What is brand integrity? & How does it impact business?
Building brand integrity is an essential aspect of running a business – no matter your industry. But, what exactly is brand integrity? And how does it impact how consumers perceive your company’s reputation? If you’re interested in diving deeper into the significance of maintaining brand integrity, keep reading! This article reviews how integrity (or the lack thereof) can impact brand loyalty.
In this article:
- Brand Integrity
- 5 Ways Brand Integrity Impacts Business
- Resources to Learn More About Brand Integrity
Brand Integrity
Brand integrity can be defined as the consistency and honesty of a brand’s values, communications, and actions. Simply put, brand integrity measures how well a company lives up to what it promises consumers.
Brands with integrity are characterized by their authentic tone, transparent messaging, and their ability to take accountability when facing negative public opinion. In contrast, brands that do not demonstrate integrity may have a reputation for being unreliable, deceptive, or confusing – which is why it is important for companies to uphold their core values and to avoid sending mixed messages to consumers.
5 Ways Brand Integrity Impacts Business
Brand integrity goes beyond simply doing the right thing – it is about living up to your brand purpose. But if you can’t rise to the task, you risk losing everything you worked so hard for. The good news is that we’re here to help! Below, we’ve put together of list of ways brand integrity (or the lack thereof) can impact your business. Keep reading!
Brand integrity influences…
Trust
Strong brand integrity is important, as it impacts your company’s ability to build trust among customers and employees. So, how can you work to build a trustworthy brand? For starters, try to offer a consistent brand experience and be transparent in communication. Remember, in the digital age, everyone remembers when a company fails on delivering products or delivering on its promises.
Reputation
A positive brand reputation goes a long way and integrity can impact that. After all, a company’s reputation influences customer retention and the ability to attract talented candidates for hire as well. So, it’s important that businesses are paying attention to how people perceive their brands.
Loyalty
A brand’s integrity greatly impacts the customer experience. So, it’s no secret that brands with strong integrity tend to have more loyal customers and brand advocates. And brands with weak integrity tend to struggle with customer loyalty. After all, who wants to give their hard-earned cash to a brand they don’t trust?
Differentiation
Have you done market research on your particular industry? In a crowded market, how do you stand out? Building brand integrity is one way to do that – just be sure to provide exceptional service and a consistent experience for your customers to enjoy.
Employee Perception and Engagement
When a company has taken the time to build brand integrity, it can positively impact how employees perceive them. After all, who doesn’t want to work a successful company that is living up to its brand promise? When employees agree with what a company’s brand represents, it makes it easier for them to become brand advocates who remain with the company for longer periods of time.
Brand integrity also impacts people’s perception of…
A Brand’s Social Responsibility
Companies with great brand integrity are thought to be more socially responsible. This can be especially true if the brand stands for social issues or emphasizes the importance of taking care of the environment.
Legal and Ethical Compliance
Brands with strong integrity are also perceived to be more honest and more likely to adhere to legal and ethical standards.
Resources to Learn More About Brand Integrity
Do you want to learn more about brand integrity and its significance? Below are a few resources to explore.
Books
- The Brand Gap: How to Bridge the Distance Between Business Strategy and Design by Marty Neumeier
- Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen by Donald Miller
Courses
- Linkedin Learning: Managing Brand Reputation
- Coursera: Brand Management: Aligning Business, Brand, and Behavior
- edX: Brand and Marketing Research Strategy Professional Certificate