Question

Topic: Branding

Company Name Vs Brand Name, Which One To Use

Posted by Anonymous on 8/3/2012 at 8:19 AM ET 25 Points
I run an accounting / consulting firm. The name when I registered my company is Cecilia M Leung & Associates, in time I have created the company website and has been using the name Wizebiz.ca, and customers start paying me with wizebiz, wizebiz.ca, wisebiz, wisebis, you name it. Most customers would write me cheques with wizebiz or wizebiz.ca. Long story short, the bank refused to deposit those cheques so I decided to registered Wizebiz as a business name under the corporation. Now the confusion is that my clients would asked me my company name, and when I said Wizebiz, they will follow by 'what's the full name? Wizebiz Accounting? Wizebiz Bookkeeping?' When I told them the full name is Cecilia ...., they were pizzled and once again very confused as to what to write on their cheque. Also, I am about to put a sign in the front of my office for Wizebiz, but also worry that might create even more confusion.

So here is my question, should I add to the name Wizebiz? Should I just forget about the whole thing and go back to the original name? Or... is there a better way to communicate? Most of all.... should I change my company name in the front.. this is an important one because it will costs quite a bit.

Thanks
To continue reading this question and the solution, sign up ... it's free!
SUBSCRIBE
Or, SIGN IN

RESPONSES

  • Posted by Chris Blackman on 8/3/2012 at 9:57 AM Member
    Can't you get clients to pay directly from their account into your account?

    Here in Australia I put my bank account details on each invoice. When a client pays I get cleared funds in my account next day. No going to the bank, no standing in line, no fiddly deposit forms, no waiting for the check to clear...

    Surely that's possible where you work?
  • Posted by Gail@PUBLISIDE on 8/3/2012 at 10:00 AM Member
    If Wizebiz is the name of your business, that's all they should have to write on checks. You don't have to go through explanation of how it's corporately registered.
  • Posted on 8/3/2012 at 10:10 AM Author
    I wish this is like Austrialia. Paying direct to my bank costs $35 processing fee for my client, thanks for the lack of competitions in Canada. My bigger clients pay direct, but not small ones. Ultimately, it is the choose for the clients, I can't force them really. I do accept credit cards, cheques and even paypal, and wire transfer which is the same as direct deposit but again those costs on both end. For whatever reason, most companies would choose to pay by cheque, I think it is because its easier to do accounting. Very small clients, not company clients usually prefer to pay by credit cards or paypal. My paypal account is Cecilia M Leung & Associates, impossible to change to Wizebiz... sigh
  • Posted by Andy Fracica, MBA on 8/3/2012 at 10:54 AM Member
    Hi Cecilia,

    Since neither name really explains what you do, and you already have brand capital invested in both names. Here is an idea that you might try. Go to surveymonkey.com and create a survey in which you poll your customers and friends to see which name has the most visibility. You could ask them to select the name they like best.


    If the Wizebiz is selected, then file the paperwork and change your company name to that and go with it. If is your corporate name, then try to register your company name as a url and set up an automatic redirect if somebody types in wizebiz.ca. you register CeciliaMLeung&Associates.ca, it's probably available.

    This really is the classic problem that all business owners face when establishing a new business. I have a similar situation. My company is Fracica Enterprises, Inc. I am a marketing consultant, but my name doesn't say what I do. I have thought about filing a fictitious name (DBA) as Fracica Consulting, but then I would have to change the web URL and and a lot of other stuff as well so I have done nothing and it works.

    I am always in favor of testing. I strongly recommend that you try surveying your clients and business contacts using the free survey available on Survey Monkey and see what kind of response you get. That will give you a good indication of how your clients remember you.

    I hope this helps,

    Andy
  • Posted by Peter (henna gaijin) on 8/3/2012 at 7:33 PM Accepted
    I agree with the comment that it sounds like you have equity for both names. If so, I would keep both.

    If it is just a matter of people not knowing what to write on the check, I would just do what KSA said. Put a statement on all invoices that says "Make cheques payable to" with the name you think is best to list for that invoice (which name the customer is familiar with). Even where I think it should be clear, I still do have this listed on every invoice I send out.

    On door signs, if you are using both names, and people do go to our office (so need the using to find you), you will want both names on the sign.
  • Posted on 8/6/2012 at 10:49 AM Author
    Thanks everyone. I decided to just put "Make Payable to" on my invoice. Originally I have done what KSA have done that my logo is wizebiz.ca and small fonts with cecilia m leung and assoc underneath. I hired a marketing consultant who suggested to take that away. I did do a brief survey on the name with my friends and existing clients, they all like the name wizebiz. Also I've gotten married and the change of last name created another kind of nightmare. so I went ahead with the idea.

    Anyhow, I appreciate all your feedbacks :) Thanks.
BACK TO TOP

Post a Comment

Related Discussions

Community Info

Top 25 Experts
(Branding)