Posts Tagged ‘killing giants’

Training with Bare Knuckles + Customer Insight

TweetThere’s a reason why taping your wrists is a lousy way to train on a heavy bag. You will never, ever get in a fight with a heavy bag at the precise moment that you’ve just taped your wrists and put on your gloves. This is why so many training programs are useless when it comes to […]


Note to CMO: Jim Koch & What Giants Can’t Do

TweetDear CMO: “Could a giant do what we do? It would be difficult because it’s not what they’re good at. They’re good at mass producing, very cost effectively, beers that appeal to the mass market… it’s not outside their capabilities, but it’s like McDonalds… could McDonalds make filet mignon? Sure, but it’s not the business they’re […]


Note to CMO: Eric Ryan, Method and the Joys of Being an Outsider

TweetDear CMO: I spoke with Eric Ryan, co-founder of Method, about how a brand can successfully struggle with internal brand tension and the fun of fighting for retail shelf space against competitors who spill more detergent at the loading dock than you manufacture. There were dozens of great nuggets from the conversation, but one in […]


Note to CMO: Three Examples of How Speed and Focus Win in Bad Times

Tweet Dear CMO: “For every pundit who proclaims that smart brands don’t cut marketing in bad economic times there are a thousand business owners who know differently.” But when should you listen to these pundits and actually increase your marketing spend in bad economic times? Here are three cases to consider: When our marketing puts […]


Note to CMO: Nine Rules for 2009

Tweet Dear CMO: It’s that time of year, when pundits of all shapes, readerships and sizes put their prognostications out for all to see. We won’t spend too much time on last year’s resolutions for fear of dwelling on the past. Next question, please. If a quick glance at Drudge tells us anything, it’s not […]