Building an Unforgettable Brand, some Swift learnings from last week...

Last Thursday, I had the opportunity to witness what might be the most successful consumer brand of our time— Taylor Swift—at Wembley Stadium.

The experience was not only an amazing show but a masterclass in brand leadership, product delivery and customer loyalty. Reflecting on what was a magical experience with my family, I can't help but also consider the valuable insights she showcases for any C-suite leader as we think about our own brands, and as I consider the Blend member experience as we continue to build our amazing community.

Like many Dad's I was going along not as a swifty but as a Dad, but I left feeling the incredible brand presence of Taylor swift and would maybe now even consider myself a fan?? (don't tell the kids!)

Here’s what I've been thinking about over the weekend:

?? Consistency Drives Trust:

From the moment Taylor took the stage, her 3hr+ performance was seamless, meticulously rehearsed, and flawlessly executed, this was the 148th show on the Eras tour and its clear each one is delivered with the same commitment to excellence. She's committed to delivering a flawless show EVERYTIME, come rain or shine.

As leaders, we must ensure our organizations deliver consistent excellence. Every touchpoint matters, and consistency builds the trust that is the foundation of any lasting brand.

?? Authenticity Resonates:

Taylor’s ability to connect authentically with her audience is unparalleled. Her fans feel a genuine connection to her because she’s transparent, warm, open, honest and relatable. The concert was filled with multicoloured outfits and people dressed up in every style you could imagine. Everyone was welcome, no matter how you dressed, what you looked like or where you came from - this inclusivity was inspiring and palpable for all to feel - (even me a glitter emblazoned, Kansas City Chiefs t-shirt wearing Dad).

For our brands, authenticity isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a strategic imperative. Being true to our values and mission will resonate with customers and foster deeper connections - At Blend we welcome all and will celebrate our differences to ensure we each learn from the experience and knowledge that comes from them.

?? Cultivate a Loyal Community:

Taylor’s fan base isn’t just loyal—they’re 100% invested. My daughters spent weeks planning their outfits and making friendship bracelets, just to align with the experience. They, along with all the swifties sat around us knew every word of her 46 song set. At one moment the crowd spontaneously bust into a 5 min applause - an outpouring of love for her and each other - it was powerful.

From swapping bracelets, taking pictures for each other, to just talking and chatting to people in the stadium (yes londoner's talking to people they don't know in public!!), Taylors fans have taken her kindness, warmth and openness and brought it to life at every turn - this is true brand loyalty.

As leaders, we need to ask ourselves: Are we cultivating a community that’s not just loyal, but fully engaged and invested in our collective success?

?? Deliver Unexpected Value:

The surprise appearance of Ed Sheeran during Taylor’s set was a moment of pure delight for the audience. It’s a reminder of the importance of always giving more, over delivering, and that providing unexpected value can create powerful, lasting impressions.

In our businesses, finding ways to exceed expectations is key to turning customers into brand advocates or swifties. Always be doing more for your customers.

?? Value Beyond Price:

The concert was worth every penny, not just for the entertainment, but for the joy and satisfaction it provided - seeing the hopes and excitement of my daughters come to life and sharing that very special moment together as a family.

In the corporate world, delivering value goes beyond simple pricing strategies. It’s about the overall experience, the trust we build, and the lasting impact we create.

At Blend , we’ve always been focused on membership value but with Taylor's help we will definately be taking a page from her playbook (or maybe the whole book).

For C-suite leaders, her message is clear: To build an unforgettable brand, we must lead with consistency, authenticity, and a relentless focus on delivering value with kindness, caring, Inclusivity and a smile at its heart - Sequins are optional (but prefered), but excellence is non-negotiable.

Blend members.... look out we might be swapping friendship bracelets at our next member meet up, or should I now say Blendies??!!

If you aren't already a member of Blend, You should come to our next gig... We're building something authentic, kind, fun and packed with value for our C-suite leaders from the largest enterprise businesses in the world.

I'll See you there!

Steve

About Blend -

Blend is a membership community of global leaders from enterprise organizations. The mission of Blend is to break industry silos, leverage diversity science and collaborative thinking to ensure our members grow beyond their functional and industry silos to lead their businesses and careers with sustained success and growth.

Our memberships collective purpose is to change how large organisations view diversity, enabling them to use the model of cognitive diversity to build happier, innovative and more successful businesses.

"Its not what you look like, its how you think!"

You can apply to join Blend here - www.joinblend.com/apply