Discomfort: Your Brand's New BFF

Welcome to this week's edition of insights that will propel your brand to new heights. Let's dive in!

??The Power of Perception

"Being first in the market doesn't mean you're first in the consumer's mind."

Size isn't everything in the brand world. While giants battle for market dominance, your mission is to conquer hearts and minds. Here's how:

• Deliver unmatched value
• Forge emotional connections
• Carve out your unique mental real estate

Remember: It's not about being the biggest, but being the most admired.

?? Action Item: Conduct a survey to understand your brand's current perception. Use the insights to craft a strategy that enhances your emotional connection with consumers.

Read our full post here !

?? From Vendor to Vital Partner

Exciting news! We recently sat down with Samantha Araujo of STELLAR USP, a hospitality industry maven, to discuss evolving beyond mere transactions. Key takeaways:

• Specialization is your secret weapon
• Become an extension of your client's team
• Focus on driving client success, not just sales

?? Tune in to our latest podcast episode to learn more about becoming indispensable to your clients.

?? Action Item: Identify one key client and propose a value-added service that goes beyond your current offerings. Aim to solve a problem they didn't even know they had.

?? Innovate or Evaporate

"The worst thing you can be for your brand is comfortable."

Comfort is the enemy of progress. Here's how to keep your brand on its toes:

• Make "How can we make this better?" your mantra
• Experiment with exciting new offerings
• Upskill your team regularly
• Embrace eco-friendly practices

Innovation isn't just about technology—it's a mindset that keeps you relevant and competitive.

?? Action Item: Schedule a monthly "Innovation Hour" with your team. Use this time to brainstorm improvements to your products, services, or processes.

Read our full post here !

?? Challenge of the Week: Identify one area of your business where you've become too comfortable. Brainstorm three innovative ways to shake things up and implement one this week!

Key Takeaways:

1. Perception trumps size in brand building
2. Evolve from vendor to indispensable partner
3. Make innovation a habit, not an event

Until next time, keep challenging the status quo!

Take a brand score assessment here to evaluate and enhance your brand's foundation and presence in the market. Look at some of our work here.

At Illustrado, we are catalysts for brand transformation, irreverence in a world of squares. We are truth-tellers, problem solvers and creative dreamers. We are your strategist, your coach, and your team to achieve the dream.