The document discusses how brand equity influences consumer decision making. It notes that brands help consumers cope with large numbers of choices by aiding recall and setting expectations through image associations. Powerful brands can dictate what attributes are used to screen out alternatives. Brand equity also affects the comparison phase, as consumers will compare other brands to a reference brand and perceive any differences from the reference as losses. Becoming the reference brand gives a strategic advantage, as improvements help the brand but decreases hurt competitors more. Managing brand equity primarily involves shaping consumer associations to build and maintain the brand as the reference point.