Branding Consultancy: Elevate Your Brand

Elevate your business with KHULA™ branding consultancy. Stand out in the market with a brand that commands attention and amplifies your voice.

11
March 2024
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Brand Refresh

Imagine walking into a room and instantly capturing everyone's attention. That's the kind of magic a strong brand can create for your business. In a bustling marketplace where standing out is crucial, your brand is the megaphone that amplifies your voice above the noise. Enter branding consultancy, the behind-the-scenes maestro orchestrating your brand’s performance. 

But what exactly is branding consultancy, and how do you know if your business needs it? Let's dive into this vibrant world and find out.

Understanding Branding Consultancy

Branding consultancy is like the architect of your business's public face. It's a specialized service focused on developing and managing your brand's identity. 

Think of your brand as a person. Just like people have personalities, styles, and ways of communicating, so does your brand. Branding consultants are experts in shaping this personality in a way that aligns with your business values and appeals to your target audience.

It's not just about making things look pretty, though that's certainly part of it. Branding consultancy delves into the very DNA of your business. It's about understanding your core values, mission, and what you stand for. 

These experts help translate these intangibles into a coherent brand narrative that tells your story in a way that resonates with your audience. They consider every touchpoint: from your logo to your website, from your social media presence to your packaging. It's a holistic approach that ensures consistency and cohesiveness across all platforms.

But it's not a one-size-fits-all solution. A good branding consultancy tailors its approach to fit your unique business needs. They take the time to understand your market, your competition, and your place within it. 

With this understanding, they craft a brand strategy that sets you apart, highlights your strengths, and addresses any weaknesses. This strategic approach is what differentiates branding consultancy from mere design or marketing services.

The Role of a Branding Consultant

The role of a branding consultant is multifaceted. They're part researcher, digging into your industry and audience to understand what makes them tick. They're part strategist, developing a plan to position your brand in the best possible light. And they're part creative genius, bringing your brand to life visually and verbally.

A significant part of their role involves research and analysis. They conduct market research to understand industry trends, customer preferences, and what your competitors are doing. This research forms the foundation of a strong brand strategy. They analyze this data to identify opportunities for your brand to shine and challenges to overcome.

Next comes the strategy development. Branding consultants help define your brand's positioning; how you want to be perceived in the market. They work on your brand's messaging: the key messages you want to communicate to your audience. 

Also, they assist in developing your brand's voice and personality; whether it's professional, friendly, innovative, or something entirely unique. This is where the consultant's creative expertise really comes into play.

Signs You Need a Branding Consultant

Sometimes, realizing you need a branding consultant is as clear as knowing you need a coffee on a Monday morning. Other times, it's a bit more subtle. Here are some tell-tale signs that it might be time to bring in a branding expert:

  • Your brand feels like a wallflower. If your business isn't standing out and is often overlooked in the marketplace, a branding consultant can help you find your spotlight.
  • Consistency? What consistency? If your brand feels all over the place (like a mismatched outfit) it's time for a consultant to bring some harmony.
  • You're entering new territory. Launching a new product, targeting a new audience, or expanding into new markets? A branding consultant is like a seasoned tour guide for these journeys.
  • Sales are sluggish. When sales are moving slower than a snail, it could be a branding issue. A fresh perspective might just be the boost you need.
  • Your brand hasn't evolved. If your brand still feels like it's stuck in the era of flip phones, it's time for a modern makeover.
  • Crickets from your audience. Struggling to engage your audience? A branding consultant can help you speak their language.
  • You're drawing a blank. If you're unsure about your brand's direction, a consultant can help clear the fog and set a defined path.

Remember, reaching out for help isn't a sign of weakness; it's a smart move for your business. A branding consultant can provide the clarity, direction, and expertise needed to elevate your brand and make it resonate with your audience. 

The Impact of Effective Branding

Effective branding is like a superpower for your business. It does more than just make you look good: it connects with people on an emotional level. When done right, branding can transform the way customers perceive and interact with your business. It's not just about selling a product or service; it's about creating an experience that resonates with people.

One of the most significant impacts of effective branding is building brand recognition. This is crucial in today's fast-paced world where consumers are bombarded with choices. 

A strong brand stands out in a crowded marketplace, making it easier for customers to remember and choose your business over competitors. It's like being the popular kid in school; everyone knows who you are, and they want to be associated with you.

Another key impact is building customer loyalty. Effective branding creates a bond between your business and your customers. It's about creating a brand that customers are proud to support and advocate for. When customers feel a connection to your brand, they're more likely to stick with you through thick and thin. 

Lastly, strong branding can give you the confidence to charge what you're worth. When your brand is perceived as high-quality and trustworthy, customers are often willing to pay a premium. This can lead to increased profitability and a healthier bottom line. It's like being a top chef; when people know you're the best, they don't mind paying a little extra for your dishes.

Choosing the Right Branding Consultancy

Choosing the right branding consultancy is a bit like dating: you want to find someone who gets you, shares your vision, and can bring out the best in your business. 

The first step is to do your homework. Look for consultancies with experience in your industry and a track record of success. Check out their previous work – does it impress you? Do their branding strategies resonate with what you envision for your business?

Once you've narrowed down your options, it's time to have a chat. Meeting with potential consultancies gives you a feel for their approach and personality. Do they ask insightful questions? Do they seem genuinely interested in your business? You want a partner who's not just skilled, but also a good fit for your team.

It's also important to consider their process. How do they plan to get to know your business? What steps will they take to develop your brand? 

A good consultancy should have a clear, structured process that makes sense to you. They should be transparent about what they need from you and what you can expect from them. Clear communication is key to a successful partnership.

Long-Term Benefits and ROI

Investing in branding consultancy isn't just about making your business look good in the short term. It's about setting the foundation for long-term success. 

One of the biggest long-term benefits is establishing a strong market position. A well-defined brand helps you stand out and stay top-of-mind with customers, which can be invaluable in a competitive market.

Another benefit is the ability to attract and retain top talent. People want to work for brands they admire and believe in. A strong brand can make your business more attractive to potential employees, helping you build a team of passionate, dedicated people.

In terms of ROI, effective branding can lead to increased customer loyalty and lifetime value. Loyal customers are more likely to make repeat purchases and recommend your business to others. This can lead to a virtuous cycle of growth, as satisfied customers help attract new ones.

Finally, a strong brand can give you leverage in the marketplace. It can open doors to new partnerships, collaborations, and opportunities. When you have a brand that others respect and admire, it can be easier to negotiate favorable terms with suppliers, distributors, and other stakeholders.

Summarize

In the bustling bazaar of business, branding consultancy is your ally in making your brand not just seen, but unforgettable. It's about finding your unique voice in a crowded room and turning up the volume. Whether you're just starting out or looking to rejuvenate your brand, remember that the right branding can make all the difference. 

So, take a moment to assess your brand's pulse. Is it strong and vibrant, or does it need a little boost? If it's the latter, maybe it's time to bring in the branding experts. Let's make your brand not just exist, but truly live.

Ready To Hit Refresh?

When it comes to your brand and website design, you don't need to struggle or try figure it out on your own.

Let us help you get it right and create a standout brand image you can be proud of.

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Worried your brand is falling behind, but you're not sure?

Here's a quick checklist to find out.

  1. You created your brand on a Commodore 64 - okay, that may be too far back, but you get the idea - your graphics are outdated.
  2. Your website still thinks it rules the playground, hates change, and refuses to play nice with mobile devices - in other words; it isn't responsive.
  3. You have trouble uploading your logo to any social media sites while making it look good - can't they make that square any bigger? Honestly.
  4. Your messaging says one thing while your business is doing another - basically, your business has evolved, but the story you're telling hasn't.
  5. You're losing customers because you can't tell them "at the speed of light" what you do - yes, that's how fast you need to capture someone's attention.

If you answered yes to any of the above, don't worry. We won't judge, but you're probably ready for a brand refresh. Not a complete overhaul, just an update. Because design trends change, technology keeps improving, and buyers are getting savvier and smarter. And brands, yours included, need to stay ahead of it all or at least keep up.


Every Brand Needs Refreshing.

For some, depending on the nature of their business, it could be quite often. Just look at Google. They seem to be doing it every day! We're not suggesting you go that extreme, but you could take a cue from MasterCard's subtle but recognizable brand mark evolution from 1966 to 2019.

Not all of Mastercard's re-brands were successful, but we won't talk about those because, in 2019, Mastercard did get it right. They didn't change their brand or what it stood for. They simply made it better by adapting their brand mark or logo to meet current trends.

In a bold move, they removed their name in printed form, letting their iconic overlapping red and yellow circles do the talking. They now have a "flexible modern design that works seamlessly across the digital landscape." When explaining the decision, Raja Rajamanar, Mastercard's chief marketing and communication officer, said: "Reinvention in the digital age calls for modern simplicity." Bam. Instant relevance.


That's What KHULA Does.

We're Brand Refresh Specialists.

KHULA helps brands stay true to who they are while giving them a new and improved image. In a nutshell, we help brands that feel tired, worn out, and a bit irrelevant get the revamp they need to keep growing their business. While updating your brand might seem daunting and overwhelming, we assure you it's not.

It's one of the most important things you could do for your business. Plus, it feels incredibly satisfying once you have a new website with on-point branding that represents who you are and what you do.


For A Successful Brand Refresh, You Need Expertise In Branding, Marketing, And Design.

Not everyone is at Mastercard's revamp level, but the foundational elements of the process for most businesses, big and small, are the same. A good brand refresh usually includes the following:

Brand Audit: This is a thorough analysis of an existing brand that uncovers its market position, target audience, competitors, and overall brand perception.

Research and Insights: Gathering market research, consumer insights, and industry trends informs the brand refresh strategy.

Strategy Development: To develop a comprehensive brand refresh strategy that aligns with the company's goals, it may require refining brand positioning, defining the brand personality, and establishing the brand's unique value proposition.

Visual Identity: Often seen as the "fun stuff", designers and creative teams collaborate to update or refine the visual elements of the brand, such as the logo, colour palette, typography, and overall brand aesthetics.

Messaging and Communication: Refreshing a brand isn't just about updating visual elements; it also includes updating messaging by crafting or refining brand messages, taglines, and brand voice to ensure consistency and resonance with the target audience.

Implementation Guidance: This involves implementing the brand refresh across various touchpoints, including marketing materials, website, packaging, and other brand collateral.

Stakeholder Engagement: Strong collaboration with internal teams and stakeholders must be established to ensure a smooth transition and alignment throughout the entire brand refresh process.

Brand Guidelines: Brand guidelines or style guides are created to provide instructions and standards for maintaining the refreshed brand identity across different platforms and communications.


When It All Comes Together, Brand Image Is Improved, The Target Audience Is Reached, And Business Objectives Are Achieved.

We'd say that's a pretty stellar outcome.

If your brand is losing its shine and starting to feel left behind, we can help.

We'd love to walk you through our brand refresh process and make your brand come alive again.

Want to explore some of our award-winning brand refreshes? Check them out here!

What's A Brand Refresh Anyway? It's Your Brand. Only Better.

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Brand Refresh

A lot of businesses forget to focus on design and customer experience (CX). But those things are what sets them apart from competitors. They’re both really important pieces. That’s something that Trimble Group Founder, Toby Trimble, knows all too well. He was looking to transform his video production company into a specialist animal health communications brand. 

Toby knew he needed to niche down and build stronger engagement with his target audience. The question was: how? Not only did collaboration with Khula Design Studio give ‘Trimble Productions’ a new name, it provided a professional new brand with the power to shape perceptions in the animal health sector. And it also received some prestigious recognition from the design community.

Toby and Jamie caught up on all things design in an episode of the Trimble Group’s ‘The Future View Podcast'. Read the summary article below or listen to the full 30-minute episode.

First impressions matter

Jamie and Toby first met in a breakout room on a coaching program. Having both started businesses at exactly the same time — Khula Design Studio and Trimble Productions -– they hit it off from day one. 

Jamie’s background is a mixed one. He was in operations and logistics for a long time before stints with a number of award-winning design agencies. For the last seven years, he’s been in the design industry, focussed on branding and web design

Jamie combines his project management and design experience as Founder of Khula Design Studio. Khula is a boutique design studio helping small businesses and non-profits around the world refresh their brand image and online presence, and elevate both online and offline perceptions of brands.

As a self-proclaimed ‘solopreneur’, Jamie wears many hats. He knows all the ins and outs of running a business. Khula is not his first — it’s number 10 — and he’s a serial entrepreneur who loves working with startups, small businesses, and other solopreneurs. 

He’s well aware that when you go to someone’s website, or you check them out on social media, those visual elements quickly paint a picture in a person’s mind. Jamie and the Khula team help small business owners to feel proud and confident of their brand. 

“The small guys are the ones often unseen or unheard. A lot of startups want a DIY approach and to do everything themselves. I want to help small businesses reshape brand perceptions online.”Jamie Windell Founder, Khula Design Studio

Day to day at Khula Design Studio

Jamie oversees a team of creative contractors, acting as a single point of contact for clients. It’s slightly different to a typical agency model. It’s smaller scale, and more boutique. Jamie handles everything from brand strategists and UX/UI designers to copywriters and SEO specialists. 

He’s the glue that holds it together — a project manager with an eye for design — delivering high-quality, on-time, and on-budget brand and website design. He helps clients navigate these technical aspects to unburden clients from the challenge of getting it right for themselves. One of those clients is Trimble Group.

KHULA Design Studio x Trimble Group

Six months ago, Jamie and his team helped Trimble Productions transition into Trimble Group. Toby knew Trimble Productions needed to niche down into the veterinary and animal health space. So Toby and Jamie jumped on a call to identify the gaps in the brand. 

It soon became clear that the website wasn’t all there. Many of the brand's ideal clients are large pharmaceutical companies. But the design, color choices, and web copy of the old site were mismatched with this target audience. It needed a refresh, and a change of look. 

The first thing was to focus on strategy-led design. That meant unpacking the brand positioning to discover its true North Star — how Trimble needed to show up, its values, what makes it unique, its tone of voice, and its ideal customers. It also included a naming exercise with Toby’s team, which landed on the capture-all — ‘Trimble Group’. 

Jamie works with different industries and clients. The challenge was to better understand the landscape of the veterinary and animal health space, as well as Trimble as a business, how it operates, and its clients. Knowing how Trimble works and who they serve, set the Khula team — six to seven creatives — on the right design path. 

The early mood boarding and concept designs were tested internally to ensure the symbol and word mark were a match with the ideal audience and created a sense of trust and loyalty whilst retaining a veterinary feel. 

The web design started with wireframing — the structure of the website. The User Experience (UX) designer put together the pages, helping to create an intuitive flow, the user journey, and the menu navigation. Then they worked on the User Interface (UI) bringing in Toby to collaborate on the process. It gave him an idea of the real look and feel of the pages before it was brought to life. 

Wanna see the full transformation and case study? Click here

Making a visual impact

“What makes this website really special is showcasing the work that Trimble Group does. We wanted to ensure that the new website showcases that visually… high-end quality video production.” – Jamie Windell Founder, Khula Design Studio

The response to the new design was positive. Jamie and his team brought in a lot of video into the design – hovering on cards triggers a video; background videos play in the hero sections; pop-up videos appear over certain facts and stats. There’s also a powerful storytelling flow, making it easy to read and navigate through the website.

The new design has helped Trimble Group to show up as they truly are. It’s given them confidence in who they are and what they do. And it shows.

Trimble Group’s Webflow website have been recently recognized by an honorable mention from awwwards. Voted on by a panel of creative experts — made up of designers, developers, and agencies — awwwards enables digital designers to demonstrate their talent and experience to the global design community.

Both KHULA Design Studio and Trimble Group are delighted and proud by the announcement. 

“One of the things that came out of this project is that I’ve gained a deeper appreciation of user experience… what I hadn’t realized was how deeply ingrained the customer experience, the customer journey, is in every touchpoint. Working with Khula has made me realize how much more there is we could do — how we can take it even further.”  – Toby Trimble, Founder, Trimble Group 

Discover what Khula can do for your startup, small business or non-profit. Book a call with Jamie

Jamie Talks Design & Rebranding - Future View Podcast

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Brand Refresh

International money transfers are notoriously time-consuming and complicated, not to mention expensive. Fintech, TransferWise, was founded to make international money transfers easier for everyone. It’s built as a non-banking platform capable of replacing international banking — and today used by more than 10 global banking institutions. 

Ten years in, the founders decided it was time to change the TransferWise brand. The name change and wider rebrand were needed to better represent the audience the company served — people and businesses living multi-currency lives who need their money to be borderless. 

At Khula Design Studio, we’re in the business of brand refreshes and we’re also a Wise customer. That’s why we’re fascinated by their recent brand transformation — what they did, why they did it, and how other businesses can learn from their success. 

From TransferWise to Wise

What’s in a name? Quite a lot as it happens. 

When it was first founded, the TransferWise name reflected a community of people getting wise to the frustrating, complicated, and expensive business of international money transfers via banks. Escaping hidden fees and exchange rate mark-ups, TransferWise promised a fairer and easier way to move money between borders. 

Today, the company knows it’s about more than money transfers. That’s what their community of millions tells them. Converting money into different currencies is still complicated and dominated by small print and delays, but the Wise community has evolved. They’re very aware of an outdated international banking system, which makes exchanging money more costly and time-consuming than it needs to be.

They’ve become Wise.

Looking good in green

Let’s start with the one thing that hasn’t changed. The ‘fast flag’ — which symbolizes money without borders — is still a part of their logo. Every other brand asset has been reworked to better reflect the company’s global community of people and businesses.  

Gone is the dark blue palette and dark themed website. The new brand identity embraces shades of green — the color of money, the color of the natural environment, and also a reflection of the diverse and vibrant community that uses Wise every day. 

The brand now has a cleaner, brighter, and more environmentally friendly look and feel, switching to greens and whites that make it feel more international, and more universal. In the words of their London-based branding agency, Ragged Edge: “Every other part of the visual and verbal system has been painstakingly redesigned with The World’s Money as the guiding principle.”

What’s a rebrand?

When an organization rebrands, it goes through the process of changing its established image and identity in the marketplace. Rebranding involves making carefully considered changes to the name, logo, design, and other visual and messaging elements to create a new, differentiated brand identity and perception.

The purpose of rebranding is to create a distinct and compelling brand identity that resonates with customers and helps an organization achieve its strategic goals. Updates to a brand's identity might be needed to reflect changes in the market, industry, or customer preferences, or to better position the brand for growth and expansion.

Organizations are often rebranded for one or more of the following reasons:

  • increased competition
  • shifting audience demographics
  • changing industry expectations
  • new products or services 
  • outdated branding
  • ineffective marketing methods.

Ultimately, rebranding is a strategic approach that seeks to create a fresh and relevant identity for an established brand. This move helps brands to stay competitive and thrive in a constantly evolving marketplace.

What’s a brand refresh?

Compared with a full rebrand, a brand refresh involves updating an established brand's visual identity, messaging, and customer experiences in a more limited and cost-effective manner. While rebranding may involve a complete overhaul of the brand's identity, a brand refresh typically focuses on smaller changes that help keep the brand relevant and up-to-date.

A brand refresh may involve updating key messaging, visual elements, and customer experiences to better reflect the current market, audience, and competitive landscape. This can include updating the brand's visual identity, refreshing the brand voice, and ensuring consistency across all touchpoints.

Businesses may opt for a brand refresh when they recognize that their visual identity is outdated or their messaging and offers have evolved. It can also be used when a brand is experiencing inconsistencies or has a changing audience due to growth or other factors. A brand refresh helps to create a modern and relevant brand identity that resonates with customers and sets the stage for future growth.

Both a brand refresh and a rebrand update a brand's identity, messaging, and customer experiences. A brand refresh is a smaller and more cost-effective approach, whilst a rebrand is a more extensive overhaul of the brand's identity and could involve brand strategy, a new name, logo, design, and messaging. A rebrand can sometimes signal a change in direction, an attempt to address negative perceptions, or a move to simplify and streamline a brand’s identity.

5 reasons why big brands refresh or rebrand

There can be many reasons behind changes to a brand. Here are 5 commons reasons why big brands refresh or rebrand: 

  1. Relevance: As consumer preferences and industry trends evolve over time, brands may need to update their visual identity and messaging to stay current and appeal to new audiences. Refreshing a brand can help keep it fresh, modern, and attractive to customers.
  1. Differentiation: If a brand's competitors have similar branding or messaging, a rebrand can help it stand out in a crowded marketplace. By creating a unique visual identity and tone of voice, brands can differentiate themselves from competitors with similar offerings. 
  1. New Direction: If a company is pivoting its business strategy or expanding into new markets, a rebrand can signal to stakeholders that things are changing. It can also help build interest and generate a buzz.
  1. Negative Perceptions: Sometimes a brand's reputation can become tarnished due to negative publicity or a misalignment with consumer values. In these cases, a rebrand can help shift perceptions and rebuild trust with customers.
  1. Simplification: Over time, brands may accumulate an inconsistent library of visual elements and messaging that can become confusing for people. A rebrand can help simplify and streamline a brand's identity, making it easier for customers and stakeholders to understand and engage with the brand.

Why Khula gets Wise

As a Wise customer, the team at Khula were fascinated and impressed with their rebrand. We use Wise daily to pay subcontractors around the world. We also use it for clients who are abroad and need to pay easily and quickly. 

The app is super intuitive. It saves us and our payees so much time and fees! Normally, funds arrive within 48 hours, sometimes the same day. For a small international business like us, it’s also way cheaper than using a traditional bank. To be honest, when it comes to moving money internationally, it’s been the saving grace of Khula.

At Khula Design Studio, we help small and medium-sized businesses to rebrand and refresh. Together with our brand strategy partners, we reframe how your business shows up, refreshing your brand identity, messaging, and online presence. 

Get in touch to find out how we can help evolve and transform your brand. Book a complimentary call today! And if you're looking for a fast way to send money internationally or travel with money without the heavy costs and headaches — head over to Wise.

Sources:

Images by wise.com

Rebrand by Ragged Edge

A Wise Move — What A Good Rebrand Looks Like

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Brand Refresh

Branding Consultancy: Elevate Your Brand

5 min. read

Brand Refresh

March 12, 2024
Branding Consultancy: Elevate Your Brand

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