Like so many people in the UK I watched the student riots over eduction fees with concern together with a sense of a feeling that this might be the start of a series of such demonstrations.

However, what has got me thinking is the number of people who so obviously caused damage, assaulted police or threw missiles whilst being recognised through photographs and TV coverage. The consequences of this are likely to be prosecution, possible loss of their place at university and their future career affected. It’s interesting that in the near future this is likely to become their “personal brand image” as far as future employers are concerned.

Yet this type of behaviour isn’t restricted to overexcited students. I’ve observed people with excellent jobs fall into periods of self-destruction. Such as the employee at a rewards dinner who publicly told a joke (story) with a punch line insinuating that the Managing Director couldn’t distinguish his rear end from his elbow. (Whilst the MD laughed at the time the employee in question left the company within three months!).

So the question is why aren’t people more aware of their actions at the time? Or is it that our storyteller and the demonstrating student become embroiled in the excitement of the situation and the consequences of actions become lost until reflection afterwards? That they have no feeling for a “personal and future brand image”? Or is it that a “personal brand image” is easily changed?

Stephen Fry went to prison for a time and still managed to find success and perhaps some students will be taking comfort from his example this morning

John has been with the department a few weeks and already he’s had to deal with some complicated issues surrounding policies on expenses and past claims as well as dealt with a number of return to work issues.
Already the MD is seeking out his advice.

It’s also been noticed that John is a great networker and has many friends in the media and newspapers through his father who is a producer at the BBC. His own network including many from his past companies as well as CIPD.