Posts tagged brand management
Come On, Get Happy!
Jun 21st
I get asked a lot about how I always seem so happy. The answer is simple: I love what I do and who I do it with.
OK, the dry cleaning and rug & drapery cleaning business admittedly isn’t the most glamorous… But my team is. No matter the industry, a business is ultimately about the people. As a team, we make each other happy… what’s more glamorous than that?
When I first started Sudsies and Rugsies, I spent a lot of time finding others who share my vision and caring passion. Having a commonality in our emphasis on integrity and character makes it authentic and easy to work with one another. Together, we’ve created a culture, a real community, where we thrive on helping each other and our clients. Even when one of us is having an off day, the smiles and support from the other members transfer back that positivity.
Want to know what else keeps me happy? Giving people a purpose, myself included. It’s not enough to just be surrounded by great people; the group should serve greatness too. I enjoy helping others, not only by providing them a position within the company, but also by ensuring that they receive every opportunity to learn, grow, and be empowered to find their highest role. It could be sending them to continuing educations seminars, providing leadership guidance, or granting them the freedom to get creative when assuring that the client has that above-and-beyond experience that bonds them to both the person and the brand.
So there you have it, my secret to happiness. Yes, it first has to come from within, although helping others also find a piece of contentment is what sustains an overall deep satisfaction for all… The best way to jumpstart your own journey to happiness is simple. Smile!
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Personify Your Business Through You
May 3rd
In my career as a small businessman, one of the things I’m most proud of is the brand Sudsies and Rugsies have come to represent. While clean clothes and carpets are valued, at the end of the day, our customers identify most with our can-do attitude and friendly smiles. Our team enlivens those happy faces that swirl around our logos. We truly live like the organization we present.
Think about your favorite brands. Each represents a unique personality, but all have the following in common when connecting with their audiences.
They’re Clear:
It’s important to be both clear and transparent. Be open and honest. Know who you are and keep it concise.
They’re Consistent:
If you exhibit one behavior one day and another the next, people will be left scratching their heads. Yes, change in the form of evolution is important to continue growth and relevancy, but at the core, know who you are. Don’t deviate from your foundational beliefs. That goes for your team too. Fill your team with members who share in your passion – it makes for much more authentic culture. Consistency also applies to the level of service… clients need to feel they can count on you EVERY TIME.
They’re Compelling:
A business provides a product or service… a brand represents the personality that transforms the product or service into an experience. Honor the spirit and spark within you every day; in every connection you make. Think about what drives you and use that to find new ways to reach both loyal and new clients.
Whether you own your own business or are employed by one, YOU ultimately convey what the brand is about. So, live like you are that brand. Remember you inject life into an otherwise inanimate entity. If you apply this approach, I think you’ll find an even greater joy in both your professional and personal lives.
Here’s to a brand new you!
Spring time is here, that means cleaning is near
Mar 29th
Spring is officially underway. But with those May flowers comes the dreaded Spring cleaning. Yes, it’s that time to once again get our homes back in order. Everyone knows I’m certainly a fan of a cleanliness, but I’m thinking that even our companies could benefit from a little metaphorical Spring tidying as well.
Here are some tips:
• Stay on trend. It’s out with the old and in with the new. Like the fashions in our closets, business trends change rapidly. What has worked for you over the years might not anymore, even if it’s comfortable. To remain competitive, you must always be on your toes and anticipate new trends, not just follow them. It’s a fine balance – an unwavering approach can stagnate business, while adapting too many changes can make your company appear wish-washy, so incorporate only those trends that align with your core vision and are relevant for your customers.
• Dust off old gems. Sometimes logistics command our attention, forcing the big picture to fall by the wayside. As leaders, it’s easy to get caught up in the web of tasks, but we really need to use our talents as visionaries. Entrust the operations to a solid manager, so you can tend to those great business ideas that got put on the backburner and make them a reality. • De-clutter. Sure, an ornate design can be pretty, but it can also be distracting. Review your processes and identify and any repetitive or ineffective steps. Simplifying things not only makes things clearer for your employees, but is also likely to lead to time- and cost-efficiencies.
• Polish Up. Now that you have a solid infrastructure in place, refine your ideas. How can you improve upon them and/or expand to enhance the customer experience and your brand? Put together, it can be a daunting undertaking, but is well worth the organized structure, clear head and fresh perspective you and your business will
enjoy once complete. Need some guidance? We at the Chamber are happy to roll up our sleeves and help via advice from our broad leadership and membership base on how to make your company sparkle. Now, let’s get scrubbing!
At your service,
Jason Loeb, Sudsies
Chairman, Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce.
