You're striving to boost your professional network. How can you create a powerful personal brand?

To create a powerful personal brand and boost your professional network, start by clearly defining your unique strengths and expertise, and communicate them consistently across all platforms. Optimize your online profiles to reflect your skills and achievements, and actively share valuable insights and content related to your field. Engage meaningfully with industry peers through events and online discussions, and gather testimonials to build credibility.

Defining clear goals helps you focus your efforts, making it easier to connect with like-minded professionals who align with your vision. By knowing what you aim to achieve, you can seek out and build relationships with individuals who can support your journey. This targeted networking not only expands your professional circle but also enhances your credibility. Clear goals also shape your personal brand by communicating your purpose and expertise, making you memorable and trustworthy. Ultimately, goal-setting drives intentional actions, ensuring your personal brand stands out and resonates within your professional network.

In my journey from The Fullerton to Kebabs Faktory, I’ve learned that clear goals are essential for personal branding. My main goal is to position myself as a versatile F&B leader who excels in managing diverse culinary concepts across cultures. I aim to blend my luxury hospitality experience with casual dining innovation and showcase my ability to adapt global cuisines to local tastes. Additionally, I focus on highlighting my team management and operational efficiency skills, honed in award-winning establishments. By setting these goals, I ensure my personal brand aligns with my career aspirations and evolving value in the F&B industry.

A client of mine once struggled with building their personal brand. At first, they focused on crafting an image they thought others wanted to see, trying to present a flawless version of themselves. It felt inauthentic, and their efforts didn’t resonate. After some coaching, they shifted gears and began sharing their real experiences—their wins, challenges, and lessons learned. The impact was immediate. People responded to their honesty, valuing the authenticity that shone through. By being true to who they were, they built trust and a strong network. Authenticity won them genuine connections and a powerful personal brand.

Throughout my career, from Shabestan to Kebabs Faktory, I’ve learned that authenticity is the foundation of a strong personal brand. In an ever-changing industry, being genuine sets you apart. I share real stories from my experiences, like adapting Jones the Grocer’s Australian concept to Singapore or preserving Persian traditions at Shabestan. These honest insights resonate more than corporate speak. Being open about my journey, including setbacks, builds trust with my network and team. My passion for culinary innovation and cross-cultural management defines me. Remember, your unique experiences are your strength. Authenticity isn’t just appreciated—it’s respected and remembered.

LinkedIn really helped me work on developing my personal brand. Consistency is certainly important to highlight your unique skills, expertise and offerings. From appearance to content to contributions, I tried to align everything towards one direction - career guidance. This streamlined brand image eventually attracted the right set of audience and helped me enhance my professional network.

Maintaining a consistent image across all platforms has been crucial in my journey from luxury hotels to casual dining. This consistency reinforces my personal brand and makes me recognizable in the F&B industry. On LinkedIn, at industry events, or in media interviews, I present a unified image of a versatile F&B leader with multicultural expertise. My photos, bios, and descriptions align, emphasizing my experience with diverse cuisines and management. I ensure my communication style is consistent—professional yet approachable—matching my online persona and reflecting my ability to navigate both high-end and casual dining environments. Consistency builds trust and reinforces your brand.

Regular engagement lies at the core. -It’s never just about connection but how you nurture them is important. -Being mindful of how and with whom you engage is equally important. Networking with especially those with similar or superior skills, not only helps you learn what you need to improve but also keeps you competitive and motivated. -What worked for me is gradually taking online connections offline in a systematic way. Starting from LinkedIn, I transition to personal emails, followed by video conferences or calls, and eventually to in-person meetings. This approach helps maintain professional boundaries while ensuring consistency in engagement, which has proven to be highly effective in building lasting professional relationships.

Regular engagement has been key to strengthening my personal brand throughout my career, from The Regent to Kebabs Faktory. In our fast-paced F&B industry, staying visible and relevant is crucial. I make it a point to share insights weekly on LinkedIn, drawing from experiences like management tips from Capella Hotel or innovation strategies from Pita Tree Kebabs. I also comment on industry trends, offering a unique perspective shaped by working across cultures and cuisines. Engagement goes beyond posting—I participate in discussions, respond to comments, and connect with peers. Sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses of my work humanizes my brand. Remember, engagement should be genuine and value-adding.

Posting on platforms like LinkedIn (short posts, long posts, articles, and newsletters) with value-added content is important. There is a lot of "noise" out there, and authentic candidates offering valuable content will always rise above those who are just winging it.

To strategically expand your professional network, it's important to actively participate in industry events such as conferences, webinars, and meetups. These events provide valuable opportunities to connect with experts, potential collaborators, and like-minded individuals in your field. Additionally, you can leverage your existing contacts by proactively seeking introductions to individuals within their networks who could potentially become beneficial connections for your professional growth.

Smart networking has been key in my journey from Ramee Group to Kebabs Faktory. In the F&B industry, it’s about cultivating meaningful relationships. I focus on quality over quantity, targeting connections that align with my goals and foster mutual growth. At events, I engage in meaningful conversations and follow up afterward, rather than just collecting business cards. On LinkedIn, I interact with industry leaders and share my insights to stay visible. I also join professional associations and take on leadership roles to expand my network. Networking is a two-way street. I aim to add value, whether through insights or introductions. A strong network can open doors to unexpected opportunities.