Your Brand is Your Promise! (So What Are You Promising?). Paris Dumped Nicole, Oh No!.
When people mention the word "brand" they usually mean a well known, well defined company.
That's why consumers frequently mention names such as Target, Rolex, Apple, BMW and others who have done an excellent job in crafting an image and sticking with it. Buyers know what to expect from these companies, and as long as these companies meet that expectation, they will continue to imprint their brand in the minds of our their audience. It's pretty simple really, if you just keep in mind these two principals.
Principal One: Know your promise.
As amazing as this may seem, most companies don't really know what it is they are promising their clients. That's why they have weak brands. They may have mission statements, and can spout off why everyone should use their product or service, but really it's just a rambling list. Out of fear of losing audience, most companies will try to compete on price, quality and service... and that's a recipe for disaster. Who wants to buy a watch from the Discount Overnight Rolex store? If you try to go after all three areas you end up muddied in the mind of the consumer, who is trying to put you in a box. And in this case... that's a good thing!
A mental "box" is not that different from a set of mail room boxes. The customers gets all these incoming "messages" and has to sort them all day. The easier you make it for them to sort your company, and put it in a category, the easier it will be for them to recall it when needed. Try this... think of a fast place to eat. How about the best tasting food? And finally, the place you go if you really want to impress someone? You can probably think of each of these categories rather quickly. And chances are, these companies are more than happy to fill that niche without trying to become much more.
Take a moment and write out in two or three sentences (more if you're feeling inspired) exactly what your brand promises. It will usually fall under three main categories... quality, service or price. But there are nuances. Ben & Jerry's image contains both a quality message and a social message... one of comittment to the community and environment.
Principal Two: Never violate Principal One.
Once you have firmly established your promise in the minds of consumers, make sure every move you make conforms to that promise. Coke was fine to come out with Diet Coke, Cherry Coke and a host of other flavor variations (brand extension) but they completely missed the mark when they introduced NEW Coke. People believed in Coke, identified with Coke and it was a part of their history. New Coke was seen as a betrayal of the brand itself, a vote of no confidence in their core product. "What's wrong with the original Coke?" was the immediate question that popped up in most minds. That's why is so important to know what it is, and why it is, that people buy from you and believe in you.
Know your promise and keep your promise. Pretty simple? Yet it will go a long ways toward making your company resonate with your customer on a deep and lasting level. And that's a promise.
Phil's life goal of "creating environments where people thrive" reflects his desire to assist in personal, professional and business growth. Phil founded and ran a full service ad agency for over 17 years and now works full time as a business naming and branding consultant. He has authored numerous articles on naming and branding as well as addressing groups nationwide. Phil resides with wife Michelle and four energetic offspring outside Asheville, North Carolina. His web site can be viewed at http://PureTungsten.com or you may reach him by e-mail at Phil@PureTungsten.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
Paris Hilton has dumped her co-star, Nicole Richie leaving the future of their television show in jeopardy. Oh no! How will we survive without the mindless antics of these underdressed, self-absorbed, spoiled brats? Where else can we get such high quality entertainment?
Well, don't fret. CSPAN still broadcasts live footage of our elected officials making passionate pleas to empty seats. Sure, they have on a few more clothes, but they do qualify as mindless, self-absorbed, and spoiled!
Then there's professional wrestling. Here are grown men who are way too big wearing way too little jumping around as if a double somersault off the top rope onto another person doesn't hurt. Mindless? I'm not sure. But they have had their heads rammed into the turnbuckle a few too many times. Underdressed? Definitely! My underwear is bigger than that! Self-absorbed? They act like it, even though we know they are pretending. Spoiled? Yeah�€� I don't get pyrotechnics and rock music when I walk into a room!
We can't leave out the "boys of steroids"�€�you know, those spoiled, self-absorbed professional athletes who act like they have been violated when asked to participate in a drug screening just like those that normal Americans are subjected to by their employers. It's this same bunch that walks out because their salary demands are not being met. Yet, their average annual salary is more than the lifetime salary of the average fan paying hundreds of dollars to watch them misbehave. Give me a break!
The world is full of mindless, self-absorbed, spoiled people who gladly will take the money of hoodwinked fans leaving me wondering who's really mindless?
The viewing public has created the fa�½ade of superstardom behind which these pseudo-celebrities hide. Shows that aren't watched don't hang around very long. So, only you can prevent mindless entertainment!
Likewise, shows that are watched are copied, duplicated, and syndicated to the point of saturation. It seems as if the rejects from Survivor end up on American Idol or The Apprentice!
I think we'll be just fine without Paris and Nicole! Mindless, self-absorbed, spoiled wannabes are a dime a dozen!
Dr. Terry Hadaway is an author, editor, university professor, and conference leader. He is the author of 30 Seconds to Chaos: Mastering the Art of "What If" Thinking and several articles. He is a gifted communicator and a leading authority on adult education. Visit http://www.thinkezine.com for more information.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
