Revealing Your Personal Trademark — Brian’s Blog

It's funny what spurs your thought processes. Just seeing a Jeep go down the street started a whole stream of thought for me today.

I used to work with a fellow who drove a Jeep CJ-5. Not a Cherokee or Wagoneer, but one that could easily go off road. Except that he never did. He drove that vehicle just like anyone would drive an ordinary car every day. He kept it detailed and spotless. I asked him why he drove that particular rig. He answered "That's my trademark."

Here's Merriam-Webster's definition of "trademark:"

1: a device (as a word) pointing distinctly to the origin or ownership of merchandise to which it is applied and legally reserved to the exclusive use of the owner as maker or seller

2: a distinguishing characteristic or feature firmly associated with a person or thing (wearing his trademark bow tie and derby hat).

 

I think that the second definition is what we're looking at. This fellow had it firmly entrenched in his head that everyone in town knew him because of the vehicle he drove. No doubt some did, but probably not as many as he thought. I guess it's hard for me to see myself as being so self-absorbed.

But it got me to thinking. Do I have a trademark? I think of myself as having a sort of trademark-less, nondescriptive personality. One that really doesn't stand out. Nothing that really screams "Hey, Brian's here!"

My colleague Kevin Rounce disagrees.

He said "I think that you have a couple of trademarks. First, you're the guy who lost a lot of weight. People know you for that. Also, you're the longtime KIT guy. People know that you've been here for years."

Hmmm. Maybe I do have a trademark or two. Just not a visible one.

How about you? What's your trademark? Is it based on what you drive or wear? Or is it based more on how you live your life? Maybe it's a particular skill, or some sort of food that people expect you to show up with at a holiday family dinner.

Think about it, and leave us a comment on our Facebook page.