I was listening to Groundswell this week and they made an excellent point that I felt should be elaborated on. They simply state that you do not own your brand, your customer does? Not Hershey, Not McDonalds, Not GM, but the customer.
I have always been a proponent of telling people the best money they can save is just to call 5 or 10 customers and ask them What they think of your company and Why they buy from you? Presto, you have your brand? Now take that and start finding your target market and ideal customer.
I know that this seems to simplistic for many but think about it! If you want to have a different brand, it may be easier just to go buy another company that has that reputation. And that is what branding is, your reputation.
Now when you think about this, how does your marketing material match your brand? Does it complicate it or distract from it? D o 
es your facility and signage compliment it or distract from it? You get my drift, it not up to you to establish your brand but to support it.
My advice to you, go ask a few people about what you do? And, ask a few why they do not do business with you? It is pretty hard today to get your message heard, don’t complicate it and make sure you tell it to people that want to hear it!
How much money do you spend on building your brand?
Technorati Tags: Branding , Groundswell , Charlene Li , Core Message , Target Marke