Think out of the box to create world class brands

Hiran H.Senewiratne

Sri Lanka could build world class brands through skills and creativity, which is important to be globally competitive, Minister of Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion Dr. Sarath Amunugama said.

“One has to have a social understanding to create best brands in the world,” Minister Amunugama said at the SLIM Brand Excellence 2007. The event was organised by the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM). He said that branding now has come to a standard with the overtaking of the new technology and most of the best brands are now produced in Asian manufacturing houses.

He said that with the increase of the affluence and richness in the Asian region especially China and India, we have to go for exclusive markets as most of the rich and affluent people go for branded products.

Minister Amunugama said that markers and professionals should be mindful on changing trends and think out of the box to create excellent brands in the world.

“World is changing fast and it is a very complex, therefore we have to look at different aspects to make a best brand not only locally but also globally,” he said.

“With the market developments today the focus is moving away from products to brands. And the creativity should be of elite class,” Minister Amunugama added.

SLIM President, Sarath Fernando said that taking SLIM brand excellence to a higher level was a challenge. “The new developments in the scheme have made organisations to earn an award rather than just wining an award as the process is made tough,” he said.

He also said that all the people in today’s world live and sleep with brands.

PIM President and Consultant SLIM Brand Excellence Dr Uditha Liyanage said that a brand is a thing that was built on.