Month: October 2022

4 Things To Consider When Doing A Brand Refresh

MOMENTUM Business Support Business Support, Digital Marketing
Desktop computer with graphic design program open with colour schemes and logo templates

Behind every well-established business is strong branding and while a full overhaul isn’t always necessary, a strategic refresh can be the rejuvenation you’re looking for. The world is ever changing and exhibiting the ability to adapt and stay relevant can showcase strength as well as a deeper understanding of your clients’ needs. A current and accurate brand identity helps to portray a better image of your business and so a simple alteration can go a long way in helping it reach its full potential. It’s a great way to create buzz, generate new sales and stay ahead of the curve. But what are the things you should consider before diving in at the deep end? 

How has your business evolved?

At the start of your business, you may have had a basic idea of what you wanted your company to be, but as time has gone on you may have established a more refined image. The appearance of your brand should change accordingly, as you explorer aspects that weren’t initially present or fully developed. It is likely that you have also grown as a person and/ or team, which will reflect in your tastes and skillsets. You may have gained design skills or knowledge which could now allow you to refresh your branding to a standard better suited to your expectations. Finally, you may have also acquired financial resources allowing you to outsource your branding refresh to a professional.

How is your target audience expanding or changing?

Has your target audience expanded or changed from when you last thought about your branding? Do you want to appeal to a new demographic? If so, you can cater your new look to an audience you most want to appeal to, which will naturally draw in more suitable prospects. Just be careful to not forget about your existing audience, as completely changing the branding can alienate long-time customers and damage preestablished relationships when not done right. Subtlety is the best choice and can still benefit from an exciting, rejuvenated look while honouring your branding origins.

Does your branding reflect your current missions and values?

If your company values or ideals have recently changed, it might be time for a brand refresh. For instance, if sustainability has become a major part of your services/ products you might want to consider adding subtle greens to your colour scheme or website. Alternatively, you could also change or create your company slogan to better reflect those values. A great example of using a slogan to showcase your company ethos is Green Toys and their tagline – Good Green Fun™. It’s simple, straightforward, and perfectly echoes their environmentally friendly ideology.

Is your logo optimised and visually up to date?

In the current commercial landscape, simple logos have become a popular choice among newly established businesses, while 3D effects and more intricate patterns are being dropped in favour of more modest designs. Not only are they frequently perceived as more opulent, but they’re also more convenient when it comes to marketing. Simple designs are easier to incorporate into advertisements as well as being the optimal choice for scaling and resizing. Colour is also a great way to strengthen your branding but use it sparingly as too many can sometimes appear inconsistent and dated. Stick to shade variants of your existing palette or 1 or 2 complementary tones.  Fonts can equally go a long way and are often overlooked – cursive can give a handwritten and authentic impression, while serif creates a more formal and traditional look.

It should be noted that the number one mistake when changing up your branding is implementing too much change – too quickly. It’s important to be patient and realistic about the process, making sure to retain easy recognisability and discussing upcoming changes with your audience. Consider holding an official launch for your new/ refreshed branding, celebrating the new chapter alongside your team and clients. Most importantly, take your time and don’t be afraid to hire professional services to help you execute your vision.

If you’d like to find out more or require any additional business support, we have every team you need! Get in touch:

T: 01903 688789 E: makeithappen@mbsmih.com

Decreasing Energy Usage When Working From Home

MOMENTUM Business Support Business Support, Home Working
Laptop and Work From Home sign on a computer desk

It’s no surprise that in a post-pandemic world the number of people choosing to work from home maintains elevated. And while there are undoubted benefits, such as the decreasing of carbon emissions, travel expenses, and time – the rising costs of energy are becoming the number one downside to a home office.

In 2022 it was estimated that the average remote worker uses around 25% more electricity than a person working in a traditional office environment outside the home. While these statistics may sound discouraging, there are plenty of things that can be done to lessen the damage of your monthly energy bill. Check out our top tips for decreasing your energy consumption while working from home.

Turn appliances off at the plug

Leaving your electronics on stand-by is a common practice. However, turning your appliances off at the plug can make a noticeable difference to your yearly expenses. Don’t forget to unplug your mobile, laptop or other handheld devices once they reach full charge. Not only will doing so reduce your energy usage, but it will also extend your devices battery life. If you struggle to remember to turn your appliances off, consider purchasing smart plugs or other affordable smart home devices. Smart plugs allow you to automate your devices turning on and off using an app or voice commands.

 Switch to energy saving lightbulbs and turn off lights

Did you know that lighting up our homes is responsible for almost 15% of our total energy usage throughout the year? There are several things that can be to reduce this, starting with simply turning off the lights that aren’t being used. Form a good habit and always switch off the lights when you leave a room! Consider changing out your lightbulbs for LED’s which use over 75% less energy when compared to a standard bulb – they are both more energy efficient as well as longer lasting. Remember to make full use of natural lighting and when possible, set up your working space near a natural light source (e.g., a window, skylight, or glass door).

Insulate and eliminate draughts

Many remote workers don’t have the resources for professional draught-proofing, but there are other budget friendly solutions which can help to insulate your home. Popular choices include draught proofing strips for doors and windows, chimney balloons, keyhole covers and letterbox flaps and brushes. A good habit is drawing the curtains as soon as the sun sets, as it will help to create a further barrier between your home and the outdoor temperature. Thick and heavyweight curtains are often considered best for the job as they provide more insulation than those made from lighter fabrics.

Reevaluate your heating usage and opt for layers

While we know that completely turning off the heating is neither realistic nor pleasant, we’ve all been guilty of turning the thermostat to full instead of putting on a jumper. In fact, research shows that by turning down the thermostat by just one degree you can decrease your energy bill by over £100 per year! So, make the most of your winter wardrobe and layer up! If you’re especially prone to the cold, choose more insulating fabrics such as wool, which has been scientifically proven to keep you warmer than other readily available fabrics. Finally, don’t waste energy by heating rooms you don’t use – instead designate a working space and close doors to improve heat retention. Remember that heat rises, therefore an upstairs office may prove a more efficient working space in the colder months.

As a small, remote business we understand the importance of optimising your home office while not breaking the bank! If you have any queries you would like to discuss or require any additional business support, we’d love to help! Get in touch:

T: 01903 688789 E: makeithappen@mbsmih.com