Tackling the Challenge
As Sri Lanka’s leading apparel exporter, Brandix isn’t just a corporate entity; it’s a vast community, with over 40,000 members across Sri Lanka and more across India and Bangladesh. Yet, amidst this diversity, a core challenge stood out: fostering employee engagement and ensuring the recognition of suppliers and partners. Brandix sought to deepen these stakeholders’ connection with the brand, enhancing their understanding and pride in the company.
Our Innovative Approach
While engaged in our role as a comprehensive 360-degree communications partner for Brandix, we at Q&E were tasked with crafting an engagement tool that would resonate with every individual at Brandix, regardless of their role, gender, or cultural background. We needed something that would not only unite the employees but also celebrate the rich Sri Lankan heritage that Brandix is a part of. Our exploration led us to a traditional yet powerful medium – the annual calendar. This wasn’t just any calendar; for a decade, it became a storytelling canvas, eagerly anticipated by Brandix’s staff year after year.
We delved deep into the roots of Sri Lanka’s history, highlighting the sophistication of ancient technologies, the beauty of traditional costumes, and the ingenuity of both ancient and modern Sri Lankan innovations. The themes were meticulously chosen to reflect the diverse facets of Sri Lankan life and achievements – from ancient irrigation systems and ritualistic vessels to the evolution of fabric and dance forms.
Each calendar became a cultural journey, rendered in vivid visuals and narrated in English, Sinhala, and Tamil to ensure inclusivity. We took great care in our research, partnering with esteemed institutions like the National Museum and the Archaeology Department of Sri Lanka, to ensure historical accuracy and authenticity.
The Lasting Impact
The Brandix calendar transcended its function as a timekeeper to become a symbol of pride and collective identity. It was not just welcomed within the organization but also revered as a piece of educational art. Its popularity burgeoned, turning it into a sought-after collector’s item among employees and suppliers alike.
The calendar’s success went beyond corporate walls; it garnered praise from the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka as an innovative homage to the nation’s history. Educational institutions, including schools and universities in Colombo, sought these calendars as visual aids and research resources, a testament to the calendar’s cultural and educational value.
Brandix’s initiative has done more than just share dates; it has woven a tapestry of Sri Lankan legacy, crafting an enduring connection between the past and the present, between the organization and its people.
