Introduction:

In this chapter, we delve into the exciting next steps following our successful workshop. Our grassroots, fishermen-led, and fishermen-governed company is built on the collective efforts and shared vision of our dedicated members. During the workshop, a diverse group of fishermen came together to discuss and agree on the core purpose of our organisation, the benefits it would bring, and the criteria for membership. This collaborative effort culminated in the election of our board members and the establishment of our short, medium, and long-term goals.

 

The workshop was a pivotal moment for our company, laying the foundation for our future endeavours. Now, we turn our attention to branding and identity, and the creation of a comprehensive business plan. These elements are crucial as they will help us define who we are, what we stand for, and how we will operate. Using the insights and agreements from the workshop report, we will create a structured plan that will guide us in forming a legal entity and taking concrete steps towards achieving our goals.

 

As we embark on this journey, it is important to remember the spirit of collaboration and mutual support that brought us together. Our business plan will reflect our shared values and commitment to improving the livelihoods of our members and the coastal communities from where they work and live.Together, we will build a strong and sustainable organisation that serves the needs of our community and paves the way for a brighter future.

Creating, Branding and Identifying:

Creating a logo and branding is a crucial step in the early stages of forming an organisation.A well-designed logo and consistent branding create a professional image, helping to make a strong first impression on potential customers, partners, and investors. It shows that you are serious about your business and helps build trust and credibility. Branding also plays a significant role in marketing and promotion. It enables you to use your logo on social media platforms, making your organisation easily recognisable, and ensures a cohesive and professional online presence on your website and email accounts.

 

Moreover, a unique logo makes your organisation memorable, increasing the likelihood that people will remember and recognise your brand. It helps differentiate your organisation from competitors, making it easier for people to identify and choose your services. Consistent branding ensures that all your marketing materials, from business cards to advertisements, have a unified look and feel, reinforcing your brand identity and clearly communicating your values and mission to your audience.

 

A strong brand can also create an emotional connection with your audience, leading to customer loyalty and long-term support. For organisations like fishermen’s associations, branding can foster a sense of community and shared identity among members. By focusing on logos and branding during the business plan stage, you set a solid foundation for your organisation’s identity and marketing efforts, significantly contributing to your success and growth.

Example Questions to Consider:

  • Name: What did you decide to call the organisation?
  • Symbols: Is there something that provides a visual representation of the name of your organisation?
  • Colours: What colours do you prefer?
  • Design Elements: Do you want writing in the logo, pictures, or art? Do you want fish or shellfish, boats, harbours?
  • Consistency: Do you want to create a logo that could be aligned with others?
  • Applications: Where might you use your logo? This can dictate how simple it should An embroidered logo for example works best in simple format with solid colours.

We were lucky enough to get funding to cover a graphic designer to help us create our logo. However, for future projects and creating our own notices, flyers, invites, we used software packages below and just did the design ourselves. If we hadn’t received funding for the logo, it would have been fairly easy to use one of these programmes,‘CANVA’ or ‘ADOBE’ to design the logo.

For all supporting documents please use the links below: