Image and Business Workshop with William Wilson YBM Leadership Alliance’s private image and business workshop was held on 10/28/11 for 24 young leaders and 12 business professionals with Custom Clothier William Wilson at Sullivan’s Steakhouse – Charlotte.

Included was a networking luncheon and an image workshop hosted by William Wilson, CEO of William Wilson Clothing. Mr. Wilson spoke on the importance of image from the personal and business perspective, the branding strategy behind his private custom clothing business, professional dressing and suit basics and pathways to success.
Here are some keys to success, words of wisdom from William Wilson’s

• Build your brand. Everything you do represents your brand. You are either building your brand or taking away from your brand. Your objective is to build a good, strong and positive brand.
• Protect your Brand. Once you build your brand you must protect it with everything you have and you must be careful who you partner with as they can ruin your brand as well. I make suits for Mike Minter. If someone who works for me does something bad then that impacts not only my business but it also impacts Mike Minter’s brand because the guy who makes Mike Minter’s suits had a problem. Protect your Brand.
• Handle your Business. Always handle your business decently and in order.
• Be Outstanding. There are two types of men: “Stand-outs” and “Outstanding” (paraphrasing) The stand-outs usually are going nowhere and only draw attention to themselves. Outstanding on ones who are doing things in a big way and being great while doing them. They may or may not be stand-outs. Strive to be outstanding in everything that you do. People want to do business with people who are outstanding.
• Beware of the Hook-up. You cannot run your business based on hook-ups. “Hook-ups” may be fine but are not sustainable”. Again remember your brand and remember you must protect your brand at all costs.
• Understand the concept of brand diversification. This is a business concept of not putting all your eggs in one basket. William Wilson has a suit clothing line, does leadership and image consulting, etc. This is about branching out without impacting your brand.
• Learning how to prioritize is a must. You cannot do it all. You want to be great a few things and focus on the high priority activities.
• Life is about taking advantage of the small opportunities. You have to be ready to take advantage of opportunities. In your life, you will have many opportunities but you have to be ready to take advantage of these opportunities.