Archive for 2008
Learning from Berkshire Hathaway Part 2
The Marketer’s Eye™ looks at mortgages, railroads and Carnival Another in a series of white papers for M&A Professionals In this white paper we take a look at how several recent investments by Berkshire Hathaway and some decisions not to invest are the result of the skillful employment of the Marketer’s Eye in areas where…
Read MoreIntroducing: Wiglaffs
A business professionals comic strip.
Read MoreMusings from a Marketer On the Economic Crisis
While I never lived through the Great Depression, I studied it. If you are looking for parallels between then and now, there a very few. When I was in college in the early 60s, I remember we studied, in economics, that was considered “full employment” was an unemployment rate of 7 percent. The most dire…
Read MoreFrom Homes to Appliances and Autos: Hovnanian, Corning, GM, Ford, and Chrysler Each Must Manage Lower Demand
It is no secret that our global economy is in a downward funk. When will we get our groove back? A debate I will leave to the politicians. But for now, durable goods companies such as Hovnanian and other housing suppliers, Corning and other home appliance suppliers, or GM, Ford, and Chrysler and other auto…
Read MoreTop 6 – December 2008
Pleasant Winter Solstice Peasant Feast? The “new economics” isn’t new, only the players have changed. Now is your opportunity to prove your merit … in the heat of transitions. Prices may drop temporarily to clear inventory, but make sure it is just temporary and not seen as a long term solution to meet future demand.…
Read MoreMatsushita Out, Panasonic Welcomes a New Brand Era
Panasonic began its long history in 1918 as “Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.,” and has grown to become the largest Japanese electronics producer – that is really saying something! On October 1, 2008 the lead product brand, Panasonic, was united with Matsushita and National to become a singular corporate brand, Panasonic Corporation. Named after its…
Read MoreStarbucks Discovers Marketing Myopia
Prospects for Starbucks, the once high-flying coffee giant continue to implode. The new fourth quarter 2008 earnings statement that came out Nov. 11 showed increasingly dismal performance. Earnings were 10 cents a share, 3 cents below expectations and compared to 21 cents a year earlier. The stock has slumped to under $10 a share. What…
Read MoreChicken Feed, Nothing To Laugh At: Manage the Customer Value Proposition to Stave Off Hemorrhaging
While Lonnie “Bo” Pilgrim, Pilgrim’s Pride Chairman, has sailed his ship into near abyss, A.G. Lafley, CEO of P&G, is guiding his to safer waters. In 2006, Pilgrim’s Pride was rising high having completed the acquisition of Gold Kist for $1.1 billion, turning Lonnie “Bo” Pilgrim into the world’s largest chicken mogul. Two years later,…
Read MoreTop 6 – November 2008
Each snowflake is unique. Is your market proposition unique? Manage and track your branding. You could be a global star and not know it. When demand slumps, production should slump too or the laws of economics will dictate your price to implode. Competition is closer than you think. Refresh your marketing strategy to address evolving…
Read MoreReferrals: Getting the Most From the ‘Low-Hanging Fruit’ of Sales
Everyone talks about referrals, but few actually pursue them. Referrals should be considered the reward for a job well done. They are the by-product of your excellent customer service. As a true sales professional, you have earned the right to ask for and receive referrals. If you are not asking for referrals, you are only…
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