What are the best ways to handle a branding project that has gone off track?
Branding projects can be exciting and rewarding, but they can also be challenging and stressful. Sometimes, things don't go as planned and you find yourself facing delays, disagreements, or dissatisfaction from your clients or stakeholders. How can you handle a branding project that has gone off track and get it back on track? Here are some tips to help you out.
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milad tirandaz میلاد تیراندازMarketing and Advertising Specialist & Consultant | Brand strategist | Social media strategist | campaign manager 360|…
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Deepanjana ChakrabortyContent, Brand & Digital Strategist
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Meet ShahBrand Developer @Dash Technologies LLP | Brand Identity Strategist | Brand Architect | Unleashing Brand Potential for…
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Deepanjana Chakraborty
Content, Brand & Digital Strategist
Realign priorities by assessing project objectives, pinpointing deviations, and developing a comprehensive recovery plan. Communicate transparently with the team, acknowledging challenges and emphasizing collective problem-solving. Reevaluate timelines and resource allocation, ensuring alignment with client expectations. Utilize lessons learned to enhance future project management strategies and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Prioritize client satisfaction through open dialogue, addressing concerns, and presenting actionable solutions.
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Adam Brounstein
Brand Strategist/Creative Director helping brands build identity, strategy, and salience with their core audiences.
When a branding project veers off course, it's smart to pause and regroup. We revisit the original project brief for alignment and open up transparent discussions within the team and with clients, rebuilding trust and clarity. Prioritizing key objectives, we devise a new action plan with clear roles and deadlines. Post-project, we reflect on our experiences, turning insights into lessons for future endeavors. Flexibility and a positive attitude are vital; sometimes, external perspectives can offer fresh solutions. This approach strengthens our team's resilience and readiness for future challenges.
The first step is to understand what went wrong and why. Is it a communication issue, a scope creep, a change of direction, or a lack of feedback? What are the expectations and goals of the project, and how far are you from meeting them? How much time, money, and resources do you have left? Be honest and realistic about the current state of the project and identify the main problems and risks.
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milad tirandaz میلاد تیرانداز
Marketing and Advertising Specialist & Consultant | Brand strategist | Social media strategist | campaign manager 360| PR strategist
The first step in managing a derailed branding project is to identify the reasons for derailment. Create a new plan After identifying the reasons for derailment, you need to create a new plan for the project. Work with your team To be successful in managing a derailed branding project, you need to work with your team. Here is a more detailed translation of each point: Identify the reasons for derailment
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Meet Shah
Brand Developer @Dash Technologies LLP | Brand Identity Strategist | Brand Architect | Unleashing Brand Potential for Growth | Social Media Management | 1:1 Brand Consulting | Graphic Designer | IIM Nagpur
By tracking projects using project management tools or CRM it's easier to find ot the current position. Also by getting daily updates it is easy to track if something going wrong. After getting issues rather blaming it's preferred to find solutions and start to working on it.
The next step is to communicate with your team and client and share your assessment of the situation. Don't blame anyone or make excuses, but explain the facts and the challenges. Listen to their perspectives and concerns, and acknowledge their feelings and frustrations. Show empathy and respect, and avoid defensiveness or hostility. Try to find common ground and align on the vision and purpose of the project.
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Jane Doran
Senior Marketing Leader | Content Magician | Comms & Digital Pro | Swiss Army Knife for SME's/Start Ups
A helpful strategy I use is based on the "Mere Exposure Effect." This psychological phenomenon, studied by Robert Zajonc, suggests that people tend to develop a preference for things merely because they are familiar with them. Use this this concept by consistently and positively exposing your team and client to the project's objectives, progress, and potential solutions. Frequent, transparent communication about the project's status and the steps being taken to address any issues can create a sense of familiarity and reassurance. This can help build confidence and trust, making it more likely that your team and client will be receptive to your proposed solutions for getting the branding project back on track.
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Bhagya Panchal
Marketing Executive at Currently | MICA | MIT ADT University | Best Outgoing Student 2023 MITCOM |
Talking well with your team and clients is key when things get tough. Here's a simple way to do it: 1. Be Open and Positive: Talk about problems honestly but stay positive. Think about how Toyota always looks for ways to fix things instead of blaming. 2. Listen and Work Together: Make sure everyone feels important and listens to each other, like in good teams. 3. Keep Eyes on the Goal: Always remember the main aim of your project. This helps everyone work together better.
The third step is to negotiate a solution that works for everyone. Depending on the situation, you may need to revise the scope, timeline, budget, or deliverables of the project. You may also need to prioritize some tasks, delegate some responsibilities, or outsource some work. Be flexible and creative, but also realistic and transparent. Make sure you agree on the roles, expectations, and milestones of the project, and document them clearly.
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ILHAM LAHRECHE
Journaliste senior Free lance et consultante en communication-bonne gouvernance-approche genre
In my opinion, the key to successful negotiation and resolution is to maintain a collaborative, open-minded, and solution-focused approach while keeping the end goal in sight which should always be at the forefront of these discussions. Prior to this, host a collaborative discussion with stakeholders; set new milestones and deadlines, formally document the revised plan, continuously monitor the progress of the project against the new plan.
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Bhagya Panchal
Marketing Executive at Currently | MICA | MIT ADT University | Best Outgoing Student 2023 MITCOM |
In my opinion: 1. Adjust Plans as Needed: It emphasizes practical flexibility, akin to altering a recipe for improvement, which is a relatable and easy-to-understand analogy. 2. Set Priorities and Delegate: This point draws a parallel with sports coaching, highlighting the importance of strategic role assignment in a team - a concept not typically associated with project management but highly effective. 3. Agree and Document: Comparing documentation to a shopping list simplifies a complex task, making it accessible and highlighting its necessity in a new light.
The fourth step is to implement the changes and execute the project according to the new plan. Follow the best practices of project management, such as setting deadlines, tracking progress, reporting results, and soliciting feedback. Communicate frequently and effectively with your team and client, and update them on any changes or issues. Celebrate the wins and learn from the mistakes. Keep the focus on the quality and value of the project, and don't compromise on your standards or ethics.
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Bhagya Panchal
Marketing Executive at Currently | MICA | MIT ADT University | Best Outgoing Student 2023 MITCOM |
In my opinion, Rather than strictly adhering to the new plan, be open to adjusting as you go. This approach is similar to a jazz band improvising during a performance, where the ability to adapt in real-time creates a better overall outcome.
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Bash Harry
The strategic brand designer who is on a mission to help businesses to discover their true brand identity
Keep things well-documented at all times. While verbal communication is the foundation for change implementation, jotting things down and sharing them with your team/clients helps to keep the flow smooth. Documentation doesn't have to be some massive 571-page report; it could be as simple as a one-page project calendar.
The final step is to evaluate the outcome and measure the success of the project. Compare the results with the goals and objectives, and assess the impact and satisfaction of the project. Gather feedback from your team and client, and analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the project. Identify the lessons learned and the best practices for future projects. Thank your team and client for their collaboration and support, and showcase your work and achievements.
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Tirzah Kijzer
It's all about getting things done through connecting people. Marketing & Strategy expert * Mentor * Change agent * Creative. Never stop learning.
Apart from a team feedback and evaluation, it is an opportunity to help people grow in your team. Saying thank you does not cost anything, just a few minutes of your time. Be specific with feedback, list one or two things your team member did well.
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Bhagya Panchal
Marketing Executive at Currently | MICA | MIT ADT University | Best Outgoing Student 2023 MITCOM |
When assessing the project's success, approach it as if you're reading a story. Look at the beginning (goals), the middle (execution), and the end (results), and see how well they connect and flow. This narrative approach can reveal insights not just about the outcome but also about the journey and the overall experience of the project.
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