Retail computer shop.
In our shop you can find the whole range of computer products:
∞ computers and laptops;
∞ computer components (hard disks, processors, motherboards...);
∞ peripheral products (monitors, printers...);
∞ digital products (cameras, iPods, communicators, e-readers...);
∞ other products somehow connecting with computers.
There is only 1 shop (it is not a chain) situated in Moscow, Russia.
It is a shop where you can buy any computer product quickly and for the good price. Process of buying is automated as much as possible: customer writes out all the products himself using electronic terminals and than pays at the desk. Queue to release counter is operated by electronic display system.
This shop is for those who knows what he wants to buy and is not afraid of electronic buying system.
Despite of impersonal process of buying, image of the company should be clubbable and friendly. Company is aimed at loyal customers and wants to get a positive image in professional community.
It's possible to book to deliver goods as well.
WHAT IS IT ?
In this step you will find information about the Brand Builder, who is asking you to propose a Solution for the challenge. He introduces himself (as a Brand of course :) The more you understand about the Brand, the more chances you have to create what is wanted.
IMPORTANT: There is a possibility that the Brand Builder prefers not to disclose who he is, usually for confidentiality reasons. Such Briefs will be published in an anonymous way. In this case the Brand Builder will say as much as he feels comfortable saying.
Here are two EXAMPLES
In case there is no problem with disclosing the identity (VISIBLE):
“NMN -No More Nicotine- is a Brand that promises to counteract the damages to the skin that can be caused by smoking. NMN is distributed in pharmacies and drugstores and its price positioning is middle-high; it is mainly promoted through professional endorsement and is not massively advertised.”
In case the Brand doesn’t want to disclose his identity (ANONYMOUS):
“Brand counteracting the damages to skin caused by smoking. Its products are distributed in pharmacies and drugstores with a middle-high price positioning; they are mainly promoted through professional endorsement and are not massively advertised.”
In summary: Who is your client (in a visible or “anonymous” way :)
It is necessary to work out:
1. Name of the shop which should fulfill the following conditions:
∞ direct association with computer products;
∞ domain name should be free in .ru zone;
∞ name should be easy to write & pronounce in Russian;
∞ the following combinations should not be used in name: laptop, notebook, computer, sale, shop
2.Logo
3.Business card.
!!! Update as of September 16, 2009 !!!
Almost all names already received can be divided into two groups:
1) Foreign (mostly English) words that are about computers, maybe a littl bit distorted. It was used already too many times, it's too banal.
2) Combination of two words like described in p.1. The result is the same.
We think that today much better are simple and maybe ironical names like "Messenger" for mobile phones retailer or "Alphabet of Taste" for food retailer.
By the way, names in Russian are better. The name should be unique - once you see it - you'll never mix it up with something else.
!!! The end of update !!!
WHAT IS IT ?
This is the task the Brand Builder asks you to accomplish. If you don’t understand it, you are completely out of luck !
EXAMPLE
“We ask the Creators to develop a print advertising campaign in order to increase Brand’s visibility. It will be used in national magazines this spring.”
In summary: It’s the objective of the client, therefore your objective too !
The main target audience are advanced users who do not need to consult with a sales manager. They do not need to look at the goods before buying. They read in advance all the information about the product and just need to buy everything in one place for the low price.
Our target audience does not have specific social, sex or age characteristics.
Our customers buy in our shop not because they do not have money. They buy because in our shop they can find huge variety of computer products for low prices and process of buying is quick, simple and automated.
WHAT IS IT?
People that the Brand Builder wants you to entertain and persuade to think, feel or do something using your creation. Usually you will read about their age, sex, social level and behaviors. You should always keep that information in mind while creating, as the target audience is the final recipient of what you create.
EXAMPLE
“Smoking girls and women who would like to quit smoking but can’t. Usually health-conscious adults who care about their looks. They feel guilty about smoking because they know it is harmful. They read books about it. This is a real problem for them: it’s like “My brain wants something, but my body acts of its own accord”. They don’t relate to my brand, they are just waiting for a trustworthy “helping hand”.
In summary: Get under their skin !
In our shop you can find the most wide range of quality computer products, with the lowest prices in Moscow.
WHAT IS IT?
The thing that the Brand Builder wants to make the target audience think/feel/do because of your creation.
Here are some very concrete examples:
∞ Some things people can think/feel:
- There is a new Brand (or product or idea or...) out there
- This Brand is better than the alternatives or than it used to be
- This Brand is worth paying more for
∞ Some things people can do:
- Start buying the Brand’s products
- Buy the Brand more often
- Stock more products of the Brand in their outlets
The above written examples are very concrete whilst often the proposition of the Brief is emotional. That’s even better as it can be more inspiring!
EXAMPLE
“We’d like to encourage smokers to use NMN in order to minimize the damage to their health while they are keeping giving up smoking (especially if they’ve already tried and failed before).”
In summary: Get inside their brain !
Our prices are lower than in other shops because:
1. Format of our shop allows us to serve a lot of customers at the same time so we can sell big amount of products that allows us to get very good prices from our suppliers;
2. We have only one shop that allows us to cut our costs and not to squander;
3. Process of buying is automated as much as possible so we do not need a lot of stuff.
In addition:
1. We can deliver the same day;
2. We sell only quality products with official warranty and our claim department is very loyal to the customers;
3. We have bonus program for our loyal customers.
WHAT IS IT?
This is the key to achieving the objective. It is what supports the proposition and makes it believable. Usually it is a rational statement.
EXAMPLE
“Every cigarette you smoke is causing damage to your appearance. A recent study took several pairs of identical twins where one twin was a lifelong smoker and the other had never smoked. The smokers’ skin was a quarter thinner than that of non-smokers, and in some cases there were differences of up to 40%. NMN contains thinning-blocking anti-oxidants which counteract the effect of nicotine on the skin.”
In summary: You are looking for arguments? You’ll find them here!
∞ Quick;
∞ Economical;
∞ Safe;
∞ Progressive;
∞ Laconic.
WHAT IS IT?
It’s who the Brand is. Yes... who!
Treat the Brand as a human being, as it has its own personality. To know the personality of the “client” is fundamental in order to provide a tailor-made job. So, read carefully the listed adjectives...
EXAMPLE
“Scientific, trustworthy, result-oriented, ‘a party’ to achieve your goals.”
In summary: Imagine the live person !
The main promotion channel will be the Internet: placement of our price list on thematic searching websites, advertising banners, context advertising. In addition we plan to use promotion on the forums, outdoor advertising and direct mail for those who subscribed to our news.
WHAT IS IT?
A list of places (or media, or things) where the target audience will see the outcome of your creation. In this step sometimes the Brand will also acknowledge you how much he plans to invest into production. This information will give you an insight whether to create a BIG project or make it small... :)
EXAMPLE
“This campaign is going to appear in lifestyle- and health-focused women magazines of New Zealand, during the spring of 2009. We plan to invest 500,000 USD, which means approximately buying 100 single pages.”
In summary: Consider the medium !
Main competitors: www.ulmart.ru, www.citilink.ru, www.oldi.ru, www.f-center.ru
Good example: www.ulmart.ru
What should not be used:
1. Blue color and combination of gray and red;
2. Brand should not look expensive. We are cool but not expensive.
If the Brand has preferences or technical requirements that your Solution has to match, you will find them here.
Here are some items that you may find in this section:
∞ Guidelines or mandatory inclusions (do’s and/or don’ts)
∞ Business objectives
∞ Market and competitors overview
∞ Good and bad samples
Depending on the Brief, you may also find some files attached with a logo, pictures of product(s), a template that you should use in order to submit your ideas, or any other file that the Brand wants to share with you. So, study the attachments before starting creating.
In summary: Anything else you need to know (not written in the 7 steps before) !
