“It's always the same two choices; it's always a tough choice indeed.”
Today businesses open and close like an everyday routine. Some survive because of capital, some because the product was new, and some because they brought something unique. But one thing that most people forget is that it's not only the race of survival, it's also the battle of success.
The products that survive the market look up to achieve niche or industry success. For this, they plan to initiate a lot of operations, tasks, and activities related to marketing and especially branding. But again, nobody likes to take a risk, nobody wants to spend money, and nobody wants to attend and participate in workshops. Then what do they do? Yes, they try to do it yourself (DIY). The famous assumption of DIY is that people believe everything is possible via DIY. Now, yes, it's not completely wrong. There are brands that have made it to the top all by themselves. But there were a lot of factors that were working in their favor.
Today’s class is about elaborating on DIY or professional facilitation via a brand strategy workshop. Which one is more natural, and, most importantly, which one will suit you just fine? Let’s focus, collect your thoughts; we are going to dive deep into this.
Let’s kick off with DIY.
Why DIY and how it makes sense
For any founder or entrepreneur, their business or startup is just like their baby. They do not want anyone to interfere in its upbringing. Parallelly, entrepreneurs work so hard to develop an idea, seek investors, make sales pitches, and acquire funding and are basically multi-talented professionals, so we have to give it to them for their hard work and determination. Their relentless and continuous effort is also the evidence that they are capable of DIY when it comes to branding.
In combination with this, there are many constraints that a founder faces; the most common one is lack of budget. So they do not want to invest or spend even the tiniest amount of things that they think can be done by themselves. On top of that, if you’re a founder with strong instincts, a small team, and only the startup budget,. A DIY brand strategy workshop can be the right move when resources are few and your team is already used to handling multiple tasks. Having your own workshop provides flexibility, control over pace, customized objectives, and no friction or compulsory scheduling with an external strategist. This leads to internal comfort; founders know their teams and thus create a safe space for their product or service to be discussed.
Not to forget, it’s cost-effective; for any startup, avoiding any type of consultation fee is preferable, right? Founders often believe that a penny saved is a penny earned.
The risks of doing it alone
Okay, so we discussed the importance and benefits of a DIY brand strategy workshop. But there’s always a flipside of the coin. When there are pros, there are cons as well. With DIY there is always a certain level of risk involved. Let’s look into it before you make any bold move.
Biasedness, like I said, entrepreneurs treat their business as their baby. Like anyone, everyone loves their own baby. This is where the bias strikes. When you’re too close to the brand, you often can’t see what’s broken or what’s missing. Assumptions get recycled. In such a scenario the legacy ideas don’t get questioned; this leads people to confuse agreement with clarity. This one spark can set the whole room on fire.
- There is a lack of structure.
- No trained facilitator to keep the discussion flowing in the right direction
- You only make notes but never execute them.
- It’s ubiquitous that DIY brand strategy workshops start strong but lead nowhere. The enthusiasm fades, and nothing changes.
- Lastly, the entrepreneurs find themselves caught between contributing and managing the room terribly.
The power of a professional facilitator
Let’s decipher what happens on the other side of the table. Let’s see what happens when you move over. Hiring a professional for a brand strategy workshop shifts the entire equation. There are a series of skills that a brand strategist needs to exhibit. This is more than just outsourcing; you are investing with active participation, contribution, and focus. A brand strategy consultant induces structure and perspective and, of course, establishes a whole system. They have the experience and expertise from working with multiple brands and solving real branding problems. They are well aware of the dynamics of management. A facilitator brings in the real questions, makes people contribute, lets people talk, and ensures everyone is heard. The main thing to remember, by the end of the workshop, entrepreneurs have a well-documented brand strategy document full of insights and collated data. A tangible asset that can actually be executed.
What it will cost you
This is where all the elements, aspects, and arguments flow into. Yes, professional facilitation comes at a price. Yes, it's expensive from a monetary standpoint. Especially for any new startup, a single-day workshop can cost a lot of money, which an established business may afford single-handedly. But here we are again, going to talk about a difference. Expensive vs costly. If you think brand strategy workshops with professional facilitators are expensive, you are right. But if you don’t go for it at the right time, you’ll pay a price that’s costly. And that cost won’t just come from a monetary perspective, but you’ll have to pay in costly consequences.
Every strategist is worth a fee. Make sure you invest with the right one.
The practical perspective
There are dozens of factors that we have to consider. For instance, 68% consumers accept that brand stories influence their decisions. It depends on the size of the startup, budget, objectives, and genuine interest. Always remember that compared to a DIY brand strategy workshop, a professionally facilitated workshop will reap you more benefits, but it demands a price: participation, contribution, and commitment. You cannot take it for granted, especially after paying a fee. If the stakes are low, there is no harm in postponing or delaying it. But, on the other hand, if you are navigating a rebrand, preparing for growth, or dealing with misalignment across departments, it's time to call a brand strategist.
Last thoughts
Do not compromise on clarity. Irrespective of whether you are a fan of a DIY brand strategy workshop or like to collaborate with a professional facilitator. You can always start small and invest in areas that you think are best for your business. This isn’t going to be easy, but you’ll make it through. You can always book a call with us and get started on strategy and clarity. With proper structure, planning, and attitude towards a workshop, you’ll be able to reap benefits in the long run.
