When people think of branding, they often focus on the elements that consumers and external stakeholders see, overlooking the materials and tools that internal team members use regularly on the job. While it may seem small and insignificant, maintaining a unified brand internally can make a world of difference in streamlining communication, creating a cohesive work environment, and strengthening your overall brand presence.
At our Vancouver branding agency, we help businesses create strong and memorable brand identities that resonate from the inside out, ensuring that every team member is aligned with the business vision and goals. Wondering where to start when it comes to streamlining your internal branding and communications? We’ve got you covered. Continue reading to glean some tips from the pros at our branding and design studio.
1. establish a comprehensive brand style guide
A brand style guide: something that every business needs, but not every business has. Having a logo, typography, and a defined colour palette is one thing, but putting all the pieces together in a style guide offers added clarity, leaving less room for misalignment or misunderstandings. In addition to the core brand identity elements listed above, a brand style guide can shed light on:
- voice and tone: Providing guidance on the preferred communication style, including the language and messaging that make up your brand’s personality. Communication guidelines can have a major impact on your company culture by shaping how employees interact with each other and with clients. This includes core elements of your messaging, such as: key taglines, your elevator pitch, and mission, vision and values statements—all components that our Vancouver branding studio proudly provides with every small business brand identity package.
- brand strategy: Persona development, competitor analysis, brand positioning, and brand heart.
- identity elements: Logo design, colour codes, typography lockups, supporting illustrations, monograms, textures, and badges that reflect your visual identity.
- usage rules: Specifying how and where brand elements should be used to maintain consistency across all channels. (Ie: logo placement, logo size, combination colours, etc.)
Looking to establish a brand identity kit that aligns with your business strategy and goals? White Canvas Design Agency offers thoughtful, customized branding and design services for businesses based in Vancouver and beyond. Book a consultation to discover how we can be of support during your initial launch or brand revitalization.
2. implement brand training programs
Getting everyone on the same page when it comes to your brand can be a game changer for maintaining consistency across internal teams and channels. One effective way to achieve this is by implementing comprehensive brand training programs. These programs ensure that every team member, from new hires to long-time employees, understands and embraces your brand’s guidelines and values. The optimal time for brand training:
- during onboarding: Incorporating branding into the onboarding process is a straightforward and powerful way to get everyone on the same page right from the start. When new hires are introduced to your brand’s guidelines and values early on, it sets a clear standard for how they should represent your company. This not only helps them integrate smoothly into the team but also ensures that your brand’s message remains consistent across all internal teams from the get-go.
- ongoing education: offer regular workshops or webinars to keep current employees updated on brand developments and best practices.
At our Vancouver branding agency, we recommend designating a team member as a brand ambassador in order to make sure brand standards are being upheld. Depending on the size of your organization, this could look like a single person for your entire office, or one person per department.
3. create templates to standardize internal communications
Not only does creating a library of pre-built templates ensure formatting consistency, but it also creates a more smooth, efficient workflow by eliminating the guesswork for your team members. Some examples of branded templates that can be created and reused on a regular basis:
- meeting agendas
- internal memos
- presentations
- e-mail newsletters/company updates
- employee handbooks
- event invitations
4. centralize your brand assets
Making sure all of your brand assets (ie: imagery, logos, fonts, and branded templates) are stored in a spot that is easily accessible for team members is key. Your marketing team or designated brand ambassador(s) should be in charge of keeping these materials organized and up to date in order to leverage the most relevant brand assets.
5. use visual reminders
One great way to keep your brand values and guidelines front and centre is by using branded visuals around the office. Digital screens can showcase rotating messages or inspiring quotes that align with your brand’s personality, while posters, prints, and other visual cues can reinforce what your brand stands for in a fun and inviting way. Plus, they add a touch of personality and cohesion to the office while embodying your brand’s spirit. Drop by our branding studio in Langley to scope out our set up and collect inspiration!
custom branding and design services in Vancouver
Looking to build or reimagine your brand? White Canvas Design Agency is here to help! We provide customized branding and web design services for businesses in Vancouver and beyond. As a full-service creative agency, we provide personal, intentional design to weave the threads of your business together seamlessly. Our brand strategy and identity development service offers a comprehensive project experience that includes: logo design, typography, colour palette, supporting graphic elements, brand elevator pitch, values, and key taglines.
Get in touch to discover how our team of seasoned design and branding professionals can support you.