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The Reach Blog

Archive for October, 2009

Don’t Let People Forget You

Friday, October 30th, 2009

Woody Allen once said that “80 percent of success is showing up.” And whatever you may think of the controversial comedian-director, he’s onto something there when it comes to winning new business.

If you offer a solution to someone’s problem and are standing right in front of that person, you have a far better shot of getting the job than a competitor down the street.

Of course, you can’t spend your days sitting on your prospects’ doorsteps, waiting for them to call out your name. You can, however, keep your business front-of-mind with strategic networking efforts that include as many of the following three elements as possible: (more…)

From NOW to Great!

Friday, October 23rd, 2009

“How does it feel to want?”…a question I recall being asked as a young girl growing up in a household with a single mom. It was truly a reflection of the times when money and our culture held much in constraint, when information did not flow as easily.

Today, what you want, you can get. At least that’s what the new trend of “Nowism” outlines.

The term was described in a recent Trendwatching briefing: where debate is already taking place — “Expect NOWISM for many to become synonymous with (and blamed for) shallowness, short attention spans, exploding credit card debts, excessive focus on instantly satisfying urges, an unwillingness to face (and build) a better and sustainable future, indifference to the past (and all its lessons).”

Hasn’t all of that already occurred? Quick, disposable, throwaway items, as well as information and experiences, are now available to those who desire; and if you want, in 140 characters or less. However, what about long-lasting desires: a house on the water or in the mountains, travel to far away places, a successful business, intimate relationships, and a loving family. Are they within the reach of NOW? (more…)

Is That Really What You Meant?

Friday, October 16th, 2009

On the way home from the fair the other day, I noticed a marquee sign in a small community proclaiming “Best Thai Food in Town!”

Now, I like Thai food, and this place might be wonderful. But instead of convincing me that I should stop by, the sign made me wonder: Can there be more than one Thai place in town? Is this the best claim to fame that the owner can come up with, even if there is a second Thai place?

We stopped somewhere else.

I’m not trying to pick on this harried restaurateur. In fact, the experience was one of several I had last week that got me to thinking about the unintended consequences that marketing choices can create in the mind of a potential customer.

If you shoot too low with your superlative, the claim will make the shopper wonder whether there is much of an attraction there. If you overstate your case and claim to the best Thai food in the world, for example, you also are likely to turn them off with a “yeah, right” response. (more…)

Shark Vision Can Bite Your PR Effort

Friday, October 2nd, 2009

Organizations sometimes behave like sharks when it comes to getting their message out: They do a great job of looking ahead to the next big project, but never back at their existing materials.

Do you have shark vision?

Do you have shark vision?

This problem has been on my mind recently because I keep seeing otherwise well-run organizations relying on inaccurate websites, brochures and collateral material to tell their stories. Facts change, but these once-perfect marketing vehicles do not. No longer does the company have 47 stores, or achieve a 15 percent recycling rate, or sell XYZ product.

(more…)

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