This is a Blog by Seth Godin and it could not be more relevant. As new media designers it is important to understand the next platform. For us it may be the mobile catagory. I.E. smart phones and tablet devices. As the internet platform changes so should we. Read his blog, a very smart guy.
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Hi all, from time to time I find things on the web that just make too much sense. Seth Godin is one of those things. His blog is one of the best out there so give him a look see. His latest is about websites and things you should think about before you begin. While I won’t cut and paste it here, please, please follow the link below and give it a read. You will thank him.
Here is an interesting article about social media and reinventing ones self.
http://howto.wired.com/wiki/Reinvent_Yourself_Online
Many companies are choosing to re-brand themselves through this recession. This brings up an interesting point. Can reinventing your visual representation move the needle for your company? Let’s look at Wal Mart and their new mark. In this time of economic downturn, people want to feel uplifted and positive. The chain store has always been known for low prices, so why change the logo? The object for Wal Mart was to make people feel positive about choosing their store.
Gone is the Military looking logo with the star, in comes the Sans-Serif, upper and lower case type. This gives a great humanistic feeling to the brand. And then along comes this new “Sun”, “Star” icon. Now that says fun doesn’t it?
The point being, even a company that is already positioned as cheap understands how branding can generate revenue. The numbers don’t lie folks, Wal Mart has been the best performing store in the last two years. Has your company?
Below is a link to one of the best articles I have read about the internet and the market. I had to repost and I suggest signing up for his Blog feed. Thanks Seth.
http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2009/06/malcolm-is-wrong.html
It is often overheard, whether by in-house or design agency, the word “clients”. Usually this is followed by some sort of sigh or moan. Really? Is it that bad? Someone hires you because they have faith enough that you will execute? Sometimes things can get frustrating, but the client is most important person for your design business. It is our job as designers to create heroes out of all of out clients.
Remember they have been tasked to deliver a job, whether to a superior or to their own client/customer. We are the ones that help them deliver. We are a service industry. Always put yourself in the shoes of a client. Most of us are clients all the time. Do you like hearing a negative attitude from your server at a restaurant? Do you like being nickled and dimed by your cell phone provider? Good services is the key, go the extra mile. Hit there deadlines, all-nighters are common.
This does not mean you don’t offer an opinion, after all they hired you for that. The job here is to work with your client. Help educate them on design issues. Create a relationship that is trustworthy and beneficial to both. Show them how design can help their messaging. Show them you are a true partner and not just here to be billable.
And don’t forget, THANK THEM.
Without them you will be irrelevent.
So clients….I thank you!
Now that GM has entered into bankruptcy they have a chance to start over. What they should do is completely change the buying model. Be the first to actually perfect on time delivery. Let the shopper completely build and order their car with any options they would like via the web. No more “packages”. No more bloated inventory that needs incentives. No more high pressure sales. Direct interaction with customers. Become the car brand of the future by eliminating dealerships altogether. Crazy? Not really. Change all dealerships to certified service centers and test drive outlets. Yes this seems outlandish, but the shoppers of the future are the ones to grab. They shop in a different way, they think differently. GM can start new. For once I would like to see real change.
Microsoft is fighting back to a competitor that was unlikely 10 years ago…Apple. The masterful job that Apple has done in the last 10 years from creating new product to capturing the music industry has put Microsoft in an interesting position.
The “I’m a Mac, I’m a PC” ads, Apple has painted the PC as a boring old computer that doesn’t work and is not fun. What is interesting though is the one you actually like is the PC guy. The Apple guy is kind of a pompous ass that gives you that “I am much cooler than you could ever be” feeling. Here is the opening that Microsoft can exploit.
This brings us to the CEO’s. Steve Jobs (while currently on hiatus) has propelled Apple to new areas and created the cool company with all the cool stuff, iPhone, iPod and various computers. Steve Jobs also has become that pompous ass that is now the “I’m a Mac” guy. Arrogance, as leader can breed contempt. The major problem though for Microsoft is CEO Steve Ballmer. He looks like the angry bully that beat up the geeky kid in school. This of course doesn’t mean he is. He could be great, but he just doesn’t represent the company well.
The only person that can really speak for Microsoft is Bill Gates. He is the “PC Guy”. He is the one that people can route for. Microsoft also thinks so, they put him in ads with Jerry Seinfeld. However they didn’t make sense. What it did do was create a new persona for Bill Gates. Funny, not as uptight etc. Microsoft has an opening here that has been created by the economy (PCs are cheaper, see laptop ads), timing and the love for nerds.
Bill, become that “PC” guy and speak for Microsoft again! Maybe even spoof the Apple ads with Bill as the “PC” guy, that would be fun.
Now anyone that knows me, understands my affinity for Apple, however I do love a good marketing war!
What do you think?
