Most small businesses don’t need a 60-page strategy binder—they need a compass they’ll actually use. In this episode, we build a one-page brand plan your whole team can remember and run with. You’ll learn the six essentials—Vision, Mission, Values, Audience, Brand Promise, and your Top 3 priorities for the next 90 days—and how to make each one a single, clear sentence. We also cover rollout tactics that create real alignment: make it visible, onboard every new hire with it, and review it quarterly so it stays sharp. If your marketing drifts or your team answers strategy questions differently, this is the reset: tighten the plan, turn it into daily behavior, and watch execution accelerate.

Takeaways

• Long brand plans often fail due to complexity.
• A one-page brand plan is more effective for small businesses.
• Simplicity in branding leads to better employee alignment.
• Visibility of the brand plan increases accountability.
• Regular updates to the brand plan are essential.
• Brand values should guide decision-making.
• A clear brand promise builds trust with customers.
• Engaging employees with the brand plan enhances understanding.
• Branding should be simple and memorable.
• Research is still critical even with a one-page plan.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Problem with Long Brand Plans
• 05:57 Creating a One Page Brand Plan
• 11:38 Practical Takeaways for Implementation

Contact Us

Brand Chops is brought to you by the fine people at Pivot Creative. Pivot Creative is a full service branding and marketing agency that partners with businesses to build brands that connect so that every dollar you spend is an investment and not an expense. If you need some branding or marketing guidance, a website, a new brand or want to learn more about one of the topics we cover on the show please reach out to us at pivotcreative.com. If you know someone that would benefit from learning more from one of our shows please share the episode, visit brand-chops.com and as always, like and subscribe if you find this content to be helpful. See you next time on Brand Chops, where we chop up brands to see what they're made of!

Brand strategist Zack Lemear dives into the “trust leaks” hiding in plain sight—those tiny inconsistencies across emails, proposals, profiles, and handoffs that quietly slow sales. In this episode, you’ll learn how to spot blind spots quickly, prioritize what to fix, and tighten the micro-moments that make buyers feel confident. If you want a brand that truly backs your promise (and helps close deals faster), press play.

Takeaways

• Brand blind spots are often overlooked but critical.
• Every interaction with a brand shapes customer perception.
• Inconsistencies can erode trust and credibility.
• Mapping the customer journey helps identify blind spots.
• Small details like invoices and email signatures matter.
• Consistency in branding builds customer trust.
• Seek outside feedback to uncover blind spots.
• Fixing one blind spot at a time is effective.
• Emotional connections are built through small details.
• Audit your brand regularly to maintain consistency.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Brand Blind Spots
• 02:52 The Importance of Consistency in Branding
• 06:08 Identifying and Auditing Blind Spots
• 09:04 Actionable Steps to Fix Blind Spots
• 11:52 Creating a Seamless Brand Experience

Contact Us

Brand Chops is brought to you by the fine people at Pivot Creative. Pivot Creative is a full service branding and marketing agency that partners with businesses to build brands that connect so that every dollar you spend is an investment and not an expense. If you need some branding or marketing guidance, a website, a new brand or want to learn more about one of the topics we cover on the show please reach out to us at pivotcreative.com. If you know someone that would benefit from learning more from one of our shows please share the episode, visit brand-chops.com and as always, like and subscribe if you find this content to be helpful. See you next time on Brand Chops, where we chop up brands to see what they're made of!

Every confusing headline, inconsistent visual, and unclear sales pitch costs your business money — even if you don’t see it on your P&L. Zack Lemear calls this the “Hidden Brand Tax.” In this episode of Brand Chops, Zack explains how weak branding silently drives up ad costs, slows down sales cycles, and makes hiring harder. You’ll learn practical steps to audit your funnel, simplify your message, align visuals, and strengthen your employer brand — so your brand works for you instead of against you.

Takeaways

• The hidden brand tax is a silent cost businesses pay.
• A weak brand leads to higher ad costs and longer sales cycles.
• Clarity in branding is essential for effective communication.
• Consistent branding builds trust and reduces confusion.
• Strong employer branding attracts better talent and reduces hiring costs.
• Auditing your branding funnel can reveal inefficiencies.
• Aligning visuals across platforms enhances brand recognition.
• Simplifying your message can lead to better engagement.
• Tracking the ROI of branding efforts is crucial.
• Investing in a strong brand pays off in the long run.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to the Hidden Brand Tax
• 02:56 Understanding the Costs of a Weak Brand
• 05:51 The Importance of a Strong Brand
• 08:42 Practical Steps to Cut the Hidden Brand Tax
• 11:47 Actionable Strategies for Immediate Impact
• 14:35 Conclusion and Call to Action

Contact Us

Brand Chops is brought to you by the fine people at Pivot Creative. Pivot Creative is a full service branding and marketing agency that partners with businesses to build brands that connect so that every dollar you spend is an investment and not an expense. If you need some branding or marketing guidance, a website, a new brand or want to learn more about one of the topics we cover on the show please reach out to us at pivotcreative.com. If you know someone that would benefit from learning more from one of our shows please share the episode, visit brand-chops.com and as always, like and subscribe if you find this content to be helpful. See you next time on Brand Chops, where we chop up brands to see what they're made of!