Time To Revamp Your Visual Identity?Written by Amanda Vlahakis
Look at your company logo. Does it fade into background against other images you use to promote your company? Has it become dated? Does it still fit with your company vision? Is your message connecting with customers you want? Your visual identity is a vital tool in communicating essence of your business. Before someone even buys a product or service from you, they formulate ideas about business based on your logo and visual design. Having an identity which works can positively change how your customers perceive your business and put more money in your pocket. Don’t believe me? Think Nike, Apple, Coke, Rolex…the list goes on. How do you make your visual identity come alive and attract customers to your business? What is your message? Businesses change and develop over time, so message you need to communicate will change too. The first step is to decide what you want to communicate about changes in your business – maybe company is more modern in its approach to customers. You can use a new visual identity to communicate this. This can be achieved by a revamp of your logo, design and messaging or a completely new approach to all elements of your identity. Consistency is key when building a brand so when you revamp or change design of your visual identity you must patiently and continually communicate changes. Who are you talking to? You need to be aware of who your customer base is and if they understand and connect with current visual identity of company. Has your audience changed significantly over time? Maybe current design worked for customers 20 years ago but leaves new audience cold. Work out who you want to communicate with and what they will respond to.
| | Building Trust in Your Business Relationships - Ten TipsWritten by Martin Haworth
Trust is formative in how you do your business. Your people will reflect your behaviours with them and at end of day, your customers and clients will be on receiving end of values of your business or organisation.
Where to start.
There are some simple things you can do with your people to ensure that they start to trust you. As a letter from Mike Emmott of Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development in UK says, in April 2005's UK Management Today says:-
"Our surveys show that only one in four employees trust senior management to look after their interests"
Is that not appalling? How on earth can businesses develop, survive and above all hang onto their best people if they are seen to be untrustworthy?
It's horrible.
There is an article below which talks a little about 'Rapport Building', but to supplement that, here are Ten Tips to help you build trust with your people. - Keep Your Promises
If you can't keep a promise, then don't make it in first place - it is a big negative emotion being let down in this way.
- Never Tell Lies
Why would you? And if you have to, it's much, much more about you. Your people will really lose faith in you fast.
- Keep Confidences
Sometimes people will tell you things that they don't want broadcast - they need you to hear them sometimes. But keep it to yourself. Do not be instigator of gossip and rumour.
- Communicate as Fully as Possible
Keep as little from your people as you can. Communicate as openly as possible. Sometimes you have to hold some information back - it happens, but think really carefully about it.
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