I recently delivered the closing keynote at the SEAT conference. At one of the networking events, I was drawn to the guy with the blue beret. I approached him and we started chatting. It turns out Daniel Dibble, president of Canvas Cloud, wears the beret as personal branding strategy to distinguish his firm within the crowded Salesforce ecosystem.
Daniel’s unconventional approach serves as a natural conversation starter, allowing him to bypass traditional marketing tactics like expensive tradeshow booth rentals. Instead, he invites genuine human connections.
Canvas Cloud is a certified Salesforce Consulting Partner helping nonprofits and growing businesses better serve their constituents through Salesforce.
“People remember the blue beret guy”
Daniel wanted to create a point of recognition, something that would: “Invite curiosity. Instead of waiting for someone to start a conversation, I give them a reason to,” he told me.
In a bustling networking hall, Daniel doesn’t blend in. He becomes “the blue beret guy,” instantly memorable.
“It’s amazing how many people come up and say, ‘Hey, I saw you last year! You had the beret then, too,’” Daniel says. “It’s an easy icebreaker—and soon, we’re not just talking about the hat, but about our businesses, challenges, and ideas.”
The blue beret works because it’s the outward sign of Daniel’s enthusiasm and his willingness to show up as himself.
I’ve long argued that passion is an engine that drives real human connections. When you let your passion show, you become approachable. And memorable.
Daniel lives this philosophy. “The beret isn’t a gimmick,” he says. “It’s just me. But it’s also a signal to others that I’m approachable, that I don’t take myself too seriously, and I’m open to meeting new people.” That openness is contagious. Excitement is easier to spot in a crowd than a perfectly ironed button-down shirt.
Business Impact
Daniel says his beret is instantly memorable to those he met at previous conferences and events. “People will literally cross the room to say hello, because they remembered the hat,” he says. “That means they remember me, and what I can help with.”
Not everyone needs to wear a blue beret, of course. The point is to find what makes you excited, what makes you YOU, and then share it proudly. Finding your version of the blue beret is about showing passion for what you do and letting that shine in a way that’s utterly unmistakable.
“People are drawn to genuine enthusiasm,” Daniel says. Beyond just generating leads, Daniel notes that his unique identity helps project a transparent company culture that attracts potential employees who value creativity.
Audiences tune out anything that smacks of corporate blandness. What wins fans is authenticity. When you have the courage to wear your hat, to share your quirks, to showcase what you love, to speak like a human, you invite others to join you.
What’s your blue beret?
David Meerman Scott
David Meerman Scott is a business growth strategist, advisor to clever entrepreneurs who are building emerging companies, and the international bestselling author of a dozen books published in 30 languages. David’s high-energy keynote presentations, masterclasses, and virtual events educate, energize, and inspire.
