Oh drat! It's not on the shelves. Sigh. Walked up and down the rows at my usual store but my fave brand of seasoning for a meanly mouth-watering fish dish was not in stock. They had the same flavors in other brands but not the one I've been using.
So, what's the big deal? Maybe someone else does it just as well hmmmm? One never knows till its tried out anyway, right? On that adventurous note I picked out 2 other brands with similar ingredients - how different can they turn out to be? Established brands, same ingredients - had I perhaps been too fussy about Brand Loyalty?
Yes, I tried both the brands and oh me oh my! You guessed it - the tastes were palatable, but really not as good as my favorite one. Even though the ingredients were the same, the proportions of them might have been different and the processing was certainly different since the textures of the sauces were just not as pleasing. That's it; experiment over - it was going to be may fave brand from now on even if it means driving over to another store to get it, so there!
Hey! Have you noticed something similar happens among teams too? Other people may come along with great credentials/personalities, but when you know how to relate to the old faithful ones, it cuts down timing and the results are more along the lines of what you would like, aren't they?
Both products and people have unique attributes that suit them for particular market segments. Often that has strong correlations with the cultural fit of the consumer with the product or service. What does that mean for YOUR business goals?
Well if you have a great product or service but are not attracting the type of customer you really really want, think about conducting an exercise in market segmentation. Why? Because your promotions and operations may need to be better aligned with what is unique about what you are good at. When they do become aligned that's when bingo! you get customer loyalty and repeat business that allows you to focus on expansion and getting new business :)
How's that for a strategy to increase your business in the next few months eh? I'd consider it an honor to segment your market(s) for you, and toss around some ideas for Brand Promotions & Delivery too so just call me at 6-03-2169774?
BRING ME THE BRAND, I'LL INCREASE ITS PROFITS!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Bandwagon for $ - the new WOM
Beep-beep, beep-beep AH! an sms! Went to check after stroking my eyelashes with mascara. Hmmmm that's interesting - 2nd one in a week, eh? Went to complete the other eye when yet another sms alert bounced in. WHAT! Two in as many minutes???? WOW! This trend is really heating up isn't it?
What am I referring to? Well, these message were from friends - not spam - to say that they'd had a good experience with a product and were relaying their personal recommendations. Like when you've had a good meal somewhere and tell others about it, you know? It's as old as the hills and known as Word of Mouth Marketing i.e. WOM. And you know what? It is now SO successful that even corporst giants are cottoning onto it a one of their marketing strategies.
During a posh charity dinner recently a Country Manager related how global brand Unilever had enhanced its approach in Thailand and how savvy consumers were making money hand-over-fist. Unilever was founded in the 1890's and over 3 centuries it success has been influenced by the major events of the day - economic boom, depression, world wars, changing consumer lifestyles, advances in technology and now WOM.
Its approach leverages on interpersonal relationships to spread the word around and consumers are rewarded for bringing in more customers. The credibility is high because of the personal approach and consumers learn about the features of a product to share them with colleagues - they get rewarded to taking the trouble to learn and share. Companies shift a portion of their advertising budgets to funding the rewards system.
Yes this is what Networking Marketing is about and what financial guru Robert Kiyosaki promotes strongly as THE business model of the 21st Century. This is NOW! if you want to promote your brand and increase your sales while reducing brick-and-mortar overheads. Putting it together involves a sound marketing plan supported by integrated mechanics of delivery. Want my help? Call me at 6-03-21697704 and bingo! we'll get started :)
BRING ME THE BRAND I'LL INCREASE ITS PROFITS!
What am I referring to? Well, these message were from friends - not spam - to say that they'd had a good experience with a product and were relaying their personal recommendations. Like when you've had a good meal somewhere and tell others about it, you know? It's as old as the hills and known as Word of Mouth Marketing i.e. WOM. And you know what? It is now SO successful that even corporst giants are cottoning onto it a one of their marketing strategies.
During a posh charity dinner recently a Country Manager related how global brand Unilever had enhanced its approach in Thailand and how savvy consumers were making money hand-over-fist. Unilever was founded in the 1890's and over 3 centuries it success has been influenced by the major events of the day - economic boom, depression, world wars, changing consumer lifestyles, advances in technology and now WOM.
Its approach leverages on interpersonal relationships to spread the word around and consumers are rewarded for bringing in more customers. The credibility is high because of the personal approach and consumers learn about the features of a product to share them with colleagues - they get rewarded to taking the trouble to learn and share. Companies shift a portion of their advertising budgets to funding the rewards system.
Yes this is what Networking Marketing is about and what financial guru Robert Kiyosaki promotes strongly as THE business model of the 21st Century. This is NOW! if you want to promote your brand and increase your sales while reducing brick-and-mortar overheads. Putting it together involves a sound marketing plan supported by integrated mechanics of delivery. Want my help? Call me at 6-03-21697704 and bingo! we'll get started :)
BRING ME THE BRAND I'LL INCREASE ITS PROFITS!
Friday, December 3, 2010
Busy doing WHAT??!!!
Yes, that's what I'm taking stock of, at the end of what has been a very busy year. But WHAT has all that busyness achieved? The year began with a sickening revelation and I revisited those email to assess my efforts in that area. Ugh! Ugh! So, what did I learn? Mainly that not all opponents can be beneficially engaged (tried teaching kittens to swim? Give them something else instead) and its okay - even wise - to just walk away from whatever does not match my baseline of 'Being healthy, wealthy and wise'! Did you know that's my plumbline for engagement?
Guess what? Walking away actually helped the other areas to be more profitable, and improved relationships too! Oh yes! All my engagements are matched against being HW&W, and my businesses and other involvements are assessed that way. It's my way of having an integrated lifestyle (personal brand) - peace of mind instead of juggling too many conflicting areas.
So to decide which areas to keep, drop or work harder at, the BCG Matrix comes to my rescue. Try it for yourself and see, peeps! Conventionally it's a tool for strategic marketing (portfolion management by Brand) and isn't that what lifestyle is about anyway? Some areas are profit-making, others are getting there, some are established sources of income and yet others are beneficial without generating $ . The nice thing is that done well, everyone benefits in some way. I am so very grateful to those who have sown into my life and helped me to improve. Yes it surely has been a year of great gains :)
My businesses include Consultancy and Training, Anti-aging, and Eco-friendliness and you know, under each category are activities that are profitable and those that don't bring in $ but are beneficial and meet the HW&W criteria. All of them underscore building lasting relationships as my platform for staying engaged. What signature underscores your business efforts?
If you'd like that clarified, or want a strategic analysis of your portfolio of products and services, do call me at 6-03-42533526? You might want to put more effort in some areas and perhaps drop others.
BRING ME THE BRAND, I'LL INCREASE ITS PROFITS!
Guess what? Walking away actually helped the other areas to be more profitable, and improved relationships too! Oh yes! All my engagements are matched against being HW&W, and my businesses and other involvements are assessed that way. It's my way of having an integrated lifestyle (personal brand) - peace of mind instead of juggling too many conflicting areas.
So to decide which areas to keep, drop or work harder at, the BCG Matrix comes to my rescue. Try it for yourself and see, peeps! Conventionally it's a tool for strategic marketing (portfolion management by Brand) and isn't that what lifestyle is about anyway? Some areas are profit-making, others are getting there, some are established sources of income and yet others are beneficial without generating $ . The nice thing is that done well, everyone benefits in some way. I am so very grateful to those who have sown into my life and helped me to improve. Yes it surely has been a year of great gains :)
My businesses include Consultancy and Training, Anti-aging, and Eco-friendliness and you know, under each category are activities that are profitable and those that don't bring in $ but are beneficial and meet the HW&W criteria. All of them underscore building lasting relationships as my platform for staying engaged. What signature underscores your business efforts?
If you'd like that clarified, or want a strategic analysis of your portfolio of products and services, do call me at 6-03-42533526? You might want to put more effort in some areas and perhaps drop others.
BRING ME THE BRAND, I'LL INCREASE ITS PROFITS!
Monday, November 22, 2010
Thanks! But actually the smile camouflaged painful tears
Thank you Hafiz of WOW photos! Hey! It's really nice to receive so many compliments about the smiling profile picture on my fan page, but you know, I must confess that it is really the result of Hafiz' skills - I was actually crying at the time. He brought out the best in all the nervous finalists whom he was photographing that day.
Seriously, I was under a LOT of pressure the day of that photo shoot. I had dashed to the session from the hospital where my mother was warded, and was in a hurry to return there at the soonest possible to hear the doctors' assessment of her progress. On top of that, I was hurting very badly too from being coldly replaced by a newer model at work, in an area too close to my heart. I just wanted to be alone to lick my wounds. But no that final rehearsal was mandatory and the shoot went along with it. Sob, sob, the show HAD to go on!
There ARE times in life when everything seems to cave in at the same time, and yet there are people depending on us to deliver what we've promised. Can't let them down, can we? At these times it really helps to have highly professional people around who are so focussed on their task that you can't help but respond to their professionalism - and as you can see for your yourself, your own image bucks up, rises to the challenge, and shines through too :)
These picker-uppers - and I've had a few good ones to rely on over the years - ought to be either lovingly dedicated to your progress OR oblivious to (and therefore unbiased) your dilemma so that they can give clear goal posts. That day no one knew I was crying inside, and that is precisely what helped me through. Many years ago I used to have a wise and friendly couple who cared deeply enough to listen & empathize, and then help me to see the light to achieving my objectives. Friends who love that deeply are treasures! We continue to stay in touch even across the continents.
Perhaps YOU'd like to talk to someone who cares but doesn't know enough to be biased about surmounting an obstacle to delivering your brand the way you want? I'm here for you - just call me at 6-03-21697704 and together we'll get you moving on and up :)
BRING ME THE BRAND AND I'LL INCREASE ITS PROFITS!
Seriously, I was under a LOT of pressure the day of that photo shoot. I had dashed to the session from the hospital where my mother was warded, and was in a hurry to return there at the soonest possible to hear the doctors' assessment of her progress. On top of that, I was hurting very badly too from being coldly replaced by a newer model at work, in an area too close to my heart. I just wanted to be alone to lick my wounds. But no that final rehearsal was mandatory and the shoot went along with it. Sob, sob, the show HAD to go on!
There ARE times in life when everything seems to cave in at the same time, and yet there are people depending on us to deliver what we've promised. Can't let them down, can we? At these times it really helps to have highly professional people around who are so focussed on their task that you can't help but respond to their professionalism - and as you can see for your yourself, your own image bucks up, rises to the challenge, and shines through too :)
These picker-uppers - and I've had a few good ones to rely on over the years - ought to be either lovingly dedicated to your progress OR oblivious to (and therefore unbiased) your dilemma so that they can give clear goal posts. That day no one knew I was crying inside, and that is precisely what helped me through. Many years ago I used to have a wise and friendly couple who cared deeply enough to listen & empathize, and then help me to see the light to achieving my objectives. Friends who love that deeply are treasures! We continue to stay in touch even across the continents.
Perhaps YOU'd like to talk to someone who cares but doesn't know enough to be biased about surmounting an obstacle to delivering your brand the way you want? I'm here for you - just call me at 6-03-21697704 and together we'll get you moving on and up :)
BRING ME THE BRAND AND I'LL INCREASE ITS PROFITS!
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Oops! Wobble, stop, grin. We're getting there :)
Ah! Sunday mornings! For many it is a time for leisure and fun. In my neighborhood I spotted a couple of trendy bikes venturing gingerly along the roadside, their riders dressed in trendy gear from cycling caps to vest, pants and shoes like the ones serious mountain-bikers wear, going for an urban ride. SO WHAT is the story here anyway?
Well, though the outfits and paraphenalia were what are common for twenty-somethings, these couple of riders were obviously senior citizens who were having fun being togged out ever so correctly and giving their muscles a stretch. The lady was in front, riding along not very confidently, and her male companion was chivalrously behind, keeping an eye on her safety while stumbling behind along the uneven pavement. Both looked quite sheepish actually, but nonetheless were smilingly determined to achieve their goals. And their keen enthusiasm was pleasantly infectious. Bravo!
With humans living longer now, more and more are making serious attempts to eat more nutritiously and improve physical fitness too. But WHY? At the personal level, obesity is now recognized as a global issue from even pre-schoolers on, and, even the not-obese middle-aged are being struck by heart disease! Ouch!
So, so, so WHAT does any of this have to do with Branding you ask? Think about it for a moment. Fair or not, the lively person attracts more business than a sluggish one. The very APPEARANCE of youthfulness / fitness exudes reliability to get something done. Have you seen that poster of a white-haired man in his 80's wearing a towel and displaying washboard abs outside Brand X Fitness Centre? Impressive, isn't it? The expectation is that what he stands for IS capable of delivering his Brand Promise. Exuding an air of good health attracts confidence from buyers. Fitness icon Jack LaLanne's products (he was born in 1914!) still sell.
You know, we had fun doing an exercise at a recent Branding workshop, to match impressions with how accurately we portrayed our professions (Brand Image) and the results were simply hilarious! One Regional Business Development Director of a conglomerate got the almost unanimous response from the group that she looked like an accountant interested in collecting money than in negotiating fair business exchanges! Fancy that!
Try it out for yourself: Ask a group of people who don't know you very well to guess what your line of business is. Your physical image just might be your strongest attraction for customers, OR conversely might even be leading them to take longer to accept your offerings.
Want some to discuss how to project and attract more confidence in your products and services? Give me a call at 6-03-21697704 and we'll get you there :)
BRING ME THE BRAND, AND I'LL INCREASE ITS PROFITS!
Well, though the outfits and paraphenalia were what are common for twenty-somethings, these couple of riders were obviously senior citizens who were having fun being togged out ever so correctly and giving their muscles a stretch. The lady was in front, riding along not very confidently, and her male companion was chivalrously behind, keeping an eye on her safety while stumbling behind along the uneven pavement. Both looked quite sheepish actually, but nonetheless were smilingly determined to achieve their goals. And their keen enthusiasm was pleasantly infectious. Bravo!
With humans living longer now, more and more are making serious attempts to eat more nutritiously and improve physical fitness too. But WHY? At the personal level, obesity is now recognized as a global issue from even pre-schoolers on, and, even the not-obese middle-aged are being struck by heart disease! Ouch!
So, so, so WHAT does any of this have to do with Branding you ask? Think about it for a moment. Fair or not, the lively person attracts more business than a sluggish one. The very APPEARANCE of youthfulness / fitness exudes reliability to get something done. Have you seen that poster of a white-haired man in his 80's wearing a towel and displaying washboard abs outside Brand X Fitness Centre? Impressive, isn't it? The expectation is that what he stands for IS capable of delivering his Brand Promise. Exuding an air of good health attracts confidence from buyers. Fitness icon Jack LaLanne's products (he was born in 1914!) still sell.
You know, we had fun doing an exercise at a recent Branding workshop, to match impressions with how accurately we portrayed our professions (Brand Image) and the results were simply hilarious! One Regional Business Development Director of a conglomerate got the almost unanimous response from the group that she looked like an accountant interested in collecting money than in negotiating fair business exchanges! Fancy that!
Try it out for yourself: Ask a group of people who don't know you very well to guess what your line of business is. Your physical image just might be your strongest attraction for customers, OR conversely might even be leading them to take longer to accept your offerings.
Want some to discuss how to project and attract more confidence in your products and services? Give me a call at 6-03-21697704 and we'll get you there :)
BRING ME THE BRAND, AND I'LL INCREASE ITS PROFITS!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
What's your price tag saying?
Hmmmm. That's an interesting pair of shoes. Nice colour too! "May I try these on in my size?" Felt sooooft and comfy too. And offered at a double digit price? "Where are they made?" "Paris! the sales assistant said confidently.
Hello???? That price considering the labor costs in the EU? If you had said made in Malaysia for export to the EU that would sound plausible. But made in Paris? At that price? Ummmm.
One of the most popular modules in my 'Branding' workshop is on Pricing Strategies as there are many aspects to consider before setting a price. Some offerings look to be of high value until they are examined more closely and vice versa too. Like it or not, a price tag sends a message in itself - even if it is an offer for a free service. Actually, if you realy, really want to capture customers who will bring you repeat business, offer a money-back guarantee and see how that goes down :).
But back to price tags. Customers do want good things cheap, but don't really expect that. So if something is cheap, the canny buyer will wonder if the sale is legitimate or whether the products are genuine, or even whether the seller is going to disappear without a trace; or if there is some other hidden agenda. They believe you when you have been at the same location or industry for a long time, or are known to someone whom they trust. That's Brand Credibility and is also where money-back guarantees play a part. (Personal branding also has an impact on closing a deal).
Perhaps you're wondering how YOU might build a money-back guarantee into your offer? Let's talk about yourproduct or service and work our what your customers will appreciate - you might even find that you are under-charging! I'd be glad to offer some insights - just call me at 6-03-21697704.
BRING ME THE BRAND, I'LL INCREASE ITS PROFITS!
Hello???? That price considering the labor costs in the EU? If you had said made in Malaysia for export to the EU that would sound plausible. But made in Paris? At that price? Ummmm.
One of the most popular modules in my 'Branding' workshop is on Pricing Strategies as there are many aspects to consider before setting a price. Some offerings look to be of high value until they are examined more closely and vice versa too. Like it or not, a price tag sends a message in itself - even if it is an offer for a free service. Actually, if you realy, really want to capture customers who will bring you repeat business, offer a money-back guarantee and see how that goes down :).
But back to price tags. Customers do want good things cheap, but don't really expect that. So if something is cheap, the canny buyer will wonder if the sale is legitimate or whether the products are genuine, or even whether the seller is going to disappear without a trace; or if there is some other hidden agenda. They believe you when you have been at the same location or industry for a long time, or are known to someone whom they trust. That's Brand Credibility and is also where money-back guarantees play a part. (Personal branding also has an impact on closing a deal).
Perhaps you're wondering how YOU might build a money-back guarantee into your offer? Let's talk about yourproduct or service and work our what your customers will appreciate - you might even find that you are under-charging! I'd be glad to offer some insights - just call me at 6-03-21697704.
BRING ME THE BRAND, I'LL INCREASE ITS PROFITS!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Turn yukky SPLATS into WEY-HEYS :)
One went SPLAT! Although both looked identical.
Yawn. Still bleary from tumbling out of bed, I reached for eggs to prepare them for breakfast. Yum! I'm glad my coach encourages eggs as the protein part of meals. Like 'em :) So, I pre-boil a few of them, ready for a quick meal when required.
Knock, knock. SPLAT! Hey! What happened?!!!
The brown shell crumbled and the slimy albumen and yolk spilled lazily over my shocked hands. Yuk! this is NOT a boiled egg! Sigh. Yes, I had of course separated them from the raw ones, but hadn't been clear-minded enough to recall which was where. MUST remember to mark or dye them in future!
Hmmmmm. You know what? Products may look the same to consumers too. That gets a first sale, but what is it that will repeat business? Can you remember being disappointed after buying into the hype of a super-salesperson or charismatic motivator? Oh well hum you're not alone - it's really how we learn to sift through impressions and check into the sustainable performance of a product or service. Uhuh - it is OUR responsibility to make informed decisions to check things out. (Careful of committing professional suicide by whining)
It might be that it wasn't the salesperson who was misleading - though it could be that too, but more often we are mislead by our own assumptions and expectations. Just like me being mistaken about expectng the boiled eggs to be in a certain place. LOL! You know what the really nice thing is? After we've gotten over the 'blame' part - yes, we must acknowledge that range of emotions first - we can let them go and move forward into taking control over our thoughts and actions, even in painfully disappointing circumstances. So, the other person is a @**@ but why should that hold YOU back?
What's this got to do with Branding? A LOT. How we respond to situations - especially teh YUK ones, sends subliminal messages to our audiences about what we can or cannot be depended on for. Scary but true, and it impacts upon business growth.
Need a sounding board to let off steam and regain your healthy perspective and get a move on? I'm here for you at telephone 6-03-21697704. It's a new day. EVERYDAY!
BRING ME THE BRAND, I'LL INCREASE ITS PROFITS!
Yawn. Still bleary from tumbling out of bed, I reached for eggs to prepare them for breakfast. Yum! I'm glad my coach encourages eggs as the protein part of meals. Like 'em :) So, I pre-boil a few of them, ready for a quick meal when required.
Knock, knock. SPLAT! Hey! What happened?!!!
The brown shell crumbled and the slimy albumen and yolk spilled lazily over my shocked hands. Yuk! this is NOT a boiled egg! Sigh. Yes, I had of course separated them from the raw ones, but hadn't been clear-minded enough to recall which was where. MUST remember to mark or dye them in future!
Hmmmmm. You know what? Products may look the same to consumers too. That gets a first sale, but what is it that will repeat business? Can you remember being disappointed after buying into the hype of a super-salesperson or charismatic motivator? Oh well hum you're not alone - it's really how we learn to sift through impressions and check into the sustainable performance of a product or service. Uhuh - it is OUR responsibility to make informed decisions to check things out. (Careful of committing professional suicide by whining)
It might be that it wasn't the salesperson who was misleading - though it could be that too, but more often we are mislead by our own assumptions and expectations. Just like me being mistaken about expectng the boiled eggs to be in a certain place. LOL! You know what the really nice thing is? After we've gotten over the 'blame' part - yes, we must acknowledge that range of emotions first - we can let them go and move forward into taking control over our thoughts and actions, even in painfully disappointing circumstances. So, the other person is a @**@ but why should that hold YOU back?
What's this got to do with Branding? A LOT. How we respond to situations - especially teh YUK ones, sends subliminal messages to our audiences about what we can or cannot be depended on for. Scary but true, and it impacts upon business growth.
Need a sounding board to let off steam and regain your healthy perspective and get a move on? I'm here for you at telephone 6-03-21697704. It's a new day. EVERYDAY!
BRING ME THE BRAND, I'LL INCREASE ITS PROFITS!
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