Your brand culture starts with a purpose; one that shapes your identity and can burn like wildfire through the workplace if you fan the flame. And you want to, because when your team is fired up they'll help you build positive user experiences and ignite a conversation in society, making an impact.
WHAT IS BRAND CULTURE?
Brand Culture is the system of beliefs, values, experiences, and material traits of a company, shared between employees and society.
Brand culture is about connecting the image you present to the outside world with the values inside the company.
Why is brand culture important?
A strong brand culture creates a community of micro-influencers that rally around your shared views and promote your products. If your brand culture is attractive to employees, prospects, and consumers they will want to join in the culture and express these values to the world.
Author, Denise LeeYohn Fusion: How Integrating Brand and Culture Powers the World's Greatest Companies (2018) says, "Fully integrating and aligning your brand and culture produces meaningful, powerful results that affect your whole business."
Benefits of brand-culture:
- Align your workforce
- Improve your competitive advantage
- Create authenticity
- Accelerate your business objectives
- Connects employees and customers
Do people really want to be part of a brand culture?
YES! A great brand culture makes things more exciting for everyone, beginning with employees. People want to be a part of something worthwhile and connect around a set of beliefs and shared interests. It is human nature and it is this dynamic which creates the opportunity to develop a hook, be relevant, and connect around topics people care about.
It doesn't matter whether you are a start-up or a large organization - accomplishing something for a group of people will absolutely help you stand out, 100%.
5 STEPS TO CREATE A BRAND CULTURE
With some effort, you can evangelize a tribe around your shared purpose and experiences, creating brand ambassadors, starting with employees and extending to the world.
There are four main components to building a brand culture, each involving a series of actions.
- Identify Your Brand
- Invest in Team Members
- Build Positive User Experiences
- Make An Impact on Society
- Deliver Exceptional Customer Service
1. Develop a Brand Identity
Craft your value proposition, mission, beliefs, and persona so that every solution you provide has your brand values at its core.
Create a series of holistic elements
Brands are always fighting for space in people’s minds. Think, what is your favorite brand? Whatever thought came to you, this impression was influenced by the sum of the company’s attributes and your perceptions about them. A brand is not formed through a single quality, such as the logo. It is a series of elements that shape brand recall, which we explore in depth in How to Create a Brand.
For this conversation, suffice it to say that, if you take a holistic approach it will ensure that every execution you bring to the table, no matter what its specific focus, has the underlying goal of strengthening your brand.
What does this even mean?
It means, that if you sit down and plan how everything comes together it will be easier to connect with your customers and have them buy your products.
Explain the how and why
As it happens, when you explain the how and why you do what you do, people take an interest. Branding really is a conversation with your audience, expressed through a series of visuals. messaging,
and experiences. all within the context of your commitment to a common purpose. So, create a detailed brand identity that defines who you are and what you are doing. People love a good story, so don't hold back. Craft your value proposition, mission, beliefs, and persona. Then hire people that are a good fit.
This takes time, so...
Take the time to plan
Sit down and plan your brand with a 360 degree view. You'll be glad you did. People often jump right into "branding" without expressing the core message succinctly. Design follows messaging, so don't skip that crucial step. More often than not, I see Brand Guidelines with only a logo, fonts, color palette - and that's it. But, to be a success, you need so much more. Make sure to memorialize your purpose, mission statement, image selection criteria, voice, and tone. Because, when all of the dots are connected, people are more likely to buy into your story.
If your logo is bright and cheery, but your font is Times New Roman, that can be a problem. If you want to highlight your team culture, but use stock photos, people will know they are stock and you'll lose credibility. If you don't explain the how or the why, customers will go to a competitor that steals their heart.
Make it heartfelt
People buy emotionally, so express something that matters to you and others will come.
2. Invest in Team Members
Cultural innovation has hit the boardroom, expanding the environment for branding to your workforce. So, how can you create a high-performance culture and one where people love to work at the same time?
Be an inspiring boss
"People don’t quit jobs," the saying goes, "they quit bosses." Being a great leader is about providing your vision, serving others, offering encouragement, and solving problems. You know this. I know this! Sometimes, though, we let our ego ( or stress) get in the way. That's why it can really pay off to develop the discipline and structure to empower employees. In my own work, constructive feedback is a daily tool. If I spill a remark, “I don’t like this”, it diminishes creative capacity. But, if I contribute, “what if we changed this?”, it opens dialogue and provides guidance which elicits action and results in higher-quality production. Amazing things happen when you create a climate where people can share ideas, make decisions, enjoy themselves and engage. Investing in a a strong management culture is where it starts. And, good bosses are a magnet for good talent.
"People will follow you if you inspire them, if you convince them or if you care about them." Dr. Axel Zein at TEDxStuttgart
Deliver positive employee experiences
When employees are well-suited to what they are doing, having fun, and are empowered with the freedom to make decisions, they are more productive.
That it why you want your employees to be raving fans and have a series of positive interactions with your company, from the office environment to their benefits package, and how you make them feel.
Find what is right for your team based on where you are in the growth curve. Sometimes, it's the smallest gesture that can change everyone's attitude, such as a shout-out of appreciation on social media with mentions.
People want to feel appreciated and recognized for their accomplishments, I know I do, so perhaps you have a protocol to routinely celebrate individual and team victories. Some companies organize team-building events that help people work together effectively and have fun. Others have a set day of the month to order lunch in for the team. Many ,create an education room, game area, or VR station where people can take a moment to play and then return to work recharged.
Companies are in control of which experiences are the right fit for their brand. So don't feel like you have to offer unlimited time off. I mean, that IS a pretty sweet perk, but not all companies are structured to deliver it!
When hiring managers are equipped with a compelling culture, it is then reinforced through its ability to attract quality candidates that share your vision. The stronger you brand identity and culture, the easier it is to hire. It's all connected.
Promote health and wellness
When employees are healthy and happy they are more productive. Today, wellness programs are an integral part of company culture. The fact that a huge company like Virgin built an affiliate company around corporate wellness initiatives is a testament to the importance of health and wellness in the workplace. VirginPulse says, "Health and productivity; they go hand-in-hand". Companies around the globe are taking note and so should you. Incorporating a wellbeing program can invigorate your workforce, reduce absences, and attract talent. The evidence is compelling.
Train obsessively and hire from within
When you empower your employees to take ownership over products and services - that sparks innovations, drives transformation, and leads to happier customers. That's why it's beneficial to cultivate the time, space, and resources for your team to grow. Keeping your employees challenged, motivated and engaged through leadership programs, onsite training, job-related conferences, and seminars will lead to more committed and capable leaders in the future.
And if you're seeking to retain and attract top talent, make sure to tout your professional development and upward mobility initiatives. There is no doubt that individuals want to be part of a positive and hardworking team with opportunity to advance.
Richard Branson. “Train people well enough so they can leave, treat them well enough so they don't want to.”
Let people telecommute
According to Gartner, “by 2020, organizations that support a choose your own workstyle (CYOW) culture will boost employee retention rates by more than 10%.” Covid is accelerating this trend.
3. Create Positive User Experiences
Consider the needs of the people who will be using the product and place the user at the center of the process.
Keep your beliefs front and center
Customers equate brands to experiences and values, so talk about what you believe and you will attract those that believe what you do. Acceptance of an idea starts with the initial adopters that view the world the same way you do. The second phase of adopters climb on board because others do. In other words, if you communicate directly with people's belief systems you can connect with people that share your interests and want to buy your products.
Operate like a world view that you absolutely believe in and act in accordance. Every advertisement, website, internal policy, interface, and interaction must be congruent with your brand. For more on this, read 7 Key Tactics to Build Positive Brand Experiences.
Then, get out there and interact...
Create interactions with great UX
By turning transactions into interactions you can build lasting share value and deliver a customer experience. You can can create user interactions in all three stages of of the sale·
1. Pre-Sale: promotional actions
With a little research you can understand your client's needs and then highlight the features of your solution that can address them, attracting the right prospects for your business.
2. During the sale : ads, how many-clicks
It's no secret that users want speed and simplicity, so you can make an impression with one-click shopping and real-time updates. Navigation that results in a long and frustrating buying process kills your brand. A good sales funnel build around the buying journey is key.
3. Post Sale
What happens after the buying stage really cements the relationship. Just think. when was the last time you had a great post-sale experience? Then, think about a bad one? How you treat customers when there is a problem make a world of difference Everything from how easy you make it for a client to get in touch with you to providing an unexpected nicety after-the sales works to raise the bar and improve the customer experience.
Recently. I bought a Flamingo razor and had a great experience. I opened the package to get thoughtful note inside! It's clear that they want to change the dialogue around shaving.
4. Make An Impact on Society
Consumers are looking to your organization to create change and impart social good.
Take a stand
These days, customers have a choice to buy from the brands that are driving the change they want to see in the world. Thus, more and more, brands are drawing up social good strategies as part of a consumer-facing strategy.
Smart companies are building products and services that tackle global challenges, including sustainability. In fact, current social and political issues are being used to inform advertising decisions.
It's all coming full circle, as brands are getting involved in causes they care about..and it must be authentic. If it's not, don't do it.
Authentic brand involvement
Customers are savvy and know if you're jumping on the bandwagon just to drive sales. When Pepsi jumped on a social issue that came across clunky and disingenuous tt backfired. It's obviously a risky strategy if you don't get the message right. Then again, with "57% of consumers said to be willing to boycott brands who do not a their social beliefs" – brands are willing to take the risk.
Every company faces decisions about whether to prioritize social good over profit, or introduce a way for the two to co-exist, so when an organization can successfully incorporate social good into their business it is rewarded.
Create Sustainable Products
Sustainable investing is a 20 trillion market So companies are focusing on ethical products in a circular economy.
As the old business model paradigm is changing, businesses are increasingly developing products adding sustainability to the mix linking corporate social responsibility and sustainable innovation. Modern consumers care about where their products come from and how they are made. To meet customer demand, corporations are investing in innovation to reduce the carbon footprint, fight disease, and promote diversity.
5. Deliver Exceptional Customer Service
The experience you create for your customers is a critical part of your brand strategy. Your customers influence other customers and their decision to buy your product or use your service. If your customers are not fans you should be worried. Word travels fast within an industry so you should have a process for getting customer feedback, addressing problems, and delivering top notch service. A satisfied customer base is key to success.
Winning Brand Cultures
Leading companies are taking a stand on global issues, promoting employees online, sharing provocative thought leadership, and developing inclusive workforces.
Alaska Airlines
I am flying Alaska as I write this. You know what I just love about Alaska? Everything: charging outlets (hell yes) comfortable seats, friendly people ( Audrey from Seattle is incredible), and decent food. I told her I love Alaska. You know what she did? She went on to tell me about what a fantastic company Alaska is to work for, "they care about their employees," she said. "Everyone here looks happy because they love working here," she gleaned. We shared back and forth our appreciation for the brand. She told me that she watched a training video when she started. There were two seemingly identical images on the digital screen. Which plane belongs to which airline was the question posed to employees. The slides changed, flashing the same photos with airline employees in each plane. "The people are the airline." I loved hearing that story from Audrey. She told me that Alaska Airlines treats their employees well, and their employees treat the customers well
T-Mobile
It is no wonder that T-Mobile is on Fortune's list of the 100 Best Places To Work for a third straight year in 2020. T-Mobile accepts you for exactly who you are, and that's cool. Inclusivity all the way. Thanks Team Magenta❤️
The Un-carrier doesn't just say it embraces diversity. Their support of individuality and equality shows through action. "Diversity is embedded in T-Mobile's DNA." T-Mobile stands with Pride to support equality and the LGTBQ community.
I took this snap last year at this time.
T-Mobile's diverse employee base and culture of inclusivity give them a powerful voice and devoted customers.
People love the weekly thankings on T-Mobile Tuesdays, where free giveaways happen. Why? "Because thank you. That's why," says T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert.
Now that is brand culture.
VIRGIN
Virgin describes itself as a “family” that is united around around a belief system and values. Branson has created an environment that promotes strong relations, responsibility, and fun. This culture attracts talented, ambitious people that convene around social activities, company sponsored trips, and parties to deliver high performance.
REI
REI owned its core values and impacted consumers across over 30 states. Closing 143 stores on the biggest shopping day of the year, REI took a stand on consumerism. The result, happier employees and engagement. Social media impressions skyrocketed by 7,000%, with 2.7 billion media impressions in 24 hours. Hell yess.
QUALTRICS
This awesome Seattle-based company totally gets the concept of brand culture and they should. Qualtrics is a platform that helps other companies assess the quality of their core experiences - customers, employees, products, and brands.
They get it right out in the open that employees are integral to their success, saying "our structure allows employees to have an extremely high ownership level - even in more junior positions". That is attractive. Another really cool perk is that annual "fund a dream" campaign for employees who have been with the company longer than a year . They get $1500 to try something they would not otherwise try on their own. Wow. This video highlights the workplace culture in a series of clips showing team unity and is full of employee endorsements.
Brand Culture Implementation Challenges
Branding is often complex, especially in big companies due to the increased bureaucracy around brand guidelines.
To scale, companies need to have procedures. This often makes it difficult to implement social media sharing and build micro-events because the initiative needs approval from corporate. The struggle for approval is real, but I've found that templates can be made for social posts where content can be dropped into an on-brand formula. And if brand guidelines are detailed, yet flexible. you get your division's landing page up for an event and promote it online.
Branding is a journey. Have fun with it!