Marketing is a privilege, not a right

During tough economic times I often see companies that seem to think that marketing is more of a right than it is a privilege. Just because things may be tough right now doesn’t mean that you have the right to:

Sneak in extra charges hoping consumers won’t notice.
“Upgrade” your monthly email newsletter subscribers to a [...]

Keeping it complicated

I think many have mastered the complicated – a double-talking political candidate, a call center telephone menu system that has you pushing more buttons than a spirited game of Guitar Hero, companies trying to be all things to all people (and doing none of them well), and tax laws that befuddle and confuse.
I think complicated [...]

3 things to truly change your business

We hear it all the time - “You’ve got to be different to make it in today’s business world.”
In other words….
Be a Zagging, Purple Cow in a Blue Ocean (a gold star on your forehead if you understand that phrase).
“BUT HOW?”, lament many frustrated companies. It seems like you make a product and BAM! [...]

Flash of Insight: Suprise!

This is my attempt at a “Yogi Bera-ism.”
Surprising a customer can go a long way - especially if they’re not expecting it.

Confusing definitions and purposes

“The purpose of a business is to make money.”
You hear this all the time…and it’s dead wrong. Just as the purpose of life is not to “breathe in and out”, the purpose of business is not to make money (nor is it to increase shareholder value either). Breathing and making money are mere [...]

Seinfeld on Marketing: Secret weapons and selling computers

It’s that time again. In this episode of Seinfeld on Marketing, Frank Costanza is talking to his son, George, about how he is selling computers.

GEORGE: You’re selling computers?
FRANK: Two months ago, I saw a provocative movie on cable TV. It was called The Net, with that girl from the bus. I did a little [...]

Share of Expectation

If you want to have a truly great brand in the eyes of your customers, forget for a moment about Share of Market and even Share of Wallet. To consumers, these are meaningless measurements that focus on the wrong ideals – size and money.
Instead, focus on Share of Expectation. What do I mean? [...]

Flash Insight: Don’t make me mad

I’ts been some time since I posted, so I thought I would ease back into it with a short post.
Rabid customers multiple faster than any rabbit ever could.

Is this your Employee of the Month?

[Click to Enlarge]
Don’t let Company Policy work overtime at your company, use principles instead.
We need your help! Company Policy Man is seeking to destroy the lives of decent customers everywhere and he must be stopped! Please do your part by:

Posting this on your blog.
Printing the picture and hanging it next to your desk.
Discussing it [...]

You’re gonna have to…

So there I was minding my own business in my local video store when it happened. I wasn’t trying to cause any trouble or disrupt the status quo. I had (or so I thought was) a simple question for the clerk. But after waiting my turn in line, she said:
“You’re gonna have [...]