Marketing Reflections
We're all in marketing. Let's get better.
pause | think | act | shine

Issue 8 | Feb 2010

Hi Subscriber. The friendly Valentine bear reminds us of a marketing secret: thinking of the people that matter to you.

Hunting for articles keeps you on my mind (but not in a nagging way).

PS Did you see the new list of the best and worst jobs? Actuary is #1. Where do you rank?

Your premium brand had better be delivering something special, or it's not going to get the business.
--- Warren Buffett

Warren Buffett probably gets through or prompt replies to his messages. What works when your voicemail or email go unanswered? For thoughtful advice from the Harvard Business Review read more

How should you handle the worst form of feedback: silence?  read more

Are you perceived the way you want? You can define your personal brand by answering simple questions. read more

How do you pick a brand name for your business? With care.  read more

You want to avoid the 10 most common naming mistakes. read more

For inspiration, take a peek at 100 Best Global Brands. This list also shows their logos. read more

Hunters and farmers have different strengths and weaknesses. To thrive, they need to be treated differently. To see what you can do, read more

Be consistent and people will soon notice and rely on you. For example, this eNewsletter has gone out every month on schedule even when I was away. read more

Would you believe that higher incentives can lower performance? Dan Pink discusses the weird world of motivation in this 52 minute video recorded at the GooglePlex. Mitch Joel sets the stage. read more

Check out Dan's book A Whole New Mind, one of my recent favourites. He explains why the era of left brainers (gulp!) is ending. That's bound to change the rankings of the best and worst jobs.
Here are blog posts you may have missed or wish to review

  1. An email shows why you need to be findable
  2. Two simple steps to endless referrals
  3. Hero or Zero: The sad tale of Lenovo and UPS
  4. You (yes you) are a genius [from The Linchpin Session]
  5. Three Lessons from Seth Godin [from The Linchpin Session]
  6. How did you make your last $500 purchase?
  7. uApple: The iPad shows how you can be like Apple
  9. Why we accept airport security but deny our financial security (includes a funny video)
  10. Your favourite posts of 2009 on Riscario Insider  and Marketing Actuary
You want to work with people as good at what they do as you are at what you do.

A professional designer has been helping rebrand my blogs, websites and this eNewsletter. We worked together at National Life and I'm delighted to collaborate with a designer of such skill.

The creative process is fascinating. The designs improve with each iteration. Small changes have big impact. Little things like a colour, a typeface or a font size.

You'll see the results soon!

Thanks for reading. Feel free to send your comments, questions and article suggestions. Let's learn and share.

You can easily reach me by Replying to this eNewsletter. If I can help you in other ways, simply ask.

--- Promod

PS Pursue Success

In This Issue
What to do when you don't get replies to your messages?

Brand You

Don't confuse hunters with farmers

The importance of consistency

What motivates you?

The reflecting pool
Reader Central
Other Services

Marketing Actuary
sharing ideas, insights
and best practices
blog | linkedIn | twitter

Riscario Insider
revealing how the wealthy
tame their financial risks
blog | wiki | podcast | twitter

Spark Insight
quotable quotes from
different eras and countries
wiki
Your Companion
your companion

Promod Sharma
Marketing Actuary
FSA, FCIA

actuary to the wealthy 
promodsharma.com
taxevity.com