Close your eyes and think of your favorite store or restaurant. Chances are you like them not just because of the product, but because of the way you feel when you shop or eat there. Maybe the employees are always friendly, or the ambiance suits you… Now, if you were to describe that business as a person, what words would you use? Those words you’re using, are what make up the brand of that organization – and it’s been carefully curated.

If you’re wondering what the difference between marketing and branding are, here’s how we like to break it down.
• Marketing tells people WHAT you are
• Branding tells people WHO you are

Important Things to Consider When Building Your Brand

Branding has always been a vital part of operating a business because it gives your company its identity, its personality so to speak - the who the organization aspires to be. Your brand is really what determines the type of organizational culture you strive for.

Everything your organization does or puts out into the world, from its logo to its website, social media to print materials should line up with and match that identity and aspirations.

But a business is run by people and people characteristics should also be built into your branding. A carefully worded mission statement will reveal the core aspects of your company. When they use your services once, you want them to come back again; as well as spread the word about their satisfaction with results.

When these things become misaligned, it’s either a signal that something in your organization is no longer working as it was and needs to be addressed OR, it’s time for a brand refresh.

Enter, the Third-Party

It’s usually at this stage that a third-party may enter the picture. (Raises hand.) Guess what? We third parties come along with our own brands, too.

When looking for a third-party vendor to work with, it’s always advisable to hire one who is not just great at what they do, or who are trustworthy. Those of course, are no-brainers, but you also want to hire one whose own brand aligns with your own (or aligns with the brand you want to be).

Here at SeeKing HR, we offer a multitude of human resources services such as employment services, human resources program management as well as training and other services to businesses in need. We strive to provide a friendly and non-judgmental environment, so our clients can trust us and know that they are always in good hands. If our brands have synergy, it enables us to do our jobs – from recruiting, training, policies and procedures - in a manner that is going to be a win-win for everyone.

In a later post, we’ll break down what a brand means for your employees, but for now we’d like to leave you with a question… what words would you want used to describe your organization?