McGill Buckley | A Branding Company’s Post

Brands: Beyond the Looks When customers interact with a brand, they engage with more than just a product—they experience its values, mission, and culture. Every email, social media post, phone call, or in-person interaction is an opportunity to reinforce the essence of the brand. This means branding goes far beyond logos, colors, or catchy captions; it’s about creating meaningful experiences at every touchpoint that reflect the organization’s core values and culture. Employees play a key role in this process. As brand ambassadors, their everyday actions and behaviors embody the organization’s culture and communicate its message. When an organization prioritizes its employees, treating them as internal customers, the result is a more authentic and cohesive brand experience projected outward. To truly resonate with customers, organizations must focus on building a culture that nurtures empathy, trust, and understanding. Brands that reflect these qualities foster loyalty and create lasting relationships that transcend aesthetics. #BeyondTheLogo #BrandCulture #EmotionalBranding #InternalBranding #CustomerConnection #BrandCommunication #EmployeeEngagement #AuthenticBranding #BrandStorytelling #BrandLoyalty

“If you are simply aiming for a “good” culture at your organization, you’re setting the bar too low.” - Denise Yohn from her excellent article in 2019, linked below. Building the right culture isn’t just a nice-to-have - it’s a commercial imperative; with organisations who do seeing as much as a 4x higher EBITDA & 4.4x revenue. So what can be done to equip employees with the necessary attitudes and behaviours to deliver on a brand promise? And how do you rally your organisation around a shared brand vision? We’ve developed a set of 8 principles for Brand Enablement: 🗣 1. Devise meaning: engage your people Why brand matters: make the case for a brand-led culture accessible to all, to ensure buy-in at every level 💃 2. Create motivation: excite your people What the brand stands for: tell a collective story for everyone, to rally your organisation around a shared purpose and values, in order to galvanise change. ⚒ 3. Provide means: equip your people How to activate the brand: share practical guidance to help individuals and teams across the organisation bring it to life in their day-to-day work. 💪 4. Build momentum: empower your people How to live the brand: instil behavioural norms, structures, rituals and artefacts to develop and sustain an internal brand culture. 🤝 5. Brand behaviours, rather than brand identity Brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room: embodied by employees in everything they say and do, rather than simply logos and colours. 💬 6. Internal conversation, rather than internal communication Create feedback loops and celebrate best practice to ensure your people feel heard, recognised, valued, and a sense of pride in the brand. 👩🏫 7. Guidance and guardrails, rather than command and control Teach, don’t tell: provide tangible directions to enable employees to take ownership of the brand, whilst all marching in the same direction. 👨👨👧👦 8. Bring the outside in, to build the brand from the inside out To deliver your brand promise to customers, create forums for your people to get close to customers, and intimately understand their needs and experiences. Are there any additional principles that you would add to these? Anything we've missed, or anything you'd want to expand upon? Tell us in the comments below! #brandbuilding #peopleenablement #marketingenablement https://lnkd.in/gZ7BWgm

If you are simply aiming for a “good” culture at your organization, you’re setting the bar too low.” We’ve developed a set of 8 principles for Brand Enablement to raise the bar of what “good” means and help our clients get to “great”. Anything we've missed? #brandbuilding #peopleenablement #marketingenablement

𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱: Employees as Architects of Success or Failure. Launching a brand isn't just a public affair; it begins within the heart of the organization – with its people. Before the world sees it, our employees become the pioneers, the living embodiments of our brand. This process is more than just information; it's about forging a collective identity and turning every team member into a dynamic representative of our imminent brand evolution. 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗹𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁. Imagine a company-wide event that isn't just about facts but an ignition of collective enthusiasm, where each employee becomes a torchbearer lighting the way forward. Engagement is the pulse of this journey, creating a dialogue where every voice matters. It transforms the brand from a concept to a living entity with the collective heartbeat of the entire organization. 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗮𝗰𝗹𝗲. It's about ownership, instilling a deep connection that makes the brand a part of their identity. As we approach the brand launch, let's not just see it as an external revelation but an internal transformation. Educate, excite, engage, and instill pride – making every team member an architect of the brand's destiny. Together, we breathe life into it, creating a vibrant entity that resonates with each individual and reverberates across the industry. The journey is about collective footsteps leading us to a transformative destination. Step by step, heartbeat by heartbeat, we embark on this grand narrative. #Brandsmadedifferent #EmployeeEngagement #PrideInOurBrand #marketing #manufacturingmarketing

✨"Branding is what people say about you when you are not in the room."✨ As I dive deeper into brand strategy, I'm discovering that branding is the sum of perceptions, experiences, and interactions that shape how others view your organization. When Jeff Bezos coined this famous phrase, he highlighted a critical truth for businesses and individuals: your brand exists in the minds of others. Why does this matter? 1. Authenticity: People connect with authenticity. Ensure your brand's voice, values, and actions align consistently across all touchpoints. This builds trust and fosters genuine relationships, making your brand memorable even when you're not present. 2. Consumer Experience: Every interaction counts. From the first website visit to after-sales service, every touchpoint influences how customers perceive your brand. Prioritize exceptional experiences to leave a lasting positive impression. Journey mapping helps a lot with this! 3. Employee Advocacy: Your employees are your brand ambassadors. How they talk about your company outside of work can significantly impact your brand’s reputation. Cultivate a positive work environment and empower your team to share their authentic experiences. A consistent story and key messaging will be vital here. 4. Community Engagement: Engaging with your community, both online and offline, reinforces your brand’s presence and values. Actively participating in conversations and contributing value positions your brand as a thought leader and a trusted entity. 5. Consistency is Key: Consistency in messaging and behavior ensures that what people say about your brand aligns with your intended identity. This coherence strengthens your brand’s reliability and recognizability. This is also how brands build consumer loyalty and favorability over competitors. Branding is about creating a cohesive narrative that resonates, inspires, and endures beyond the room. Always strive to leave a lasting impression that speaks volumes in your absence. #BrandStrategy #ThoughtLeadership #Branding #CustomerExperience #Authenticity

Your culture is your brand. The true essence of your brand isn’t just in your logo, your tagline, or your marketing campaigns. It’s in the culture you cultivate within your organization. Your culture defines your brand more powerfully than any ad campaign ever could. Here’s why this is crucial: - Authenticity: In today’s market, consumers crave authenticity. They can spot a fake from a mile away. Your culture—the values, beliefs, and behaviors that permeate your organization—creates a genuine brand that people can trust and relate to. - Employee Advocacy: Happy, engaged employees are your best brand ambassadors. When your team believes in your mission and values, they naturally promote your brand through every interaction, both inside and outside the workplace. -Customer Experience: Your culture shapes how your employees treat your customers. A positive, customer-centric culture ensures that every touchpoint is a testament to your brand’s values. This leads to loyal customers who advocate for your brand. Remember: Your culture isn’t just a part of your brand—it is your brand. It influences how your employees act, how your customers feel, and how the market perceives you. A strong, positive culture is the cornerstone of a powerful, enduring brand. Your culture is your brand. #BrandCulture #CompanyValues #AuthenticBranding

HOW TO DEFINE YOUR BRAND'S PURPOSE AND VALUES TO CREATE A COMPELLING BRAND STORY. Clearly articulating your brand's purpose and core values forms the foundation of your brand story, giving it depth and authenticity. What are the benefits of defining your brand’s purpose and values to create a compelling brand story? • Increased customer loyalty through shared values • Improved employee engagement and alignment • Clearer decision-making in all aspects of business In today's market, consumers are increasingly drawn to brands that stand for something beyond profit. A well-defined purpose and set of values provide a North Star for your brand story, guiding all your communications and actions. What are strategies you can implement today to define your brand's purpose and values? 1. Conduct a workshop with key stakeholders to brainstorm and articulate your brand's "why" 2. Research your target audience's values and align them with your brand's mission 3. Create a mission statement that clearly communicates your brand's purpose 4. Develop a list of core values that guide your brand's behavior and decision-making 5. Audit your current practices to ensure they align with your stated purpose and values Implementation tip: Create a "Brand Purpose Manifesto" - a concise, inspiring document that outlines your brand's purpose, values, and the positive impact you aim to make. Use this as a touchstone for all brand decisions and communications. What is your brand's purpose? Tell us in the comments below. #BrandPurpose #CoreValues #AuthenticBranding #SMBStoryTelling

🔹 Building Stronger Brands with Governance & Culture 🔹 At Brand Expert Consultancy, our commitment to Brand Governance & Culture goes beyond frameworks; it’s about crafting a cohesive brand experience from the inside out. By applying our robust governance frameworks, we empowered our clients to maintain consistent brand identity, messaging, and values at every level. The results speak for themselves: 📈 40% increase in stakeholder trust 👥 35% improvement in internal brand alignment These achievements demonstrate how a solid governance structure fosters unity, trust, and clarity, turning every employee into a true brand ambassador. With a clear, aligned brand culture, organizations become stronger, more resilient, and ready to navigate any challenge. #BrandGovernance #BrandCulture #BrandAlignment #StakeholderTrust #EmployeeEngagement #BrandExpert #StrategicBranding

A company's brand identity is more than just its visual elements—it's the sum total of its values, behaviors, and interactions with stakeholders. But how can companies leverage their culture to strengthen their brand identity and differentiate themselves in the marketplace? Let's explore some strategies for aligning culture and brand identity to drive business success. ✅ Live the Brand Values Authenticity is key to building a strong brand identity. When employees live the brand values, it reinforces the brand identity and builds trust with customers. ✅ Empower Employee Advocacy Employees are powerful ambassadors for your brand. By empowering them to share their experiences and insights on social media, in-person interactions, and other channels, companies can amplify their brand message and reach new audiences organically, strengthening brand identity and awareness. ✅ Foster a Customer-Centric Culture Prioritize customer needs and preferences in decision-making processes, product development, and service delivery. Show your commitment to delivering value and exceeding customer expectations. Culture and brand identity are intertwined, shaping how stakeholders perceive and interact with your organization. Are you ready to strengthen your brand identity and drive business growth and success? Connect with me ✨ https://bit.ly/3eJ6jbK #MikiaHarris #BrandIdentity #CultureAlignment #EmployeeAdvocacy #CustomerCentricity #BusinessSuccess

Sustainable Brand Grow through Governance! ⬆️ Brand Governance ensures brands not only grow but grow sustainably, securing long-term value for all stakeholders 💡 #BrandGovernance #BrandCompliance #BrandStrategy #BrandInnovation #BrandEnhancement #BrandExcellence