Business Social Networking for New Zealand Businesses
How did you come up with your company name?
I am in the process of trying to think of a name for my business, I have a few ideas but I just can't decide. How did you come up with your company name and how important do you think it is to get it right now?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Heike Miller on -
If you are an entrepreneur who offers services, I would nowadays recommend to choose your own name, eg. you are a copywriter or a coach. I've heard the same opinion from other entrepreneurs as well. Often people remember your name, but not the business name. I started off with a business name, but have also now secured a domain name with my real name because it's just gets too confusing when you market your name and your company name.
But it really depends on your business.
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Permalink Reply by Debra E Clark on -
its very important to get it right.... but what is right. Depending on your type of business I believe depicts what sort of name whether it be simple to the point or abstract or creative...
When thinking about your name, its equally important to think domain name, companies register, IPONZ, what does it mean overseas, etc...
Gosh, that didn't make it simpler did it??? But I'm sure there's more to think about...
Regards, Debra.
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Permalink Reply by Bianca Howe on -
Thanks ladies for your comments. Its a really hard decision. More time and research I think, I guess I will know when I find the right one.
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Permalink Reply by Phil Astley on -
This is really tricky. What is the name actually for anyway?And where's your business going? Think of the successful businesses today. What do they offer. I suspect many of them were simply people's names - and their success has made that name synonomous with what they do.
As for your ideas - have you checked to see if suitable company and domain names are available? Would IPONZ regard them as suitable for registration? What if you take a slightly different tack - what will that mean for the name?
A company name I registered some years ago was chosen partly because it came alphabetically before a firm that could be seen as a competitor. Very boring reason - but at that time we were tired of being beaten to the draw, as it were.
Getting the name right from the start isn't essential - you can always rename - but it's a lot easier to build a brand if the name doesn't change every time a key person leaves. or the work focus changes. IBM still uses the same name today - but its business has changed a bit over the years. I'm sure you can think of other examples too.
Boy, it was hard enough thinking of names for children. Getting it right for a company is at least as hard.
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Permalink Reply by Cabal Investigations on -
I don't think that the actual name is all that important as long as it fits in with certain criteria (such as domain name availability, company name availability, relevance to industry etc etc).
I chose 'Cabal' because it fit (sort of) within of the subject area of what we do and are, because it is short and easy to remember.
That's pretty much about it.
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Permalink Reply by Julie Hignett on -
Your in Marketing that a fun industry to be in! It is funny that all the names in the marketing industry are all a little different as they all try to be different from one other. But that the fun of it isn't it.
I am sure it will come to you - all the best.
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Permalink Reply by John Jackson on -
A brand is extremely important in any industry - when you establish a business you build up recognition of your "brand” with your customer base, so I believe you need to have continuity. Heike is quite right if your business is you - that is your brand!
If your market is international/internet based you will need a .com or .co.nz address depending on your market, so need to consider available domain names…
You need to think about what image/message you want to present to your consumer/customer base. Your brand needs to be memorable. It’s often easier to resolve a brand name by coming up with a tag line that represents your point of difference...
Your company name and brand of course do not have to be the same thing...
When we came up with an identity I wanted something that stood us apart from other software development companies calling themselves techie names - we went with the brand name "Hand". Sounds a bit abstract, but we wanted something synonymous with quality often using the line “software made by hand” in our marketing. Our logo was something everyone has always remembered and our name because it is so different…Our tag-line is “Your blueprint for success” – handprint in blue – you would have to see our logo to get it…
Though our branding has been updated through the years our name/identity has not.
Good luck with the business!
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Permalink Reply by Philip Bridgen on -
I had been formulating my organisational team analysis and modelling concepts for some time before I put all the IP into a corporate structure. I wanted the company name to a) identify what the company is all about, b) be catchy, inimitable, and memorable, and c) if possible, to characterise some of the team-work traits of both Maori and European New Zealanders. After reviewing and polling a number of possible names, I chose a Maori colleague's suggested phrase: Mahi-Tahi. The precise meaning varies somewhat according to context, but basically Mahi-Tahi encompasses "collaborate", "working together [to attain a shared goal]", "work for the [common] good", and "finding the pathway of working together".
Given a long-term aim to market internationally, I checked the ease of correctly pronouncing "Mahi-Tahi" with a range of New Zealanders and other people from North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Everyone got it right first try, rather to my surprise, and all were intrigued and interested to learn the meaning, and how appropriate it was to my company's activities. I also checked that Mahi-Tahi had no negative connotations in other significant languages. So there you have it: that's how and why I came up with my company's name - Mahi-Tahi Teamwork Limited!
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Permalink Reply by Bianca Howe on
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Wow lots of responses thanks guys. I am not in fact in Marketing as Julie thought, that is just where I put this discussion in the Forum. I am in fact thinking of starting my virtual assistant business. Because I want to be able to use a good friend of mine when I am too busy or unavailable I think i will go with a brand/company name rather than my own, also in case I expand in anyway I guess. I have a few ideas now, I just want something that describes it so people know what I do but is also kinda quirky. I think I have settled on something but until I check it out (Domain names etc) I am keeping it open for change. :)
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Permalink Reply by Phil Astley on
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Hi Bianca "I just want something that describes it so people know what I do but is also kinda quirky.
I was at a seminar - nothing to do with company names - where a principle was stated as very important - and I just wondered if it applies to company names as well. The speaker suggested quirky is interesting - and can defeat the prime purpose. I can see that it can certainly apply to logos, for example. The more times you have to explain the hidden nuances, the less time you are focussing on what the business is about. Be careful out there. What appeals to one is nonsense to another.
Best wishes
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Permalink Reply by Bianca Howe on
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I understand what you are saying Phil, thanks for your advice. I will take that into account. Perhaps shortly I can run a few name ideas past everyone and get some feedback! :)
Phil Astley said:Hi Bianca "I just want something that describes it so people know what I do but is also kinda quirky.
I was at a seminar - nothing to do with company names - where a principle was stated as very important - and I just wondered if it applies to company names as well. The speaker suggested quirky is interesting - and can defeat the prime purpose. I can see that it can certainly apply to logos, for example. The more times you have to explain the hidden nuances, the less time you are focussing on what the business is about. Be careful out there. What appeals to one is nonsense to another.
Best wishes
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Permalink Reply by Raewyn Weller on
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Hi Bianca, I read Roger Hamiltons book 'WINK' several times and eventually decided that I wanted to share the simple but effective learnings within it with as many people a possible so formed a Company and created workshops and seminars using the book. (with Rogers permission) Hence my business name 'Wealth in Knowledge' Within it it has Wink, Think, Ink, Know, Edge and if you don't do all of those you may fall off the Ledge.
I do have a sense of humour....
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