What are the most effective communication strategies for team members in a brand strategy project?

Me parece muy importante definir roles, pero hay veces que si los encasillas demasiado puede generar "aislamiento de trabajo". Es importante definir cómo se relacionan entre sí cada perfil, cómo afecta el trabajo de uno, a otro. Personalmente, recomiendo que todos se involucren en el brainstorming inicial, independientemente de su área. Y no solo porque las ideas entre todos serán mejores, si no porque se sentirán parte de algo más grande que ellos mismos. Otra cosa que considero un imprescindible es marcar una reunión semanal de seguimiento, para que todo el equipo vea el avance de cada tarea y si hay un cuello de botella, den ideas de mejora. No más de 30 minutos esa reunión.

I think it's also essential to analyze if there are any internal cultural barriers and if all the team members will align on the brand's ambition and need for change

Effective communication is crucial in a brand strategy project to ensure alignment, collaboration, and successful outcomes. Here are some strategies team members can employ: Clear Objective Setting Open Communication Channels Active Listening Use of Visual Aids Constructive Feedback Regular Updates and Progress Reports Adapt Communication Styles Conflict Resolution Documenting Discussions Respect Time Zones and Cultural Differences Encourage Collaboration Celebrate Achievements An effective communication is not just about what is said but also about how it's conveyed. Being clear, respectful, and open-minded plays a vital role in successful communication within a brand strategy project.

Absolutely agree! But it is also important to have the right people in the team. Make sure each people understands what is required and they feel connected to the shared goal, along with having a growth mindset. Then work on assigning clear roles and responsibilities for the each step, process and task. Once defined, it is best not to micromanage the team and trust them with their work.

Crafting a winning brand strategy is like conducting an orchestra. Encourage 'Open Rehearsals' where everyone's ideas are heard, fostering a symphony of trust. Deliver 'Sheet Music'—clear, concise instructions—to avoid off-key confusion. Provide 'Progress Reports,' regular updates that keep the ensemble in harmony. Practice 'Active Listening,' showing interest in each 'musician's' contribution, encouraging a crescendo of participation. Lastly, use 'Orchestra Tools' like Slack or Teams for real-time communication, ensuring everyone hits the right notes. Remember, clear communication is the conductor's baton that guides our brand strategy symphony to success.

This is extremely critical. Make sure you establish the ways of working and also the cadence of communication. It is helpful to stay in touch as a team via chat groups, online communities or recurring meetings. But what’s also helpful is to document your work and tasks for easy reference - you can use an online collocation tool like MS teams, Google docs, or more.

It is of the utmost importance that the channels and rules are fully in line with the company's corporate communications rules and strategic objetives. It also very important for multicultural companies that you fully understand the cultural norms of each office, in order to have the maximum positive impact and minimize the risks of creating discomforts.

When collaboration with my colleagues and other team members on strategy, I find it most helpful to launch an online document where everyone can share insight and collaborate. This type of shared document can help everyone stay on track and aligned with other team members.

Aligning on the brand strategy framework is essential for ensuring that all team members understand and work cohesively within a shared strategic framework. Clearly articulate the key components of the brand strategy framework. This may include the brand's purpose, values, positioning, target audience, and unique value proposition. Conduct a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) to assess both internal and external factors that can impact the brand. This analysis provides insights for crafting a strategy that leverages strengths and addresses weaknesses.

Tem como andar em unidade se as pessoas envolvidas n?o saberem o que fazer, como fazer e por que fazer? Esta seria com certeza uma boa receita para o fracasso. Alinhar com toda equipe é fundamental. Ouvir a equipe, alinhar expectativas, andar junto e acompanhar... pois o mercado é incerto, chegam novidades toda hora e, muitas vezes, ajustes de percurso dever?o ser feitas antes de raspar em um iceberg.

Marketing is a creative world and "Brand" sits at the core. Hence ideas & insights plays a critical role. Look at the various ways of generating ideas and there should be absolutely no boundaries in terms of "who is brining the idea". Also look at the ideas from the angle of practical deployment aspect. That way one can maintain sanity in madness.

Don’t get to the idea too quickly. Take time to present the evidence, demonstrate your thinking, not your creativity as such but your methodology. It’s crucial to bring people on the journey with you at each phase, to ensure buyin with the direction of travel.

Branding comes to life through a shared vision- for word people- this can be impassioned meetings with clear creative briefs. For visual people, it can be an inspiration board or story board. Whoever the visionary is- they must communicate that vision in the language of their contributors- often seeking the talents of collaborators to bring the idea to life on a deck before launching into a large multidisciplinary branding project.

An iterative review process transforms a good brand strategy into a great one. Engage your team in interactive workshops to brainstorm, challenge assumptions, and uncover fresh perspectives. Employ visual storytelling techniques, such as journey maps or brand persona sketches, to make the strategy relatable and tangible. Foster an open environment where unconventional ideas are welcomed, ensuring diverse viewpoints are considered. Finally, celebrate contributions and iterate swiftly, keeping the strategy dynamic and responsive to evolving market trends. This collaborative refinement ensures a robust, resonant brand that truly connects with your audience.

I have worked with different brands that carried different approaches to how brand communication should work. One of the brands (sadly) was a firm believer in 'blindsiding their team' and working in isolation - soon enough there was - no team, no we and no collaborative effort. The projects went for the toss and the leads gave a deaf ear to any suggestions floated across by managers. BIGGEST LESSON LEARNT: No matter the team size, the capability or the brand name - always be transparent. Making your team feel important is the key. Use tools like Asana, Basecamp, Slack, etc. Make sure the internal team is aligned before making any external communication strategy.

No one should be the lone evangelist for brand strategy. Once it's defined, organisations should invest in making the entire team advocates. To be effective, this starts with alignment of the board, executive, team leaders, and trickles its way to every department. Not everyone needs the same level of fluency, but all should have familiarity. Familiarity ensures a strong foundation throughout, makes it easier for anyone to advocate for the strategy, and makes the strategy more likely to succeed.

Say "no" to assumptions. Develop a team culture that's honest, curious, and proactive in asking questions. Working with a team means there are more than one perspective, idea, and consideration in the room. And a team that understands one another well is a strong team. A team that thinks collaboratively and strategically, is able to solve big problems. But to get here, you can't rely on assumptions. Ask questions, clarify, really listen. If you're in this project together with your team, then make sure you truly understand where each person is coming from and use those insights to develop an impactful brand strategy solution for your clients.

At the initial stage, remove all norms on structures and roles. A cohesive brand strategy requires a strong connection between those deciding on the strategy and those implementing it. Once the strategy is outlined, then accountability and responsibilities can be considered.