Paul Copcutt is the founder of Square Peg Solution, one of the first personal branding companies globally. He first aligned with personal branding after reading Tom Peters 'Brand You 50’ in the late 90's, although he had used his proven method to manage a corporate career that started in banking and ended in biotech - ironically, two subjects he failed first time in school!
Now a sought after speaker and media resource his work and clients have been featured by Forbes, Money, Reuters, Elle and The Wall Street Journal, as well as major Canadian press including The Globe & Mail and National Post.
Awarded Outstanding Canadian Career Leader by the Career Professionals of
Canada, Paul is the author of the newly released book "STOP Sending Your Resume" and the follow up book "Google ME! - How to build your online brand in 10 easy steps".
His articles have been featured, in a number of professional publications including The Bottom Line, Green Careers and Personal Branding Magazine and in several career books for personal brand expertise including best sellers Career Distinction,
The Female Brand, The Twitter Job Search Guide, How to Write & Design a
Professional Resume, and No Canadian Experience Eh?
If you are looking for a proven professional who can guide you and your employees to achieve authentic recognition for what you do, celebrate who you are without judgement and differentiate yourself through talent so you can have a life on your terms then you have come to the right place.
With over 10 years of experience working with amazing clients with similar worries and concerns and guiding them to achieve remarkable success, his mission and commitment is to help those who are technically very good at what they do, but struggle telling that clearly to others who need to know, so they can get their next great opportunity or do work that they are truly passionate about.
Working with those who are entrpreneurially minded does not mean they are business owners. Although much of his work has been with small businesses he is equally effective with corporate employees who want to stay in that environment but wish to approach their careers differently - with an entrepreneurial mind.
He speaks to various audiences at International Conferences, Professional Associations, Fortune 500 and FTSE 100 companies. His clients have included Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Microsoft, McKesson, Pepsi, Canadian Tire and Research in Motion, as well as thousands of individual executives, managers and entrepreneurs globally across all five continents.
Specifically in working with entrepreneurially minded women he has spoken to female focused employee groups for the likes of IBM, Scotiabank, TD Bank, Cap Gemini and Xerox. Also he has been invited to share his expertise with groups including Senior Women in Technology, Women in Financial Services, Women in Technology International, Professional Women's Symposium Association, Women in Leadership & Business Conference, Microskills - Global Womens Leadership Conference and Wired Woman.
What sets him apart from many others is he uses real client stories and practical application to truly engage and inspire attendees to the highest levels of performance. And they say remarkable things about the impact his work has on their life and their business success.
Similar benefits await when you decide to invite him to serve in the powerful ways that he can support your success.
You can feel confident engaging him to guide you and your teams to solve these problems.
Five things about Paul and his experience that might surprise and delight you, while serving your work together;
- His distinct English accent and humour helps clients and audiences to be open to new approaches and hear creative ideas and real life stories that seem both realistic and actionable.
- One of his distinct brand attributes identified by others in his own personal brand assessment was connecting and creative, something that he does naturally in person as well as actively through mainstream social media.
- Opening a door for a woman (or man) is not acceptable, its respectful and he has walked in a womans shoes, literally! He attended an all boys school and was chosen as the female lead in a school play that included a kissing scene!
- Committed and passionate about the future of his adopted country, Canada, and the youth that will be taking that responsibility forward he is actively involved as a specialist with the not-for-profit Youth in Motion and their annual Top 20 Under 20 awards program. When ever possible whilst conducting client work he also looks for a local school, university or youth group to also speak to in spreading this important message.
- Everyone knows when a woman says No it means No, so as a hopeless romantic he planned a whole week of events, culminating in a proposal under the Rialto bridge in Venice just to be sure his now wife, Keri, said yes!
It would be his pleasure to work with you and guide you to achieve the results you desire or design the career and life you imagine, should you decide to commission his personal branding services or offerings.
Lets continue the conversation in the manner that suits you best.
See Paul's services, events and products below.
Thank you, take care and make today a brand YOU day.
"Paul, I just want to say thanks again for your great session last week. I am still getting emails on how much people benefited from your wisdom on personal branding"
Fariba Anderson, CIO, Ontario Lottery Corporation
"I never leave a call or a meeting with you without feeling better about myself, more refreshed and without leaving me with a positive outlook and one or more active to do/do now items that will keep me on the right path!"
Daisy Azer, VP Business Development
"Thank you again for your great session, I was telling the VP of HR about your session; how well it was attended, the high level of interest in your topic, the quality of your presentation, your great delivery skills...... I could go on and on but I think you get the message. Once again thanks for taking the time to spend with us, it was much appreciated by all."
Susan Rogers, Manager Workplace Inclusiveness, Xerox
"Paul truly is an expert in personal brandng. He is knowledgeable, engaging and is very passionate about the power of personal brand"
Michael Burwell, Operations Leader & CFO, Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLC
“We truly enjoyed Paul’s engaging approach to his presentation and felt that the personal touches really drove home the importance and value of “personal branding”. Now that Paul has pointed us in the right direction, we are excited to see how our group can better leverage our strengths to create a more fulfilling and high performing work environment.
Paul was able to connect with people of all levels and leave them feeling excited and motivated about their unique abilities! He was an excellent choice to kick off our event and we would be glad to have him back!”
Jody Stecho, Organizational Development, Research In Motion
“I’ve never sat through a session that was SO compelling, that went to the heart/core of areas I could be improving. In fact, I equated it with sitting with a brilliant psychologist for 2 hours that opened all my wounds, exposing the amount of work I needed to do to actually ‘cut it’ in today’s marketplace”
Lynn Warner, National Account Manager
“Paul Copcutt's engaging presentation on Personal Branding provided new insight on how to successfully market oneself in a way that aligns to one's core values and passions. Many of our audience members found the personal brand statement exercise and the 360 degree feedback to be invaluable tools that are applicable to both personal and professional areas of life.”
Charlene Leung, Communications Manager Human Resources, Information Technology and Solutions, Scotiabank
"Being smart and working hard certainly don't hurt, but my secret weapon is personal branding. The process forces you to emerge from your comfort zone and start exploring the real you. I have discovered that I'm a risk taker and I look after the people I work for. I also thrive on change."
Meenu Chhabra, CEO, Allozyne Biotech
"I know I will use the resources and think through my brand - As well the associations I developed through your contacts, have really helped my personal growth. Thank you Paul. Your friendship, support and professional perspective are valued and appreciated."
Irene Pasel - VP Patient Service & Chief Nursing Officer
"I was really stuck finding the right message to convey who I am and what I do. You provided me with some really useful tools for developing my message and have worked with me to refine and give it the focus and impact it needs. You have given great advice and support on how to get my message out and ways to connect strategically."
Bev Ruffo, President, Blue Iris Consulting
"You are extremely knowledgeable about selling, branding and marketing. You are also creative. You are on the mark on research. You tap in to the most current of resources. Personally you are supportive, prepared to challenge when required and you are encouraging and most responsive. I have the feeling that you are in my corner and expect that I will do well"
Deborah Reaburn, Career Coach
"On behalf of the annual conference committee I would like to thank you for your two presentations to us. The feedback was all positive, especially the personal branding session.
A number of people thought this was our best 'Ignite' ever, so that's saying something. You were a huge part of that."
Nell Smith, Career Development Association of Alberta.
"I appreciated your professionalism throughout the process. I have utilized these services before, but have never before experienced the thoroughness with which you conducted the business of my introduction and preparation for interviews. Although I am seasoned at interviewing, your list of tips was an excellent review of best practices. Your expertise and assistance in negotiating my compensation package was exceptional. Thank you for the opportunity to work with you in securing my future."
Karen Scraba - Clinical & Marketing Manager
"I was urgently seeking a good name for my new market consultancy. After a lot of soul searching, creative sessions with fellow marketers I eventually got stuck. I just couldn't find the name that "clicked". Then Paul came along and suggested to use Plus! The marketing consultancy that generates you more profit. Simple, brilliant, love it '!"
Jacco Gruiters, CEO Plus! Marketing
"Paul Copcutt is the best friend a business person could enjoy, especially someone feeling overwhelmed, crazy busy and in need of some perspective. Paul helped me see the big picture, to recognize priorities and how to create a brand for our company. I was feeling quite confused before I met Paul, but we crafted a strategy that led our small company to enjoy some immediate gains and set us on a path for future grow. Paul is also very well connected in the personnel world, so he's a terrific asset in helping business people find the right people."
Tim O'Connor, O'Connor Golf Media
"Your insights on the New World of Work re. googling names, blogs and branded bio on job boards. I put the googling suggestion to the test and googled the name of the HR director I was to interview with, the following week. To my luck there was a front page article on the previous company the HR Director worked for and her contribution to successful retention with her dynamic employee programs. From this article I got a glimpse of her management style and used this to prepare for my interview."
Eva Guerra, HR Professional
"You rocked. Everyone loved your presentation. We've been getting fantastic feedback all day long. Well done! A member of our executive committee is interested in discussing whether it would be suitable for our partners. Very cool."
Nicole Miles, National Marketing Manager, Miller Thomson LLC
“Paul is one of the most approachable, informed and collaborative professionals I know. As an instructor he is extremely supportive and responsive. He really takes the time to make sure that people get what they need for a positive learning experience. As a personal branding professional his expertise and experience are evidenced by his ability to ask the right questions and the wealth of resources he can provide to keep people moving forward. If you are an executive looking to clarify your personal brand – look no further.”
Megan Fitzgerald, Expat Career Coach
"It's time. Time to step forward because you can 
