Brand Ambassadors

By Jennifer Taylor, Taylor’d Events

While it may seem like a difficult thought to allow anyone else to represent and embody the brand you’ve developed from the ground up, don’t be quick to dismiss the perks that can come from introducing a new member to your brand.

It’s not easy to loosen up the reins – you’ve watched your company grow and develop. Your brand has become a part of you – and vice versa.

However, while many fear losing their identity to the likes of a new partner, there are a number of benefits that can come from welcoming a like-minded individual to your practice.

Not only does bringing on team members allow you to delegate some of the work and perhaps even develop that ever-coveted work-life balance, one of the best things that comes out of introducing people to your brand is the new perspectives that will naturally come with them.

While you may be well-versed in the wedding industry and full of wonderful ideas, a fresh look at things can often bring about innovative thoughts that will push your company in the right direction, evolving into a market leader.

As your business grows and expands, each employee becomes a brand ambassador of your company, just as you’ve been championing all along.

Think of it this way – the larger your team, the more people you have shouting your name from the rooftops. As you delegate certain obligations, such as networking events and tradeshows, your branded crew will be representing your business in the trenches while you focus on the bigger picture.

Keep in mind that the best brand ambassadors are those that feel valued and empowered in the workplace.

Treat your employees with respect and you’ll see the return in tenfold. This means not only being there to answer questions when they need help, but also trusting them to make certain decisions and allowing them a mental break when needed.

Happy employees are the best ingredients for organic brand growth!

From the very beginning, immerse new hires into the inner workings of the company – include them in meetings, ask them about their thoughts on decisions, and listen when they have ideas for the company’s future. Be sure to cover all of the company’s products and services at length to ensure that team members have a good understanding of the offerings.

It’s crucial this takes place in the beginning, as they’ll only start to feel empowered as they begin to approach situations on their own.

We’ve found that the best way to stay organized through the onboarding process is to develop an employee handbook that not only covers the company’s mission and values, but also outlines the policies and procedures for certain situations. This, of course, needs to be done in advance of hiring on new people, but the effort is certainly worth it.

If you’ve been working tirelessly to advance your business to the next level, developing a team could be just the solution.

Show others why they should fall in love with your brand, just as you have, and they’ll repay you in commitment, perseverance, and hard work. Save yourself the stress of working overtime, just to make ends meet – instead, reap the rewards of company growth and take back your life while watching your business expand before your eyes.

taylor-dJennifer Taylor is the owner of Taylor’d Events Group, a planning firm that specializes in celebrations of all kinds in the Pacific Northwest and Maui.