Which would you choose?

I would love to have been there for this design meeting.

Brands and taglines go hand in hand.  It is a way a brand can get you to remember who they are and remember them well.  Usually taglines come with a jingle too – who can forget McDonalds I’m Lovin’ It – and they often change the taglines about every generation or two to keep up with the times.

Some brands get a tagline right and it sticks – others don’t even have a tagline.  However we as consumers get creative and tend to make fun of taglines or even break them down.  Over the past few months I have come across a few taglines that have really made me think.  Sometimes a tagline can say a lot more than just that.  For instance a tagline can show that a company just simply ran out of ideas – or it has no idea who its consumer is.  We will explore a few of these in this post, and really this is meant just for my pure sanity.

Apple recently released the iPhone 4 and the tagline reads: “This changes everything. Again.” What their really trying to say “We couldn’t come up with anything better. But we know your going to buy it anyway.”

Most people don’t even realize this but – car manufactures actually have slogans as well. Acura’s tagline reads:  ”The road will never be the same.” What their really trying to say “There are too many potholes.”

Florida’s Orange Juice association came out with a tagline “It’s not just for breakfast anymore.” What their really trying to say: “Please buy more orange juice.”

McDonalds I’m Lovin’ It campaign has ran for some time – but what their really trying to say: “Keep telling your self that.”

Have a little fun see what taglines translate to in your eyes – search the web for taglines – you will be astonished at what you find.

People’s idea of value seems to be changed in today’s world.  Value is very relative to what you are doing, what you are buying, or what you are experiencing.  However there are some fundamental value laws that have to be followed, regardless of what you are buying.

We have all been to a fast-food restaurant where you see a BIG value meal menu.  There are usually anywhere from 2 to 12 items on this menu.  The problem is that while the price is affordable and the food will suppress your hunger, nothing on the “value” menu tastes good.  Which started raising the question in my head, what does your value taste like?

Value is not just about price and visual appearance; it is about the taste that it gives.  Now you might be asking yourself, how does this apply to non- food companies. The reality is it doesn’t matter what you are selling, taste is what the end result is of your service and value. Here are 3 simple questions you should ask yourself:

Is your value meal visually appealing?

Does your value taste good?

Does it leave a good taste even after its gone?

If you answered no to any of the above you need to reevaluate your value menu.  If you don’t know the answer or are just guessing, you need to survey your clients and ask them the same questions, but in a bit different format, otherwise they might think your crazy:

How did our product/service appeal to you?

Did we meet your expectation of the product/service?

After your purchase/launch/implementation was our service/product still what you expected?

These three questions can translate directly to the value of your taste. Every morning and every project you should be asking your self, how did I bring value to the client, and what did my value taste like?