Confessions Of An Industrial Marketer

User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), Customer Experience (CX)... All big buzz words we like to throw around a lot in Marketing Land. But how much are we missing? Where are the big gaping holes in our customer's journey? And how much potential business are we losing by not fixing these obvious holes?

Here's my (stretched) analogy of a favorite brick-and-mortar Pizza Shop I go to. Bon apetit.

Are you working on a Relationship Action Plan (RAP)?

If your networking game ain’t solid, consider investing some time into your network – it could be your most valuable asset!

Inspired by the book “Never Eat Alone”, I spent 3 months building a RAP in Google Sheets. And as I performed this repetitive (and BORING) process, I discovered WHY I was building my RAP in the first place.

SHOW NOTES:

1) Alicia Diamond's interpretation of putting RAP into action was very helpful:

https://www.aliciadiamond.com/blog/how-to-implement-never-eat-alone-to-change-your-entire-life

2) RAP TEMPLATE #1 (C/O ALICIA DIAMOND):

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/14--HAokWVRxBfHLIq_b3czE22X86vg5-eBQUynZz1w8/edit?usp=sharing

3) RAP TEMPLATE #2:

https://pdfcoffee.com/keith-ferrazzi-one-page-plan-pdf-free.html

4) "Never Eat Alone" book:

https://www.amazon.com/Never-Eat-Alone-Secrets-Relationship

"Half of all meetings are a waste of time," says a Forbes article from 2019.

Jeff Bezos, Mark Cuban and Elon Musk say meetings drag down productivity.

So, should we completely do away with meetings? When is a meeting actually more productive than any other communication tool?

In this episode, let's talk about what I've learned over the 5 years at a manufacturing company:

How do you keep "swag" from ruining your life? I'm talkin' hats, shirts, koozies, banners, prizes, etc. Arguablly one of the more annoying aspects of any B2B marketer's day.

But what if I told you there is a simple way to make a big part of this headache go away? What if there was a seamless way to track your inventory of "swag" so you don't have to check the storage closet every time?

Also, check out Ep. 17 I talked about the Importance of "Swag" in B2B Marketing.

Early May, we got to see Dave Chappelle at the Hollywood Bowl! (Yes, the one where the guy tried to rush the stage with a gun-shaped knife.) 

But we're not here to talk about that!

Cause this great sage and philosopher of our time had a very interesting bit about "Dreams". And if you're trying to improve your Networking Game (like I am) LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE right now! And know your place.

Why you should hire "The Wicked Child" for your marketing department. (And why you should be wary of "Good" or "Shy" child.)

Passover is the time we remember the Exodus from Egypt. The same "lessons" are taught over and over again - yet we get a different meaning each year. This year a certain passage in the Haggaddah struck me titled "The Four Children" - and of course I had to make a connection to Industrial Marketing!

Just a quick note about episode formats going forward.

If you could only have an abundance of one - Money, Power, or Fame - which would you choose?

Asking yourself this question might just might help you focus on your current professional and personal goal-setting... Especially if you're feeling a little burnt-out, or asking "Why am I even doing this?"

The answer might help you stay on track, and give yous some fuel to keep chipping away at a goal, bit by bit.

Or... You just might realize it's time to put down the axe and pivot.

In this episode, Aaron has a personality crisis while tending his backyard garden. And grasps desperately for marketing / gardening metaphors.

Was David Ogilvy right? Does being an A-List copywriter / marketer / advertiser mean you HAVE to give up hobbies, and spend less time with friends and family? 

If you are struggling, asking yourself "Am I REALLY This Person?" then maybe this episode is for you.

Are promotional give-away items (a.k.a. "Swag") really worth the investment?

Does having your logo on T-shirts, posters, hats, stickers, displays, pop-sockets, notepads, etc. really push the needle on SALES or BRAND AWARENESS?

I'll admit, I used to HATE swag. Thought it was a complete waste of money. A crutch for sales people. Until... We finally had a candid conversation with our sales force. And discovered the TRUE meaning and purpose of Swag.

In this episode, I go over 5 reasons why having GOOD swag may be very important to your business.