PERSONAL BRANDING EFFECT ON BUSINESS

WITH FORMER MISS ZIMBABWE

Roughly eighteen years ago She was the reigning Miss Zimbabwe a representative of the country at the 54 th edition of the Miss World Pageant.

She is the testament that they is a fountain of youth in this world as she continues to glow in ageless wonder. Oslie Muringai-Matsikenyeri is one of the most successful stories to everemerge out of Zimbabwe’s modelling industry. She stays relevant to this day for her work as an Image Consultant. I sat down with feisty former beautyqueen for a quick chat

IM: Briefly take us through the memories from Sanya City China and being runner-up at the Miss Tourism World pageant?

OM: “Possibly one of the most life changing experience I’ve had, it would require its own interview in fact . I travelled to the Miss World a month and a half after winning MissZimbabwe, so the preparations were quite hurried, and I had no clue what I was about to experience. A month-long camp with some ofthe world’s most intelligent, ambitious, kind and beautiful and very diverse young women, albeit in a contest;So, it was a very enriching, challenging and memorable experience all rolled in one.

I made life ling friends from there and still in touch with a lot of the ladies as we are part of Mission Onlus, an NGO founded by MissItaly 2004 and has over 150 country representatives.The Miss Tourism World pageant came a few months after Miss World, so I had obviously gained some valuable experience from that.

I had a lot of support from our government through the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and we were hosting the pageant, so I had to really do wellfor my country.Being the host, again to a bevy of queensof around the world and having the honor of taking them around Zimbabwe was an experience I willnever forget. I have also maintained some relationships from that pageant..

IM: Fast forward to the present day tell us a bit about your line of work and the philanthropic side as well?

OM: I am a qualified marketer and I currently work as an Image Consultant. My area of specialty is Personal Branding, so it covers a wide range of aspects from Personal grooming and etiquette training to professional image management.

IM: Why is personal branding important? Why would an entrepreneur want to build their personal brand?

OM: Almost as important as it is to build your business brand as an entrepreneur, it is also important to create and manage a personal brand because most times as an entrepreneur when you go out there to sell your business, you are also selling yourself. A personal brand boosts your credibility, improves your work opportunities and differentiates you from your competition.

Miss Zimbabwe 2014, Oslie Muringai

IM: How can one grow their personal brand as a woman in a professional business environment?

OM: I believe most importantly there should be strategic intent to build and grow a personal brand.

Step 1. Personal AssessmentDo a SWOT analysis of yourself as a professional. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

Step 2. ObjectivesWhat are your goals professionally? What personal brand do you want to grow in order to achieve them?

Step 3. ImplementationTake the necessary steps required to grow or manage your personal brand. This may be in the form of personal, professional, or online image management or self-development. Finally, personal branding is not once off. It’s about building a coherent and consistent message about yourself therefore is an ongoing process.

IM: What do you think it is the main reason women fail to advance in business seeing that the wealthiest business owners are still men?

OM: There are several factors that point to global gender gaps in business, work, education and the society in general and achieving parity is still a long way off.However, I wouldn’t say ‘women fail in business’ as your question state because statistically, women make up a larger number of entrepreneurs.

IM: What’s more trustworthy: personal or business brand?

OM: Naturally, consumers tend to trust personal brands more than business brands. This comes from the notion that business are generally created for profit so are driven by ‘selfish reasons’ per se. Consumers are not inclined to think the same way about individuals. That is way there is an increase in personal brands endorsing business brands..

IM: What’s needed to have a profitable personal brand?

Just like product or business branding, there is also personal brand equity and there are several dimensions to it.Some of the dimensions of personal branding include brand recognition

For an example; Am I known in my professional field?), brand appealDo I have a positive profession reputation that will make others want to work with me?)etc.So, in order to have a profitable personal brand, one needs to build in their brand equity through all those dimensions.

IM: How do I build a personal brand alongside a business?

OM: With resources now available to us,I believe it is now easier for entrepreneurs to build their personal brand alongside their businesses, if they choose to do so.

Digital media allows for entrepreneurs to market their businesses whilst simultaneously using their personal brands therefore somewhat establishing themselves as an ‘expert’ in that area of business.

Hybrid brands are increasingly becoming popular as people are now using their personal brands alongside their business brands.

IM: How do you think the modeling world has in Zimbabwe and what needs to be done to make it a lucrative franchise for business owners?

OM: Zimbabwe does not have a ‘modelling industry’ to talk of anymore and that’s the honest truth. However, if you are referring to pageantry then REBRANDING is what needs to be done to make it lucrative.

IM: I understand you are married to Stuart Matsikenyeri and you have two lovely kids. Describe married life and motherhood how has it altered your existence from pageantry? How do you juggle marriage, motherhood, and business?

OM: We have been married for almost 17 years, we have a 15-year-old son and a 12-year-old daughter. I can only give thanks to God for His grace upon our lives. As for trying to balance those 3, I am no juggler so yes there are certain areas that have suffered seasonally whilst others thrived. And I am ok with that. I believe women should not be pressurized to try and balance everything. It is ok to for support. It is ok not to do well in some area because another area needs you more during a certain season. As I have been studying, I have learnt not to beat myself up for missing my son’s cricket match because I have a weekend lecture.

IM: And about that glow? So many years ago, you were the most beautiful woman in Zimbabwe, and it looks as if you haven't aged at all! Kindly share with our readers your beauty secrets.

Good genes firstly, Then basically respecting my body and understanding it’s the only I have, and I must take care of it. That includes wearing sunscreen and drinking a lot of water but does not exclude a good glass of red wine (lol)

IM: How do you unwind after a long day at the office?

Well, I only get to unwind very late at night when everyone is gone to bed.A glass of wine helps there too.