One of the fastest growing cities in the world can be a hard place to get seen. And getting lost in the shuffle of a rapidly expanding economy can be equally challenging. New skyscrapers reach higher and higher, as if challenging the heavens to come down and touch them. Industry thrives in the Arabian Gulf and through the online air at an unbelievable pace. In this hot, arid climate, a massive city pushes the limits of human ingenuity. 

 

Are you ready for Dubai? Well, La Mesa is an online creative agency in the UAE, and we can attest that this city is the place to start your business, especially if you’ve got the drive and desire to see rapid growth. It’s a bustling melting pot of 3.5 million people, hundreds of cultures  and the trading hub of the Emirates. And it’s getting bigger every day! 

 

To become known and succeed here, your brand is going to really have to stand out. 

 

Your business, right from the beginning, has to set itself apart in a land where every industry faces ever-growing competition. You not only have to be unique, you have to be noticeable. With a great branding strategy, you’ll be able to differentiate your business from competitors and create a unique identity that resonates with your customers.

As a creative branding agency in Dubai, we know the importance of standing out from the crowd from the very beginning. Branding is the start of everything for a new business. It’s the foundation upon which your company is built. And, as any architect knows, everything hinges on that strong foundation. 

 

Your brand is your name, face and personality. It’s what attracts new customers and retains existing ones. In a city like Dubai, with its incredible array of markets and venues, your strong foundation is more than just important, it’s absolutely essential. 

 

So let’s explore ways unique branding can make your Dubai-based business stand out from the crowd, beginning at the beginning…

• First define yourself

Before you can start down the branding path, you’ve gotta really know your brand. Potential customers are more likely to connect and stick with you if you’ve got a solid, unique brand identity. What’s your selling position? Who is your target audience? What’s your brand personality? And, once you have your brand clearly defined, you’ll have clearer objectives. You’ll begin to see ways to set yourself apart from the competition.

• Get recognizable

To stand out in a rapidly growing market, and the vast metropolis that is Dubai, your brand will need to make an impression. A strong visual identity is designed to stick in people’s minds. It must be visually appealing and consistent across various channels. A great logo communicates everything your brand stands for. Take the Emirates logo as an example. Gorgeously simple, unapologetically of its region and brilliantly red. It radiates confidence and luxury through its sheer simplicity. And, while your brand may not have the reputation of Emirates Airlines (yet), you can and should be striving to be just as recognizable. 

• Get Local

Dubai is a city of communities, all with rich, deep histories. There is also a great deal of hometown pride for those who live and work here. Therefore, incorporating elements of this globally known locale and culture into your branding approach can be to your benefit. Getting to know your customers, and clearly communicating with them can also get your brand plenty of traction and staying power. Additionally, pulling in a group of loyal, local, discerning clients will increase your community outreach and provide a safety buffer should you choose to pursue international markets. 

 

Branding with local flavor will also set you apart from international competitors.

• Be Memorable

In a city always at the cutting edge of global technological innovation, your brand has no excuse but to surf the Dubai wave. This means utilizing new and unique approaches to branding such as digital interactivity and augmented reality. Encourage ideation among your staff. Share your unique vision for your brand with your customers. This will not only present you as an innovator, it will also, due to your transparency, put your customers and potentials in a great position to build trust.

• Connect

A solidified, unique brand has the power to reach wider audiences and, in a city as large as Dubai, your potential audience is as wide as they get. In Dubai, your consumer knows what they need and they’re expecting star treatment for their time and money. If your brand image is attractive and solidified, potential clients will take notice and return with more frequency. Your great reputation begins with your brand, but is solidified by your ability to back up its promises. 

 

Proper branding is important to all businesses but, in Dubai, one of the busiest cities in the world, that importance is magnified tenfold. The strength and innovation of a company’s branding approach contributes greatly to either success or failure. While the two aren’t mutually exclusive, a fantastic approach to branding frequently leads to benefit.

 

If you want your business to thrive and your brand to shine, but aren’t sure how to accomplish this task, seek out one of the leading online creative branding agencies in Dubai. You can make it here, but you’re going to have to strive for excellence full time.

Ramadan is almost here! Is your business ready?

 

Because La Mesa is an online creative branding agency based in Dubai, Ramadan is an exciting month for us, and one that we know (firsthand) doesn’t have to slow down your business. 

 

There are also many avenues you can take to create a truly memorable experience for your staff and customers while they’re alternating between feast and famine. If we know anything about working during Ramadan, it’s this: The coming month is filled with equal parts hardship and happiness, so why not appreciate the difficulty and embrace the goodness?

Here are a few ways your business can observe and celebrate Ramadan:

• Start Earlier/Finish Later

Prepare for Ramadan early to create a more memorable experience. You could even consider extending your celebrations after Eid, and bringing an already special time more importance and resonance.

• Adjust Your Hours. 

Consider pushing your business hours of operation to earlier in the day, so that you can also cease operations earlier. This will maintain your business, while also letting your Muslim employees feel seen and appreciated, and give everyone time with their families. This also follows directly into the next tip…

• Accommodate Your Muslim Employees

If you work onsite, consider allowing your employees to work from home for the month. If you have a remote business, expect plans to change from time to time, depending on how the month is going. Either way, flexible work hours and locations are a great way to appreciate Ramadan, and allow your staff to do the same.

• Offer Iftar Meals

Many employers have started offering Iftar meals to their employees and customers, though some prefer Suhoors. You might also consider setting aside a prayer room. These acts can go a long way in building goodwill, as well as involving yourself in your community. 

 

If your employees work from home, you could even consider hosting a virtual Iftar and asking your staff if they’d like to share some of their experiences and traditions. 

• Be Respectful

Unintrusive, thoughtful scheduling, as well as setting reasonable deadlines, will go a long way toward maintaining and growing your current business. Ramadan is a great time to learn about the unique traditions of your staff and community.

• Get Yourself Involved

This month is a great time to get your business involved in the community and festivities. Visit cultural centers and involve yourself locally. Take part in some evening meals and get your business in on the fun! 

• Get Social!

Extend greetings of the season during Ramadan with themed social media posts, as well as gifts for staff and clients. However, remember to get your discounts and promotions published early in the month so people have something to look forward to for Eid.

 

Ramadan is an important experience for Muslims the world over (that doesn’t have to negatively affect your business.) With so many people committed, united in spirit and of one mind; the month has potential to benefit your business in surprising ways, especially if you take the changes in stride. 

 

And, for branding and design agencies in Dubai, there’s no reason you shouldn’t thrive. 

It’s that time of year again! The time to celebrate the hardworking, loving mothers in our lives. 

 

Mother’s Day is almost here (in case your mother hasn’t already reminded you), and with it come many opportunities to show how much you care. For all the mothers who’ve impacted your life, this is the day to remind them that their tireless efforts have not gone unnoticed.

 

Cards and flowers and hugs and dinner are a must, for sure, but how do you celebrate Mother’s Day at your firm? Say, for instance, you’re a creative branding company in Dubai. You aren’t necessarily what is considered a prime candidate for such festivities, but you want to appreciate and capitalize on the holiday nonetheless. 

 

Well, lucky you! You just so happen to be the best design agency in the UAE, and you’re built specifically for times like these. So, instead of the traditional flowers and hugs, why don’t you celebrate Mother’s Day in your own unique way?

Here are some great ways for your firm to make mothers everywhere feel appreciated and loved on their special day:

 

• Create a Heartfelt Video

Some mothers are far away from their children and, especially now, feeling the distance. A thoughtful video presentation from your agency will go a long way in helping mothers feel the love, while also growing feelings of appreciation for your efforts. You could record members of your staff telling stories about the mothers who have impacted their lives. Or create a slideshow of your staff’s mothers. Certainly, there are ulterior motives, and driving sales should never be far from your mind, but there is never a bad reason to show mothers they are in your thoughts.

• Offer a Special Discount

Offering discounts on your services is always a great way to attract potential customers, but it can take on an extra meaning here. While appreciating the women who birthed and cared for us can (and should) be a year ‘round experience, a timely, celebratory discount will go a long way in showing customers that your company is committed to real life events and people.

• Donate to a Charity

Being a mother is no easy task. And, for every mother who has a caring safety net of support around her, there is another mother who is struggling to make ends meet and put food on the table. That’s why donating a portion of your proceeds or time to a great charity that supports mothers in need is a great way to positively impact your world, while also enhancing your brand’s reputation and social responsibility.

• Host a Virtual Event

Bring together your team, friends and clients for a virtual event centered around Mother’s Day. You could do anything from a cooking class to yoga to a painting session. As long as you’re engaging with the team and members of your community in celebration of things mothers would enjoy, you’re doing great work. You’re also attracting positive attention to your business.

• Create a Social Media Campaign 

It can be as simple as a “caption this” Instagram post with a heartwarming picture of motherhood. You could run a contest or giveaway. You could simply include hashtags like #HappyMothersDay, #ThankYouMom or #MothersDay2023. Whatever you choose, changing up your social media calendar is fun and only as complicated as you want it to be. 

 

If you’re a marketing and design firm, it’s already your job to get creative. So why not  leverage some of that relentless creativity into your Mother’s Day celebration? We know for certain that someone out there will be positively impacted by the decisions you make during this time. 

 

For this most heartfelt of holidays, a time to reflect upon the mothers in your life who have made a difference in your life, who’ve made you everything you are today, this simple act of acknowledgment can make a world of difference.

 

Happy Mother’s Day from La Mesa!

Design firms are forever hopeful for those big clients who bring wealth and prestige to the business they choose to work with. And your dreams for your firm should be no different!

Welcome to the final 5 of our 10 ways to attract wealthy clients to your design firm. Let’s start with the surprising one we mentioned Monday.

 

• Get into sports

This one may sound unusual, until you think about how many lucrative deals have been struck on a golf course. Because golf is a 5 hour game usually played in a foursome (by people with time and money,) it’s a prime opportunity to talk shop and find some qualified leads. The same can be said for tennis academies and fitness centers. Dust off your golf shoes and work on your long game.

• Write a blog

Regularly updating a blog that offers your thoughts on market trends, or sound industry advice, will soon see your search engine rankings rise. Don’t be discouraged if your traffic doesn’t immediately increase. If you stick with it, your view of the mountain top will become clearer and clients will start coming to you as you become more searchable. Don’t forget to inject your posts with a healthy dose of quality SEO. Consistency and regularly posting will be the key to your success here. 

• And an ebook

This probably seems even more daunting than a blog, but having published, searchable work will really show your potential, wealthy clients you mean business. Focus on niche areas of your craft, areas where you’ve got a wealth of knowledge and experience, and self-publish a short book on the subject. Typically, an electronic book is the size of a glorified pamphlet, 20-30 pages, but the work you put into it can pay back tenfold in exposure. Choose topics rich clients would be interested in, and steer clear of bland, corporate writing that feels like advertising. However, do make sure your company name and contact information are plainly visible to all buyers. 

• Increase Value

We’ve spoken before about fairness and transparency. The same goes for your dealings with wealthy clients, only moreso. High-quality proposals that answer all considered questions. Detailed breakdowns of pricing and deliverables. Ongoing support and guidance with their jobs and business. What rich clients desire most is value for their investment, and they are willing to pay a premium for convenience.

• Embrace the creative

The wealthy client isn’t paying for your lowest common denominator. They’re paying for uniqueness and creative solutions. They want something that speaks to and for them. Your job is to blend your best creative minds with your keen understanding of what your client wants. Really, your job is to get to know your client better than they know themselves, and deliver a product that is beyond their expectations. They’re expecting you to think outside the box.

 

To get and keep wealthy clients, you must be light on your feet, flexible and ready to please. You must also be true to yourself and your business. As a design firm in Dubai, one of the most affluent nations in the world, remember that these clients are at your doorstep, and making yourself attractive to them is key to reaching the top of that mountain of success. 

 

This is just a starting point and by no means a one-way ticket to great success and good fortune, but it is a helpful guide on your path to catching those elusive big fish. You don’t have to follow all the suggestions. You can adapt them to suit your business goals. As a fellow branding and design agency in Dubai, we want what you want and we’re pulling for you!

 

However, if you want to attract wealthier clients, these 10 directions can help get you there and bring in big business. 

 

Do you have what it takes? We think so.

 

You’re a great design firm. You know it. Your clients know it and love you. You also know you consistently produce amazing results. And you know you’re right on the edge of something big. 

 

Feels like you’re standing halfway up the mountain of success, and all you need is that one big push. That one big client with the power to give you wings and see you soar. 

 

You’re ready for wealthy clients, but how do you show them you’re ready? How do you attract them and impress the hell out of them?

 

A wealthy client usually falls in that sweet spot area with assets between $1 million and $5 million. They’re often older and set in their ways, resistant to change. If it’s worked for 30 years, why should they change it now? It’s going to take some work to convince them you’re the one they’re looking for.

Well, being the great design firm you are, it’s your job to show them why they need you. And you should. 

 

And you can!

 

Here are 5 Ways you can attract wealthy clients to your brand and business, impress them, and keep them happy.

 

• Great reputation

Wealthy clients want to work with a firm that’s got a proven track record of success. They want to work with design firms that meet or exceed all deliverable deadlines. You want to build a reputation for being an agency that exceeds expectations every time. And, if you’re that good, make sure your clients are talking about you. Good word of mouth is a strong push up that mountain. 

• Knockout service

You can’t go above and beyond for your clients without giving them everything they ask for and more. And wealthy clients expect more, because they’re paying more. They know their worth. If they’re paying top dollar, then top dollar service is what they expect in return. Make sure your team is knowledgeable, on the same page and readily available to knock your rich client’s socks off, both individually and as a group. Wealthy clients expect high quality service just as much as they expect a stellar end result to their investment.

• Strength online

Are you more than searchable? Is your website sleek, easy to navigate and optimized for search engines? If not, get on it! The bigger and more attractive your online presence, the better your ability to snag bigger and more attractive clients. And don’t ignore social media. Humble brag on your work, engage with followers, build relationships with prospective clients, and don’t ignore the hashtags and SEO keywords in your content! 

• Grow your network

Feeling talkative? Networking events get you in front of potential clients, and in a position to build relationships that can turn into business opportunities. Industry events, trade shows and conferences and showcase yourself. Go there ready to talk about your design firm and have examples of your work ready to present. Networking events are a great way to put a face and name to your business.

• Flex your niche 

Specialization isn’t for everyone, but it could work for you. Focus on excelling in specific areas and become the go-to firm for what you do. If you choose to specialize in a specific area of your industry, such as UI and Interactive or Package Design, you’re speaking to your area of expertise and letting potential clients know they should come to you for their needs in your field. Wealthy clients have the freedom to pay for specific services. If you’re a leader in the area of their need, they will want to come to you.

 

Growing your business and getting wealthy clients doesn’t have to be daunting, takes work. However, the rewards can be astronomical for your business and cash flow.

 

Check back Wednesday for part 2 and the final 5 ways to get and keep big clients! 

 

One of them is pretty surprising (and surprisingly effective!)

I don’t want to pay an arm and a leg….

 

…. but sometimes it’s a good idea! 

 

Let’s say your website is really, really old. It’s got a link to your Myspace. It’s got a “new website coming fall 2012!” banner. Nobody had smartphones when it was built, and the thing looks like blurry garbage on those tiny screens. You’re so overdue for an update that you don’t even know who to ask. So you hop on Google, click the first, cheapest, promoted link you see and give them a call, fingers crossed. Well, there’s an old saying that’s about to fit your situation….

 

“You get what you pay for.”

 

Maybe you’re on a tight budget. Pretty common in 2023, for sure. And there are certainly plenty of justifiable reasons to trim the fat where you can. However, cutting your design budget isn’t one of them, and could end up costing you a lot more for repairs and upkeep in the long run. When it comes to design, cheaper isn’t worth it.

 

Cheap, shoddy design work is as common as it is easy to spot. Here are a few red flags:

 

Poorly designed logos: As the face of your brand, your logo must stand out from competitors in every possible way. It’s gotta look fresh, new and you! Bad design work more frequently produces logos that are boring, generic and forgettable. 

 

Bad typography: The best designers have a wealth of fonts at their disposal, and an almost superhuman ability to see what is needed for each client and situation. Choosing cheaper design work can often result in poor font choices and awkward text placement. 

 

Lack of attention to detail: When choosing a less expensive option for design needs, it can also mean you are choosing a busier, more factory-oriented company that can’t devote time to the minute details that, when ignored, can turn into problems. We’re talking spacing, placement and functionality.

 

Poorly optimized images: Bad design work can also result in low-resolution graphics, or images that can take too long to load in browsers. Great design is meant to present you to the world. Why risk having your coming out party ruined by bad images and clunky websites?

 

A great design firm takes companies to the next level, brings them a wider audience and garners them the attention they need to succeed. Choosing the cheaper option might exceed your expectations, sure, but will more likely provide clients with work that’s subpar or, worse, unusable.

 

In design, the aesthetically pleasing must come together with functionality. A cheap design might look good on the surface, but the surface isn’t just what clients and potentials see. Upon digging deeper, ragged edges can begin to show and even drag the whole product down with them. There’s nothing worse than a bad user experience, and poor functionality is something to be avoided at all costs. If a sale is your end goal, then getting there should be easy peasy –  a cool breeze on a hot day.

 

So how do you spot a bad design firm? Here are some things to look out for….

 

Lack of transparency: From the beginning, you’ll want to look for clearly communicated pricing, access to their process and revisions. Are they well-defined? A good firm is open and honest with you from start to finish. A bad one will give you the runaround.

 

Missed deadlines and low-quality product: You’ve got a business to run. You’ve got an action plan and a calendar. You’ve also got expectations on the quality you’re paying for, and when you’ll be receiving it. If they’re ignoring your needs and timeline, it may be time to unhitch your wagon

 

Bad listeners: If a design firm isn’t paying attention to your needs, or communicating effectively throughout, you won’t receive an end result that satisfies, and you could end up paying considerably more just to fix their mistakes.

 

Lack of creativity and originality: Look at their previous jobs. If you’re seeing a lot of templates and recycled ideas in much of their work, then it’s best to keep looking. 

 

Investing in a high-quality design firm will benefit you greatly in the long run. You’re paying more to avoid all the pitfalls listed above, as well as future proofing. With your eyes on, hopefully, many years of success ahead, your future will thank you for the choices you’re making today. When investing in your business, the last corner you should be cutting in your budget is quality. 

 

Cheap design firms may seem like a great money-saving idea in the moment but, “it seemed like a good idea at the time” is something else you don’t want to be saying later on. Instead, investing in a firm with a proven track record for high-quality designs and consistent results that reinforce their price point might be the solution you’ve been dancing around this whole time. Maybe it’s finally time to take the plunge and get your job done right.

 

Because, and this bears repeating: When it comes to design firms, you really do get what you pay for. 

How do you feel when you look at a color? Ever thought about it?

 

Color psychology is the study of how colors affect human psychology and emotions. It deep dives into the emotional impacts of different colors, and how they can influence consumer behavior in design and branding and bring out specific emotions and responses from viewers. It studies up on the cultural, historical, and personal experiences that shape our perceptions of different colors, and how those perceptions can be used to create a desired effect or message. Then it turns around and flexes this deep understanding with brand recognition.

 

Wtf does that even mean? Let’s get into it….

 

Here’s a for-instance: 

In that “me moment” while standing in the snack aisle of the grocery store, deciding which cookies would best suit your nighttime craving, you grab the Oreos, not because of the yummy flavor, but because of the subconscious feeling the logo gives you. 

 

Why?

Psychology, that’s why!

 

Blue is a color of approachability and reliability. White is a color associated with purity. Together, they elicit feelings of the familiar. Oreo is your old friend through hard times and good. They’ve been around over a hundred years, and haven’t changed their original product in as much time. Their colors mean consistency, reliability. 

 

Color has a powerful influence on our actions, thoughts and emotions. Let’s talk about the heavy hitter. Red is the attention-getter. There’s an immediacy to the color that’s engaging, and a little sexy. You’re attracted to it, not just because it’s eye-catching, but also on a subconscious level. Whatever that red logo says, deep down, you want to go there. Because red is enticing!

 

Case in point…

Meanwhile, green means prosperity and is considered a sign of good taste.

It’s the perfect color choice for your tax professional! H&R Block is a chain of tax preparation shops, and their logo’s goal is to make you feel confident beginning to end when letting them handle your sensitive documents. The viewer has a sense of naturalness and growth. By using primarily green and white, H&R Block says, “we’re sincere and competent.” 

 

Yellow is a balancing act, and one with which we’re quite familiar.

It has the same warmth and power as red, but is best utilized in small doses (too much yellow makes you anxious,) hence the black background. Yellow injects a sense of fun, optimism and creativity to anything it touches, while a darker shade balances with authority and prestige. We chose these colors because we want you to know who we are and what we represent from jump. Massive design/marketing skills knockin’ your socks off!

 

Hey, we had to do it!

 

Okay, meanwhile….

Purple brings something wholly other to the table. Say hello to warmth, sophistication and glam! Quite a high bar for a search engine, but Yahoo has long sought to present itself as something more than a mere linking hub. If your goal is to be a cultural touchstone, then combining the approachability of blue with the fiery attributes of red could be just the purple you’re looking for!

Because orange is associated with want and hunger, many restaurants choose to use it in their logos. It radiates feelings of happiness and warmth….at the discovery of lunch! When mixed with “look at me” red, Burger King is clearly saying, “You saw the sign and you’re suddenly hungry!” Confronting you with sustenance! 

 

Brown is the trickiest of the bunch. It’s earthy, yeah, but also dirty, when used incorrectly or too liberally.

Coffee, of course, comes from the land, and Nespresso’s logo plants it in your brain. Nestle would very much like you to think of them as an earthy corporation in touch with their planet and culture (debatable.) Their logo is simple, eye-catching and communicates sophistication and unity. 

 

….Brown can also represent grief and sadness, so think before you brown. 

 

If your logo is the face of your company, then color is your winning personality.

 

Do the color choices in your logo best represent your company? What do you want your clients and potentials to feel when they look at you? How will you use color to define your brand identity? Lamesa creative branding agency, UAE, can help you create the brand identity for your brand.

 

Whether you’re designing, or redesigning, your own logo, or simply fascinated by its underlying psychological attributes in advertising, color is a remarkably powerful tool, and one you can use mightily in your rise to the top. 

 

Choose with care because color is a powerful tool in your arsenal.

For those of you in romantic relationships, Valentine’s Day is hopelessly devoted to you! For those who aren’t, Valentine’s Day can be your holiday too! What began as a feast to celebrate the Christian martyr Saint Valentine has taken on a life of its own in the ensuing centuries. 

The holiday has become heavily commercialized, marketed as the designated time to profess your love for that special someone. If you’re in a romantic relationship, it’s practically expected that you indulge in Valentine celebrations. Whether through handwritten notes, flowers, chocolates or a quiet dinner at a swanky restaurant, professing your love monetarily on this day is something to be ignored at your own peril. 

 

It can be as simple as that, a day devoted to love, but we think you should take a deeper look at how you can bring Valentine’s Day to all people. 

 

Something else we, as a strategic branding and marketing company, dare not ignore is the ability to get in on the Valentine’s Day festivities and step up our love celebration game. For, “‘tis a fool who does not love love.“

If you’re a candy or flower shop, promoting Valentine’s Day is as easy as unlocking your doors in the morning. Those of us not romance-adjacent will have a slightly trickier time. So how do we profess our love of love through marketing and branding? Let’s explore how we can open up the holiday of love to all people….

 

It’s important to note that not every generation feels the same love for Valentine’s Day that others do. Let’s first note the fact that the holiday can be varied and inclusive, and not limited to couples in the throes of the honeymoon phase. Don’t forget about Valentine’s Day and the platonic affection it elicits. And people who love their pets like family (sometimes more.) School age children exchange gifts with friends and classmates. Encouraging the practice of self love will help single people through what can be a trying time for them as well. What we’re saying is that expanding your radius will capture the hearts of those who can’t, or don’t wish to, celebrate the holiday traditionally. 

Here are some fun ways to promote Valentine’s Day (and yourself) to your clients (attached and otherwise)…

• Create a social media contest.

Ask your customers to share their love stories, and give prizes to the best (or funniest) ones. Keep it light and fun!

• Create some Valentine-themed content

There’s no better way to embrace the day than by, well, embracing it! Write some Valentine’s Day-themed blogs, create social media posts, send out love themed emails. Get yourself involved with love! People love seeing you engaged (in online festivities, silly!)

• Host a virtual Valentine mixer

It’s 2023! Get virtual! Host an event (maybe with wine and cheese) that encourages employees and/or customers to drop by and take part. Valentine’s Day can and should be for everyone, and the more the merrier! 

• Sweet deals for sweethearts

Offer deals and gifts catered to the holiday, but don’t necessarily feel compelled to take yourself, or it, too seriously. Expressing love for someone doesn’t have to feel forced or walled-in by romance. 

• Valentine redesign

As always, adding a little holiday-themed love to your logo, splash page and Facebook page will let people know you’re getting in on the festivities. 

 

Finally, why not use this time, in our own small way, to remind each other how we’re all pretty much the same? We, by and large, desire the same security, comfort and love. Why not give Valentine’s Day the positive energy it deserves and remind people of the power they possess for change and unity under the banner of humanity as a whole? 

 

Cynics will say, “Oh, it’s just a holiday created by Hallmark”, and they’re not totally wrong. However, just like every other heavily marketed holiday, Valentine’s Day is what you make of it, and millions of people can bring a whole lot of good out of it. 

 

To that we say: let’s promote LOVE! 

Four Days A Week: A Study In Possibility

Perhaps it was the terrible, inescapable fact of a global pandemic that pushed us to the edge, and savagely gave us the realization that not everything needs to be a life or death situation, especially when even leaving the house felt like taking your life in your hands. Plenty of us left our jobs after that. So many, in fact, that they called it the “great resignation.” As millions of people all over the world suddenly remembered that life is short and shouldn’t be spent doing something you dislike for forty hours a week, employers started doing what they’re rarely compelled to do: a little soul searching.

And the workers began to remember the power they wield.

They showed their employers they could be just as, if not more, productive from the comfort of their own homes. And their employers took notice.

One of the most fascinating byproducts of this pandemic-created shift in our approach to work has been the multi-country trials for the four-day work week. With so many workers now doubting the benefits of a five-day work week, many countries (like Iceland and Scotland) and companies are testing out, or even codifying, the removal of a day of work.

The fact that these trials have been largely successful should be no surprise to anyone who has ever felt unsatisfied and still tired as the final day of the weekend draws to a close. It’s pretty easy to see how a shorter work week could be successful.

Companies have noticed how, when workers have more free time for activities that enrich their lives, they return to their jobs with renewed energy and ability to accomplish their tasks with greater determination. In fact, there has been little to no loss of productivity for companies that have initiated four-day trials.

By giving employees a paid day off, companies have even seen a significant increase in productivity across the board. During the last months of 2022, all across Europe, employers who enacted these trials were surprised to find that their employees were more productive and energized when provided with more free time.

 

In short, four-day work week trials are going very well for a vast majority of those who have given them a try. In Sharjah, as a prime example, this approach to work has been implemented to resounding success, with companies reporting an 88% increase in productivity, and a much happier workforce. Workers are thriving here, and are bringing their increased energy and drive back to their employers.

There are, of course, arguments against this newer approach.

Workers are frequently expected to work longer hours during the four days they do work. A ten-hour work day isn’t anyone’s cup of tea, and many companies expect it when the work week is shortened. It should also be noted that, after the honeymoon phase of a shortened week has worn off, the thrill has diminished as well and it’s back to the grind, with all the usual complications and stresses that were there before.

And companies that experience “crunch times” will expect more when they have their people for less time, which can lead to burnout. Having to focus harder and work faster will always increase staff stress levels at quicker rates.

Still, there is absolutely no harm in debating and playing with ways to make things better for our workers. As societies evolve and grow and, hopefully, improve, there is absolutely no reason that the rules for employment shouldn’t evolve as well. We want life to improve as societies progress, don’t we?

As COVID wanes globally, and life returns to normal, let us not forget that some of the things we previously considered “normal” were not that at all. They were just tradition.

So, is the five-day work week just like that shitty ex we remember too fondly in hindsight (no, you don’t really miss them,) or is it the best way for humans to work? While experiments in a four-day work week indicated that we can do better, is that possible, or will change just bring along its own set of complications that aren’t any better than where we are now?

Can we honestly and truly find a better way to work? Is it possible that we haven’t reached our full potential and we can be better than what we are?? Well…

Yes.

Want to make your brand stand out? Tell a story!

Just like that English Lit class you snoozed through, a good narrative needs a beginning, middle, and end. And, lucky for you, crafting the perfect brand story only takes 7 steps.

Trust us, even big brands like Jeep, Apple, Nike, and Dove use this framework to make their audience crave their products or services.
So, put your audience in a pickle and make your brand the solution to their problems. Boom, you’re a marketing master.

To clarify the picture, let’s dive deeper into these 7 steps:

So what is the 7-Part storytelling framework:

1. HERO

There’s always a hero for every good narrative. This main character that goes through the obstacles to reach success is you, the audience, the customers.
The hero in the story is not your product or service. It’s not even your brand.
All and everything is about the customer and how your brand can help this hero.

Trust this, no one gives a flying f*ck if the new airpods are black or white. It’s about what the white ones make the customer feel or what the black ones add to the customer’s confidence or “vibe”.
See what I mean?
Think of what your brand can do to the Hero… because the Hero is the focus of it all.

2. PROBLEM

The product or service you create and decide to offer is supposed to solve a problem.
The aim is to help customers solve their problems… or rather make them feel like they have a problem and that only you can solve it.
Let’s be honest, marketing a product or service is about making the customers feel like they are missing something that they NEED to have.

So every time someone buys something, they solve a problem.

Cold hands? Gloves

Bad breath? Gum.

You want an effective message to be conveyed to the audience? You have to portray the problem you are offering to solve in your marketing strategy and your marketing campaigns/ads/designs.

Look at the example in the video.
What problem is being portrayed?

See how the struggle was portrayed?

Okay, you get the point

Next step is…

3. GUIDE

For every hero in a story, a “guiding” character.
Think Mufasa in The Lion King. He guides Simba and indirectly gives him a plan of action… he remains the point of reference for the plan.

That’s where it becomes about You, your brand.
You are Mufasa.

After presenting your customers with a problem, you give them support or a guiding plan for them to “resolve” their problem. (they solve it, you’re just the medium).

So when you are trying to sell your product/service, there’s this character you build that is here for your customers. The face of what you offer.
Like Steve Jobs being the guide to a new innovative technological future.
He’s not the solution, he’s the guide.

4. THE PLAN

It’s the art of selling without telling your customers to buy it.
This is where you present the plan that puts your brand at the center.

The plan that sells the hero YOUR solution.
Basically, you position your product or service at the center to make the customers feel like THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I NEED.

Sell your product or service as the “must have” between all the other competitors.
That plan you have to solve your customers’ problem that no one else has.

5. CALL TO ACTION

You can’t forget about the CTA.
But you also can’t be too direct with it. It’ll be too mainstream and way to lame.
You don’t want to be lame.

Instead of telling your customers what to do, show your customers what they can become.

Look at Nike.
They use “Don’t Change Your Dreams”, “Lose Count”, “Never Settle, Never Done”.
Not your regular CTA right? But inciting.
It makes you want to keep going and not change your dreams, so that’s how NIKE becomes the guide to the solution you didn’t know you were looking for.

6. HELP AVOID FAILURE

Our inherent desire to “not fail” is greater than our desire to succeed. I’ve seen this sentence a lot, to a point where people would do something just to avoid losing something else.

Let me explain…

By showing your customers what they might lose if they don’t “take action”, you’ll push them to take action.
By showing your customers ONLY what they will gain from taking action, you might or might not push them to consume what you’re offering because they might think that they can gain this somewhere else.
So show your customers what might happen if they don’t take action… then watch them take action.

Mac or Pc?<br>
You’re probably gonna want to look like Justin Long here on the right. (or you’ll lose and look like this guy… no offense).

7. SUCCESSFUL END

After they follow the plan, the narrative needs to end with success (obviously)
After showing what your hero may become without your product, show what they might reach WITH that product.

This can be done directly with a before and after video ad campaign…
OR, try the indirect way that feeds the message subliminally.
Such as this video where the Hero starts somewhere and ends in a completely different mindset.

A better mindset, a happier lifestyle, a solution to a problem.

So,
If you want your brand to be memorable and effectively deliver your message to your audience, you have got to try giving them a narrative they can hang onto. A story that speaks to them. A story that will inspire them. But -most importantly- a story that will make them feel like they can’t miss out on this.

A sense of urgency, with a sense of safety, topped with a bit of hope and exaggeration.

With this 7-step storytelling framework, watch how all your campaigns, presentations, seminars, designs, and ads will conform and strengthen your position in the industry.
Becomes:

A hero, has a problem, then meets their guide, who puts them on a plan, and calls the hero to take action, to help them avoid failure, and reach a successful end.