So, I went out and polled a few business leaders, simply asked them to fill out a form based on what they knew, and many even admitted they did not know what the term really meant…but they took a stab at the questions I asked anyway.

We talk everyday about branding our “company” and making sure that our marketing collateral matches the “company brand”.  But what would be different if you branded your company through the eyes of your leadership brand?  My hunch is that it would be much tougher, and here is why:

When you build a brand based on true, enduring leadership, each person in the company not only speaks about the brand and and the promises you make to your customers in your marketing strategies, but each person … Read the rest of the post

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First, let’s look at who they are. As a baby boomer, I can tell you that this generation—sometimes called the “Connecteds”—are our own invention. We raised Gen Y to believe that they can do anything and be anything. We made their lives easy enough that they now believe they deserve to live first and work second. (How dare them!) So the first thing we have to do is stop being pissed off at our own creation and embrace the brilliance of this Gen Y community.

This is the most optimistic generation to ever walk the face of the planet. They absolutely believe that miracles are possible. They refuse to work a job that does not bring … Read the rest of the post

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What I found so interesting in this opening season was the pitch that Draper made to Jantzen.  The company was having trouble selling their two piece swim suit, because they want their advertising to stay clean, family oriented and you know…wholesome.  They were in a bit of a dilemma with the new “racy, gritty” bikini ads their competitors were slinging out to the public, so they go to Draper’s new advertising firm (Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce)  for HELP!.  So, what does Don do??? He goes creative and edgy with his ad campaign “So well built, we can’t show you the second floor.” (Above) This line was also so perfect because the topic of “not having a second floor” in this new company came up several times during the show this past  Sunday, so a pun was eloquently poured into the plot during this scene.  Brilliant!

As soon as Draper flipped around … Read the rest of the post

If you want your customers to “be your brand”, spend some time reading this post about how Apple has created a brand that has been built by raving fans.

In marketing and leadership, we all constantly preach the “You are the brand” sermon.

Something struck me today that maybe this statement may not be an absolute (this hit me today as I was on a run, using my Couch to 10K App for the iPhone and wondering if Steve Jobs owns a PC and if Bill Gates owns a Mac…I have no idea if they do, but something tells me they do…even if just to “check out” the competition a bit).  I started wondering…”Maybe the owner and employees are not the brand…maybe the customer is the brand”.  I am sure I am not the first or only person who has thought this, because you always hear of “walking billboards for your business” and “brand ambassadors” for your company.

If you take a look at the Apple commercials featuring the PC and the Mac guy, you can certainly see the resemblance in their creators (Gates and Jobs).  But, at the end of the day, how many Apple or Windows customers actually … Read the rest of the post

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First, let’s look at who they are. As a baby boomer, I can tell you that this generation—sometimes called the “Connecteds”—are our own invention. We raised Gen Y to believe that they can do anything and be anything. We made their lives easy enough that they now believe they deserve to live first and work second. (How dare them!) So the first thing we have to do is stop being ticked off at our own creation and embrace the brilliance of this Gen Y community.

This is the most optimistic generation to ever walk the face of the planet. … Read the rest of the post

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