Is Your Brand a Ninja?
Whether or not you have kids who regularly watch cartoons, it’s no secret that most animated films have an underlying message. These movies typically aim to teach children an inspirational (and entertaining) life lesson and at the same time, captivate the parents with some witty, hidden adult humor. So, you might be wondering, what does this have to do with being a ninja or building a brand?
One of our favorite animations, Kung Fu Panda, is all about overcoming hardships and developing self-belief in order to achieve absolutely anything you desire in life – which, obviously: NINJA.
Building a strong brand identity is not that different; there’s no denying that running a small business can be difficult and obstacles are just part of the process.
We’ve put together a handful of our favorite Kung Fu Panda movie quotes to inspire small business owners and entrepreneurs in becoming a Brand Ninja*.
You Are The Secret Ingredient
“There is no secret ingredient. For something to be special, you just have to believe it’s special.” – Mr. Ping
Every business must truly believe in the real value of their product or service. It’s only when you believe – when you are AUTHENTIC – that the heart and soul of your brand shines through. And in this noisy, digital market we all live in, your real voice is your only chance for your brand to be heard. So, make an effort to humanize your content and create engaging social media posts to capture your audience’s attention.
“You are the master of your destiny: No one and nothing can come in between you and your destiny except you. Take destiny by the horns and have fun.” – Kung Fu Panda
Find Inner Peace
“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift… that’s why they call it the present” ? Master Oogway
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Panda is the most ordinary and simple character; with his lack of skill, nonsensical words and hilarious actions, he’s mocked at by the Furious Five. At the end of his training; however, he becomes the ‘Dragon Warrior.’ His journey to that title isn’t easy; however, he has to fight against rejection and failure to uncover his true awesomeness.
We can’t change what’s happened in the past, but we can most definitely learn from it and move on. To be an awesome company, you might have to take a step back and be vulnerable enough to take risks that inspire your target audience. So, right now, at this very moment, you can choose how respond to the present moment and get motivated to build your brand with authenticity.
Keep Trying Until Something Sticks
“Your mind is like this water, my friend. When it gets agitated, it becomes difficult to see. But if you allow it to settle, the answer becomes clear.” – Master Oogway
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Humanizing your brand is important. Think about your digital content as a journey for your customers rather than an advertising campaign because an engaged user is a better customer.
“Before the battle of the fist, comes the battle of the mind.” Master Shifu
And don’t freak out if it doesn’t work at first. In order to create a successful, engaging brand, you have to believe that you can succeed (you’re capable of doing it). Realize that you may have to try a lot of different online marketing campaigns to find one that gets the engagement you’re looking for. But once you find that hit, replicate it.
Be Extraordinary
“Once I realized the problem was not you but within me. I found inner peace and was able to harness the flow of the universe.” – Master Shifu
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The bottom line is that building a brand takes time and effort. Adversities don’t make us who we are; it is the strength to overcome them that strengthens a company and builds the character of a brand. Extraordinary businesses have all gone through tough times, but they evolve and strategize.
Whether you are looking to strengthen your existing brand, or launch a new one, our marketing professionals at CMDS help to create experiences for people that engage them with a brand. Talk with our brand managers today about turning your brand into a Brand Ninja.
Be Authentic. Be Extraordinary. Be a Ninja.
*(Disclaimer: we know Kung Fu is different than Ninja, but it’s an analogy. Roll with it.)