Why would I want to work for me?
- Written by: Martha Bartlett Piland
I stongly believe a company's brand is only as strong as its talent. That's why our Expert Source model is such an asset in our work.
But whether your structure is traditional or nontraditional, the truth remains: talent will make or break you.
Give me a WE!
- Written by: Martha Bartlett Piland
I've noticed that in some companies, an employee talking about the organization will say they, instead of we. That bothers me—a lot—because it's an indication that the employee doesn't feel like part of the company.
Combine fun and function with a social media platform that builds your internal brand
- Written by: Martha Bartlett Piland
It's smart to combine fun and function with internal social media. Internal Affairs: Social Media at the Office in today's Ad Age Digital is a good read.
It's smart to combine fun and function with internal social media.
Drinking the Republican and Democratic National Convention Kool-Aid
- Written by: Alexandra Reilly
The Republican and Democratic conventions have provided plenty of fodder for political pundits and late night comedians alike. But for those of us focused on creating, sustaining and nurturing strong brands, there are valuable insights.
Attn C-Suite: It might not be for you
- Written by: Martha Bartlett Piland
Attention C-Suite: It might not be for you
Recently, we heard a C-someone say an internal communications effort was unnecessary. Our answer: maybe it's unneccessary for YOU.
Pretty much everyone in the C-suite knows what’s going on: where the company is headed, financial goals, benchmarks.
Do these pants make my brand look big?
- Written by: Martha Bartlett Piland
Do these pants make my brand look big?
(Or, 3 things your brand and skinny jeans have in common.)
They are not for everyone.
Skinny jeans have a certain number of loud detractors. They probably have an equal number of people who are ambivalent. That’s OK.
Why Atomic Fireballs are like strong brands
- Written by: Martha Bartlett Piland
Just call us curiosity nerds. That’s fine. But this week, I was thinking about hot candy.
I got to wondering about the insides of Hot Tamales. So instead of just chomping down on a Hot Tamale like I normally do, I let it dissolve in my mouth.
3 ways to power up your internal brand
- Written by: Martha Bartlett Piland
Wearing Groovy Chick t-shirts at an ad trivia competition.Three ways to power up your internal brand
Every day, millions of companies are working on their communications to customers. They’re honing and refining—what to tweet, new services to offer, the next quarter’s sales promotion. At the same time, the majority are overlooking the need to devote well-focused attention to their inside audiences.
Do your employees know—really know—the brand "guts" of the organization they represent? And if they can articulate that certain something, have they also adopted it into their work-time way of life? If they have, then you’re going to outlast your competition. If they haven’t, then here are some steps you can take to help.
What if fast food workers lived the brand?
- Written by: Martha Bartlett Piland
What if fast food workers lived the brand?
I've been buying a lot of iced tea lately—stopping by some of the numerous fast food chains to satisfy my curiosity: is it really fast-fast-fast at Jimmy John's? Do they really want me to have a refreshing experience at Burger King?
Sometimes I went to drive-thrus and sometimes walked into the stores for service at the counter. For the most part, my experience was the same.
3 things your employee manual probably leaves out
- Written by: Martha Bartlett Piland
Alex's Garden Gnome Green Thumb party.Nearly everyone has an employee manual. It dictates policies and procedures, vacations and jury duty. Great! So a new employee knows the basics and you've covered yourself on all the legal must-dos.
But wait! How does your brand relate to internal customers? What does it mean to be part of your company? How does it feel? Sound? What should an employee say when someone asks why he came on board?
That employee has hitched his star to your wagon. He's accepted your invitation because he thinks you have something he wants to be a part of. Don't let him down.
