Corporate Identity: we’re in crisis too but we should be able to recover faster (Part 3)
However, on reflection, to come out of the current climate on top, engaging and entering in to dialogue with the end-user is but half of the conversation needed.
Captains of industry, once held in high esteem and celebrated by the press, have become bearish and fearful and, when leaders refuse to dip their toe in to the sea, is it any wonder that no-one else will follow? Open dialogue, in both directions, is certainly needed and paves the way in helping us to paint a much clearer picture.
We need our clients to really share with us what it is that is keeping them awake at night. In turn, we can then facilitate truthful dialogue between the client and the customer. Of course, like most things marketing-related, I very much doubt I am telling you anything you don’t already know, it’s just, that if agency newsletters and current thought-pieces are anything to go by, no-one appears to doing anything about it.
At first, the answer may not be that obvious, but by making an increased effort to listen and learn, ensuring the most appropriate and flexible methods are used, persuade clients and consumer to really trust and share their fears and anxieties – innovation will take form and succeed and the economy will grow. The future promises to be an exciting place for us all and already we have started to see major corporate identity activity; with AIG becoming AIU overnight and Merrill Lynch initiating a corporate identity change, following its acquisition by the Bank of America. The outcome of the latter, is eagerly anticipated and for obvious iconic reasons.
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Notes