Something for nothing?

There’s one question on every business man’s lips. It’s a question which is always at the forefront of discussion, especially in a so-called ‘recession’ – there I’ve uttered that filthy word. It’s a question which, according to economic rationalists, doesn’t require an answer. As one said to me recently “The answer’s obvious”.
The question of course is, should we advertise and market in today’s perfect, economic storm? I have my own rules in reference to this so let me introduce you to some ‘Robinson’ logic, acquired over plenty of recessions and forty years of marketing.

RULE 1. Never market, promote or brand yourself when nothing is happening!

RULE 2. ‘Nothing’ is never happening!

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Custom fit

I had a fantastic customer service experience on the weekend, and being a huge fan of giving credit where credit is due, I thought I would share my experience. This particular service experience also got me thinking about how the global economic slowdown is affecting the manner in which consumers are shopping, and the implications of these changes on their associated expectations and feelings about the act of purchasing.

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Popping e’s for the dealer

With the number of emails in my inbox on the rise, there’s no doubt that customised emails and newsletters are having to be more and more innovative and catchy to get my attention. Although with this, has come a strange phenomenon…

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$900 spending spree

$900 is an interesting sum of money (for the average income earner). Too little to put a deposit down on, or purchase anything significant. Too much to spend entirely on consumables without feeling like you’ve wasted it. Personally I am not sure what to do with mine. I am finding myself searching through my memory for those occasions when I’ve said to myself ‘maybe when I have a few spare dollars’. This period of indecision, no doubt experienced by many others, is a perfect opportunity for marketing if you’re in the right industry.

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Simple simon says…

Whenever I am in the company of people who I have not met before, the conversation – as it tends to do in situations like these – comes around to what we all do for a living. When I explain my position at Jack in the box people invariably question “So, you do surveys and stuff?”

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Brilliant bunnings

From any perspective it’s a triumph. The Bunnings’ success story rolls on and why not? It’s brilliant! They’ve found the formula and it’s simple in strategic terms but very complex in its implementation.

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How to burn your audience

Perhaps I’m naive or was brought up differently but where has morality in the world of television gone. I mean I’m not stupid! We’ve been pushing the boundaries for a long time now but when did it become okay to use (or abuse more accurately) a horrific situation in the name of winning popularity. If you don’t know to what I’m referring too, I’m talking about…

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