Author Archives:

Motorcycle marketing: throttle through the curve

Posted on May 8, 2012

While marketing a motorcycle brand is one of my dream assignments — the relationship between motorcyclists and their motorcycle is a powerful brand-building opportunity — this post is not about motorcycle marketing. It’s about marketing ideas that come to me … Continue reading →

Posted in Brand management | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Marketing apostate or grower

Posted on May 3, 2012

I understand some organizations don’t get marketing. It’s difficult to understand the emotional connections that build brand loyalty when you’re focused on incremental improvements in quality, reducing input costs and monitoring daily sales revenues. The leaders that give lip service … Continue reading →

Posted in What were they thinking | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Let ‘em go. They’ll come back, to Iowa.

Posted on March 18, 2011

It’s been more than six years since I wrote this blog post about keeping young Iowans in Iowa. When I look back on it, it’s still an issue and I still feel the same way. So, I thought I’d republish … Continue reading →

Posted in Place branding | 1 Comment

Don’t buy local if local sucks

Posted on February 28, 2011

I’m not a fan of “buy local” campaigns when loser brands try to guilt you into buying their inferior products from people who could care less, just because you live in the same zip code. I said the same thing … Continue reading →

Posted in Brand management | Tagged | Leave a comment

Does faith fit in a brand promise?

Posted on February 3, 2011

I first published this post in early 2009, on an earlier version of Brandhappens.com, but I think it’s still a great question. At the very end of Chapter 14 in Paul’s letter to the church in Rome, he made this … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Lessons from retail: go all in on the employee orientation

Posted on February 3, 2011

While I’m between full-time employers, I’m working a part-time job in big-box retail to pay the bills. I’m also learning some value brand lessons, including this one: Focus on the employee orientation – The best opportunity to maintain an amazing … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Embrace your milestone moments

Posted on January 31, 2011

This is an updated version of a post from the past, on a different version of Brandhappens.com. I think it still has a message worth repeating… This coming May 20th will be the 15th anniversary of my heart attack. Yes, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Hey customers: clean up your act in aisle 3

Posted on January 24, 2011

I’ve been working part-time in big-box retail for a couple of months now, and the biggest surprise I’ve had is the amount of time – and payroll – spent on just cleaning up after customers. When someone chooses a red … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Lessons from retail: avoid jargon

Posted on January 17, 2011

While I’m between full-time employers, I’m working a part-time job in big-box retail this holiday season to earn a little Christmas cash. I’m also learning some value brand lessons, including this one: Avoid the jargon – Every industry – and … Continue reading →

Posted in Brand management | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Engage everyone in brand management

Posted on August 24, 2006

>The doorbell rang, earlier tonight and a neighbor, wearing a harness filled with a little baby, asked me to come restart her mower. When I arrived, I quickly started the mower and proceeded to mow the lawn, not wishing to … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment