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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 …

Sharp Marketing From Dollar Shave Club

It’s a very rare thing: a true story about a successful company or organization in which marketing is the recognized hero. Usually, successful organizations like to point to “getting into the market at the right time” or “answering a need” as the reason for the cash register’s continued ringing. That’s …

Lessons From The Watermelon King

July is usually the hottest month of the year in Ohio. In July of 1966, I was just a kid, and it seemed especially hot. Air conditioning was still a rarity. If you wanted A/C, you went to a movie. In cars and in homes, it was practically nonexistent. But …

Get That Fomo Working

It’s five o’clock. You’ve had multiple text messages from friends urging you to join them for a drink at the local watering hole. You’d like to go. You could use a drink. But you also need to do some laundry tonight or you’re going to be wearing YSU sweatpants and …

Meetings Worth Staying Awake For

I like being alone sometimes. I’m not a hermit or a monk. But I could be Elton John’s Rocket Man or the guy that does a solo crossing of the ocean. Of course I want to come to back to civilization, but I don’t mind leaving for a good stretch. …