I’m a logophile, I admit it. I love words and language and communication. I love getting a particular message across to a particular audience, and I love helping clients do the same. It serves me well in my career as a brand consultant, as the visuals and the message are equally important.
What is it about some companies? You know the ones . . . the companies that you want to see do well, that you love working with, that you’re loyal to, or that you’re rooting for because they are special in some way. Sure it probably starts with a good product or service—but it’s way more than that, because lots of businesses offer good products or services. Is it good marketing? Well, sometimes good marketing helps, but it goes more to the core of an organization. We believe that these are the companies that have a clear and specific vision about why they exist (and it’s not just about making money) and are able to articulate it beautifully.
I’m a basketball fan by default. Having a son who could quote very detailed NBA player stats since he was about eight years old made it so. And in the throes of March Madness, that now 18-year-old George Mason freshman got me at least paying attention to this incredibly exciting March ritual. So, GMU was out early, but so were many of the top seeds. From the teams that make up the final four, only Kentucky was ranked in the top 10, with UConn, ranked 11th. But two teams, the no. 37-ranked Butler and no. 50-ranked Virginia Commonwealth have surprised pundits and upset many an office pool. What can businesses learn from this year’s March Madness?
New buying behaviors, the social media explosion, fear of spending, a scramble to be all things to all customers — these are the stepchildren of the 2010 economic situation. But 2010 is gone. 2011 is here. And change is a-comin’. As we move deeper into 2011, we need to behave differently. It’s time to veer away from the deer in your headlights, get on with things, and do more than survive. Signs of economic turnaround are everywhere.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, the holidays are here! When it comes to holiday newsletters, now is the time to spread the cheer. Don’t have much time on your hands? Let us make it simple with a few quick tips:
