You Can Do It – Kipling’s Prescription for Success

Posted on December 27, 2011 | Leave a comment

I was recently introduced to Kipling’s “If” poem, and its theme is apropos for my last post of 2011.

So, I’ll spare you the predictions and Top 10 lists that you can get everywhere else.  Instead, watch this short video and draw out what makes sense for you in your professional and personal life about perseverance, leadership, inspiration, and as my Little League baseball coach Mr. Jim Ake used to preach, The Three Ds:  dedication, desire and determination.

Best wishes for a healthy and terrific 2012.

Headline

Don’t wait until the end of each year to engage in a bit of personal assessment and introspection.

Harvey Chimoff is a marketing and general management executive who defines and develops marketing capabilities in changing environments, particularly for marketing organizations in transition. He is a pragmatic go-to-market strategist and planner who delivers real implementation in B2B and B2C operations. Contact Harvey at hchimoff@gmail.com.

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Posted in Leadership & Coaching, Video

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Social Media Idea Powers Brazilian Condom Marketer

Posted on December 13, 2011 | 2 Comments

Ideas power marketing.

Today’s example:  check out this terrific marketing idea for Brazil’s Olla Condoms.

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Posted in Branding, Global Business, Promotions/Tactics, Video

Sexy Target Marketing Promotes Male Cancer Awareness

Posted on November 15, 2011 | 1 Comment

Source: HubSpot -101 Awesome Marketing Quotes.

A British health organization has taken a super-sexy approach to help solve the deadly serious issue of testicular cancer.

Let’s explore why this is such a great marketing lesson and reminder for all of us. Continue reading →

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Posted in Advertising, Global Business, Market Research, Strategic Marketing, Video

3 Innovation Thought-Starters

Posted on November 1, 2011 | Leave a comment

If you really want to challenge thinking and promote new ideas, get in the habit of asking ”Why” and “What If” more often.

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We’ve all been there.  Nothing pops the balloon of creativity and enthusiasm faster than hearing some version of these dreaded words:  ”that’s the way we’ve always done it.”  Of course it’s infuriating.  More importantly, most of the time the result is a stifling of idea generation and the development of the “I’ll just keep that to myself” way of doing things.  The next time you’re in that situation, try to respond with Why or What If.

Here are three ideas that can help overcome the “we’ve always done it this way” syndrome, and better yet, foster a forward-looking, innovative culture and mindset. Continue reading →

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Posted in Innovation, Leadership & Coaching

Don’t Be a Lazy Marketer. Use Marketing Briefs.

Posted on October 18, 2011 | 2 Comments

Hey marketers, if you can’t or don’t want to take the time on the front-end to map out just what it is you want to achieve and why, then don’t expect to have any success.  Sure, you might get lucky, but over time, the odds are greatly against you.  You need to write a marketing brief.

Tom Fishburne is a marketer turned marketoonist, with a special ability to communicate powerful ideas via cartoons.  I’ve been following his cartoons for years, and I love the one below.  It’s an essential marketing reminder and lesson.

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Posted in Strategic Marketing

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General Mills Pushes Magic Brownies. Plus 5 Tips for Evaluating Bold Marketing Ideas.

Posted on October 4, 2011 | 1 Comment

Photo: Fiber One.

You’re in a conference room being pitched ideas for the marketing rollout of your new product and the recommendation is to use iconic marijuana-smoking characters from a 1970s movie.  What do you do?

Let’s talk about General Mills’ marketing – Magic Brownie Adventure Movie – to promote its new Fiber One Brownies featuring actors Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong. Continue reading →

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Posted in Advertising, Branding, New Products, Positioning, Video

The Brand Management-Retail Management Battle at Sears

Posted on September 20, 2011 | Leave a comment

Photo: Craftsman.

Did you ever think you’d buy Craftsman tools at Costco?

Sears has been the exclusive home for Craftsman since 1927, with the highly regarded brand and Sears distribution channel forming a self-contained sales and marketing system.  No more. Continue reading →

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Posted in Channel Management, Strategic Marketing