When you hear the word “brand”, what comes to your mind? Logo? signboard? Souvenir? Paraphernalia? Well, I have always thought brand was about logo, yeah you read right. I would like to throw a little light on what brand stands for. Did you know brand talks specifically about integrity, image, reputation, credibility, simply what an entity or individual stands for? Did you know that anything you do or say as an individual or an entity could be your brand? Brand is also not only about corporate entities but also individuals. Every individual has a brand, either negative or positive; these depend on how you treat people through words and actions.

Additionally, an individual must not necessarily be in the limelight to have a brand, one’s brand reflects his/her values, actions and words wherever they present themselves, at the workplace, home, social or religious gatherings etc.

 Basically, what one stands for and what makes one who he/she is, that’s brand. Corporate entities/individuals who value or hold their stakeholders (internal and external) in high esteem, treat them with respect, honour their words to them; have good brands.

Having a good brand is very important in this era of technology, because it enhances visibility both online and offline, the same as a bad brand. A good brand is one’s trump card in times of business and crises as an entity or individual. Your stakeholders can stand up or vouch for you in such times or they can undermine your brand. And in the unlikely event where the brand is unable to redeem its image, business is affected.A good brand is the blood on which businesses thrive these days, especially through referrals and experience. Build trust with your stakeholders, honour your words with action; be credible and trustworthy. Do not write “nice things” about your brand on socials, yet products or goods in reality are porous or faulty, customer service is poor (late response to enquiries and complaints, late delivery of products to customers, no refund but there is refund option on returned goods on your website); credibility is key.

 According to Dr. Ike Tando, “Public Relations that can establish your brand is good deeds and good words” In other words, your actions or inactions determine your brand or what you stand for. So, the next time you want to engage your stakeholders, be it internal or external, remember that you are building your own brand through your words, your deeds, your values etc. According to Maya Angelou, “people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”. Give your stakeholders the “wow experience” blow them away, sweep them off their feet with your actions, attitude, words, services and products.

 Cheers!! A bientôt!! (see you soon).