That headline isn’t 100% accurate. I don’t hate Ted.

I have a love/hate relationship with Ted Nugent.

I hate Ted’s asinine opinions (here is a link to stupid sh*t Ted has said). To me, Ted represents the very worst of fear-mongering and angry politics. He says cruel and hurtful things that set back progress. On a personal level, I hate what Ted Nugent says.

But professionally, I love what Ted Nugent has done with his brand. There is no doubt about what Ted Nugent stands for. His brand is amazingly well-defined, especially when you consider his relative musical irrelevance. Ted Nugent hasn’t had a hit song since 1980′s “Wango Tango”! Yet thirty two years after that record came out, he still manages to find ways to define his brand clearly.

Ted Nugent is like Chick-Fil-A.

The Chick-Fil-A chain has their fast-food chicken outlets in 39 states. The company has never shied away from their founder’s religious views. As devout Southern Baptists, the Cathy family closes their stores on Sundays, has placed religious reading material in their children’s meals, and includes “to honor God” in their corporate mission statement.  COO Dan Cathy recently stirred controversy when he said “I think we are inviting God’s judgment on our nation when we shake our fist at Him and say, ‘We know better than you as to what constitutes a marriage’. I pray God’s mercy on our generation that has such a prideful, arrogant attitude to think that we have the audacity to define what marriage is about.”

Yes, in 2012 Chick-Fil-A is against gay marriage.

Just as I hate what Ted Nugent says, I personally hate what Chick-Fil-A stands for.

Yet I am tremendously impressed with their ability to stand up for what they believe in, state it clearly, and use it to define their brand.

The press coverage of Chick-Fil-A has been intense. The recent “Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day” drew thousands of customers to their stores, creating long lines of like-minded diners who came out to show their support to Chick-Fil-A and the company’s views. On the other hand, LGBT groups are planning a Chick-Fil-A “Kiss In”, with a mission to show visible same-sex affection inside Chick-Fil-A stores.

While I don’t agree with Chick-Fil-A’s views, I do admire their ability to use them to define their brand.

Does your business have values that define you and set you apart from your competitors?

What do you stand for?

What do you do (or don’t do) that defines you?

What values would you be comfortable walking business over?

Your values don’t have to be as extreme or controversial as Chick-Fil-A’s or Ted Nugent’s. They just need to exist.

Whole Foods values sustainable farming. They would walk away from business that didn’t reflect those values.

Volvo values safety. They wouldn’t create an unsafe car in order to make a quick buck.

Rolex values quality. They wouldn’t create a low-end watch just to cash in.

Start building a stronger brand right away, using the core marketing strategies of rock legends like AC/DC, U2, Jimmy Buffett, The Grateful Dead, and KISS. Download or order Brand Like A Rock Star right now!