The branding you need
The ability to learn, unlearn and relearn is possible only when you have a brain that thinks deep.
The above is not a jibe, if you do not question your knowledge about something, you cannot unlearn it if it were to be flawed.
Your ability to think deeply makes it possible to agree (learn), disagree with what you've always known (unlearn) and have a newly formed opinion (relearn).
In the last 7 years, I had learnt, unlearned and relearned so many things about branding and I'll be sharing some.
I had learnt branding is the visual aspect of your business or person, people are aesthetically driven, they spend a fortune on what pleases their eyes.
The best thing about branding that I had learnt is that "branding is the spirit of excellence you put in your business".
I had learned those two concepts from different individuals with different views and takes on business.
I had also learned that personal branding had a lot to do with your looks; dressing being the most prominent feature.
When I learned a new thing, I thought deeply about it and if it made sense, I placed it above what I used to know.
One time, while writing an article on branding for a client, I harmonized the various knowledge I had on branding and put them into one.
All of those concepts are applicable to branding, businesses or persons who combine them are the most successful.
But one part I saw today in one of the things I had written five years ago prompted this write-up. I had written that "Wole Soyinka's hair is his brand"
Truly, the most successful person with an afro hair in Nigeria has to be Wole Soyinka, right?
If Soyinka cut his hair today, what will it take away from him? Absolutely nothing.
Him cutting his hair will be a very big news, if he cuts skin, other people who cut skin will still be likened to him.
I had said Steve Job's brand look was turtleneck and jean, would wearing a suit hamper his brand in anyway? Of course not.
One perculiar thing with people who have built "big brands" and have a form of outlook is that they love looking that way, that look has nothing to do with the success or failure of their brands.
Steve's brand is his business and the excellence it delivers.
Soyinka's brand is the excellence in his literature, political participation and in being an elder statesman.
As long as you are dressed decently and avoid scandals, your "brand" thrives. You do not need to wear a suit in the summer because dressing is your idea of branding.
Your real brand is your delivery of excellence.