Hello there,
I don't think January's that bad. It's a get-it-together month, like a slow start to the rest of the year. I like to work it all out and then push forward. Everyone seems to be hunkered down; it's the reason so much TV is pushed out in January, and people are in some form of fasting after the festive period. I am fond of it; it only gets better from here.
Branding in January? I think most people are thinking about thinking about branding in January. But we've had a solid start; new projects kicking off, projects coming to a conclusion and a few interesting enquiries coming our way, too. What's been nice has been a lift in conversations. People are just looking to chat about what's next, what jobs are to be done and what we think, which is nice. I felt that during COVID, it was all so constrained; we were getting told what to do by clients. It was understood that the focus was on survival, maintaining the status quo with tighter spending as people hunkered down.
But now we're getting calls just to bat ideas around. The "What if?" chats. They're freeing, just the opportunity to float ideas, discuss strategy and propose tactics. These conversations mark out the relationship we're lucky to have with our clients, that we've worked together to solve problems restricting growth. It's good to start having those chats again, and it's only January.
Stay positive this year, or at least try to read books that will help keep your positivity. I've started the year with Not the End of the World by Hannah Ritchie. I don't know if I'm convinced, but I know I needed to read this. Let me know what you think.
Not got time for that? We've got you covered. Chris has written about if you need a sub-brand and a comment on that lost art, brand naming. They'll make you think.
Chris, myself and Mike Hunter, associate creative director here at Good, created a podcast about the pros and cons of brand guidelines. It went deep. Don't say we're not good to you.
This newsletter was originally sent to our subscribers as an email. It has been adjusted for use on the site. View the original here or sign up below to receive articles like in your inbox each month.