Month: May 2022

4 Tips For Maintaining Brand Consistency

MOMENTUM Business Support Business Support
white notebook with the words branding on it on a wooden surface

Making sure your branding is consistent is key when it comes to building and maintaining an easily recognised business. Consistency solidifies the image of a brand in the mind of the public, presenting a single, unified identity and personality. This is important, as an output that has a different tone, writing style or visual style can quickly distort the perception of a business, making it seem less trustworthy and credible. Here are our top 4 tips for maintaining brand consistency:

  • Use the right tone – The tone of voice used in content is often overlooked, but it is an important part of consistent branding. Tone can reinforce ideas behind your company and products in a subtle way; if your product or service is unusual or caters to a niche market, then a humorous or unusual tone of voice may fit your business – for example, Old Spice uses a unique style to catch attention. Conversely, if your products are powerful or serious, then a strong or proud voice may be right. Think motoring brands like BMW or Harley Davidson.
  • Create branded graphics – Visual communication is very important with branding. Colour, for example, is one of the simplest elements you can use, but can be very powerful. The red and yellow of McDonalds is instantly recognisable, and the multi-coloured Google branding is commonly seen online. Fonts are also a simple yet effective way for branding to remain consistent across different content; cursive fonts give an elegant and carefree feeling, whereas blocky sans-serif text gives a more straightforward impression. Logos are another more obvious way to imprint branding into communications – when included tastefully, they provide an unambiguous identification of your brand.
  • Make the most of your slogan – Not every brand has to have a slogan, but it is a useful way to convey what the company does, as well as establish an identity in a couple of words. “Just do it” or “Every little helps” are instantly recognisable and give a good idea of a brand’s values. Slogans can also be used for individual products or lines as a way to differentiate from the competition. Finally, to really utilise that slogan why not turn it into a branded hashtag? Just make sure that there’s no hidden meanings or existing uses for your hashtag – such mishaps are more common than you think!
  • Vocalise your values – Let your audience know what you stand for! Ad campaigns aren’t exclusively for products or services, they are also a great way to show a company’s values and actions. You could draw attention to switching to recyclable packaging, or any partnerships or fundraising efforts. In recent years, some ad campaigns have seemingly deliberately featured controversial topics to draw attention, for example Gillette’s “we believe: the best men can be” ad which tackles toxic masculinity, and Nike’s ad featuring Colin Kaepernick, an American football player who has advocated against racial inequality.

We hope you’ve found this short read helpful.  If you’d like to chat through your own ideas or need any help getting them implemented, get in touch:

E: makeithappen@mbsmih.com   T: 01903 688789

Mental Health In The Workplace

MOMENTUM Business Support Health & Wellbeing
blue background with a paper cut out of a side profile with a heart shaped flower over the temple.

It can be difficult at times to maintain a balance. Things can pile on without you realising, causing stress and anxiety – especially in the workplace. It’s often the case, we don’t even realise we’re struggling and can find it difficult to recognise the early signs of burnout. Whether you need a little help yourself or are checking in on a co-worker, it’s important to act fast and put mental health first.

Unfortunately, there is still a stigma around mental health in the workplace, with many people treating the subject as taboo. It not only makes it difficult to discuss, it also slows the process of getting help, which is why it’s extremely important for us to educate ourselves, prioritise, and provide mutual support. So, in honour of Mental Health Awareness week, we encourage you to understand the most common signs of poor mental health, as well as work on things you can implement to improve your own mental wellbeing:

Signs to look out for

  • Changes in mood – everyone has their better and worse days, it’s inevitable that you won’t be happy all the time. But for most people, these dips in mood don’t last for too long or become a pattern. It’s important to note if someone’s change in mood persists for a long time, especially if it’s a stark contrast from their usual selves.
  • Problems with focus and productivity – many people who struggle with their wellbeing find it difficult to maintain concentration or to be productive. This is often particularly present in the workplace and can cause a lot of stress when attempting to carry out usual duties. So, if you see your colleague falling behind, it’s worth checking in on them. Likewise, don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
  • Changes in work pattern – when struggling with your mental health, it can be difficult to motivate yourself to even leave the house. This can result in absence from work or arriving late. If you notice that someone who’s normally punctual makes a new habit of showing up late, ask them how they’re doing. Similarly, if you’re regularly finding it difficult to be on time or make deadlines, make sure you’re looking after yourself.
  • Changes in sleeping behaviour – this one can be difficult to monitor in the workplace, but poor mental health can have a huge impact on our sleeping habits. It can prompt inconsistent sleeping patterns, making it hard to fall asleep, stay asleep or in other cases, cause oversleeping. However, in most scenarios, the result is usually exhaustion, jitteriness, and fatigue. So, if you notice that your colleague is consistently tired, or you yourself are experiencing any of the above, it may be a sign of compromised mental wellbeing.

What might help

  • Take a break from screens – a lot of us spend a good portion of the day using laptops and phones. So, when you take your lunch break or finish up working, it’s good to let your brain rest. You may also want to utilise readily available apps designed to lower screen time, or look into ways of minimising your exposure to blue light, which is often linked with eyestrain and headaches.
  • Moving around – taking a minute to stretch or take a short walk can help with your mental wellbeing. It helps by reducing muscle tension, increasing levels of serotonin, ultimately increasing your ability to focus. Working out or exercising before bed has also been known to improve the quality of sleep as well as providing additional benefits when it comes to your mental and physical health.
  • Take sick days – when we are feeling under the weather, it makes sense for us to take a break from work. It’s our bodies way of letting us know what it needs. But for those of us who work from home, the lines may feel blurred making it difficult to make that call. In fact, studies show that individuals working from home take fewer sick days, feeling less inclined to take necessary time off. Not only does this make our mental health suffer, it lowers the quality of work. Take a break and recuperate, so when you get back – you can give 100%.
  • Have a snack – eating something good can help boost our mental health. It can be something healthy, or an occasional salty or sweet treat. This can release serotonin, which is known to improve mood, as well as maintaining a steady source of energy to get us through the day. Make sure you’re implementing a balanced diet and getting all the nutrition you need. Experts suggest; if you’re looking to improve your sleep, eat foods high in vitamin B, for an antioxidant boost look for sources of vitamin E, and for stress management, balance your levels of magnesium.

These are just a few tips that can be used to improve your mental health, but it’s important to remember that everyone is different, what works for some may be ineffective for others. If you or someone you know is struggling, it’s important to reach out and seek the advice of your GP for optimal support.

We hope you’ve found this short read helpful. Why not share it on your socials, tagging us @mbsmih, and share your ideas and experiences too.

E: makeithappen@mbsmih.com   T: 01903 688789