Don’t Drink the Kool-Aid
Marketing Heads insist “it’s a numbers game” and standardize campaigns to reach more people, neutering creativity in the process.
Warren Buffett on the Importance of Branding In 2023
If and when the economy turns south, you’ll be tempted to cut advertising costs.
Don’t Mess With My Rewards!
I was pissed off before I even read the email because I knew what it was going to tell me.
HOPE gets crushed when Despair uses a megaphone
The only advertising that gets customers immediately is through discounts. I’ve seen this picture before, and I don’t like the ending.
Personality Prescription, Part 12 – The Perils of Celebrity
It’s shocking how many reputational problems are the result of dumb decisions by the company spokesperson.
When advertising is the LAST thing you need.
Most businesses are blind to friction points that may be holding their sales back. Here's the solution.
The Personality Prescription, Part 1 – Stalled Growth
Stalled growth is an outcome of a growing dependence of home service contractors on digital media. They’ve bought into the “wasted circulation” concept.
Inflation is not the only silent tax.
I believe a 2-3% sales increase is a shrinking business. And a shrinking business should be in “All-in” mode to change the inevitable.
Knuckleheads are the test for success
On the path to happiness, knuckleheads shake owners like a paint can. They are a test. Are you really going to live up to your guarantee?
The Biggest Risk of Bonding Campaigns
Normally, when a business falls short, customers are merely disappointed or frustrated. Not so with relational customers and businesses to which they’ve bonded.
Small Business Social Media Limits
Facebook and other platforms can flip the switch and force small business owners into the world of being unknown.
Marketing in a crisis
Everything you know about business will be challenged. The time for having fun and farting around is over. You will be a Phoenix or a pile of ashes.
It’s the economy, stupid.
In 2004 my boss excused our poor sales performance on the Iraq war. Before that, it was a hurricane. And before that, it was the dot com bubble.
Intel – What would a new CEO do?
Transforming a business is never easy, but when is the right time to do it? Learn a valuable question to ask yourself.
Are we about to see a New Netflix?
Netflix better take care not to fall for the same mistakes Mr. Goizueta made with the launch of New Coke.