Five Things You Can Learn from Commercial Painters About Freshening Up Your Brand
Enhancing your brand will change brand perception. Customers and employees will notice the improvements. Simple things like logo changes, exterior signage, or even commercial painting improvements for your facility can help show off what matters most to you, and set expectations for excellence for your stakeholders.
While the expectations are high, it may not be as easy as you think. You have to be careful. Especially if your brand or business has a long history. It can be difficult to make a change, even when it is necessary and appropriate.
It’s that way for commercial painters too. It’s never as simple as a “fresh coat” makes it seem.
As commercial painters, we are often relied upon for a “fresh coat” for facility exteriors, showroom space, and office space. It seems simple, but there’s more to it than most know. So, there is an analogy here, and we hope it is helpful.
Looking for a figurative “fresh coat” for your brand? Here are some things we’ve learned as commercial painters using real paint and brush that can translate well for your successful brand improvement efforts:
#1). Don’t try to cover up the problem spots:
One of the most critical steps in any painting project is surface preparation. Without proper preparation, the paint may not adhere correctly, leading to peeling, cracking, or other forms of failure. Issues such as dirt, grease, or old, flaking paint need to be addressed before any new paint is applied.
Lesson learned: Those trouble spots will show through. If there are things about your company that aren’t true to the brand you’re trying to build, fix them first. Measure your culture, read your reviews, and ask your customers. The truth will shine through any attempt to create an alternative brand.
#2). Rely on Quality Materials:
Using low-quality paint or materials can result in a subpar finish, necessitating additional coats or even a complete redo of the project. Cheap materials can also lead to faster wear and tear, reducing the longevity of the paint job.
Lesson learned: Invest in your business and your brand. Don’t try to get away with a cheap fix, or bypass an opportunity to make improvements within. If your brand doesn’t scream “cheap”, then the way you do business shouldn’t either.
#3). Plan for Rough Weather
Weather can significantly impact the success of an outdoor painting project. Rain, high humidity, and extreme temperatures can prevent paint from drying properly, leading to streaks, blisters, or an uneven finish.
Lesson Learned: Expect the unexpected and plan accordingly. When you are working to build your brand, research potential market changes and economic conditions that could require you to change how you operate. Your brand needs to be true at all times, so plan accordingly for when it could be tested.
#4). Ensure Color Matching
Achieving the desired color can be more complicated than it seems. Lighting conditions, the existing color of the surface, and the type of paint used can all affect the final appearance. We test along the way often and as needed, making adjustments as we go. This ensures the outcome we get is the outcome we wanted from the beginning.
Lesson Learned: Market research is your friend. If you plan to change a logo or a sign, improve an office or showroom space, or institute new brand color schemes, do your homework first. You don’t want to find out too late that the changes you make don’t resonate with your target market. Sometimes, well-meaning improvements can offend or dissuade others without you realizing it. Once it’s done, it’s too late to come back. Test along the way, to ensure you are on the right track.
#5). Communication is King:
With commercial painting projects, miscommunication between the client, contractors, and workers can lead to misunderstandings, errors, and dissatisfaction with the final result. Everyone needs to be on the same page from day one until the project is complete.
Lesson learned: Tell others what you’re doing and why. A brand is personal, for you, your employees, and your customers. Change isn’t always taken well, especially at first. You may not want to surprise those who care about what you stand for. Communication about your anticipated improvements can communicate to others that they are part of the family and that their opinions matter.
Commercial painting projects can enhance the aesthetic and value of a property, but they are not without their challenges. We want our customers to experience our projects as well-designed, well-conceived, and easily completed. But that takes work.
Marketing and brand perception improvements are similar. By looking out for what can go wrong, you’ll have a much better chance of ensuring things go right.
By being aware of potential issues and proactively addressing them, businesses can ensure a smoother and more successful painting experience. Investing in quality materials, thorough preparation and clear communication are key strategies for overcoming these common hurdles.
We are Uni Pro Painting. We provide professional commercial painting services for the best-run businesses in Northeast Ohio. From exterior painting to manufacturing operations to offices and showroom spaces, we take pride in our work ethic, integrity, and unyielding expectation of customer satisfaction.
For more information about the Uni Pro Painting difference, reach out and let us know how we might be able to work together toward your success and our good name in the commercial painting