Archives for June 2008

Indiana's Got Me – w/exceptional Marketing and Service

June 19, 2008 by Leave a Comment

The song says "Indiana Wants Me…" but in my case, they’ve already got me – actually my daughter.  I’m talking about Indiana University in Bloomington, IN.  My daughter will be attending their Kelley School of Business this fall as a freshman.  Besides being one of the top-ranked business programs nationwide, IU as an institution did an absolutely phenomenal, high-touch, marketing campaign that sealed the deal.   How?  — with laser focused personal service. 

Iu_card_3 You may ask how you can be personal when you are seeking the attention of tens of thousands of students.  Well, as you can see from the attached image of a postcard she received early in the process, there are ways to do this.  (Click on the image to enlarge and take a look at the sign and license plate).  Additionally, they were quick to respond in every way, whether it involved scholarships, receipt of test scores, personal phone calls, whatever.  The truth is, my daughter was sold for a number of reasons that came out of her visit to the university last year.  Yet, if there had been any doubts, they were eliminated long ago. 

But it doesn’t stop here.  Yesterday my daughter received a personal, hand-written note from one of the orientation coordinators (a student).  She wrote to thank Ali for her participation in one of the presentation activities during the orientation program last weekend.  Just one more little bit of extra effort that adds up with the others to create an enormous mountain of "glue" that holds together a well-orchestrated marketing effort.  I can honestly say it just may be possible for me to enjoy emptying my wallet for the next four years to support IU as they prepare my daughter for the future!  Hmm… maybe that was part of their plan? 🙂

Perseverence Works in Business (and it Rocks!)

June 16, 2008 by Leave a Comment

Now that the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines is finally history, you can’t help but wonder who is the big winner.  I think both Tiger and Rocco Mediate gained some serious stature in this battle of staying power.  Sure, they both blew some easy putts.  But they also won clutch holes when they needed them most – and in very different ways.  Isn’t that how business works too?  You’ve got to use what works for you, regardless of the circumstances.   In my mind, someone rocks that shows us how to do something  that we can admire, and possibly emulate and learn from. 

Every "economy" presents different challenges.  Right now there are businesses that are prospering, and some that are struggling.  Some of those prospering now have successfully come out of past struggles.  Why?  Perseverance.  Nobody can stay on top all of the time – not even Tiger Woods.  His injured knee only goes to prove that he too is vulnerable and has a limited amount of time to accomplish his goals.  He also proved he’s willing to make the best of his present circumstance and work through some pain – literally.  Rocco Mediate has worked through years of back pain and came to enjoy one heck of a tournament against the best of the best – when he least expected it – and while others his age are counting the days until they can join the, ahem, Champions (used to be called Seniors) Tour.

Tiger_rocco In my book they are both winners.  They both rock.  Tiger achieved his goal of a 14th major on his home track in what he called possibly his best tournament yet.  Rocco leapt 110 spots from 157 to 47th on the world rankings.  That has to be sweet as it will likely attract a sponsor or two.  You couldn’t ask for a better outcome – two winners.  It only goes to show that when you hang in there, and do what you know you have to do, you and your business – whatever it is – will work.  And it will rock.  And that means others will win too by learning from you.  And that’s alright, isn’t it?