Looks like it's going to be a great weekend!
I, as all of you, have strong feelings about this day, and it's very important to remember why the day was created and the critical essence of what it's all about.
Hopefully... "we will go to war no more".
Memorial Day itself is a strong brand, plus it also has all of the necessary components of a strong brand.
Ralph Lauren says to me...
-Excellent, high quality products.
-Reasonable prices
-Family
-Healthy
-Outdoors
-and, then there's "that look"
The brand doesn't fit everyone of course, but then it's not supposed to. Brands are about about me or you and what works for me or works for you personally. This is just the same as your own business sales and marketing plans that need to work specifically for you and your business and be targeted to very specific personas, in very specific targets who live and work in very specific market verticals.
Cars are an excellent example of brands that define us, who we are and what we represent in perfect combinations of both emotions and practical necessities. Our car choices are defined by how we personally "feel", and what we practically "need" when we make purchase choices, for instance, not between a Chevrolet and a Ford, but between a Chevrolet Suburban, a Chevrolet Volt or a Chevrolet Corvette.
On the other hand, my Corvette Stingray reflects nothing other than my "feel" for the excitement of driving. She has nothing to do with practicality since she can carry no more than two small grocery bags, and she absolutely does not go to the town recycling center under any conditions. She also has a strong aversion to taking me to one of my other favorite brands, Home Depot.
It's always great to have a three day weekend especially one in which we can both reflect on the importance of Memorial Day and also officially leave behind the winter as we look ahead to another perfect summer.
Given that you might just have a bit of additional time, take 30 minutes this weekend and just think about what your own brand is. By the way, do not look at this exercise as defining either your business brand or your personal brand since they are all one and intricately bound together. Keep in mind during this exercise, that you can modify your brand as long as there is a specific plan behind it.
So, as we enter into the end of the second quarter, I'd like to encourage you to do an objective assessment of your own personal brand:
Have a wonderful weekend...and please...remember.
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Another opportunity for preparing now for Q4 is to do the same type of "relook" at the basics of your 2016 Marketing Plan after reviewing our ebook on "How to Write a Marketing Plan". This consists of mostly solid basics and tactical structure stuff...which just might be the perfect thing to do right now before you dive too deeply into Q3.
...and, of course, if you just want to talk through some of where you are right now and use us as a confidential sounding board...or do a short Whiteboarding Session with any of us, just email me, and we will work out a convenient schedule.
Good Selling!
Derby Management...for 25 years
-Sales & Marketing Productivity Experts
-Business & Strategy Planning Specialists
-Senior Management Coaches for CEOs & VPs
Box 171322, Boston, MA 02117
Jack's Cell: 617-504-4222