How to Create a Brand

1. Determine your target audience.
2. Establish your mission statement.
3. Define your values, features, and benefits.
4. Create your visual assets.
5. Find your brand voice.
6. Market your brand.

Here’s how you can create a brand — or begin the process of rebranding your business.

There’s a lot that goes into a brand, and there’s a lot to consider when building a strong one. So, grab a notebook and jot down ideas as you read through this blog. Recognize that branding is an iterative process. This means you might be repeating some of these steps as you brainstorm and build your brand.

Want to build an effective, measurable brand? Download our free guide on how to build a brand.

Define your brand's purpose.

Before diving into the specifics, take a step back and define the overall purpose of your brand. What impact do you want to have on your customers and the world?

This purpose should guide all of your branding decisions.

1. Understand your brand's origin story. Every brand has an origin story — the reason the founders started the company and the problems they set out to solve. Building a brand that feels authentic and resonates with customers means understanding and communicating this story. 

2. Determine your target audience. Branding leads to awareness, recognition, trust, and revenue. We’ve talked about that. But let’s take a step back and understand where those stem from: consumers. And not just any consumers — your target audience and customers.70% of consumers say that they want a personalized experience. But how can you offer that experience if you don’t have a clear idea of who they are? If your brand doesn’t resonate with your audience, it won’t lead to that awareness, recognition, trust, and revenue. That’s where target market research comes in. Before pressing pen to paper (or cursor to digital document), you must understand to whom your branding will be speaking.Who does your product serve? Who is your ideal customer? Why did you create your business in the first place?What you learn about your target market and buyer personas will influence your branding decisions down the line, so make this step your first priority." https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/branding.

3. Establish your mission statement. Let’s return to a question I asked in the last step: Why did you create your business? Answering this will help you build your mission statement. This statement defines your purpose and passion as an organization.Before you can craft a brand that your audience recognizes, values, and trusts, you must be able to show what your business has to give. Then, every part of your brand (logo, tagline, imagery, voice, and personality) can reflect that mission and vision.Your mission statement is a building block of your brand manifesto. It encompasses why your organization exists and why people should care about your brand. 

4. Define your unique values, qualities, and benefits.There are probably lots of businesses in your industry and niche. It’s easy to focus on your competition (and there’s a time and place for competitive analysis), but, for now, let’s focus on you.What’s one thing that your business has that no one else can mimic (er, legally)? Your brand.Because of that, you must make sure that your brand is made from and inspired by elements that are solely yours: the values, benefits, and qualities that make your company unique.Take a moment to jot down a list of what sets your business apart from others. I’m not talking about product features (like appearance, components, or capabilities). I’m referring to how your products or services improve lives and contribute to success. 

5. Create your visual assets. At this point, you should understand your target audience, your mission statement, and the unique qualities that make up your business.Can you say with confidence that you’ve finished these steps? If your answer is yes, it’s time to move on to one of the more exciting parts of branding — the visual design. We’re talking about your logo, color palette, typography (fonts), iconography, and other visual components.

To learn more about TikVah Business Coaching, feel free to visit

To get our free Branding Toolkit email us on nevillesol@icloud.com and  use "Branding Toolkit" as the subject.

 Follow us on Facebook

Branding

 

When you think of your favorite brands, what comes to mind? A memorable logo? A catchy slogan? While these are crucial, branding dives deeper, intertwining with every facet of your business. 

 

Let's decode the puzzle:

 

Emotional connection. Great brands don't just sell products; they forge emotional connections with their audience.

 

Actionable tip: Identify the emotions you want your brand to evoke. Is it trust? Excitement? Comfort? Tailor your messaging to resonate with those feelings.

 

Consistent brand voice. Whether it's a tweet, an email, or a billboard, the brand voice remains consistent, reinforcing brand identity.

 

Actionable tip: Draft a style guide. Outline your brand's tone (playful, serious, professional?), language preferences, and more.

 

Visual identity. Beyond the logo, there's color psychology, typography, and overall design aesthetics. They all play a role in brand recall.

 

Actionable tip: Ensure consistency. If your brand colors are blue and white, your marketing materials, website, and office decor should echo that.

 

Storytelling. Every brand has a story – origins, challenges, triumphs. Sharing it humanizes your brand and makes it relatable.

 

Actionable tip: Create an 'Our Story' section on your website. Engage with your audience through anecdotes, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and journey highlights.

 

Customer experience. Your branding also extends to how customers experience your products, services, and overall interaction with your company.

 

Actionable tip: Prioritize customer feedback. Regularly gather and act upon it to ensure the brand experience remains top-notch.

 

Flexibility. While consistency is key, so is evolution. As markets change, the best brands adapt while maintaining their core essence.

 

Actionable tip: Periodically review your brand strategy. Are there new audience segments? Emerging trends? Be proactive in evolving.

 

Branding is the lifeblood of your business. It sets you apart in a crowded marketplace, ensuring your brand catches the eye and remains in the heart.

 

Have any questions? Hit reply - we're here to support you.

To know more about us visit

To enquire about our free Branding ToolKit, send us an email

💬 Join the Conversation! 💬

Hey there! We love hearing from our readers and value your insights. Did something in this post resonate with you? Or do you have a different perspective you'd like to share? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and let's chat. Your voice makes this community thrive!

Successful Entrepreneurs

 

Behind most successful entrepreneurs, a guiding figure often offers

invaluable insights, advice, and support. Let's explore why having a

Business Coach can be your game-changer:

 Find Your Business Warrior: The Power of Business

Coaching

Experience-based insights. Having walked the path before you, Business Coaches offer wisdom that can save you costly mistakes.

 

Actionable tip: In your interactions, ask them about their failures and what they learned from them. It's a treasure trove of insights.

 

Network access. A Bussiness Coach can open doors to industry connections, potential clients, or partners that might have taken years to access otherwise.

 

Actionable tip: Attend industry events or gatherings with your Business Coach. Their introductions can be invaluable.

 

Objective feedback. While friends and family mean well, they might not provide the unfiltered feedback your business needs. A Business Coach will.

 

Actionable tip: Regularly present your strategies and progress to your Business Coach. Their objective feedback can be a compass.

 

Emotional support. Entrepreneurship can be isolating. Having someone who understands the journey can be a strong emotional pillar.

 

Actionable tip: Be open about your challenges and doubts. A Business Coach can provide reassurance and perspective during tough times.

 

Skill development. Business Coaches can help identify improvement areas and guide you toward the right resources or training.

 

Actionable tip: Ask your Business Coach for book recommendations or courses they love.

 

So, how do you find a Business Coach?

 

Networking events: Attend industry conferences, seminars, and workshops. Make connections and express your interest in mentorship.

 

Online platforms: Websites like LinkedIn or dedicated Business Coach platforms can be a good start. Engage with potential Business Coaches by commenting on their posts or sharing their content.

 

Alumni networks: Your alma mater might have alumni willing to coach. Reach out!

 

Business Coaching is a two-way street. While you gain knowledge, ensure you're also bringing value to your mentor through your passion, fresh perspectives, or dedication.

 

Up next: The art of branding – why it's more than just a logo and a catchy slogan.

You can contact Neville Solomon on +27 83 417 3019 or Email: nevillesol@icloud.com to find out more about the TikVah Coaching Approach

To learn more about TikVah Business Consulting visit this link

 

Journey

 

The Journey of an Entrepreneur

The journey of an entrepreneur is exhilarating, filled with highs and lows. While the rewards are plenty, the roadblocks can sometimes be daunting. Fear not! We're here to guide you through.

 

Lack of funding. Many great ideas fizzle out due to insufficient funds. There are many alternative financing options.

 

Actionable tip: Apart from traditional bank loans, consider crowdfunding platforms, angel investors, or venture capital. Also, regularly review and trim unnecessary expenses.

 

Scaling too quickly. Growing is exciting, but premature scaling can lead to operational chaos.

 

Actionable tip: Focus on sustainable growth. Before making major expansions, ensure your existing operations are stable and profitable.

 

Finding the right team. Your idea is only as good as the team executing it.

 

Actionable tip: Prioritize cultural fit over skills during hiring. Skills can be taught, but attitudes and values are harder to change.

 

Managing time. Wearing multiple hats can lead to burnout and inefficiencies.

 

Actionable tip: Invest in time-management tools. Delegate tasks when possible, and don't shy away from outsourcing non-core activities.

Click here to enquire about our Time Management Course.

 

Staying updated. The market landscape can change rapidly, making it essential to stay updated.

 

Actionable tip: Dedicate weekly time to read industry-related articles, attending webinars, or join relevant online communities.

 

Dealing with failure. Not every idea will be a home run, and that's okay.

 

Actionable tip: Treat failures as learning opportunities. Analyze what went wrong, adjust your strategy, and bounce back with renewed vigor.

 

Remember, every entrepreneur faces challenges. It's your grit, adaptability, and resilience that determine your success. Embrace the journey, learn from the roadblocks, and keep pushing forward.

 

Up next: Dive deep into why every entrepreneur needs a mentor and how to find the perfect one.

 

Have any questions? Click on  reply - we're here to support you.

Lean Startup Canvas

What is the Lean Startup?

The lean startup method is for developing businesses and its products. The aim is to establish a company and launch its products faster, while being in line with what the customers want.

Where does the Lean Startup model come from?

The lean startup method was first proposed by Eric Ries in 2008, where he applied lean management principles to catapult high tech startup companies. Since then, the Lean startup method has gone beyond its application. It can now be applied to individuals, teams and companies aiming to introduce their product/service into the market.

What does the lean startup spirit do?

The lean startup method’s objective is to shorten a product development cycle. This translates into the potentially lagging timeframe a startup may experience as they invest too much time in perfecting their product or service. This in many cases may not turn out to be what attracts its customers, and in turn, risks the lifetime of the startup. This is exactly what the lean startup model aims to avoid.

How do we apply the Lean startup method?

Businesses should aim to work in a feedback loop of “build, measure and learn”. The team will create a version of its product, the “Minimum viable product”. The minimum viable product (MVP) is a not-yet -finalized product that is enough to satisfy early customers to get their necessary feedback.

The customers then get to test out the MVP, give their feedback and the team works to implement that feedback into their product. After consecutive rounds, the product or service can further be tailored into what the customer really desires.

How does consumer feedback work with the lean startup tool?

Businesses can use key performance indicators (KPIs). The KPIs will enable individuals to keep track of their figures and study the performance of the firm in different time periods given the activity of the customers. Then by using those indicators, the continued deployment process will work as the feedback is implemented and improvements are made.

How do we make improvements in the lean startup method?

By tweaking, building, or pivoting. Tweaking would be small changes made to the product itself, whereas building would mean implementing further elements onto the product. However, pivoting is key; It pushes us to test the initial hypothesis of the product, strategy or the engine of growth.

What are the benefits of the Lean startup model?

The lean startup method validated way of learning will enable quicker building of companies and launching of products. Individuals can assess the specific demands of consumers and learn how to meet that demand using the least amount of resources possible, where long development times are cut, which is then followed by a decreased need of funds.

Consequently, the market risks and launch failures are diminished and more confidence can be invested in the start-up with the Lean startup canvas.

TikVah has a variety of resources that can help you employ the lean startup canvas. By sending us a email to nevillesol@icloud.com with a subject header "Lean Startup Canvas", we will send you more information. To learn more about TikVah Business Coaching visit our page at https://mailchi.mp/12cd7f616222/tikvah

 

 

Startup Life: Expectations vs. Reality - Part 1

Owning a small business is exciting and rewarding. But it’s challenging. 
You must consider specifics such as a business plan, finances, legal matters, marketing, branding, etc., to help your small business thrive. These things take time. Many people start a business expecting that it will make them rich fast.
But you must work hard, respect your limitations, learn new skills, take risks, and overcome many challenges before building a successful and sustainable
business. Many aspiring small business owners and entrepreneurs have shared expectations of what it takes to succeed with a new business. Unfortunately,
many of those expectations are wrong. Here are seven common mistaken assumptions most small business owners have when starting their businesses:

1. Getting rich quickly vs. becoming profitable

Many people who start their businesses assume that they can get rich quickly.
Your startup will likely take at least three years to become profitable.
This is true even for the most successful companies. For example, the famous electric sports car brand Tesla took a decade to see actual profits.
Companies making new products take more time to become profitable than
home-based online businesses. That’s because it costs more to manufacture, transport, and sell products. On the other hand, you can start an online business with little to no money.

2. Burnout vs. delegating and working smarter

Small business owners and entrepreneurs typically try to do everything 

themselves to save money. But this can be counter productive and burn 

you out. It’s essential to watch your spending, especially as a new business. 

But you can’t do everything yourself. For example, most small business 

owners and entrepreneurs are not marketing experts. And it’s not always 

easy or cheap to hire marketers when you first start your business. 

Thankfully, there are many alternatives today to address this. Software 

apps help business owners be more efficient and productive and work 

smarter, not harder. Apps like Hootsuite and Buffer can help you manage 

your social media content marketing efforts. Other apps, like Notion and 

Calendly, can help you increase productivity. As soon as you have the 

budget to expand your team, do so. You can hire people directly or hire contractors to help with everyday tasks. The sooner you learn to delegate, the faster your business will grow.

3. Startup life vs. work-life balance

People assume that business owners have a lot of free time to relax and pursue hobbies. This is rarely true, especially for a new small business. You can only expect this freedom once you’ve built a successful and sustainable business or if you’re superhuman and can juggle everything simultaneously. But none of us are superhuman, and as we mentioned above, it’s challenging to build a successful 

and sustainable business. Expect to work most days of the week to help your startup thrive in its beginning stages. But this doesn’t mean you should ignore other aspects of your life such as recreation and health. Remember that you are your most significant investment. If you’re😊 not healthy, neither is your business. Find ways to manage your time efficiently and experiment with improving productivity. Use free tools such as Google Calendar or note apps to set your schedule and reminders and plan your day.

4. Virality vs. strong branding

Many inexperienced entrepreneurs and small business owners think a viral video or ads on Facebook can help them reach profitability quickly. This is rarely true. Small business owners waste billions of dollars advertising on social media. And while viral videos can create buzz, they don’t always lead to sales. And more importantly, it’s typically impossible to create virality without spending a substantial amount of money. Instead of gambling on virality or expensive ads, invest in strong branding. Branding can make or break your business. Strong branding will build brand awareness and increase brand equity. Weak branding will make your company forgettable. Entrepreneurs sometimes assume that their company’s brand identity and overall brand will take shape over time, even if they do nothing proactive to shape that identity. And in some ways, this is true. But your identity is chaotic and confusing when you don’t take proactive steps. It will only hurt your business. Brand identity is what people see when they engage with your business. Brand identity includes your business name, company logo, website, business cards, marketing materials, social media presence, and more.You should never leave these critical branding elements to chance. The most successful brands, including Airbnb, Uber, Apple, and many others, carefully craft their brand identity to support their brands.

 

Questions for Success When Embracing the Entrepreneurial Journey - Part 2

Have I considered the potential impact on my personal life and relationships?

This question recognizes the interplay between professional pursuits and personal well-being,
emphasizing the need for a holistic perspective. Entrepreneurship demands significant dedication,
sacrifices, and time commitment, often encroaching upon personal life and relationships. By introspectively evaluating this aspect, entrepreneurs can assess their readiness to navigate the potential challenges and maintain a healthy work-life balance. It involves considering factors such as time management, emotional support systems, and communication with loved ones.
Balancing personal and professional obligations is crucial to avoid burnout, sustain meaningful relationships, and foster overall well-being. By considering the potential impact on personal life and relationships, entrepreneurs can proactively take steps to nurture and maintain a harmonious integration of their professional and personal spheres, setting the stage for long-term success and fulfillment.

Am I willing and able to commit the time and effort required to make the business a success?

Running a successful business requires a significant investment of time, energy, and resources. Entrepreneurs must be prepared to work long hours, make sacrifices, and weather challenges with resilience. By honestly assessing their commitment level, entrepreneurs can align their expectations, set realistic goals, and ensure they have the necessary drive to overcome obstacles and seize opportunities. A steadfast commitment to the business not only propels growth but also inspires confidence in team members, investors, and stakeholders.

Ultimately, asking oneself if they are willing and able to commit the required time and effort is a critical step towards embarking on a path that leads to the realization of their entrepreneurial vision and long-term success.

To learn more about TikVah Business Consulting visit: TikVah Profile

Have I identified potential partners or team members to help support the business?

No entrepreneur can navigate the intricate business landscape alone. By identifying potential partners or team members, entrepreneurs can tap into a pool of talent and resources that complement their own capabilities. Strategic partnerships and a well-rounded team can bring fresh perspectives, specialized knowledge, and expanded networks to the table, strengthening the business's foundation and enhancing its growth potential.

Assembling a team of dedicated individuals who share a common vision and are aligned with the company's values also fosters a culture of collaboration and innovation. Ultimately, asking oneself if potential partners or team members have been identified is a crucial step towards creating a dynamic and capable support system, propelling the business towards long-term success and competitive advantage.

Am I prepared to adapt and overcome challenges that may arise during the course of running the business?

This inquiry highlights the need for resilience and flexibility in the face of uncertainty. Running a business is fraught with obstacles, including market fluctuations, changing consumer demands, technological advancements, and unforeseen crises. Entrepreneurs must be mentally and emotionally prepared to navigate these challenges, embracing change as an opportunity for growth rather than a setback. Adapting to new circumstances, reevaluating strategies, and innovating solutions are essential ingredients for success in a dynamic business environment.

By asking themselves if they are prepared to tackle challenges head-on, entrepreneurs can cultivate a mindset that embraces change, fortifying their ability to overcome obstacles and thrive amidst adversity. Ultimately, being prepared to adapt and overcome challenges is a fundamental pillar of entrepreneurial success in an ever-changing world.

The main takeaway

In the dynamic landscape of entrepreneurship, success hinges upon asking the right questions and taking proactive steps to address them. From evaluating the clarity and viability of a business plan to considering the potential impact on personal life and relationships, each question discussed in this article holds immense importance in shaping the trajectory of an entrepreneurial venture. By thoroughly researching the market, securing adequate funding, seeking guidance from experienced mentors, assembling a capable team, and being prepared to adapt to challenges, entrepreneurs position themselves for sustainable growth and long-term success. The entrepreneurial journey is not without its challenges, but by asking these crucial questions and taking action based on the insights gained, entrepreneurs can navigate the business landscape with confidence and seize opportunities that lead to extraordinary achievements. So, ask yourself these questions, formulate strategies, and embark on a path that propels you toward entrepreneurial greatness.

To learn more about TikVah Business Consulting visit: https://mailchi.mp/12cd7f616222/tikvah