Designers always want to know... “what am I missing in my brand strategy process?”

Usually it's the same things... the 'hard' skills.

They already have the soft skills.

Asking curious questions, reading between the lines, empathy, and being OK with not having all the answers.

The gap is the technical skills.

Too many designers rely on exhausting questionnaires, over the top avatars and shiny distractions.

In this episode, I break down the three hard skills that make brand strategy clear, usable and genuinely effective.

Bec

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Is it possible to offer a 'lite' version of brand strategy without cutting corners or lowering your standards?

You can’t just leave bits out of brand strategy and expect the same outcome... but in this episode I share the 3 levers you can adjust without dumbing things down.

• Depth – how deeply you explore

• Deliverables – how you package and present the outputs

• Delegation – who does the work: you, your client, or both

You’ll also learn when a tiered approach to brand strategy works best, and the ground rules for creating a 'lite' offer.

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The Brand Method program

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Eps 83 - My 5 Pillar Brand Strategy Research Framework

In this episode, I had the pleasure of talking shop with Jacob Cass.

We cover a lot of ground, including:

• Jacob’s own journey from brand designer to brand strategist • The role of a brand strategist • How brand builders can become a strategic partner to their clients • The biggest challenges facing designers and brand builders • What’s happening at the Brand Builders Summit on 16-19 Sept >>> Get your FREE Summit ticket here

About Jacob Cass:

Jacob Cass is a brand designer, strategist, educator, and business coach, as well as the founder of JUST Creative - a renowned branding and design consultancy that also serves as an industry-leading blog and vibrant community. He is also the brains behind the Brand Builders Summit.

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Brand archetypes are everywhere—but are they really helping your strategy?

In this episode of Brand Strategy Unwankified, I share why I don’t use brand archetypes and what I do instead.

I cover:

• Why archetypes seem appealing but lead to sameness

• How they amplify industry clichés

• Why the illusion they create of strategy is only skin deep

• What I focus on in my brand strategy process instead

That's right. I want you to ditch The Explorer, The Magician and The Sage, and think differently.

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The Brand Method program

Free Brand Strategy Confidence Training

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Book a Strategy Springboard Sesh

In this podcast, I welcome one of the founders of The Designer Boss Summit, Anna Dower.

We go deep into the female experience in the design industry.

From money blocks, time and head space, confidence to lead, self-belief, role models to aspire to and platforms to get our voices heard, we explore what women need to succeed.

What I loved about this episode is the honest exploration of the female experience and the many rebirths we go through in our lives.

And what I love about Anna is how she balances being gently and authentically unfiltered.

>>> YOUR FREE TICKET to the Designer Boss Summit on 27-29 August 2025

About Anna Dower:

Anna is a graphic designer, entrepreneur, and sought-after creative mentor with 25 years of industry experience. She’s passionate about enlightening, empowering, and elevating the businesses of graphic designers who are eager to make their mark

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Connect with Bec Hughes:

Check out The Brand Method

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We’ve been told that design should be quicker and more decisive. That strategy should make things certain and predictable, and guarantee success.

I want to challenge those ideas.

Because what if strategy isn't about logic and certainty at all? What if those things destroy creativity?

Instead, what if brand strategy is about invention, and re-imagination.

About finding the 'unbland' spaces and helping businesses take a calculated risk in an otherwise uncertain world.

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If you’re already offering brand strategy and wondering how to sharpen your process, this episode’s for you.

I’m sharing 5 practical shifts I’ve made that have unlevelled my client experience and outcomes.

• Why I ditched the questionnaire • A smarter way to share research • The power of presenting in person • How to stay curious longer • Why ruthless simplification is your biggest value-add

Small, intentional changes that can elevate your strategy work in a big way.

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Free Brand Strategy Confidence Training

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Ever handed over a 30-page brand strategy doc no one read? Let’s fix that.

In this episode I'll share an approach your clients will love you for:

• The 7 elements every one-pager brand strategy should include • Why simple brand strategy is smarter (and more powerful) • How to position, prove, and differentiate a brand on one page

If you want your brand strategy to be understood and used, positioning your work as high value, this episode is your blueprint.

Want to connect with me?

Check out The Brand Method

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Book a Strategy Springboard Sesh