It Pays to Be Easy

Scott Dieckgraefe Insight

People are a lot like water, they’re always looking for the path of least resistance, and marketing trends are no different. There’s an evolution that’s natural and easy to identify if you look for the indicators. Whether it’s better societally is debatable. But one thing’s for sure, it’s always easier. Historically, companies like Ford, Microsoft, and Amazon have become the …

The Power of Stockpilling Customer Goodwill

Scott Dieckgraefe Insight

Remember the song, “United Breaks Guitars” from back in 2009? A performer wrote the song after seeing his guitar being manhandled by United baggage attendants. The song attained 17 million YouTube views. How about this spring when United Airlines forcibly removed Dr. David Dao from a flight? A photo of the bleeding doctor being dragged down the airplane aisle by …

The Secret to Recruiting and Retaining Employees in a Tight Job Market

Scott Dieckgraefe Insight

When was the last time anyone applauded in your workplace? And not following a CEO speech. If you can’t remember, you’ll want to keep reading. In a perfect world, employees at every level in a company are motivated to do a great job. They encourage others in their tasks, are happy to be at work, and they embrace the corporate …

Reframing Risk as a Positive Business Influence

Scott Dieckgraefe Insight

When Sir Ernest Shackleton planned his 1814 expedition to explore Antarctica, his help wanted ad reportedly stated: “Men wanted for hazardous journey.  Low wages, bitter cold, long hours of complete darkness.  Safe return doubtful.  Honour and recognition in event of success.” Shackleton offered risk – he didn’t promise easy money or carefree times, yet he was overwhelmed with applicants.  Today, …

Four Secrets to Scoring Extra Media Coverage for Your New Product

Scott Dieckgraefe Insight

Launching a new product is an exciting time for a company.  Product engineers are getting kudos for their hard work, the sales force is revved up, and marketing efforts are kicking into high gear to let the world know about your new offering. Your marketing plan for the launch likely includes these tactics: Professional photographs of the new product Digital …

Brand Personality Matters

Scott Dieckgraefe Insight

I don’t always drink beer.  But when I do, I prefer Dos Equis. These words are, of course, from the wildly successful ad campaign created by Euro RSCG (now Havas Worldwide) in 2006 for Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma Brewery’s Dos Equis brand. Jonathan Goldsmith played The Most Interesting Man in the World for 10+ years and ended each ad with the line “Stay Thirsty My …

Are Your Branding, Marketing & Sales Efforts Aligned?

Scott Dieckgraefe Insight

You’re faced with a challenge:  how to differentiate your company and products to warrant a higher price than your competition, while providing quality leads for your sales force to close. Let’s imagine that you’re a mid-market manufacturer making industrial widgets.  Your company has grown into a comfortable industry position, and probably relies more heavily on sales efforts rather than marketing.  …