Picture this: Investigation is now complete. We have spent weeks researching your business, your competitors, your team, and what makes you stand out. We have piles of information that together paint a picture of where your company stands and where it is heading. So, what happens next?
Our next stop is Visualization. This stage is critical for developing your brand’s strategic foundation!
The primary purpose of this phase is the development of your Separation Statement and Story. In other words, how am I going to separate myself from the competition and what story am I going to tell in the marketplace that will achieve that desired differentiation?
Our team meets over several sessions to brainstorm several pieces of a puzzle, including a current company description, a description of your target audience, your promise to that target audience, and more. The result is a one-page document that boils down all we have learned in the Investigation Phase into a framework that will illuminate the path forward and serve as a guide in the development of your positioning, messaging, and strategy.
We then collaborate with you to iron out the details and land on a completed Separation Statement that resonates with you and inspires your team. NLT team member Angie De La Cruz explained her experience developing a Separation Statement:
“Developing a client’s Separation Statement is a fascinating and unique journey. It’s all about collaboration—gathering as a team to brainstorm and throw out ideas freely. The process involves transforming knowledge gained from deep Investigation into compelling catchphrases and key messaging, infused with NLT’s special touch. Every client brings a new experience; some require just a few brainstorm sessions, while others need more time for us to land on something truly distinct. There are moments of frustration, burnout, and even feeling clueless, but the reward is in presenting a statement that resonates with the client’s true identity and future potential. I really enjoy helping my teammates push through to the finish line and deliver a Separation Statement that not only captures who the client is but also who they will become through the rest of our marketing journey.”
But…We don’t stop there! We continue brainstorm sessions to develop a short narrative encapsulating every part of the Separation Statement. We call this your Story, and your Story will be used as a skeleton and origin for every bit of copy, every beginning of a project, and every start of a meeting we have with you and your team moving forward.
Your Story will evolve in such a way that your desired market will have no choice but to:
Pay Attention,
Be Inspired,
and Act,
and your employees will seek new and innovative ways to live this new way of life!
What happens after the foundation has been laid? Stay tuned to find out!
To learn more about how NextLevel Thinking can create a messaging and framework for your company, contact us today!
