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THIS WEEK
Corporate Branding - How Important is it Really?
ALSO IN THIS EDITION
| Corporate Branding - How Important Is It Really? |
This week we have a special guest author - Jo Pollard from Wild Dog Designs
Nike and Coca Cola are two companies that we know about and recognise instantly. Have you stopped to think why this is! It all comes down to their fantastic corporate branding! Everything these companies do has a distinctive look and feel about it. For example, you can always tell a Coca Cola television commercial. While over the years their image may have changed and been modernised to move with the times, you can still distinguish Coca Cola from other brands. For example, their drink labels may have changed but you know which bottle is their product when you walk into a shop (whether it be diet or sugar free) because of their distinctive branding.
The importance of great corporate branding is to make everything you produce (whether it be a brochure, the sign out the front of your office or your vehicle signage); look like it belongs together in a suite of material. Make it scream your business' identity. You may think that something very small won't really matter if it doesn't fit in, and no-one will notice, but isn't that the whole point! You want people to notice everything you do to make you stand out from the crowd!
Do you have a corporate brochure which reflects your business and fits with your business cards or stationery? Does your business cards and stationery actually have the same look and feel? What are you really trying to say to those who pick up your brochure? Are you telling them about how professional you and your services are in the copy, but the look of the brochure is saying "we kind of just put this together to have a brochure, we are not really that professional". Not a good approach.
The cost to produce a corporate branded brochure does not have to cost you a fortune and will save you money in the long run. Does your staff wear a uniform? If not, why not! A simple shirt with your logo embroidered on the pocket shows you mean business, and you take your work and company seriously. Just think where your staff might go during the day, even if it is just for lunch, and how many people will stop and read that shirt? Corporate branding is all about getting your name out there in a consistent manner and being top of mind next time someone needs your services.
How does your business' corporate branding stand up to your competitors? Do you even have corporate branding?
To start to improve on the corporate branding of your business please contact me at jo@wilddogdesigns.com.au I would love to help you, no matter what your budget.
Written by
Joanne Pollard, Director/Designer
Wild Dog Designs
Email: jo@wilddogdesigns.com.au
Mobile: 0405 116 520
| HR Tip - Do your employees understand your brand? |
Your employees are the physical representatives of your corporate brand. One of the most fascinating things you can do is to ask them:
- What does this company stand for?
- What makes our company different or better than our competitors?
- What is the essence of our business?
- If you had to describe our corporate brand in words - how would you describe it ?
- What does our logo mean to you?
 Depending on the process you use to ask your team these questions be prepared for some pretty fascinating answers. Try and use a process where people can answer anonymously if possible to allow maximum true sharing of their views.
Your brand is your corporate vision and unique selling proposition put into visual form. It should set you apart from your competitors.
If your employees don't know or can't explain your brand - what is that saying about their understanding of your business and where it is headed?
I am blessed to work with a number of coaches in my business and this week I was lucky enough to review an e-book written by Katie Gallagher from Mint Coaching called "Get-a-grip".
 The e-book is the companion manual to her group coaching program, but stands alone as a great process to help you to get a grip on who you are and why you are here.
Why did I like this e-book? I have done lots of exercises in the past to work out my core values and my passions. Katie's exercises were refreshingly new and put a whole different slant on my needs, wants and values.
It is certainly worth a read and to do the exercises to help you work out what you really, really, REALLY want. After all - isn't that the secret of understanding your personal brand?
This week I went hunting for a book - not just any book but one that matched my upgraded accounting software in readiness for end of financial year. Simple? Not really. Read of my adventures in the bookstores.
End of Financial Year Review - How Successful Was Your Marketing Expense Last Financial Year?
warm regards
Ingrid
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PS: This week's blog also included posts about Looking for Writers, transforming your passion into business as well as crazy interview questions.
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