Get everyone on board, and don't try to force something that doesn't fit. Take your time, think things through, and always prioritize your brand's identity.

Reaffirm Core Brand Values Identify Non-Negotiables: While strategies can evolve, your brand’s core identity and values should remain consistent. Reaffirm these foundational elements with stakeholders to ensure that any strategic changes align with them. Communicate the Long-Term Vision: Consistently emphasize the long-term brand vision and mission. This helps stakeholders see the bigger picture, which can temper frequent shifts in direction.

First, keep your brand’s mission, vision, and values as your star. No matter how strategies evolve, these should guide every decision. Open communication is key to talking with stakeholders about the importance of consistency and how changing too much can confuse your audience. Also, having strong brand guidelines in place helps ensure that, even with shifts in strategy, the tone, visuals, and messaging remain aligned. Ultimately, protecting the customer experience is the top priority.

1. Hold the Core: No matter what changes, stick to your brand’s core values. You’re the lighthouse in this chaotic sea. Starbucks doesn’t switch to tea just because a stakeholder likes Earl Grey. 2. Transparent Communication: Keep everyone in the loop with why changes are happening and what stays the same. Tools like Trello help track these shifts while keeping everything visible. 3. Customer Trust First: Never let internal drama mess with the customer experience. Consistency builds trust. Trust me, the second your customers feel the shake-up, they’re out. Guard that brand like it’s your grandma’s secret cookie recipe.

The worst case scenario is transitioning to a new strategy so fast that you lose existing customers before you have a chance to build momentum with new ones. Been there, done that. Avoid the temptation to switch things over too quickly because "the brand" is excited about the new strategies. It's critical to be mindful of the customer experience through the change. 1. Make a purposeful transition plan, consider multiple phases over several years 2. Thoroughly educate the full team, including agencies 3. Plan for bumps in the road, monitor customer reaction closely and have a budget set aside to help existing customers through the transition (coupons, loyalty offers, etc)