The ability of consumers to focus their attention has reached an all-time low due to the overwhelming deluge of information and advertising they're grappling with today. Therefore, developing one's "expert status" is becoming increasingly important in business positioning.We often depend heavily on authoritative advice on what to think, do, or buy. Because we have so little time to focus on these areas for ourselves, we lean on know-it-all experts, or "mavens," to direct our scarce attention. This article offers a three-stage process for building a maven reputation in your field.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Stage 1: Identify a Role You Can Play as a Maven in Your Domain---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Malcolm Gladwell helped popularize "mavens" in his blockbuster study of social trend setting, "The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference."Gladwell posits that a maven is someone who gathers extensive information on a subject, and knows exactly to whom to deliver it. Because mavens are continually seeking knowledge and love passing it along to others, they contribute much of the fuel behind the tipping point formula, in which ideas, products, messages, and behaviors ultimately explode into "word-of-mouth epidemics."What kind of positioning would you like to have? Think about how the "experts" you hear, watch, or read about today package their messages. Each may have a distinct "persona," or character profile, that makes him or her stand out. A few of the many "maven personas" you could adopt are:* Researcher - who filters, assembles, and delivers cutting-edge information* Contrarian - whose unusual or controversial convictions intrigue