The Brand Within: The Power of Branding from Birth to the Boardroom (Display of Power Series)

Daymond John, one of the celebrities on the ABC hit show "The Shark" writes a compelling book on branding. His book contains nine chapters and is only 256 pages long. This book is really a great read on how you go from beginning to end and become a lifestyle. Daymond gives you a roadmap and provides outstanding examples of how some of the great branding masters did it, from Trump to Michael Jackson to Bruce Lee and Evel Knievel. This book is very educational on branding and what the small business owner and entrepreneur should be thinking about.The best part of the book is when Daymond breaks it down into simple terms. A brand goes through evolutions from "item-label-brand-lifestyle."[1] An item is "generic, no frills, like pancake batter."[2] A label is a "step up from a basic item,"[3] but "it is something people are buying," [4] and "they don't really care what it is."[5] And, it continues with brand, which is "where most labels want to be,"[6] and "it's got an identifiable logo, a particular look, a trademark style,"[7] like Adidas, and Ping. The lifestyle is "a name you know and trust, reflecting a style or sensibility you want to claim as your own, but now it`s bled into other areas of your life as well, beyond the initial area of perceived need,"[8] life "Eddie Bauer, that's a lifestyle."[9] Daymond gives other examples of great brands that are now lifestyles - like Nike, Victoria Secret, and more.This is a great book on branding for both the small business owner and aspiring entrepreneur. First reviewed on Inteljim.com.[1] Daymond John, The Brand Within: The Power of Branding from Birth to Boardroom (New York: Display of Power Publishing, 2010), Kindle Electronic Edition: Location 719.[2] Ibid., 631.[3] Ibid.[4] Ibid.[5] Ibid.[6] Ibid.[7] Ibid.[8] Ibid.[9] Ibid., 647.[10] Ibid.

I purchased Daymond John's book, The Brand Within, after watching him on Shark Tank. I had to learn more from this shark who appears soft spoken on the show, yet holds an infinite amount of wisdom for young entrepreneurs, which is obvious when he speaks with that sparkle of understanding in his eyes. I was blown away with this book!Not only did I learn step by step "how-to's" for me in the area of branding but he reinforced the basics of business and how to take your idea and make it a success NOW. I don't want to give away his secrets, but he shares them ALL in this book! His does so with humor, making me laugh out loud as I learned what I knew was true. He related branding analogies to those we can all understand (Barack Obama and Michael Jackson are examples) to further hit home his insights so that his message is impossible to miss.I enjoyed how he explained that his "branding smarts" were engrained into his mind as a young man, with messages his mother taught him. If only we all could teach our children to "think big" I can only dream of the world we all will live in. If you are a young entrenpreneur and want to learn how to get started with your business or idea, READ THIS BOOK TODAY! You will be thankful you did.

First, I received the book in a timely fashion from Display of Power Publishing. I opted for the paperback version so I only had to wait on the mail. I rarely read books, but I had been following Daymond John from the Shark Tank television show and I had to read this book. He has shown that one can achieve success through wisdom and perseverance. I was hoping to find some good information on developing my own brand as I push ahead with my small business. The book is written in a very personal style and was different than what I was expecting, but it is a very good read. Once I started getting into the book, what I discovered was true gold nuggets of knowledge throughout. I certainly believe the information that I got out of this book was worth more than what I paid for it.

I read "The Brand Within" before reading "Display of Power". Honestly I would plan to re-read this one again because I felt like I needed a better foundation for this book. What I loved about this book was a clear definition and ways to actually brand your product. You hear the term "brand" all the time but I don't think a lot of people get it. Most people think it is about if people know who I am. It is so much deeper. Daymond breaks it down piece by piece on how to brand your product and yourself. I go back to it frequently to reference when I want to "pick his brain" to see if I am moving in the right direction. Very easy read and in typical Daymond John style, there is some humor in it as well.

This book is okay. The writing wasn't tight. The voice in the writing was natural/casual. As such, it tended to circle and repeat at times unnecessarily rather than hitting the points with certainty and definiteness. I'd consider it an overall easy read.Although not by any measure a "must-have" for business, it brings up some very valuable points about brand that you won't find in most brand books... That brand is expressed at all times through all mediums, especially through your person, and not just in your logo or your marketing.There were a couple places where I wished the author were not so overtly sexist in his examples (hypothetically pouring syrup over half naked models). He may have been trying to be humorous or edgy, I get it, but the hypersexualization marketing thing makes this book difficult to recommend or gift to young people who might otherwise benefit from the meaningful message or to modern adults with a conscience uninterested in those pandering methodologies.All in all, I'd say it's a decent read. Take it with a grain of salt.

I do like Display of Power better. This book gives pretty good advice on branding, but nothing new. It was interesting to read how much power he gave Kloe K. as to his decision to go forward with Shark Tank. I think this showed a weakness with Daymond. Even Kloe thought it was a no brainier.. He even mentioned in his book, business is business.. Seems that the Kardashian's can pull a lot of people's strings.. Can't wait for the Kardashian's book on business and branding... Ha

I'm a huge fan Daymond John, so I was excited about reading this book.What can I say?Have you ever read a book that immediately answered questions you have been asking?Have you ever read a book that shines the light on the facts and the information needed to give direction to your next step on brand development?Have you ever read a book that is quite simply Just Cool?What is Cool?Cool Question…. Cool is a state of mind, it's your perception of things & circumstances, Cool is forward thinking, it breaks boundaries, it confidently reforms the conventional. Cool is something that pops up in our minds when we see something positively exceptional.This book is simply amazing! Very well written and a lot of great advice that applies to life and business. It is filled with much insightful and at times very personal advice.Definitely a must read with its easy-going, anecdotal style that enables the reader to quickly understand the principles behind all aspects of developing a brand, and put into operation the principles in the book.I think everyone should read this book. The title has says it all. I didn't read the book to get new branding ideas (I've got loads already, honest!), I find people genuinely recognise your brand on the outside, but realising the Brand Within is powerful.I work a lot with young entrepreneurs and start-ups in the UK and USA helping them to mastermind strategies for their brand development, and I would definitely recommend this book to everyone in my network who is developing a brand of any kind.My time (and money) was very well invested! Buy it. Read it. And you'll probably end up recommending it to someone else.- The Cool Branding Guy

This is an amazing inspirational book! Tells it like it is and I really loved it! I want to be on dragons den one day!jandy

The book was great as an insight of the way the world is behind the scenes.Just plain down to business with lots of great examples. Not sure about the syrup on the models thing.Godd