“Cultural Transformation” is a big deal in the business world right now. Chalk it up to several factors: a) An aging executive and middle-management base 2) the continued compressed economy and 3) a massive influx of technology that empowers buyers. All three factors are causing companies to re-think their business models, their marketing plans – and their internal culture.Read More
Speaking from my years of experience, being a consultant can be a tough gig. We are selling intangible services that are often attached to a delayed outcome. Thanks to economic compression, we have more competitors than ever. And we are often fighting over smaller budgets and short-term projects. Despite all this, we work on our craft, hone our skills and try do deliver results for our clients … and screw that all up by killing our brand.Read More
A typical task this time of year for small business owners or marketing decision-makers is to write a marketing plan. There are plenty of articles and posts on how to write an effective marketing plan. So here is one on how to NOT write an effective plan.Read More
‘Tis the season for blog posts and articles on the “Best/Worst of 2011” and trend-watching for 2012. I don’t know how many marriages Kim Kardashian will have or if Justin and Selena will tie the knot. But I do believe these are the top 5 marketing trends that decision-makers should be watching in 2012:Read More
I’m frequently asked what books I read–and what books I would recommend others read. There are plenty of very helpful books on how to do something. And plenty of books that will make you think. But what if you wanted to fundamentally change your thinking? To re-wire your brain so that your thinking (and behavior) become a competitive advantage?Read More
We have all watched brands lose their way. We’ve seen established brands take the slow walk to irrelevance. We’ve seen start-ups that crashed on take-off. We’ve seen vibrant brands that were all the rage suddenly become as popular as cold gravy.Read More
Over the past few years, I’ve had the privilege of working with some elite brands. Many are brands that are not well known outside of their market area. Some are quietly elite. And some are brands you’ve probably bought something from. In working with these elite brands, I have been struck by how hard they work, how driven the executive teams are, and their general humility about their eliteness.Read More
Remember when having a Blackberry was a status symbol? Remember when Blackberry was cool?
As of January 2011, Blackberry still holds the #1 market share position for smart phones (Android is #2 and iPhone is #3). Yet something is missing. Blackberry is no longer a must-have item. They used to be Bacon, but now they are on the precipice of two cliffs:Read More
Brands are living organisms. Like any organism, they get sick – and sometimes die. And like any organism, the symptoms often mask the cause.Read More
Standing out is the most basic element of branding. Getting noticed is the spark that leads to brand awareness – and maybe even convinces someone to buy your stuff.Read More
