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Why You Should Not Ask for Feedback on Your Business Card & Logo at a Networking Event.

November 20, 2018 By Suzanne

feedback on your business cardIt never fails… I get asked often enough this question when I meet people at various events I attend from delivering workshops to networking events. When they find out I am a brand consultant, the eyebrows go up, the cards come out, and the question starts with… “I just got these printed, (or, we just re-branded) what do you think of them?” They’re wanting expert feedback on the fly.

As much as it happens, it still blows me away that I get asked this question for these reasons:

  1. This person doesn’t even know me, why would they care what I tell them?
  2. I know nothing about their brand, at this point, and am clueless what they want to portray to their market.
  3. Their logo is NOT their brand [click here for more on this issue ]
  4. They are looking for affirmation instead of the truth
  5. And at the risk of sounding ‘put-off’; real networking doesn’t start with asking questions that my paying clients get answers to.

As a professional, it is important that I understand what you want your brand position to be in the minds of your stakeholders and market. This isn’t a loaded question, but rather a thought provoking, consultative one, and one that takes a thorough understanding of your unique Brand DNA to answer. Real brand development is a conscious, strategic, and deliberate process that starts way before any visual elements should be developed or even re-vamped. It is a process of strategic identification which flushes out the brand’s unique attributes that carve out and shape your market position, your competitive advantage, your promise within the delivery of your services. Your business card is simply a vehicle to market your brand.

Then, the question from me becomes, “How did this visual representation, (your logo), actually come about?” And, “How does this ‘icon’ (colors, font, image, etc.) represent your brand position?”

So, you see, asking for feedback on your brand visuals it is not an easy question to get posed and put ‘on the spot’ to seriously/professionally answer, in a way that is the most beneficial to the asker.

What I’d rather see happen when I network with people:

When they ask and I tell them what I do for a living, that they communicate with confidence what their brand means to them, why they’re doing what they do [with passion!], and what makes them different from their competition. They, then pull out their business card and walk me through the meaning of their logo and why it aligns with who they are as a brand. This expresses a true alignment with who they are and what they represent – they come across to me as ‘owning’ their brand, rather than asking a stranger what they think. Because that really doesn’t matter, to be honest.

Oh, but wait, I guess if everyone did that, then I would be out of a job. ;0)

 

Filed Under: Brand Audit, Brand Differentiation, Business Assessment, Uncategorized Tagged With: Brand DNA, branding

Testimonials

“Suzanne is a fantastic brand expert who makes an immediate impact to the bottom line. Her efforts helped me successfully launch a small business venture (fitness gym: dynamic-gyms.com) into a very competitive market achieving break even revenue goals within three weeks of opening! Simply unheard of in this market segment. This would not have been possible without her direct efforts to help us succeed.”
Larry Solecki, CEO, Dynamic Training & Fitness Gyms

SarahRyals-Pic“Suzanne creates a wonderful experience to build an understanding of brand, especially for those who are new to brand basics. Her teaching modules are clear, well organized, thoughtfully explained, and she does a great job coaching teams through the work. The final outcome is an actionable foundation for delivering a consistent, meaningful brand experience for all the brand’s stakeholders.”

Sarah Ryals, Women's Resource Agency Board Member
SuzanneKladder-BW-Round“Suzanne and her Personal Brand program are amazing. She really gets you to take an honest, in-depth look at who you really are at your core and get past what you or others think you are. She helped me abandoned the idea that I needed to be perfect and to realize that perfection is me being me. The work I did with Suzanne continues to help me behave in a consistent, authentic way and it has had a positive impact on my business.”
Suzanne Kladder, Sales Whisperer
“By participating in Suzanne’s Personal Brand Mastermind Group I revealed my true, distinctive brand attributes which has allowed me to actively live my true brand self. It has been a tremendous value for my networking and branding of my consulting practice. Her program was professionally crafted and delivered with personal support and guidance. I would recommend Brand Ascension’s programs for any person or organization looking to elevate their brand presence.”
Mark ShadlePresidentSpeed2ResultsColorado Springs
VW-Round-BW“I’m more clear and consistent in my actions and communication across the board. I’m more mindful about what I do – and even more importantly, how I think – and have more clear direction of what actions to take next and why. Identifying, defining, and stepping into my authentic self was exactly what I was looking for and needing to kick-start my next level of success! Because I am “Uniquely Wise, Deliciously Inspired!” Thank you Suzanne!”
Veronica WirthOwner + Creative DirectorDesign BistroVermont
DeniseWhitaker-BW-Round“Taking the Personal Brand Presence course was like going through a re-birthing process for myself. It was truly enlightening to have that alone time with ME, and rediscover who I was. The course and consulting sessions were empowering, and added so much confidence to my state of being!”
Denise Whitaker, Realtor
“For years, I have been the gerbil on the wheel, trying with all of my energy, to be all things to all people.  It is so liberating to focus on the strengths I bring to the table and not worry about who that will line up with.  I love what you said about how when you let go of those who don’t line up, it only opens the door for more of those who do.  I am totally seeing that happen in my life and especially in my business!  I shared this with my business coach and he said that you were rig… Read more
Lisa Gross, Sr. Mortgage Lender, Peoples National Bank
“Wow, I wasn’t expecting such a breakthrough!” That is what you will tell yourself when you complete one of Suzanne’s Personal Brand Mastermind courses. If you are not aligned with your authenticity, everything in your life will suffer as a result. I highly recommend anyone who wants to get to the next level in business or their personal life to enroll in this series. This is an exclusive training program for high-caliber, high-potential clients so be ready to roll up your sleeves do… Read more
Cory Arcarese, CEO, CArc Media
  JanePeck“Suzanne has facilitated training in our organization to bring the branding basics to our team.  She is dynamic, entertaining and engages all the senses in her training methods.  If you are looking to elevate your brand and engage your team in the process, I highly recommend her.”
Jane Peck, MBAAdministratorEndodontic Specialists of ColoradoColorado Springs
“I highly recommend Suzanne for website, branding, and any and all creative work. She is excellent to work with: fast, on-time, full of fresh ideas, offers solutions, great attitude, multi-talented…and also fun! Suzanne has been a tremendous asset to Grizzard and our marketing program. She is an integral part of our team and success.”
Stacy Guidice, Marketing Dir., Grizzard Communications

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