Warren Buffett’s wisdom rings true: “It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.” As an expert witness in trademark cases and a veteran brand consultant, I’ve seen the profound truth in these words. However, in today’s digital age, even five minutes seems generous.
Early in my career, I had the privilege of meeting Walter Landor, founder of the iconic brand consultancy that bears his name. During my more than 20 years with Landor, consulting for renowned brands across categories and continents, we always began our client conversations with his famous quote: “Products are made in a factory. Brands are built in the mind.” This simple yet profound insight has guided my work with some of the world’s most recognizable brands and remains more relevant than ever in our digital era.
