Strategy is strategy, be it business or political. That said, I'd like some reader opinion on the situation in Syria.
The Situation:
So no one likes Assad. He's been accused of everything from supporting terrorism to terrorizing and even using poison gas on his own people. However, he's not a complete idiot and has curtailed some of his actions in the wake of international pressure. But the international community has been reticent to actually provide substantial support to these rebels.
Enter ISIS:
Thanks to western ambivalence and the power vacuum it has created, ISIS has seized much of Syrian rebel-held territory and is now poised, according to Turkey, to seize a key Kurdish town in Syria. Syrian forces are standing by idly.
Here's where I see Assad coming out on top. If he waits long enough, ISIS will defeat the rebels for him. At this point, the international community will be forced to help Assad seize back rebel-held territory from ISIS.
Imagine that, the US and its allies helping Assad recapture rebel territory. Question is, what strategy would be in the United States' best interest?
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Friday, October 3, 2014
How to use Steampunk in Your Startup
I've posted about steampunk before, that wonderful Victorian World Re-envisioned sub-culture that has slowly pervaded mainstream society. It's worth noting for any marketer in any startup. I just wanted to clarify things a bit after my first post on the subject.
I'm not suggesting any new venture replace their lithium batteries with steam-powered engines. Nor should they add levers to their smart phones - although that would be kinda cool. What I am suggesting is that you take notice of trends that guide buyer decisions. Sherlock, both modern Cumberbatch and Victorian clothed Downey, Jr. versions, speak to an interest in all things steampunkish. Then there's "The Knick" with Clive Owen and many more. The general public gets an warm fuzzy when it's wrapped in tweed or silk. So maybe your product design or at least its marketing should consider some form of trend conformity.
Here's where some clarification is needed. Steampunk speaks to an audience that is enthralled with details, richness, depth, men and women who want to see the opposite sex take a little more time and some more flair in dressing. I love my iphone, but part of that love is the ability to add old world warmth with steampunkish designed wallpaper. Likewise, I don't wear a bolo hat, but a vest with my suit was an up-sell I couldn't pass up. And the watch pocket in the vest inspired my wife to buy me a pocket watch, which I freakin love!
In marketing material, be aware of the deeper trend. Don't dress actors in Victorian period clothing, but do add the same richness and detail you might find in a Victorian photo. Add some updated steampunkish items as well. Think Willem Defoe and Gary Oldman in recent Prada adds.
There may be nothing Victorian at all in your product or marketing. When taking advantage of the steampunk trend, see it for what it is, a desire to enrich, embellish, and return to a more elegant sense of style and design. To re-envision the modern world with old world charms of politeness and flair, creating a better world that draws on the best of today and the past is steampunk. Capture that emotion in anyway possible. Just don't be bland and unimaginative. That is how steampunk can contribute to your marketing efforts.
Looking for some photo samples to add. Hit me!
Startups Need Strategy, Not Cash!
THE SITUATION
Client approaches business strategist, me, to raise funds for them. They assume they have the real deal and only need to have it put into a pretty document to get that funding. And that funding includes a full year’s salary, a well outfitted class A fully staffed office space. And they want all of this funded before a single dime is raised by the new venture.
THE REALITY
I don’t do that and no one will invest that plan. My job is to analyze and align the entire business. This includes aligning the founders’ skill sets with market realities, seeking collaborators, bootstrapping when possible and getting to market long before raising that first dime to prove the concept for the guys who will invest a dime, lots of dimes.
If properly aligned, most founders are amazed at how little cash they actually need to get started. My current new venture has trimmed its start up cost from $175K to $3,000 by awarding options, taking equity partners and using collaborators that are helping the product get to market quicker and smarter than ever dreamed. The product focus has changed dramatically along the way, the value has increased exponentially, and collaborators have starting coming to the business.
Another client, one I’ll never hear from again, I hope, asked me to help him raise $435K for a holistic all-natural-healing type new venture.
Don’t get me wrong. There’s a ton of money to be made in the hippy market. But this founder wanted me to raise funds for a company car, a fully equipped office with all new equipment and furniture, salaries for himself ($75K), two part-time hippies, marketing funds for TV advertising, and a well-known hippy healer working 1-2 days a week for $50K. All this without reliable revenue projections! He couldn’t even define his unique selling point.
I suggested he not hire anyone. Simply collaborate with that well-known professional healer, do his own part-time work, get class B or C office space on a short-term lease filled with used furniture, get a multifunction printer for $150, share marketing costs with the well-known guy, use temps when needed, and take the damned bus. I figure he could fund the whole operation with a credit card or maybe a weekend tag-sale. And I offered to help with all of this, but only if he could define the unique value if his service.
I haven’t heard back from him.
Another business and soon to be feature article here, asked for help developing a hub for entrepreneurs in the Hartford, CT area. The site would do everything from collecting details about entrepreneurs, service providers and investors along with validation for each, social components that were really unique, and it already had generated a great deal of interest from local heavy-weights through sheer founder determination and about 1,000 miles of month in sweat equity. His total start up cost was next to nothing. I volunteered to help at no charge because it would provide an avenue for finding new clients and because I liked the entrepreneurial skills the founder demonstrated. Talk about a collaboration!
Anyway, if you want to create something wonderful, something worthwhile, and you're willing to do whatever it takes to get there, even take the city bus for a few months - God forbid, call me to help. If you want quick cash for a company car, still call me. I want to give you a competitor’s number.
Client approaches business strategist, me, to raise funds for them. They assume they have the real deal and only need to have it put into a pretty document to get that funding. And that funding includes a full year’s salary, a well outfitted class A fully staffed office space. And they want all of this funded before a single dime is raised by the new venture.
THE REALITY
I don’t do that and no one will invest that plan. My job is to analyze and align the entire business. This includes aligning the founders’ skill sets with market realities, seeking collaborators, bootstrapping when possible and getting to market long before raising that first dime to prove the concept for the guys who will invest a dime, lots of dimes.
If properly aligned, most founders are amazed at how little cash they actually need to get started. My current new venture has trimmed its start up cost from $175K to $3,000 by awarding options, taking equity partners and using collaborators that are helping the product get to market quicker and smarter than ever dreamed. The product focus has changed dramatically along the way, the value has increased exponentially, and collaborators have starting coming to the business.
Another client, one I’ll never hear from again, I hope, asked me to help him raise $435K for a holistic all-natural-healing type new venture.
 |
| http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: An_Arch_Druid_in_His_Judicial_Habit.jpg |
I suggested he not hire anyone. Simply collaborate with that well-known professional healer, do his own part-time work, get class B or C office space on a short-term lease filled with used furniture, get a multifunction printer for $150, share marketing costs with the well-known guy, use temps when needed, and take the damned bus. I figure he could fund the whole operation with a credit card or maybe a weekend tag-sale. And I offered to help with all of this, but only if he could define the unique value if his service.
I haven’t heard back from him.
Another business and soon to be feature article here, asked for help developing a hub for entrepreneurs in the Hartford, CT area. The site would do everything from collecting details about entrepreneurs, service providers and investors along with validation for each, social components that were really unique, and it already had generated a great deal of interest from local heavy-weights through sheer founder determination and about 1,000 miles of month in sweat equity. His total start up cost was next to nothing. I volunteered to help at no charge because it would provide an avenue for finding new clients and because I liked the entrepreneurial skills the founder demonstrated. Talk about a collaboration!
Anyway, if you want to create something wonderful, something worthwhile, and you're willing to do whatever it takes to get there, even take the city bus for a few months - God forbid, call me to help. If you want quick cash for a company car, still call me. I want to give you a competitor’s number.
Startup Marketing and Video Campaigns
As a business strategist, I analyze the competitive landscape against the core competencies of my clients and develop business strategies based on this. This includes business model (how you do business), target markets (who you sell to), pricing and channel development (how the product moves from design through manufacture and into the customer's hands). One very critical and obvious channel is marketing to the customer.
Once you understand exactly who the customer is, age, sex, ethnicity location etc.. and I can help here, determining how to get to that customer is both art and science. Radio, television, print and web-based social campaigns are all still viable options, depending on the product.
Video is an option that should not be overlooked in nearly any market. Online video in particular is exploding. Unfortunately, and way too often, a client will be driven to pay for the prettiest video, the funniest video or one that hits a personal client emotion. Imagine a funny or sexy cancer-treatment advertisement. Some things should be serious.
All marketing campaigns should be targeted and aligned with the marketing goals of the organization, be it for profit or not. George Constance Business Strategy Consulting works with a number of partners to develop every aspect of a business venture. Through careful analysis and alignment, we reduce wasted cost and effort. And because we work with several partners, each with specific skills, we can develop your business timely and cost effectively. Something every startup needs.
If you're considering a marketing campaign, contact us to meet our marketing partners, videographers and web designers.
The Multimedia:
From our preferred marketing partner, Silent Partner Marketing. Contact us for an introduction.
Once you understand exactly who the customer is, age, sex, ethnicity location etc.. and I can help here, determining how to get to that customer is both art and science. Radio, television, print and web-based social campaigns are all still viable options, depending on the product.
Video is an option that should not be overlooked in nearly any market. Online video in particular is exploding. Unfortunately, and way too often, a client will be driven to pay for the prettiest video, the funniest video or one that hits a personal client emotion. Imagine a funny or sexy cancer-treatment advertisement. Some things should be serious.
All marketing campaigns should be targeted and aligned with the marketing goals of the organization, be it for profit or not. George Constance Business Strategy Consulting works with a number of partners to develop every aspect of a business venture. Through careful analysis and alignment, we reduce wasted cost and effort. And because we work with several partners, each with specific skills, we can develop your business timely and cost effectively. Something every startup needs.
If you're considering a marketing campaign, contact us to meet our marketing partners, videographers and web designers.
The Multimedia:
From our preferred marketing partner, Silent Partner Marketing. Contact us for an introduction.
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