With the emergence of the social, super collaborative world, the nature of your brands is undergoing a transformation too. You no longer unilaterally shape your brand, your brand is now co-owned and communized.
2. 2
Your brand has been communized
Do you own your brands? Is the locus of control with you? Do you decide its identity
influence its perception? – In a social, hyper connected, democratic world- the
answer is NO
Brands are debated, discussed, distorted, reshaped, recreated in the universe
outside the Brand HQ
Brand perceptions are shaped not by million dollar commercials or PR but by peer
networks across the world
Disintermediation of the PR, your brands and its high priests have to participate in
the conversation
Empowerment of the small, local seller.
One direct line connects the producer and the consumer. The risk is yours
The community holds the invisible equity, they will demand their ‘returns’?
You have to be there
Not here
3. 3
And what does that mean?
Redrawing the value network
Peer to peer value chains
Co-author the brand
Shared stories
Shared Commitment
Brand conversations – determines the brand identity
The invisible equity holders
4. 4
Redrawing the value network
The value network has to be redrawn to include peer to peer synergies occuring
outside the organization
Creation and dissemination of value in the customer to customer networks. How
can you contribute to or share the value?
The length of the network from the supplier to customer is shrinking. Brand Risk
Value shared or even created outside your networks. How can you tap into the
super value?
Supplier
Cooperatives
Buyer Cooperatives/
Peer to peer
selling/rent/
exchange
Direct selling. E-
choupals. Virtual
bazaars.
5. 5
Integrating the super value
Facilitate supplier communities and cooperatives. Integrate small suppliers.
Eliminate agents. Enhanced bargaining power of suppliers offset by reduced
integration costs
Facilitate buyer communities. Can peer to peer selling or sharing happen through
your portal? Gives you access to new brand owners.
Rethink your business model. Can you rent out additional capacity for example. Eg
an auto maker can also rent cars. You can rent out spare business spaces.
7. 7
Shared Stories. Shared Values
Listen to the brand communities. The stories and the emotions they associate.
Co-opt the story
Brand Jack Daniel built around local myths and legends
Listen to the brand communities. The stories they narrate. The values they
associate with. Co-opt the story. Build your brand story and values together
8. 8
Shared Commitment
Listen to the brand communities. The stories and the emotions they associate.
Co-opt the story
Brand Jack Daniel built around local myths and legends
Listen to the brand communities. The stories and the emotions they associate.
Co-opt the story
Build partnerships. Trust Shared vows
9. 9
Brand Conversations
• Tune the frequency. Eavesdrop. Listen. Join in. Reach out.
• Incorporate the feedback. Adapt the brand. Or repurpose.
• Humanize the brand. Empower your employees to participate
in the conversations
• Spot the super advocates from your customer community.
Amplify
10. 10
The invisible equity owners
Community as a shareholder in your brand equity. How do you reward them,
show them value? Will you assure them ‘returns’? Will you organize Annual
community meetings?