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Branding : A Story of Change

2009-09-08

Change is an essential part of business and brand management. Whilst brand consistency is important in building confidence any brand that stands still in today’s environment is going to suffer.  

The creation of new brand identities and logo marks is a business tool to signal and express change. But take heed, this opportunity should be considered rare, precious and, most of all, strategic. It should not be used as an image wash and brush up behind which all things remain the same. That would be a waste of money, time and energy and raise consumer interest and expectations falsely.

Once a decision is taken to change, it is essential that image and substance go hand in hand. The new identity and logo must be used to help announce the real story - an authentic, compelling, affinity building brand story. It must be emotive but clearly based on fact not fiction.

Take this rare opportunity to let the newly substantiated company vision shine through. Express the brand’s values and proposition through the new business direction and the resources gathered to enable success. Engage the customer (and all other stakeholders) by communicating the relevant and real benefits to be enjoyed as a result of the change.

Don’t waste your time providing a post rationalization of the logo design “the red symbolizes the dynamism of our team, the square our solid foundation, blah, blah”. Let the consumer appreciate the relevance of the design to your brand in their own time. If it’s good enough and genuine they will.

 
Express Your Colour

Color is a powerful mode of expression and in the branding realm it can be effectively used to convey key characteristics and brand attitude. Zaman can help you identify the color of your brand to ensure it conveys the attitude and mood that meets your objectives. Orange you glad we’re ready to help you color your world?

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Do Brands Matter?
Written by Administrator   

There is a lot of speculation on the fate of brands during the economic downturn. Many say they won’t sustain themselves. Some go further and are questioning the meaning of luxury in adding happiness to people’s lives.

To a certain extent, I agree. When was the last time you went shopping for shoes with a particular brand in mind? Or considered only the hotel chain that you liked when you traveled to a new city? Now that things are tough, people will become pickier and less loyal.

I believe that brands were losing their luster well before the economic crisis. There were too many of them they didn’t work hard enough to differentiate themselves and several were no longer relevant.

Yet, between choosing to fly on Emirates Airlines and Air Canada I choose Emirates. Between buying a property developed by Nakheel vs Emaar, I choose Emaar, between working on Mac vs Toshiba, I choose Mac.

Middle Eastern brands are particularly vulnerable. Many missed the opportunity to focus on quality in the name of growth and sacrificed their integrity. They lost their “raison d’etre” among employees and customers.

What Middle Eastern brand has invested in creativity to create a happy work place and build trust? Today’s client briefs, are all about saving money and making sales.

The history of brands notes that their most efficient growth was achieved when they combined business strategies with meaningful purposes that served humanity and engaged the workforce. Brand guidelines were codes of ethics and their results were measured by their positive reputation.

Arab brands can survive. They’re in their infancy and can during these trying times if they reflect the principles of Islam. To do that they must think in terms of equality, mutual respect, workforce engagement, and creating products and services that serve the community in positive ways. 

It is often in bad times that people engage in a more cooperative lifestyle. Arab companies can use the current economic reality to elevate their status globally.

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