The World Cup is throwing up lots of management styles.
The players respond accordingly.

One, Maradona, is being relaxed, free flowing and fun.
Now look at how his players are playing.
The second, our near neighbour, is being a little autocratic.
Now look at how his players are playing.

Why don’t you take an armchair look at yourself and analyse your style.
Better still, see how your players are playing.

That might just tell you.

What you say says a lot about who you are.
How you say it, even more.

Words can easily be misunderstood.
For example – buckle.

To some, it describes collapsing.
For others, strengthening.

Online, our national weather forecasting office are putting psychology into science.
Why?
More than once I have seen the following;

“The odd shower”

I didn’t know showers could behave like that.

It’s funny how theory can get disconnected from reality.
The theory says ‘fight hard to win more sales and recruit a new customer’.
Reality sometimes says ‘no problem’.

In service, ‘no problem’ should be something the salesperson says to the customer.
Not the other way around.

I tried to book in to a nice hotel but try as I might ….

The girl on the phone quoted me a rate higher than website.
I pointed out the confusion and I’d be happy to pay their online rate.

“Sorry Sir but we are fairly full that night.”

I told her that was ‘good’.

I asked if ‘fairly full’ meant ‘available rooms’.
She cheerfully said “yes”.

I asked again if the weekend online rate would apply.
She said a final and firm “No”.

I said, “sadly, I’ll have to go elsewhere or take a break another time”.

Her reply? “No problem.”

Next time, make sure your sales person adopts a ‘no problem’ view.
And beware of people quietly dismantling your brand.

How do you run a Sales Meeting?

Do you try to ambush?
Do you ‘suspect’?
Do you not trust?
Do you investigate covertly?
Do you play games?
Do you use paperwork to snare?
Do you try to catch them out?

If you do, guess who I’d look to fire?

Every day lots of hoteliers get uptight because prices are at an all time low.
Every day they get distracted, deflected and depressed because their margin is under pressure.
Every day, many repeat the infectious self harm. They sell on price rather than experience, unique, memorable, colourful or even adventurous.
If you want your guests to buy based on price – advertise and entice them based on price.
On the other hand, if you want to paint a picture, draw me into a dream – you know what to do.
Whatever you choose, prepare for a response to the message pumping out of your chimney.

Here is a simple but powerful challenge;
Can you make something ordinary into extraordinary?

Not easy but rewarding.

We were having lunch in Dublin City Centre.
We chose The Westin.

A great girl, with a huge personality, was instantly enchanting.

It was a hot day, we were thirsty. We asked for a glass of water, still water.

With a bright smile, a brighter personality, she arrived back with 3 glasses of ice cold water complete with a slice of lemon and lime.
She presented our welcome glass with a fabulous line, “Here is your filtered ice cold water”.

Now you can see why ordinary, once extraordinary, becomes memorable.

The Westin should take a bow.

I like the word ‘dream’.
In business, I prefer the word ‘goal’.

The first keeps it out of reach.
The second makes it a destination.

I worry about the phrase “this might work”.
I love the confidence, energy and drive of “this has to work”.

You choose but it’s not really a choice.
Is it?

We love Marketing.
We love discovering and working out what your message is.
Have great fun writing it up.
Enjoy brainstorming unique ideas.
Adore putting it all together with your team.
And love the fine art of weaving it all together.

That’s our bit and once we bring your team into the project and cheerfully on board.
The rest is up to you.

Nothing bugs me (and us) more than great work sliding lazily away.
In other words, it’s only great work if you use it.

George Bernard Shaw should have been in Sales and Marketing.
Why?

Because this is what he said;

“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”

I remember a dear friend of my Dad.
He once said, “You can teach and tell people to do anything. After a while, they will simply do it”.

As consumers we also do lots of things …. Well, just because!

I was online alone (nobody but little ‘ol me) and I wanted to book a flight.
The fee seemed weighty enough but I persisted.
A few steps later the weighty fee was just too much.
I sighed and said, “No, not worth it”.

But what was the deal breaker?
It was the extra little lump that they called ‘A handling fee’.
I was still online, still alone, just me and my computer.
I was the one ‘handling’ the booking.
I was ‘handling’ the work.

Unless I’m mistaken, there was nobody ‘handling’ anything on the far side?

‘Handling’ means to lift or handle. It implies an additional often heavy chore.
Fair enough.
But, these days, isn’t it the software that ‘handles’ my booking?

Maybe they should update their terms.
Maybe they should drop it.
Maybe their marketing could be less creative.
Maybe even more truthful?

I could live with honesty, I might even buy.
I’d call it “Extra profit just for us”

At least I would believe them.

I don’t like Waffles.
I despise waffle even more.
Sadly, waffle is everywhere.

If you are going to waffle remember this;
You won’t be remarkable.

If you want to be remarkable, say or do something remarkable.
If you can’t, say nothing.

Let me give you an example;

“We always offer quality driven innovation and customer focused high end initiatives with an absolute focus on their delivery.”

Oh Please!
(I nearly said “Shut Up!”)