Brandbite #3 Environments fuel brands. Did you ever walk into an office where the company's brand is positioned as progressive, innovative, and cutting edge and their lobby and conference room looks like something out of a 1977 bad decor history book? Mixed message ;( If your customers are exposed to your office environment, a consistent story/style and appearance just adds more punch to your brand. Even if your customers don't visit your place of business, I'll bet your employees do. They need the same feeding of brand essence daily to breathe brand and be meaningful ambassadors. Don't get lazy with your environment. Consider the furnishings, the art or signage, sounds and smell, and methods to tout your achievements (other than old, tired Chamber certificates on the wall). Get creative. This is a worthy investment and speaks volumes about who your brand is and what you stand for. Seen I recently flew Song Airline, the low low-fare carrier of Delta. I loved it; it was casual, fresh, with a spike of hip. The plane environment was very cool, with kiwi, grape, and tangerine leather seats, and the restroom floors were decked out with a psychedelic rubber pattern of complimentary pop colors. Nice space. Good flight. Great song!

Karen Post helps organizations and professionals prosper with a powerful brand. She is a 20-year branding enthusiast, professional speaker, and author. If you’d like to learn more on branding, speaking programs, or consulting, please visit www.brandingdiva.com.