Take an honest look at your Brand today -pretty well tarnished and bruised.

You still have the three basics upon which to build your business and deliver your Brand message — Product, Service, and Facility, however, these "Truths" have been pretty battered, too.

No matter how you cut it, your Brand has been devalued, and there is work to do in reestablishing your brilliance and market posture. It begins with Trust and all your stakeholders believing again in what you represent.

Your Consumer — just as beaten-up as you, however, without them you are out of business. Seek them out, solicit their input, listen to their comments and lay out a new strengthened Brand message, which is honest, fresh, authentic, and, above all — no spin. Then, deliver!

Your Employees — They are stressed out, happy to have a job, probably defiant in private, mechanical in public, awaiting your next move. This opportunity for engagement, bringing them into this recovery surge as part of the solution, was never greater. Involve them and earn their allegiance. Keep in the back of your mind that Organized Labor thrives in such an environment.

Your Purveyors — Their business barometer matches yours. Deals have been cut, bills in abeyance, payment schedules moved out, yet they are partners in your ascendancy, too. Be judicious in maintaining relationships which have delivered for you.

Your owners, stockholders — Unless this equation has extremes (incredibly poor management or radically demanding corporate oversight), you have done your best to meet the downturn and plan for the upswing — being cautious, prudent, methodical. Reconstruction has an architect and a strategy.

Your Community — Reeling, just like you. This is the time where leadership and extensive communication skills drive the day. You are not alone, and community vibrancy takes an integrated effort. Reach out and act.
Restoring Trust in your Brand is not easy, but it is essential. All your stakeholders, even with their varied agendas, want you to succeed.

Restore the Faith, restore the glory. Amen!