Brand Rude? (General)

Companies spend countless hours and significant money in developing a brand and a brand strategy. Some brands convey quality, (Mercedes) cool, (Apple) fun, (Disney) or strength (MicroSoft). A brand is built to convey a specific message to a target market and can contribute significantly to the success of a company’s marketing effort. Do you know what your brand says? Have you spent any time developing a vision of how you could transmit your message through your letterhead, your business cards, your office decor, or how you answer the phone? Good branding does not happen by accident! It must be developed, shared with all of your people, and protected on a daily basis! With so much time, and resources dedicated to developing a brand, why do so many executives forget that when they are in public, they represent their brand in everything they say and do? I recently attended an event where the guest speakers were a real attraction. After the networking and connections portion of the event, I was really impressed with the folks in attendance, some who happened to be seated at my table… but my admiration for them began to diminish as soon as the program started. It seemed they just could not stop talking! They talked through the introductions, they talked through thanking the sponsors, and they just kept talking. Now, an occasional whisper is fine by me, but talking loudly through the program is just plain rude. I grew more frustrated by the minute as I strained to hear the speakers, and noted the disapproving glances from the adjoining tables. It was annoying, frustrating, and embarrassing. Where were their manners? Later, several people inquired as to who was talking all through the program. As I identified the culprits, I wondered how their actions might affect the business that I presume they were there to build. Would their rudeness be identified with their company, or would it be attributed to just an overall decline in society’s manners? Is there no longer respect for a speaker, the other attendees, or the host of the event? I think most people attend an event to hear the speaker, not the schmoozer, and if you attend an event, you owe it to the host to pay attention to the program. At the very least, I think it is critical to realize that when you appear in public on behalf of your organization, you have a responsibility to professionally represent your company, and their brand…and I can’t think of a brand that would benefit from being associated with being rude!