Importance of the Human Touch in the times of AI and ML: Lessons from Virat Kohli
In the dynamic world of branding, the human touch is often under rated. I’ve witnessed the transformative impact when brands come across as relatable. Let’s explore the compelling reasons why brands should remain deeply human in their approach to connect with their audience effectively.
Authenticity: A Trust-Building Cornerstone
Just as Virat Kohli’s authenticity and candid nature have endeared him to cricket enthusiasts across the nation, businesses that embrace authenticity in their brand identity gain trust. When a brand feels real and relatable, consumers are more inclined to trust its intentions and engage with its offerings. Authenticity is not just a buzzword; it’s a trust-building cornerstone that paves the way for enduring brand loyalty.
Virat Kohli’s brand consistently showcases authenticity through his personal social media posts. Whether sharing glimpses of his training routines, personal life, or candid moments on and off the cricket field, he connects with fans on a genuine level, thereby building trust.
Emotional Connection: The Secret Sauce
The magic of a humanised brand lies in its ability to forge emotional connections with its audience. Much like Virat Kohli’s emotional connection with fans is a pivotal aspect of his brand, businesses that prioritise emotional engagement create a profound bond with their fans. This emotional bonding transcends transactional relationships, leading to a deeper and more meaningful connection.
Kohli’s emotional connection with fans extends to the digital realm through heartfelt messages and posts during significant milestones and special occasions. His messages of gratitude and motivation resonate with fans on a deep, emotional level, reinforcing their bond with his brand.
Relatability and Understanding: Walking in Your Customer’s Shoes
A brand that embraces its human side is better equipped to understand its customers. Just as Virat Kohli’s knack for connecting with fans on a personal level makes him relatable, brands that empathise with their customers’ needs and values can tailor their products and messaging to resonate with their audience effectively. By understanding their audience, brands can deliver solutions that genuinely address their pain points and desires.
Improved Communication: The Power of Two-Way Dialogue
Humanizing a brand encourages open and two-way communication with customers. Much like Virat Kohli’s active social media presence and personal engagement with fans enable direct communication, brands that actively engage with their customers can gather valuable feedback and insights. This real-time dialogue offers a wealth of insights that can drive product innovation, refined customer experiences, and the development of solutions that truly matter.
Kohli actively engages with fans through Q&A sessions on social media, responding to their questions and comments. This real-time interactions foster a sense of community and allows fans to feel heard and valued.
Personalisation: Tailoring Experiences
Humanised brands are masters of personalisation. Their tailored interactions make customers feel valued and appreciated, resulting in a deeper and more meaningful brand-customer relationship.
Kohli’s digital brand often tailors content and messages to resonate with diverse segments of his audience. For example, he might share fitness tips for health enthusiasts while also celebrating cricketing achievements for sports fans, showcasing personalised digital experience for various interest groups
Building a Community: The Glue of Loyalty
Virat Kohli has cultivated a vibrant community of loyal fans, and brands can do the same. Community-building fosters a sense of belonging and shared identity, creating strong bonds between customers and the brand. This sense of community strengthens brand loyalty and encourages enthusiastic word-of-mouth referrals, reinforcing the brand’s influence and reach.
Adaptability and Responsiveness: A Trait of Resilience
Humanised brands tend to be more adaptable and responsive to the ever-evolving market landscape. Much like Virat Kohli’s ability to pivot his game in response to changing match conditions, brands that maintain an authentic connection with their customers can adapt and pivot swiftly based on customer feedback and market dynamics.
During the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kohli’s brand adapted by using digital platforms to raise awareness about safety measures, promote charitable initiatives, and engage with fans in new and meaningful ways.
Long-term Trust and Loyalty: A Legacy of Authenticity
Just as Virat Kohli commands unwavering loyalty from fans through his highs and lows, humanised brands enjoy the enduring trust and loyalty of their customer base. Over time, an authentic and human connection paves the way for a legacy of trust that can weather any storm in the turbulent seas of the market.
