When people think about branding, they think about external elements: logos, slogans, colours and adverts. But a brand is so much more.
As Seth Godin neatly defines it, "A brand is the set of expectations, memories, stories and relationships that, taken together, account for a consumer's decision to choose one product or service over another."
Recognisable, consistent and influential external brand messaging is the cornerstone of any successful marketing strategy. It sparks your clients' or customers' attention, hooks them in, and keeps them returning to you.
However, a successful brand isn't just about how well you communicate your brand externally to potential customers. It's also about how you communicate your brand internally to your employees and stakeholders.
What is an external brand?
Your external brand identity is what makes you immediately recognisable to your clients.
A brand consists of visual elements (logo, colour palette, stylised icons, specific fonts, image style) and written elements (including your purpose statement, positioning statement, company values and tone of voice).
The most successful brands in inspiring customer loyalty are those who know their audiences deeply, articulate a clearly defined purpose, and present a consistent look and feel across all communications. In other words, they know:
- Why they exist
- Who they're talking to
- What they want to communicate
- How they're going to communicate it
While visual elements are essential, they are also the substance of a brand identity, which matters increasingly to consumers.
A study by Zeno Group spoke to 8,000 consumers globally and found that when a brand has a clear purpose that's communicated effectively and consistently, customers are:
- 4 x more likely to purchase from the company
- 6 x more likely to protect the company in the event of a mistake or public criticism
- 4.5 x more likely to champion the company and recommend it to friends and family
- 4.1 x more likely to trust the company
Your external brand messaging inspires customer engagement, purchase, and loyalty.
What is an 'internal' brand?
An internal brand, also known as an employer brand, is linked to your employee value proposition (EVP) and inspires engagement and loyalty from your employees.
Rather than communicating to customers, your internal brand is the way your organisation embodies and expresses its values, identity and purpose to employees and stakeholders.
The ultimate goal of an internal brand strategy is to ensure all employees understand and buy into the company's purpose and culture and are empowered to live in it.
Learning and development pathways, employee policies, internal communications and team building are all integral to creating and communicating an authentic, successful internal brand.
What are the differences between an internal and external brand?
A successful brand on the inside and outside understands and articulates its value proposition effectively and cohesively for its market and people.
- The goal of an external brand strategy is to make compelling promises to your customers or clients
- The goal of an internal brand strategy is to ensure your company culture underpins, embodies and delivers on its external brand promises
That's why we take an 'inside out' approach to branding. A successful brand starts on the inside, equipping your employees with the skills, resources and motivation to deliver on your organisation's promises to customers.
Exceptional brands inside and out
The most successful brands right now are those which champion their purpose and their people. Here are some examples we picked out:
Innocent Drinks
Not only are Innocent Drinks hilariously funny to follow on social media, demonstrating innovative and off-the-wall ways to engage with their target customers, but their website shouts about the ways they live their values and put their people at the centre of their brand messaging.
Their external branding values their people and the planet as it does their products, while their recruitment page does an exceptional job of showcasing their company culture.
Salesforce
Salesforce consistently wins the 'Best Place to Work' awards and regularly receives recognition from Glassdoor as one of the best places to work in the UK.
Not only does their website tell a compelling brand story showcasing their commitment to helping people and communities around the world, but it also shows how they empower their teams, provide opportunities, and promote equality.
Pfizer
Pfizer's purpose statement is 'Breakthroughs that change patients' lives'. Ali Fox-Robinson, HR Director of Communication & Engagement at Pfizer, spoke to us about the impact of building an internal brand around this purpose: "It's been hugely energising because 90,000 people around the world can get behind something and have a framework they can really live and work by." Defining its purpose and embedding it internally and externally has greatly impacted attracting and retaining talent, strengthening its brand message even further.
Ali said, "I interviewed one of our graduates and asked her why she chose Pfizer. She responded, "I came because I loved what I heard about the purpose. And when I showed up and started working here, it turned out to be true.'"
Why your internal and external branding has to be aligned
When your internal and external branding strategies align, your organisation has integrity. You become a company that is authentically purpose-driven as well as profit-driven.
Across all industries, brand success necessitates going beyond providing high-quality goods and services. The brands that truly stand out and are most likely to be chosen by consumers communicate and embody their values across every touchpoint.
Your employees are integral to your brand strategy – because every touchpoint a consumer has with your brand affects your reputation. Every individual who works for you is a face and a voice of your organisation – and when they fully understand your brand, inside out, they can do their job better.
To enable this, you must invest time and resources into creating and communicating internal brand messaging that reflects your company values and drives your workplace culture.
Your people give your brand its life force.
When you attract the talent who share your vision and values, and the customers and clients who buy into and support your purpose, your brand becomes fully cohesive. This is what energises and motivates your people, enhancing and growing your external reputation.
Would you like support aligning your internal and external branding? Get in touch.