The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle vs. The Brand Gap: How to Bridge the Distance Between Business Strategy and Design
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle
In a Tokyo suburb, a young man named Toru Okada searches for his wife’s missing cat—and then for his wife as well—in a netherworld beneath the city’s placid surface. As these searches intersect, he encounters a bizarre group of allies and antagonists. Gripping, prophetic, and suffused with comedy and menace, this is one of Haruki Murakami’s most acclaimed and beloved novels.
The Brand Gap: How to Bridge the Distance Between Business Strategy and Design
The Brand Gap is the first book to present a unified theory of brand-building. Whereas most books on branding are weighted toward either a strategic or creative approach, this book shows how both ways of thinking can unite to produce a “charismatic brand”―a brand that customers feel is essential to their lives. In an entertaining two-hour read you’ll learn: • the new definition of brand • the five essential disciplines of brand-building • how branding is changing the dynamics of competition • the three most powerful questions to ask about any brand • why collaboration is the key to brand-building • how design determines a customer’s experience • how to test brand concepts quickly and cheaply • the importance of managing brands from the inside • 220-word brand glossary

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Murakami at his best | 1 | |
Long, captivating read | 1 |
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They cut out some chapters in the English translation | 1 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
'The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle' is a long, captivating novel that showcases Haruki Murakami's storytelling prowess, making it a great choice for readers who enjoy deep, immersive narratives. In contrast, 'The Brand Gap' is a concise, strategic guide focused on branding and design, ideal for professionals looking to enhance their understanding of brand-building. The choice between the two depends on whether you prefer a fictional narrative or a practical business guide.
'The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle' provides a rich, layered narrative that delves into themes of loss, identity, and the surreal aspects of life, offering significant depth for literary enthusiasts. On the other hand, 'The Brand Gap' focuses on practical branding concepts and strategies, which may not provide the same level of narrative depth but is valuable for those interested in business and marketing. Therefore, if depth in storytelling is your priority, 'The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle' is the better choice.
'The Brand Gap' is designed as a quick, two-hour read, making it more suitable for casual reading, especially for those interested in branding and design. In contrast, 'The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle' is a longer, more complex novel that requires a greater time commitment and concentration, making it less ideal for casual reading. If you're looking for something light and quick, 'The Brand Gap' would be the better option.
'The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle' by Haruki Murakami is about a young man named Toru Okada who searches for his wife’s missing cat—and then for his wife as well—in a netherworld beneath the city’s placid surface. As these searches intersect, he encounters a bizarre group of allies and antagonists. The novel is gripping, prophetic, and suffused with comedy and menace.
Pros of 'The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle' include that it showcases Murakami at his best and is a long, captivating read. However, a con is that some chapters were cut out in the English translation.
'The Brand Gap' is a book that presents a unified theory of brand-building, combining both strategic and creative approaches. It aims to help businesses create 'charismatic brands' that customers feel are essential to their lives. The book covers topics such as the new definition of brand, the five essential disciplines of brand-building, the changing dynamics of competition, the importance of collaboration, the role of design in customer experience, and how to manage brands from the inside.
'The Brand Gap' is authored by Marty Neumeier, a renowned branding expert who has written several influential books on the subject. Neumeier has extensive experience in brand consulting and design, making him a credible voice in the field of branding.
The main topics covered in 'The Brand Gap' include the new definition of brand, the five essential disciplines of brand-building, the changing dynamics of competition, the three most powerful questions to ask about any brand, the importance of collaboration in brand-building, the role of design in customer experience, how to test brand concepts quickly and cheaply, and the importance of managing brands from the inside.
'The Brand Gap' is unique because it integrates both strategic and creative approaches to brand-building, rather than focusing on just one aspect. This holistic view helps businesses create more effective and charismatic brands. The book is also known for its concise and entertaining style, making complex concepts easy to understand in a short read.
'The Brand Gap' is designed to be a quick read, taking approximately two hours to complete. Despite its brevity, the book is packed with valuable insights and actionable advice for brand-building.