“Ikigal” & The Talking Brand: Marketing

"Ikigal" & The Talking Brand: Marketing Viewpoint by Shabeena Ahmed, WCW Columnist A blank page is an invitation to connect the random thoughts of one’s mind. A common sense of binding exists amongst all marketers. It comes with the understanding of the terrain. With the awareness of the knowledge of the realities that marketers operate in. It’s almost like a brotherhood. I talk of this brotherhood because I got a call this morning from one of our clients who took a moment to appreciate...

Celebrity TV, Executive Develoment & The Pursuit Of Happiness: Career Coaching

Celebrity TV, Executive Development & The Pursuit Of Happiness: Career Coaching Viewpoint by Andrew Scharf, Head of the WCW Group Celebrity TV is a phenomenon allowing viewers and participants to realize dreams. Iliza Shlesinger is the youngest comedian to win NBC’s reality comedy show entitled, “Last Comic Standing”. In addition, she is the first female comedian to win the competition on the 6th season of this American reality show. What is interesting is the manifestation of a dream into...

Special Report: Getting The Correct Mix-Performance & Fixed Pay

Special Report: Getting The Correct Mix- Performance & Fixed Pay (This is Part 2 of a special report on Compensation & Sales Force Dynamics) Viewpoint by James D. Roumeliotis, WCW Columnist Yesterday, we began by looking at the primary vectors of compensation and sales force dynamics. Today, I would like to draw your attention on the mix between performance and fixed pay. Getting the mix right will deliver tremendous benefit. Getting the mix wrong, and your firm will suffer from a demot...

The Fickle Fashions Of Spring: Paris Journal

The Fickle Fashions Of Spring: Paris Journal Andrew Scharf examines how innovative thinking can reshape brand attitude and sell vintage styles as trend setting fashion apparel Viewpoint by Andrew Scharf, Head of the WCW Group Every five minutes this week, the weather changed. It is April in Paris, and no, the chestnuts are not in blossom. It was a long winter. The daffodils are in flower. There is the occasional sunshine, but it is still chilly. No, this is not an April fool's joke. ...

The Impact & Politics Of Personal Branding: Strategic Marketing

The Impact & Politics Of Personal Branding: Strategic Marketing James D. Roumeliotis delivers a persuasive argument on why you should take the issue of personal branding with great seriousness and professionalism. Viewpoint by James D. Roumeliotis, WCW Columnist I had a striking and might I dare say, haunting thought that continues to stick with me. Twelve years ago, I met a girlfriend through a dating site. Yes, I know this is not unusual. However, she once remarked that I marketed mys...

Staking a New Position, 2010 Will Be A Year Of Repositioning: Public Relations

Staking a New Position, 2010 Will Be A Year Of Repositioning: Public Relations by Scott Chaikin, Dix & Eaton, WCW Guest Columnist While a lot of attention has been paid to the "transformation" of public relations, particularly in light of the rapid evolution of digital communication, the view from the trenches is more basic. The PR and marketing operations at most companies have been coping with smaller budgets and staffs for the past year and a half. Meanwhile, demand create...

How To Succeed In Business Without Having Any Budget: Emerging Business Trends

How To Succeed In Business Without Having Any Budget: Emerging Business Trends Gary Wells explores how to succeed in business without really having any budget Viewpoint by Gary Wells, Dix-Eaton, WCW Guest Columnist Got a budget? Probably not. When business leaders cut costs deeply and quickly in response to the economic crisis, corporate communications budgets were brutalized. What compounds the misery for communications executives is that, although their companies may be exper...

News/Marketing/Hospitality/Dining Out: Upscale Restaurant Marketing With Attitude

News/Hospitality/Marketing/Dining Out: James Roumeliotis addresses the key concerns facing the Hospitality sector by showing how the best restauranteurs can differentiate their dining experiences from other upscale establishments through clever marketing and showmanship Viewpoint by James D. Roumeliotis, WCW Columnist What do we conjure-up in our minds when we see or hear the expressions: Guide Michelin, Zagat, or “upscale restaurant”? Undoubtedly, they denote “fine dining” and a culinar...

Weekend/News: Marketing Strategy v. Public Relations – In Tune With The Times

Weekend/News/Marketing/Public Relations: James Roumeliotis demystifies the essentials on an often misunderstood business practice, and poses the issue- Public Relations vs Publicity and their Role in Marketing Viewpoint by James D. Roumeliotis, WCW Columnist There is a fallacy that most public relations firms do PR. Essentially they do publicity. How’s that possible, you ask? Well, this according to marketing gurus and what’s stated in Wikipedia: “Public relations and public...

News/ Marketing Management: The DNA of Marketing Excellence

News/ Marketing Strategy: Shabeena Ahmed advises on how to keep your marketing storyline straight, effective and coherent; it comes down to Relevance, Revision, and Reinforcement by Shabeena Ahmed, WCW Columnist All marketers strive to sell their stories these days. After they have managed to wiggle themselves out of the cobweb of approvals, governmental agencies, the big idea, the “one up” on competition, do they get the time to review it from a distance? When you are reviewing ...