WBENC’s Post

Ready to elevate your brand? 🌟 Running a retail business comes with its challenges, especially with the noise of social media and fierce competition making it tough to stand out. Many companies are now emphasizing branding to create an identity that people recognize, connect with, and choose to support. You’ve invested a lot of thought into your branding, but does something still feel off/missing? Don’t worry—at eTail Toronto, we’ve got you covered. Join us as four remarkable women leaders — Ashley Boyce, Elara Verret, Leslie Golts, Jessica Gale, Christina Xu share their invaluable insights and experiences to help you find your brand's voice. They’ll not only highlight the crucial role women play in shaping the future of retail in Canada but also offer actionable tips to help you elevate your brand and stand out from the competition. You’re one step way to creating a brand that’s memorable and trustworthy— Prepare to transform your branding strategy and make a lasting impression on your target audience! Register now 👉https://bit.ly/3UgtagR #retail #eTail #eCommerce #eTail25

Collage Group research was featured in a new article by Sarah Mahoney of MediaPost! The main takeaway: a conversation about consumer backlash to leading brands and an exploration of #Black consumer insights. Discover additional takeaways from our research shared in the article, and take time to review additional Black consumer insights, available via the link in the comments section below. Thank you for your coverage, Sarah! #marketing #mrx #diversity #inclusion #diversityandinclusion #marketresearch #marketingandadvertising #consumerinsights

Still wondering if #DEI is smart business? Check out this powerful Forbes article demonstrating how “DEI can transform a company culture - and bottom line - for the best.” Thank you, Doug Melville, for spotlighting SEPHORA’s #DEI efforts and impact. #DEI #RightThingToDo #SmartThingtoDo

I'm truthfully getting a little tired of the headlines about companies that have eliminated their DEI teams. Maybe it's because I'm skeptical about their commitment in the first place, and assumed that with lessening public pressure to uphold these reactive measures that they would eventually vanish. Of course, I have so much empathy for the individuals who worked tirelessly to make a change at these organizations, only to have their efforts abruptly terminated. Here's what I want to hear more about: the companies that have continued to engage in the work, have evolved their approach, or have even deepened their investment in the impact initiatives because they get it. Those that don't see DEI as a check-the-box employee training or as purely a risk mitigation process, but as a framework with which to improve their employees work experiences and to drive business outcomes with better relevance for more communities. Loved this recent piece in Forbes about Sephora's DEI journey by Doug Melville. "From widening their interview pools to achieve parity among leadership, to signing on to the 15% pledge to ensure their shelf space had diverse brands in stock, to commissioning the Racial Bias In Retail Study they have shown, quite publicly, how DEI can transform a company culture - and bottom line - for the best." Let's see more of this! https://lnkd.in/gnFtZqvD.

Marketplace inclusion, stressing the importance of understanding underrecognized communities and aligning business practices accordingly is now of paramount importance to businesses. Examples from companies demonstrate how serving diverse markets can drive growth and customer loyalty. Read more 👇 #retail #brands #inclusion

I have grown disheartened in the last few months as several major, and not so major companies, have stepped back (or in some cases completely abandoned) their DEI efforts as they face economic headwinds and increased politicization (and, quite frankly, intensely idiotic disinformation) around what DEI actually is and what it is intended to achieve. Instead of blaming business stagnation on DEI efforts which were likely disingenuous in the first place, perhaps it's worth looking in the mirror and reflecting on the quality of products, services and strategies that are being developed first. This shouldn't be breaking news, but DEI doesn't cause companies to fail. However, not recognizing and emphasizing the diversity of teams to create inclusive and groundbreaking products will. Welcome, celebrate, and promote all identities. Show me you see my colour. Do it authentically. I guarantee you'll be better (and probably wealthier) for it. I love this case from Sephora, and I think it gives us hope to keep pushing in this space, even if it has somehow become the unpopular path forwards.

Throwing shade normally starts drama, right? Not in our world. CEO Nicholas Love explains how HBCUs can use a different kind of SHADE regarding branding and omnichannel strategies. Intrigued? Check out the blog post below: https://ow.ly/f4Ao50SmNaA #KulurForTheCulture #DopeThinkersOnly

Perceptions of diversity and inclusion influence buying decisions for 7 in 10 people worldwide.   Clearly DEI is key in building consumer trust, as findings such as this from Kantar’s recently launched Brand Inclusion Index show.   The index helps brands to understand how their DEI performance is perceived by consumers, based on a survey of 20,000 participants across 18 markets. While highlighting areas where consumers feel brands need to take more action (19% of UK respondents feel they are rarely/never well-represented in brand communications), it also shines a light on the brands pioneering inclusivity in their communications.   The top 5 performing brands on DEI were Google (1), Amazon (2), Nike (3), Dove (4), and McDonald's (5), highlighting that inclusive advertising can be a key lever in both financial success and market share.   You can read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/dwKCUrZt   #intersectionality #inclusivemarketing #accessibility #responsiblemarketing

DE&I isn’t a trend—it’s a strategic advantage. Despite the misinformed takes in recent months, effective DE&I strategies are proving to drive significant growth and success for businesses. Did you know that nearly 7 out of 10 consumers factor a brand’s DE&I efforts into their purchasing decisions? This is particularly true for GenZ and Millennials, who are increasingly drawn to brands that genuinely practice inclusion. Consider McDonald's and Nike Running. These companies are not only talking about inclusion but actively implementing it (with our help). Their approach is leading to: ✔️ Increased Consumer Loyalty ✔️ Stronger Brand Reputation ✔️ Wider Market Reach A well-executed DE&I strategy isn’t just about meeting expectations—it’s a critical component of long-term success. How is your organization addressing DE&I? Share your thoughts below. #DEI #DEIStrategy #DiversityEquityInclusion #InclusiveBrands #MulticulturalMarketing #DigitalMarketing

Want to know what really drives brand loyalty among the next generation? 🤔 At Hark, we truly believe in the power of listening—it's in our name! Over the past few months, we’ve surveyed 1,000 young people to find out what they expect from the brands they support and the employers they want to work for. The insights are eye-opening, and the report offers practical strategies to help businesses connect with the next generation in more meaningful ways. If you’d like to chat more about the findings - I'm all ears! Download the report here 👇🏻