Branding in 2014, is about creating your business identity, from sole traders to multi-national corporations.  In this article we will explore a handful trends of branding, that will help your business to create an identity and become a recognized brand.

Many marketing professionals are telling you that, your brand is your logo or your values. Others will tell you that your reputation is what defines your company.  In a way both are correct, however, this only looks at external factors.

Branding For 2014

To begin, for developing your own brand, firstly you need to evaluate  “what and why “. This means looking and thinking about precisely what your business does and why you do it?

By deciding precisely what your organization is about, its core values and what it stands for, you will start the process of building a successful brand. Your values  should resonate inside and externally, staff and customers alike should know what your business stands for.

The next step is developing the understanding of the promises. All great brands have stuck to their promises and values. The staff, the managers and the owners live the values of the brand. You need to assign promise making and promise keeping staff. Do not underestimate the power of promises for building your brand.

Marketing is about understanding what your customers want, need and require. It is equally important to understand what your staff and employees think about your own brand. Their voices can build or destroy your reputation in seconds. Ensure that every member of your team understands and lives your core  business values.

Fortune favours the bold. When developing your company brand be bold, define exactly what your business can and can’t achieve. Define who you are in your niche or industry and  work hard to develop that image. Be careful when trying to re-brand  an organization. It is not just about changing your logo or your catchy slogan, it is about changing how you think and act.

Finally, to help your branding in 2014, start  keeping your promises before you make them.  Communicate your values honestly, market ethically and recognizes the vital importance of under promising and over delivering.

These steps may seem illogical or difficult. Yet many of the leading brands that we all love like Costa Coffey, Walmart or Apple, realizes the importance of building a brand and sharing their values.