Hey everyone, this is Chris Auman, President of Sanctuary. Welcome back to The Academy, where you get the tools, tips, and advice you need to grow your business.

Today I wanted to continue on with an argument that I begun to make in episode 1 and 2 of this series. That is, why I think an investment in design is critical to marketing and ultimately business success. If you haven’t started with episode 1, please head over there now before you continue on with this episode. 

As a designer for over 30 years, I may be perceived as biased. But I am also a business owner, marketer, and consumer. At this point, I can tell you this with absolute confidence: An investment in design in your business isn’t optional. Design is a critical part of marketing because it goes far beyond just aesthetics to influence how customers interact with and experience your brand at every level. It's an unspoken message. It's a vibe. It’s an emotion or a feeling that can be good or bad. Design can actually be helpful or deeply hurtful. Great design ensures that every interaction with your marketing, products, tactics, and brand is seamless, intuitive, enjoyable, and productive. Without great design, failure in your specific goals is more likely than not – and this may just extend to the success or failure of your entire business.

Are you ready to come along and hear more? ... Let's jump into it!