Six Secrets to Branding Your Business in the Digital World

Confused by how to use Google plus, Twitter and Facebook to accelerate your business?

Last night I attended the British American Business Council's first Marketing and Digital Media event - 'How to Brand Your Business in the Digital World' at UTA's new fabulous offices in Beverly Hills.

Four leading experts shared their advice from famous brands including Tom's, Liz Taylor and Big Bang Theory.

Here are the top six secrets to branding your business in today's digital world:  

1. Retweeting or liking is far more valuable than volume posts. You will annoy your followers if you clog up their feed. 
2. Your social media team are now your 1# customer service channel.  Are you staffing that team appropriately and listening to them?  It is no longer dial 1 for customer service, it is tweet and complain. 
3. You now have listening tools, create a listening brief for how you respond. 
4. How are you surprising and delighting your customers?  Someone checks in and you give them immediate surprise value with something free.  Go beyond the 'by ten coffee's get one free' idea. 
5. The reality of execution is hard work, you have to have the right talent and expertise.   Big Bang Theory created a whole experience around Twitter, additional unique content and an advice channel unique for Twitter followers
6. It is no surprise that Mobile is the fastest growing element of how customers access content, everyone is dashing to ensure their mobile experience is seamless and accessible.

Great story telling, adapting campaigns as you go, and keeping your brand relevant are essential for every business.  The same principles can be applied for how you communicate to your employees:

• Are you inspiring and surprising your team or sending them to sleep with your tedious lengthy emails?
• 70% of internal communications never get read.
• Are you listening enough to your employees?

We can learn a lot from Banksy, the elusive British street artist about how we communicate with our customers and employees, I explained more at Watermark's Innovation Conference earlier this month, including the 8 second rule of attention:

Share in the comments how you are inspiring your customers and employees.

You can follow me on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.

Val Wright

If Coffee Shop Walls Could Talk...

As I sat at Tully's in Clyde Hill, Washington last week after breakfast with a prominent retired executive, it occurred to me:  

Some coffee shops are more powerful than board rooms.  

Decisions, deals and deliberations that you may expect to take place in private board rooms often take place over a three dollar latte, 12 inches from a random stranger.

During our conversation, I spotted three other tech executives holding meetings, two interviews occurring and one heated business debate. Many acquisitions have been closed or rejected within these four walls too.

This Tully's is particularly powerful.  A former run-down grocery store, Tullys took it over and transformed it into the heart of a suburb where many current and former Microsoft Executives live.  A favorite spot for Steve Ballmer and Bill Gates, it has claimed its place in this community and in local history.

Contrary to recent drama, companies should let their employees work where they want, when they want.  When executives lead from the top it sets the right example for others.  You do not need to be permanently present in the same office as your colleagues to deliver dramatic results.

Take your next meeting to the coffee shop, or the park or just for a walk.  Changing the scenery will recharge and reenergize you.  Just remember, if you get your laptop out, don't forget a privacy screen because you don't know who is watching!

Are you working away from your regular office right now?  

Let me know in the comments your favorite place to work.

Val

Your #1 investment: YOU!

Val Wright, Leadership and Innovation Expert with Alan Weiss, the official Rockstar of Consulting, at the Million Dollar Consulting Mentor Summit, Kiawah Island, SC.

Successful leaders forget to invest in themselves; exceptional leaders make it their number one priority.

I am no exception to this rule.

Leaders have significant responsibilities and multiple demands on their time.  Many have achieved rapid success beyond their wildest dreams.  Some plateau while others continue to accelerate their impact and success.  What sets those exceptional leaders apart from the crowd? - The answer is how much they are willing to invest in themselves and continue to experiment.

When I launched my business I realized I needed expert help, so I invested in a mentor who could help me with the business side of my business.  Libby Wagner, a poet, author and speaker, provides me with real time support in areas I was unfamiliar or uncomfortable with.  The investment I made in Libby has shown exponential returns and I continue to learn with every conversation.  When I share this story with some of the leaders that I coach, they are surprised that I have a mentor; but why wouldn't I?  Everyone can accelerate their results and impact, you just have to be willing to reflect, listen and act.

My mentorship is part of the community of Alan Weiss, the Rockstar of Consulting who has written over 50 books and 500 articles on the subject.  Right now, I am returning from the Million Dollar Consulting Mentor Summit, where Alan Weiss brought together his world wide mentor community for reflection, connection and learning.  In Kiawah Island, SC, I joined an elite gathering of some of the most successful entrepreneurs in the world.  They are thought leaders in their fields of expertise and have both financial success and discretionary time many would envy; yet they continue to learn, grow and invest in their personal development.  I have learned so much this week, which will accelerate the success of my business.

In my conversations this week with this elite group of thought leaders, I realized there are four common characteristics of exceptional leaders, which spans any industry or profession:

     1 - Curiosity

     Successful leaders can appear arrogant, their past achievements can create a bubble around them if they don't keep striving for improvement, meanwhile the world passes them by.  Curiosity requires an open mind, a willingness to consider different views and a genuine interest in learning.  Be curious, ask questions, seek to understand others and identify who you can learn from.

     2 - Generosity

     Exceptional leaders are generous with their advice, feedback and praise.  I love learning from others and sharing my lessons.  Dedicating time to share the journey that brought you success will pave the way for others to follow you.  Exceptional leaders are thoughtful and deliberate about teaching other and giving appropriate kudos.

     3 - Reflective

          Even when you are running fast and making bold gargantuan decisions, you have to dedicate time for reflection and self assessment.  You will set yourself apart from the crowd by creating opportunities for considering how you can accelerate your impact and results.  Find someone you can reflect with; a trusted colleague or hire a coach.  

     4 - Passionate

          You have to love what you do and have the awareness to know when you are in your zone of happiness.  Exceptional leaders orchestrate their work and support system so they are most inspired and motivated.  Everyone I met this week was in their favorite job of their lives, creating dramatic results and loving their work.  Can you say the same about your work today?

Rate yourself against the four characteristics above using this scale:

• Superpower - It comes naturally.
  
• Energy Sapper - I can do it, but it takes effort and deliberate attention.
• Danger Zone - Others do this much better.

I advise the leaders that I coach to take credit for your Superpowers, develop a plan to practice your Energy Sappers and your Danger Zone areas are areas we spend more time and attention to correct.

What is the first step you could take tomorrow to improve?

If you want to discuss how this applies to your own leadership call me today on 206 321 7511 or email me at val@valwrightconsulting.com

Val Wright