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Jun

Don’t ignore your brands strategic value

I have never been a big believer in the 4P’s of marketing. Price, Product, Place, Promotion. I always thought there had to be more to it! Is it not that they are not important, they are just not everything!

The companies I admired were more than the 4 P’s.

I am currently enjoying the book: The Brand Driven CEO by David Kincaid and he also finds the 4 P’s leaves us wanting and not representative of successful companies.

His premise is that the 4 P’s will not drive sustainable growth.

His research indicates that the true drivers of growth are “leaders who think differently, think more strategically about their assets and create cultures that are opportunistic and nurturing”.

After decades of researching he concludes that “there is no better or more cost-effective way to achieve lasting success than through your most important asset – your brand”

Now that I can invest in 100%!

This is what the Story co is founded on. Your brand, your story, are your most valuable and differentiating asset. Growing this asset is everyone’s responsibility it should be as important to the C-suite as is it to the front line.

Jun

Are we truly in this together?

“Women across the globe have been disproportionately affected by the Pandemic, representing 70% of all job losses. In addition, 56% of women workers held occupations in the 5C’s category: caring, cashiering, catering, cleaning and clerical functions. Many of these positions are essential workers, which means more women than men have had to risk their health and safety for the overall good of our community.”

Melissa Coomber-Bendtsen

This is a quote from the CEO of the Regina YWCA at this years Women of Distinction awards.

Once you see it, or hear it, you can’t un-see it, or un-hear it! This is not an untold story, but it is not a fully told story! It felt staggering to me.

We are clearly not in this together!!

I am a woman entrepreneur and I too would like to be called an “entrepreneur” with no identifier, but this is an example of how far away we are from equity in the workforce, on boards and in the 5 C’s.

Sometimes I grow weary – equity and injustice weary!

But weariness has never stopped women.

And so we carry on, finding opportunities to make change. Women and men together until we are truly in “this” together!

Jun

hope builder

What an impact the YWCA Regina women of distinction awards had on me! It is always an outstanding event and the focus on essential workers this year played with all of our heartstrings!

The guest speaker Waneek Horn-Miller was exceptional. She has a very calm way of presenting fiercely important ideas.

She talked about the number of people who had been “hope builders” along her way and I fell in the love with the idea of being a “hope builder”. Surely that is what the world needs now!

She also talks about making love the foundation of our decisions and what changes when we do.

Freshly springing into June looking for ways to be a “Hope Builder”. Who are you a hope builder for?

Apr

Thank you

We launched The Story School, PurposeBrand, and FutureProof your Retail Business, all in March … all at the same time!

It seemed like a good idea. The concepts have been in various hoppers for many years and it was time to press “GO”.

I was fully embracing Michael Bungay Stanier’s philosophy of setting worthy goals.

He describes a worthy goal as something that “unlocks our greatness and allows us to work on the hard stuff.” Not too intimidating, is it?

Worthy goals being further defined as having three primary criteria:

They must be thrilling. Check.
They should be daunting. We could check this box like 3 times, or 5, ok 10, but who’s counting?
They should be important, as he describes it, “the accomplishment of these goals will have a positive impact on others.” Check.

So, all three criteria had been checked, and I sat in my bright office and hovered over “go” or in this case “send” or “post”, or both.

Whatever “go” is, it really is weird to press “go” during Covid. It’s a bit like watching a Raptors game with no fans! Did we score, did anyone start the wave, was there a collective gasp of “oh this is just what we needed?” We pressed “go” and still my pup slept on my feet – no happy dance from you Stella? C’mon we have worked so hard on this!!

And then a ding here, and then another, and a few DM’s there and then…. oh wow! It was full on! There were many great conversations, I met new people, and we shared desires to strategically tell the right stories, build purpose driven brands and leaders, and to Futureproof Retail.

Pressing “go” was every bit as thrilling, daunting, and important as it should be.

And I have each of you to thank for helping me to actualize these worthy goals. You are at the heart of every new initiative. This great response leaves me both humbled and thankful.

We might not launch 3 courses at the same time again(!) but we will continue to set worthy goals, and deliver with big hearts and deep connection, while remaining committed to our purpose of elevating others through the power of their own story.

Game on!

Mar

Get ready to FutureProof your Retail Business even when the future is uncertain!

If you live in Sk this training is qualifies for 100% reimbursement through RSTS (reopen Saskatchewan Training subsidy) but only March 31!!!

Retail has changed dramatically and it can be overwhelming to try and keep up and know what is ahead. Juggling ever-changing Covid protocols, launching online stores, managing cash flow, all while keeping a smile on your face is a lot! Although everything has changed the day is still only 24 hours long!

We also know the economy is going to be uncertain for a while longer and we know you want to own your position in the marketplace and keep growing your business.

So we have created the FutureProof Retail Certification Program!

What does it mean to Futureproof your retail business? It means we help you anticipate the future and develop innovative strategies to increase your resilience to change, so you can thrive.

It is everything you need to remain a leading retailer in 2021! A one-stop shop to learn about :

Retail trends and processes for 2021 and what this means for your business?
Use the StoreDoctor to understand exactly where you are now
Create your Futureproof Road map your very own go-forward strategy.
Understand the power of your brand and how to strategically leverage your unique
one on one integration coaching – putting what you learn to work

Janet Lee of the Story co. has teamed up with Lisa Hutcheson from retail consultancy J.C. Williams Group and their passion for retail runs deep!

It is only surpassed by their passion to help retailers. They are dedicated to elevating the retail experience so that retail can take its place helping neighborhoods, communities and cities to thrive.

We can’t wait to tell you more about it and secure your seat – click here for more information.

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