by Diana Evans | Jan 8, 2021 | DAE & Company, Design
Here at DAE & Company, we’ve been managing a remote team from day one. And despite the fact that our team members hail from cities all across the continent and operate in four different time zones, we’ve been able to successfully run a thriving creative agency. That said, we thought we’d share a few tricks of the trade for those of you considering (or struggling to currently manage) a remote team.
Tip 1. Communicate company goals and each team member’s role in the big picture
It’s critical that your remote workers understand both how they contribute on a project by project basis and how they contribute to the company’s big picture goals. Taking the time to ensure your team members have this understanding can go a long way toward helping them feel connected to the organization in a meaningful way, which will result in greater loyalty and higher quality of work overall.
Tip 2. Make sure remote team members are included in regularly scheduled meetings
When you’re working as a remote team, there are really no opportunities for casual run-ins and interactions. That means managers need to provide regular opportunities for such exchanges among the team members. While email and Slack interactions are great, video meetings are essential to maintaining more spontaneous and natural connectivity and are critical for avoiding miscommunication.
Tip 3. Treat your remote team members just as you do employees
When it comes to cohesiveness, the small stuff matters more than you can imagine. Things like acknowledging birthdays with a gift or a group conference call rendition of the happy birthday song can help your remote workers feel like valued and appreciated members of the greater team, which, in turn, helps build cohesiveness and greater efficiency in everyday interactions.
Tip 4. Make sure expectations and policies are communicated
In-house employees typically know there are unstated standards for things like unofficial department hours of operation, but a remote employee, for example, isn’t able to observe when folks roll in and roll out at the end of the day. Knowledge of such unofficial standards can make a big difference in efficiency and connectedness. So take note of and make sure your remote employees are made aware of any such standards. Doing so will not only help with workflow but will also help avoid conflicts and miscommunication among team members.
Tip 5. Provide forums for community building
Providing forums for community building is especially important when you have team members operating in various time zones who are also working on various projects. Tools like Slack channels and Google Hangouts are great ways to provide connectedness. Slack, in particular, allows you to create specific channels where workers can interact based on some shared function such as project or even interest. Allowing your remote team members to interact casually on these channels helps build the connectedness and camaraderie of “real world” communities while also aiding in workflow efficiency and productivity.
Tip 6. Be transparent and inclusive
When a team rarely meets in person and typically works in isolation, building trust among its members can be a challenge. That’s where the team leader’s transparency about things like changes to personnel, team strategy, and performance evaluations becomes imperative. Whether formal or informal, communication about such developments is critical. Along the same lines, you should expect your team members to offer the same transparency and engagement with you. Feedback from both sides is critical to your remote team’s success.
Tip 7. Use the right technology
Just as it is with any team, project management is an essential function for remote team leadership. Tools such as Trello, Asana, and Basecamp are ideal for remote team collaboration and deadline management. Use them! Also, be sure to provide real-time communication applications such as the aforementioned Google Hangouts or Slack to facilitate efficient real-time communication.
The Takeaway
Utilizing remote workers can be an awesome way to combine talent from various regions affordably and efficiently—if you do it right. To really harness the power of your remote team, be sure to adopt the tools, practices, and effective management that will set your remote workers up for success.
by Diana Evans | Dec 21, 2020 | DAE & Company, Design
Rebranding your business can be incredibly exciting. However, it can be a little nerve-wracking too. We’ve helped numerous companies completely overhaul their brand and we’ve even rebranded our agency, so we totally get it. We find that research and preparation is the best way to calm those nerves and actually enjoy the process. With that in mind, we’re sharing some insights into rebranding — including why you might want to rebrand (and why you shouldn’t), costs, what a rebranding strategy entails, and so much more!
What does “rebranding” actually mean?
Rebranding is a buzz word that’s often thrown around in the marketing world. However, if you don’t live it in and out every day like we do, it can seem kind of jargony and illusive. Basically, what rebranding comes down to is changing your image. In the world of immediate feedback, companies need to align themselves with their customers’ ideals, while staying true to their overall company goals, values, and services.
What are some good reasons to consider rebranding?
There are lots of great reasons to consider rebranding. Here are just a few…
- Your brand looks old and outdated.
- Your business values, products, and services have changed.
- You want to distinguish yourself from competitors in the industry.
- You want to reach a new market or audience.
- You’re not seeing the business results you want.
- Your customer feedback is not aligned with what you thought your brand was.
If any of those sound familiar, then it might be time to consider a brand refresh. Rebranding is a big commitment, but it can definitely be a great business move when done thoughtfully and strategically.
What are some reasons NOT to rebrand?
Of course, rebranding isn’t always the right option. There are a fair share of reasons NOT to rebrand as well…
- You’re simply “bored” with your current branding.
- You’re looking for attention or buzz.
- You want to cover up a crisis or bad publicity.
If your reason for rebranding is internal and self-serving, you likely won’t see much success and may see more harm than good. At most, you’ll generate some short-term buzz which will fizzle out quickly. At worst, you’ll alienate your audience and come across as inauthentic and unstable.
Partial vs. Total Rebrand
Generally, when considering a rebrand, there are two main options: a partial rebrand or a total rebrand. There is a time and a place for both options. And every rebrand requires work and strategizing to make it successful.
Partial Rebrand
A partial rebrand focuses mostly on your visual brand identity, such as colors and fonts. This is a great option for brands that are already established and simply want to modernize or reach a new audience (such as expanding internationally). The changes are subtle but impactful, and your existing audience will still recognize and connect with your brand once the rebranding is complete and implemented.
Total Rebrand
A total rebrand is a complete branding transformation. That means everything from your brand name and logo to your mission statement can be analyzed and updated. This is a great option for brands who are struggling to find their niche in the industry or companies that are going through major mergers or product overhauls that are changing the foundation of the company.
How much will it cost to rebrand my business?
This is a hard question to answer because every branding project is so different. In general, a rebrand can cost anywhere from a few thousand dollars to upwards of $150,000 and take anywhere from a few months to a year to complete.
A few factors that can impact cost include:
- How large and established your company is. There is often a correlation between the size of your company and how much money you should invest in your marketing, specifically rebranding initiatives.
- How fast you need the project completed. Quick turnarounds for a large rebranding project can up your price, similar to paying for expedited shipping. Whether you’re partnering with a creative agency or handling the project internally, a shorter deadline may mean putting other work on the back burner and/or having employees work overtime, which needs to be compensated for.
- What’s included as part of your rebrand. As noted, every project is different. Whether you’re starting from scratch or just taking a fresh approach to the existing brand can impact the cost.
- How many people are involved in the rebranding process. Rebranding often involves people from different areas of your business, a creative agency team, and occasionally even customer feedback and input. While different ideas and points-of-view are incredibly important, the number of people involved in the project can impact the price. Generally, more people means more meetings, more feedback and ideas to implement, and a longer project timeline, which all adds up.
Since rebranding takes a large investment of money and time, it’s not a decision to make lightly. We recommend talking about your needs and budget internally, and working with a creative marketing agency (like us) to make sure your efforts will really pay off in the long-term.
What goes into a rebranding strategy?
This is a great question — and one we like to talk about a lot! Every company and brand refresh is a little different, but here are a few things that are often included as part of the rebranding process or strategy…
- Your story, core values/pillars, and mission. What really sets your company apart and what matters to you? What do you do best? Realling figuring out what your core pillars are and your brand story is probably the most important part of a rebrand. They help you create a firm brand identity that pushes everything else forward naturally.
- Visuals and creatives. This gives your whole brand a cohesive look and feel across all digital and in-person touchpoints — including your logo, fonts/typography, website banners, social profiles, packaging, ads, flyers, and more.
- Tone and voice. This goes beyond visuals and helps align your messaging and engagement across channels — whether responding to followers on Twitter, posting a blog post, or sending out a newsletter. This may include developing some of the content or social engagement for you or providing a strategy and guidelines so your team can move forward internally.
- Target market and competitive analysis. This analyzes the current state of your industry — including what customers want and what industry leaders and competitors are doing. This piece of the rebranding strategy focuses on your target market, develop your market positioning, and a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis to see where you really shine and where you might be able to improve. This is an important step to help really hone your messaging and distinguish yourself from competitors.
- Project management. There are a lot of parts and pieces to a rebrand. Big picture project management helps keep all the pieces moving to keep things on track, including your budget, and make sure the whole big puzzle comes together in the end.
This is just a starting point. Plans may be tweaked or expanded depending on your specific needs and the skills and services of your branding agency partner or internal team.
What should I look for in a creative agency?
We highly recommend hiring an outside agency that will lead you through the process and finalize your new creative. Many times it takes an outside perspective to cut through the clutter and really drill down to your truths, especially when there are multiple people involved. Plus, utilizing an outside team can help relieve some of the stress on your employees and free up your time so you can focus on your ongoing tasks and business objectives.
When looking for a creative agency to partner with for your rebrand, keep the following in mind…
- Check portfolios, reviews, and testimonials. Their previous work and customers will give some great insights into where the agency really shines, their track record of success, and what you can expect when working together.
- Expertise. Not all agencies are created equal. In fact, a lot of agencies can create some decent visuals but have minimal or no experience really understanding the strategy behind it all. Don’t be afraid to ask for credentials and take a look at how long they’ve been in business and what kind of businesses they’ve worked with in the past. Finding an agency that has experience is crucial and can make the rebranding much less daunting. DAE and Company has had over 30 years of branding and rebranding for various clients.
- Ask a lot of questions. A good agency will ask you a lot of questions — and you should ask a lot of questions in return. A rebrand requires communication and transparency, so you should make sure those qualities are evident from the get-go.
- Set clear goals and expectations. To judge success, everyone needs to be on the same page. Work together to set clear goals, timelines, and benchmarks so that there are no hiccups or miscommunication along the way. Although an agency can lead you through the process, your input and involvement is crucial. A brand needs to be authentic and truthful, so it is important that the final product reflects who you are and why you do what you do.
Here at DAE, we’ve got a seasoned crew of marketers and creatives, specializing in everything from graphic design and digital advertising to account management and copywriting. We’ve worked with big-name brands on the West Coast and beyond — including Visit California, WB Records, MGM Grand, Honeywell, Google, and more.
Think we could be the right agency for you? There’s only one way to find out…
by Diana Evans | Dec 16, 2020 | DAE & Company, Design
Normally, when December rolls around, the holiday parties come out. Banquet rooms are booked, invites go out, halls are decked, and someone inevitably gets a bit too cozy with the nog. Normally. This, however, has been a year that’s been anything but normal.
But should we let 2020 prevent us from gathering up and celebrating with our comrades and clients? No way, now that we’re all proficient in Zoomings and Hangouts and Zohos and the like, it’s time to party. Virtually.
Thus, we come to you bearing thoughts, ideas and random nonsense to help overcome the tremendous void that arises from missing out on a front row seat to the CEO’s ginspired words of wisdom and encouragement.
So, in accordance with protocols and mandates and the wrath of Santa, we present a few tidbits on how to assemble a virtual holiday party that won’t soon be forgotten (unless you’re the one who goes heavy on the nog).
Step one, announce your intentions to the crew. Send out invites with a date, time, a link to the party, and a little incentive to encourage their participation. Then, choose from any of the below to assemble a party of varying degrees of joviality:
- Lubricant. Perhaps a bottle of wine (with card) delivered in advance to each employee will serve to lower inhibitions and enhance frivolity. Non-drinkers are encouraged to gift their bottle of joy to their cats and dogs, a donation that might contribute to the evening’s entertainment.
- Ugly Sweaters. In a time when 78% of all Zoomers meet in their pajama pants, it’s not asking too much to get ugly in the company of your cronies. Of course, only one can go home (or stay home) as the Grand Champion of Gaudiness. No recounts will be held on voter outcomes.
- Munchies. Every participant is encouraged to gather up their favorite appetizers, dips, cookies, and pudding that will provide sustenance over the course of this affair. Extra points for those who prominently display their gingerbread houses. More extra points for those who deconstruct said homes in the presence of all before them.
- Karaoke. Each person in attendance essentially has a stage before them in the form of their computer. All that’s needed are a few lyrics, a good swig or two, and a fair amount of nerve. Heavy on the bubbly, easy on the Bublé.
- Caroling. Get crafty with where this one goes or simply let your comrades create their own iterations, a leap of faith that may result in 2020-inspired classics like “O Come all Ye Fateful,” “Blight Christmas,” and “The 12 Days of Quarantine.”
- The Big Speech. Okay, this is optional for whoever’s in charge or for whoever’s mug sits atop the totem pole. If you’re the big kahuna, it’s a fine time to review the year (its ups as well as its challenges) and to rally the troops for the optimistic times that are before us. If you’re an underling, however, this is a fine time to press your volume button hard left. Just be sure to keep smiling into the camera and to ramp up the volume when any mention of a bonus arises.
- Happy Uber to all and to all a good couch. Chances are, you’re likely at home, a twist in the holiday party scene that makes our world a little safer in more ways than one. That means that celebrating this party over the screen keeps us from getting behind the wheel. And that’s a very good thing. Equally significant, however, is the power of this party to bring us all a little closer together, a fête that goes a long way toward rolling into all the positivity that we’re desperately in search of and that we’ll all fondly reflect on, with the possible exception of the excess Nogger, that is.
From all of us, our best wishes for a Happy HoliDAE.
by Diana Evans | Dec 2, 2020 | DAE & Company, Design
The rollercoaster ride that was 2020 has forced a lot of businesses to question their strategies, values, and overall goals. When you start discussing the nuts and bolts of your business, oftentimes words like “branding” and “brand identity” come up as part of the conversation — as they should. Your brand identity is a reflection of who you are and who you want to be as a company. It’s what makes you stand out and connects you to your customers.
So, what happens when your current brand doesn’t seem to cut it anymore? Then, it may be time for a rebrand. We’re sharing some of the top reasons why rebranding is important, especially during times like these, and why a company may choose to rebrand.
1. You changed directions because of the pandemic.
Yeah, we’re sick of talking about COVID, but it’s kind of unavoidable. 2020 was a rollercoaster for all of us. On top of the pandemic, there was also a lot of political unrest, social upheaval, and even wildfires that hit us especially hard here in California. Needless to say, “pivoting” was the buzzword of 2020 for businesses.
From adding pick-up and delivery options to launching online stores, virtual events, and brand new products, businesses have been incredibly resilient and innovative during these times. Along the way, we’ve seen new business models and company values emerge as everyone changed gears.
Amid all the craziness, take a step back and look at how those changes have really impacted your business. How well does your existing branding reflect those new products, services, and values?
If your current branding doesn’t express how you do business and what you stand for, it’s time for a brand refresh. Ultimately, rebranding will help your business stay competitive, stay focused, and stay operational during crazy times like these.
2. You want to reach a new market or audience.
If your business is looking to engage and attract a new audience, your branding has to be spot on. If it isn’t, well, then you’re not going to connect with them. Simple as that.
Maybe you’re launching your products or services to a wider area, such as going from local to regional or national to international markets. Someone living in Los Angeles lives a different lifestyle and potentially has different needs than someone in, say, Lake Tahoe. The same holds true for customers in the United States versus someone living in Australia.
Another thing to consider, more than just location, is reaching a new age range or generation of consumers. Brands have spent years adapting and rebranding to reach Millennials, who are now in their prime working and spending years. However, Gen Z is now reaching adulthood, making more buying decisions, and leaving their mark on the market overall. How does your brand resonate with these younger markets that are going to keep your business going in the years to come?
If your current brand voice and values aren’t resonating with the audience you’re trying to reach, or you’re not sure how to best reach them, redefining your brand identity is a solid next step. However, keep in mind that alienating your existing customer base isn’t a smart move. Work with a branding agency (like DAE&Co.) to craft a successful rebrand that bridges the gap and puts your best foot forward with both new and existing markets.
3. You want to set yourself apart from competitors.
Have you ever found yourself scrolling through websites, social posts, and advertisements and just glossing right over them? Yeah, us too. Businesses often model their branding after other giants in the industry, follow best practices, and jump on popular trends. As a result, you get similar fonts, color schemes, and messaging.
Using these best practices and trends as a guideline is fine, and probably a safe bet. However, it definitely doesn’t do much to help you stand out. In fact, it actually makes you blend in with all the rest and makes your brand unrecognizable and easy to overlook.
Here are DAE&Co., we’re big proponents of thinking outside the box and taking some risks with your branding to really stand out from the crowd. No one ever got anywhere by playing it safe, right?
If your brand is not differentiating itself from competitors, you could be missing out on some amazing business opportunities. Updating your brand identity will help you really grab attention and show off how unique you are.
Read Now: The Dangers of Playing It Safe
4. Your brand is outdated.
Do you ever cringe when you look at old pictures of yourself sporting outdated fashion trends and hairstyles or laugh at old-school technology like floppy disks and flip phones? While these were great during their time, things change as we learn, grow, and adapt. Now think about your brand. Has your branding changed and adapted alongside your company?
Branding is not meant to be a one-and-done thing. Even some of the world’s biggest and most recognizable brands, like Google, have gone through a number of rebrands and strategy updates over the years.
If your business has been around for a while and still uses the same logo, fonts, visuals, and other brand elements, it’s probably time for a rebranding strategy. While it’s great that you’ve built up long-term brand trust and recognition, the last thing you want is for people to associate your brand with being old, outdated, or irrelevant.
That being said, be strategic as you move forward. Brand recognition is a positive thing and you don’t want to alienate your audience. Oftentimes, subtle tweaks and changes are all it takes to modernize your brand and bring it into the 21st century. Though, there are certainly reasons for more dramatic, sweeping brand updates as well. Consider all your options.
5. You want to save money and improve results.
This is really the bottom line, isn’t it? Most companies consider a rebranding strategy because they’re not getting the results they want or their branding is no longer aligned with their goals.
As we noted above, if your branding resonates with your audience, differentiates you from competitors, and is aligned with your business goals, values, and services, then you’re naturally going to see better results. If any of those pieces are missing, however, there’s likely a disconnect.
While creating a personal brand identity is an investment, it’s one that should pay off dramatically in the long run.
Let’s Plan Your Rebrand Strategy
A rebrand isn’t easy and definitely not something to take lightly. As a top rebranding agency based in Nevada and California, we’ve helped many businesses on the West Coast and beyond reinvent their brand identity with stellar results (if we do say so ourselves). If you’re considering a brand refresh, we’d love to chat with you.
by Diana Evans | Nov 9, 2020 | DAE & Company, Design
We have a client that’s more like a partner, a hotel just beyond shouting distance of Disneyland in Anaheim. It’s a stunning property run by good people who care for those who choose to stay there and who’ve also maintained benefits to those employees who’ve been furloughed in these tumultuous times. It’s a client that we’ve had an exceptional relationship with for many years and in which we’ve helped influence their success.
Problem is, as stated above, they’re near Disneyland. That’s normally a far cry from being a problem, but in 2020, The Happiest Place on Earth is more like The Quietest Place on Earth. The Parks are closed, except for Downtown Disney for shopping and dining. And with that, much of Anaheim, our client included, is treading water, remaining closed and perfecting safety measures while awaiting word on when the gates will open and the travelers arrive.
It’s been tough on them and, subsequently, on us. Budgets have been slashed, hallways dimmed, and restaurants silenced. But one can only pick up the phone or shoot off an email so many times to express empathy and assure them that these times too, shall pass. At some point, one must resort to that ultimate form of solace: cupcakes.
And so it was. Off went a thoughtfully prepared card from the troops at DAE & Company, along with countless colorful calories of inspiration and support whipped up by Sprinkles Cupcakes, all tied up neatly in a lovely box with a pink tag. We had visions of the reception that gift would generate. Maybe a big smile, a belly rumble, or a fist pump from a client accustomed to working with people who are a resource in more ways than one.
There it was, a boxful of temptation at the front door, just waiting to brighten someone’s day, which it did. Problem is, it didn’t end up in what we envisioned to be the “right hands.” Instead, that flash of pink caught the eyes of a passing homeless person with a sweet tooth. A quick peruse of the contents and she was off not with the whole bundle, but rather that one cake of love that most appealed to her.
It’s not the way we’d planned it. But on the other hand, we couldn’t have planned it any better if we tried. You see, while it’s easy to fix your sights on how tough times have been for you and your business partners, it takes someone’s serendipitous arrival at a door with a sweet box at its feet to put the times into perspective. The gesture wasn’t lost on our partners, who were cheered by the fact that the gift – tasty as it was – was best enjoyed by someone without a warm office, let alone a roof, to come home to.
All we’d hoped for was to cheer up our partners and, somehow, someway – through the intervention of the unintended – the deed became far more personal and profound than ever imagined. Granted, the renewed order of icing and cake hand-delivered by Sprinkles (Thank you!) didn’t exactly spoil the moment, but the sweetest message all of us could hope for had already been delivered.
by Diana Evans | Sep 15, 2020 | DAE & Company, Design
A long, long time ago (six months, to be precise), working from home was – to mainstream America — a strange, distant concept. Then came Covid-19. Offices grew lonely, break rooms were bleak, and a sea of workers was coping with concerns about staying safe while remaining on task. Routine went out the window as virtual workforces came charging through the door.
Due to a variety of issues, many companies have since thrived while others have struggled.
For DAE & Company, it was a tremor that never registered. From its outset, DAE & Company has worked as a virtual marketing firm. Zoom was second nature, status meetings were three parts tasking to one part banter, and technology was a friend, not a foe. Having a team that was well seasoned in asking the right questions, embracing the value of structure, and that was adept at solving problems both individually and collectively has played a critical role in our success. Of course, it helps that we know how to make our own coffee as well.
While it’s been seamless for us, we understand the stumbles that many others may be encountering. As such, we’ve collected several tips that may help make the transition smoother and more successful.
Tip 1. Communicate company goals and each team member’s role in the big picture
It’s critical that your remote workers understand both how they contribute on a project by project basis and how they contribute to the company’s big picture goals. Taking the time to ensure your team members have this understanding can go a long way toward helping them feel connected to the organization in a meaningful way, which will result in greater loyalty and higher quality of work overall. DAE & Company worked with Mojo Project to help clarify direction and get the team aligned. Having an outside consultant can be very motivating and can give you an objective opinion on where your team is headed and the best way to motivate and communicate with each member.
Tip 2. Make sure remote team members are included in regularly scheduled meetings
When you’re working as a remote team, there are really no opportunities for casual run-ins and interactions. That means managers need to provide regular opportunities for such exchanges among the team members. While email and Slack interactions are great, video meetings are essential to maintaining more spontaneous and natural connectivity and are critical for avoiding miscommunication.
Tip 3. Treat your remote team members just as you do in-house employees
When it comes to cohesiveness, the small stuff matters more than you can imagine. Things like acknowledging birthdays with a gift or a group conference call rendition of the happy birthday song can help your remote workers feel like valued and appreciated members of the greater team, which, in turn, helps build cohesiveness and greater efficiency in everyday interactions.
Tip 4. Make sure expectations and policies are communicated
In-house employees typically know there are unstated standards for things like unofficial department hours of operation, but a remote employee, for example, isn’t able to observe when folks roll in and roll out at the end of the day. Knowledge of such unofficial standards can make a big difference in efficiency and connectedness. So take note of and make sure your remote employees are made aware of any such standards. Doing so will not only help with workflow but will also help avoid conflicts and miscommunication among team members.
Tip 5. Provide forums for community building
Providing forums for community building is especially important when you have team members operating in various time zones who are also working on various projects. Tools like Slack channels and Google Hangouts are great ways to provide connectedness. Slack, in particular, allows you to create specific channels where workers can interact based on some shared function such as project or even interest. Allowing your remote team members to interact casually on these channels helps build the connectedness and camaraderie of “real world” communities while also aiding in workflow efficiency and productivity.
Tip 6. Be transparent and inclusive
When a team rarely meets in person and typically works in isolation, building trust among its members can be a challenge. That’s where the team leader’s transparency about things like changes to personnel, team strategy, and performance evaluations becomes imperative. Whether formal or informal, communication about such developments is critical. Along the same lines, you should expect your team members to offer the same transparency and engagement with you. Feedback from both sides is critical to your remote team’s success.
Tip 7. Use the right technology
Just as it is with any team, project management is an essential function for remote team leadership. Tools such as Trello, Asana, and Basecamp are ideal for remote team collaboration and deadline management. Use them! Also, be sure to provide real-time communication applications such as the aforementioned Google Hangouts or Slack to facilitate efficient real-time communication.
The Takeaway
Utilizing remote workers can be an awesome way to combine talent from various regions affordably and efficiently—if you do it right. To really harness the power of your remote team, be sure to adopt the tools, practices, and effective management that will set your remote workers up for success.
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