veryard projects - innovation for demanding change

character

integrity and impression

on this page

elements of character

principles of character

elsewhere

In my work on the Component-Based Business, I assert the importance of character for the design and engagement of systems and artefacts.

Character relates to several important management issues, including brand management, flexibility, reuse, stability and trust.

Character relates to the ability of an entity to relate productively and authentically to other entities.

Character is sometimes contrasted with intelligence. There are undoubtedly people with both character and intelligence - but it's difficult to spot them. Because it's usually the people without character who want to draw attention to their intelligence, and the people without intelligence who want to draw attention to their character.

Do we have to make a choice between character and intelligence? Can't we have both?

Principles of Character

veryard projects > cbb > character > elements

	Character can develop and change. However, we usually judge character based on past experience, and distrust quick character-changes and spins.
	Character depends on context - but should not depend unduly on context. Sometimes we get the best insight about character when we see people or things outside their usual context.
	Excessively fast, flexible or intelligent people and things are sometimes perceived as lacking Character.
	The character of the whole (organization, system, team) is complexly related to the individual character of the people or things or components or subsystems from which it is composed.

Elements of Character

veryard projects > cbb > character > elements

	Standing Out	Making an impression. Having a strong image.
	Clarity	Decisiveness. Making up one's mind - and sticking to it.
	Engagement	Committed engagement with situations. Authenticity. Being there.
	Correctness	Sincerity. Legal, decent, honest and truthful.
	Integrity	Wholeness. Steadfastness.

Character and Brand

veryard projects > cbb > character > character and brand

One of the most important assets of an enterprise is the brand. The character of the brand is a critical success factor for the enterprise (and for the value of the brand). Character can be seen in terms of the attention, affection and trust awarded to the brand by the market.

For a brand to have character, it needs to have positive public awareness. It also needs to have clarity, and a consistent brand proposition. This means that customers know what to expect from the brand in terms of product quality, customer service and so on. It also means that people supporting the brand (whether your own staff or third parties) know how to deliver the brand proposition.

Changing Brands

Character References

veryard projects > cbb > character > references

Essay: How can we allow character to matter?

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