March 8th, 2010 — On Brand |
The Brand Gap: How to Bridge the Distance Between Business Strategy and Design by Marty Neumeier
“Take-Home Lessons” include a definition of Brand as “…. a person’s gut feeling about a product, service, or company. It’s not what you say it is. It’s what THEY say it is.”
“Differentiation has evolved from a focus on ‘what it is,’ to ‘what it does,’ to ‘how you’ll feel,’ to ‘who you are.’ While features, benefits, and price are still important to people, experiences and personal identity are even more important.”
Where is your business on this journey?
March 6th, 2010 — Digital Assets, Intellectual Assets |
Who will pay the bill if an act modifying Copyright law is passed before the next election? Read House of Lords explanatory notes.
YouTube , Vimeo and Daily Motion amongst other potential website infringers of the proposed legislation may cry ‘this is a blow to web freedom’ but the one who pays the piper should still have a say in the tune that is called.
In answer to ‘the bill question’ it is likely to be the ISPs and then us that incur the effort and cost!
March 2nd, 2010 — Business Knowledge & Knowhow |
Property consultancy Drivers Jonas, that is in the process of merging with Deloitte, has been found guilty of “parasitisime” or parasitical behaviour by the Paris Tribunbal de Commerce. Rather than pay for a stand at an exhibition they hired the nearest restaurant to entertain conference delegates. In France that is ‘just not cricket’ according to the 100,000 euro judgement.
I have had clients who have done a similar thing in the UK to contain overall costs and wonder where we all go from here? Take up Boules perhaps!
February 28th, 2010 — I P R |
Patent Storm ‘offers the full-text U.S. patents and patent applications from the U.S. Patent Office’. In this case the process of a dwarfism gene which produces a petunia plant and flower which are reduced in size.
Plant Breeders’ Rights PBR’s are a form of intellectual property that offers legal protection for the investment plant breeders make in breeding and developing new varieties.
Photo courtesy of marilynnm63 Creative Common license on Flickr
February 26th, 2010 — Intellectual Assets, Personal Brand |
What is a team without people?
In Football a good board of directors raise finances and look after business. The team on the pitch plus ‘the squad’ and backroom staff all contribute to a seasons results. Assessing performance, setting targets and calling the shots the great mangers shape the sports results.
Spectators and fans buy merchandise and tickets whilst cheering on the team.
Your business needs people who fill the key roles of strategic importance, leadership and operational ‘doers’.
February 25th, 2010 — Intellectual Assets, Systems & Procedures |
It looks like Mossad have blown one of their trade secrets, the cloning of identities. On a serious note the USA have growing litigation based on their Uniform Trade Secrets Act and the UK may expect more action on this side of the pond.
Trade secrets should be protected from “misappropriation” by staff and industrial espionage. However you need good systems and policies to identify and control issues that may include breach of contract, breach of the duty, tortious interference and unfair competition.
Cases involving staff using USB sticks, personal email addresses and digital cameras may be hard to catch or prove, often only coming to light when damage is noticed.
February 25th, 2010 — Business Knowledge & Knowhow, New Business Brands |
Mill towns, Ship builders, Building societies and Car manufactures have all benefited from locating their businesses near similar activities. Science and technology parks are the new Glasgow or Coventries and it still makes sense to locate your business where industry talent is being developed.
Coal, Steel and Textiles may be synonymous with traditional Yorkshire businesses but this article highlights some of the many sweet brands that have been developed in Yorkshire.
February 24th, 2010 — Business Knowledge & Knowhow, Market awareness |
The European Commission is at it again with an investigation sparked by three of Google’s potential competitors. Alleging ‘abuse of its dominant position’ this investigation is a penalty of having over 80% of the UK search market.
Google’s customer loyalty has been earned through technical excellence and a customer service that provides a high level of satisfaction such that customer eschew other offerings.
Customers can always vote with their feet or a click of their fingers in this case.
Julia Holtz, senior competition counsel for Google says ‘increased scrutiny comes with the territory when you are a large company’. Envy and commercial practice can attack your Intellectual Assets.
February 21st, 2010 — Business Knowledge & Knowhow |
T-Mobile
The proposed joint venture between Orange and T-Mobile looks like it will get clearance from the European Commission despite consumer champion Which, The OFT, Ofcom and our Competition Commission.
As the Sunday Telegraph put it ‘Based on the Lisbon Treaty, the European Commission has the ultimate power to decide on such issues.’
Side agreements have and will be done to sweeten smaller mobile competitor 3.
Knowledge of and engagement with the power bases can be an important part of your Intellectual Assets.
It is an international market out there ’so mind how you go’.
February 18th, 2010 — New Business Brands, Personal Brand |
Batman or the Caped Crusader was named and created by Bob Kane for DC comics in 1939. Will your business name or nom-de-plume last over 70 years?
Avoid fashions that come and go if you want to establish longevity with your brand.
The Joker
‘Robin, I need to go to the bat-room for a couple of minutes’
‘Holy-loo-ya Batman’
Time to eat - Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner Batman
