A Look Back at my 2019 Brands to Watch
As the year comes to a close, it seems like a logical time to look back at my 2019 Brands to Watch. You can see my assessment here. I’ll be out with my 2020 Brands to Watch in early January. Happy Holidays!
The Surprising Power of Audio Feedback
This fall I tried a new approach to grading papers: recording audio clips instead of writing comments. I was amazed by the positive results. I think audio is an idea to consider for anyone who gives feedback, whether the feedback is on papers, proposals, or individual performances. The Grading Challenge Grading is one of the […]
A Good Reminder to Get There Early for a Presentation
I recently taught a course in Denmark to a group of business executives, and in the process I was reminded of one of the most basic presenting tips: show up early. The Scene My presentation was scheduled for 8:30, so I arrived at 7:45. I actually got to the neighborhood earlier and enjoyed a cup […]
Why Free Walking Tours Work
Recently I had the opportunity to teach a course over in Copenhagen. It was a fun few days with an engaged, remarkably sharp group. While I was there, I had a bit of free time so I signed up for a free walking tour. It was terrific. The Concept Free walking tours have become very […]
The Power of Customer Delight
A customer is not just a customer. Some customers see the purchase experience as just a transaction. They may buy your product or service, but there is no loyalty, joy or affection. Perhaps you were the cheapest option that day, or the most convenient. Other customers are reluctant, begrudging buyers, who might even wish they […]
Elizabeth Warren’s Savvy Marketing Strategy
To be successful as a brand in a competitive market, you have to find a way to differentiate—and the Democratic field of hopefuls is no exception. This presents a greater challenge than one might think, because it is not easy to find and then communicate a motivating differentiator. Elizabeth Warren seems to have found hers. […]
Learning from Trump’s Weather Map Fiasco
This week President Donald Trump provided an important lesson for anyone gearing up for a business presentation: only present rock solid data. The Mysterious Line During a press briefing on Hurricane Dorian, Trump held up a weather that featured what appeared to be a black line drawn by hand. You can see the chart here: […]
An Opportunity for the NY Times: Super-Premium Subscriptions
One of the keys to building a successful business is capturing value; you want to align your pricing with the value you provide to your customers. If you are giving customers something of great significance, you should price accordingly. Savvy brand managers understand this. Starbucks executives know that some customers love the special, custom drinks and set […]
Confusion as a Defensive Strategy
Sometimes the best way to protect your brand is to confuse people. An Illinois Election A recent election in Illinois provides a good example of the confusion strategy. In 2016, Michael Madigan, a powerful state politician, faced a primary challenge from Jason Gonzales in a district that is 73% Hispanic. Madigan, concerned about the threat, arranged for […]
Financial Advice for Graduates – 2019
It is graduation week at Kellogg! Later today, students will walk across the stage, receive their degrees and head into the working world. For the past few years, I’ve posted some words of advice for the graduates, and I’m continuing the tradition. Today, I’m focusing on finances (I posted some similar financial advance in 2017). […]
Fair Oaks Deals With a Brand Crisis
Last week I wrote about UNC Health Care and the organization’s disappointing efforts to deal with a devastating article in the New York Times. This week, another brand, Fair Oaks Farm, is facing a brand crisis and making the right moves. Fair Oaks Farm As you drive from Chicago to Indianapolis, you pass a remarkable dairy operation: […]
UNC Health Care’s Brand Crisis
UNC Health Care is a facing a devastating brand crisis today and doing a terrible job of managing the situation. This is a fascinating, tragic story about healthcare, brands and trust. The New York Times Report Yesterday, the New York Times ran a long, detailed article describing issues with cardiac pediatric surgery at UNC Children’s […]