TopZedBrands 2013 — our guiding principles

Sara Drawwater
Archive
4 November 2013
1. Frankly, we want to start a movement! We see #TopZedBrands as a movement that will recognise Zambian success, demonstrate what is required for other Zambian brands to succeed, and educate business…

It’s been an incredibly exciting week watching your nominations stream in via #TopZedBrands! We especially thank the early adopters, the usual suspects and leaders of the Zambia Twitter landscape — you know who you are!

This first week of nominations has shown some interesting results. It has also highlighted that we need to clarify our guiding principles. Sharing these principles publicly is in the interest of fairness and transparency.

In simple terms we want to promote Zambian brands. Here are our guiding principles:

1. Frankly, we want to start a movement! We see #TopZedBrands as a movement that will recognise Zambian success, demonstrate what is required for other Zambian brands to succeed, and educate business leaders of the importance of business etiquette like good customer service. We want to reward Zambian brands that offer:

  • Quality product or service you can depend on
  • Good customer service
  • Impressive visual brand (logo and marketing message, packaging, or in-store visual brand)
  • Product or service you feel is export ready, and should be on international shelves

2. #TopZedBrands is not accepting people nominations — whilst we appreciate and respect the people making a true difference to Zambia, #TopZedBrands is about Zambian products and services brands, not people brands.

3. All companies operating in Zambia can be nominated. This includes:

  • Small start up business that are setting out in building their brand, growing businesses, established brands, and franchises
  • Companies fully owned by Zambians, mixed ownership, and even those brands that have a strong Zambian identity, are operating in Zambia, but are actually foreign owned. We believe that every business operating in Zambia, wherever they are from, have the same challenges to make their business a success. To be successful, all businesses must offer a strong brand experience, quality products and services and good customer service, irrespective of where they are from.

4. Anyone affiliated with #TopZedBrands should not be nominated. Anyone that is, will graciously stand down. This includes organisers and judges.

5. A retweet on Twitter does not constitute a nomination or a vote.

Now please go forward and nominate via:

Follow the 2013 #TopZedBrands story

Update posted on 18/12/13