business planning – Ask Mr. Marketing

I’m Dropping My Presidential Bid

At this writing, there are 25 major competitors for the presidency. Each claims to have the answers, vision, and infrastructure to lead America through 2024.... Read more

June 1, 2019 b2c marketing branding business plans consumer marketing corporate messaging market research Marketing trivia Monthly newsletter product marketing sales promotion Signage Strategic planning

57 Varieties–And Then A Few

Henry J. Heinz was a failure! Here it was the financial panic of 1875, and at the ripe old age of 31 he had gone... Read more

May 30, 2019 b2c marketing business plans consumer marketing corporate messaging Customer relations customer service product marketing Sales sales promotion Strategic planning

What’s Your Time Worth?

There’s a guy I know whose time apparently isn’t worth much money. Every two weeks he goes grocery shopping, taking roughly six hours to visit... Read more

May 23, 2019 b2c marketing branding consumer marketing corporate messaging job hunting political marketing product marketing Public relations Sales speaking Strategic planning Trade show marketing

About that first impression…

Mom said you get one shot at a first impression. So imagine my surprise when I noticed my dentist missing a tooth. I’ve known him... Read more

May 16, 2019 advertising specialties b2c marketing branding business plans consumer marketing corporate messaging direct marketing market research Marketing trivia non-profit marketing product marketing sales promotion Strategic planning Trade show marketing

A Colorful Non-Promotion

At a recent networking event, vendors handed out the usual items: pens, brochures, candy… Assuming someone in the room must have some marketing savvy, I... Read more

May 2, 2019 b2c marketing consumer marketing Marketing trivia product marketing sales promotion Strategic planning

My dog says “Om Nom Nom”

My pooch gets a monthly pill against heartworm. He loves that it tastes like beef. As it’s medication, we buy it through our vet, who... Read more

April 27, 2019 advertising specialties b2c marketing branding consumer marketing corporate messaging direct marketing Marketing trivia Monthly newsletter product marketing sales promotion Strategic planning vendor relations

Business is Blooming!

Early in life, Atlee Burpee’s father suggested selling high-class poultry was not for his son. The younger Burpee was intrigued by what his father thought... Read more

April 11, 2019 B2B Marketing branding corporate messaging Marketing trivia Print Sales Strategic planning Trade show marketing vendor relations

Cutting cord creates unexpected questions

20 years ago I had a client whose office address changed, but he wouldn’t print new business cards until his old ones were gone. With... Read more

April 4, 2019 b2c marketing branding business plans consumer marketing corporate messaging Customer relations market research Marketing trivia political marketing product marketing Public relations Sales Signage Strategic planning Web site marketing

Paying Attention To Headlines

When my family moved from Boston to San Diego, we maintained many of our old friendships. So it wasn’t unusual to meet halfway in Chicago,... Read more

March 22, 2019 b2c marketing branding consumer marketing corporate messaging Marketing trivia product marketing Sales Signage Strategic planning

A Very Merry Business Card

Did you know 627,000 new businesses start in the U.S. annually? Most use business cards as an inexpensive promotional tool. Half won’t last five years.... Read more