By the Bye

What not to do in business strategy - A lesson from Jon Huntsman's presidential campaign

2012-01-09T12:47:23-05:00

Designing business and marketing strategies is a complicated endeavor, often muddled and ill conceived. One of the biggest challenges I overcome when coaching my clients on a new strategic direction is getting them to focus only on on those things...

Don't let problem employees hurt your brand

2011-08-02T17:26:39-04:00

A few quick thoughts about problem employees: Failing to address and remove a problem employee says more about you (and your brand), then you might think. Since a brand is a set of assumptions and beliefs in the consumers mind...

Brand before Marketing

2011-06-01T09:16:54-04:00

Here's a chart I threw together to help quickly explain the critical elements of branding as they relate to marketing. There are way too many elements to ever fit on one slide, but I think the big rocks are there....

Taglines at work: Positioning a Physical Therapy practice.

2011-05-05T11:00:00-04:00

You don’t need to be a fortune 500 company to benefit from a unique positioning statement; even emerging businesses need a fresh angle from which to tell their story . Background When PT360 came to me for help with positioning...

Considerations when developing brand names.

2011-02-01T16:17:07-05:00

Challenging as it is, with the right guidance, choosing a new name for your business can be a very exciting project. To get it right you'll need to devote some time to analyzing your current situation, and be willing to...

Q&A: How to know if you brand is unique

2011-01-27T10:24:06-05:00

I'll try and answer this one simply,though there is much depth to understanding the originality of brands. The following isa sketchpad overview, and extension of the post: The 3 Elements of a Great Brand Brands are unique when they inspire,...

15 ways to be a great marketer.

2010-11-17T14:13:42-05:00

Many of my small business clients think they have no idea how to market themselves or their business. While they may lack the acumen to execute the perfect tactics, there are tenants of great marketing that anyone can easily learn...

Q&A: When to start branding.

2010-10-19T12:16:17-04:00

If you are asking the question, "when do I start branding".....the time has already arrived! Assuming you have a viable business model (that should be your first priority), and a passion to bring your offering to the world, the branding...

Positioning strategy. Actions speak louder than words.

2010-07-27T16:53:06-04:00

In my most recent consulting project, I’ve been uncovering what really makes my client's company remarkable while discerning how their competition positions and sells their story. After 2 months of analysis, we have a strong new direction for the business...

The 3 Elements of a Great Brand

2010-04-29T10:33:45-04:00

To build a great brand, you MUST focus on connecting the 3 elements that make up the foundation of great brands. When positioning and communicating your product/service/offer, you should consider: The MIND. (there are practical reasons for someone to choose...

You only get one chance to leave a LAST impression.

2010-03-09T09:39:43-05:00

Great experiences do not equate to happiness; great FINAL experiences do...

Great leaders have these 14 traits. Do you?

2010-01-06T12:24:03-05:00

I believe leadership is a tangible quality that you learn over time. Others feel that leaders are born, and those conceived without the proper DNA are destined to be cogs in the machine. Whatever school you subscribe to, there are distinct qualities exhibited by leaders which allow us to classify them as such.

The 3 'M's' to strive for in marketing and advertising.

2009-11-17T14:43:00-05:00

Does your ad resonate with your audience? Does it speak to them on an emotional level? Rationale aspects are important to show that your product is worthy of consideration, but connecting on a higher level is the only way to capture your audience's attention in a significant, long term way. Brands and companies, like people, have emotions, so show them!

A different kind of illusion. The meaning of life.

2009-09-09T15:16:44-04:00

I just came across this interesting quote from Carl Jung. In his memoir, Memories, Dreams, Reflections, Jung wrote that meaning comes “when people feel they are living the symbolic life, that they are actors in the divine drama. That gives...

How to get things done through the art of illusion.

2009-09-02T16:58:25-04:00

Recently I set up a meeting with some mutual friends/acquaintances that have a shared interest in movie making (two of them have a screenplay they're trying to film and the third has made a couple hit movies). I was the...