13 May 2024
Cracking the code on brand management principles and strategies for a competitive advantage. So do you just have a logo or a fully functioning brand?
In today’s fiercely competitive market, establishing a robust brand presence is imperative for businesses striving to capture market share and create long-term success.
However, beyond the surface-level aesthetics of branding lies an intricate tapestry of principles that underpin the true value and influence of brands.
How to maximise their impact is the art of integrated brand management.
Welcome to our snapshot guide on brand economics, where we delve into the broader insights into how brands create real value across diverse metrics by influencing consumer behaviour and driving business performance. Let’s explore…
Understanding Brand Economics:
A brand comprises two key elements: the visual identity, including logo design and other aesthetics, and the perceptual image that resides in the minds of consumers. This dynamic interplay between visual appeal and consumer perception embodies brands with their intrinsic value and impact.
That’s why brand is the key to shaping the worth, perception, and performance of businesses.
Effective brand solutions and strategies must carefully balance elements including conceptual marketing, building equity, leveraging values, growing reputation, and being accessible and inclusive – just to name a few.
Brand Accessibility:
A brand’s inclusiveness and accessibility have a direct influence on its ability to engage the broadest target audience, maximise sales and amplify its unique selling proposition.
To fully harness the opportunities in the inclusion economy, a few aspects should be considered;
• Physical accessibility of spaces, products, and services is designed to accommodate diverse needs (with or without disabilities) and to engage without barriers.
• Digital accessibility means digital platforms (websites, apps, online content, etc) are designed and delivered to allow all abilities to enjoy the same fulfilling experience as those without disabilities or other sensory or cognitive challenges.
Alternative text for images, keyboard navigation options, audio and video files, and compatibility with screen readers are just a few methods.
Being inclusive is simply good for business.
• Cognitive accessibility means brand communications, messaging, and instructions are clear and easy to understand. Using Plain English methods, visual aids, and simple navigation structures to make information more understandable are all practices that optimise the experience for everyone!
• Cultural accessibility requires an understanding of the relative values and beliefs of individuals with diverse social and religious backgrounds.
This involves respecting cultural differences, avoiding stereotypes or biases, and incorporating relatable imagery, language and messaging in brand communications.
Brand accessibility strategies reflect a commitment to diversity, equity, and passion for an inclusive community, and should be applied in all aspects of a brand’s development and implementation.
Brand Equity and Value:
Brand equity can seem intangible, but it’s a critical aspect because it represents both the value granted to a brand/product in the hearts and minds of consumers and also the financial value (based on a valuation) as an asset in its own right.
Across both factors, equity and value encompass elements like brand awareness, loyalty, associations, perceived quality, pricing, profit margin, and even future projections.
Nurturing brand equity is essential for businesses seeking premium prices, increased customer retention, and competitive positioning.
Always plan and act to build brand equity, not erode it by implementing the wrong strategies.
Brand Valuation:
Various methodologies, such as revenue appraisal, market perception assessment, and cost-to-profit analysis are used to estimate a brand’s monetary worth.
Quantifying a brand’s value informs decisions regarding investments, acquisitions, and divestitures, guiding businesses along an informed strategic path. Building brand equity means you maximise the brand’s valuation.
Brand Management Strategies:
Developing strategies to enhance brand equity, protect brand reputation (and valuation), and optimise brand performance is crucial.
A relationship with a specialist agency is essential to manage the myriad of channels, methods, processes and actions involved.
Some creative and marketing methods include positioning, messaging, extensions, licensing, public relations, events, and campaign communications that all must be aligned with business objectives and consumer preferences.
Experienced commercial Brand Designers and Creative Directors working at specialist agencies play a pivotal role in helping to manage these factors to elevate brands across diverse industry landscapes.
Measuring Brand Performance:
Robust metrics and methodologies capture the tangible and intangible value of brands, with key performance indicators like market recall, customer preference, loyalty, and advocacy providing insights into brand health and effectiveness.
Market tracking, customer surveys, and financial analysis are also critical to inform branding strategies both in the short and long term.
A yearly review of all settings and activities should be conducted, with changes made accordingly to best-practice standards.
The Economic Impact of Branding:
What’s clear is effective branding design and management can significantly influence revenue, market share, customer acquisition, and shareholder value.
But what’s often unrecognised are other positive impacts in terms of maximising marketing budgets, talent attraction, and staff culture and loyalty – all contributing to driving long-term profitability and sustainability.
In Conclusion:
Whether a startup or an established business or organisation, a brand intersects marketing, economics, and consumer behaviour. Mastering these drivers enables businesses to create enduring value, gain competitive advantage, and thrive in today’s marketplace.
– Phillip ‘Sunny’ Drury, Managing Director, Inclusive Creatives
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