To protect your brand identity while considering partner suggestions, involve your audience in the process. Sharing proposed changes with loyal customers through surveys or focus groups can provide valuable insights and demonstrate transparency. This not only strengthens trust but ensures any adjustments align with both your brand values and customer expectations.

Protect your brand by setting clear guidelines for partners and emphasising the importance of consistency. Engage in constructive dialogue to find compromises that respect your identity while considering external input.

When your brand’s identity is at stake, don’t overcomplicate the process. Take quick action. If an external partner’s proposal challenges your brand, share your goal upfront, then ask how their idea aligns with it. Make a decision fast—this isn’t the time for lengthy discussions. Focus on protecting the brand’s core.

When external partners propose changes that challenge our brand’s identity, I believe the key is balancing rationality with emotional intelligence. It’s important to evaluate both their perspective and ours, ensuring every decision aligns with our core values and long-term vision.

Sometimes companies and brands need to be challenged. This is a good opportunity to review, bolster and possibly update your brand strategy. Does your brand still differentiate you? Is it outdated? Have you outgrown your original mission or message? Do you have a lack of internal alignment? In our experience, it is about the communications process. Gaining input and consensus with key stakeholders helps reinforce your brand strategy - and ideally creates strong brand champions.

When external partners challenge your brand’s identity, balance collaboration with protecting core values. Assess if changes align with your mission, as Nike did with its 2018 Colin Kaepernick ad, staying true to its identity despite backlash and boosting loyalty. Communicate openly, explaining conflicts and exploring alternatives. LEGO’s gender-neutral sets and Apple’s Nike collaboration show how partnerships can work without compromising core values. If changes risk dilution, suggest alternatives, like Starbucks resisting franchising to maintain its premium image. By staying true to your values and fostering dialogue, you can protect your identity while supporting innovation.

Maintaining your brand's identity is crucial, even when collaborating with external partners. First, clearly communicate your brand's core values and vision upfront. If a proposed change challenges that, evaluate whether it aligns with your long-term goals or offers meaningful improvement. Be open to dialogue, but stay firm on non-negotiables. Collaboration thrives on mutual understanding—work together to find a solution that respects both your brand’s identity and the partner's expertise.

Stay anchored in your core values and vision. Evaluate their proposals against your brand’s identity. If it aligns and adds value, adapt strategically. If it conflicts, communicate firmly but collaboratively, emphasizing the importance of preserving authenticity. Protect what defines you.

First, assess whether the proposed changes align with your brand’s core values, vision, and long-term strategy. If the suggestions conflict with your established identity, it’s crucial to communicate this clearly and provide reasoning based on your brand’s foundation.