Are you a Brand or a Commodity?

I have been feeding on the book "Midas Touch - Why some entrepreneurs get rich and why most don't by Donald Trump and Robert Kiyosaki" over the past week.

It's a book that explains 5 core areas of your life and business that you need to pay attention to if you are to succeed. There's something intriguing about the middle finger which represents your brand that I love to share- Kiyosaki bought a fake Rolex watch and his rich dad scolded him for buying cheap and inferior products. To Robert, he was trying to look wealthy by tricking others to believe he has original Rolex, but deep down in his mind, he was only deceiving himself.

If you are not a brand, you are just a faceless commodity that floats in the marketplace. If you are not a brand, you are nothing but a product without identity.

• How many burgers is there in the world? But I'm sure you know McDonald's.
• You know Coca-Cola too for its longevity over the years?
• I'm sure you know the difference between Ice-cream and Cold stone.
• What about Domino's pizza?

Are you aware that at some point the name Coca-Cola alone was worth more than the whole machineries and structures before Google took over as the world's biggest brand?

What makes you stand out as a brand and not a commodity?

✍️ You are in business and not just hustling. Hustlers focus on the money and getting it now. Business people build structures and capacity for long term success.

✍️ You sell a proven ideology/promise  and not just product. Coca-Cola is not selling soft drinks. It sells feelings. McDonald's sells happiness - that's why you see happy people in their outlets. Are you selling course titles instead of promises?

✍️ You are strategic in your approach. Quite a number of persons are particular about now that they soil themselves when things don't go their way. Understand that you will meet challenges and difficulties, but if you are strategic, you look to the future and not now.

Think deep, assess yourself and see if you are really creating a brand or just a commodity.

Can different clients say unanimous things about you?

Are you consolidating your stand in the leagues of legends or you are just another passerby?

When the end comes, what will be remembered of your efforts?

©Oladipupo Osofowora