Update to 8gnc — Brand Growth Diagnostic

{
  "name": "brandprint-tier-c",
  "description": "Use when the user asks for Tier-C brand elements — brand mantra, brand personification, translation line, features-to-benefits mapping, brand style elements, brand personality vignette, or brand copy finalization — Layer 4 of the Brandprint research stack. Also trigger on \"run Tier-C,\" \"brand mantra,\" \"brand personality,\" \"header line,\" \"features list,\" or when the user wants ready-to-deploy brand style outputs derived from existing strategy. Use immediately when the brandprint-tier-b skill has just completed — chain directly using its output as the seed.",
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      "relative_path": "references/output-schema-tier-c.md",
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  "skill_md_contents": "---\nname: brandprint-tier-c\ndescription: Use when the user asks for Tier-C brand elements — brand mantra, brand personification, translation line, features-to-benefits mapping, brand style elements, brand personality vignette, or brand copy finalization — Layer 4 of the Brandprint research stack. Also trigger on \"run Tier-C,\" \"brand mantra,\" \"brand personality,\" \"header line,\" \"features list,\" or when the user wants ready-to-deploy brand style outputs derived from existing strategy. Use immediately when the brandprint-tier-b skill has just completed — chain directly using its output as the seed.\n---\n\n# Brandprint Tier-C — Style & Deployment Directive\n\nDeliver 4 Tier-C brand elements that are stylistic, derivative, and ready to deploy. These outputs create no new claims. Every line traces back to validated Tier-A and Tier-B truths.\n\n## When NOT to Use\n\n- **Tier-A or Tier-B output is missing.** This layer needs both as anchors. Without them, either collect equivalent inputs from the user or run the chain from Layer 1 — don't improvise anchors.\n- **Creating new claims or strategy.** Tier-C styles what Layers 1-3 validated. If the brand needs a new benefit, proof, or position, that's a Tier-A sprint, not a Tier-C edit.\n- **Long-form copywriting.** Mantra, vignette, translation line, features list — that's the full scope. Web pages, campaigns, and articles are downstream deployment work.\n\n## Chain Position\n\nThis is **Layer 4** of a 6-layer Brandprint research stack:\n\n1. **Core Human Truth** (Layer 1) → foundational truth sentence, tension map, archetypes, lexicon\n2. **Brandprint Tier-A** (Layer 2) → 10 defensible brand strategy elements with evidence-gated sprints\n3. **Brandprint Tier-B** (Layer 3) → 5 actionable brand elements with proxy tests (activator, platform word, tone, moat, no-no's)\n4. **Brandprint Tier-C** (this skill) → uses Tier-A + Tier-B output as seeds; produces 4 stylistic elements ready for team handoff\n5. **Competitive Positioning Audit** (Layer 5) → validates differentiation against named competitors; may trigger second-pass refinement\n6. **Brand Strategy Report** (Layer 6) → compiles all layers into consulting-grade deliverable\n\n**When Layer 3 has just completed:** Import the full Tier-B output JSON and the Tier-A JSON carried forward. Pull anchors — tensions, outcomes, equity ladder, tagline from Tier-A; tone, key phrases, platform word, no-no rules from Tier-B. Do not create new claims or re-research.\n\n**When running standalone:** Resolve all variables with the user. If no Tier-A/B anchors exist, ask the user to provide equivalent inputs (tensions, outcomes, tone adjectives, platform word, equity ladder) or recommend running the full chain first.\n\n## Variables to Resolve\n\nBefore starting, confirm these with the user (or inherit from Layers 1–3):\n\n| Variable | What to Capture | Default |\n|----------|----------------|---------|\n| `brand_name` | The brand being styled | *required* |\n| `topic` | Product, service, or subject | *required* |\n| `category` | Industry or category | *required* |\n| `audience` | Primary audience definition | *required* (or from Layer 2) |\n| `region_context` | Geography or cultural context | US / English-speaking |\n| `constraints` | Legal, brand safety, cultural constraints | None |\n| `languages` | Output language | English |\n| `timeline_days` | Suggested execution window | 3–10 days |\n| `mode` | `rapid`, `standard`, or `enterprise` | `standard` |\n| `tierA_anchor_ref` | Link or ID for Tier-A output | From Layer 2 if chained |\n| `tierB_anchor_ref` | Link or ID for Tier-B output | From Layer 3 if chained |\n\n## Principles (Non-Negotiable)\n\n1. **Alignment first.** Every line must trace to Tier-A tensions, outcomes, and equity ladder, and Tier-B tone and platform.\n2. **Clarity over clever.** Sixth-grade readability. Zero jargon.\n3. **Cultural hygiene.** Avoid stereotypes. Prefer inclusive, specific language.\n4. **No new promises.** If text implies a claim, link it to an existing proof or reword as mood.\n5. **Naming note.** If creating a new name or legal risk appears, escalate to Tier-A naming sprint.\n\n## Quality Gates (Global)\n\n- Plain-language check for all public lines\n- Alignment check against Tier-A and Tier-B anchors\n- Stereotype and cultural risk check\n- Word-count limits: mantra = 3 words exactly; translation line = 20 words or fewer\n\n**Mode adjustments:**\n- *Rapid:* One pass, one variant per element\n- *Standard:* Two variants per element and a quick alignment note\n- *Enterprise:* Three variants per element, cross-language check, and a mini style rationale\n\n## What NOT to Do\n\n- Do not contradict Tier-A or Tier-B\n- Do not add benefits or proofs that do not exist in the equity ladder\n- Do not use cliches or em dashes; keep punctuation simple\n- Do not ship jargon or insider language\n- Do not exceed 3 words for the mantra — exactly three, and hyphenating two words into one doesn't count\n- Do not keep a feature that lacks a mapped benefit and proof — cut it and log it in `gaps_list`; orphans break the equity ladder\n- Do not coin a new brand or product name inside a sprint — route it through the Name Hygiene Check and escalate to a Tier-A naming sprint if risk appears\n\n## Workflow\n\n### Phase 0: Intake and Anchor Pull\n\n**Goal:** Load Tier-A and Tier-B anchors and constraints.\n\nActions:\n- Load tensions, outcomes, target segments, equity ladder, and final tagline from Tier-A\n- Load tone, key phrases, platform word, and no-no rules from Tier-B\n- List any legal, cultural, or language constraints\n\nOutputs: `anchor_summary`, `constraints_list`\n\n---\n\n### Phase 1: Derivation Map\n\n**Goal:** Map Tier-C elements to their parents in A and B.\n\nActions:\n- Create a short matrix showing each Tier-C element and which Tier-A and Tier-B items it derives from\n- Flag any possible contradictions for review\n\nOutputs: `derivation_matrix`, `contradictions_watchlist`\n\n---\n\n### Sprint: Brand Mantra (three words)\n\n**Goal:** Distill the brand into exactly three words that echo the platform word and core outcome.\n\nActions:\n- Generate 3–5 candidate three-word mantras that echo the platform word and the core outcome\n- Remove cliches and internal jargon\n- Run plain-language check and rhythm check\n\n**Acceptance gates:**\n- Word count: exactly 3\n- Alignment with platform word and core outcome required\n- Plain-language check required\n\nOutputs: `mantra_options`, `final_mantra`, `alignment_notes`\n\n---\n\n### Sprint: Personification Vignette\n\n**Goal:** Make the brand tangible as a character people can picture.\n\nActions:\n- Draft a day-in-the-life vignette with fields: city, music genre, TV show, drink, outfit\n- Offer 1–2 alternates for different segments or moods\n- Run stereotype and cultural risk checklist\n\n**Acceptance gates:**\n- Stereotype check required\n- Alignment with tone and platform required\n\nOutputs: `primary_vignette`, `alternate_vignettes`, `cultural_risk_notes`\n\n---\n\n### Sprint: Header Translation Line\n\n**Goal:** Write the one plain-English sentence that explains what the brand does and why it matters.\n\nActions:\n- Write the plain-English SVO line: \"We [do X] so [audience] can [outcome].\"\n- Keep verbs active and concrete\n- Run plain-language check and confusion check\n\n**Acceptance gates:**\n- Max 20 words\n- SVO structure required\n- Plain-language check required\n\nOutputs: `translation_line_variants`, `final_translation_line`, `readability_notes`\n\n---\n\n### Sprint: Features List for Equity Ladder\n\n**Goal:** Map product features to existing benefits and reasons-to-believe with no orphans.\n\nActions:\n- Pull features from product facts; map each to the existing benefit and reason-to-believe from the Tier-A equity ladder\n- Remove any feature that lacks a mapped benefit or proof\n- Mark gaps for follow-up\n\n**Acceptance gates:**\n- Fact-check required\n- No orphan features (every feature maps to a benefit and proof)\n\nOutputs: `features_mapped`, `gaps_list`\n\n---\n\n### Optional: Name Hygiene Check\n\n**Goal:** Catch naming risks before they become legal problems.\n\nActions:\n- If a new or changed brand name is proposed, run pronounceability and basic availability scan notes\n- If risk is detected, escalate to Tier-A naming sprint\n\n**Acceptance gates:**\n- Escalate if risk detected\n\nOutputs: `name_hygiene_notes`, `escalation_recommendation`\n\n---\n\n### Phase: Integration and Packaging\n\n**Goal:** Assemble clean, ready-to-use Tier-C outputs.\n\nActions:\n- Run final alignment check against anchors and no-no rules\n- Package final variants and notes with simple usage guidance\n- Update derivation matrix with final references\n\nOutputs: `alignment_check`, `tierC_one_pagers`, `final_derivation_matrix`\n\n## Sprint Dependency Map\n\nTier-C sprints are lightweight and mostly parallel after the Derivation Map:\n\n```\nTier-A Output (Layer 2) + Tier-B Output (Layer 3)\n    │\n    ▼\nIntake and Anchor Pull\n    │\n    ▼\nDerivation Map ──┬── Sprint: Brand Mantra ──────────────────┐\n                 │                                           │\n                 ├── Sprint: Personification Vignette ───────┤\n                 │                                           │\n                 ├── Sprint: Header Translation Line ────────┤\n                 │                                           │\n                 ├── Sprint: Features List (Equity Ladder) ──┤\n                 │                                           │\n                 └── Optional: Name Hygiene Check ───────────┤\n                                                             │\n                        Integration and Packaging ◄──────────┘\n```\n\nAll 4 core sprints can run in parallel. The Name Hygiene Check runs only if a new name is proposed. Integration waits for all to complete.\n\n## Heuristics\n\n- Use verbs. Kill filler adjectives.\n- Prefer audience words over brand words.\n- If it reads like an ad, simplify it.\n- If two options tie, keep the one that is easier to use across channels.\n- No stereotypes. If you have to ask, cut it.\n\n## Output Format\n\nDeliver the final output as structured JSON conforming to the schema in `references/output-schema-tier-c.md`.\n\nThe JSON must include: `brand_name`, `audience`, `derivation_matrix`, `tierC_results` (all 4 elements plus optional name hygiene), `consistency_matrix`, and `audit_log`.\n\n**Forward chaining:** When this skill completes, recommend running the `competitive-positioning-audit` skill (Layer 5) before compiling the final report. Layer 5 validates whether the Brandprint positioning is actually differentiated from competitors. If it finds collisions, it triggers a second pass through Layers 1-4 with competitive context — which typically produces dramatically sharper positioning.\n\nIf the user wants to skip Layer 5 and go directly to the report, proceed to the `brand-strategy-compiler` skill (Layer 6). But note that skipping competitive validation risks shipping positioning that collides with an entrenched competitor.\n\n## Evaluation Rubric\n\n1. **Alignment** — every Tier-C element traces to Tier-A and Tier-B\n2. **Clarity** — plain language, low confusion, no jargon\n3. **Cultural hygiene** — zero stereotypes or lazy tropes\n4. **Brevity** — mantra is three words; translation line fits the 20-word limit\n5. **Consistency** — features map to benefits and proofs with no orphans\n6. **Deployability** — outputs are ready to paste into the Brandprint without edits\n\n## File I/O Contract (orchestrated mode)\n\nWhen an authorized orchestrator provides explicit paths, honor them exactly:\n\n- **Seed inputs:** read ONLY the JSON/YAML files listed in the dispatch prompt.\n- **Output:** write the final JSON object to the exact path given (under\n  `.brandprint/engagements/{slug}/pass-N/`). No other location.\n- **Return value:** your final message is the output path plus the layer's key\n  artifact — not the full JSON. The orchestrator reads files, not transcripts.\n\nWhen invoked as a direct skill call, present the JSON in conversation or through the supported file workflow and tell the user to preserve it for the next layer.\n"
}