Building Brand Authenticity Through Actions

✅ Regularly tidying up our Manager's office. ✅ Gently nudging our Manager to conclude their meeting on time. ✅ Answering the office phone with a big smile & authentic greeting. ✅ Proactively collating info packets for our Managers prior to meetings. ✅ Booking haircuts, dentist appointments or work-out blocks for our Manager. These activities are usually looked upon or labeled as quick "menial" tasks. But I assure you - they are so much more than that. Science has shown that people have anywhere from 1/10 of a second up to 7 seconds to make a first impression. It is this first gut impression (that is not necessarily driven by logic, but rather the subconscious mind) that then dictates, in most cases, every single action moving forward. Every time you thoughtfully partner with your Leader(s) on any of the "menial" tasks above, you are organically building that Leader's BRAND by setting the tone of that first 7 seconds. ADMIN PERSPECTIVE SHIFT 👉 YOU ARE BRAND BUILDER. Each task alone seems uneventful, mundane even – but when pulled together & delivered on a consistent basis, this is where you build up your Executive, your team, your company (and even yourself!), into a leader that others will wish to emulate. So let’s revisit how these simple tasks draw out your "Brand Building" status: ✅ Regularly tidying up our Manager's office. BOSS BRAND TRANSLATION [ORGANIZED]: I minimize distractions in order to be mindfully present and stay organized to appropriately prioritize ✅ Gently nudging our Manager to conclude their meeting on time. BOSS BRAND TRANSLATION [RESPECT]: I value the time of peers and employees; I understand how that respect of time cascades through broader responsibilities. ✅ Answering the office phone with a big smile & authentic greeting. BOSS BRAND TRANSLATION [CARE]: I believe that HOW you do something is just as important as when/why you are doing it; I care about the work of those around me (Care then breeds trust). ✅ Proactively collating info packets for our Managers prior to meetings. BOSS BRAND TRANSLATION [CREDIBILITY]: Preparation reflects Knowledge; Knowledge reflects respect; Respect reflects credibility. ✅ Booking haircuts, dentist appointments or work-out blocks for our Manager. BOSS BRAND TRANSLATION [CONFIDENCE]: I believe in self-care which helps me put my best foot forward when impacting those first 7 seconds of interactions with others Branding, if implemented through a sense of higher purpose, creates authentic connections of trust, inspiration, loyalty and aligned behaviors. Aren’t these the very values that both individuals and businesses are in constant pursuit of in order to secure both monetary and purpose-driven success? Business Administrators are uniquely poised to deliver on this branding ROI. Be proud AND be proactive with these seemingly simple tasks - YOU ARE A BRAND BUILDER!!! #EvolveAdministration #BusinessAdministration #BrandBuilders #MenialMatters #ShiftPerspective

I had this prospect that I had been actively working for months that suddenly went dark😒 This prospect was also one of those that had been super engaged and responsive to everything. We have had multiple meetings, product trials, samples, etc. and things were progressively nicely to partner up with his business. All of a sudden - silence. I left voicemails. Text messages. Emails. Dropped by. Sent seeders. Every touchpoint was focused on adding value and not one of those "just checking in" outreach sequences. No response. I decided one last ditch effort of an email to him. "Hi Charlie, is everything ok? I haven't heard from you and just wanted to make sure you're alright... let me know how I can best support you. Regards, Marcus" One week later he called me. He was very apologetic. Turns out he had been very sick and was in the process of selling the business. He said he had received a lot of other phone calls/emails from other reps selling other products but I was the only one he had called back because I was actually genuine with my approach. We didn't get that business (at that time) as the business took longer to get sold than expected but it was a valuable lesson to learn: AUTHENTICITY and CARING are the BEST marketing strategies. Do you agree?

The word of 2023 was… AUTHENTIC (and rizz).    I consciously try to avoid using terms like “authentic” and “purpose” because I feel like we’ve reached an interesting crossroads in defining their meanings.     Considering how often people, companies, and brands have tossed these words around, it’s as if the mere mention of these words somehow gives them a cloak of protection or confirms how advanced they are in society. It almost feels anti-climactic to hear and see “authentic” as word of the year, given how that word has been misused so frequently.    However, I still firmly believe in the concept and role authenticity plays in building businesses and brands. The true benefit of authenticity lies in the work required to achieve it.     It all starts with knowing who you are — what you value and how you contribute. This is true for individuals and brands. I believe every brand should ask the question “Why should our brand exist in the world?”     This forces brand leaders to consider the brand’s core values and enduring beliefs that will become the source of the brand’s authenticity. It’s both knowing who you are and behaving in a way that is consistent with that truth.    You don’t need to solve all the world’s problems. In fact, that is often when “purpose” goes wrong. Instead, it can be simple, like convenience. Or complex, like the tools and resources to start a business.    Being authentic requires action — it’s about having the courage and integrity to remain true to who you are. Actions are greater than words when it comes to authenticity.     Has a brand ever earned your respect because of their authenticity? What action did they take to win you over? Interested to hear what sparked your love for the brand.    And speaking of wise words, be sure to check out how Christian McCaffrey puts these words of wisdom into action from the first episode of Frankly Speaking below.     #Authentic #WordoftheYear #Marketing #Management #Technology National Football League (NFL) San Francisco 49ers Visa

𝟭𝟮,𝟯𝟵𝟱 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗣𝘂𝗻𝘅𝘀𝘂𝘁𝗮𝘄𝗻𝗲𝘆, 𝗣𝗔!  Of course I rewatched "Groundhog Day" to do some research for my newsletter this morning. Indeed the film is a true hero's journey of transformation and insight. During his journey, Phil (Bill Murray) learns that true change begins within. 𝗢𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗿!! Phil’s journey from self-serving shenanigans to heartfelt empathy mirrors the evolution we strive for in branding.  But it's when he aligns his heart with his actions that he truly shines – and wins Rita's heart. 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳. This is absolutely my secret to a 'magical' marketing: It's the deep dive into understanding my audience's core desires coupled with a genuine embrace of my own passions and strengths. And it can be very fun. In fact, that's what infuses life into my newsletters, making them more like a chat with friends over breakfast as opposed to some pontification from stage. 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱? Like Phil, there's work to be done—both internally and externally—to show up authentically. And when we do, our branding and marketing efforts don't just become easier; they become a reflection of who we truly are—and that's where and when the joy begins. 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘆: Actually listen, like really listen. Put the mental to-do list on hold and tune in to the person in front of you. Focus on understanding who they are first. 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗢𝘄𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗰: Remember, you've got your own special sauce—discover it, own it, flaunt it. Really truly decide who you want to be when you grow up. 𝗕𝗲 𝗮 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Get cozy with your feelings—they're the secret to heartfelt conversations and messages that stick. 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁: Authenticity is like yoga for your brand—it's all about flexibility and finding your balance. This is a life-long effort. Remember you’re an onion with 1,000 layers. 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗶𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿; 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝘁.

🌟 Blog Alert: Discovering and Living by Your Company's Purpose - A Guide for Businesses 🌟 Understanding your company's purpose is not just a strategic advantage; it's the cornerstone of meaningful business operations in today’s world. In one of my latest #TheBlissBusinessPodcast by Zero Company Performance Marketing blogs, I offer a detailed guide for businesses on identifying and embodying their true purpose. But let's start with some actionable insights right here: 🌟 Identify What Drives You: Beyond profit, what impact do you want your business to have in the world? Start with your passions and values, and think about how they align with the needs of your customers and community. 🌟 Engage Your Team: A purpose-driven company thrives when its team is aligned. Share your vision and purpose with your employees, and invite them to contribute their thoughts. This collaboration can lead to a deeper, shared purpose that drives everyone forward. 🌟 Be Authentic: Your company’s purpose should be genuine and consistently reflected in your actions, decisions, and how you communicate. Authenticity attracts loyalty from both customers and employees. Why is this approach important? Companies rooted in a genuine purpose are more likely to attract top talent, engage customers on a deeper level, and achieve long-term success. For more insights and strategies on integrating your company’s purpose into your business model, explore my full blog here: https://lnkd.in/gNHPik7k I'd love to hear your thoughts or how you've implemented your company's purpose in your strategy. Let’s discuss below or feel free to share this post with others who might find it valuable. Together, let’s make business not just about profit, but about purpose. 🚀 #Purpose #Strategy #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #Growth

When it comes to branding, nothing is as important as authenticity. Why? Because in today's market, consumers can easily see through fluff and falseness. They are attracted to brands that show their true colors, that stand up for what they believe in, and that are unapologetically themselves. Authenticity establishes trust. Trust builds loyalty. And loyalty is what keeps your customers coming back for more. People buy from people. So let your brand's personality shine through in all you do. A great example of building through authenticity in action within the CPG industry, is poppi. poppi is known for their prebiotic sodas. But poppi demonstrates the power of authenticity through their brand's story, centered on health and transparency. This has resonated with health-conscious consumers, particularly among younger audiences on platforms like TikTok. By being genuine about their journey and the benefits of their products, Poppi has cultivated a strong, loyal community of consumers who value the brand's honesty and commitment to health. This approach has fostered an emotional connection with their customers and therefore helped to build a community. This has built a sense of loyalty that goes beyond the product itself.