Last year saw a wopping 50% yearly rise in visitor numbers to my blog - which I’m super chuffed about. It's always interesting to see what content is most popular and so as we start 2022 I thought it would be helpful to look back on the most popular blog posts to give you a little inspiration for your branding building in the year ahead.
Here’s the top ten. Enjoy:
1. Brand behaviours. How to live your brand purpose and values
https://www.mrmattdavies.me/post/brand-behaviours-how-to-live-your-brand-purpose-and-values
This post is all about how to translate values in business cultural behaviours. In it I explain a two step process which any business can go through to ensure they are walking the walk not just talking the talk.
2. The 16 Basic Human Desires - An Introduction
https://www.mrmattdavies.me/post/16-basic-desires
Steven Reiss was an American psychologist who was an expert in what makes us tick (or in technical terms: "intrinsic motivation"). He identified 16 basic human desires which I review in this post.
3. Get brand clarity with the Brand Strategy Triangle
https://www.mrmattdavies.me/post/get-brand-clarity-with-the-brand-strategy-triangle
My simple strategy framework of the “Big Brand Questions” - the Brand Strategy Triangle. It’s easy to remember. It’s simple. It’s powerful.
4. Questions about using archetypes in branding.
https://www.mrmattdavies.me/post/questions-about-using-archetypes-in-branding
After having the honour to lead a global group of brand strategists through a training workshop on how to use brand archetypes I received a number of questions which I addressed in this post.
5. 5 reasons to focus on customers not competitors
https://www.mrmattdavies.me/post/5-reasons-to-focus-on-customers-not-competitors
Many business leaders obsess about competitors. And for good reason. But is it the best place to focus our attention? In this post I argue for more obsession on customer insights.
6. Mapping the Brand Experience
https://www.mrmattdavies.me/post/mapping-the-brand-experience
A post about how to take a look at the experiences a brand is creating for its customers and employees. A 4 step process and a typical customer journey is outlined.
7. Why marketing should not own branding
https://www.mrmattdavies.me/post/why-marketing-should-not-own-branding
What business function should own “branding” (and by that I mean the management of the reputation of the company?). My answer is set out in this post.
8. What is your big brand idea?
https://www.mrmattdavies.me/post/what-is-your-big-brand-idea
The big brand idea is a brands war cry. It is its clarion call. Its rally point. In this post I review the merits of having a big brand idea and how it should influence a business.
9. 5 Steps to designing a company culture programme
https://www.mrmattdavies.me/post/5-steps-to-designing-a-company-culture-programme
Company culture is a tricky beast but with some thought and communication effort it can help to transform a business. This post outlines how a culture programme can be created and used.
10. Book review/recommendation: The Culture Map
https://www.mrmattdavies.me/post/book-review-the-culture-map
I do love a good book. And this one blew my little mind. This guide for navigating cultures is essential to any executive working internationality. Read my review in this post.