Main Street Summit Insights: Looking Good, Feeling Good, Playing Good
Last week, our team had the exciting opportunity to attend the Main Street Summit, a local conference bringing together entrepreneurs and investors. The experience was both exhilarating and eye-opening, offering fresh perspectives on business and branding.
One quote that resonated strongly with us, promoted by the Summit organizers, comes from Deion Sanders:
"If you look good, you feel good. If you feel good, you play good. If you play good, they pay good."
This statement perfectly encapsulates the transformative power of a strong brand identity. It's not just about external appearances; it's about how your brand makes you feel and perform.
The Internal Impact of a Strong Brand
At Hoot, we often hear from clients: "I finally feel like my identity truly reflects who I am." This sentiment highlights the profound internal effect a well-crafted brand can have on an organization and its people.
Employee Attraction and Engagement: The Numbers Speak
Research shows that a strong brand identity doesn't just attract customers—it also draws in top talent and boosts employee engagement:
1. Talent Acquisition: Companies with strong employer brands see a 50% reduction in cost-per-hire and can attract up to 50% more qualified applicants (LinkedIn).
2. Employee Retention: Organizations with strong employer brands experience a 28% reduction in employee turnover (Corporate Responsibility Magazine).
3. Productivity Boost: Employees who are highly engaged with their company's brand are 38% more likely to be highly productive (Gallup).
4. Financial Performance: Companies with highly engaged employees outperform their competitors by 147% in earnings per share (Gallup).
5. Brand Advocacy: 50% of employees post messages, pictures, or videos on social media about their employer (Weber Shandwick).
These statistics underscore the importance of investing in your brand identity. When your team feels good about your brand, they perform better, stay longer, and become powerful advocates for your company.
On-Brand Benefits
We love to walk the talk when it comes to what we believe at Hoot.
One benefit that stands out as being “on-brand” for us and also helps us recruit and retain top talent is our “Life Support” program. Life Support reimburses employees up to $250/month for anything that allows them to buy back their time. This can include home cleaning, meal prep, and, more recently, a fashion subscription Nuuly.
Five out of ten employees at Hoot use Nuuly as part of their Life Support. And the proof is in the pudding.
Not only do our employees strut into the office with their new lewks every month, but they exude the confidence and swagger of someone who knows they are on trend while staying on budget and sustainable. Try finding that benefit at the agency down the street.
This unique benefit sets us apart from other agencies and directly contributes to the "look good, feel good, play good" philosophy.
We can confidently say that Life Support, and Nuuly in particular, has helped our team look good, feel good, play good, and ultimately, get paid good.
Artwork by Nya McClain, article by Senior Art Director, Bri Thomas
Justified Text is the New Centered Text
I've got a hot take that might raise a few eyebrows: Centered text is on its way out, and justified text is stepping into the spotlight.
Here's the deal
Let's be honest, centered text has become the default choice for many, even when it's not the best option. While clean, centered text often lacks the dynamic visual interest that contemporary designs demand. Not to mention, on smaller screens centered text can be harder to read and less efficient with space. In our mobile-first world, that's a significant drawback.
The Appeal of Justified Text
Justified text creates crisp, straight edges on both sides, giving designs a modern look that aligns well with current minimalist trends. When executed properly, it can enhance readability by creating clear columns and reducing the "ragged" effect of uneven line lengths. Justified text performs well in both print and digital mediums, offering consistency across platforms. There's an undeniable polish and intentionality.
How to Use Justified Text Effectively
Mind the Spacing: Pay close attention to word spacing and use hyphenation judiciously to avoid unsightly gaps. The devil's in the details, folks.
Consider Line Length: Justified text shines with longer line lengths. For narrow columns, you might still want to stick with left-aligned.
Choose Your Fonts Wisely: Pair justified text with well-chosen, legible fonts and appropriate leading. The right font can make or break your justified layout.
The Bottom Line
While centered text will always have its place (hello, wedding invitations), justified text is stepping up.
