries in an effort to undermine U.S. influence. 

Then, there is the big, beautiful word – at least in the minds of some – TARRIFFS. Will they be introduced in new sectors, increased, expanded, reduced, or abolished altogether? Will U.S. courts succeed in declaring Trump-inspired tariffs illegal? Will the cost for businesses and consumers be minimal or substantial?

With the mercurial temperament of U.S. President Donald Trump and his influence on world events, no one knows! With Donald, things can be one way today and change entirely by tomorrow.

Global confidence has been negatively impacted. It can sink to the depths of despair in the morning and soar to euphoric heights by the afternoon, all because of a single social media post from the White House.

All of these combine to dampen the effect on economic forecasts because nothing is certain. And, economic growth depends on predictability.

Control What We Can

The best advice I can offer in these uncertain times is to focus on what you can control. We can’t control most outside influences, but we can control how we respond to them.

Why Your Personal Brand Matters!

Written by Robyn T. Braley

The people who matter to your career and business growth have an opinion about you. Whether you are the CEO of a large corporation, a student, a warehouse worker, a teacher, an online marketer, a pest control technician, a truck driver, a welder, an engineer, a farmer, a salesperson or a bootstrapper starting a business with no money, what others think about you matters and will influence your success or failure in your chosen career.

Each of us has a brand. For those who own a business, their company brand will usually be closely aligned with their personal brand, particularly in the early years. It only makes sense that their business will take on the founder's personality. However, the two brands will still have differences.

Defining your personal brand requires authenticity and transparency. Begin by asking pointed questions that require thoughtful and honest answers. 

1. What am I best known for?
2. What do others think I am known for?
3. What do I want others to know me for?
4. What do I need to change to reshape their opinion?

The answers will help you identify the basic elements of your personal brand. You will find positives to build on and negatives that need some work. Building your brand is a lifelong process that requires periodic self-checks.