What do you do if stakeholders doubt the effectiveness of your brand strategy?

1 Understand their concerns

The first step is to listen and empathize with your stakeholders' doubts and questions. Try to understand where they are coming from, what their objectives and expectations are, and what their pain points and frustrations are. Don't dismiss or argue with them, but acknowledge and validate their perspectives. This will help you build rapport and trust, and show them that you care about their input and feedback.

2 Explain your process

The next step is to explain how you developed your brand strategy, what research and analysis you conducted, what insights and opportunities you identified, and what decisions and recommendations you made. Show them the logic and evidence behind your brand strategy, and how it aligns with the business goals, the market trends, and the customer needs. Use clear and simple language, avoid jargon and acronyms, and use visuals and examples to illustrate your points.

3 Demonstrate the benefits

The third step is to demonstrate how your brand strategy will benefit the stakeholders, the business, and the customers. Highlight the value proposition, the competitive advantage, and the emotional connection that your brand strategy will create. Use metrics and indicators to measure and communicate the impact and results of your brand strategy, such as awareness, loyalty, satisfaction, retention, conversion, revenue, etc. Show them the potential outcomes and scenarios of implementing your brand strategy, and how it will help them achieve their goals and solve their problems.

4 Address the risks

The fourth step is to address the potential risks and challenges of your brand strategy, and how you plan to mitigate and overcome them. Be honest and realistic about the possible pitfalls and obstacles that your brand strategy may face, such as budget constraints, resource limitations, market changes, customer feedback, etc. Show them how you have anticipated and prepared for these risks, and what contingency plans and solutions you have in place. This will show them that you are aware and proactive, and that you have considered all the angles and implications of your brand strategy.

6 Follow up and follow through

The sixth step is to follow up and follow through on your brand strategy, and maintain a consistent and transparent communication with your stakeholders. Report on the performance and outcomes of your brand strategy, and celebrate the successes and achievements. Acknowledge and address the challenges and issues, and show how you are learning and adapting from them. Seek and provide feedback, and show how you are using it to improve and optimize your brand strategy. This will show them that you are committed and accountable, and that you are delivering on your promises and expectations.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?