Meditations in a Pandemic: Day 11

Brand = Product ? Customer

“Your brand is the relationship between your product and your customers”, B. Iger

Not a pop icon of the aughts, nor the drink your grandmother has on a special occasion; but, arguably, the key to your business’ success. Branding and ‘staying true to your brand’, as tiresome a cliche it may be, is what defines your company, your message, and your values, as Bob Iger (former CEO of Disney) urges.

Don’t mistake me here, I don’t mean “brand” as simply logo or tagline (though those are undoubtedly important), but as the products, your company is associated with. “Product” is interchangeable with partners, clients, and a myriad of other tangible and intangible goods. Products are the most direct way customers interact with your company and they fully inform your brand. It is foolish to think language or promises represent your brand; t’aint so. The products your company take on or produce yourself, represent your core values; so believing in the products you take on and ensuring they align with your core brand principles is not just important, but existential.

Your company and brand become meaningless and blurred if you are not vigilant in carefully curating your products. Beware of concerning yourself too much with the customer input of the equation; as I believe the adage goes, if you build it, they will come... but don’t stray from your vision, or they’ll come and be all like, um, where’s the quality and values we were promised?... don’t listen to us! we’re ghosts, this isn’t our vision! You should focus on how this aligned with your core principles, not try to make some flashy stadium. we don’t know what we want! Or something like that. 

Speaking of brand, I know I have not been consistent with these posts, however, I have been doing some research and online coursework to bring the most quality content that’s useful. Quality > quantity, as another famous equation goes. 

I’ll leave you with this: never sacrifice your core brand values/principle for short term profitably; it will inevitably lead to long-term deterioration. Before adopting a new product (or client or candidate), analyze and determine if it truly aligns with the core values and principles of the brand. Even when there is a push for profitably, don’t sacrifice the brand you’ve cultivated. Your duty to your brand and company. Continually uphold your core principles; if you stray from these for a short term gain, it will destroy the brand, reputation, and company in the long term. 

Now for the fun stuff:

• Tune of the Day: Kodachrome (Conor Oberst + the Mystic Valley Band, 2012) (Paul Simon version ain’t bad neither)
• Text of the Day: Killing Commendatore: If the Surface is Fogged Up (Haruki Murakami, Excerpt, differs from the novel)
• Misc. Item: Kill Bill vol. I, II, III (Quentin Tarintino, Streaming)