An interesting key factor in the human brain’s ability to change via neuroplasticity is that neurons form interconnections based on simultaneous firing over a certain period of time. According to researchers, this theory was first proposed by none other than Sigmund Freud, but was articulated in more detail by a Canadian psychologist Donald Hebb.

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This phenomenon has profound implications for many areas of brain science. Researchers have found that brain maps, the locations of the brain that correspond to individual body parts can be altered by training. For an example, let’s talk about an experiment where two fingers of a monkey were attached together for a period of months so that they acted, in essence, as a single finger; tests showed that the previously separate brain mappings for the two fingers had indeed become one, interesting isn’t it?

Another example cited by Mr.Doidge is the Association of a lover’s pockmark with arousal. What most would consider an unattractive feature became associated with the overall state of being in love, and began to be perceived as attractive. While this was a fictional account from a Stendahl novel, we know this happens in real life too. One illustration of this is given by Martin Lindstrom in his book Buyology. Here, Lindstrom notes that tobacco warning labels were found to stimulate craving for tobacco. The very labels intended to frighten smokers were, in fact, a cue to smoke. Certainly, this is much like Stendahl’s pockmarked mistress; by being present on every pack of cigarettes, the warning label becomes associated with the pleasurable aspect of satisfying a tobacco craving.

The neuromarketing message here is that a consistent experience with your Brand or product will become part of it. Researchers also found that embedded brand messages like Marlboro red and race cars could stimulate a desire for the product with no overt brand or product references. While few companies have the scale to market like Marlboro or Coca Cola, that doesn’t mean that the idea of a consistent branding message should be abandoned.

And finally beyond brand characteristics, we also think customer experience will cause these same kinds of associations. If a customer is consistently pleased by a product or service, that pleasurable experience will become attached to the brand. Conversely, bad experiences will also stick along.

Hence the “fire together” maxim is no doubt a key part of olfactory marketing. If you can associate a signature scent, like for example, that of Singapore Airlines, with an excellent experience, eventually that scent alone will evoke positive feelings. (There’s evidence that scent may be even more potent at this association process than, say, colors or slogans.)

For an overall statement to this blog, your customers’ brains are constantly forming new associations, so, is your brand “wiring” itself the way you want it to?