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Are we in control of our decisions?

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I think not. Every one in marketing should watch this.  It shows how to make an up-sell offer that will work every time. http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_ariely_asks_are_we_in_control_of_our_own_decisions.html

The Science of Motivation

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I know a few sales managers who will not like this, but having worked in traditional models and entrepreneurial models I know what motivates me. I wonder how long it will take for this to catch on.  Of course, some companies have operated this way for years, 3M is a great example. http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_pink_on_motivation.html

Waterstones and their brand

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A while Waterstones was in the news for demanding cash from publishers to place books in prominent positions.  Does this matter?  I am not sure, but for me it undermined their position as an independent bookshop.  OK they had been bought by WH Smith, but I liked to think that they still had that independent … Continued

Uk ranking from World Economic Forum report

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The WEF report contains some interesting data.  All of these  stats are from 133 countries included in the report. Global Competitiveness Index GCI 2009–2010…………………………………………………13th out of 133 countries GCI 2008–2009 (out of 134)………………………………..12th GCI 2007–2008 (out of 131)…………………………………9 Basic requirements…………………………………………….26 1st pillar: Institutions …………………………………………21 2nd pillar: Infrastructure…………………………………….20 3rd pillar: Macroeconomic stability………………………71 4th pillar: Health and … Continued

Gary Halbert – gun to the head marketing

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Gary Halbert was one of the best copywriters ever. He has a great site, now run by his family that gives away all his secrets.  Go here and then scroll to the bottom and read the Newsletter Archive. This is a video of him in 2004 about a year before he died talking about the … Continued

Even McKinsey sees the value in competencies

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We’ve been banging on for ages about the simplicity and value of competencies. Yes, I know, they are so 80’s. However, even McKinsey can see their value in delivering performance improvement

David Ogilvy on internet advertising before the internet was invented

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Renowned Advertising guru David Ogilvy gives a brief speech on the importance of direct response marketing.  This was filmed way before the internet was invented and yet the things David Ogilvy is talking about in this video are more relevant today than they were 10-15 years ago. Why? The internet allows you to know precisely … Continued

Googlenomics and Scientific Advertising 1923

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A fascinating article about how Google works from Wired Magazine. They have so much data that mathematicians, statisticians and economists are making important decisions about how the business is run.  They test everything and measure everything and then check everything. In 1923 Claude Hopkins wrote a short book called Scientific Advertising.  Nearly a hundred years … Continued

Activities to help drive sales

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Here are the 10 things Jeffrey Fox, author of How to become a Rainmaker, recommends: 1. Send a handwritten note. 2. Clip and send an article of interest. 3. Talk to a satisfied client and ask who else you might help. 4. Send a thank-you gift to someone who referred you. 5. Give your business … Continued

Safe drinking water for all

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I had heard about this invention, but seeing it in action is great. Will governments and NGOs have the political will to look at this invention. There are lots of vested interests to stop this happening. This was shown at the TED conference in Oxford earlier this year.  They have some inspiring speakers. [ted id=”613″]