Yesterday I shared quotes from Amazon.com CEO Jeff Bezos that focused on entrepreneurial topics, especially stock and its price.
Today, we’re going to look at Bezos’ vision for Amazon marketing.
Let’s start with what you thought of the last Amazon ad you saw. You’re probably scratching your head and thinking that it wasn’t very good, since you don’t remember it.
There’s nothing wrong with your memory or the ad, for that matter, because there was no ad.
That’s right, no giant ad budget, no super-size presence at tradeshows, no typical corporate marketing.
“Instead of shelling out big bucks for lavish trade shows and TV and …read more

I want to share three comments from Jeff Bezos today, because tomorrow’s post is about him.
They all focus on the financial side and point up the great difference between Bezos and many other CEOs when it comes to money and stock.
If Bezos is anything he is pragmatic and real—no BS. And that is just as true when he is talking about entrepreneurial topics as about his business.
The truth in this comment has only increased over the years and will continue into the future. “Good ideas will always get funded, so that’s not going to be a problem. But you will …read more

Monday I introduced Chris Blackman, who attended the AlwaysOn GoingGreen West conference for us.
I found her reporting of the attitudes toward implementing renewable energy into the grid in the face of entrenched interests disturbing.
Fungible Grids
Will the energy grid replace existing sources of power—oil, coal, gas, and nuclear—with renewable energy? Currently, our energy is finite and polluting yet highly efficient. And all of the players in the market, producers and consumers, recognize the need to overcome these limitations.
Solar energy accounts for only 0.003% of energy consumption in the US today and that is projected to increase to 2% by 2025. That …read more

Normally Saturday is all about multiple links to useful information, but today I have something even more useful.
Every year KG Charles-Harris, EMANIO CEO and founder of M3, attends the Stanford Summit; this is the second year I’ve asked him to share what he learned with you.
I specifically asked that he provide a look at how this premier Silicon Valley gathering saw their role in the coming economic recovery.
As usual, the AlwaysOn Stanford Summit was a breath of fresh air with industry luminaries, entrepreneurs and venture capitalists interacting intensely.  The topic on everyone’s minds was, of course, the Grand Recession that …read more

Vinod Khosla, the co-founder of Sun Microsystems and now a venture capitalist, considers himself a pragmentalist (pragmatic environmentalist) and his investments reflect that attitude.
“And I’m a firm believer, technology is the real solution. The world will not go backwards. Human beings aren’t made that way. And so you have to come up with different solutions.”
All well and good, but he goes on to say that leaders need to hold opinions based on their own belief system and that if you believe strongly enough you can lead confidently.
The examples he mentions are Steve Jobs and Larry Ellison and therein lies the problem.
It’s …read more

I came across an old article I’d saved and thought it would be of great value during these trying times.
Thinking about and understanding risk is important whether you consider yourself a risk-taker or not.
Last year, Bill Buxton, researcher, professor, and author wrote a great column on risk in Business Week.
“Entrepreneurs, like ice climbers, are often said to risk their necks. But there are ways to cut danger to sane levels—and some very good reasons to try.”
People often comment that both groups are, politely speaking, nuts.
After offering up a detailed explanation of ice climbing Buxton says, “…the four considerations employed by …read more

I have four great lessons for you today.

arrogance doesn’t burnish your image;
don’t hesitate to tell a client they’re wrong when you know they are;
don’t just focus on what you’re doing for customers now, but what you’ll do for them in the future; and
culture sells.

They’re all wrapped up in a story about Intel’s new advertising plan and Venables Bell & Partners, the agency that’s doing it.
Lesson 1: In a nutshell, Intel’s concept of the branding effort was “we’re so important to your everyday life. Imagine a world without Intel. Your lights would go out. The world would stop revolving.” That’s …read more

Innovation drives the sacred P’s—productivity and profit.
For the smartest companies in this economy innovation didn’t stop with the economic crash; it’s still a hot topic and not just for products and business processes, but through every nook and cranny across the organization.
Innovation isn’t always earth-shaking or about the next big thing, but large or small, the outcome is always focused on better. Many companies spend big bucks on innovation assistance, hiring top consultants, going on special retreats, etc.
Aside from the fact that spending is more difficult these days, consultants and retreats typically tap only the higher levels of the company …read more

Last Monday I laid out a do-it-yourself plan for mangers to juice growth among their people. Beth Miller asked why I didn’t include coaching; I responded that I believed that line managers needed to take responsibility for professional development, especially in the current economic climate.
Beth asked,“So what holds back managers from coaching?”
My response is what I want to focus on today.
“I think it’s partly language. I know a number of managers who have implemented what I described in the post, do a terrific job developing their people, but don’t consider any of it coaching or even mentoring. One even scoffs …read more

It’s great when VSI (vested self-interest) drives positive happenings anywhere, but when it happens in kid-focused media it’s definitely cause for cheering.
And so it has to the MTV—channel folks love to hate.
“After years of celebrating wealth, celebrity and the vapid excesses of youth, MTV is trying to gloss its escapist entertainment with a veneer of positive social messages.”
According to Stephen Friedman, MTV’s general manager, for Gen X “the humor was more cynical, the idea of community seemed earnest and not cool. It’s the opposite now.”
I don’t care that it’s driven by the bottom line, it’s also a recognition that the …read more