• Technology and marketing are closing ranks

    Technology and marketing are closing ranks and becoming more and more interdependent.  But that isn't where it stops.  The key component of this marriage of convenience and necessity is strategy - it is the glue that binds them together. Digital tools can become difference makers Whether we like it or not, the digital world, with software technology at the centre, is driving our new reality. [...]

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    Correct approach to implementation will drive new strategy

    How many times have you seen or experienced (first hand) the following scenario: A company announces a new strategy with much fanfare and excitement and one year later, despite all the “work” that goes into it, it seems to be failing miserably. The most critical question to ask is: was the new strategy implemented fully, with the new attitude and approach that was recommended, or was the [...]

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    Old strategy is dead. New strategy is alive and evolving

    Recently I have been reading, with interest, numerous articles about why strategy is dead. While these articles are indeed well thought out, I get the sense that the perspective being put forward is based on the fact that strategic thinking is static, and that the natural evolutionary process of change is not a part of that strategic perspective. And I am not just talking about refreshing ones [...]

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    Budgeting Tips and Tricks – Part Two

    In the last issue of the Mastermind newsletter, we shared four tips for improving the budgeting process.  Those were just the tip of the iceberg!  Here are four additional ideas on how to make your budgeting cycle work for you – all year long! #5 Test Scenarios and Simulations In many cases, when budgets are being developed by teams it is an exercise of entering what is “expected to [...]

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    Can CASL become a blessing in disguise?

    So, I read with a wry smile on my face about the new Canadian Ant-Spam Legislation (CASL) and how many people hate it with a passion.  Don't get me wrong, I too am not a fan of CASL, however businesses have two options in dealing with it: Bitch, moan, complain, write letters, lie down and die etc etc - and this may even create a change in the legislation if the feedback becomes strong enough, [...]

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    Budgeting Tips and Tricks – Part One

    Budgeting is likely not high on your list of favourite things to do – or anyone else’s, for that matter. Nonetheless, budget time comes around each year like clockwork. Business units complain about the amount of time the process will take and managers grumble over conflicting goals. Meanwhile, it’s up to you to ensure that the budgets are submitted and approved on time. All you can hope [...]

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    Why online marketing is only a part of the solution

    Everything you see and hear points to online marketing as the saviour of your business growth and promotional efforts.  It's all we hear about, day in and day out.  Twitter. Facebook. Instagram. LinkedIn.  And so on....  Even email has gone out of "fashion" as we all lean towards the latest and greatest new media solution that technology has to offer. So why isn't every business booming if [...]

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    Ask.com's search engine performance is 50% better than Google

    Marketing Charts has recently provided a report on the post-click engagement rankings of the 5 most popular search engines. It provides some interesting insight, particularly with regard to the poor performance of Google, despite its popularity.  It is clear that more engaged people searching the Internet do so via search engines other than Google, and their engagement factor is dramatically [...]

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    Grit - the new driving force behind innovation?

    "Can countries, companies, educational institutions and even families, foster innovation by helping young people (and old people!) become more disciplined and gritty"? That is the question posed by Jim Kim - President at the World Bank, after a recent discussion with Bill Gates. After reading this recent article posted by Mr. Kim, I began wondering whether this type of grit is a old world [...]

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    Google wins at everything! Should we fear they are trying to take over the world?

    According to Jason Calacanis "It's starting to seem like Google wins at everything...." This morning I was catching up on my reading/podcast listening (yep, that's how I continue to keep myself up-to-date) and an interview with Jason really struck a chord.  Instead of worrying that Putin and his escapades in and around Ukraine might become the spark for World War 3, I started wondering how Larry[...]

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