ClarityConnects

The employee is now the customer -- Anne Erhard

We have always focused primarily on customers as the main group for our branding and marketing efforts…well those times are changing. On this episode of the ClarityConnects podcast, Anne Erhard, EVP for Social Impact & Sustainability at Edelman, shares recent research that demonstrates the importance of the belief-driven employee who have become the main stakeholder for a thriving business, and how employees now carry the power to influence their CEOs to a greater level of responsibility to stand up for what’s right.

Resources from this episode:

- Edelman

- Belief-driven Employee

The Interconnectedness of brands, purpose, and people -- Sandy Skees

We are living through a fundamental shift in how customers, employees, investors, and other business stakeholders expect brands to genuinely show up and care for social and environmental issues. On this episode of the ClarityConnects podcast, Sandy Skees, Global Lead of Purpose & Impact Practice from Porter Novelli, shares recent research that shows Americans want corporations to stand up for what’s right, provides guidance on how brands can identify and live their purpose, and illustrates that doing Good inevitably unlocks a spectrum of innovative opportunities for growth that were nonexistent before. Let's do Good!

Resources from this episode:

• Porter Novelli
• Business of Cancel Culture study

Shifting for Good in 2021 - Touseef Mirza

Although 2020 is finally behind us, it has molded us and caused tremendous repercussions on people, culture, and brands—now and in the future. On this episode of the ClarityConnects podcast, I share how last year’s events has forced people and brands to be more human, vocal, and powerful. Also, by considering the state of corporate activism, customers, and yes even politics, I provide guidance on how to be profitable while doing good in 2021. We are living in a precious time full of opportunities to create positive change—let’s do this.

The core of branding is belonging -- Patrick Hanlon

Let’s face it, branding is abstract. It is only once we grasp the core of branding in the context of visceral human emotions and yearnings, that we can see its full capacity. On this episode of the ClarityConnects podcast, Patrick Hanlon, CEO of PrimalBranding.co and a world-leading brand practitioner who is the author of Primal Branding, systematically breaks down branding and its functionality, and shares how companies can flourish following a tumultuous year that has heightened people’s need to belong to brands that have authentic belief systems.

Resources from this episode:

• PrimalBranding.co
• Primal Branding Book (a book that changed the way I look at branding)

Enjoy!

Facing the business intricacies of purpose -- Margot Brandenburg

It’s clear that purpose-led businesses have risen in 2020. But what are concrete implications that businesses must consider and undertake to embody purpose and act in accordance? On this episode of the ClarityConnects podcast, Margot Brandenburg, an expert on strategic philanthropy, capital markets, and inequality from the Ford Foundation, shares the nuances of today’s do-good corporate entities, reveals the latest valuable research on purpose, and the key elements a company must take into account in order to be profitable while creating positive change, simultaneously.

Here are the resources we mention during this episode: 

• The Ford Foundation
• A Test of Corporate Purpose, research paper
• Business Roundtable

Real creative advertising begins with self-awareness -- Shannon Washington

Cultivating self-awareness can truly unleash human flourishing and imaginative ideas. On this episode of the ClarityConnects podcast, the brilliant and soulful Shannon Washington, Group Executive Creative Director at R/GA--who is one of the few Black Women creative leads in the advertising industry--shares why self-awareness is essential for creativity, how allyship leads to equitable and strong teams, and the key role advertising can play in today’s culture pertaining to racial and social justice.

Twitter: @shannboogie

Website: www.shannonwashington.net

 

Brand positioning for the awakened audience of 2020 - Touseef Mirza

2020 has been a year like no other. The compounding effects of the covid-19 pandemic, the crucial #BlackLivesMatter movement, and a pivotal U.S. election year has forced us as a people to reconnect with who we are and question our thoughts and feelings in a deeper way. On this episode, I share how cultural and individualist shifts has impacted our core values, and its inevitable implications on how businesses need to position their brands--from here on out--to truly connect with an awakened audience.

Being a strong and tender leader in the age of #BlackLivesMatter -- Monique Nelson

The brands and leaders who fully embrace the #BlackLIvesMatter movement will inevitably thrive—from a humanitarian AND profitability standpoint. On this episode of the ClarityConnects podcast, the fabulous Monique Nelson, CEO and Chair of UWG, the longest standing multicultural marketing agency in the world, shares how leaders can truly embody and champion diversity and inclusion from the inside out to create lasting positive change and growth.

https://www.uwginc.com/

Change begins with empathy -- Maria Ross

These are such chaotic, sad, and uncertain times. But I believe that positive change can, must, and will happen. It all starts first by each of us being truly open to understand, feel, and actively listen to the needs and views of our fellow humans…to empathize with them. On this episode of the ClarityConnects podcast, Maria Ross, author of the book The Empathy Edge, shares how empathy can help cultivate genuine, caring, and effective leaders, teams, and businesses--which in turns enables a meaningful and valuable connection with customers.

Maria is providing a free downloadable Guide to ClarityConnects listeners called “5 ways empathy benefits your business”. Also, you can get more information on Maria at https://www.red-slice.com/ and get her book here.

Sending out love and peace.

The pandemic pause effect - Touseef Mirza

The uncertain times of the covid19 pandemic, with its large scale isolation measures, is having a profound effect on people’s lives….and thoughts. On this episode, I share how the pandemic pause is affecting our feelings and values as a society, which is shifting the marketplace’s current and future needs. Topics include:

• How the pandemic is changing our minds and emotions
• Successful approaches that brands used during this tragedy 
• The ultimate pandemic effect on businesses and brands

Enjoy!