20 March 2006
Different > More of That
In my day job as a market strategist for professional services firms, I work at multiple levels all day. I bounce back and forth between strategy and tactics, between the big picture and the details that make the difference. I still find the professional services arena a challenge as clients come in all shapes and sizes and all levels of sophistication in their thinking about how they approach their markets.
Today I was reminded that marketers focused on the services sector are just as varied as my clients in their thinking. In a quick browse of some of other consulting and marketing blogs, I found an interesting entry by Suzanne Lowe on her Expertise Marketplace blog. Her article on the Be Better Trap points out an important point - marketing for services firms is not just about one-upping competing firms, it's about defining a differentiated market position that is better because it offers a unique value to clients.
Bravo to Suzanne for pointing out this trap which focuses competition inside the box - a box that the competitors draw for themselves by looking at each other instead of what their clients value. The ability to lead the market comes from understanding, anticipating, and focusing on market needs. To truly differentiate, talk to the market, not each other.
Today I was reminded that marketers focused on the services sector are just as varied as my clients in their thinking. In a quick browse of some of other consulting and marketing blogs, I found an interesting entry by Suzanne Lowe on her Expertise Marketplace blog. Her article on the Be Better Trap points out an important point - marketing for services firms is not just about one-upping competing firms, it's about defining a differentiated market position that is better because it offers a unique value to clients.
Bravo to Suzanne for pointing out this trap which focuses competition inside the box - a box that the competitors draw for themselves by looking at each other instead of what their clients value. The ability to lead the market comes from understanding, anticipating, and focusing on market needs. To truly differentiate, talk to the market, not each other.
19 March 2006
Basketball Means Togetherness
In our household, March Madness is a favorite time of year. We're not fanatical but we are definitely fans. My husband Ron says it is the advent of the pool that has driven this tournament to such popularity. A recent Fast Company article says that the American economy suffers a $3.8 billion+ loss in productivity during this time of year due to Madness. I can neither confirm nor deny this stat but I can say that having an NCAA team as an alma mater and being competitive enough to participate in the pool every year for the last decade has put basketball among the highest ranking activities for us in any given March.
This year, we are not doing well in the pool. It hasn't mattered much, however, as the quality of the basketball we are seeing continues to astound us. And, our UCLA Bruins are still in the hunt so all is not lost. Even if we lose the pool, our favored team might win and that will be consolation a plenty. And, in addition to watching some amazing three-point shots, buzzer beater wins, and the hopes of whole teams and seasons hang on a few moments of competition, we are enjoying the togetherness that is basketball for us.
For a few weeks, all meals are consumed in front of one game or another. We share the excitement of great play together and we talk about the losses as if they are those of our friends. Our dog Sierra has never been quite sure about her role when my husband and I are watching sports. She is confused by the alternating lulls and roars of watching a game. But, she knows excitement when she sees it and gladly participates by bringing mascots in the form of plush toys to cheer with us. If we are really excited, she barks with us in the same way people laugh when others laugh even if they don't know what was funny.
My husband is a sports pacer. He can rarely sit down to watch a game he really cares about. I remain seated but sometimes realize I've curled in on myself, fetally coping with anticipation. Sierra has decided that this year's tournament is to be viewed from the couch along with the rest of us. She tries to sleep during the lulls but places a loving head on your leg if she senses that you sense your team is losing. She sits up to share the moments of surprise. She moves to the floor if my husband begins pacing. So, although she doesn't watch things in 2-D and doesn't know the rules on the court, she knows that basketball means togetherness and gives the game her best.
This year, we are not doing well in the pool. It hasn't mattered much, however, as the quality of the basketball we are seeing continues to astound us. And, our UCLA Bruins are still in the hunt so all is not lost. Even if we lose the pool, our favored team might win and that will be consolation a plenty. And, in addition to watching some amazing three-point shots, buzzer beater wins, and the hopes of whole teams and seasons hang on a few moments of competition, we are enjoying the togetherness that is basketball for us.
For a few weeks, all meals are consumed in front of one game or another. We share the excitement of great play together and we talk about the losses as if they are those of our friends. Our dog Sierra has never been quite sure about her role when my husband and I are watching sports. She is confused by the alternating lulls and roars of watching a game. But, she knows excitement when she sees it and gladly participates by bringing mascots in the form of plush toys to cheer with us. If we are really excited, she barks with us in the same way people laugh when others laugh even if they don't know what was funny.
My husband is a sports pacer. He can rarely sit down to watch a game he really cares about. I remain seated but sometimes realize I've curled in on myself, fetally coping with anticipation. Sierra has decided that this year's tournament is to be viewed from the couch along with the rest of us. She tries to sleep during the lulls but places a loving head on your leg if she senses that you sense your team is losing. She sits up to share the moments of surprise. She moves to the floor if my husband begins pacing. So, although she doesn't watch things in 2-D and doesn't know the rules on the court, she knows that basketball means togetherness and gives the game her best.
12 March 2006
Internet Honesty
So, I've just been to a new-to-me blog called Not Quite Martha. I didn't mean to go to that one exactly. I remembered seeing the name of a blog called something like Not Martha. I searched and found that one but it's all about this crafty lady who seems like she's trying awfully hard to be Martha Stewart but finds herself not worthy. Her ready-for-retail hand made glycerin soaps with flower motifs are lovely but, alas, not what I was hoping to find with a title like "not Martha".
But I did find Not Quite Martha which is what I was expecting the other blog to be. I've read several entries like "I hate this phrase..." and "This is what happens..." and find it's like listening to a good friend. You get all the honesty of a day in the life and all the 'girl' issues a girl faces. I needed sarcasm, humor and irony in a blog referencing the queen of domesticity and found it there. Check it out and see what you think.
But I did find Not Quite Martha which is what I was expecting the other blog to be. I've read several entries like "I hate this phrase..." and "This is what happens..." and find it's like listening to a good friend. You get all the honesty of a day in the life and all the 'girl' issues a girl faces. I needed sarcasm, humor and irony in a blog referencing the queen of domesticity and found it there. Check it out and see what you think.
05 March 2006
Wind and Rain
It seems each time I create a new posting for this blog, we are in the midst of a storm howling outside my window. So, as the lights flicker, I tried out the email-a-post feature and wrote a short poem.
Wind and rain drive relentlessly from Winter to Spring
Each day brings new clouds, new watercolors, new possibilities
One restless season evolves to the next
The only constant is that there is weather, changing by the day, and sometimes by the hour
It's been a 'Pacific Northwest' more than a 'California' kind of year so far
What will the rest of '06 bring? Only dog knows...and doesn't care
Wind and rain drive relentlessly from Winter to Spring
Each day brings new clouds, new watercolors, new possibilities
One restless season evolves to the next
The only constant is that there is weather, changing by the day, and sometimes by the hour
It's been a 'Pacific Northwest' more than a 'California' kind of year so far
What will the rest of '06 bring? Only dog knows...and doesn't care
26 February 2006
Birthday lessons from Sierra
Last week went officially to the dogs and so I'm staying with the dog theme. The week went quickly and, at work and for many of our peeps, things were looking a bit down. But, Monday was Sierra's 7th birthday and it reminded me of some important lessons from dogland:
1) If you're a dog, every day is special, or at least has unlimited potential to be so
2) Birthday's are less about what you do or what you get than being with those you love
3) Sleep, play, eat...sleep, play, eat is a fine way to go through life
4) A good day at the beginning of the week can enhance your outlook during the whole week to come
5) The best way to greet others - friends or dogs - is with a smile and a wag of the tail (you can leave out the butt sniff if you're a two-legged)
I've had a few email responses but no blog comments on my initial posting so I'm wondering if I'm missing something in using this blog thing as an interactive tool or if everyone feels just as busy as me and thus, not ready to comment. In either case, I'm putting a new request into the ether to see if this will be a solo or group sharing...Please share a moment of dog bliss that you witnessed.
19 February 2006
Welcome to JillyBeans
This is the first JillyBean posting and it is dedicated to writing, specifically to writing about dogs. I have the idea that I'd like to communicate the many positive feelings dogs inspire for me but in a funny and suspenseful thriller. Rumbling around in the back of my mind are images, descriptions and feelings and also the horrible fear of creating saccharine text bits that don't do the subject justice. While I love dogs and get teary-eyed and lumpy-throated at many a dog story, I want to find ways to show the character, the pluck, and optimism that dogs represent to me. I also want to show the interaction between people and dogs that I find so fascinating. So, I'm opening up this blog session to others who may have similar concerns or, better yet, some helpful thoughts on the topic.
Doggie-style beans, anyone?
