Disagreement over key decisions is common in the workplace. This article features 10 tips to navigate conflict for a successful outcome. DISAGREEMENT HAPPENS Recently, a former colleague of mine (let’s call him “Jack”) revealed a sad but common story. A coworker who didn’t like Jack’s project plan recently blind-sided him. The coworker went directly to Jack’s boss behind his back …
4 Reasons Why Aveeno’s Brand Positioning Statement is Great
A filled-out positioning statement template using Aveeno as an example. The first in a series of great brand positioning statement examples. Earlier on this blog, I posted an effective template for brand positioning. Since that post went up, I’ve received a few requests for examples of a completed template using a notable brand’s positioning. So, in the coming weeks and months, I’ll …
Top 5 Marketing Strategy Blog Posts From Our First 90 Days
It’s been 90 days. 90 days since launching this blog. 90 days since establishing our mission: to help marketers create change in their organizations by honing their craft. Our readership continues to increase each week. I’m glad we have a growing audience that finds value in the articles we’ve posted on this marketing strategy blog. But, if you’ve joined recently …
Avoid Confusion, Write Better Concepts: Types of Marketing Claims
It seems there are many definitions of what a claim is. This article clears up the confusion by defining types of innovation and marketing claims so you can write better concepts. When it comes to developing innovation and marketing communications, one of the areas that seems to cause the most confusion is claims. And if you’ve ever been in a …
This Week in Marketing Strategy: Top Online MBAs, Enhancing Creativity, Snapchat Automates Ads
Welcome to the October 9, 2016 edition of This Week in Marketing Strategy. Here I’ll highlight a few articles, blog posts or interesting pieces from around the web that are newsworthy or trending over the last one to two weeks. My goal is to provide you with the latest news and thinking that is worthy of your attention. First up: Top 25 Online …
10 Examples of Advertisements to Emulate
Notable brands’ work can provide inspiration for your own ideas. Here are ten examples of advertisements that you can emulate to develop effective magazine advertising. I like to collect ads. Most marketers would say that advertising is one of the fun parts of marketing. But beyond the fun, I like to have an ongoing bank of inspiration to learn from and …
The Two Main Ingredients for Loyalty in the Workplace
Employers want their employees to stick around as long as possible, but what does it really take to keep them for the long haul? This article proposes that loyalty comes down to only two things. Although most workers say they are satisfied with their current job, 45% say they are likely or very likely to look for a new one …
Market and Competitive Landscape Analysis: An Outline to Jumpstart Innovation
Innovation projects should always start with a clear understanding of the landscape. Herein lies an outline for market and competitive landscape analysis to help you bring order to the ambiguous front end. Unlike many downstream or tactical marketing projects, upstream innovation challenges are notorious for their ambiguity. Before you can craft and execute new ideas, you need to set strategic …
This Week in Marketing Strategy: Tic Tac Adventures, Abercrombie Strategy Shift, CMO Social Tips
Welcome to the September 5, 2016 edition of This Week in Marketing Strategy. Here I’ll highlight a few articles, blog posts or interesting pieces from around the web that are newsworthy or trending over the last one to two weeks. My goal is to provide you with the latest news and thinking that is worthy of your attention. First up: Tic Tacs …
Easy Marketing Plan Template: Less Than 15 Slides and You’re Done
This post features a PowerPoint (.pptx) marketing plan template that you can use to present your plan in 15 slides or less. The template also includes a 5-slide option for executive meetings. Every year, marketing professionals are tasked with creating their marketing plan for the year. For some, it’s as simple as pulling out last year’s plan and making a …