With Donald Trump securing the Republic nomination and Hillary Clinton a mere 100 delegates away from the Democratic one, primary season is finally winding to a close.
And though I certainly don’t want to get into policies or political beliefs here, I do think these primaries need to be talked about – particularly in a business sense.
You see, this year’s primaries did more than just expose us to new ideas, new people and new potential leaders. It revealed a lot about how people, companies and even just ideas can connect with the American public on a personal and intimate level and earn their support.
Put simply? It showed us what effective branding looks like.
Regardless of who comes out on top in November, every candidate made a splash in his or her own way. We can learn a lot from their time on the election trail. Here are some of the top lessons I picked up on:
- Always show your values. Not everyone agrees with Trump or Sanders, but that doesn’t keep them from voicing their opinions and getting candid about every single issue or question that’s thrown their way. Sure, an attitude like that is going to alienate some people (and it has), but it’s also going to endear them to the people who will be their biggest supporters – the ones who will shout their names off of rooftops and make sure others do too. So never be afraid to step out on a limb for what your brand stands for and believes in. That will be what sets you apart from your competitors.
- Trust matters. She may be the leading Democratic candidate – and judging by polls, possibly our next president – but Clinton’s campaign has been riddled with trust issues from the very beginning. With her role in Benghazi and the much-talked-about email fiasco, many Americans have been hesitant to get behind her campaign, yet alone endorse her for leader of the country. It makes you wonder: Without these trust issues at work, would Sanders still be in the game? This same sentiment can be applied to brands. Want to outperform your opponents? Earn their trust. Want to make it an uphill battle? Dishonesty is the fastest route.
- Go big or go home. One thing’s for certain about this year’s primaries: It’s been full of characters. From Trump’s outlandish statements about Hispanics, women and the KKK, John Boehner calling Ted Cruz “Lucifer in the flesh” or Sanders touting completely free college and other near impossibilities, it’s been a year of big, bold statements in politics. And you know what? It’s brought more attention to the primaries than they’ve seen in years! Sure, not every candidate will win, and no, not everyone will come out with a better career because of it, but each one made an impact. They were noticed. They were seen. And their personal “brands” connected with people. It’s a lesson all companies can learn from: Don’t go about your business with a whimper. Go about it with a bang.
Want help translating these lessons into big business for your brand? Contact Haley Aerospace today. Our branding experts are here to help.
