“Company culture” has become a bit of a buzz phrase in the last few years. Silicon Valley powerhouses have famously prioritized their internal culture by providing non-traditional benefits like paternity leave and pet insurance. Offices all over the country are installing foosball and pool tables. Employee swag has become an artform, with items like branded gumball machines and fish tanks. This is an extreme shift from the good ole’ days when all you expected from your employer was a paycheck and a holiday ham.
Don’t get me wrong, I love a good ham as much as the next girl, but dare I say it’s no gravy. Gravy sucks me in and makes me feel warm and fuzzy. Gravy makes me go back for seconds. Gravy completes the meal. And that’s exactly what these companies are getting at. They aren’t trying to be trendy and cutting edge, they’ve tapped into something special. A magical marketing golden ticket: the indelible influence of culture on brands.
Every non-Nebraskan’s favorite billionaire, Jeff Bezos, said, “Your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room.” And he’s right. Perception IS reality. This means that when your employees are sitting around their family tables eating the Easter ham and are asked “how’s work going”, their reply is important. It reflects your brand.
It’s no secret that engaged employees are more productive and successful in their jobs, which is what every business owner wants. When they’re engaged in the culture as well, they spread their brand love like sunshine. With an engaged culture, your brand can truly utilize all its “assets”, not just a logo and font. This tells a much more distinct, authentic and powerful story. The story of your team, your home away from home, your mission, your values, your voice. Your company rallying cry.
I’m not saying foosball tables are going to single-handedly enhance your culture. Your core values and your people are at the heart of it all, so shape your internal communications around those. Post the values on your walls and at employees’ desks. Talk about them at company meetings and share what they mean to you. Celebrate employee milestones and successes. Really drive home what unites you all and brings you to the same place day after day. I’ve seen companies who have integrated values so well that it has created a ride or die mentality that transcends the 8-5 grind –employees who will go to bat for one another AND their employer.
So, I encourage you to consider culture with the importance that is due. Integrate it into your marketing through emails, newsletters, events, blogs, social media. Show your customers how you are unique. Tell your story. I assure you that the good work you are doing on the inside will ultimately make some really tasty marketing gravy.
Does your brand connect with your values and culture? If not, schedule a chat with one of our CMOs to get it on track! Contact Us Today!
About the Author:
Suzie is an accomplished Marketing professional with 12 years of broad exposure developing and leading strategic marketing efforts in support of company goals and brand growth.
Whether at a small business or a Fortune 500 company, Suzie is known for helping local and national organizations tell their stories in ways that generate results. She creates value through a disciplined strategic planning process that is built upon communication and accountability.
Prior to joining yorCMO, Suzie worked with a variety of industries including real estate, retail, higher education, pharmaceuticals and technology. She is a hands-on marketing executive who is skilled in positioning, analytics, messaging, branding, targeting and digital marketing. Suzie also brings the added advantage of a strong creative background including design, writing and art direction.
How Fractional CMOs Can Help You Rebrand Effectively
Are you considering a rebrand? Most companies undergo a rebrand of some kind every 7 to 10 years, but that doesn’t mean completely overhauling your brand and starting from scratch. But as the market landscape, customer expectations, and even social climates change,...
Leadership Burnout: What Causes It and How to Avoid It
Burnout is practically unavoidable these days, with 65% of employees feeling its effects. And those in leadership positions are uniquely prone to burnout. Leadership roles come with immense responsibilities and pressures, and as organizations continue to grow, the...
Driving Growth Through Marketing Transformation
Our client aimed for new growth, and with the assistance of Fractional CMO Stacy Kamigaki, they achieved a path to expand into new markets.
Driving Brand Growth with the Right Leadership
What’s in a brand? Your mission, voice, tone, and community are all important parts of your brand. But getting that brand to grow comes down to having the right leadership on board—and for many companies, that requires some serious hunting. But that worthwhile effort...
How to Develop a Customer Focused Strategy for B2C Marketing
Is your business customer-centric? While many businesses make the claim, being customer-centric is an all-out effort that starts at the core of your brand. It’s part of your overall identity, and it starts at the top. Let's discuss the significance of...
Using Emotion to Achieve Better Marketing Results
Discover how a family-owned plumbing supplies company underwent a major branding shift with the help of fractional CMO Rich Taylor.
What’s The Link Between Employee Development and Business Growth?
Business growth isn’t fueled by just one thing. But one area many businesses tend to overlook while assessing their growth plans is employee development. Here’s the truth: Employee development is just as beneficial to the success of the overall business as it is to...
How to Stand Out in a Crowded Market
It’s no secret that today’s competition is fierce and consumer attention spans are fleeting, which makes setting yourself apart from the crowd seemingly impossible—but oh-so-important. Brand differentiation is not just a buzzword; it's a crucial strategy for growth...
Navigating the Ethical Implications of AI Strategies
It seems like every organization is flocking to some kind of AI technology nowadays—but not everyone is quick to adopt it despite the benefits they expect to reap. One big reason comes down to ethics. Understandably, leaders are hesitant to pursue technology that...
Strategic Leadership: Balancing Risk and Opportunity
We as people take calculated risks every day without realizing it. We choose to drive even though we know we could get into an accident. We try a new item off a menu knowing there’s a chance we might not like it. We cross our fingers, knock on wood, or make wishes...
How Fractional CMOs Can Help You Rebrand Effectively
Are you considering a rebrand? Most companies undergo a rebrand of some kind every 7 to 10 years, but that doesn’t mean completely overhauling your brand and starting from scratch. But as the market landscape, customer expectations, and even social climates change,...
Leadership Burnout: What Causes It and How to Avoid It
Burnout is practically unavoidable these days, with 65% of employees feeling its effects. And those in leadership positions are uniquely prone to burnout. Leadership roles come with immense responsibilities and pressures, and as organizations continue to grow, the...
Driving Growth Through Marketing Transformation
Our client aimed for new growth, and with the assistance of Fractional CMO Stacy Kamigaki, they achieved a path to expand into new markets.
Driving Brand Growth with the Right Leadership
What’s in a brand? Your mission, voice, tone, and community are all important parts of your brand. But getting that brand to grow comes down to having the right leadership on board—and for many companies, that requires some serious hunting. But that worthwhile effort...
How to Develop a Customer Focused Strategy for B2C Marketing
Is your business customer-centric? While many businesses make the claim, being customer-centric is an all-out effort that starts at the core of your brand. It’s part of your overall identity, and it starts at the top. Let's discuss the significance of...
Using Emotion to Achieve Better Marketing Results
Discover how a family-owned plumbing supplies company underwent a major branding shift with the help of fractional CMO Rich Taylor.
What’s The Link Between Employee Development and Business Growth?
Business growth isn’t fueled by just one thing. But one area many businesses tend to overlook while assessing their growth plans is employee development. Here’s the truth: Employee development is just as beneficial to the success of the overall business as it is to...
How to Stand Out in a Crowded Market
It’s no secret that today’s competition is fierce and consumer attention spans are fleeting, which makes setting yourself apart from the crowd seemingly impossible—but oh-so-important. Brand differentiation is not just a buzzword; it's a crucial strategy for growth...
Navigating the Ethical Implications of AI Strategies
It seems like every organization is flocking to some kind of AI technology nowadays—but not everyone is quick to adopt it despite the benefits they expect to reap. One big reason comes down to ethics. Understandably, leaders are hesitant to pursue technology that...
Strategic Leadership: Balancing Risk and Opportunity
We as people take calculated risks every day without realizing it. We choose to drive even though we know we could get into an accident. We try a new item off a menu knowing there’s a chance we might not like it. We cross our fingers, knock on wood, or make wishes...