We’re at the halfway point of 2013 and with six months behind us, it’s time to review 2013 marketing trends to see how far we’ve come. In December 2012, I published a list of five brand marketing trends that would shape marketing strategy for the next twelve months. Those trends focused on big data, behavioral targeting, mobile marketing, social media marketing budgets, and the growth multiple screens. Let’s take a closer look at each.

1. … Read the rest

Some people like change – but most people don’t. This is the central barrier of persuasion. And overcoming this barrier is the most important task when engaging an audience through a user interface. The secret? Make your product the consumer’s status quo.

Most decisions come with a status-quo alternative. We can change our ideas, attitudes, and behavior – or we can change nothing, choosing to accept things as they are.

A phenomenon called the Status … Read the rest

We’re at the halfway point of 2013 and with six months behind us, it’s time to review 2013 marketing trends to see how far we’ve come. In December 2012, I published a list of five brand marketing trends that would shape marketing strategy for the next twelve months. Those trends focused on big data, behavioral targeting, mobile marketing, social media marketing budgets, and the growth multiple screens. Let’s take a closer look at each.

1. … Read the rest

Most graduates are aware that corporates sometimes use social media to screen candidates before giving them an interview, but the reality is that very few do anything about it. A quick glance at a public Facebook page can be more than enough for an employer to change their mind about an otherwise strong candidate. But how much is too much, and is it fair for top recruiters to be scouring the internet for information they … Read the rest

In a previous post about tone at the top I discussed this subject… The post appeared when the economic crisis of 2008/2009 was about to start. Now tone at the top and innovation governance are more important than ever.

Simply put, ‘tone at the top’ is the sum of the Board’s and the C-Level manager’s values, actions and communications. How these responsibilities are executed will influence the success of the enterprise through the near future and … Read the rest

Earlier this week I was lucky enough to attend the 12th Annual Responsible Business Summit in London which was superbly hosted by Ethical Corporation. Having predominantly experienced investor relations conferences, I was full of enthusiasm for the wealth of new information and ideas about to assault my senses, and two full days later, I am pleased to say that it was an incredibly interesting and perhaps I could even say, an inspiring event.

A … Read the rest

When I teach or give a public talk, I like to bring in a variety of sources in order to keep the audience engaged (and also to prove the worth of my liberal arts education earned many years ago). I find that introducing something interesting, which, at first blush has no connection to the topic, helps to get people thinking about what you’re saying. Of course, sometimes it’s the only thing they remember from your … Read the rest

Social media from a corporate point of view is an important part of branding, customer service and online marketing. Get it right and your brand’s revenue and reputation could rocket, get it wrong and the damage could be irreparable. So it is important to know the basic etiquette of having a presence on social media, which is why I have put together some do’s and don’ts of using social media in the corporate world.

DO: … Read the rest

Since 1942, when Roy Plumley came up with the Desert Island Discs format, people have been refining their pick-list for their top 8 pieces of music, just in case they are invited to be a castaway on the BBC’s desert island.

Once down to 8 tracks, they have to choose just 1 as their ultimate desert island disc.

No doubt each variant of someone’s list represents just a snapshot, and if asked a little later, … Read the rest