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The Only Marketing Plan You’ll Ever Need

Yes, this is the only marketing plan you’ll ever need — and if it seems simple, that’s because it is. But even though it’s simple, it’s not easy. In fact, this plan is a real challenge. And remember, this just the bones; you have to add the meat. If you’re …

Building Blocks For Non-Profits

Non-profit organizations play a critical role in in America. The dynamics of their growth are unique and different than commercial, for-profit ventures. But they become more alike once the non-profit organization grows to a certain level. As few as ten years ago, branding, marketing and paid advertising was rarely discussed, …

Christmas Creep Starts Earlier Every Year

“Did you get my letter Santa?,” my kids would ask. “Of course!” he would lie. Then he’d wink at us parents and say, “But Santa gets so many letters, it’s hard to remember. Why don’t you tell me what you asked for?” Typically, Santa would officially arrive in most large …

Did The Marketing Grinch Steal Christmas?

Every Consumer in ConsumerVille liked Christmas a lot, But it was rumored that Marketing — simply did NOT! ConsumerVille Leaders claimed “Marketing hates the Christmas season!” But they never said why…never gave us a reason. They said what Marketing was doing was just not right. It had a grip on …

Same Wants. Different Words.

“Our customers are different,” says a prospective client in our first meeting. If I’ve heard that once, I’ve heard it a hundred times. I’ve been told “Our customers are different” by retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, medical professionals, brokers, bakers and consultants. “Our customers are different,” says the owner of the limo …

Communication Failures — Bad for you and your brand

In Cool Hand Luke, the famous 1967 film staring Paul Newman, the captain of the prison guards tells a prisoner named Luke that the sound of his chains clicking should remind him that what he was being told was for his own good. The wise-cracking Luke replies, “I wish you’d …

Working With Upset Customers

Most of us have been on both sides of the fence. We’ve been treated poorly — or at least with indifference — by a customer service rep, manager, retail worker or phone person. And if you’re in business, you’ve probably had the occasional upset (or maybe even unreasonable) customer to …

Are You A Marketing Guru?

In this age of reality TV shows like SharkTank and viral videos on YouTube — everyone is becoming more aware of marketing. That represents a giant increase in awareness, because until about 15 years ago, most people thought marketing was a trip to the grocery store. Of course, marketing could …