To add to its woes, a brand survey released by consultancy Added Value in March showed that Apple is perceived as less "inspiring" than it was three years ago.

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Tencent Holding company owns a number of Tecent name brand internet and computer companies principally engaged in the value-added services markets online and in telecom.

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The good news is that the brand can serve as a surrogate for the added-value consumers are looking for, and become a driving factor in the value equation.

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The retail brand, and what it stands for, has become a surrogate for added-value.

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While there are no universal personal brand metrics yet, these are still becoming factors whereby companies can show the added value they provide to their customers, and partners.

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