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Dear CMO: I remember reading a wonderful vignette about Japanese spice manufacturer Ajinomoto some time back that described how the marketing team increased volume in a flat market. We can all relate to this type of Monday morning meeting, where everyone is trying to be creative but practical in thinking up ways to get their […]

Dear CMO: Do you work for a highly specialized marketing services company that has created a defensible niche in a highly profitable market? Can you do things that other companies just can’t do – maybe you’re faster, or more thorough, or more efficient? Can I ask you a question? Can anyone find you? If I […]

Dear CMO: I couldn’t think of a controversial topic, so let’s talk about faith-based marketing. First, a clear and open admission. I’m not a faith-based marketing expert. Never gone down this path. Not once. But there’s a story to tell here, so stick with me. Here’s my first impression. Marketing through faith-based channels has got […]

Dear CMO: Basaidai begins with ten blocks, if I recall correctly. An old friend, who was a fifth degree black belt, once wisely told me that any fight that begins with ten blocks isn’t going very well. I’d love to think that I actually broke ten arms as I began basaidai, but that’s probably wishful […]

Dear CMO: If a sign of a sharp intellect is the ability to extract abstract concepts from one situation and apply them successfully to another, then we should practice this art of learning every chance we get. In theory, it should make us smarter people. In practice, it will certainly make us more effective as […]