Behind the Design: From Humble Beginnings to Global Giants: How Innovation and Loyalty Drive Growth
As a small business owner in the early stages of building a marketing design firm, it is crucial to identify brands that have experienced multiple successes throughout their journey. It is important not only to investigate brands within the same industry but also to explore how other brands are achieving their goals through external resources.
Using sources such as Interbrand’s Best Global Brands report provides insight into various brands that have risen to the top for different reasons. According to the 2023 report, the top 100 global brands have had to overcome many obstacles, failures, and hurdles to reach their current level. Here are three key strategies that have helped some brands rise to the top and grow:
Innovative Development
Many of the companies in the report focus on the development of innovative products. Industry leaders have stayed up-to-date with trends and continue to create groundbreaking products that keep customers engaged. Apple is an industry giant when it comes to innovation in its products.
Apple prioritizes how its products integrate into users' lives. Products such as the iPhone, AirPods, MacBooks, and Apple Watch all seamlessly work together to make the customer’s life easier. Their innovation has placed them ahead of their competitors and has encouraged customer loyalty, with many eagerly awaiting the next product launch.
As a graphic designer, it is imperative to remain innovative in the way we communicate with clients, deliver projects, and create graphics. Ongoing education and learning are nonnegotiable when dealing with the digital world. Monitoring these leading brands will not only help us stay ahead of design trends but also enable us to build stronger personal brands and become better designers.
Strong Brand Loyalty
Loyalty is a key factor in the growth and perseverance of an organization. When you have loyal customers, the work speaks for itself. Brands such as Apple and Nike have taken brand loyalty to another level.
Nike has done a phenomenal job of creating captivating campaigns that not only engage customers but also foster loyalty through testimonials, athletes, and endorsements. The brand uses strong storytelling that focuses on motivation and empowerment in fitness. Whether you are an athlete or someone starting their fitness journey, Nike has built loyalty by creating a strong community.
Global Expansion
Both Nike and Apple have expanded globally in a strategic and successful manner over the last decade. The brands offer a wide variety of products that meet the needs of various audiences all over the world.
Apple provides around-the-clock customer service and options that prioritize accessibility. This has assisted in the expansion of their services and increased their reach to customers globally. They remain strong in their core values while catering to the wants and needs of different populations.
Nike is not far behind Apple and has made a global impression due to its availability worldwide. Through partnerships and endorsements, Nike has expanded its reach and works with global athletes outside of the United States. The desire to purchase Nike products is spread across all continents, and the brand has developed growing markets in foreign countries.
Lessons from Leading Brands
As we navigate the challenges of building a business, learning from the success stories of leading brands like Apple and Nike can help us improve our personal branding, stay ahead of design trends, and prioritize the value of our services to clients. These brands are powerful examples of how innovative strategies, built from humble beginnings, can lead to extraordinary success.
In today’s ever-evolving digital landscape, growth is achievable through the cultivation of loyal customers, the development of a strong, distinctive brand, and the creation of a community that will grow alongside your business.
