What Would These 12 Business Leaders Do Today?

David Brier — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:40:06 -0500

In business today, there's too much focus on what is bad, what is threatening, who did what to whom.

Imagination and innovation are our greatest weapons. Lack of using them is the only thing strong enough to stop any of us from achieving our goals.

Factually, we can each get more done in less time if we simply take note on establishing WHERE we are going.

Kissinger said, "If you do not know where you are going, every road will get you nowhere."

What Sexuality Taught Us About Branding (and Why Being Average Sucks)

David Brier — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:26:06 -0500

In branding as in life, “being average”
isn’t a goal.
It’s the barrier
to overcome on your way to brand excellence and distinction.

Possibly, one of our first
experiences with branding
occurred around the time we
became aware of our sexuality
when growing up.

After all, we
wanted to be noticed a little,
or a lot, and wanted to stand
apart from all the other
“options” available. We
wanted not to blend in but to
be noticed for being who we
were. Ahhh, branding at its
most innocent.

Becoming a Cause for Celebration

David Brier — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:20:43 -0400

Your brand must be a cause for celebration.

If it’s Ragu®, it’s a cause for celebrating home-style Italian flavor in a jar. If it’s Nike, it’s a cause for celebrating your inner Olympian (or eliminating the appearance of not looking like one). If it’s Haagen-Dazs®, it’s a cause for celebrating adult indulgence in a pint-sized portion. If it’s H&R Block®, it’s a cause for celebrating a faster (and, hopefully, higher) tax return. If it’s Dyson®, it’s a cause for celebrating no loss of suction.

Branding Humor for Professionals Who Need a Break

David Brier — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:02:47 -0400

Sometimes I am asked"How wide is your client base?"

(I've never tried this answer, but next opportunity, I might:)
"It depends, are we talking before or after Thanksgiving?"

Why I Chose Sound for my Tweets by David Brier

David Brier — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:30:46 -0400

I don't like to be limited to 140 characters. Just not my style. PLUS, I know my writing style doesn't always convey my inflection of what I am saying.

So, today, I launched B.R.A.N.D., an acronym which stands for Brier’s Recorded Audio Now Delivered offering "sound bites" from yours truly.

Why I created the BRANDS THAT DEFY GRAVITY group on LinkedIn by David Brier

David Brier — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 02:24:06 -0400

Where are the Most Successful Branding Professionals?
I have been honored to be considered by some a preeminent brand identity designer. Those that know me know I am—and have been—a passionate advocate of the power of design for the last 27 years in this business being fortunate enough to have created some of the most recognized and successful brands and identity solutions.

How to Check If Your Brand is a Me-Too Brand

David Brier — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 18:21:09 -0400

This one is short and sweet. The road to glory and riches in branding is paved with differentiation.
So, here is a rapid-fire checklist to see whether you're driving your brand successfully into the horizon or into branding hell:
   1.   Are you using the same "promises" as your competition?
   2.   Are you using the same design elements as your competition?
   3.   Is your basic approach to look, feel and overall design similar to your competition?

A Fast Thought for Fast Branding Professionals

David Brier — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 13:02:50 -0400

As business guru Tom Peters says, "You can't shrink your way to greatness."

If one wishes for more business, then one must increase one’s influence.

If one wants more customers, then help those around you.

Be an influence that inspires others. Or as Mahatma Ghandi would have tweeted on his iPhone while driving his Prius to a local food cafe, "You must be the change you wish to see in the world."

Here's to living a life filled with “more.”

Why Clichés are Death in Branding

David Brier — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:22:42 -0400

I have yet to meet any CEO, business owner, marketing executive or entrepreneur who came to me stating, "I want to create something unremarkable, drab and uninspired."

Yet, without stating it, one could extrapolate that might be the intent.

Brand Aid: The Cure for Gravity and Media Noise

David Brier — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 22:19:53 -0400

Triviality vs. Relevance
Today’s companies need more marketing ammunition than ever. To help achieve that, answer this question.
Write down on a piece of paper: What does your company sell? Write this down.