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Entries Tagged as 'Branding'

What is the difference between a mission statement and a vision statement?

by Drew McLellan

February 20th, 2012 · Branding, Business owner/leader stuff, Strategy

This seems to be a question that torments organizations of all kinds and size.

What is the difference between a mission statement and a vision statement?

Here’s how we explain it to clients:

Your mission is what you do best every single day, and your vision is what the future will be like because you deliver on that mission so brilliantly every day.

Each one should be no more than 10 words apiece.  No long paragraphs, no lengthy missives.  Not 3 things or 5 things.

10 words for each.

Can you do it?

 

 

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Mercedes uses visual storytelling

by Drew McLellan

October 2nd, 2011 · Branding, Media, Storytelling

Mercedes Benz released this print ad series earlier this year and as it often goes, it is just starting to get some viral buzz.

It’s a great example of story telling and connecting with your customers.  It’s a visual version of the Mac versus PC TV spots that we all loved.

Interestingly, the copy on all three ads is the same.  I’m curious — what do you think of the series and what do you think they were trying to accomplish with the campaign?

I’m trying to decide…. are these ads more about Mercedes drivers or the brand?  What say you?

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Mercedes Benz Left and Right Brain ad #1
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Mercedes Benz Left and Right Brain ad #2
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Mercedes Benz Left and Right Brain ad #3
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Is your business really different?

September 25th, 2011 · Books, Branding, Strategy · 11 Comments

It may be the greatest of all business cliches — you have to differentiate yourself.  I’ve said it myself more than once.  While it is certainly true… many businesses struggle with how to bring the idea to life. And even when a business believes they have achieved that level of uniqueness — their customers can’t [Read more...]

Where does your brand live?

August 30th, 2011 · Branding · 4 Comments

…How does your brand come alive? When we talk about a company’s brand, in most cases people’s minds jump immediately to their logo.  No argument – a logo is a vital element of how you communicate it.  It is the visual representation of who and what you are.  But your logo is just the beginning [Read more...]

Can your brand co-exist with your company’s brand?

July 28th, 2011 · Branding, Business owner/leader stuff · 6 Comments

…How do you balance your personal & company brand? Earlier this week, we explored the idea of how your personal brand influences and sometimes becomes your company’s brand.  If you are an author, solo consultant or solopreneur that can actually work to your advantage, as we discussed. On the flip side, if you’ve got an [Read more...]

Am I the brand?

July 26th, 2011 · Branding, Business owner/leader stuff · 12 Comments

…Is who I am as a person my company’s brand? For many small business owners and solopreneurs, when people think of their business, their mind immediately goes to the person and that person’s attributes become the attributes assigned to the business as well. If you are truly a consultant or solopreneur, that’s probably okay as [Read more...]

If you look just like your competition…

July 21st, 2011 · Branding · 10 Comments

…Windows version of the Genius Bar …then how will I know it’s you? I was at the Mall of America earlier this month and came upon a Microsoft Windows store.  I’d never seen one before, so we wandered in.  And it wasn’t a Microsoft Windows store. It was an Apple Store with Microsoft products in [Read more...]

Brand defined

July 11th, 2011 · Branding · 20 Comments

“A brand is a living entity – and it is enriched or undermined cumulatively over time…the product of a thousand small gestures.” ~ Michael Eisner (while CEO at Disney) There is it, in all its simplicity.  Your brand is alive.  And with every small gesture, every detail, every extra mile traveled and each ignored opportunity [Read more...]

Smart logos

June 21st, 2011 · Branding, Innovation & Creativity · 17 Comments

I can’t draw a stick person by hand or on the computer.  So I have always marveled at people who can really take design to a different level and go beyond pretty/cool to smart.  That’s what brilliant logo designers do. I thought you’d enjoy checking out some of these very smart logo designs. If you [Read more...]

Your brand’s foundation

June 18th, 2011 · Branding · 8 Comments

  How are you building your foundation? A brand, much like someone’s personality, isn’t something you concoct or fabricate.  You can’t put it on and take it off at will.  It’s not window dressing, but instead it comes from within your company, the culture, the people, the vision and of course…the marketplace in which it [Read more...]