Order in the House

There's something about feeling like "you're getting a deal..." That is, about finding reason in chaos and reasonable pricing within all of it that makes you feel "special" when you find that one item that you're sure no one else has discovered...at that "today's sale price."  

There's that customer....

Then there's the knowing what you want, zipping in to get it, in the right color and size (or one of each), and the two minutes you have to spend looking for it - or you'll leave altogether - empty-handed.  And not think twice about it.

There's that customer too....

Which brings me to personas.

The great importance of personas: understanding your demo, how they think, function and move about your product - up against what you're about and then matching it all up.  I think it's objective number one to having your house in good order.  In good order gives you the ability to benchmark where your margins are, where they need to be and the practice of measuring their elasticity.  Otherwise, it's all shooting from the hip - a guessing game that forever continues and where no one really ever feels that special.  Which of course brings me next to brand....but that's for another day.

Two brands, one look?

Big and bold is the mantra of the season.  If you stroll your way through The Gap or Banana as of late, it seems to me it's getting harder and harder to tell where you are, even when you're there.  Sure, these brands live under the same big brand house, but is the sameness we're seeing from the big-box retailers a result of this life?  Or is it simply the latest trend?  Or should we liken this change to a retailer "update" that we're sure to see from others as the year progresses?  

I can't help it think about how this new wave of retail change parallels the 90's logo "swoosh" change that swept across the nation and then permeated its way down to the smallest of new businesses - whereby it seems quite commonplace yet today for a logo design to carry some element of a small swoosh, an elipse, a curve, or sphere.  In the end, they've all become a part of a design cycle that together consumers accepted as the symbolistic representation of businesses and all that they promise to deliver.  I can't help but wonder if we're beginning to see the same such sweep across the retail nation.  Guess I'll keep watching...

Leadership and Jobs

 The day I got my iPad (as a gift) was the morning Steve Jobs' passing was all over the news. A bit ironic. Even before then I knew I needed to know more about Steve - what he'd done, created and built. At the end of the day I had no real idea of his brilliance and I suppose never having known him personally, I never will - not really. What I have seen are glimpses of leaders like Steve. Brilliant, smart, and demanding (to the point of insanity). And part of me is intrigued by the insanity, the other is disgusted. It's not what we teach anyone, anywhere....it's not the prescription for how to behave, be a great leader, build teams and work with others....yet it happens - all the time. At some point we all work for someone who is unreasonable. And with that, we have the odd opportunity I suppose to learn. To learn how we really want to be treated, and to treat others. At the same time, right or wrong, I think the insanity can teach us what we are really capable of when delivering for such a leader - as certain personalities are drawn to and driven by true achievement possibilities under such a leader. I am one of these people. I have been driven to unreasonable insanity. And driven to deliver for the not so insane leader too. The question I struggle with at the end of the day is, "Why do we allow for unreasonable behavior when the leader is 'brilliant' or in the midst of achieving extraordinary results?" It seems to me people are willing and able, more often than not, to turn a blind eye to inappropriate behavior when success is being achieved. So would we say then that the same success would not be accomplished if not for or under the leadership of the 'unreasonable?' I don't think so. I think there is another way. Steve was brilliant, amazing, a genius, a visionary, etc., as are many other leaders and businessmen in our world today. Imagine though what 'may be' also achieved if for the empowerment and support of a more 'well-behaved' brilliant leader too. It could be truly amazing.