Compare your views on how important a brand is to you when making purchasing decisions with the views of your peers. In what ways do your views differ fro

In response to Tyler and Taylor post address the following:

• Compare your views on how important a brand is to you when making purchasing decisions with the views of your peers. In what ways do your views differ from those of your peers? How might they be aligned?
• Share your thoughts on the importance of an emotional connection with the brand.
• Share your thoughts on how companies should handle customer concerns related to the brand.

Tyler post

Brand to me means everything the company represents. The quality of the products they produce, target market, how they advertise, who they endorse, etc. I'd like to say brands don't sway my spending decisions significantly, especially brand advertising, but there are definitely times it does. If a brand is known for producing top quality products, I will be more likely to spend up expecting to receive a quality product that will last a long time.  

• When making a purchasing decision, is the brand important to you? What about the brand resonates with you?
  • I referenced this above in a general sense. The brand I selected for this section is Ninja Coffee. It's generally more expensive than the average coffee maker, but in my experience, it's higher quality, longer lasting, and has extra functionality such as brewing smaller sizes. I would say yes, the brand is important to me. When my current one eventually fails, I will likely be in the market for their new updated model. 
• Determine whether your favorite brand has a stated "brand promise." If so, what is it? If not, identify one from another company of your choice. Remember the brand promise is usually different than a tagline or slogan.
  • Per the Ninja website, "Barista-quality drinks, simplified: Ninja removes the complexity of making specialty drinks like espresso, lattes, and cold brew. Its Barista Assist Technology™ and other smart features guide the user to the perfect brew with less trial and error."
• Do you have an emotional connection with the brand? If so, can you describe it briefly? Consider factors such as trust, respect, and other strong feelings.
  • I do not have an emotional connection with this brand. I trust their products and they have been reliable in the past. If the quality of their products significantly lessened in the future, I would probably switch to a different brand. I like the brand, but I don't have an emotional connection with it. 
• When considering a purchase, do you look first for your favorite brand? This may be considered top-of-mind awareness or the first brand to come to mind. Provide an example of a brand that is on top of your mind.
  • Yes, if I need a new coffee maker or if I have a friend or family member in the market, Ninja is the brand I recommend. My personal experience with their products has been very good and I will continue to be a repeat customer.

Taylor post

brand to me is a way to add identity to product or service that a company/organization offers. It symbolizes not only the product or service, but what the company stand for, their target market or audience, and guides a consumer towards their overall mission and/or vision. Branding is also a tool used to generated customer retention and build loyalty to a company through its offerings. If there is a specific brand that fits a customers wants, needs, and morals, they are more likely to remain loyal to their product over its competitors. 

One brand in particular that I would consider one of my favorites is Trader Joes. When buying groceries I am more inclined to go to a Trader Joes than other grocery stores because of their fairness in price, quality in products, and their ability to come out with new products based on trends or customer suggestions. 

Trader Joes brand promise is "Trader Joe's private label products promise great quality fare for exceptional, everyday prices. We taste everything before we put our name on it and offer only what we feel is extraordinary. We tried it. We like it. If you don't, bring it back for a refund or exchange" (Product Information). Their brand promise shows commitment to their products and exceptions offerings to their customer, always innovating and bringing new concepts and recipes to the shelves. 

I wouldn't say that i have an emotional connection to this brand as its not a necessity, but I do prefer it over manyother options. Feeling like I can walk into the store, try new things, expand my pallet, and also have the ability to have a wide variety of gluten free options for my partner are deciding factors in my favoritism to the brand. I trust that when I walk into their store I will not be disappointed with the cost, or products that I take home with me.