You can't control what people think so how to control your brand?

Recently I returned to from a trip to Holland visit my in-laws and the rest of my husband's family, who live there. We had it since shortly after we married three years ago, were so we by a visit.

Because a while has been completely since we, I forgot the reaction went, we get from people when we go to the Netherlands. It has me thinking about the impact of perception and what causes that a person to make and share perception of someone or something.

Here is what think me. If we mention someone, that we are or have been only to the Netherlands, we get a funny look, a bit a push push, wink wink and a kind comment on Amsterdam and "Coffee shops" (i.e., accommodation can buy and smoke marijuana!). This happen almost every time in the years would, and I was always surprised, because too, which I had made this a very different Holland was, know and love.

Sure, there are coffee shops and a red light district in Amsterdam, Holland's largest city, certainly, and I've seen even them, but when I went to the Netherlands, would I spend my time with my relatives, where she, in a small town about an hour south of Amsterdam life.

We would our shopping along the small canals in the picturesque city of Delft, known for its beautiful ' Delft blue pottery, drinking tea, in small cafes at the historic site, some of the world's best cheese and riding enjoy our bicycles next to green pastures, along with the rest of Holland time.

Never time in coffee shops, which went to Amsterdam smoking marijuana and never spent my relatives and friends of my husband either now only a tourist Mecca for visitors from all over the world determines the Anne Frank House or the Van Gogh Museumto visit. In fact, most people have and run of the Café, and red light district are not on all Dutch - they come from abroad, usually osteuropà ¤ ischer, and can speak hardly a word of Dutch itself.

The real Dutch, for example, my in-laws, would be surprised that the reputation of the country is almost exclusively on this very small percentage of its existence, rather than its stunning tulips, windmills, the the countryside, exciting cities such as Rotterdam and the Hague, point and iconic 'Appel TAART' (Apple Pie).

Coincidentally, classical musicians, and how to determine public perception, what he has paid spoke my blog colleagues and new friend, neroli Makim, recently about perception, the determination of their article, "If the perception determines your salary, what you are (really) value?", and also a very good example of one of the world's largest.

There is no doubt that influence perception, what people spend time and money when, and how much, but I wanted to discover why people formed a certain opinion or how she developed over a different perception.

Many companies and individuals give great effort, all with good intentions promote a specific image or idea about yourself. Since in many cases, if promote is not in a certain way, it openly, you leave for your audience to make their own opinions, or the perception of you, and it can be not favorable. If you have a part in the formation of own perception does not, then it's everybody's game!

However also promote themselves, it is sometimes a completely different perception, that leaves a lasting impression. For example, pitch the Netherlands Tourism Board , the architecture and history of towns and cities of the country's nature and culture, and places of interest such as parks and museums.

If I the tourism Web site for the Netherlands to visit I see a lot of pictures of tulips and windmills, and of course Dutch clogs. No doubt there would be a small mention somewhere on the site, that it is possible to visit cafes and smoking marijuana include, but this is certainly not at the heart of the advertising copy or the Web site itself. So, if this is the case, why then thinks everyone immediately the red light district of when you mention Holland?

Sex sells, like sensationalism and controversy. And safely, the Dutch tourist board in any case will not call on what effective only a very small part of the country reality, so like the rundown of his abdomen so deeply stuck in the minds has built?

Simply be because sensationalism and controversy are rather spoken are improve. Holland is one of the few places in the world, a notorious red light district has, and so this is something unique. Everyone knows someone who knows someone, who went and saw something on television or the Internet.

It is interesting, because the people who talk to Holland itself about the windmills, the museums, the bikes. Those who still are not fixated on the drugs.

How can you ensure that what, when it comes you or your company, is recalled or spoken in fact the truth or is desirable?

Now, you can never be sure 100%, but here are some tips for you on the right track:

Anders, be unique and perhaps somewhat controversial (if it is suitable for your brand, company, and/or customers). Try what is interesting is you are in your organization from the outside to the inside, and work, or differences. Then focus on it!Remember, think the importance of promoting the word of mouth. Make it through the use of social media to spread support customers/members about you speak of, and the word, by working them something of interest to talk like an exciting event or an offer for you.If you go to great lengths to deny, a rumor or promoting a part of your business and the reputation you don't believe that the focus should be, are only fuel on the fire, throw you. Let it die down alone. Focus on what you want instead, is.Remember, you can not control exactly what is said about you. The best, what you can do that, is unforgettable in a positive way or one, at least the curiosity of the public to raise that. In all the noise and confusion of daily life in itself is an achievement.

Posted in: brand, control, people, think