A business without a face will only serve to immerse your firm further in the deep sea of competition! We live in an experience economy. Firms are charged with creating an entirely memorable experience that customers wish to return to again and again. Your passion and purpose for being must be told to your customers and the world.
Humans are emotionally driven and directed beings and will pay more and purchase more from those firms and individuals that hold both: mental and emotional real estate in the minds and heart of their customers.
Research suggests that those brands that engage people emotionally and that differentiate themselves command prices 20% to 200% higher than competitors' and sell in far higher volume. Want to be as sticky to your customer as Nordstrom's, Starbuck's or Target? The world's most successful brands evoke an emotional response from the customer and have a great story to tell.
Firms spend the majority of marketing dollars to create and then offer elaborate brand promises. These same firms don't pay enough attention to delivering training that ensures these promises are translated into reality for the employees and ultimately for the customer.
A timely research project at Baylor University is investigating how employee based branding effects brand equity. In a series of studies, Chris Pullig, Assistant Professor of Marketing, found that when employees find the brand they represent more attractive by fully understanding the firm's story, they are ever more committed to deliver the brand's promise. This commitment is positively related to job performance and ultimate customer satisfaction. This means that brand messages aimed at current and prospective employees may be equally important as the ones aimed at consumers in creating marketplace success.
In summary, your firm's unique story communicates your passion and engages your customers emotionally when told in a creative, endearing and thought provoking way. That story and its appeal to the customer can make you all the more attractive as they begin to develop a personal affinity with your firm. Your brand's internal and external image cohesiveness is also a direct reflection of your ability to get your entire team to operate from the same playbook.
The shared passion, purpose, vision, and core values that your team members hold will help them to communicate the brands story to current and prospective customers. It is the responsibility of your management team to translate the firm's unique story into something exciting for them that will ultimately impact your customers.
Few dog breeds have such a well-documented and exciting history as the Shih Tzu. The Shih Tzu's entire history is steeped in legends, myths and mystery. However, we have fossil records that tell us the brachycephalic (short-skulled, short-nosed, flat-faced) dog breeds, which include the Shih Tzu, Pug, and Pekingese originated in Central Asia. In addition, we also have written history and legends to help us sort of piece together the last 3,000 plus years of the Shih Tzu's history. There are meticulously maintained Shih Tzu breeding records and pedigrees for more than 50 years as well.
Many historians believe the Asian dog breeds originated in Tibet and reached China as early as 1,400 years ago. The Chinese traded silk in exchange for pet dogs along the Great Wall of China. The Dalai Lamas also gave ?holy dogs? to the Chinese imperial courts as diplomatic gifts and tributes during the Manchu dynasty (1644-1911). In literature the Shih Tzu is mentioned by name in the late fourteenth century.
In China breeding and raising Shih Tzu were the responsibility of the eunuchs of the imperial court. Eunuchs who produced the best dogs were rewarded with gifts. Competition between the eunuchs to produce and raise the most attractive Shih Tzu was fierce. The best Shih Tzu specimens were painted in the imperial dog books and tapestries.
The Shih Tzu was considered to bring good luck. These regal little Shih Tzu followed on the heels of emperors and empresses. If you have ever owned a Shih Tzu, you will find one of their favorite activities is following around after you and right on the heels of your feet is where they try to ride. Shih Tzu think they should make each and every step you make. I have one Shih Tzu at the present time, Duke, by name, who tries to walk with me in between my feet. It is quite amusing.
It was against the law to sell any of the royal dogs in China during the Manchu dynasty. The punishment was death.
As war dominated the political picture in Asia the ?Lion Dogs? was added to the list of tragic casualties. By 1884 the American Kennel Club was founded and was registering thousands of dogs. There were no Shih Tzu among them.
In 1908 the thirteenth Dalai Lama gave the Empress Dowager of China some Shih Tzu-type dogs. The Empress fell passionately in love with these little dogs. She instructed the court eunuchs to maintain a breeding program for many years. Although the Empress Dowager was noted to be a cruel dictator she had a soft spot in her heart for the little Shih Tzu. The Empress Dowager was the person who most influenced the development of the Shih Tzu. At her death in 1908, some of the imperial palace Shih Tzu were sold to wealthy individuals or given as gifts to foreign dignitaries an visitors.
It is questionable as to how many of these survived as it has been noted some of the eunuchs fed the Imperial Palace Shih Tzu glass to keep them from surviving. They were so possessive of their Imperial Palace bloodlines, this was the only way they could think of to keep others from gaining access to their secrets.
The Shih Tzu, a little dog with a big story to tell has much, much more to say.
Both John Males & Connie Limon are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
John Males has sinced written about articles on various topics from Dogs, Entertainment Guide and Social Issues. With more than 20 years experience in corporate turnaround environments, John Males brings expertise to clients in the areas of management, sales and negotiations. His customers include some of the world's most successful firms and recognized brands. John. John Males's top article generates over 12100 views. to your Favourites.
Connie Limon has sinced written about articles on various topics from Careers and Job Hunting, Dogs and Colon Cleanse. Connie Limon is a Shih Tzu breeder. She publishes a FREE weekly newsletter. A professional newsletter with a focus upon health and wellness for you and your pets. Discounts are offered to subscribers. Sign up at:. Connie Limon's top article generates over 135000 views. to your Favourites.