Iconify Consulting Group (ICG)

• LinkedIn Personal Branding • Strategic Market Positioning • Brand Consulting

Co-founder & CEO

Jaipuria Institute of Management

Guest Faculty

Gwalior Smart City Incubation Centre - GIncube

Startup Mentor

Narayana Business School

Guest Speaker

Indian Institute of Management Bangalore

XIM University

Careerflow

Social Media Marketer

K J Somaiya Institute of Management

National Institute of Technology , Patna

VICE Media

Social Media Marketing Project

As Co-founder & CEO of Iconify Consulting Group and a PhD scholar in personal branding, I help companies and leaders use LinkedIn as a strategic channel.

My work sits at the intersection of Corporate and employer branding, GTM (through LinkedIn) and personal branding. I’ve partnered with 270+ leaders across Fortune 500, Nasdaq, Inc. 5000, Silicon Valley, YC and Wall Street; recognized as an award-winning LinkedIn creator and ranked among top voices in LinkedIn personal branding. 
I’ve delivered executive sessions at top B schools, drawing on 14,000+ mentees and five years operating LinkedIn as an enterprise channel. 

Open to consulting and advisory.

Email: mishka.rana@iconifyconsultinggroup.com

MISHKA RANA

Entrepreneurship is a luxury. It’s all about:
Freedom to work when you want.
Vacations whenever you feel like it.
No boss to report to.
Making your own rules.
Building something that’s yours.
Getting paid for your passion.
Designing your dream life.

And honestly, that’s true

But it also means: 

- Working when everyone else is sleeping.

- Taking calls on vacations you already paid for.

- Being your own boss and your own accountant, intern, marketer, and janitor.

- Writing invoices on Sundays and brainstorming at midnight.

- Getting rejected ten times before one “yes.”

- Spending more time fixing problems than celebrating wins.

- Carrying the weight of every decision, every mistake, every month-end.

- Running payroll before your morning chai.
And realizing your “day off” doesn’t really exist. 


It gives freedom but it also gives full-time responsibility. You trade 9–5 for 24/7, and somehow… still love it.

Because at the end of the day, it’s yours.
All the chaos, all the creation — yours. 😊


(And yes, I’m probably typing this while on “vacation.” lol.) 


#entrepreneurship #freedom #founder

CEO @ICG | LinkedIn Thought Leadership + Employer Branding for Enterprises & C-Suites | B2B LinkedIn Marketing | Trusted by Fortune 500, Nasdaq, Silicon Valley & YC Leaders

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The New York Times just confirmed what I've been telling my corporate clients for years: Employees are the new influencers.

Here's the reality check your C-suite needs:
While you're splurging budgets on celebrity endorsements and macro-influencers, your most authentic brand ambassadors are sitting in cubicles next to you. 

The NYT highlighted companies from Delta to LEGO putting employees front and center, because audiences are craving authenticity over aspiration.

Trust is the new currency. Period. Here's what smart companies are realizing:

1. Authenticity Beats Algorithm: 63% of 18-34 year olds trust what influencers say about brands more than the brands themselves and your employees ARE influencers in their networks

2. Cost-Effective Reach: An employee advocacy program costs 1/10 of paid advertising (or less)

3. Talent Magnetism: Brands with successful employee advocacy programs are 58% likelier to attract and 20% more likely to retain talent

4. Revenue Impact: On average, an employee advocacy program involving 1,000 active participants can generate $1,900,000 in advertising value

86% of US marketers are expected to use influencer marketing in 2025, and the smart money is betting on the influencers already on your payroll.

The companies that will dominate in 2025 understand this:

Your employees have collective networks of millions Their voices carry more weight than your corporate messaging.

How to Turn Your Team into Your Brand Army: 

1. Start with Culture: Employee advocacy happens because of positive workplace engagement. Fix your internal brand first.

2. Provide Content & Training: Don't leave them guessing. Give them shareable content and social media guidelines.

3. Measure & Amplify: 58.8% of employees in formal programs spend 5+ hours weekly on business-related social activities. Track what works and scale it.

4. Incentivize Participation: Offering employee influencers a bonus, pay bump, extra PTO or other perks makes others more likely to volunteer.

While your competitors are still throwing money at influencers who don't give a damn about your brand values, you could be building an army of authentic advocates who live and breathe your company culture daily.

The question isn't whether employee advocacy works, the data proves it does. 

The question is: Are you brave enough to trust your people with your brand?
Because if you're not, your competition will be.

At Iconify Consulting Group (ICG), we've helped Fortune 500 companies build employee advocacy programs that drive real ROI! And it works wonders :)

LinkedIn | Linkedin News | LinkedIn News India 

 
#EmployeeAdvocacy #PersonalBranding #CorporateBranding #BrandStrategy #B2BMarketing #BrandBuilding

Sometimes a book reminds you why experience still matters more than theory.

Just finished reading is "From Boardroom To Startup - What Amazon Taught Me About Scale, Allianz About Stability - And Why I Left Both." written by someone I deeply admire, Kai Michael Czeschlik and it’s easily one of the most grounded leadership reads I’ve come across this year.

Kai has led large-scale operations at Amazon, Allianz, Telefónica, and TUI and now runs a fully remote CX company. What struck me most was how honestly he contrasts the “rules of leading” in corporates versus startups. Not as clichés, but through lived experience, the kind that only comes from leading thousands of people and building something from scratch. He writes about how in corporates, leadership is about navigation steering through systems, aligning silos, optimizing complexity.

In startups, it’s about propulsion creating momentum from uncertainty, leading without buffers, and making decisions with imperfect data.

Both require discipline. Both demand humility. But they test very different muscles.

The way he ties customer experience (CX) to leadership DNA is especially sharp. Most leaders still see CX as a function, Kai frames it as a reflection of how you lead from the inside out.

It’s the kind of book you don’t rush through you pause, underline, and think: Have I been leading or just managing survival?

Highly recommend for anyone who’s ever led teams across two worlds: scale and chaos, process and passion.

#bookrecommendation #leadership #startups #careerdevelopment

Years!!! That’s how long India waited for this moment 🏆🇮🇳

Half a century of near wins, heartbreaks, and quiet hope until the Indian women’s cricket team lifted that trophy.

And the only thing that kept them going that long wasn’t luck. It was trust.
In the game. 
In each other. 
In every drop of effort. 💙

Kinley says it right, Trust in Every Drop!

#kinley #cricket #icc #womensworldcup #ad

Now this is smart marketing! 👀 Spotted a Swiggy bag that also carried the Biryani by Kilo logo and it instantly stood out.

Simple idea, massive visibility.

It’s not often two brands share the same space, but when they do it right, it turns into a moving brand story that reaches consumers all day, everywhere.

Love how this brings creativity out of the screen and onto the street.

Props to Swiggy and Biryani By Kilo for pulling this off 👏

#marketing

It all comes down to how you treat people. Humility has become the most overused aesthetic in leadership and yet the most under-practiced one.

It’s the new social currency. Everyone wants to look grounded. Few actually are.

I met someone recently whose public image and actual behavior existed on opposite ends of the spectrum. It wasn’t shocking, just a reminder of how often perception scales faster than integrity.

That’s the paradox of modern personal branding. 

Most people treat it like image design: what you say, how you show up, how often you post. 

But the strongest personal brands are not built on what’s visible; they’re built on consistency.

Consistency between how you show up online and how you behave when there’s no one watching.

Credibility doesn’t live in your content. It lives in repetition of truth, in how predictably people experience you across contexts, power dynamics, and rooms.

In 2025, algorithms might shape visibility. But only behavior sustains it.

The way you treat people is your brand: long before your title, content, or credentials.

Reputation travels faster than algorithms ever can.


#leadership #thoughtleader #humility #socialmedia

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Self Employed

Providing Quick Promotions, LinkedIn business page development, & Lead generation using Sales Navigator  

Could you message me here or call me at 518-859-1156 to get started?

Brand and Business Development - Free Linkedin Local Consultations

Display Local Media

Display Local Media
We are a local business in Maryland. 

We connect local businesses to their customers through our Network of screens that have our Indoor Digital Billboards in their locations. These screens display full-motion ads about the company hosting the screen, ads for local businesses in the area, and relevant local content. This network of screens allows you to reach your customers where they work, shop, eat, and play!

Our stats show that our advertisers obtain over 250000 impressions monthly. 

Please email us at Info@DisplayLocalMedia.com or direct message us here to provide more information about how your business could benefit from our Indoor Digital Billboards,

Brand and Business Development 

KEY Choices

Providing Brand and Business Development on LinkedIn for Key Choices, Inc. Empowering youth to make anti-drug choices by leveraging the science of addiction. We go into the classrooms and teach a science-rich, choice-based curriculum in three 50-minute class sessions. Target grades are 6th-12th. We offer this at no cost to schools.

Visiting Angels of Harford & Cecil Counties

The Visiting Angels Approach
Our comprehensive home care is customized for seniors based on their individual needs and preferences. Our dedicated and reliable caregivers have helped thousands of older adults live happily and safely in the comforts of home while providing their families with peace of mind. If you have a loved one who needs personalized in-home care, contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

Brand and Business Development  -  Call us at 443-484-2181

Moving Sales Professionals LLC

Inside Sales Account Manager

TownePlace Suites by Marriott

Director of Sales - TownePlace Suites by Marriott 

Robert's Extra Space, LLC

Inside Sales Specialist

StayExpress

Hello, I am Chris Steffens and for over the past ten years, I have worked side by side with a general manager of a franchised branded budget economy hotel as their Sales Manager. With this understanding and appreciation for their day-by-day operations 
and witnessing the relationship between ownership and the contracted brand, 
I am happy to announce I am now providing Business Development for Stay Express.

We at Stay Express help hoteliers by decreasing Franchising cost, Software cost-PMS, Channel Management cost (OTA), 
Digital Marketing Cost, Service & Support Cost, Revenue Management Cost, CRS & GDS processing cost.

Franchise Business Development Manager

Microtel Inn, Latham, NY

The goal of the Sales Manager is to oversee all aspects of sales, marketing, and Front desk relationships with our hotel guests. Call us at 518-782-9161 for your best rate,

The objective of the Sales Manager is to increase revenue and awareness of the hotel in the business community.

Our Phone number is 518-782-9161 ext 304, Please call them to reserve! 
and we are located at  7 Rensselaer Ave.  Latham NY 12110.

Sales Manager

Days Inn and Suites

The Front Desk phone number is (518) 449-5181
My Voice Mail is 518-782-9161 ext 303
Email- sales@microtelalbany.com

The goal of the Sales Manager is to oversee all aspect of sales, marketing and Front desk relationships with our hotel guests.

The objective of the Sales Manager is to increase revenue and awareness of the hotel in the business community.

Chris Steffens is a seasoned brand and business development consultant with over 14 years of experience in content generation. Based in Havre de Grace, Maryland, he operates independently and offers services such as LinkedIn page development, lead generation through Sales Navigator, and quick promotional strategies.

As a LinkedIn Influencer, Chris actively shares insights on marketing, branding, and business development. His posts often address current industry trends and challenges. For instance, he has discussed the implications of overextending business capabilities, emphasizing the importance of strategic growth and honest self-assessment. In another post, he analyzed the potential and challenges of robotic cooks in the foodservice industry, highlighting both efficiency gains and safety concerns.

Chris's content resonates with a broad audience, as evidenced by the engagement his posts receive. He maintains an active presence on social media, including a Facebook group where he shares additional insights and engages with his community.

Chris Steffens offers a wealth of knowledge and practical advice to those interested in brand development and marketing strategies. You can explore his professional insights and connect with him through his LinkedIn profile:

Chris Steffens

Remember to approach every minor annoyance with a Can-Do Attitude!

Despite strong GDP projections, shoppers are feeling the squeeze from inflation, a shrinking job market, and tariffs. Key trends noted by CNBC:
Wealthier consumers are seeking bargains.
Gen Z is spending less overall.
Lower earners are cutting non-essential purchases.

A notable 24% of those earning $100,000+ plan to spend less this holiday season, posing a challenge for retailers like Best Buy, Target, and Home Depot. The consumer's mood is a critical variable overriding economic projections.

Question: Will consumer caution overshadow economic strength this quarter? What are you seeing in your industry?

Video Credit: Tiny Paws Garden
#Economy #ConsumerSentiment #Retail #HolidayShopping #MarketTrends

“Think Local but be Global” - Brand and Business Development - LinkedIn Local Consultant - LinkedIn Page Development - Quick Promos - Lead Generation using Sales Navigator, Employee of the Day! Text 518-859-1156 for CB

Be careful not to be bowled over by distractions.

The rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into recruitment is creating a significant crisis of authenticity and trust for everyone involved, as Fortune reported. This dual challenge is causing widespread headaches:

🤕 Headaches for Job Seekers
Harsher Screening: Candidates are navigating increasingly severe AI screening processes that can be rigid and opaque, often filtering out qualified people.

Fake Postings: The rise of AI-assisted job applications is fueling an increase in high-volume, potentially fake job postings, leading job seekers to waste time and effort.

🤯 Headaches for Employers
Application Overload: Recruiters are struggling to manage massive volumes of AI-assisted applications, leading to overwhelm and burnout.
Crisis of Authenticity: The lack of human connection is diminishing the hiring process.

A staggering 42% of people directly blame AI for their disillusionment with the hiring process, highlighting a drastic plummet in trust. To move forward, we must focus on ethical AI use, transparency, and re-injecting human authenticity into a process that has become overly automated.

#AIinRecruitment #FutureofWork #HiringChallenges #JobSearch #TalentAcquisition

It's just around the corner, the Thanksgiving feast.

🦃 Thanksgiving Economics: Feast & Flight Costs in the USA ✈️

The cost of Thanksgiving is always a major discussion point in the U.S., impacting both consumer spending and business logistics. Here's a quick look at the 2025 trends:

Food Costs: Good news for the grocery bill! The average cost of a classic Thanksgiving dinner for 10 is down this year, estimated around $55.18 according to the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), a 5% drop from 2024. Lower turkey prices primarily drive this. However, keep an eye on side dish ingredients and regional taxes, as some staple items are still seeing price increases.

Travel Costs: Holiday travel demand remains strong, but price trends are mixed:
Domestic Airfare is relatively stable, with some sources reporting a slight 1-4% increase year-over-year. The cheapest day to fly is often Thanksgiving Day itself.

Hotels and Rental Cars are showing more favorable trends, with rental cars dropping around 6% and hotel rates holding steady or only modestly increasing in many markets.

Pro Tip: Booking flexibility and avoiding the peak Wednesday departure/Sunday return dates are key to savings.

This holiday season continues to highlight the balancing act for consumers: finding value at the grocery store while navigating the persistent costs of family travel.

#Thanksgiving #USAEconomy #ConsumerSpending #TravelTrends #HolidayPlanning #FoodCosts

Having perseverance is the real trick here.

🚀 Perseverance isn't just about finishing; it's about the relentless effort and learning through every setback. In business, the road is rarely straight.

 Keep showing up, keep adapting, and keep pushing forward. That unwavering commitment is your competitive edge. 

#BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #Perseverance

Hoping that your Hump day is humming along.

Internet Outage Alert: Cloudflare experienced a significant service disruption yesterday, causing popular sites like X, ChatGPT, and League of Legends to go offline temporarily.

The cause: an internal software crash triggered by a file, which has since been resolved. No malicious activity detected.

These events (like the recent AWS issues) are critical case studies in infrastructure reliance. The internet's buffer needs backups!

#CloudflareOutage #TechIncident #WebReliability
#linkedinlocal
#linkedinlocalhcc
#influencermarketing
#linkedinsalesnavigatoruser
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You have been Drilling down all work week , it's nice to know that your well deserved weekend is afoot.

The long-awaited September jobs report is finally here, delivering a complex picture for the U.S. economy:

Job Growth Surges: A stronger-than-expected 119,000 jobs were added, well above analyst forecasts.

Unemployment Ticks Up: The jobless rate rose slightly to 4.4%—the highest level since October 2021—due to more people entering the labor force (higher labor force participation rate).

Sector Spotlights: Health care, social assistance, and food services were the primary drivers of job creation.

This shutdown-delayed data will be under intense scrutiny by Federal Reserve officials as they debate a potential December interest rate cut. The simultaneous rise in payrolls and the unemployment rate makes their decision even trickier.

What are your thoughts on these mixed signals and the potential impact on the Fed's next move?

#JobsReport #Economy #FederalReserve #LaborMarket #EconomicUpdate

Let's get a jump on this new work week of November 17th before we hit the pavement.

The US economic calendar is packed this week (Nov 17 - Nov 21) with key data and major corporate earnings that could drive market volatility and influence Federal Reserve policy discussions.

Keep a close eye on these reports and company updates:

📊 Key Economic Indicators
Important releases this week will offer fresh insight into manufacturing, housing, and the labor market, especially as delayed reports from the recent government shutdown are being released:

Manufacturing & Industrial Data:
Monday (Nov 17): Empire State Manufacturing Survey
Tuesday (Nov 18): Industrial Production & Capacity Utilization
Thursday (Nov 20): Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Survey
Housing & Construction:
Wednesday (Nov 19): Housing Starts & Building Permits
Thursday (Nov 20): Existing Home Sales

Labor & Sentiment:
Thursday (Nov 20): Initial Jobless Claims, Nonfarm Payrolls Report (Sept. data release)

Friday (Nov 21): University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment (Final)
🏦 Central Bank Focus: FOMC Minutes
Wednesday (Nov 19): The release of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting minutes will be crucial. Markets will scrutinize the details to gauge the Federal Reserve's future path on interest rates and its stance on the economy's health following the recent rate cuts.

💰 Major Earnings Reports
A few retail giants are scheduled to report, providing a look into consumer health ahead of the holiday shopping season:

Tuesday (Nov 18): Home Depot (HD), Baidu (BAIDF)

Wednesday (Nov 19): Target (TGT), Lowe's (LOW), Nvidia (NVDA)

Thursday (Nov 20): Walmart (WMT)

#BusinessNews #EconomicData #MarketAnalysis #FOMC #CorporateEarnings #Investing
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#influencermarketing
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Now everyone has posted about ThrowBack Thursday but I believe this guy has a real drop on it.

Unfortunately noone is going to get a drop on this. 
Due to the government shutdown, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) will not release a full U.S. jobs report for October.

This means:

Unemployment Rate: The household data needed to calculate the October unemployment rate could not be collected at all and is lost.

Payroll Data: The payroll numbers will be folded into the November report, now scheduled for release on Dec. 16 (delayed from Dec. 5).

Fed Implications: Crucially, this vital labor market data won't be available before the Federal Reserve's final policy meeting of the year, complicating their economic assessment.

The shutdown has created a significant data gap for policymakers and investors. 
#JobsReport #BLS #EconomicData #GovernmentShutdown #FederalReserve

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The Battle

MISHKA RANA

Chris Steffens

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The Battle

MISHKA RANA

Chris Steffens

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}MISHKA RANA's LinkedIn Performance

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Performance ScoreMISHKA RANA's LinkedIn Performance