Why clarity (in messaging) is beauty

There’s something beautiful that happens when brands and campaigns take the time and effort to strategically define, align and craft their message. You can feel it in the workplace. You can see it in the creative. You can measure in on your bottom line. It’s called clarity. Suddenly, you go from being busy with too[…]

How to own your excellence: messaging strategically for competitive advantage

Integrity Engineering (www.integrity-eds.com) already had the name, but they needed the strategic messaging to pay it off. And no, a dictionary-like definition of integrity wasn’t going to cut it. Definitions of this kind imply an ownership that simply doesn’t exist. Integrity Engineering is an excellent aerospace engineering firm, but nobody owns integrity, not even these[…]

Step up, be strategic

It more difficult than ever for organizations to reflect on their messaging and define their strategy for what they are saying, why, and to whom. Unfortunately, most communications departments are maxed out on simply keeping up with the tactical needs of sales forces and senior executives. This leaves even the most able performers often too[…]

Professional Dis-position: How professionals consistently fail to position themselves effectively

Professionals are notoriously bad at brand marketing. Consider the case of chiropractors, who often buy their marketing materials from a prefab supplier of who “specializes” in their segment. It’s convenient no doubt, but hardly effective in differentiating yourself from competitors, who are, by the way, other chiropractors. But architects, lawyers and accountants may not be[…]

Messaging the impossible: People Unlimited dares to own its difference

One of my clients, People Unlimited (www.peopleunlimitedinc.com), promotes an idea that most people consider impossible – physical immortality. Only a very very small minority of people feel that given the right conditions – open outlook, supportive people, healthy living – the body can continue without end. I happen to be one of them. As you[…]

Collaboration: honesty is the accelerator

I was recently in a meeting with a financial services company to help them develop strategic messaging. One member of their marketing team kept making absurd suggestions. Either he wasn’t paying attention, or he was stoned, or he was simply obsessed with playing out metaphors — birds, wings, flight, horizons – related to the company[…]