Projecting an accurate image through your corporate identity and branding is essential; as this is often the first contact a prospective client or customer has with your organisation first impressions can be the only one that counts!

As you probably know, corporate identity is not just about placing a piece of clip art on everything from your letterheads and invoices to your power point templates. The philosophy, culture and your offering all need to be integrated into this important visual representation of who your business is and what it does. While it is a creative process, it certainly doesn’t have to be difficult and can indeed be an enjoyable journey of discovery.

A corporate identity should be:

* Consistent - To avoid confusion and to convey a sense of stability and reliability in your product or service it is important to convey a consistent corporate identity.

* Indicative - A corporate identity should reflect your organisation’s values, the direction you are headed in and the products or services you offer.

Through conveying a consistent corporate identity you can begin to build a recognisable brand, and instil confidence that your organisation will deliver what it promises to its clients or customers. A strong brand breeds loyalty, goodwill and trust, making selling easier, faster and cheaper.

Whether looking to refresh or overhaul an existing brand, or launching a totally new idea, Connecting Images will distil your message into a meaningful, memorable, distinctive symbol.

For more information, contact Merilyn or Cal on (03) 9819 2566.

It’s the most effective form of marketing, but the hardest to create. The majority of people are motivated to initiate discussion if they feel they’ve ‘discovered’ an interesting, helpful or innovative product or service – so, here are some tips and tricks for creating ‘buzz’:

• Have databases of connected ‘key influencers’ to spread the word.
• Create a space to enable and support those likely to be passionate about your brand – partner with groups or businesses with shared target markets and complementary services or products to open up a world of new contacts who you keep informed regularly.
• Set up a discussion forum or managed blog on your website where customers can post their comments, opinions and reviews.
• Create compelling, entertaining, valuable communication that your customers will look forward to receiving. If the communication is electronic, promote the sharing of information by including a ‘send to a friend’ function on your email.
• Listen to and record customer feedback and suggestions (both positive and negative) to get ideas for improvements and updates to your products and services. When you implement a change, let them know it was because of their input!
• Get your staff excited about and involved in what you’re doing – if they’re having fun, they’ll create a great customer experience, and that gets people talking!

NRMA presented 20 teenagers with free mobile phones to communicate to their mobile address book the virtues of a new roadside service Free2Go. Aimed at the youth market, within two hours of the launch, 200 new members had signed up. Applications continued at the rate of approximately one per minute for the rest of the day! And all for the cost of 20 mobile phones.