Our blogs reflect MDK Brand Management’s commitment to helping nonprofits, small businesses, and under-recognized leaders stand out and break through.
In the age of AI hiring, your personal brand is your competitive edge. As an entrepreneur, educator, and longtime advocate for the power of branding, I’ve long believed that your personal brand is the story people tell themselves about who you are, what you stand for, and what they can expect
During a recent coaching session with one of my MDK Brand Management coaching clients, I found myself doing what I often do best: asking questions. Not surface-level, easy-answer questions, but the kind that make you pause, reflect, and sometimes feel a little uncomfortable. Connect the Dots I often tell my
The Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women: Black in Business program is preparing to kick off Cohort 9, and I’m stepping back into my role as a Business Advisor (BA) with gratitude, clarity, and conviction. Having supported Cohorts 7 and 8, I don’t see this as simply returning to a
Ride Your Wave: Jet Ski Race Lessons About Bold Branding … This past weekend, hundreds of jet skis tore across the Hudson River in New York City in a spectacle known as the NYC Jet Ski Invasion. From the East River to the Statue of Liberty, up past the George
My friend and I were leaving dinner in downtown Boston when he let out a gasp and came to a sudden stop. For a moment, I froze with fear. I had no idea what he’d seen that elicited such an abrupt reaction. A rat? A dead body? After I asked
My book, Forty Dollars and a Brand: How to Overcome Challenges, Defy the Odds and Live Your Awesomeness, was my tough-love project back in 2015. When it was finally published two years later, I was thrilled and incredibly fulfilled. But I was mostly relieved. Twenty-four months of sweat and tears
In the ever-evolving world of personal and professional growth, defining and projecting your brand has become essential – not optional. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, employee, or executive, your personal brand is what sets you apart in a crowded world. It’s how you show up, how you’re remembered, and how you
It’s always helpful to read recommendations for insightful business books. I’ll add to the list. The business book I recommend the most is Blue Ocean Strategy by Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne. I first heard about the book and the terms “red ocean” and “blue ocean” while working as the
Shortly after launching MDK Brand Management in 2015, I landed several contracts to facilitate personal branding workshops inside correctional facilities across the state of Massachusetts. To this day, it is among the most rewarding work I have ever done. Each month, I rotated through prisons and work release re-entry programs
This past Thursday was my first University of Massachusetts Boston class since the election. The students engaged in a healthy discussion around the post-election brand of the United States. For background, the first 10 minutes of each of my classes is devoted to what is called “Students Share.” As a
Oh my goodness, it was so stressful getting to the Boston Chamber’s invitation-only Executive Women’s Networking Dinner last week. Stress courtesy of President Biden’s Boston visit at the exact same time in the exact same Boston Seaport area! Gun boats patrolled the Boston Harbor while street closures and state police
AI, or artificial intelligence, includes self-driving cars, robots, artificially created images, and ChatGBT along with other chatbots which can write almost anything on command. To deny the impact of AI on this and future generations is an exercise in futility. Who doesn’t ask Alexa or Siri at least one question
Sey it isn\’t suh! The State Department has sounded the alarm, urging Americans to “reconsider travel” to Jamaica. While the increasing crime rate in Jamaica is a main reason for the heightened concern, it is the apparent slow response among local police that has put Jamaica in the State Department’s
Image Source: Grootin Music Entertainment Those of a certain age might remember the 1974 ad tagline, “Is it live or is it Memorex?” featuring jazz artist Ella Fitzgerald singing at such a high octave that she breaks a glass. It was a campaign meant to be a fun guessing game
It’s 2023, not 1923. That was five years before Virginia governor Harry Flood Byrd signed into law the Virginia Anti-Lynching Law of 1928. The breaking news last week that members of Oklahoma’s law enforcement were caught on a secret recording talking about killing reporters and lynching Black residents was like
It did not happen overnight. But it did happen. Earlier this week, NASA announced that its first flight around the moon in 50 years will be piloted by Victor J. Glover, Jr., the first African American astronaut selected for a lunar mission. Glover will be joined by three other astronauts,
Companies are laying off employees at a seemingly nonstop rate. According to layoffs.fyi, a staggering 148,000 tech and retail employees have been laid off this year. More employees were also laid off in other industries, including media and entertainment. And it’s only March. Amazon, Disney, Ericsson, Google, Meta, Microsoft, PayPal,
ROXTalks Radio podcast to hear CSR staff talk about how the work they’re doing changes the trajectory of the families we serve. LISTEN NOW to the interview with Denise Kaigler, long-time champion and family of CSR. Listen to the the podcast here
Image: Morant Instagram Live screenshot | NBA superstar Shaquille O’Neal offers up a powerful message regarding NBA player Ja Morant’s suspension and potential loss of millions of dollars: “He put himself in this situation.” As reported by numerous media outlets, including USA Today, “Morant is taking time away from the
As the adage goes, ”Some things are better left unsaid.” Or, in the case of embattled R&B artist Chris Brown, left unposted. Brown recently took to social media and let the entire world see his frustration and anger after not winning the Grammy for Best R&B Album. But what apparently
The fear of missing out has a gripping and unhealthy hold on countless lives around the world. The term FoMO, as it is widely known, was created in 2004 and has become increasingly popular. So, what is FoMO, and how can you check to see if you have it? FoMO
Entering a new year is a great time to reflect on the past and plan for the future. As you reflect on your business brand and how you can broaden your consumer reach, below are some key consumer takeaways from 2022 that can help you successfully launch or grow your
As Elon Musk takes on his new Twitter CEO role, thousands of former Twitter employees – along with millions of global users – remain unsure of the platform’s future. Following his $43 billion deal, Musk has begun to reshape the company from the ground up. And it began with his new mandate to employees: Be hardcore.
(Image courtesy of YouTube) Who is Rainfall Heat Wave Extreme Winter Wilson? Known for his role as Dwight Shrute in the hit show The Office, Rainn Wilson has announced that he is changing his name to “Rainfall Heat Wave Extreme Winter Wilson.” The name change announcement comes via Wilson’s recent Twitter post. In the tweet, Wilson said that the new name was timed in accordance
In this age of technology, building a consistently relevant online brand is becoming increasingly critical. With a wealth of resources at our fingertips, it’s easier that you think to strengthen the impact of your brand and the reach of your business. Although it seems simple enough, the process can feel
According to a report by the Boston Globe, as many as 60 to 70 percent of students going through the college search process rule out schools based solely on the tuition price. That means that with a quick google search, most students ‘swipe left’ based on sticker-shock before stepping foot on campus or submitting their application. For years,
Building a personal brand can at times be opportunistic. A challenge or crisis that suddenly falls in our path not only tests our quick thinking, but our humanity. How quickly we think and how much we demonstrate our compassion could directly influence our image, our reputation, our brand. Billionaire Warren
If you haven’t already heard about it, “The Woman King” is box office king, led by queens, actress Viola Davis and director Gina Prince-Bythewood. However, surprising analysts with a $19 million box office debut didn’t come without its online critics. “Time to Boycott the Woman King movie. The film is
You don’t have to be a tennis aficionado to understand the significance of what is playing out on the U.S. Open court in Flushing Meadows, New York. The No 22-seeded Frances Tiafoe became the first American man to reach the U.S. Open semifinals since 2006 by slamming past both Rafael
Bobby McFerrin would not be happy. According to a new survey, 45% of people around the world have not felt happy since early 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic. The Oracle Happiness Report, which summarizes the surveys of approximately 12,000 consumers and business leaders from 14 countries, also states that about
Jennifer Hudson’s brand is on fire. During the 2022 Tony Awards, the singer, actor and producer earned her way into the elite EGOT club, joining just 16 other artists. Hudson won a Tony for her role as a producer of A Strange Loop, which was crowned as Best Musical. With
Brand conversation with Strategist, Consultant and Coach, Denise Kaigler.
It’s graduation season and scores of celebrities and regular folks alike are being awarded with an honorary doctorate. Some of the 2022 recipients include Taylor Swift, Taraji P. Henson, Angela Bassett, Maria Shriver, Bobby Bones, and Dwyane Wade. Honorary degrees are academic awards given by universities to individuals in recognition
It’s hard to believe that this month marks more than 20 years since my 15 seconds of fame on CBS’ hugely popular reality show, Survivor: The Australia Outback – The Reunion. I’ll never forget that hot day on the CBS television lot in Los Angeles, California. After more than an
Second chances come to those who embrace the opportunity to walk a different path, to lead a productive life, to rewind their bruised brand. Meet Gabrielle Petty, the young woman who was put up for adoption shortly after she was born and her mother was sentenced to prison. Falling into
Chicago’s very own Chance the Rapper continued to pay it forward while celebrating his 29th birthday last weekend. Bypassing parties and gifts, Chance instead headlined a meal give-away on the city’s South Side. The record producer, singer and rapper posted an Instagram video that showcased the give-away at the Discover
A personal brand is often influenced by what others perceive us to be, how others feel about what we say or do and especially how we look. Whether or not we agree with it, this perception of our personal brand might then be forced into our channels of influence. These
The controversial remarks by director Jane Campion about Venus and Serena Williams; the alleged drunk pilot removed from a JetBlue flight; PACE, a senior living program that enables some of our elderly to age at home, and a Nigerian doctor’s push for equal access to vaccines. What do these four
Executive sponsorship is one of the most influential factors in the career advancement of high-potential employees. Without a doubt, one key to moving from middle management to the executive level in any organization is sponsorship. Yet, despite rallying cries over the disproportionately low number of Black professionals breaking through the
It’s all about the story. When visitors come to your nonprofit’s website, are they able to clearly understand your story within 15 seconds? Can they feel your passion, energy, and commitment oozing from the powerful images and videos? Is the branding aligned and consistent? Does the limited but emotive text
“I’m freaking out.” Those were reportedly the words spoken by a former Peloton employee shortly before she was one of thousands of employees laid off in February by the exercise equipment company. In 2021, hundreds of thousands of employees were laid off from companies throughout the U.S. Companies that eliminate
There are numerous positive takeaways from the way Australia reopened its borders to fully vaccinated travelers following a two-year closure due to COVID-19. Australia was a brand hit when it welcomed travelers back with koala toys and the country’s signature Tim Tams chocolate cookies. This comes after the country imposed
This how-to blog is focused on helping professionals and business owners rewind and define their personal or business brand during challenging and uncertain times. Follow the below 5 tips to help your brand stand out and breakthrough. During the past year, millions of workers left their job. Thousands were laid
“With less (or no) opportunity for a hiring manager to meet or get to know you in person, they may dig more deeply into your online footprint,” said Denise Kaigler, career coach and founder of MDK Brand Management. “Make sure your social media profiles are up-to-date and consistent.”
The best ways to adapt to the virtual job market and capture that opportunity
Denise Kaigler of MDK Brand Management: Brand Makeovers; 5 Things You Should Do To Upgrade and Re-Energize Your Brand and Image
Denise Kaigler on Branding, Working With Jay-Z, and Overcoming Obstacles | Ep. #104
Denise Kaigler is an award-winning communications, marketing and brand strategist, and the founder and principal of MDK Brand Management, LLC.
Economies are stalled. Businesses are struggling. Careers are disrupted. Millions are unemployed. The COVID-19 pandemic is changing how we live and upending how we work. While it might be difficult, careerists – especially under-represented women and people of colour – must embrace opportunities and make the decision to press on.
Make Sure Your Online Presence Is Professional and Accurate “With less (or no) opportunity for a hiring manager to meet or get to know you in person, they may dig more deeply into your online footprint,” said Denise Kaigler, career coach and founder of MDK Brand Management. “Make sure your
As coronavirus cases and deaths continue to increase across the country, multiple studies highlight the importance of taking a proactive and productive approach to career development during these unprecedented times. “If done with care and sensitivity,” according to Pitzer Career Services, “this can be a powerful time to make career
Turning Addiction, Death and Incarceration Into a Brand of Hope and Inspiration Prior to the pandemic, I had the pleasure of graduating groups of inmates in my “Define Your Brand, Own Your Future” personal branding workshop program for sentenced and pre-trial offenders within the Massachusetts Department of Correction. Prior to
5 Steps to Transition from Story-Teller to Story-Seller Denise Kaigler, Brand Elevation Strategist “Marketing is telling a story about your values that resonates enough with people that they want to give you money.” – Seth Golin It is said that every individual has a story to tell. But do we
Visiting Cuba, popular among tourists for its rich history, museums, cigars and rum, had long been on my bucket list. But for most Americans, traveling to Cuba is not a simple book-and-fly process. And as a result of the U.S.’s increased travel bans imposed in June, 2019, it has become
“I’m obsessed with giving the audience something they don’t see coming.” – Jordan Peele, writer and director, Get Out. Not all great stories are delivered equally. The story swirling around inside your head may be itching to be heard but are you set up to tell it with the captivating
