31 Aug Why is the Logo an Elephant?
You may have wondered why my logo is an elephant.
As a symbol, I thought the elephant encapsulated what I stand for. One particular elephant is revered in India and Nepal and respected by Jains, Hindus and Buddhists.
Ganesha
Ganesha (the multi-armed elephant deity) is known as The Remover of Obstacles and the Lord of Beginnings. He is the patron of arts and sciences and the deva of intellect and wisdom.
This elephant is worshipped at the beginning of ventures such as starting a business. He grants success and protection.
But elephants are also renowned for their compassion and loyalty.
Did you know that when an elephant loses a member of its herd, they mourn. When an elephant sees the skeleton of one of their herd, they recognise who they were and they kiss the bones.
They look after their young and are loyal. They are led by their values.
They are a gentle, caring animal, but if threatened, they are powerful and will fight. Like humans, they also like to play and have fun.
MVMM’s business philosophy is an analogy of elephants.
When it comes to planning strategy and creative material, these are the principles I abide.
The Analogy of Elephants
1. Let your Values be your compass.
No matter what business you are in, your Values will remain largely unchanged. They are an essential part of your character and life.
2. Let your Strengths set your direction.
No one is great at everything, but everyone has special gifts and talents. These are what we should focus on; how you can use your strengths to give value to others. Your strategy should be underpinned by strengths-based leadership.
3. Let your Voice and your Uniqueness be your Brand.
If you had two million siblings from the same mother and father, not one of them would be exactly the same as you. You are unique. You have a voice. Authenticity is paramount to connecting with others on an intellectual and emotional level.
We all make our decisions based on emotions and then justify them with logic.
4. We can’t be all things to all people…
We must say No to some things. Strategy is as much about saying No as it is to saying Yes. This is a strategic fit. Our activities and operations need to be a tight fit that use our strengths to achieve a laser-focused goal. If we try to be all things to all people, we end up being nothing to anyone.
5. …but we can be crucial to our herd.
These are the people we understand, because we may be part of the tribe and share similar frustrations, interests, passionate goals or challenges with other members. We can connect because we understand what they want and need. Or we can imagine a solution that nobody has created yet. We know their pain points, because we have felt that pain. We know the yearnings for meaning that drive us. By getting inside the brains and hearts of our tribe, we can deliver value to them and to ourselves. This is rewarding on many levels.
That’s the story behind the logo. What is the story behind yours?
*