Brand Identity Design– What does it mean to you? Why should You care?

 Like your face, which is unique in every way, unlike a doppelganger, who happens to be your twin, this isn’t the case in brands. It is not only philosophical and emotional, its identity comes with an important visual component sprinkled across various collaterals associated with it, it’s a representation of a LARGER IDEA. 

A collection of elements, which defines the brand identity which a company portrays before its audience is brand identity. Usage of the term brand cannot and should not be used frivolously, branding is an important component before identification of the core brand identity and the designing process, which will eventually shape the perception you are creating before the world, people – generally, like you are in a social gathering, conference, intercultural business meetings at every step, your identity reflects the culture of the organisation. Your brand identity is the mix, which will differentiate you from others in the crowd. The image on the left is of Vodafone's Pacific offline brand identity collatral. I personally liked Vodafone, previously Hutch or Hutchison, and how they have evolved, with Ogilvy and Mather.   

Developing a strong brand identity

There is a difference between ‘brand identity and ‘brand image’ or even for that matter ‘branding’ per sé, although different, they are interloped, as and when. The definition, however a little different when it comes to the corporate brand, meaning, what does the parent company and its name really stand for, and how it is perceived in the market, as well as its positioning itself within the company.  An absolute unified and clear corporate identity is critical. It not only enhances the image of respective individual products, it also helps headhunt and retain employees, but the followers or customers (in digital times) might also come as brand ambassadors or cheerleaders in PR firefighting reputational damage during troubling times. However, this needs to be correctly articulated and communicated by brands. 

Visual Brand Identity Design – the foundation of your brand

Nike’s – Swoosh or its tagline ‘Just Do it’, TATA, RELIANCE, APPLE, McDonald's or IBM’s iconic logo, they are all a part of the visual identity. An internet company like GOOGLE has a strong brand identity with design being a core component. So, what are the ingredients needed for a visual brand identity design, which shapes up your company? Typically, a 5W1H exercise must be undertaken. 

The ‘WHO’ of your brand name might comprise of few vital elements 

 Your overall mission 

 Values

 Brand Personality 

 Positioning as a brand

 Brand voice 

The importance of developing a strong brand identity is by knowing who you are, exactly

By Asking ourself:

 What made you start what you are doing? Why?

 What beliefs do you possess inherently and what values means to you? 

 What are you REALLY good at? Better than others

 What makes you special?

 If your brand could be described in 2 to 3 words, what it would be? 

Creating a brand style guide sets, your brand name apart and an SOP is created on how to manage a brand, online or offline, ATL or BTL, everything.  To take your respective business to the next level you need to get in touch with someone or something, which you feel is a complete solution. Be it Brand design, Typography, Color Palette, Logo, Website, Product Packaging, Business cards, Email design, logo and identity, web and app design, business and advertising, clothing and merchandise, art and illustration, packaging and label, book and magazine, films, advertising, outdoor and everything creative. Brands and brand building is a constant process, which leaves an indelible mark in whatever you do, or want to do. 

"It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently." 

- Warren Buffett

Sources 

https://hbr.org/2019/12/build-a-culture-to-match-your-brand

https://www.pwc.com/us/en/careers/campus/assets/img/programs/personal-brand-workbook.pdf

https://99designs.com/categories

https://www.lucidpress.com/blog/the-7-key-elements-of-brand-identity-design

Pic source - Virgin

What is in A BRAND Name? Why a Brand Identity?

 They say, naam mein kya rakha hai (what’s there in a name)? Well, Identity is the first thing that everyone needs. “Whether you are an individual or a brand, you need to create your identity first. Creating a powerful brand identity is a significant step towards a great business. There are teams to make all the magic happens, but where is the team, what is the team, can there be a 1 man team or a 1,000 member team? 

So, there needs to be a team to make it all happen. But how?? They say, one shirt doesn't fit all, hence, like people, all brands have a distinct identity, those need to be identified. Basically, it's the creative approach in developing the perfect brand strategies has worked wonders for all the brands.    

Is like asking, ‘Hello What is your name?’ Now, different people would express or say their names differently. The next obvious question would be, generally in form of questions, to P2P ‘Where are you from? Or What do you do? And then, the communication begins, Or NOT, depends on how you have positioned your ‘Identity’. Here YOU are the BRAND and the communication becomes the Brand Identity. 

Marketing guru, Seth Godin had an awesome description of what qualifies to be called a BRAND, he says, "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." Exactly branding is more than a logo or a name, it’s much more than that. A brand is also full of emotions, has a distinct visual with specific history associated with it and the touch points throughout its existence and relationship it has built, and most importantly, it is human. The output of the creative will need different channels, to justify the design element needed for branding. 

Now it is time to live up to the brand identity – brand name, logo, tagline, colour, context, fonts, mission, core values et all. 

Post Covid19, however the brand promises to ‘deliver’, hence sticking hard with brand name, it earns, by sheer- ‘work’. Come what may – it doesn’t matter if this disastrous pandemic is affecting businesses everywhere, the idea was still to sail through this covid wave, successfully. Brand Identity is a constant process, however, the DNA of any brand or the basic remains unchanged. 

Source 

https://www.columnfivemedia.com/how-to-create-a-brand-identity

https://www.lucidpress.com/blog/the-7-key-elements-of-brand-identity-design

https://hbr.org/2019/01/what-does-your-corporate-brand-stand-for

https://hbr.org/resources/pdfs/hbr-articles/2018/R1901E_GREYSER_MATRIX.pdf

https://hbr.org/2019/12/build-a-culture-to-match-your-brand

https://hbr.org/2019/12/build-a-culture-to-match-your-brand

https://www.pwc.com/us/en/careers/campus/assets/img/programs/personal-brand-workbook.pdf

https://99designs.com/categories

the last mile - Dida- Om Shanti

Your feeble voice was the strongest of all.

It was only you whole could have united this big family of ours.

May your soul rest in peace. Om Shanti.

The First Olympic Gold by Abhinav Bindra and Foreign Coaches

Our first Gold was brought by Dehradun, Uttarakhand born Abhinav Bindra at the Beijing Olympics. He is originally from Patiala, Punjab. It was a 10 m Air Rifle event. My friends in Garh Nivaas used to tell me stories about how he has been practicing shooting oranges 🍊at the Bindra Farms near Mohkampur.  

Once in the RIVULET edition of erstwhile Big Ma'am s Riverdale School at Balbir Road had Abhinavs photograph with George. W. Bush (Sr) and his trip to Florida that year. I guess it became a talk of our school for half a year, or less if not more. He was my junior then. 

Yes, the Gold medal 🏅,  the only image I have of him now, was of 2008, when he got the medal. One of his kind. We were happy that year. This year, we have got far too many medals.  Very very good. I believe we are capable of doing more. We'll get there. Do we need coaches? Foreign? There is no answer to that. Learning can come from anyone, however there has to be an original source to it. For instance, in the Beijing Olympics. 

Dr. Amit Bhattacharjee and Lt. Col. Dhillon, his then coach were both Indians who first noticed talent in him. Sure he was privileged enough to be seen by the right people and he spent a large part of his shooting training outside India, hence. 

Should you let me know, what you think about seeking support from foreign coaches for Indian Athletes 

Pic source- tentaran

Suvida Supports Nusrat Jahan on Women Empowerment

 Kolkata – 28th July, 2021 – Nusrat Jahan an acclaimed Tollywood actress and MP, believes that ‘motherhood is every woman’s right’ and must be exercised independently, and without any pressure, from anyone. Sudeshna Roy, a renowned personality hosted the show carried out a freewheeling talk around the topic - My Life, My Right. Hosted on Suvida’s official Facebook page, the discussion between the two ladies was digitally broadcasted LIVE and attended by thousands of viewers from all over India. By the time of writing this story, the LIVE video reached nearly 5,00,000, gathered 850+ comments, 150 shares and viewed by over 2,00,000 people within 24 hours.

The distinguished ladies talked about topical issues around women health, motherhood, women empowerment, gender neutrality, women and their identity, family planning, how to handle trolls, controversies erupting on social media and more. The whole video can be viewed here https://fb.watch/v/eXfITlHZX/ additionally on YouTube as well https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiqlwaBnLj8&t=31s

About Eskag - Eskag Pharma Pvt. Ltd. is an integral part of Eskag Group of Companies. The SBU’s of the group include manufacturing and export of APIs and other intermediates through West Bengal Chemical Industries Ltd , branded formulations of OCPs/ECPs/ORS and Probiotics and Prebiotics manufactured at the WHO-GMP approved facility of Eskag Pharma Pvt. Ltd at Haridwar (Northern India). Eskag Sanjeevani Multispecialty Hospital which is a state-of-the-art hospital with critical care and modern treatment facilities, is another initiative that is part of the CMD’s vision.

Rain Quotes

• 
  And when it rains on your parade, look up rather than down. Without the rain, there would be no rainbow. – Gilbert K Chesterton

On Woman Rights and Her Choice - Nusrat Jahan and Sudeshna Roy with Eskag Pharma's Suvida FB page

Everyone, including women must have a choice to how, where and importantly when to embrace MOTHERHOOD, the once in lifetimes opportunity, in her life. We believe that no force, or pressure should be applied on any of the partners to partake this big of a decision, more importantly,  the women of our society (rural or urban).

To support and talk about planning a family, health measures to undertake, Nusrat Jahan,  a popular Bengali actress in West Bengal, India is going to come on SUVIDA Facebook page on 25th July, 2021, Sunday evening at 6:00 P.M

www.facebook.com/SuvidaContraceptivePills. Along with her, shall join leading health columnist and thinker Sudeshna Roy, both in Kolkata.

 It should be her (a woman's) right, because it's her life, afterall.

#skhigh new #hashtag

Got this word from this Pic dated 28th June. #skhigh taken somewhere in West Bengal.

CBSE, ISC Board Exams Cancelled because of COVID19, Is this a Watershed Moment for technology-based education platforms?

 On the 1st of June, 2021, The Prime Minister of India, Mr Narendra Modi announced, that class 10th and 12th exams, stand cancelled, owing to the current Covid19 pandemic. The School Education Department Principal Secretary headed a committee that is most likely to pass all students as per the Right to Education Act. Marks will be given based on “recommendation”, Am not sure what that exactly means? Recommendation.

All Passed

One of my first coaching classes (to score well in school, not competitive exams) was with Mr Hari. Om. Biswas Sir, from the Marshall School, there were a couple of private teachers, as well, but that not consequential. There used to be a huge row and batches in our time. It was the pre-internet era, no online or zoom classes.  My schooling happened in Dehra Dun, a small town in the northern part of India, and the glory (pun-nish) days, where we had numbers to score and not grades. Grades were parked for SUPW, Practicals, Sports and Discipline. Either there were private teachers or Tuitions. That’s it.

Will the virtual be the new real?

My question is, what happens to bright students who genuinely studied, the whole year and not staring on grade. A passing grade. Wouldn't they feel, let down? Well, the times are such. Would we be giving our exams if there is a war outside? No. We are literally having a World War, except there are no bombs and blood and gore. It’s a silent war.  The airlines, schools, colleges, airports, hotels and restaurants, shipping and transport is closed, indefinitely. I don’t think, this has happened in the history of modern mankind. Unprecedented, I’d say. Each one of us is affected, in some ways or the other. We do not know, how not interacting with students and teachers in real is affecting students mentally, psychologically and emotionally. Not every student have laptops or desktops? Some of them use a smartphone, dumb phones, and other qwerty phones. Not all parents can afford to buy a laptop and they are facing salary cuts as well. Thanks to Covid. Recently, a 5-year-old Kashmiri girl - Mahiruh Irfan, made an emotional appeal to PM Modi to cut down online classes, as it's too much for her. She recently made a video on Instagram, and her video went viral. 

Go Go Digital – The Winner takes it all

Today, 8th June, the 10-year-old BYJU’S (Think & Learn Private Limited) completed its $940 Million Cash and stock billion formally acquires of a 33-year-old Blackstone backed brand Brick and Mortar - Aakash Educational Services Limited (AESL). The CCI has approved the acquisition today, dated 8th June under Section 31(1) of the Competition Act, 2002, today. PIB reported.  The test prep market is dominated by students engineering, medical science, and civil service exams, recently even Arts and commerce students can apply for engineering, a revolution of sorts.  

So, what does it mean? What does it really mean for, BYJU’s, the most valuable education technology company globally with a market valuation is $13 billion (in 2021)? It’s owned by Bengaluru couple Byju Raveendran and Divya Gokulnath. What happens to their growth model? What happens to the children, who aren’t really ready yet? 

So, exactly why BYJU’s placed so much money to acquire Akash, which was launched in 1988 by Mr J.C Chaudhary? Let’s extrapolate some gaps. 

1. To enter the test preparation space

2. Build modern education capabilities

3. To inspire and introduce personalized learning programs

4. To take huge advantage of low education quality teaching at government and mofussil towns.

5. Riding on fresh cash and disposable income (hoping the pandemic to end that dry run soon)

6. To give an early competition to Amazon Digital Education (they are coming up big time and       investing in content).

7. To replicate omnichannel e-commerce business model in edtech as well

8. To consolidate the digitize the hyperlocal coaching market

Covid19 Pandemic – A lasting Effect?

We all have learnt sad stories this year and the last, so many people have lost their loved ones, friends and families due to Covid. I am not sure, how well the people affected will recuperate from the losses. Yes, it is a war, and we all have to deal with it. Learn to adjust. Compromise, taking care of things, we had taken for granted. The sudden change in the mode of education is overwhelming especially when schools and colleges are closed (for a year) and social distancing is the biggest keyword, we have read in the last 1 year. Like every other industry, big or small, has been impacted by Covid19. To what extent, education will be affected and the ongoing relationship between a student and a teacher? Here the challenge books Vs video, physical classes Vs online classes, real classroom Vs Clubhouse or Zoom Classrooms, real interactions Vs virtual talks. With the schools and colleges still, closed as I write, what happens to the traditional brick and mortar schools and coaching classes, prepping up for the tests? Will it morph into a digital or online identity? What happens, to pen and paper, chalk and blackboards? What happens to practical, which cannot be done online? After a week of PM Modi’s virtual announcement, in Cooch Behar, West Bengal a class 10th student Barnali Burman committed suicide. The bright girl has lost hope that she will top her matriculation exams this year. I hope we will be able to raise some questions and practical answers to be given. 

Pic Source - Getty Image

Happy Buddha Purnima - Gautama birthday quotes

Buddha poornima and Buddha's teaching has touched us, at some point in life.

May peace, prosperity and good health reign to all this year amidst this devastating pandemic. 

Do not dwell In the past,

Do not dream of the future, 

Concentrate the mind on the present moment.

Happiness will never come to those who fail to appreciate what they already have.

You only lose what you cling to.

“Suffering is not holding you, you are holding suffering.” Buddham Saranam Gacchami | Dhamma Saranam Gacchami | Sangham Saranam Gacchami... Happy Buddha Purnima!

A Day and Night in Doladanga Purulia (27th February 2021)

 Amazing, and cant describe, how beautiful, Purulia was. Took a train to Purulia and then, Doladanga lake via Manbazaar (an old place). Very strange, a very big bajaar. You can also check the government website - for planning a post covid trip to Purulia. However, it could be very hot. Its Next to the Kangsabati Lake, Beside Sonajhuri Forest, a deep tribal forest. Was able to witness this season's first Palash flower, for the first living time. It's also called the wild fire of the jungle, and incidentally my name as well. A video has been created.

. Near the Mukutmanipur dam, it is not far away. Small hills and a perfect sunset. My last trip just before the pandemic reigned. Thanks for Arpita from IZIFISO, a Calcutta based travel startup, specialising in backpackers, and weekend destination. They have a way of promoting tourism, keeping sustainability on the top of their minds. You can visit their

website - and explore more of Bengal. I am hoping, this could turn out to become, some kind of a franchise model. I have been to a couple of more properties from IZIFISO, exploring and backpacking of course.

They are a camping site and have assets theming lake, beach, mountains, trails, jungle, river, musical and even haunted camps. There is a Himalayan trail as well as a bikers trail. Now, we must assume and travel, keeping pre-covid and post-covid times. The getbengal also claimed, that Doladanga, could be the new tribal paradise of Bengal.