On the surface, the new Google Buzz social media platform looks and feels like many others. As you drill down further, however, the potential goldmine becomes apparent.

The key features released by Google include:

• Contacts are integrated automatically from Gmail inboxes so you do not need to manually enter information from friends and family.

Here is an irrefutable fact of life—if you are an employee, there is a glass ceiling looming severely over everything you do. It doesn’t matter what industry you work in, what company you work for, or what job you do. If you are not self-employed, you will ultimately come up against a glass ceiling of one form or another.

We are all familiar with the term “glass ceiling” as it refers to women in the workplace. For many years, professional women in all sectors faced tremendous hurdles when trying to advance their careers. This is particularly true for those of us who work in male-dominated industries or where the “old-boy network” reigned supreme. Promotions and career advancement were based more on who you knew rather than your achievements and work ethic. This trend abated somewhat as women’s rights became a keynote issue that increasingly resonated in the public’s awareness. However, to this day glass ceiling restrictions still apply to many women in their workplaces.

Not long after you enter the world of online business, you may discover an unsettling fact: there is a ton of competition out there. No matter how obscure you may think your service or product might be, you will most likely have a close competitor. The key is setting yourself apart from the field by mastering the art of personal branding. If you can successfully brand and define your business as a leader in its industry, you are more than likely to come out on top.