What are the best ways to enforce brand guidelines with internal stakeholders?

1 Educate and train

One of the most important steps to enforce brand guidelines is to educate and train your internal stakeholders on what they are, why they matter, and how to use them. You can create a comprehensive and accessible brand guidebook that explains the elements and principles of your brand identity, such as your logo, colors, fonts, tone of voice, messaging, and values. You can also provide examples of dos and don'ts, best practices, and templates for common scenarios and formats. You can distribute your brand guidebook through online platforms, such as your website, intranet, or cloud storage, or in print, such as brochures, posters, or handouts. You can also organize workshops, webinars, or courses to train your internal stakeholders on how to apply your brand guidelines in their work and projects.

2 Communicate and collaborate

Another way to enforce brand guidelines is to communicate and collaborate with your internal stakeholders regularly and effectively. You can create a dedicated channel or platform where you can share updates, feedback, and tips on your brand guidelines, as well as answer questions, address issues, and resolve conflicts. You can also encourage your internal stakeholders to share their work, ideas, and challenges with you and each other, and provide constructive and supportive comments and suggestions. By communicating and collaborating with your internal stakeholders, you can foster a sense of ownership, engagement, and loyalty to your brand, as well as identify and correct any deviations or inconsistencies in your brand identity.

3 Monitor and measure

A third way to enforce brand guidelines is to monitor and measure how your internal stakeholders adhere to and implement them in their work and projects. You can use tools and methods, such as audits, surveys, analytics, or reports, to track and evaluate how your internal stakeholders use your brand elements, such as your logo, colors, fonts, tone of voice, and messaging, across different channels and platforms. You can also assess how your internal stakeholders align with your brand values, goals, and vision, and how they contribute to your brand reputation and recognition. By monitoring and measuring your brand guidelines enforcement, you can identify and celebrate the successes and achievements of your internal stakeholders, as well as spot and address the gaps and areas for improvement.

4 Reward and recognize

A fourth way to enforce brand guidelines is to reward and recognize your internal stakeholders for following and applying them in their work and projects. You can use incentives and recognition systems, such as bonuses, prizes, certificates, badges, or shout-outs, to acknowledge and appreciate your internal stakeholders for their efforts and results in maintaining and enhancing your brand identity. You can also showcase and share their work, ideas, and stories with your external audience, such as your customers, clients, or followers, to demonstrate and promote your brand values, personality, and culture. By rewarding and recognizing your internal stakeholders, you can motivate and inspire them to continue and improve their performance and commitment to your brand guidelines.

5 Review and update

A fifth way to enforce brand guidelines is to review and update them periodically and strategically. You can use feedback, data, and insights from your internal and external stakeholders, as well as market trends and changes, to evaluate and adjust your brand guidelines to ensure that they are relevant, effective, and consistent. You can also involve your internal stakeholders in the review and update process, and solicit their opinions, suggestions, and experiences on how to improve your brand guidelines. By reviewing and updating your brand guidelines, you can keep them fresh, dynamic, and adaptable, as well as ensure that your internal stakeholders are aware, informed, and aligned with your brand identity.

6 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?