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In this SoS (Sip of Solace) episode, Joanne Z. Tan reflects on what made that moment historic. From Yoshi’s calm under pressure to the Dodgers’ climb out of a 0–3 deficit, this game reveals how discipline, teamwork, and belief shape true heroism.
A short, powerful takeaway on leadership and performance when everything is on the line.
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©Joanne Z. Tan all rights reserved.
About Joanne Z. Tan
Joanne Z. Tan is the Founder & CEO of 10 Plus Brand, Inc., a brand strategist, thought leadership coach, and speaker. She helps executives, board members, entrepreneurs, and organizations decode their Brand DNA, build trust in the AI age, and lead with authenticity. A former journalist, award-winning photographic artist, Joanne was trained in law and business in the US, and had a liberal arts education from Brandeis University before earning a law degree. Her coaching emphasizes comprehensive strategies, business modeling, thought leadership and high authority content creation, brand building, culture, teamwork, resilience. She guides leaders to stand out with integrity, vision, and purpose.
Additionally, Joanne is a poet, writer, and photographic artist.
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How to Humanize Your Brand and Build Lasting Customer Loyalty with Brand Personality?
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In this episode, Joanne Z. Tan explores the five dimensions of brand personality — sincerity, excitement, competence, sophistication, and ruggedness — and shows how leading brands like Apple, Nike, and Starbucks use personality to shape identity and influence purchasing decisions. Learn how to uncover your brand’s core traits, align them with your values and audience, and create authentic connections that drive loyalty and growth.
🎧 Tune in to discover how genuine brand personality turns products into trusted companions.
About Joanne Z. TanIn addition to being a poet, writer, photographic artist, Joanne Z. Tan is the Founder & CEO of 10 Plus Brand, Inc., a brand strategist, thought leadership coach, and speaker. She helps executives, board members, entrepreneurs, and organizations decode their Brand DNA, build trust in the AI age, and lead with authenticity. A former journalist, award-winning photographic artist, Joanne was trained in law and business in the US, and had a liberal arts education from Brandeis University before earning a law degree. Her coaching emphasizes comprehensive strategies, business modeling, thought leadership and high authority content creation, brand building, culture, teamwork, resilience. She guides leaders to stand out with integrity, vision, and purpose.
©Joanne Z. Tan all rights reserved.
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Brand: In addition to the “whole 10 yards” of brand building, digital marketing, and content creation for business and personal brands. To contact us: 1-888-288-4533.)
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To read it as a 2-min blog
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About Joanne Z. Tan
In addition to being a poet, writer, photographic artist, Joanne Z. Tan is the Founder & CEO of 10 Plus Brand, Inc., a brand strategist, thought leadership coach, and speaker. She helps executives, board members, entrepreneurs, and organizations decode their Brand DNA, build trust in the AI age, and lead with authenticity. A former journalist, award-winning photographic artist, Joanne was trained in law and business in the US, and had a liberal arts education from Brandeis University before earning a law degree. Her coaching emphasizes comprehensive strategies, business modeling, thought leadership and high authority content creation, brand building, culture, teamwork, resilience. She guides leaders to stand out with integrity, vision, and purpose.
©Joanne Z. Tan all rights reserved.
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(About 10 Plus Brand: In addition to the “whole 10 yards” of brand building, digital marketing, and content creation for business and personal brands. To contact us: 1-888-288-4533.)
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Phone: 888-288-4533
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From Personal Tragedy to National WarningIn this episode, Joanne Z. Tan shares an intensely personal story. As a child in China during the Cultural Revolution, she witnessed how political passion, once inflamed, turned ordinary citizens into enemies. Her father, a professor, was exiled and died in forced labor. Her stepbrother’s mother, a school principal, took her own life after brutal persecution. Millions of others were betrayed, beaten, or killed.
These tragedies are not just history lessons. They are warnings for today’s America. The same forces—demonization, manipulation, blind obedience, self-righteous anger—can surface here if we fail to see each other’s humanity.
Why We Must Be Better AngelsJoanne urges us to:
Resist the pull of hatred, even when politically provoked.
See the human side of those who vote or think differently.
Remember that no good comes from violence—ever.
Practice civility, tolerance, and respect as patriotic duty.
We hold democracy in our own hands. Every word, every action matters. In divisive times, being our better angels may be the most radical form of leadership.
About Joanne Z. TanJoanne Z. Tan is the Founder & CEO of 10 Plus Brand, Inc., a brand strategist, thought leadership coach, writer, and speaker. She helps executives, board members, entrepreneurs, and organizations decode their Brand DNA, build trust in the AI age, and lead with authenticity. A former journalist, award-winning photographic artist, and immigrant from China, Joanne was trained in law and business here in the US, and had a liberal arts education before earning a law degree. Her coaching emphasizes comprehensive strategies, business modeling, thought leadership and high authority content creation, brand building, culture, teamwork, resilience. She weaves her life story into her work, guiding leaders to stand out with integrity, vision, and purpose.
©Joanne Z. Tan all rights reserved.
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(About 10 Plus Brand: In addition to the “whole 10 yards” of brand building, digital marketing, and content creation for business and personal brands. To contact us: 1-888-288-4533.)
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Phone: 888-288-4533
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In this video, global brand strategist and thought leadership coach Joanne Z. Tan unpacks:
✅ What brand authenticity really means (beyond buzzwords)
✅ How brands like Cracker Barrel and Coca-Cola show the risks of losing authenticity
✅ Why “social-first” brands are outperforming others with double-digit growth
✅ How AI is changing consumer perception—and why humans must lead creativity
✅ Practical steps to protect your brand identity, vision, and trust in the AI era
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Why does authenticity matter more than ever? According to the 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer, trust in institutions is dropping, while trust in brands is rising. Consumers are no longer just buying products—they’re investing in purpose, values, and honesty. Brands that “walk the walk” and “talk the talk” are the ones building loyalty, stability, and real human connection.
🔑 Questions to consider for your own brand:
What do you truly stand for?
How do your brand promises align with your actions?
Where should humans control, and where should AI support?
If you want to rise above the AI noise and build a brand that people trust, follow, and love, this video will give you the frameworks and insights you need.
Timestamps:
0:00 – Why Brand Authenticity matters now
2:45 – Trust shift: from institutions to brands
5:10 – What authenticity looks like in practice
8:20 – The AI dilemma: efficiency vs. human connection
12:15 – Case studies: Cracker Barrel & Coca-Cola
15:40 – Building an authenticity strategy for the AI Age
About Joanne Z. Tan
Joanne Z. Tan is a global brand strategist, thought leadership coach, and CEO of 10 Plus Brand, Inc. She guides leaders and organizations in decoding their brand DNA, discovering their unique value, and building trust in the AI age. Her coaching emphasizes comprehensive strategies, business modeling, thought leadership and high authority content creation, brand building, culture, teamwork, resilience, authenticity, and celebrating progress—mile by mile.
©Joanne Z. Tan all rights reserved.
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(About 10 Plus Brand: In addition to the “whole 10 yards” of brand building, digital marketing, and content creation for business and personal brands. To contact us: 1-888-288-4533.)
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Phone: 888-288-4533
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Half of consumers say AI content turns them off. Coca-Cola’s AI polar bear ad? Backlash. Because people can feel when the human touch is missing. Consumers aren’t fooled by polished AI “slop”.
AI is powerful for research and efficiency. But when it takes over your brand’s voice, you risk losing trust. Authenticity builds trust. Trust builds loyalty.
Take Cracker Barrel. When they tried changing their logo, customers pushed back. Why? Because authenticity is about staying true to your identity, history, and soul.
In a rising sea of AI-enabled mediocrity, what makes a brand stand out? One word: authenticity.
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Stay tuned for my next one-minute “Sip of Solace - Thought Leadership Coaching Tips”.
©Joanne Z. Tan all rights reserved.
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👉 Key Takeaways from this video:
✨ Celebrate often. Celebrate here and now. Celebrate yourself, your team, and the small victories that shape the bigger picture.
✨Celebrate not only milestones but also incremental progress.
✨Use celebration as a leadership practice to build morale and trust.
✨Anchor yourself in values while embracing change in the AI era.
✨Learn to reframe ordinary actions into celebrations that fuel growth.
✨Recognize that the journey itself is worth celebrating.
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When do you need celebration the most? Not just at birthdays, holidays, or after major milestones—but in the darker moments, during setbacks, disappointments, and failures. Learning to celebrate small steps is one of the most powerful mental skills you can cultivate.
"Happiness, to a large extent, depends on what you choose to pay attention to", says Joanne Z. Tan. By celebrating each mile, step, or inch forward, you fuel the momentum for the next milestone. As a Chinese proverb says, “Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still.”
Why Celebration Matters
Celebration is more than a party—it’s a discipline. It re-frames ordinary experiences into opportunities for meaning, joy, and resilience. Whether it’s a grand adventure to mark the completion of a book or something as simple as savoring one square of dark chocolate, celebration anchors us in the present moment.
Celebrate big: Mark life’s turning points with unforgettable experiences.
Celebrate small: Take joy in a walk, a moment of reflection, or the satisfaction of organizing your space.
Celebrate daily: Even the smallest rituals build resilience, gratitude, and clarity.
Celebration as a Leadership Skill
In turbulent times—economic uncertainty, political divides, and the accelerating AI age—leaders must learn to anchor their teams while also catching the wind of opportunity. The secret? Celebrate small wins.
Acknowledge your crew’s incremental achievements.
Build trust and camaraderie through shared joy.
Remember that "the journey itself is the destination", per Joanne Z. Tan.
As Lao Tzu reminds us, “He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.”
Celebrate Here and Now
Celebration is not narcissism—it’s gratitude in action. It builds a virtuous cycle: each small accomplishment sparks the desire to set new goals, which leads to new reasons to celebrate. Even in hostile or uncertain environments, this practice helps you see the silver lining and stay grounded in your values.
As Joanne Z. Tan says in her leadership coaching: “Be both the anchor and sails to those you lead.”
About Joanne Z. Tan
Joanne Z. Tan is a global brand strategist, thought leadership coach, and CEO of 10 Plus Brand, Inc. She guides leaders and organizations in decoding their brand DNA, discovering their unique value, and building trust in the AI age. Her coaching emphasizes comprehensive strategies, business modeling, thought leadership and high authority content creation, brand building, culture, teamwork, resilience, authenticity, and celebrating progress—mile by mile.
©Joanne Z. Tan all rights reserved.
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(About 10 Plus Brand: In addition to the “whole 10 yards” of brand building, digital marketing, and content creation for business and personal brands. To contact us: 1-888-288-4533.)
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Phone: 888-288-4533
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When do we need celebration the most? Paradoxically, in the darkest moments. True leaders and professionals can redirect attention from despair toward something—anything—worth honoring.
Why Celebrate the EverydayCelebration doesn’t require birthdays or milestones. Every step along your journey matters. By celebrating daily, you train your mind to live here and now—content, fulfilled, and grounded, even in turbulent environments.
The Leadership Edge in CelebrationIn times of economic uncertainty and political divide, leaders have a unique role:
Celebrate small wins—yours and your team’s.
Foster trust, camaraderie, and belonging.
Anchor your people while inspiring them forward.
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Stay tuned for my next one-minute “Sip of Solace - Thought Leadership Coaching Tips”.
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©Joanne Z. Tan all rights reserved.
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(About 10 Plus Brand: In addition to the “whole 10 yards” of brand building, digital marketing, and content creation for business and personal brands. To contact us: 1-888-288-4533.)
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Leaders and organizations alike need to check their anchors (values, beliefs, purpose) and trim their sails (strategies, plans, adaptability). A solid anchor keeps you steady; well-set sails let you harness the winds of AI, economics, and change to reach your true destination.
Bon voyage.
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Stay tuned for my next one-minute “Sip of Solace - Thought Leadership Coaching Tips”.
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©Joanne Z. Tan all rights reserved.
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(About 10 Plus Brand: In addition to the “whole 10 yards” of brand building, digital marketing, and content creation for business and personal brands. To contact us: 1-888-288-4533.)
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Phone: 888-288-4533
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Think about it:
What’s Amazon got to do with the river? Nothing.
What’s Apple got to do with the fruit? Nothing.
What’s Axion got to do with house cleaning products? Nothing.
That’s exactly the point. A strong business name doesn’t have to describe the product or service—it needs to be short, crisp (2–3 syllables), easy to remember, and owner-proprietary. Names like Apple, Nvidia, or Google work because they’re simple and open for the brand to define.
Done right, naming gives you control of your own story without letting others reframe it. Done wrong, it can box you in for years, and make you lose control of its ownership.
How do you get it right? That’s a deep, tailored process. Joanne Z. Tan, with nearly two decades of experience in brand identity and corporate naming, unpacks these ideas further in her upcoming book Brand Building and Thought Leadership Coaching in the AI Age.
👉 Get a sneak preview by subscribing to the newsletter: 10 Plus Brand Newsletter
Is it time to reinvent, rename, rebrand your organization?
If you need an initial consultation, please use the contact form on 10PlusBrand.com
©Joanne Z. Tan all rights reserved.
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Sometimes the easiest way to reset a computer is to turn it off and back on again.
In life, we can leverage the thought of mortality to reset our priorities. We can simplify and clarify what’s important. It lets us see what we missed.
The reminder of our own mortality makes us humble, grateful, peaceful, and focused. It helps us let go of distractions, keep our eyes on the horizon, stay true to ourselves, and rejoice in living.
It makes us appreciate our relationships and simple things that we’ve taken for granted.
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Stay tuned for my next one-minute “Sip of Solace - Thought Leadership Coaching Tips”.
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©Joanne Z. Tan all rights reserved.
Please don't forget to like it, comment, or better, SHARE IT WITH OTHERS!
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(About 10 Plus Brand: In addition to the “whole 10 yards” of brand building, digital marketing, and content creation for business and personal brands. To contact us: 1-888-288-4533.)
- Visit our Websites:
Phone: 888-288-4533
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