FAQ’s
What makes ideaologie different than any other consulting agency?
- Having worked on all sides of the table - retail, wholesale, manufacturing, advisement - I am acutely aware of the needs for growing your business, leveraging my proven strengths in Strategy, Branding, Licensing, Business, and Marketing. My focus and expertise centers around three specific areas: BUSINESS STRATEGY AND EXECUTION, BRANDING YOUR BUSINESS, AND OPERATIONAL, CREATIVE AND VISIONARY EFFICIENCY. Unlike a traditional consulting firm, I set myself apart through my overall approach: studying each company holistically, reviewing the architecture and archeology of your business to ensure the best outcome for your company and your company brand. My proven success record guides my actions to ensure the correct and appropriate business and strategic plan are developed specific to your needs.
Do you only support artists and the world of licensing?
- Heaven’s no! Based on my background, I can support any type of business in the specific areas of expertise. My 40 years of experience as a business executive, President, CEO, COO leader, strategic planner, coach and big thinker, in all facets of business - start-up, turnaround, high growth, culture change and high volume - are all put to use on your behalf. While I have a significant background in licensing, art representation and greeting cards, I have also have worked in retail and manufacturing.
Are you a licensing agent?
- This area is not one of my primary services; although I am happy to suggest the best possible resources to help you find the right agent/agency for your needs.
What are your rates?
- For my business advisory services I work on a project or retainer basis with most of my clients - competitively priced ensuring you get the absolute best return on your investment. Please contact me for a Proposal!
What is your process when working with clients?
- My approach is rather unique, but has been proven to be the most successful in building a successful brand and business strategy. I initially look at your business from a holistic perspective in order to get a complete understanding of the architecture and archeology of the business. I then have you do some “homework,” which consists of the answering a series of questions that helps me understand you, your perspective and your goals. Once I analyze and discuss your answers to these questions, I work collaboratively with you on thecreation of a Business Strategy - the road map that takes you from where you are today to that ideal position you desire in the future. The creation of the Business Strategy is imperative as it defines all of your future decisions across your whole business model.
We have heard that you have handled contract negotiations for some of your clients. What is ideaologies’s approach to successful negotiations?
- In all of my dealing with clients or business associates, I take an honest, open, communicative and forthright approach, and attempt to make each situation a win-win for everyone. If the final result is an unbalanced solution, nobody wins.
When both sides know they want the same end result, it is easy to agree on a solution. I have cultivated a reputation for being easy and fair to deal with. This makes others easy to deal with, as well. Most business people look upon negotiations as a fight. I look upon them as a way to make everyone happy. And achieving agreement is cheaper for everyone than fighting.
So I have a concept, but do not know how to get started… What is my first step and how can ideaologie help?
- You need to start with developing a Brand Identity, which I define as a logo, brand statement (and tagline when appropriate) that effectively communicates to your consumer your brand’s “personality”. This should be in a format that can be used consistently across all of your platforms. Your “brand” is your product and is as important as the actual service or widget that you are selling. This critical step will allow for ease in making decisions about your brand and communicating the message of your brand. In my collaborative fashion, ideaologie can do a “deep dive” into the concept and strategically put together a package with you.
How important is a supported brand when it comes to seeking potential licensing deals?
- I am assuming the term “supported” here is referring to the marketing efforts to engage followers to the brand. In that case, the importance is critical!! Through the evolutionary process in the world of business and licensing, companies are required to take bigger risks today than ever before. Having a brand that is supported with social media marketing is the deciding factor or tipping point for most of these manufacturers. If you have an active following of supporters, or what we call “brand evangelists,” the risk a manufacturer has to take is greatly diminished. A large fan base and active social media activity also indicates that your product or artwork is accepted by potential buyers of the proposed products - music to the ears of a manufacturer!
How do you define a supported brand?
- As stated above, a “supported brand” is one in which there is an active engagement of customers and fans through your marketing efforts - which are primarily geared to social media. For your brand to be well supported, you have to be actively engaged with a company Facebook page, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and whatever new platform suits the expansion of your “message” - all in line with your articulated Business Strategy.
I have a Facebook page, but don’t spend any time managing it. Is this critical?
- Absolutely! Social media platforms help you engage your exiting fans and reach new fans, as well as help them better understand your message and brand. They are hearing from you directly and that “voice” is very important to their active engagement with your brand.
In the world of licensing, what types of collateral materials are necessary to seek licensing partners?
- In order to be fully prepared for any potential licensing deal, I highly recommend the following collateral pieces:
- Brand Licensing Guide - the document that fully explains to your licensees how to use your logo and artwork.
- Brand Deck – which includes an articulated declaration of exactly what your brand represents, what it will do, who it will appeal to, and what direction you are taking - essentially, your "WHY!". It also should represent your licensable artwork, showcasing each collection of art shown in its variety of forms and functions - central images, backgrounds, borders, patterns and product imagery.
I am a manufacturer looking for new art/artists for my products. Are you able to help me locate and secure new art?
- Absolutely! This would begin with a simple conversation to fully understand your needs. Based on the thousands of connections I have made within the artistic community, I would then seek out the artwork that is specific to your needs and budget, and work through the process of obtaining the right of use for that art.
I want to license my artwork. Do I really need your services, or can I go directly to manufacturers and license with them immediately?
- There is a remote possibility (with emphasis on the word “remote”) that you can offer your artwork to manufacturers and have one or two select a couple of images for licensing. However, if you have not built your brand properly, with an articulated Business Plan and Strategy, you will have just that - a couple of sku’s of product that will sell for a short time, but will not generate the brand identity, marketplace presence or revenue you can achieve by approaching this strategic direction in the proper way. Plus, without a documented strategy, none of your decisions towards your growth will be based on attainment of a specified strategic target. This would be liken to setting sale in a boat and hoping that some day you will come across a body of land that fits your dreams. What I do is work with you on an individual basis to develop a firm foundation with which to grow your brand and your brand and your business.