Extreme Makeover

June 27, 2012

If you were to ask me, I think the most challenging job is that of a Brand Manager. Why do I say this? Because this person is responsible for ensuring the brand (s)he is dealing with has the right image at all times; even when it misbehaves. It is their responsibility to ensure that even when the image is at the greatest risk of being tarnished, the brand still stands out. Just to show you what I mean, when I mention Oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, what company comes to your mind? And why did BP come to your mind? Can you imagine what the Brand Manager was going through during that entire period? In fact, the issue was so hot that the top guy had to say his good-byes earlier than he had probably imagined he ever would….. I believe you now understand why I think this is one of the most challenging job. Well, its arguable I know, but that’s my opinion and I am sticking to it.

A brand is the idea or image of a specific product or service that consumers connect with by identifying the name, logo, slogan, or design of the company who owns it. Branding can therefore be described as the process through which that idea or image is marketed so that it is recognizable by more and more people, and stands out as being unique among other brands operating in the same field. Tall order! Very tall order indeed. I know because I am in this field…….For more details visit this Website.

In the recent months, we have found ourselves working with brands that required an extreme makeover. I immediately think of the latest brand we are working on, and I can’t help but smile and marvel at what we have done with it. It looks beautiful, elegant, serene, welcoming, and all the other nice words one can use to describe it. I know I shouldn’t be blowing my own trumpet but hey, give credit where it’s due….. And I am glad to have been part of this makeover.

How did this come about? What happened to make the client decide that he needed a makeover for his brand? Actually, the funniest thing is that he had come to our office for something totally different, but as we talked to him he realized he needed a lot more than he had imagined and as a result of this conversation, the idea of re-branding was born.

Before the make over....

That was about four (4) months ago. Today, the client is one happy camper, and guess what, he has so much confidence and pride in his “Brand Manager” that he has been recommending us to many others who he felt needed our help. For this, we are grateful to the almighty God for creating such an avenue for us. Yesterday he told someone in my hearing that no company would ever come into contact with Inner Space Africa and remain the same, not unless they just didn’t want to heed our advice.

"After the make over...."

That was something very powerful to say… and that is when my light bulb moment happened…

Do you have a brand manager? Yes, you as an individual, who is your brand manager? What feedback has s(he) been giving you lately? Has (s)he been honest enough with you to tell you what your image portrays wherever you are doing whatever you do on a daily? I will give you a few examples of people who were wise enough to enlist the services of the greatest Brand Manager I have ever known…….

The Samaritan Woman – (John 4: 7 – 42): After her encounter with this great Brand Manager, her inhibitions left her and whereas in the past she could not even talk to people for fear of being ridiculed, after spending time with Him, she didn’t care who said what about her because she knew she had been rebranded.

Saul Turned Paul – (Acts 9: 1 – 31): This dude’s meeting with his Brand Manager was just dramatic. I especially like verse “18 Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he could see again…” Talk about brand refreshment!!

Zacchaues the Tax Collector – (Luke 19): This must have been the richest dude in town considering he used to steal from people, not with violence but simply logically. When the Brand Manager visited him in his house, he had no choice but to admit his brand image was tarnished and needed some serious makeover. In his own words, “Zacchaeus turned to Jesus and said, “Look, Lord. Here and now, I promise to give half of my money to the poor. If I have cheated anyone in taxes, I will pay them back four times that amount.” Now this is what we call an extreme makeover!!!

The list of “clients” that this “Brand Manager” had are many, and they were diverse in the nature of services they required from Him. They one thing they all had in common though was that they all had faith in Him. They not only believed in him and loved him, but they developed an amazing desire to do a complete turn-around from their olden ways (old brand), and they decided to heed the advice of Jesus Christ, the greatest Brand Manager of all times. They all started new lives and if you read more about each character, you will realize that they did great exploits thereafter.

This Brand Manager is still looking for more clients like you and me so that we can allow Him to take full management of our brand on our behalf. All we need to do is ask Him to take over and He will immediately identify that area that needs rebranding in our lives. Allow Him to take over, and you will never regret your decision…..

Question to you is, are you ready to refresh your brand?

PS: Before I put up these logos, I had the permission and blessings of the MD of this company to use them on this blog.