Thanks so much for having us, Family Business Center - University of St. Thomas! One of the great things about these sessions – and I’m sure Marnie Kittelson will agree – is that as much as we share insights, we also learn a great deal.
There were so many great moments at this session, but one that really stood out for me was an insightful question from a woman from a family business in the Hmong community who asked how to approach marketing in a community that is so culturally unique.
It’s such a great question because I think there’s sometimes a perception in marketing that successful brand strategies can be applied almost interchangeably to different communities and contexts.
The thinking seems to go: Success is success, even if it was a strategy that targeted a completely different audience in a completely different place.
I disagree.
My advice when developing a strategy in unfamiliar contexts is to approach the challenge with humility.
This is when even the most experienced strategist should throw out their favorite playbook, and invest time in listening, learning, and understanding the customers and the community.
A brand strategy, is, after all, about connection.
Thank you to everyone who attended, engaged with us, and shared their insights!
#BrandStrategy #GenerationalFamilyBusiness #BrandingWithoutBragging
"Best kept secret"
Not for long! This morning, we had the largest event attendance of the last five years, for Branding without Bragging: Marketing the Family Business. It was highly regarded session, co-facilitated by Meghan Lynch and Marnie Kittelson of Six-Point Creative
Our families left with knowledge, new ways of telling their story, internal assessments, and next steps to elevate their brands and grow their businesses while staying true to their values and unique culture.
This was also our first "East Side Day" at the Family Business Center, with 10 first-time families from St. Paul's East Side and a number of the business support organizations they work with. Shout out to Vong Thao, MBA, EDFP, East Side Neighborhood Development Company Inc. (ESNDC), (LEDC MN) Latino Economic Development Center and Paris Dunning for helping organize and bring family business conversations to the East Side, and vice versa!
Disruptive Innovation Catalyst • Licensing Partner • Inventor Relations Expert • Licensed Game Inventor • Aisle over Window • Coffee over Tea • Checkers over Chess • Sunrise over Sunset • Laughter over Tears
9moCongratulations that's FUNtastic news for everyone all around.