Sure, it is pleasant to recieve gifts of appreciation after delivering a talk, isn't it? And often, the gifts represent the attributes of the brand of the host, to promote them. BUT that covers only the 'gift' part, NOT necessarily the 'appreciation'!
Compare these gift sets I received after mini-workshops: one comprised beautifully crafted writing implements and other items which any gender could use with pride; the other contained an oversized mens T-shirt with metal tools. Isn't it SO obvious that one institution was customer-centric while the other was self-centric? And you know what? That came through in post-workshop encounters too! One came back with expressions of warmth while the other - would you believe - wrote to ask for commercial information free-of-charge?
In a global market environment where forging relationships and leveraging well can make or break businesses, how we interact with others has a HUGE impact on our futures. Is your business sending out invitational vibes, or unconsciously restricting your customer base, even with a nich market segment? I'd be happy for us to chat and give you an assessement of how your brand (personal and company) is perceived in the market, and suggest ways to send stronger messages which build your brand.
BRING ME THE BRAND AND I'LL INCREASE ITS PROFITS!
Showing posts with label Brand Personality. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brand Personality. Show all posts
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Can you actually prove your selling points?
It was a light-hearted and hilarious but strictly business session with everyone enjoying being educated about the more personal facts of life. Yeah, yeah, libido was on the list too of course :).
The burly, macho, VIP corporate men were politely challenging the petite, feminine representative of a health and beauty company, but were clearly not taking her very seriously! BUT the feisty woman from the public-listed company returned their questions with a volley of facts and evidence that knocked them into respectful acceptance.
"Why should we believe your claims?" "But there are other products which say the same thing!" "How do we know that these results can really be achieved?" These were some of the questions she faced. Familiar? You know what? ANY respectable business person ought to be able to defend their products and services in ways that earn respectful acceptance shouldn't they. Sure, you may not get an immediate sale for a variety of reasons, but you surely are earning their willingness to recommend what you are promoting, and with pride too!
As with personal leadership, respect gains an audience which then leads to customers who will recommend other customers to you. Branding stands apart from the types of selling that are quick-fixes.
What are some areas for you to highlight? Track records, innovations, awards, research, testimonials, profitability, etc AND also e prepared to defend how negative aspects are handled - projecting a bed of roses without the thorns raises more suspicion than confidence among discerning customers. Which assets will help you to be planted firmly in the minds of potential customers?
I'd be absolutely delighted to help you with promoting your competitve advantages and watch you build customer retention and loyalty! Call me at 6-03-21697704?
BRING ME THE BRAND, I'LL INCREASE ITS PROFITS!
The burly, macho, VIP corporate men were politely challenging the petite, feminine representative of a health and beauty company, but were clearly not taking her very seriously! BUT the feisty woman from the public-listed company returned their questions with a volley of facts and evidence that knocked them into respectful acceptance.
"Why should we believe your claims?" "But there are other products which say the same thing!" "How do we know that these results can really be achieved?" These were some of the questions she faced. Familiar? You know what? ANY respectable business person ought to be able to defend their products and services in ways that earn respectful acceptance shouldn't they. Sure, you may not get an immediate sale for a variety of reasons, but you surely are earning their willingness to recommend what you are promoting, and with pride too!
As with personal leadership, respect gains an audience which then leads to customers who will recommend other customers to you. Branding stands apart from the types of selling that are quick-fixes.
What are some areas for you to highlight? Track records, innovations, awards, research, testimonials, profitability, etc AND also e prepared to defend how negative aspects are handled - projecting a bed of roses without the thorns raises more suspicion than confidence among discerning customers. Which assets will help you to be planted firmly in the minds of potential customers?
I'd be absolutely delighted to help you with promoting your competitve advantages and watch you build customer retention and loyalty! Call me at 6-03-21697704?
BRING ME THE BRAND, I'LL INCREASE ITS PROFITS!
Friday, December 3, 2010
Busy doing WHAT??!!!
Yes, that's what I'm taking stock of, at the end of what has been a very busy year. But WHAT has all that busyness achieved? The year began with a sickening revelation and I revisited those email to assess my efforts in that area. Ugh! Ugh! So, what did I learn? Mainly that not all opponents can be beneficially engaged (tried teaching kittens to swim? Give them something else instead) and its okay - even wise - to just walk away from whatever does not match my baseline of 'Being healthy, wealthy and wise'! Did you know that's my plumbline for engagement?
Guess what? Walking away actually helped the other areas to be more profitable, and improved relationships too! Oh yes! All my engagements are matched against being HW&W, and my businesses and other involvements are assessed that way. It's my way of having an integrated lifestyle (personal brand) - peace of mind instead of juggling too many conflicting areas.
So to decide which areas to keep, drop or work harder at, the BCG Matrix comes to my rescue. Try it for yourself and see, peeps! Conventionally it's a tool for strategic marketing (portfolion management by Brand) and isn't that what lifestyle is about anyway? Some areas are profit-making, others are getting there, some are established sources of income and yet others are beneficial without generating $ . The nice thing is that done well, everyone benefits in some way. I am so very grateful to those who have sown into my life and helped me to improve. Yes it surely has been a year of great gains :)
My businesses include Consultancy and Training, Anti-aging, and Eco-friendliness and you know, under each category are activities that are profitable and those that don't bring in $ but are beneficial and meet the HW&W criteria. All of them underscore building lasting relationships as my platform for staying engaged. What signature underscores your business efforts?
If you'd like that clarified, or want a strategic analysis of your portfolio of products and services, do call me at 6-03-42533526? You might want to put more effort in some areas and perhaps drop others.
BRING ME THE BRAND, I'LL INCREASE ITS PROFITS!
Guess what? Walking away actually helped the other areas to be more profitable, and improved relationships too! Oh yes! All my engagements are matched against being HW&W, and my businesses and other involvements are assessed that way. It's my way of having an integrated lifestyle (personal brand) - peace of mind instead of juggling too many conflicting areas.
So to decide which areas to keep, drop or work harder at, the BCG Matrix comes to my rescue. Try it for yourself and see, peeps! Conventionally it's a tool for strategic marketing (portfolion management by Brand) and isn't that what lifestyle is about anyway? Some areas are profit-making, others are getting there, some are established sources of income and yet others are beneficial without generating $ . The nice thing is that done well, everyone benefits in some way. I am so very grateful to those who have sown into my life and helped me to improve. Yes it surely has been a year of great gains :)
My businesses include Consultancy and Training, Anti-aging, and Eco-friendliness and you know, under each category are activities that are profitable and those that don't bring in $ but are beneficial and meet the HW&W criteria. All of them underscore building lasting relationships as my platform for staying engaged. What signature underscores your business efforts?
If you'd like that clarified, or want a strategic analysis of your portfolio of products and services, do call me at 6-03-42533526? You might want to put more effort in some areas and perhaps drop others.
BRING ME THE BRAND, I'LL INCREASE ITS PROFITS!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Turn yukky SPLATS into WEY-HEYS :)
One went SPLAT! Although both looked identical.
Yawn. Still bleary from tumbling out of bed, I reached for eggs to prepare them for breakfast. Yum! I'm glad my coach encourages eggs as the protein part of meals. Like 'em :) So, I pre-boil a few of them, ready for a quick meal when required.
Knock, knock. SPLAT! Hey! What happened?!!!
The brown shell crumbled and the slimy albumen and yolk spilled lazily over my shocked hands. Yuk! this is NOT a boiled egg! Sigh. Yes, I had of course separated them from the raw ones, but hadn't been clear-minded enough to recall which was where. MUST remember to mark or dye them in future!
Hmmmmm. You know what? Products may look the same to consumers too. That gets a first sale, but what is it that will repeat business? Can you remember being disappointed after buying into the hype of a super-salesperson or charismatic motivator? Oh well hum you're not alone - it's really how we learn to sift through impressions and check into the sustainable performance of a product or service. Uhuh - it is OUR responsibility to make informed decisions to check things out. (Careful of committing professional suicide by whining)
It might be that it wasn't the salesperson who was misleading - though it could be that too, but more often we are mislead by our own assumptions and expectations. Just like me being mistaken about expectng the boiled eggs to be in a certain place. LOL! You know what the really nice thing is? After we've gotten over the 'blame' part - yes, we must acknowledge that range of emotions first - we can let them go and move forward into taking control over our thoughts and actions, even in painfully disappointing circumstances. So, the other person is a @**@ but why should that hold YOU back?
What's this got to do with Branding? A LOT. How we respond to situations - especially teh YUK ones, sends subliminal messages to our audiences about what we can or cannot be depended on for. Scary but true, and it impacts upon business growth.
Need a sounding board to let off steam and regain your healthy perspective and get a move on? I'm here for you at telephone 6-03-21697704. It's a new day. EVERYDAY!
BRING ME THE BRAND, I'LL INCREASE ITS PROFITS!
Yawn. Still bleary from tumbling out of bed, I reached for eggs to prepare them for breakfast. Yum! I'm glad my coach encourages eggs as the protein part of meals. Like 'em :) So, I pre-boil a few of them, ready for a quick meal when required.
Knock, knock. SPLAT! Hey! What happened?!!!
The brown shell crumbled and the slimy albumen and yolk spilled lazily over my shocked hands. Yuk! this is NOT a boiled egg! Sigh. Yes, I had of course separated them from the raw ones, but hadn't been clear-minded enough to recall which was where. MUST remember to mark or dye them in future!
Hmmmmm. You know what? Products may look the same to consumers too. That gets a first sale, but what is it that will repeat business? Can you remember being disappointed after buying into the hype of a super-salesperson or charismatic motivator? Oh well hum you're not alone - it's really how we learn to sift through impressions and check into the sustainable performance of a product or service. Uhuh - it is OUR responsibility to make informed decisions to check things out. (Careful of committing professional suicide by whining)
It might be that it wasn't the salesperson who was misleading - though it could be that too, but more often we are mislead by our own assumptions and expectations. Just like me being mistaken about expectng the boiled eggs to be in a certain place. LOL! You know what the really nice thing is? After we've gotten over the 'blame' part - yes, we must acknowledge that range of emotions first - we can let them go and move forward into taking control over our thoughts and actions, even in painfully disappointing circumstances. So, the other person is a @**@ but why should that hold YOU back?
What's this got to do with Branding? A LOT. How we respond to situations - especially teh YUK ones, sends subliminal messages to our audiences about what we can or cannot be depended on for. Scary but true, and it impacts upon business growth.
Need a sounding board to let off steam and regain your healthy perspective and get a move on? I'm here for you at telephone 6-03-21697704. It's a new day. EVERYDAY!
BRING ME THE BRAND, I'LL INCREASE ITS PROFITS!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Fight! Fight! And who'll put Humpty together again?
The band pulsated, almost drowning out the happy chatter. Just beyond me a rude expletive was barked angrily. Uh-oh! Trouble!
Their companions attempted to cool the scene by separating them - but angry men just want to lose it, not cool it. Yes, including companions who wanted to flex their muscles and get in on the action too. Not too uncommon a scene is it? You've seen it before?
But it was the reactions around that spoke volumes about the brand personality of this retail outlet. The owner got into the thick of it - and was sworn at royally, of course - while his non-retail staff and family members also stepped in to minimize the disruption and re-establish harmony. What struck me were the caring attitudes of the owner and his people, and the caring comments even strangers were making "We're not going to allow anything to spoil this" "Move away, don't get hurt". To keep the men apart friends became body shields. The owner kept very calm, personally trying to identify what had happened, made quick decisions and worked to placate the hot tempers. Staff meanwhile kept serving hors d'oevres and drinks. It worked, and very quickly things were back to normal. Or so we thought.
Over the speakers "If you want to fight take it outside guys!" Uh-oh! Not again in another location? Uh-huh, yes again. This time the teamwork that spontaneously sprung into action was extremely impressive as distance was put between the angry ones and they were allowed to vent verbal 'expressions' on the peace-makers close to them. Others spread out through the room at strategic places to keep an eye out to be alert to further eruptions, while yet others distracted the attention of the crowd to re-focus on doing what they came for - to have trouble-free fun! All of it was done spontaneously, from a common purpose to keep the night as happy an occasion as possible. Woo hoo! Teamwork at its best!
Not quite the routine that nightspots employ when fights erupt, is it? BUT I know this was not a one-off. There had been other similar instances too at this outlet. Friends had become ill, abandoned by their companions (some 'friends' huh?) and had been cared for by the owner and staff regardless of how late it was or how tired they were. I feel safe patronizing this place. Would you too?
Service touch points are how customers link their emotions with your brand and decide whether to come back for more to give you repeat business. A useful exercise is to chart out these points in YOUR business, and derive action plans to beat your competition. Want some help with it? Just call me at 6-03-21697704!
BRING ME THE BRAND, I'LL INCREASE ITS PROFITS!
Their companions attempted to cool the scene by separating them - but angry men just want to lose it, not cool it. Yes, including companions who wanted to flex their muscles and get in on the action too. Not too uncommon a scene is it? You've seen it before?
But it was the reactions around that spoke volumes about the brand personality of this retail outlet. The owner got into the thick of it - and was sworn at royally, of course - while his non-retail staff and family members also stepped in to minimize the disruption and re-establish harmony. What struck me were the caring attitudes of the owner and his people, and the caring comments even strangers were making "We're not going to allow anything to spoil this" "Move away, don't get hurt". To keep the men apart friends became body shields. The owner kept very calm, personally trying to identify what had happened, made quick decisions and worked to placate the hot tempers. Staff meanwhile kept serving hors d'oevres and drinks. It worked, and very quickly things were back to normal. Or so we thought.
Over the speakers "If you want to fight take it outside guys!" Uh-oh! Not again in another location? Uh-huh, yes again. This time the teamwork that spontaneously sprung into action was extremely impressive as distance was put between the angry ones and they were allowed to vent verbal 'expressions' on the peace-makers close to them. Others spread out through the room at strategic places to keep an eye out to be alert to further eruptions, while yet others distracted the attention of the crowd to re-focus on doing what they came for - to have trouble-free fun! All of it was done spontaneously, from a common purpose to keep the night as happy an occasion as possible. Woo hoo! Teamwork at its best!
Not quite the routine that nightspots employ when fights erupt, is it? BUT I know this was not a one-off. There had been other similar instances too at this outlet. Friends had become ill, abandoned by their companions (some 'friends' huh?) and had been cared for by the owner and staff regardless of how late it was or how tired they were. I feel safe patronizing this place. Would you too?
Service touch points are how customers link their emotions with your brand and decide whether to come back for more to give you repeat business. A useful exercise is to chart out these points in YOUR business, and derive action plans to beat your competition. Want some help with it? Just call me at 6-03-21697704!
BRING ME THE BRAND, I'LL INCREASE ITS PROFITS!
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