PurposeBrand – Page 5 – The Story Co.

Jun

Changed forever

What will your brand stand up for?

Both Covid-19 and the racial injustice movement have changed us forever.

We can do better.

I’ve been thinking about just how can we do better.

If we have been changed, surely our personal brands and the brands we work for must change too. We cannot imagine that from here we simply go on as we have.

We have always had choices on which businesses we will support, but now that choice seems more important.

The truly purpose-driven brands have always been more successful. The purpose-driven brands employing people with a personal purpose aligned to the purpose of the company are even more successful.

So why now, when we have been so severely shaken by global events would we support brands that do not support our deepest held beliefs?

We won’t.

To get the attention of the marketplace you want to impact, it is time to declare what you stand for and what your brand will stand up for, and what you will not tolerate. Then find concrete ways to ensure you walk the talk.

If you are looking to be a purpose-driven brand, start by declaring your values. Once considered “fluff”, or a “nice to have”, now your values are a rallying cry, a uniting force, and a source for motivating a team of staff that wants to make a difference. Values are a way to retain and acquire new talent. Values will also be your differentiator in the marketplace.

What would change if you added anti-racism to your values?

What would change if you added well-being to your values?

How would that drive internal and external change? What impact would the results of those actions have?

The time has come to be a purpose-brand. If you need help navigating this impactful way of living and working, let’s work together to make this part of your story.

Forever changed is the silver lining.

Keep going.

Live your story, on purpose.

May

New Normal

The more we talk of the “new normal” the longer we stay tethered to the past.

And let’s face it; the past was not perfect, even though right now we are idolizing it. We did not have it all right then, the economy was still difficult, and we have never been able to go back in time, so why wish to go back now? Obsessing about the past is a lot of backwards energy.

But we are craving something. (Which often includes many trips to the fridge, hmm salty or sweet? 🙂

We are aching for something that will act as our rudder to steer us as we move forward and as we move our business forward.

That rudder is your purpose, both your personal purpose and your corporate purpose.

Dominic Houlder, professor of strategic and entrepreneurial management at London Business School put it bluntly and succinctly:

As business and organizations face stronger crosswinds, purpose becomes even more important, not less so. That’s because the “what” and the “how” of business is changing more frequently in a volatile world. This leaves the purpose, the “why” as the primary compass for navigating key decisions.

There is no shortcut, no magic wand, to wave us through this pandemic, but if we do the hard work and get clear on our purpose and then put our purpose to work, we will have the type of impact we imagined.

Keep going.

P.S. If you would like to get clear on your personal or corporate purpose so that you can have the impact you are looking for, set up a time to call me by clicking below.

Let's chat

Apr

Simplify

Simplify. I think that might be one of the words that I remember the pandemic by (that and chocolate). Or at least today that is how I am feeling. It can be a moment-by-moment adventure!

I have this persistent visual that life right now is going through a sieve and only what is essential remains.

Last year I read the book “Essentialism: The disciplined Pursuit of Less” by Greg McKeown and I loved it and it stuck with me. The tagline for the book could not be more apt for the times.

The crux of his work is not about doing more with less, it is actually about asking yourself if what you are spending your time and resources on is the “right” thing. We can remove a lot of overwhelm if we stop trying to do it all, stop saying yes every time and instead concentrate on doing the right things. Taking a “less but better” approach.

And to get to what is essential we rely on our purpose.

Our purpose becomes the sieve through which all of our options can sift. What is our genius work? What does matter to us? How can we do what matters to us and to others?.

It is a mindful way to live life and to do business.

Over this last month I have in many different voices asked myself “what does matter?” And on the more insightful days, usually when I am out walking Stella I might be able to come up with an answer. I then have to push myself further and say, “okay, now that I know what does matter, do that.” (Maybe it’s Stella who inspires me she always knows what matters – sticks!)

One of my favourite quotes from the book:

“Whatever decision or challenge or crossroads you face in your life, simply ask yourself, ‘What is essential?’ Eliminate everything else.”

As we move forward businesses will be tried, and it will not be an easy road. We will have to zone in on our “essential” by knowing what matters most to us, and to others, and to have the courage to “do that”.

This pandemic has required us to eliminate much, to purge more than just our closets.

Perhaps it has also helped us to embrace the simplicity of the essential. That we can manage and thrive focused on the right things, one piece at a time.

If you are looking to get clear on your purpose to grow your business and enrich your life let’s chat.

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Changed forever

What will your brand stand up for?

New Normal

Simplify

get inspired.

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