TOTEM Times:
Philosophy & Humanism
Designing a culture isn’t about writing a document. It’s about igniting a movement.
It’s not every day that you get the opportunity to (literally) write the soul of an organization. That’s what we did with the PEGASUS FOUNDATION’s Cultural Identity Book. But it would be unfair to call it a project. It was much more. It meant looking beyond the manuals to understand what truly unites a team: […]
Today is 8, 8 hugs. Why 8 hugs? And why every 8?
Because there are gestures that don’t need translation. Because before brands, strategies, or algorithms existed, there was this: a hug. Science confirms it. Hugs reduce cortisol (the stress hormone), release oxytocin (the bonding hormone), and strengthen the immune system. Hugging not only soothes the soul, it also protects the body. And there’s more: studies show […]
Not all cultures are visible. But they are all felt
Many companies love to talk about culture. They prepare presentations, define values, design internal campaigns. But at TOTEM, we know that culture isn’t designed with aesthetics. It’s forged with decisions. Culture is the silent conversation between what an organization says it values and what it truly prioritizes when there’s no focus, no cameras, no urgency. […]
The internet didn’t change who we are. It changed how we do it.
Before, we said “hook up.” Now, we match. Before, we searched. Now, we Google. Before, we texted. Now, we WhatsApped. Before, we said “I’ll see you at the bar.” Now, it’s “I’ll stalk you on Instagram.” Before, we knew what to think. Now, we’re unsure what to believe. Before, brands spoke. Now… if they don’t […]
8Hugs for the 8th
Today is the 8th. And like every 8th, at TOTEM Branding we remember the power of the hashtag #8hugs of 6 seconds. And it’s not just a number. It’s an act as simple as it is profound. A genuine hug reminds us that we belong, that someone is there, that we are not alone. And […]
The generational shift is already here.
It’s not just coming. It’s already here. The generational shift isn’t an abstract phenomenon or a dinner-table conversation among sociologists: it’s tangible, visible, and brutally real. It’s felt in schools, in companies, on social media, in the streets. And it’s not just that young people think differently; it’s that they’re rewriting the rules of the […]
A father is like a great brand: he leaves a mark, inspires, and transcends
The most iconic brands are not just products or services; they are experiences, values, legacies that are built over time. A father is not just a provider or a guide, but a creator of identity, an architect of values, a builder of purpose. 🔹 Fathers teach by example. As in branding, what defines a brand […]
International Women’s Day 2025
Yesterday, the world celebrated International Women’s Day. Today, the conversation continues. Because while we honor achievements, the reality is that millions of women still face barriers in the workplace, pay disparities, and limited access to leadership roles. The 2025 Glass-Ceiling Index by The Economist ranks OECD countries based on workplace gender equality, shedding light on […]
Love makes the difference
Tomorrow, February 14, is Valentine’s Day. We still need a day to remind us of the importance of love. Maybe in a world increasingly dominated by algorithms and screens, where artificial intelligence seems to dictate the pace of life, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly moves us as human beings: love. The time […]
8 benefits of hugs
In every hug lies a universal truth: at some point, we all need to feel that we belong, that we matter, that we are loved, that we are alive. Today is the 8th. Today we celebrate the power of hashtag#8hugs. At TOTEM Branding, we believe that embracing—in its broadest sense—is a transformative act. Why do […]