Actions speak louder than Words

I've noticed recently that there have been a lot of companies making claims about their businesses, products and services that they cannot substantiate, particularly when it comes to environmental credentials. Here's a bit of quick advice for anyone thinking of jumping on the bandwagon.

People like to hear interesting stories - sometimes good, and sometimes bad. So if you're doing something good that will interest your target market, then by all means tell them all about it. It will gain their attention, raise their perceptions about you, and give them something positive to tell to friends, family and colleagues. There is no better way to promote yourself.

However, you should never underestimate your customer. Many companies, particularly in their marketing strategies, think that it is sufficient to simply tell the customer good stories. Big mistake! Customers may well want to hear the stories that you are telling them, but thats because they want them to be true. Therefore, if they find out that you're claims are not entirely honest then you're in trouble.

If you're not what you say you are, you'll get found out. Your story may have been good, but the story about how you misled them and others is even better! That will be the story that spreads.

Overselling yourself may well help you increase short term sales, but it will destroy your brand and your business in the long run. It will raise suspicions, generate rumors, and turn customers away.

Its quite simple. If you want a successful, sustainable business, then make sure that you can live up to your promises. If you're doing something good, then tell the world about it, but if you're not as good as your customers would want you to be, then you're better off keeping your mouth shut.

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Sustainable Tourism in the UK

Last weekend we visited Cornwall. On arrival, we were amazed that in mid-october the weather was just like summer (in fact better than most of this summer). We stayed at a campsite called Hendra Holiday Park just outside of Newquay. We we're delighted to find such a high quality campsite in England. It had excellent facilities of a similar standard to many continental campsites, which was a pleasant change from the usual farmers field. To make things even better, the site demonstrated an impressive commitment to environmental protection. They had recycling points throughout the park, a low energy 'carbon neutral' swimming centre and a free charging point for electric cars.


Creating a holiday experience of such a high standard compared to most UK campsites is probably the best environmental strategy of all as it encourages more people to holiday in the UK and to enjoy camping (very low impact tourism) without having to rough it too much.

The park seemed busy even at this time of year, and stands as a good example of how the UK tourism industry can build successful, sustainable brands and encourage us to holiday in Britain.

This blog is supported by Scamper - The pioneers in Sustainable Brand Strategy

Diesel Global Warming Ready

Diesel have launched a new ad campaign called Global Warming Ready, depicting fashion models in a world where the major effects of global warming have begun to take place.


It's claimed that the aim is to raise awareness of global warming, but it seems like a highly superficial campaign. The images appear to glamourise rather than warn against global warming, and there appears to be little or no substance to the campaign. I couldn't find any information about the campaign on Diesel's website other than in the press section where they are trying to gain publicity, and despite their claims that they want to encourage people to fight global warming, there is no mention of what they are doing as a company.


This might well be a good talking point, but its more likely to generate cynicism towards their brand in the wider scheme of things. Their intentions might well be good, but to many this campaign will look as though its making fun of global warming. This campaign is either very brave or very foolish.

This blog is supported by Scamper - The pioneers in Sustainable Brand Strategy

This Water

While I'm talking about Innocent, I should mention that they have recently rebranded their Juicy Water products as This Water. The name doesn't exactly role of the tongue and isn't as compelling as Juicy Water. However, the strategy is sound as it separates the juice drinks from the smoothies. Innocent Smoothies can now focus on its smoothies, and This Water can focus on waters. Simple.


This blog is supported by Scamper - The pioneers in Sustainable Brand Strategy

Losing their Innocence

Innocent Drinks has been criticised by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for making false and misleading claims. Innocent have agreed to remove claims from the marketing of their Superfoods Smoothie that it neutralises toxins in the body. However, they disagree with the ASA's judgement that the smoothie is only equivalent to one portion of fruit, rather than the two portions claimed. Whatever the facts, the ASA's criticism is surely a blow to Innocent whose success as a brand is strongly attributed to the consumers trust in the fact that they are, as their name suggests Innocent.

News of this kind can spread quickly, erode the authenticity of the brand and turn consumers against it. Hopefully Innocent will learn from this mistake and ensure the accuracy of any claims in future.

This blog is supported by Scamper - The pioneers in Sustainable Brand Strategy