ZuluQ: Should we align our brand to a parent company?
June 29, 2008
Q: " We are a distributor and have a parent company, we are looking at our logo. Should we align ourselves with them in terms of colour and brand or develop our own?"
Zulu Says:
You need to look at your overall strategy for YOUR business in order to make those decisions.
You may end up distributing products for other companies or different ranges of products – to align yourself too closely to one parent company could be disadvantageous to you and the future growth capacity of your business.
Also consider that your LOGOS will sometimes sit side by side – or perhaps your logo would appear in support of the parent company at times. If they look too similar – it may create some confusion.
I suggest a formal review of your business in relation to your key stakeholder relationships, brands and products in order to make this kind of decision. Being clear on how it all relates will give you more control and confidence about making that critical decision.
ZuluQ: Do I need a logo?
June 29, 2008
Q: Does every business need a logo?
Zulu says:
Do you understand what at logo is and how it will help to differentiate your business and products from ALL that is out there competing for attention?
Having a logo is only PART of your corporate identity which makes up the FACE of your business.
Let’s look at the elements that make up a LOGO
For example: In the case of Zulu’s Logo
- The doll is the icon
- The Zulu text is an icon
- The the name of my business is an element also
- In its entirety – they represent Zulu’s logo
The business name on its own is a version of the Zulu Logo that is used and applied independant of the doll icon . I refer to this as a SUB LOGO and have strict controls over where and how I use and represent both of these elements. The sub logo has ICONIC elements to it ( the ZULU bit)
Many companies choose not to develop and ICON in preferece to just the business or product name. However its HOW you do this and represent it that BECOMES your logo.
The question really is then – does a business or product need an ICON… the answer is – not really. It’s completely up to you.
Just remember – CONSISTENCY is the KEY when you are applying your LOGO, managing and developing your corporate identity.
Have a look at the logos Zulu has created and also read more about developing corporate identity.
Sue Liu presents on Developing Corporate Identity – please contact Sue for further information.
Get creative with your email address
June 27, 2008
Ok – so after my little rant about having your email reflect your business more appropriately.
Larger businesses often have to have these lengthy protocols because they have so many employees to differentiate – but we don’t have to being small businesses!
Here’s a few tips about getting a bit more creative and simplifying your email addresses.
GENERAL EMAIL ADDRESSES
Here are some of the popular general email addresses. There is NOTHING wrong with having these general email addresses – but in my opinion – they’re a bit boring, passive and BEIGE.
- info@
- sales@
- enquire@
Depending on the type of business you operate or services you provide – you could make your email address a bit more descriptive and dynamic by having an email adress like:
- wine@ ( for a liquor store)
- exercise@ ( for a gym or personal trainer
- create@ ( for a designer or artist)
- mortgages@ (for a mortgage broker)
- events@ (for event organiser)
- greathealth@ (for a healthcare business)
YOUR NAME IN YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
Having your name in your email address is a great way to introduce yourself to people and get them used to you – the person @ the business. Your name in your email will:
- indicate that you personally will receive your emails rather than it going to a general enquiry account.
- communicate that this is your personal and direct email recieved and read only by you and not lost in a system or read by an assistant
- be easier to remember and is best kept short and simple. If you can lose the (. )and the (-) in your address – it does make it easier for people to remember and get right! Here are some examples:
- kevin@yourbusiness.com
- kevinwalker@yourbusiness.com
- kevinw@yourbusiness.com
- walkerk@yourbusiness.com
- kevin.walker@yourbusiness.com
- kevin-walker@devinewines.com.au
Simple and straight forward is the best – and easier to remember!
The above options are certainly better than ISP and freemail accounts like:
- kevin@hotmail
- kevin@gmail
- kevin@telstra
- kevin@iprimus
What do you think?
Zulu's Campaign to STOP advertising ISP and "Freemail" in your email
June 27, 2008
I’ve just finished entering email addresses from businesses into my database and a staggering 60% of these businesses are still advertising their ISP or freemail accounts and NOT their business!
STOP IT!!!
The likes of Telcos and "FREEMAIL" services don’t need anymore promotion – it’s your business that does!
Here are some examples of ISP and freemail account emails:
- kevin@hotmail
- kevin@gmail
- kevin@telstra
- kevin@iprimus
You will present a far more professional image by making this simple change – it will reinforce to you your customers and associates that you do MEAN BUSINESS.
kevin@yourbusiness.com.au is MUCH better!
- Using a hotmail or gmail account indicates hestiancy, lack of permanence or committment to your business.
- If you have a domain name (website address)- there is NO excuse to not have your email address consistent with your domain. You should be offered at least 5 mailbox accounts with your hosting – some package even offer up to 100!
- If you don’t yet have a domain name registered for your business- you can register a .com.au domain for as little as $35.00 for two years.
- I’ve found hosting for around $4 a month that provides plenty of server space and more mailboxes than you’ll ever need.
- Setting up your email to be received at home in your inbox is so easy – and you’ll also have webmail access.
- All of these costs are tax deductible as it’s part of the operation of your business
Taking this next small step in your business will make you look and feel so much more professional and it’s part of getting serious about your business.
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR????
Here are some tips about getting creative with your email addresses:
