Branding Information

Notable News - The Branding Myth


How many times have you heard of seen advertising for a graphic design company that states that they do branding?

If you think branding is a logo, letterhead, or web design with all the same look, and colours, then it's true...they can "do branding".

Let's take a look at one of the world's best-branded companies, McDonalds. You may not like the food, but if someone says "golden arches" you know what institution they are talking about. Mickey D, McCoffee and Big Mac all bring the same familiar name to mind. You each may have a different reaction to the thought of eating there, but any one of the many product names will trigger the bigger picture.

Think about the things you know from each of your McDonalds experiences: You know they have salty fries, the food is fast, and there is a system to everything they do. The staff often says the same things to you. You can get the same core menu items all over the world. If you take the time to think about it, you can up with a huge list of features you can count on at McDonalds.

Doesn't that make the term "branding" when applied to logo, look and colour seem a bit of a misnomer?

We know that the concept was born in a single location in small town America. How do you think that McDonalds developed their brand? You can get the book and read all about it, but you don't have to do that to figure out how to build your own brand.

There is no secret. It's all about organizational culture. Brand is the personality your business has developed through your leadership and the systems you put in place. It's having a customer know that each time they go into your business, they will be treated the same way they were last time they were there. They will see some of the same products. The staff will say hello just like they always do. The business will have the same policies and procedures...in other words...a customer can count on you to be who you were during their last experience.

No one else can create a brand for you, ...unless you hired a CEO to run the business, set the parameters and standards, and writes the operational procedure manuals. Many businesses start small, with the owner doing most of the work...that's the time to write the procedure manuals, when the person with the vision is actually doing the work and can see what works best to achieve their pre-defined results. If everyone ran their business like a well-run franchise, there would be fewer business failures and many more strong brands..

Having a strong brand means that everyone who works in your business has a clear picture of why they are there. The business could run without you, because everyone would know what they were supposed to do and how they were to treat co-workers and customers alike.

Decide who you are as a business and be the best you can be at it every day. Write down the things that you do. Decide what your goals are. Share it with your employees...and you will create a brand.

Oh... and don't forget...you need a logo, letterhead and a web site that all convey the same message....but they are not the brand....YOU ARE!

Nancy Fraser - Nota Bene Consulting Results Driven Advertising and Marketing www.notable-marketing.com

You are free to use material from the Notable News in whole or in part, please include credits, including live web site link. Please also notify us where the material will appear.


MORE RESOURCES:

Outdoor Living Brands Launches YouTube Video Series Showcasing Hot, Fun and ...
MarketWatch (press release)
RICHMOND, Va., May 21, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- To help entrepreneurs as well as franchise brokers and their candidates interested in starting a new franchise business, Outdoor Living Brands has launched a series of informative testimonial videos on ...

and more »


Independent Online

ANC brands Zuma painting racist
Independent Online
Image: Courtesy of the Artist and the Goodman Gallery The ANC's national executive committee (NEC) was still smarting over a painting of its president Jacob Zuma's genitals, branding it racist on Monday as it prepared for a court challenge to have it ...

and more »


Onislam.net

Indian brands get 'halal' stamp
Times of India
BANGALORE: Islamic branding is an idea whose time has come, as brands tracking a broader consumer base get accustomed to Muslim sensibilities. It's not just about halal food alone, for it's at the forefront of the branding repertoire that resonates ...
India Brands Go Halal to Woo MuslimsOnislam.net

all 4 news articles »


New city logo and branding coming to Petersburg
Petersburg Pilot
The Petersburg Economic Development Council (PEDC) hopes the name Petersburg will translate into increased tourism and economic growth thanks to new city branding. The PEDC, members of the Chamber of Commerce, and several city employees, gathered last ...



Hospital Marketing Report Explores Importance of Branding
PR Web (press release)
Hospitals' failure to embrace and leverage brand positioning as a growth strategy is due to a convergence in marketing trends that has put the industry behind on the branding curve. “Building a strong brand isn't easy, especially for healthcare ...

and more »


CBS News

How to turn an internship into a job
CBS News
But according to a new study from Generation-Y consulting group Millennial Branding, over two-thirds of 225 employers surveyed hired 30 percent or fewer interns to assume permanent gigs. In addition, 91 percent of those same employers think that ...
Is there an employment gap between employers and students?ZDNet (blog)

all 3 news articles »


New branding tools
Times of India
They are promoted as products and services and bear names that will themselves become real brands, such as Beiersdorf's Beyond Borders, Schneider's Marco Polo, British American Tobacco's Challenge Initiative; or they are acronyms: EADS's Progress, ...



Why are we not branding our local music? Part II
Bizcommunity.com
That is what branding is about. This song evolved into an integrated campaign before integration was the "in-thing" - PR spinoffs, word of mouth and branding paraphernalia, plus activations in schools as well as in various organisations in communities ...



Eau de Derek Jeter
Slate Magazine
But this endeavor fits more into the category of licensing than sub-branding or brand extension. It's akin to those shot glasses that say "Harley Davidson" on them. The buyer doesn't care that Harley isn't manufacturing the shot glass, and is instead ...



Forbes

5 Personal Branding Lessons Learned From Forbes Celebrity 100 Women
Forbes
Their personal brands helped these women maneuver the business world, and their business brands continued right where their personal branding started. Gisele Bündchen didn't start off as “the most beautiful girl in the world;” according to Rolling ...

and more »

Google News

Mommy Home Jobs | Mommy Matters | index | site map
Copyright MommyHomeJobs.com