Branding Missteps: Stuff You Can’t Make Up, Volume 1

Pajunk Medical

Global Branding 101 teaches that if you’re going to compete globally, make sure your brand translates appropriately. This weekend at a major medical technology trade show I came across a company that apparently never took that class. Say hello to Pajunk Medical Systems. Now, from what I’ve since found out, Pajunk Medical Systems is a German medical device company with a decades-long history of success, founded in 1964 by the brothers Horst and Heinrich Pajunk. And, according to the helpful fellow at the Pajunk … [Read more...]

Now, What Was It You Wanted to Sell Me?

Now what was it you wanted to sell me?

I love that ad! It was created in the 1950s, but the message it sends is every bit as valid today. Don’t try to sell to me until you’ve built a relationship with me. Unfortunately, too many companies try to do just that. They may be successful in their existing niche, but when they try to expand beyond their base, their efforts fall flat. There are tons of examples I could cite, but one that sticks in my mind is a company I worked with that had been successfully selling into the clinical marketplace for … [Read more...]

Do You REALLY Know Who You Are?

Thin intellectual standing in front of mirror reflecting muscular body builder figure

It has always fascinated me how some people can have such a severely skewed view of how the rest of world really sees them and yet be totally oblivious to it. You know the types. The scrawny kid who looks in the mirror and sees a chiseled Adonis.  The ill-tempered overbearing boss who believes his minions love and adore him. The overage Lothario who doesn’t realize he looks like a buffoon as he chases down women half his age. And on and on it goes. Why is that? Are they surrounded by lackeys who only tell … [Read more...]

Keeping it Simple is Harder than it Seems

albert-einstein1

Albert Einstein once said: “if you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” Simplicity is a powerful differentiator. That’s why I decided to focus this blog on the four simple principles I believe are essential for building a successful brand. Whether you are running an established business or launching a start-up, the keys to branding and business success are the same. Simply put, you need to: > Know Who You Are > Be Who You Are > Show Who You Are > Grow Who … [Read more...]

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