LIFE IS RELATIONSHIPS

Saw this at the end of a blog post by Steve Yastrow. The full post it is worth reading. You might also consider subscribing to his blog as well. Link > http://yastrow.com/

Differentiating yourself with advertising is usually futile and, at its best, very short-lived.  Differentiating yourself with relationships is lasting.

• How are you differentiating yourself?
• How is your business or employer differentiating?
• How much difference is enough?
• How are you building relationships?

Comments?

CBS SPORTSLINE: GREAT FEATURE

National Basketball Association related
Did not watch or follow last nights game between Boston and LA. This morning after it came to my attention that LA won game 5, I was wondering about the game. Did a Google search and came to CBS Sportsline. Usually go to ESPN or Yahoo Sports.

What I found is a feature not seen elsewhere and will definitely bring me back to CBS Sportsline. The feature is called "game flow." It shows the points scored on a graph. It indicated the spread and the pace of scoring. Rapid scoring will lead to a line that goes up faster than it goes to the side. A long drought of scoring by a team will be indicated by a flat line.

Next time you need some sports information check out CBS Sportsline.

WSJ: Cable Ads Again Accentuate the Negative

It's nice to see the competitive spirit alive and well. Customers should be better off with increasing competition for their business.

Possible results for consumers

• Lower prices
• Better service
• More services offered
• Better value
• Customized offers
  

Read the story in the Wall Street Journal.

Time, DirecTV, Verizon
Raise Rhetoric, Barbs;
Time to 'Blame-Storm'

By VISHESH KUMAR
April 28, 2008; Page B6

The battle for TV customers is getting personal.

A few funny blurbs from the article.

• "blame-storming"
• direct, hard-hitting facts
• "Empty Cable Suit,"
• rapidly deteriorating landline business

What are your thoughts?

TARGET PHARMACY

Target gets some kudos for bottle design from Randy Pausch.
See "April 16, 2008: In praise of good pill bottle design"

More background information about the design and idea of the bottle from Business Week.

HOUSE FOR SALE: TIGER TICKETS INCLUDED

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

That probably doesn't shock you.

The key for any individual property in a soft market is...

• Get buyer attention
• Get them intrigued
• Get them excited
• Get them to consider
• Get them to schedule a viewing

It's hard to sell a house at a fair price if the buyer is unwilling to view the property. To buy sight unseen is to offer pennies on the dollar.

The Detroit Tigers have what many to believe to be a very competitive team this year.
This may achieve some level of differentiation versus the objectives listed above.
The seller wants potential buyers to consider something other than major price reductions.

Tiger Tickets are priced at $5 - $ 65. These are individual game ticket prices.
Lets assume the package offered is [2] $15 tickets for all 81 home games [3 games have already been played as of press time]
2 * $15 = $30 * 81 = $2,430.

This offer is probably about 1% of the asking price for this property. Potential buyers will probably say... Keep the tickets and drop the price 2,500 bucks.

• Gets more potential buyers interested and in the door
  
• Keeps price cuts smaller than they would be without the ticket offer
• Resulting in a higher selling price

What are you thoughts on this offer?

THOUGHTS & QUESTIONS

WIN ON VALUE NOT PRICE




"Perceived value is what really counts."

• How is your product or service important?
• How is it different than other firms offerings?
• Do you truly deliver?
• How do you communicate your value proposition?
  

"People buy products and services because of how it makes them feel."

• Do you believe that?
• Why do you have that belief?
• What experiences support or conflict with that?
  

Your comments, thoughts and ideas are appreciated...