Fundamentals is not just a strategy

You may think all you need is a 'strategy'. This perception that you only need a strategy in business to succeed overlooks the need to understand your business. The fundamentals actually start well before you put pen to paper and deep dive into a business plan template.

Look how far your gut feeling has gotten you? Pretty good, huh?

You’ve done well so far, relying on your capability as a business professional and existing skill set to build your business. What’s got you this far is a lot of hard work combined with instinct. It’s this gut feeling that often drives business decisions, and ignites that passion as to why you do what you do. So you think...why dull the edges of this energy by putting  ideas into a formal plan...it can be thought of as, well, soul-crushing. Or is it?

Levelling up takes more than a feeling

You do need a plan, but it doesn’t have to be the dry, bound type of strategy fit only for the purpose of a loan, or to keep your business coach happy. This is where brand fundamentals come into play. These fundamentals become the thread that ties your strategy to your vision, helps you to see why systems are needed, and gives you what is needed to effectively spread your message.

The reason a design may miss the mark

The fundamentals become the foundation to producing effective branded advertising, promotion, or a website. Understand that the fundamentals, along with a thorough design brief, help your designer, web or marketing people to really understand your brand, and then provide a creative solution that is authentic to you. If your design is not adding value to your business, perhaps there's been an oversight in the fundamentals - the foundation of your brand has not been laid properly.

Taking ownership of your brand is the key

As the decision maker, you've got a seat the table so understand the importance of taking responsibility for your contribution to your brand. By simply handing off your project to a traditional agency the initial excitement of ‘ooo it’s so shiny’ quickly fades, much like with a retouched car…new paint job but still the same old mechanics under the hood. By collaborating with a trusted strategic and creative partner who will guide you through the process, you may even find yourself upskilling and adding to the growth of your business.

‍Taking ownership of your brand is about more than just marketing, it’s about understanding your ‘why’. Ensuring the fundamentals are in place, and making sure you show up during the process, to set you up for success.

‍