Brand Notebookhttp://www.bryanclagett.com/the-clagett-file/en-US2010-03-13T10:41:32ZSquarespace Site Server v5.9.2 (http://www.squarespace.com/)America needs to get its own house in order.http://www.bryanclagett.com/the-clagett-file/2010/1/25/america-needs-to-get-its-own-house-in-order.htmlBryan2010-01-25T15:38:23ZNothing else to say.

]]>Less Talk, More Action.http://www.bryanclagett.com/the-clagett-file/2010/1/15/less-talk-more-action.htmlBryan2010-01-15T13:23:36ZThe best part of being part of an entrepreneurial venture is that things happen remarkably fast. Simply put, there is a lot less talk and a lot more action. Yes, I'm investing money and time and taking risks. In fact, every day we take risks, but that's the part I like most. We have really good motivation to experiment and try new things, and our culture is very forgiving when mistakes happen. 

How can businesses of all sizes instill the entrepreneurial spirit?  How can you talk less and act more?

]]>Thinking Local.http://www.bryanclagett.com/the-clagett-file/2010/1/12/thinking-local.htmlBryan2010-01-13T01:34:18Z

]]>Social Media Made Easy?http://www.bryanclagett.com/the-clagett-file/2010/1/8/social-media-made-easy.htmlBryan2010-01-09T02:23:59ZI appreciate the debate regarding the effectiveness of social media, I really do. But at the end of the day, we are simply talking about a new form of communication. And it is two-way communication, that allows dialog when done correctly. People can post statements, comments or opinions. And others can respond. Just look at this exchange.

It all started with a simple post and someone listening. Listening for an chance to connect in a natural, non-threatening way. Sure, I took a chance nothing could happen; there would be no response. So what. And 1st Mariner could have brought us in and we turned out to be fools. But you know what? It didn't turn out that way. The chance paid off, for both parties.

I enjoy social media largely because I like meeting new people. And that is why I find social media easy. Meeting new people comes natural for me. If you are a people person, be yourself online. Be helpful. Be a little fun. If this doesn't come natural for you, that is ok. But don't have high expectations for social media.

]]>Just Be Helpfulhttp://www.bryanclagett.com/the-clagett-file/2010/1/4/just-be-helpful.htmlBryan2010-01-04T13:54:59ZI thought I would start the new Year without getting too deep, after all, most of us are likely feeling a little groggy today as we get back from vacation or the long weekend.

With so much talk of advocacy in the financial services world, why not dumb it down a little. When thinking of your brand or even your day-to-day existence ask yourself this. Are you helpful? 

]]>Best Practices: From Forrester’s Researchhttp://www.bryanclagett.com/the-clagett-file/2009/12/28/best-practices-from-forresters-research.htmlBryan2009-12-28T13:47:45ZI was going through some of my files, doing my year-end cleaning, and came across this. I think it is still very much on target: 

"Today's agencies fail to help marketers engage with consumers, who, as a result, are becoming less brand-loyal and more trusting of each other. To turn the tide, marketers will move to the Connected Agency — one that shifts: from making messages to nurturing consumer connections; from delivering push to creating pull interactions; and from orchestrating campaigns to facilitating conversations. Over the next five years, traditional agencies will make this shift; they will start by connecting with consumer communities and will eventually become an integral part of them".

]]>3 for 2010http://www.bryanclagett.com/the-clagett-file/2009/12/27/3-for-2010.htmlBryan2009-12-28T02:09:47Z
  1. Marketers’ will continually feel tremendous pressure to produce ROI in all that they do, so we should expect a continual shift to online channels. At the same time, Banks and credit unions will emphasize technology that drives consumer ease, convenience and lower operating costs. Advanced analytics will justify this accelerating transformation.
  2. Cloud computing will mature rather nicely and its application will broaden.
  3. Mobile devices will become robust platforms for financial institutions and related applications with go beyond mere transactional consumer aids. Mobile will be viewed as important means to “touch” the consumer and establish a meaningful dialog.

]]>Social Malicehttp://www.bryanclagett.com/the-clagett-file/2009/12/24/social-malice.htmlBryan2009-12-24T16:30:05ZEveryone is jumping into the business of social media. A particular trend is developing in the agency business, where by some taut their robust social media capabilities. Well, before you believe them take a look at what they are doing to promote their own business. Do you they have a strategy? Are posts consistent?  Are they relevant? Are they in the business because they want to be, or because they have to be? Just look before you leap.

]]>Relationships Built On Trust Supports Growthhttp://www.bryanclagett.com/the-clagett-file/2009/11/25/relationships-built-on-trust-supports-growth.htmlBryan2009-11-26T02:17:00ZLet me get right to the point. You can spend millions on advertising and research, but at the end of the day, it is the people of your organization that really drive your brand and ultimately fuel growth.

Even in this flailing economy, brands are thriving. And I am willing to bet they are the brands of organizations that are managed by passionate people. That passion can be felt throughout the organizations culture. Where this really counts is in the everyday face-to-face interaction we have with employees, prospects and customers. When we demonstrate our passions, we can connect with others at an emotional level. Motives become more apparent, others open up to us and communication improves. Mutual trust is the by product.

Be surrounded by passionate people and share your passion. Get out there and open up a little. You'll have more fun, feel less stressed and cultivate stronger, meaningful, lasting relationships. And that translates to more success, for you and those you work with. People like to work with people they trust and are comfortable with. 

]]>The Endangered Agencyhttp://www.bryanclagett.com/the-clagett-file/2009/7/21/the-endangered-agency.htmlBryan2009-07-21T19:47:10ZThe ad agency business, as we know it, is ripe for extinction. The typical shop has become a commodity, lacking business insight and savvy strategy. Typically a shop spends too much time chasing the next "ad". Hello? Advertisers are pulling $$ from traditional media faster than Dick Cheney pulling the trigger. 

The agency of the future needs to be nimble, marketing oriented and willing to share some risk with clients. Marketers now face tremendous challenges and have no time for ego driven creatives that hawk recycled ideas. 

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