How To Use The NCP Brand

Looking After Our Brand

In order to build a strong identity we need to use a consistent method of presentation and communication in all that we do as drivers and/or members of the Network Of Consulting Professionals. By using a consistent visual brand identity across all our communications we will strengthen our position and awareness amongst all our audiences.

Presenting a consistent image helps our communications to be quickly and easily identified. As a result it increases our brand recognition and our credibility as a professional trusted group.

It is every member's responsibility to look after OUR BRAND, to display it according to the guidelines, in appropriate places and with the best possible impact.

And it is also YOUR responsibility to seek advice/assistance if in doubt, or in need of help; for instance

  • when preparing a piece of communication for use within The NCP
  • to reach audiences outside the network on behalf of The NCP
  • when using The NCP brand in conjunction with your brand.

Please contact Françoise Garnier early enough to give us time to help you optimise your communication piece and achieve a win-win.These branding guidelines will be updated as applicable and the latest version of the guidelines plus any standard logo jpg and png will be available to members here in the members area. For larger logo sizes contact Françoise Garnier.

Using The Brand Name

The group will always be referred to as

  • The Network Of Consulting Professionals, wherever possible, and when the network is first mentioned in a text.
  • The NCP, only when space is insufficient for a full logo, or to avoid awkward or extreme repetition in any form of communication (written, oral, video...).

Important:

  • Initials are both meaningless and not memorable. We must make The Network Of Consulting Professionals a well known and memorable name in order to give valuable meaning to the short version The NCP.
  • Also remember that the short name is The NCP, not NCP.

Our key Brand Messages

Brand Triplet & Slogan

When combined, these words encapsulate the brand story; they showcase the core needs of our audiences (potential members and clients) and the value we add. Remember that they "belong" to the NCP. So, when using them, you must make it clear that it is as a member of The NCP that you are using them.

The Brand Triplet = Support, Strengthen, Succeed.

When applied to a sentence in an elevator pitch, the subject of the sentence is “We” or “All members of The NCP”.

The slogan = We Take Your Success PersonallyExplaining the logo deviceThe NCP logo device represents the focus of the network on supporting each other and strengthening each other by working together for the success of the individual members and/or clients.Elevator pitchEach member should have an elevator pitch and clear brand message for their own brand. As networkers/“ambassadors” of The NCP, members can use an elevator pitch that connects with their audience and context and that integrates the brand triplet and the slogan. In fact, we recommend to refer to being a member of the network wherever possible. Remember to attribute the NCP brand triplet and slogan to The NCP, when you quote the NCP elevator pitch.

The Principles Of Using The NCP Logo

The logo must always be presented accurately and

  • May not be recreated or modified in any way
  • May not be distorted, nor cropped
  • May only be represented in the formats provided below
  • May not have the colours altered
  • May not be obstructed by any graphic or type element
  • May only be set on a light background that enables the logo to stand out and complements the logo’s colour scheme

General rule:Members of The NCP can use one of the approved NCP logo formats on their printed and digital communication (brochures, website, email**, social media profiles).Note that this list does NOT include business cards for 2 reasons:

  • in most cases, members are not representing The NCP,
  • and use of a second full logo in addition to theirs is simply confusing.

You may use the graphic device at the start of the line "x is a member of The Network Of Consulting Professionals" (see "Post-nominals, Signatures and Business Card Footers" below).** For emails, it is important to distinguish if the email is sent on behalf of the NCP (e.g. by one of the Committee members or as leader of an approved project of The NCP) OR is sent by a member on behalf of his/her business.- If the email is sent on behalf of The NCP, the full logo should be used (in a reasonable size for a signature).- In all other cases please refer to the section "Post-nominals, Signatures and Business Card Footers".Third parties preparing presentations for The NCP may use the logo in the footer of their presentation to The NCP members with their logo. It must be clear that the presentation is FOR The NCP. The coordinating NCP member should provide the correct logo and device together with the above principles. Quality and legibility must be maintained when downsizing. Compliance must be validated.See below for the detailed usage guidelines.

Logo Formats And Presentation

Standard Logo Without Slogan
Full size logo
The attached files include the print quality/ maximum size logo files we have. They are 11 cm wide. You can reduce the dimensions as long as every word in the logo remain legible.If you have a doubt or an issue in shrinking the logo, please get in touch with Françoise Garnier.Available as jpg (white background) and png (clear background)
Mini logo for website footers
To add a logo of The NCP in the footer of your website with other "credentials/ Trust marks", you may want to use the very small logo here. Make sure that you set it up as part of a link to our website. Scroll down a few lines for logo with slogan to upload a logo in LinkedIn's Education section in particular.
Logos for email signature
Email logos for members acting ON BEHALF OF THE NCP ONLY:Note: if you are NOT acting on behalf of the NCP, do NOT use the logo of The NCP in the signature part of your email; scroll further down for the appropriate signature line(s).Recommended size for emails: 5cm wide, as per these filesemail size logo jpgemail size logo png
Logo With Slogan
If you want to use the logo combined with the slogan please use the following file (also 11cm wide) and reduce its size appropriately. Available as png logo-slogan file (clear background)Please use this logo on LinkedIn if you are listing The NCP in the LinkedIn Education section.Note that this file has been set to fit the image format for the LinkedIn education section, and is the only one that fits the specs.The NCP png for LinkedIn education(clear background)See below for the slogan-only files.
Branding Device Only
This icon file is a large size. Please shrink appropriately.a png file(clear background)If you need to use this icon as a watermark for a presentation on behalf/for The NCP, please get in touch with Françoise Garnier.
Slogan Only
Available as a jpg file(white background) and png (clear background)The slogan is NOT to be used alone. The logo must appear on the same page as the slogan, within proximity in a layout that makes sense. See also above, for the images for the logo with the slogan.
Square Logo For social media profiles requiring a square format
Note this is ONLY for use where a standard format does not fit.Available aspng file (clear background)jpg file (white background)
Correct quality and proportionsTo ensure correct quality
  • Do NOT upsize the logo files provided (it will look fuzzy)
  • To reduce a logo, add the standard size logo into your document (word, PPT etc), then edit the image size from the format menu, typing the new size as a % of the original image and locking the aspect ratio.
  • Minimum Size: every word must remain legible.
  • No graphical or type element may obstruct any part of the logo
  • A minimum of 3 mm clear space should surround any of the above logo images.

Post-Nominals, Signatures & Business Cards Footers

Post-NominalsFor those members who like to show a long collection of letters after their name in email signatures and business cards, the post-nominal format for The NCP is: MTheNCPThe following examples show the approved format in practice:Jim Citizen MBA (IM), MAICD, FAMI, CPM, MTheNCPJim Citizen MBA (IM), MAICD, FAMI, CPM, MTheNCP.Signatures and business card footers2 formats can be used: single line - generic, or double line - personalisedThey are shown below with the graphic device.You can use the line without the graphic device. Typical examples are:

  • Email signatures where the email system used means that the inclusion of the graphic would make the line appear as an attachment to the email,
  • Business cards designs that would make the line too small to be legible.

Available as a one-line footer jpg and a two-lines footer jpg (however this one is a guide only as your name has to be typed in that format)Note: For emails sent on behalf of The NCP, the full logo can be used (in a reasonable size) if the member's email system permits. This is then a substitute for the member's normal logo.

Brand Colours And Typography

The consistent use of colours and fonts also supports the visual identity of our brand.The designed logo uses fonts readily available in Photoshop but which most people do not have on their desktops or laptops. So do not try to replicate the logo elements with your own fonts. That would guarantee that the logo would appear in all sorts of strange ways on other people's computer. Always use the logo images provided.Fonts for text in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint or equivalent for communication on behalf of The NCP:Headers/Sub-headers: Calibri Bold, Blue #0066ccCopy: Calibri, grey #333333 (80% black)Font sizes may vary but for presentations we recommend a minimum font size of 20pt for copy and of 22 pt for sub-headers, with 36pt being the best for headers.Fonts for stationery footers and email signatures in conjunction with the logo device:Calibri is the preferred option for printed and digital communication. If not available for emails, Arial or Sans-Serif are an OK alternative.Note: Only full members are automatically entitled to use the NCP logo in their documents.

Our Brand In The Context Of Our Events

A consistent presentation of our events helps build our brand identity. All names need to be approved before use. For reference, the main examples of approved event names are as follows:

  • The NCP Network Forums
  • The NCP BreakfastsThe NCP Breakfasts – Suburb or local area
  • The NCP Dinners
  • The NCP Convention

Building Our Brands Together In LinkedIn

The terms & conditions of LinkedIn clearly state that LinkedIn users cannot list as employers any network association of which a person is a member. Therefore listing your NCP membership as a “position “ breaches the LinkedIn rules. There are 4 ways in which membership of the NCP can be promoted on LinkedIn by a member:In the SummaryThis is the best place to do it. It is the most visible and it enables members of The NCP to link their membership with benefits and outcomes for their customers. And It is possible to insert a link to The NCP website.Examples:

  • As a member of The Network Of Consulting Professionals, I …
  • My clients have access to the breadth of expertise of The Network Of Consulting Professionals, …
  • Like all members of The Network Of Consulting Professionals, I am committed to support my clients in the challenges they face, strengthen their business and accelerate their success. We take your success personally.

in EducationYou can include The NCP for a CPD program and for accreditation if you attend the NCP Induction Course.You can include a description of The NCP under "program". The suggested text is:"Continuous Professional Development ProgramThe Network Of Consulting Professionals is a not for profit network of independent business advisors who are experienced professionals. They are leveraging their combined functional expertise and broad business experience. The NCP’s selection process and continuous development program ensure that NCP members provide effective advice.https://www.thencp.com.au"You can also include a logo (see links to the logo files further up on this page).in OrganisationsThis will be seen by people who scroll all the way past Skills, Endorsements, Education and look at Other Information.Mark membership as current (no need to include a start date).You can include a descriptive text, like The NCP elevator pitch or a description similar to the one under Education. Example:"The Network Of Consulting Professionals is a not for profit network of independent business advisors who are experienced professionals. Consultants, coaches, business advisors, mentors, they leverage their combined functional expertise and broad business experience. The NCP’s selection process + continuous development program ensure its members provide effective business advice /support."in RecommendationsWhen you write recommendations for another member of The NCP, how you write it markets you as well as the person you recommend and it impacts the NCP brand image. Write with due consideration to all 3 perspectives.

Do & Don't Cheatsheet & Checklist

do-dont-The NCP-branding-V1b (2018)A quick summary of the guidelines Using The NCP-checklist 7-2018A quick reference for 7 branding applications

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