BrandKnew: Branding Matters. Because Branding Matters.’s Post

I recently saw this reply from Simon Norie to a collaborative article about the strength of a brand in the mind of the customer. “You see this again and again in brands that had strong custodians, who leave and are replaced by leaders who pursue numbers Vs brand value, only to see stagnation and failure - until occasionally the original custodian returns and re-establishes the brand” We witness this daily, especially when companies are stagnating, in decline, or going through a turnaround. When I get involved in turnarounds the most common feedback question I get is ‘we lost sight of the brand value proposition’. Far too many ‘turnaround’ experts forget that the roots of the brand equity can often lead to the road to recovery and thinking it’s just about the numbers is simply postponing the inevitable. Sure addressing the P&L is critical, but to build a bridge to a new future and knowing how to leverage the past is often not understood when the ship is sinking because it’s a completely different skill set. I still see this day after day, how about you? #growthmindset #brandbuilding #leverage #build #branding

Buy-in vs. commitment: is there a difference? And does it matter if there is? Yes. And yes. Buy-In ➡ Acceptance of and willingness to actively support and participate in something (Merriam-Webster) Commitment ➡ A pledge or promise; obligation (Dictionary .com) This says it all: The difference between involvement and commitment is like ham and eggs. The chicken is involved; the pig is committed. -Martina Navratilova https://lnkd.in/gymbf4Mq #leadership #customerexperience #employeeexperience #ownership #commitment

🚀 The fifth annual Brandpie CEO Purpose Report has just launched 🚀 5 years of insights. 4000 CEOs. 1 report. Find out what CEOs truly think about the evolving role of business purpose: https://lnkd.in/e2AYtZCG   #CEOPurposeReport #CEOsurvey #purposedrivenbusiness #purposefulbusiness

Even the most iconic brands can stumble and fail. Sometimes, it seems to come out of the blue, but that is rarely true. More likely, failures result from repeated mistakes, none fatal on their own and, thus, easy to sweep aside. Customers, employees, shareholders, and investors can be unforgiving, but leaders who take the right actions can reduce the harm, even if the business cannot be resurrected. Whether or not the company can come to life in a different form depends significantly on what the leaders do now. Unfortunately, they are playing defense, which begs a few questions, at least some of which will be answered due to legal actions. But there are principles that the board can utilize now to avoid making things worse. #forbes #crisis #leadership

Challenge vs complication Understanding the difference between a challenge and a complication that a particular business is facing is crucial. A complication, even tough, can be tackled with a plan we might elaborate and trust. But a challenge is when our traditional methods fall short. The context in which the business operates might have shifted so dramatically that persisting with old methods doesn't just lead to stagnation - it guarantees regression or, worse, the eventual demise of the business within a span as short as three years. Consider, for example, the marketplaces that completely changed the e-commerce sales channel. The dilemma is that business often fails to acknowledge the presence of such a challenge. There's a reluctance to admit that the familiar playbook has become obsolete, the truth is often coated in layers of corporate etiquette, even being placed in a strategy room discussion. And that’s when the external voice should pop up to deliver such sobering news since inaction is not just risky; it's costly. No matter what the business we were discussing, I'd love for you to clearly distinguish whether your business has a challenge or a complication (if any). #Leadership #Strategy #BusinessTransformation #ChangeManagement

Thought leadership is one of the most powerful and cost-effective ways for brands to build trust and credibility.

Purpose-driven organizations outperform their competitors. By placing a greater purpose at the heart of their mission, companies can inspire and engage their workforce. This approach leads to increased loyalty and a stronger organizational culture. Learn more about how brands that authentically lead with purpose are transforming business today in this insightful article by Deloitte Insights: "Purpose is Everything: How Brands That Authentically Lead with Purpose Are Changing the Nature of Business." https://lnkd.in/d8P4BRE #PurposeDriven #Leadership #WorkplaceCulture #EmployeeEngagement

Even the giants can stumble and fall. Take a look at the intriguing case of Mitchell Gold Bob Williams (MG BW), the iconic furniture brand. When a company like this falters, it's a wake-up call for leaders. The aftermath? A tidal wave of uncertainty, questions, and accusations. Customers, employees, shareholders, and investors can be unrelenting. But here's the silver lining: leaders who make the right moves can minimize the damage, even when revival isn't an option. In my latest Forbes article, I give 5 Things To Do In A Crisis and offer some insights as to what the aftermath can teach leaders: https://lnkd.in/gpiq_4pk #leadership #leaders #failure #success #lessons #advice #brands #decisions 

Is there a trick to creating a great organisational or personal brand? Not really but, here’s a trigram that may help you review your strengths and weaknesses. Resonate: Solve a problem. Resonating is often having a powerful and emotive story. It is the organisational ‘why.’ While this will create opportunities, it is crucial that you can deliver objective results. This will attract employees, partners, and customers. Does your brand inspire and resonate? Differentiate: Be different or offer something that is unique. This is not necessarily a product but could be loyalty, attitude, or something else less tangible. Differentiation is an aggregation of internal factors. How is your brand differentiating? Substantiate: Trust and confidence will help your brand resonate and differentiate. It’s important to recognise that substantiation is the attribute most dictated by time and external parties. Substantiation is heavily externally focused. Has your brand substantiated? A brand that has a message or goal that resonates, uniquely delivers value (differentiates), and curries trust, confidence, and favour from those with whom it interacts (substantive), will set the conditions for success. #leadership #management #business

Wait! This post can guide your way forward if you plan to grow your business! During my business career, I've witnessed many ventures dive into new markets, products, or diversification for growth. But, how successful can these ventures be without a solid marketing strategy? It's like playing with fire without knowing market potential, target customers, and positioning. One wrong move can lead to significant resources spent on brand image repair. Discover how Gayatri Limaye crafted a successful market strategy for one of our Jewelry clients. This story can serve as a guide for planning your market entry effectively. https://lnkd.in/d5GcjHRM #marketentry #gotomarketstrategy #gtm #strategy #consulting #implementation #businessconsulting #business #growth #expansion