From LinkedInBrand sportsmanship beats the media budget
Loving this fiercely friendly banter between two airlines over the World Cup. Norwegian Air threw down the gauntlet on Instagram. If Norway beats England, British Airways has to swap its logo for Norwegian's for 24 hours. If England wins, Norwegian returns the favor. British Airways didn't blink. 'Don't make bets you can't win.' Challenge accepted. Neither airline paid a cent for World Cup sponsorship. No stadium branding, no official partnership, no media buy. Just two social media teams trading jabs in the replies. And the reach they've pulled off is phenomenal. Other airlines piling into the comments. Fans checking flight prices to both airlines out of pure goodwill. People saying they want to fly BA or Norwegian just because of how the banter made them feel. That's the real win here. Not the football result. The emotion. Brand sportsmanship like this doesn't come from a media budget. It comes from a team quick enough, confident enough, and human enough to have fun in public. Makes me want to buy tickets on both airlines! British Airways @flynorwegian Norwegian. What's the last brand exchange online that actually made you want to buy something? #brandengagement #brandsportsmanship
Read the post on LinkedIn→From LinkedInYour brand is being built in the quiet moments
Did you know that your brand is being built even when you don't realise it? Not just in your logo, your website, or your campaigns. In the small, unscripted moments that nobody plans for, but everyone notices.
I was reminded of this yesterday. I had a meeting which was approximately forty minutes across the city. I hate being late, so I left early, found parking (eventually), walked in the heat, and still made it ten minutes before my scheduled time. The receptionist checked in with me, then came back a few minutes later. "I'm so sorry, he's on his way." Fine. I still had my buffer. Fifteen minutes past my appointment time, he walked in.
He apologized for being late. However, what resonated with me was the fact that he owned being late. Not "the traffic was terrible." Not a vague wave of the hand. He looked at me and said: "I didn't plan my time well. I'm sorry for keeping you waiting."
Now, I was very sure this was someone I wanted to work with.
Nobody taught him to say that. No brand manual covers it. It was just him, owning being late. That is exactly what I mean when I say your brand being built quietly. The front desk. The wait. The handshake. What someone says when things don't go to plan. It all feeds into how people feel about you and your business.
The meeting that followed was great. Lots of laughs. Real conversation. I'm hopeful something comes of it. But that one moment? That did more for his brand than any campaign could have with me.
What's the most unscripted moment that shaped how you felt about a brand or a person?
Read the post on LinkedIn→From LinkedInIt's never too early to learn the importance of gratitude
It's never too early to learn the importance of gratitude.
This right here gave me all the feels. Why?
Because I now know that my son has been listening to me - and actually putting some of it into practice.
Today is his last day of a nearly two-month internship with a large organisation. We recently had a conversation about the importance of showing gratitude and making it personal, because genuine connections are built through the way we make people feel.
So, he wrote individual thank-you cards and bought chocolates for everyone he worked with on the team.
A small gesture, perhaps, but one that says a great deal about thoughtfulness, character and the kind of professional I hope he is becoming.
A special shout-out to companies that have a proper plan for their interns and give them such a valuable start to their working journey. The experience, guidance and exposure can make a lasting difference.
As for me, I'll be enjoying this proud-mum moment for a little while longer.
What is one lesson you learned early in your career that has stayed with you?
Read the post on LinkedIn→From LinkedInOne strong insight, executed well
Shout out to local business Julith Coffee. Met a good friend for coffee and chat here and yes, I did immediately start analysing the brand.
I love it when everything comes together from a branding point of view and #julith nails it.
Food is super, the staff actually listened (even with my special requests), and the ever changing message boards are a cool touch. Encourages people to take pictures! The branded cyber truck certainly popped.
As always, I wanted to know the origins of the name and got this from their website... from the phrase 'Just like this', first two letters of each word = julith. Hence #justlikethis everywhere.
From a brand building lens, what works is one clear idea carried consistently across name, hashtag, in space messaging and experience. Simple, ownable and very shareable. Not every brand needs a big campaign. Sometimes one strong insight, executed well, is enough.
If you have not been, go. Loads of parking, good service and very good coffee and tea. What is not to like?
Read the post on LinkedIn→From LinkedInLess is more - the power of simple communication
I have always believed in the power of "less is more" - especially in communication.
These two very different signs are great examples of how effectively simplicity can work. One was in a busy souq. The other was in an office building.
Different environments. Different purposes. Yet both communicate their message instantly, without needing any further explanation. That is what memorable communication does: it makes the message clear, recognisable, and easy to remember.
What signs have you spotted that said everything they needed to say?
Read the post on LinkedIn→From LinkedInPersonal branding origins, built without the labels
Personal branding origins for me and, the values I'm driven by are from my childhood.
This has been a tough year for me after losing my father who I was very close to. But, at the same time, a year of gratitude for all the lessons that he gave, many of which I appreciate more now. The life lessons from coming from a blended childhood of experiences between Tanzania, Zambia, UK, India etc are something that I will always be grateful for.
Dad was a math teacher and was incredibly passionate about making sure that every student who he taught, understood and thrived. He was also the basketball coach so our weekends would mean driving to some remote town to participate in a match and watch him do his thing. I've had many people tell me how simple he made the subject and, because of him some of them went into careers that were heavy on math.
When we visited Lusaka, Zambia a little more than a year ago, I was actually worried if he could manage the journey etc. For dad, the excitement was so real to be in a country where he had spent over 30+ years and was returning after 25 years for a visit. For him, it was like he was young again! I juggled the reunions so that he wouldn't get tired out.
I remember what he said on the trip back... I feel like I've left a legacy and achieved something. And he had! His ex students are/were successful, entrepreneurs, doctors, engineers, pilots, farmers, consultants, educators... And all of them said... Thank you for not giving up on us. His pass rate for his classes was 100% every year.
This picture was taken when we visited the second largest university in Zambia, which was started by his ex student. The gentleman wanted to thank dad and tell the current students how this now frail looking old man shaped his future.
I think what my dad did without even knowing it, was building his personal brand. Built on honesty, hard work, demanding excellence, integrity and passion. The same values I was lucky to get exposed to without the labels.
Personal branding is real, effective and leaves a lasting impact if done right. What does your personal brand say about you? #personalbranding
Read the post on LinkedIn→More on LinkedIn
I share notes on positioning, category moves and brand behaviour there first. Connect or follow along.
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