Release Notes and Instructions for the Brand Values Worksheet

Step 1: Obtain a Copy of the Brand Values Worksheet

1. Visit the Provided Link: Go to the Google Sheets link for the Brand Values Worksheet (BVW). Don’t have a link? Go get one!

2. Make a Copy:

   • Google Sheets will offer you the option to Make a copy. This will allow you to save your own version of the worksheet to your Google Drive. To get the Synonyms, Dictionary and ChatGPT functionality, you need to allow the scripts and offsite data calls. I mean, you don’t have to, but the sheet won’t work if you don’t. 

   • You can see what the scripts are doing by clicking the View Apps Script link. It’s javascript, but readable enough that you can see nothing nefarious is going on. It’s Susan-approved.

Step 2 (OPTIONAL): Create an OpenAI Account

1. Visit OpenAI: Go to OpenAI’s official website. (https://platform.openai.com/api-keys)

2. Sign Up: Register for an account if you don’t already have one. You’ll need to provide some basic information like your email address. I don’t get this information, OpenAI does.

Step 3 (OPTIONAL): Create a Project and Request an API Key

1. Create a New Project: Once logged in, navigate to the API section and create a new project. Give your project a name that relates to how you will use it (e.g., “Brand Values Worksheet”).

2. Request an API Key: After creating your project, request an API key. This key will allow your copy of the BVW to communicate with OpenAI’s servers and use the ChatGPT functionality.

Step 4 (OPTIONAL): Add the API Key to Your Worksheet

1. Locate the Settings Tab: If you still have your copy of the Brand Values Worksheet open, the first tab is named ‘Settings’

2. Enter Your API Key: Find the cell designated for the API key and paste your new API key there. By default the code is the same color as the yellow background to keep anyone from taking screen grabs of your sheets and using your API budget.

Step 5: Start Using the Worksheet

1. Input Your Values: Go to the Value Picker tab of the worksheet and start selecting your brand values, choosing from the pick-list, or by adding your own custom values. Selecting the checkbox next to the value will turn the selection green.

2. Utilize Synonym Finder: Use the Value Synonyms & Definitions tab to see synonyms and Definitions of values you’ve picked. Often the synonyms will generate additional ideas or will be a closer match to your desired value. If so, add the preferred word(s) to the value list and refresh the file using ctrl-+R (cmd+R for Macs). This should refresh the synonym and explainer tabs. If not, select those tabs, and then refresh the file.

3. Using the Value Explanations tab: This tab is hidden by default, and must be ‘unhid’. If you’ve done the optional steps 2-4, the tab will use a custom ChatGPT prompt linked to your own API key. The underlying AppScript will generate detailed descriptions or examples of how your brand values can be expressed within your company to current and prospective employees, customers, and partners.

Step 6: Customize and Apply

1. Customize As Needed: You can further customize your worksheet according to your specific branding needs.

2. Establish a Baseline: Use the BVW pick-list to conduct surveys of stakeholders, employees, customers, and partners to ensure your brand values are getting through. If not, you can make course corrections and provide training and/or education where needed.

3. Implement the Insights: Use the insights and definitions generated to align your team and company communications around your defined brand values.

4. Don’t stop with Brand Values. Knowing who you are is only as good as how well that identity is expressed in every touchpoint and interaction. So get professional help to implement your Brand Values into an ongoing branding effort, bringing your brand story to the marketplace.

Additional Tips

• Budgeting for API Use: Keep track of your API usage as each request to ChatGPT may incur a fee. You can set spending limits within your OpenAI account settings. Setting a $20/mo limit is more than enough for this sheet for a single-team use.

• Seek Help if Stuck: If you encounter any issues, both the OpenAI community and the customer support team can provide assistance.

By following these steps, you should be able to successfully integrate the Brand Values Worksheet with OpenAI’s API, enhancing its functionality with the power of AI.

Take Your Values and Voice Out for a Drive

Want to bake your Brand Values and Brand Voice into your company communications? Ask me about a Custom GPT that will translate your copy-points into great copy-drafts that keep your tone on-brand.