May 30 2010

Jeffrey Gitomer’s Take On A Positive Mental Attitude

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Jeffrey Explains how to acheive and maintain a Positive Mental Attitude and the importance of doing it.


Popularity: 2% [?]

May 27 2010

The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us

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This lively RSA Animate, adapted from Dan Pink’s talk at the RSA, illustrates the hidden truths behind what really motivates us at home and in the workplace. This video is amazing!
www.theRSA.org


Popularity: 2% [?]

May 20 2010

More on Brand You – Tom Peters

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Here’s the latest video of Tom expounding on The Little BIG Things before starting work on the book. All the seeds of the 163 Ways to Pursue Excellence are in this video series, though the text of the book is different from what you’ll find here, because Tom edited about 5 (or 10) times. In this video, Tom explains that taking control of your own career is not an option, but a must.

Get a PDF transcript of the video’s content: More on Brand You.


Popularity: 2% [?]

May 16 2010

Target Brand Loses On Customer Service

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A lot of companies tell you they will price match but when it comes down to the act of doing it, it is impossible to make it happen.

Today’s poor example – Target’s Price Match Policy - happened about 60 minutes ago.

I am currently shopping for a Flip Video Mino HD (2hrs, 8 GB…). So as I always do, I hit the web for some quick research. I found the camera at BrandsMart and Target.

My first stop BrandsMart (3305 Busbee Drive NW) because the Flip Video Mino HD is on sale ($30 off retail). This location was sold-out however; their Gwinnett store had several in stock. I had no intension of driving from Marietta to Gwinnett, the manager, Corey Davis, of the Busbee location immediately offered to have the Gwinnett store move the product to the Busbee location for pickup on Tuesday. Excellent!

I have to admit to you, that when I decided to purchase something I like instant gratification. I want to take it home immediately and start using it, whatever “it” is.

Before going any further, I forgot to mention that at BrandsMart gave me a pickup receipt for the item on Tuesday. The receipt details the item including the sales amount, taxes, and total.

As I drove down Barrett on my way home, I had a flash of brilliance. Target! I remembered that Target has a price matching policy. I love Target. I was about to pass the Barrett Pkwy location (740 Ernest W Barrett Pkwy NW) so, I took a shot at them having the Flip Video Mino HD and stopped. They had it! I was excited and ready to purchase it with my credit card in hand – until I asked about the price match.

Turns out to use Target’s price match policy you must have a print ad with a photo of the item. So, my receipt showing a description of the item including the final cost wasn’t good enough for them. I took the salesman’s canned speech and started to leave. One last attempt, I thought. Target won’t let me down. So as I passed the “customer service” counter and I asked to speak to the store manager. I was told he would speak to me however it turns out he was too busy and another representative (Justin) showed up who had to page the store manager, “I have a customer here with a receipt for an item we sell and is asking for a price match, can we use it?” The store manger gave the same canned speech I had heard in electronics. Target had done something I never thought possible – they let me down!

I know a little about sales and customer service because I have over 25 years of experience with both. I have been a National Trainer for both sales and customer service and work hard in my business to go above and beyond expectations of my clients.

I understand that businesses need policies in place but I also know that nothing is written in stone, and that exceptions happen everyday. Again, my receipt details the item including the sales amount, taxes, and total. It lacks a “photo” but really what would that tell you that the description doesn’t?

Needless to say, Target lost a $210 sell of a Flip Video and another $50 or so on miscellaneous items that I need for upcoming trip. (That’s what the Flip Video is for too.)

On Tuesday, I’ll pick up my new Flip Video Mino HD from BrandsMart and head over to Walmart for the other items I need.

I love Target but this was a kicker for me. It will be a long while before they regain my business. Walmart is closer and cheaper on the items I would purchase from Target anyway.

Price matching policies should be as easy to use as the Flip Video Mino HD – plug and play!


Popularity: 2% [?]

May 14 2010

A lesson in poor branding

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A decade ago some very clever marketing people devised a plan to position BP as a different kind of company. It was a brilliant campaign, but one that got way out in front of its business procedures. [read more]


Popularity: 1% [?]

May 09 2010

How LinkedIn Referrals Helped Build A Company

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Sasha Strauss, CEO of brand strategy consulting firm Innovation Partners, talks about how he used LinkedIn to hire everyone in his agency – through trusted referrals.


Popularity: 1% [?]

May 09 2010

Apple Computers and Branding

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Rod McNealy, Johnson & Johnson Marketing Executive, Wharton Lecturer, presenting case study on great Branding by Apple Computers.


Popularity: 1% [?]

May 04 2010

WHEN YOU ARE THE BRAND

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Brand You Cover

We’ve gone through a strange change, from people not realizing that they need to be their own brand, to people not realizing how being the brand impacts the way they do business. It’s interesting, really. Tom Peters was the first person I recall talking about it, back in the Alan Webber days of FastCompany (The Brand Called You). Back then, we were all cubicle farmers and beige employees of the cog-world (okay, not true, but that’s what it felt like). But now, we’re getting the opposite, where people have all the tools to make a brand and do so, but don’t really know how to leverage that brand into anything resembling a business. So, in some ways, there’s been a bit of a see-saw.

Read more at ChrisBrogan.com


Popularity: 1% [?]

May 04 2010

Best 22 Books on Success in Small Business

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Wes Hazlitt was born and raised in the central plains of Canada. A born entertainer and public speaker. “The Internet is a great tool to share knowledge and give value to millions and since I love to teach it is a natural FIT for me.”

Check out Hazlitt’s YouTube channel titled, “Home and Small Business Advice”, by clicking here.



Popularity: 1% [?]

May 03 2010

Engaging Customers in Smart Conversations

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Rick Murray
President, US, and Global Chair, Digital
Edelman Digital

Rick Murray has been directing Edelman’s global approach to digital communications since 2005. He spoke with eMarketer’s Jeffrey Grau about how retailers can learn and grow from customer criticism on social media sites and the need for them to adapt to the dynamics and challenges of the social Web.

eMarketer: Should retailers fear negative buzz online?

“I’m not sure that retailers or any brands have anything to fear from negative buzz online. The question is, what can you learn from it and how can you grow from it?”

[via: emarketer.com]


Popularity: 1% [?]

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