Branding your workspace … It’s not just for large corporations anymore
Branding goes way beyond a logo or graphic element. When you think about your brand, you want to think about your entire customer experience … everything from your logo, your website, your social media experiences, the way you answer the phone, to the way your customers experience your staff. In short, your brand is the way your customer perceives you. A good brand doesn’t just happen … it is a well thought out and strategic plan.
Many small organizations and start-ups neglect spending necessary time thinking about their brand and the impact it has on their business. Here are some reasons why branding is important:
BRANDING PROMOTES RECOGNITION
People do business with companies they are familiar with. If your branding is consistent and easy to recognize it can help people feel more at ease using your products or services.
YOUR BRAND SETS YOU APART FROM THE COMPETITION
In today’s market, it is critical to stand apart from the crowd. Think big … you are no longer competing on a local level, your business now competes in the global economy.
YOUR BRAND PROVIDES MOTIVATION AND DIRECTION FOR YOUR STAFF.
A clear brand strategy provides the clarity your staff needs to be successful. It tells them how to act, how to win, and how to meet the organization’s goals.
A STRONG BRAND GENERATES REFERRALS
People are brand loyal and to tell others about the brands they like. People wear brands, eat brands, listen to brands, and are constantly telling others about the brands they love. A strong brand is critical to generating referrals.
A STRONG BRAND TELLS CUSTOMERS WHAT TO EXPECT
A brand that is consistent and clear puts the customer at ease because they know exactly what to expect each time they experience the brand.
YOUR BRAND REPRESENTS YOU AND YOUR PROMISE TO YOUR CUSTOMER
It is important to remember that your brand represents you … you are the brand, your staff is the brand, your marketing materials are the brand. What you promise to deliver is what will be remembered.
A STRONG BRAND PROVIDES YOUR BUSINESS VALUE
A strong brand will provide value to your business well beyond the physical assets. Companies are worth much more than their physical assets … their brand has created a value that far exceeds their physical value.
To brand or not to brand is no longer the question … it’s good business sense.
By Jack Stieber – President – American Receivable
