Finally, after you’ve made changes to your product/services offers, make sure to let your audience and customers know that you have done so, and you’re looking forward to showing up, and serving them even better! CULTIVATE A COMPASSIONATE, COLLABO- RATIVE AND INCLUSIVE BRAND I’ve been heartbroken over the last year to see several of my favourite local businesses close their doors for good. As a fellow local business owner, I can’t help but imagine what small actions might have helped these businesses, even if the outcome remained the same, and closing shop was inevitable. Although better days are coming with the arrival of vaccines, the reality is that we’re still dealing with the effects of a global pandemic, an economic recession, along with persistent acts of systemic racism right here in our province. I don’t have all the answers on how to solve these massive challenges, but as people, business owners, and as brands, we can start to do better by taking a compassionate and collaborative approach through our actions, and our choices. I’ve seen so many examples of this solidarity over the last year, and I want to encourage you to continue to move through this year with that same kindness in mind. How might we begin to cultivate compassion- ate and collaborative culture with our brands? It starts with thoughtful action taking. You can be collaborative with your brand in both big and small ways, and what you do depends on what feels like the right fit for your brand. You don’t necessarily need to do big, elaborate gestures to help support fellow businesses. Here are a few great ways to be supportive of your favourite brands. Word of Mouth referrals. It’s easy, fast, and free to tell our friends about the brands we love both in person, and online. The best way to brag on the brands you love is by either sharing, comment- ing, and ‘liking’ their content or leaving them a
review. When you use your online platforms to spread the word about other great brands, you’re building real relationships, and a community that may someday support your brand in return.
support diverse groups. Visit https://www.bbi. ca/business-directory for a list of Nova Scotia black owned businesses. Visit https://www. ulnooweg.ca/business-directory/ for a listing of local, Indigenous owned businesses. Finally, you can also consider starting a strate- gic brand partnership. Is there an opportunity to strengthen your brand by partnering with another aligned, like-minded brand? Be creative and think about what brands you might like to partner with. How might you add even more value to both of your customers if you were to team up? What might you offer to your custom- ers that makes your partnership mutually bene- ficial? IN CLOSING When you’re looking to strengthen your brand this spring, remember to get clear about what you want over the next three months. Make it a priority to do some spring cleaning with your brand, especially as it pertains to your online brand presence. Being clear about what you want creates space for innovative ways to build your brand through your offers, and marketing content, and keeps your brand presence current, fresh, and relevant. Building a compassionate, collaborative, and inclusive brand is the best kind of branding to aspire to, and its something that is often not achieved on your own. If you feel like you can use some extra support to strengthen your brand this season, I’m here
and happy to help you with a free, 30 minute, 1:1 VIP brand sessions. Book a time with me at branding@brittanypickrem.com. For more branding tips and insights please follow along with me on Instagram @brandingbybrittany, I’d be honoured for you to join my small but mighty community of brand creators and changemak- ers. Brittany Pickrem is a brand designer for 6 and 7-figure leaders and changemakers across the globe. Brittany provides leaders with a world- class brand strategy and style from their website to their wardrobe.
Purchase from local brands you love whenever you can. Money is the life force of any business, purchasing from a business you love helps them to continue the great work they’re doing, and directly supports our local economy too. Every dollar you spend is a vote cast for the kind of world you live in. Nova Scotia is a province with so much diversity, make it your mission to
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MARCH 2021 • SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE
SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE • MARCH 2021
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