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Emotive Branding

Brand Strategy: How To Escape Commodity-Ville Through Emotions & Meaning

January 30, 2013 —

Brand Strategy: How To Escape Commodity-Ville Through Emotions & Meaning

We spotted a nytimes.com report that highlighted the fact that cars today – across the board – are more dependable than ever before. To quote David Sargent, spokesman of J.D. Power and Associates, “There are no really bad vehicles anymore.” This hasn’t always been the case. Ask anyone over 40 and they’ll probably know this definition of “Ford”: Fix Or Repair Daily. But, as with so many things, it’s getting easier and easier for competitors to level the playing field. Standing out today is harder than ever. Welcome to Commodity-Ville, next stop...
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Why We Love the Power of Inspiration

February 8, 2012 —

Why We Love the Power of Inspiration

One of our greatest pleasures comes from unveiling to our clients something they’ve never seen before: the meaning and emotional power that’s been hidden within their brand. When our clients suddenly see their business as a purposeful, emotive and gratifying force in the world – when they see it can hold a “meaningful position” in the hearts and minds of people – their eyes open wide, their pulses quicken and their imaginations ignite with possibilities. But, for us, the most gratifying aspect of our work will come as our clients bring the power of their “brand...
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“What Matters Now” – A Wake Up Call For Business Leaders

January 5, 2012 —

“What Matters Now” – A Wake Up Call For Business Leaders

While we anxiously await delivery of our copies of Professor Gary Hamel’s latest tome, “What Matters Now”, we wanted to share some of the main thoughts being promoted.Clearly, the business world is in a state of flux. Hamel’s book promises to present an agenda for leaders everywhere who are eager to. . . reverse the tide of commoditization defeat bureaucracy astonish their customers foster extraordinary contribution outrun change build a company that’s truly fit for the future In this context, Hamel identifies five issues that are paramount: values innovation...
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If You Believe Your People Are Engaged, Think Again

November 3, 2011 —

If You Believe Your People Are Engaged, Think Again

We recently came across an old, but provocative article in The Economist entitled, “Corporate culture: The view from the top, and bottom”. It detailed findings from the “National Governance, Culture and Leadership Assessment”, a survey based on thousands of American employees “from every rung of the corporate ladder”. Key findings from our perspective: “41% of bosses say their firm rewards performance based on values, only 14% of employees swallow this.” “27% of bosses believe their employees are inspired by their firm. Also only 4%...
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Why Emotive Branding Prompts Tension – And Why That’s Good

October 27, 2011 —

Why Emotive Branding Prompts Tension – And Why That’s Good

The process of emotive branding takes our clients to a new and unexpected place. It’s a real eye-opener. Our clients suddenly see new possibilities for themselves, their colleagues, their customers and their brand. At the same time, they feel tense. And that is good. Why? Consider this extract from Viktor Frankl’s book, “Man’s Search For Meaning”: “What man actually needs is not a tensionless state but rather the striving and struggling for a worthwile goal, a freely chosen task…i.e., the existential dynamics in a polar field of tension where one...
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The Meaning Hidden Deep Within Your B2B Brand

July 18, 2011 —

The Meaning Hidden Deep Within Your B2B Brand

For decades many B2B brands have been able to prosper by taking a “business as usual” approach to the marketplace. This means they have been able to build their brands exclusively around their product propositions.  But as B2B brands look out into the world today they see changing expectations in the marketplace. The people making decisions about their brands are looking through a new set of filters. They are looking to align with brands that are aligned to their own personal values. They look for, and appreciate, gestures that speak to the brand’s sense of humanity....
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The Meaningful Workplace – Workplace In Crisis

July 5, 2011 —

The Meaningful Workplace – Workplace In Crisis

The workplace is in crisis. Workers are not engaged. Productivity is down. Morale is low. Many employees obviously don’t see the point of what they – or their employer – are doing. How can a business turn the tide of employee dissonance?  How can it become fit for a future that’s bound to be more competitive, complex and commoditized?  How can it connect with people who are no longer blindly accepting corporate propaganda? People who are more “we” than “me” focused? People who are more discerning about the ideas, products and brands they buy into, the businesses they...
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