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Let’s assume the following is true:
- Your brand is not your logo but instead it is the essence (heart, true north, reason for being) of your organization.
- A business either builds a brand of distinction or has to compete based on price
- A brand isn’t easy or common. Most companies don’t have the courage to have a real one.
- A strong brand lets you focus on your sweet spot customers and let the others pass you by
All pretty good reasons for creating a brand. But building a brand is hard work. It’s expensive, in terms of time, focus and even money. It requires the attention of your entire company — from the part-time janitor to the CEO and everyone in between.
Is it worth it?
Check out this post over at the Brand Establishment. They make a pretty compelling argument that along with the benefits I listed above…a brand’s ROI includes:
- Increased customer loyalty
- Minimized negative effects of a crisis
- Better marketing and co-branding partners
I’m not saying it will be easy to build a brand. But, when done right — it’s a game changer. And that should be worth the effort and the risk.
I could go on and on, but the simple fact of the matter is I would be preaching to the choir. I couldn’t agree more. The value of branding is significant. Furthermore, unlike what the “big boys” described in this article http://stocklogos.com/topic/famous-logo-designs-and-how-much-did-they-cost, it doesn’t have to be expensive to get done. It just has to be intentioned.
It seems obvious, but its so easy to never really stop and understand your brand let alone focus on strengthening it. Thanks for the thoughts
Great tips, as the business world is becoming turned up-side-down, it is becoming increasingly more important to develop branding skills!
Stephen,
No doubt about it. It’s a huge undertaking. But it can be woven into the company’s DNA so that everyone understands their role in making good on the brand. They may not care quite as much as the owner/founder/president — but they can be taught why it matters and what’s in it for them.
Drew