Dim Sum Strategy: Bite-Sized Tools to Build Stronger Brands

by Peter Wilken

In the past, brands were the sole domain of owners, advertisers and marketers. Strategies were crafted in smoke-filled boardrooms and rolled out with little to no input from consumers. Times have changed. Today, consumers are the new owners. They have more information, more channels, more power and more choice but less time, less loyalty and less trust than ever before. Brands intersect every aspect of our lives, but the business of building brands is still misunderstood. Dim Sum Strategy presents a carefully curated selection of proven strategic tools, with insights and anecdotes from three decades working with some of the world's leading brands at the world's top agencies. The book is structured to follow the author's proven Brand Centered Management(TM) process, with a smattering of different "tools" split into four parts: Discovery, Definition, Direction, and Delivery. Each tool is presented in bite-sized, standalone chunks; you can read the book in stepwise fashion or cherry-pick in whatever order you wish--just like a dim sum meal.

Genres: Business

238 pages, Paperback

Published September 3, 2019

Reviews

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book on strategy

Finally got around to reviewing this book!

I enjoyed this book. Wilken does a good job at laying out a great step program towards better branding strategies.

Would recommend for marketers.

3.8/5

[Lee Wochner · Rating 4 out of 5]

PACKED with great stories, insights, tips, and casual but unforgettable wisdom, "Dim Sum Strategy" has been a handy how-to for me ever since I read it. My copy has 15 tape flags stuck into it, but truly every page deserved one. How many will you affix?

[Elaine Beitelspacher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook from the NetGalley and Post Hypnotic Press. Dim Sum Strategy provides so many tools regarding brand, brand identity and brand strategy. The narration was clear and consice. There were so many tools and at time, it was a bit overwhelming. The brand history was very interesting. This book could also help a person looking for ways to increase their personal brand. The discussion of the tools was sometimes a bit hard to follow on the audiobook but the accompanying PDF may help with that. The emotional section was especially impactful and discussed the impact of emotions in brand identity. For anyone looking for a smorgasbord of brand tools, this book is it!

[J Kromrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC in audiobook format.

Peter Wilken’s Dim Sum Strategy: Bite-Sized Tools to Build Stronger Brands is a refreshing and insightful guide that offers practical tools for brand building in today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving market. Narrated by Wilken himself, this audiobook provides a unique and engaging listening experience that is both informative and accessible.

The book is structured around Wilken’s Brand Centered Management™ process, divided into four key parts: Discovery, Definition, Direction, and Delivery. Each section presents a variety of strategic tools and techniques, delivered in bite-sized, standalone chunks that can be easily digested and applied.

Peter Wilken’s narration adds a personal touch to the audiobook, making it feel like a one-on-one coaching session. His clear and engaging delivery helps to demystify complex branding concepts, making them accessible to listeners of all backgrounds.

Wilken’s writing is concise and to the point, with a focus on actionable insights. The use of real-world examples and case studies helps to illustrate the effectiveness of the tools and strategies discussed.

Dim Sum Strategy explores themes of adaptability, consumer empowerment, and the importance of a holistic approach to brand management. It emphasizes the need for brands to stay relevant and responsive in a landscape where consumers have more power and choice than ever before.

Dim Sum Strategy: Bite-Sized Tools to Build Stronger Brands is a valuable resource for anyone involved in brand management or marketing. Peter Wilken’s practical approach and engaging narration make this audiobook a must-listen for professionals looking to enhance their branding strategies. The book’s blend of theory and practice, combined with its accessible format, ensures that it will be a useful reference for years to come.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is written by Peter Wilken and it is clear that he has hosted many workshops and trainings using the methodologies and concepts that are outlined in this book. He has verbally taught the Wilken’s Brand Centered Management™ process and its four key parts: Discovery, Definition, Direction, and Delivery before. The book has a conversational tone which makes it easy to read and is probably derived from teaching the material many times before.

The book is a strategic book that explains what marketing is and how to think about marketing in the context of your business/job. It does not provide tactical exercises. There are a tone of examples that explain the strategic tools provided. The examples provide bit-sized information allowing the reader to read a little bit over a long period or come back to the most relevant parts to them.

As a small business owner, I've read many marketing and branding books. I took away several nuggets from this book that I had not heard before. Wilken says that branding used to be the responsibility of the CEO or business owner because the brand was tied to their reputation and now much of it is outsourced to agencies. This really made me think, because as a small business owner my companies reputation and mine are interconnected. From here I was eager to learn how to build a stronger brand for myself. This is just one example of how Wilken's provides context and a deeper understanding to the reader, instead of just tips and tools.


Thank you to NetGallery for an ARC.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚 2024 #50: “Dim Sum Strategy” by Peter Wilken

📕 This book is a guide to building your company's brand and is meant for anyone from a solopreneur to a C-level at a large corporation. Wilken's breaks down a bunch of small tools that can be worked through sequentially or taken in small bites, much like going out for a dim sum meal.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5: I like the concept of a "dim sum strategy" that can be taken in whole or part, whichever you need at the moment. The sequential progression of the book was well laid out and there was plenty of practical advice for teams looking to brand -- or rebrand -- their companies. This isn't quite as applicable for most solopreneurs and is more corporate, but still has useful information.

🤓 You should read this if you're on a marketing team for a company. If you liked "Born to Create" by Anne Jacoby, you'll probably like this too!

🥰 Thank you to NetGalley and Post Hypnotic Press for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

[Darya · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you a looking for a book full of wisdom and small stories about strategy, here it is. The contents are very enjoyable and describe bits and bites of strategic positioning from brand to serving customers and delivering great product promos consistently. It may be the case you learn nothing new however there is a good chance you can get a new perspective on something you know. The beauty of the book for me was in stories that illustrated strategic elements and helped to reflect and gain new opinions on the way to build, develop and sustain a good strategy for long term positive outcomes.

[Dr. B · Rating 4 out of 5]

For someone that doesn’t know much about brands, this was an interesting read.

The book feels like a story in the way it flows seamlessly while delivering valuable tips and tricks.

Definitely recommend!