If you were to do a google search to the phrase, ‘Building Your Brand’ you will find trolls of information on this subject. Branding is not a new concept per see but in today’s competitive world of internet of things, digital transformation etc., this term has became more relevant than ever before.
Brand building is thus an art as much as it is a science. For to standout in the midst of the noise, you will need to have a well thought out plan on how you intend to communicate your valued brand or whatever it is that you’re creating.
Brand building is thus a journey as much as it is a concept. To best tell your brand story, you will need to be very clear on your strategy as well as identify the best platform (medium) you plan to leverage to get your message across. Remember, regardless of how vast the online market is, there are still 4 Ps in marketing: Product, Price, Promotion and Place.
For instance, I work with entrepreneurs, business owners, leaders and professionals in helping them gain CLARITY in formulating a succinct brand story and strategy that communicate their best value and scale for market penetration, growth and profitability.
Often, this process is very time consuming, and can be onerous. However, until you get to the bottom of why you are and what you are, and how to create from this unique space; it’s futile to endeavor to create anything let alone start a business.
One of my best inspiration into this work is Sun Tzu, the ancient Chinese general and military strategist. He remarked, “Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.” Simply put, if you create from that which you see in your mind’s eyes (vision), you will manifest it if you first take the time to be clear on what you wish to actualize.
Needless to say, before you launch your business or if a professional; before you launch your career, or stomp into your boss’s office demanding a raise, you may want to reignite your brand first if you expect to standout. This then requires you think more strategically if you’re to be relevant in today’s competitive environments.
As such, building your brand requires you learn, tweak, adapt, grow and align as your market environment demands. Being agile as you incorporate your learning into what you are building and/or are becoming.
Brand building thus whether for a corporate or personal brand requires you become a student of self, your unique market, industry and the global landscape as well as be very honest with yourself and in your assessment of your current resources and capabilities. Then figure out whether you want to develop from the ground up or if the best approach is to form alliances to leverage market opportunities, or go solo in advancing your growth and success.
Whatever the case, brand building is a continuous process. It’s a journey, quite complex and much like digging a foundation or crop farming. The good thing is that once you’ve laid down the foundation aka apply the first principle thinking to your brand building, you can develop all else later e.g. strategy, business model, company culture and system.
Brand building leads to clarity, clarity grounds you, and constantly beckons you to that focal point of your distinctiveness, from which you create and deliver value based innovations to the market. Additionally, you will experience a level of congruence with your internal and external world thus harnessing your own power, vision, value and voice as well as boost your overall performance.
As noted, brand building is a journey. One that requires you iterates and take various twist and turns as you advance in maturity, while at the same time addressing complex market needs. For example, Apple and Nike just to name a few, are considered to be some of the most prolific brands dominating certain markets today. If you study their journey, you’ll discover that from inception, they set out to build brands that tell captivating stories while delivering unconventional value for compelling results.
Wouldn’t you want to build the same—a strong commanding brand? If this is your aspiration, you may want to consider thinking like Sun Tzu, otherwise; a growth mindset is key. For to grow, your brand needs to advance and mature much like you the individual advance in age. And when all these elements are captured and communicated effectively, you too like Apple or Nike can tell a compelling and bold brand story. One that captivates and attracts the right clientele, you know… the ones that already appreciate, value your message and are attuned to you or your company’s spirit. Isn’t that what you are looking for?
If yes, I would be honored to serve your Clarity needs. Feel free to schedule your 30 minutes Complimentary Session here or send me an email at carolyne@vpfstrategies.com.
