In the CEO Afterlife

JUNE 20, 2013

In traditional manufacturing companies, sales departments know tactics better than most other functions because sales people work with tactics every day. If the retailer’s unique position in the market is lowest prices for brand name items, then all pricing tactics must support that image. That’s tactical decision-making.

Tactics 217

Tactics Retail Price Brand 217

In the CEO Afterlife

AUGUST 29, 2011

Clout as Strategy and Why Companies Won’t Admit It. Articulating how a company will become the biggest and the best is the strategy. Regulators now worry that declining seed competition may lead to price increases on foods that every American family consumes. Oracle, IBM, Google, SAP, all big companies, all giants.

Strategy 131

Strategy CEO Company Competitive Advantage 131

In the CEO Afterlife

MAY 22, 2013

The Conference Board suggests that the pressure of serving as the CEO of a large company in an increasingly competitive global marketplace has resulted in more voluntarily shorter tenures, implying that CEOs are leaving on their own terms after fewer years on the job. Back to my question – who to blame for lackluster CEO performance?

CEO 260

CEO Human Resources Conference Price 260

In the CEO Afterlife

MAY 10, 2018

For larger and mature companies, the hard part seems to be giving up the familiar space that isn’t working so well anymore, so that you can focus on a new segment or opportunity. It’s a tough world even for big-company generalists, who take on the complexities of product diversification. Don’t wait for a crisis. Just ask J.C.

Maturity 159

Maturity Tips Entrepreneur Bottom-up 159

In the CEO Afterlife

SEPTEMBER 3, 2012

Using the coffee business as an example, a spike in coffee futures because of a frost in Brazil is going to raise the consumer price of coffee and reduce demand. An experienced company knows the ramifications and deals with this type of situation. If your company is going through such a challenge, don’t panic. This is panic.

Short-term 232

Short-term Long-term Advertising Hammer 232

In the CEO Afterlife

MAY 20, 2014

Negotiating for a lower price or something extra is the modus operandi of every antique retailer, real estate broker, flea market merchant and automobile dealer. Culture is the state of mind that says, “These are the things that really matter in this company. Some companies thrive on innovative cultures. Mindsets are free.

Real Estate 215

Real Estate Human Resources Bureaucracy Constraint 215

In the CEO Afterlife

SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

These companies have been merger and acquisition advocates for decades. Other than reducing costs and fattening stock prices, M & A’s have done nothing to strengthen the strategic health of the acquirer or the acquiree. German production is expensive. Should Porsche care? Not at all. VW Succumbs to the Lure of Slovakian Labor.

Brand 100

Brand Competitive Advantage Fashion Price 100

In the CEO Afterlife

MARCH 26, 2012

Started just ten years ago, this company boasts sales of $1.95 And finally, good marketers never launch a premium brand concept at a low price. Ironically, Monster launched in 16 ounce cans at the same unit price as Red Bull’s 8.3 billion (+ 31% vs. year ago) and an after tax profit of $286 million – almost 17% of sales.

Reis 240

Reis Brand Apparel Energy 240

In the CEO Afterlife

APRIL 17, 2011

The brand’s premium price and premium margin has generated hundreds of million profit dollars for its shareholders. The exuberant Brand Manager came back with plenty of information including a story that had been long-buried in the company archives in Neuchatel. The “M” Word: A Company’s Most Underrated Intangible.

CEO 204

CEO Brand Brand Management Human Resources 204

In the CEO Afterlife

JULY 2, 2012

It is the mindset of a company in a “turnaround.” The tactic that works best to defend or build share in the short term is price cuts or special discounts. The truth of the matter was this: he was recruited to turn around a failing business on the verge of bankruptcy. Desperate times require desperate measures.

Sports 228

Sports Tactics Competitive Advantage Short-term 228

In the CEO Afterlife

JANUARY 22, 2012

When I was on the ‘hot seat’ and in the line of fire as a CEO, I constantly dealt with pressing day-to-day issues such as bringing in the quarter, forecasting erratic commodity markets, reacting to predatory pricing, and stressing over sales shortfalls and excess inventory. Ten years later, the company was in receivership.

Strategy 196

Strategy Short-term Constraint Strategic Planning 196

In the CEO Afterlife

APRIL 23, 2012

The companies that employed me were generally the underdogs in battles against bigger, better-financed organizations. But don’t be so obsessed with them that you allow yourself to be drawn into an emotional price war. The risk of market dominance is complacency – companies get used to environments devoid of intense competition.

Power 208

Power Sports Competitive Advantage Advertising 208

In the CEO Afterlife

OCTOBER 30, 2011

Years ago I had the displeasure of consulting for a Canadian natural gas company. ” “So is Allstate,” I said to myself. ” The irony in the VP’s response is the fact that this company was poor at customer service. acquired this misguided company. The answer should have been a no-brainer. Leadership.

Strategy 234

Strategy CEO Marketing Strategy Human Resources 234

In the CEO Afterlife

NOVEMBER 13, 2011

His price is whatever the customer chooses to pay. The “M” Word: A Company’s Most Underrated Intangible. Sure it is. This entrepreneur must be the wealthiest panhandler in Santa Barbara. He’s making a living by following the 4 P’s of Marketing. His Product is entertainment. As for his Place of business? Leadership.

Brand 245

Brand Merchandising Entrepreneur Audience 245

In the CEO Afterlife

JUNE 6, 2011

Al thinks the stock market is pressuring the company for more top-line growth. But, compared to last November, the share price is up by 30%. I can remember my initial shock at paying the same price for a cup of Starbucks as for a pound of packaged supermarket coffee. Specialists garner higher margins than generalists.

Ries 122

Ries Brand Hammer Marketing Strategy 122

In the CEO Afterlife

APRIL 26, 2012

And although the company finally fired Hayward, paid restitution, enhanced its drilling standards, and sponsored several feel-good TV commercials, it has failed to regain the trust it supposedly covets. Toward the end of 2010, the new CEO, Bob Dudley, promised “to move the company forward and rebuild confidence after the terrible events.”

Press Release 131

Press Release Reputation Tourism Advertising 131

In the CEO Afterlife

AUGUST 15, 2011

The piece described a passionate marketing company who has believed in the power of advertising and branding for most of its 100 years. to imbed in the mind the tangible and emotional values that garner premium prices over the long haul. The “M” Word: A Company’s Most Underrated Intangible. But to do it well.

Class 122

Class Marketing CEO Advertising 122

In the CEO Afterlife

APRIL 22, 2015

There are plenty of examples where radical change has either destroyed a company or brought it to its knees. This company is constantly searching for revolutionary new products and services. Target decided to “change for Canada” with a much different product assortment, and higher prices. Well, change is not always good.

Brand 100

Brand Core Competence Retail Advertising 100

In the CEO Afterlife

JUNE 19, 2011

Give us the ways and means and you will have a loyal customer keen to pay premium prices for your products and services. The “M” Word: A Company’s Most Underrated Intangible. To marketers, I say this: Go ahead, make a boomer’s day by helping us fulfill our lifestyle goals. But please. Did you like this?

Advice 147

Advice Marketing Marketing Strategy Brand 147

In the CEO Afterlife

JUNE 25, 2012

Last year, I came out of retirement for six months to help a smaller company brand itself. The company is Houweling’s Tomatoes. And let me tell you, in the current low price tomato market where supply greatly exceeds demand because of so many Mexican imports, this takes discipline and courage. In my mind, that’s a big mistake.

Brand 242

Brand Retail Bureaucracy Constraint 242

In the CEO Afterlife

JUNE 10, 2015

As a critical success factor, strategy turned into a lucrative industry for a host of consulting firms such as McKinsey & Company , and the Boston Consulting Group. Smart strategic thought became the conduit for propelling companies to decades of top tier performance. Culture is Today’s Poster Child. or so the saying goes.

Strategy 100

Strategy Critical Success Factor McKinsey Retail 100