Comments on: From Hugh Beaumont to Hugh Laurie – Changing Cultural Icons and the Marketing Challenge http://www.straightnorth.com/blog/from-hugh-beaumont-to-hugh-laurie-changing-cultural-icons-and-the-marketing-challenge/ Internet Marketing, Branding and Web Development for B2B Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:45:41 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Brad Shorr http://www.straightnorth.com/blog/from-hugh-beaumont-to-hugh-laurie-changing-cultural-icons-and-the-marketing-challenge/comment-page-1/#comment-4918 Brad Shorr Mon, 04 May 2009 11:05:42 +0000 http://www.wordsellinc.com/?p=1630#comment-4918 Hi Nomad, If they do, I'm going to have a lot of time on my hands. Hi Cath, They still show "Leave It to Beaver" reruns on TV here in the States. If you ever have a chance to watch an episode, I'd love to know what you think. You'll see characters with flaws, just not Hugh. Hi Nomad, If they do, I’m going to have a lot of time on my hands.

Hi Cath, They still show “Leave It to Beaver” reruns on TV here in the States. If you ever have a chance to watch an episode, I’d love to know what you think. You’ll see characters with flaws, just not Hugh.

]]> By: Nomad http://www.straightnorth.com/blog/from-hugh-beaumont-to-hugh-laurie-changing-cultural-icons-and-the-marketing-challenge/comment-page-1/#comment-4917 Nomad Mon, 04 May 2009 03:55:32 +0000 http://www.wordsellinc.com/?p=1630#comment-4917 I hope they never stop showing House reruns I hope they never stop showing House reruns

]]> By: Brad Shorr http://www.straightnorth.com/blog/from-hugh-beaumont-to-hugh-laurie-changing-cultural-icons-and-the-marketing-challenge/comment-page-1/#comment-4916 Brad Shorr Thu, 30 Apr 2009 11:47:01 +0000 http://www.wordsellinc.com/?p=1630#comment-4916 Hi Cath, One reason a business blog is helpful is that it provides a medium from which to convey and discuss the flaws. Easier to do there than anywhere else on a corporate site. <abbr><em><abbr><em>Brad Shorrs last blog post..<a href="http://www.wordsellinc.com/blog/content-optimization/get-to-page-1-on-google-with-content-optimization/" rel="nofollow">Get to Page 1 on Google with Content Optimization</a></em></abbr></abbr></em> Hi Cath, One reason a business blog is helpful is that it provides a medium from which to convey and discuss the flaws. Easier to do there than anywhere else on a corporate site.

Brad Shorrs last blog post..Get to Page 1 on Google with Content Optimization

]]> By: Pages tagged "leave it to beaver" http://www.straightnorth.com/blog/from-hugh-beaumont-to-hugh-laurie-changing-cultural-icons-and-the-marketing-challenge/comment-page-1/#comment-4915 Pages tagged "leave it to beaver" Thu, 30 Apr 2009 07:33:05 +0000 http://www.wordsellinc.com/?p=1630#comment-4915 [...] bookmarks tagged leave it to beaver From Hugh Beaumont to Hugh Laurie - Changing Cultu... saved by 2 others     RainHawk1 bookmarked on 04/30/09 | [...] [...] bookmarks tagged leave it to beaver From Hugh Beaumont to Hugh Laurie – Changing Cultu… saved by 2 others     RainHawk1 bookmarked on 04/30/09 | [...]

]]> By: Cath Lawson http://www.straightnorth.com/blog/from-hugh-beaumont-to-hugh-laurie-changing-cultural-icons-and-the-marketing-challenge/comment-page-1/#comment-4914 Cath Lawson Thu, 30 Apr 2009 05:45:55 +0000 http://www.wordsellinc.com/?p=1630#comment-4914 Hi Brad - I recognise the guys picture but I don't recall the TV program, as I wasn't born then. I think it's often easier to trust someone if we can see their flaws. Sometimes, when a person or a business appears to be too perfect, it's easy to wonder what they're hiding. Hi Brad – I recognise the guys picture but I don’t recall the TV program, as I wasn’t born then.

I think it’s often easier to trust someone if we can see their flaws. Sometimes, when a person or a business appears to be too perfect, it’s easy to wonder what they’re hiding.

]]> By: Brad Shorr http://www.straightnorth.com/blog/from-hugh-beaumont-to-hugh-laurie-changing-cultural-icons-and-the-marketing-challenge/comment-page-1/#comment-4913 Brad Shorr Mon, 27 Apr 2009 17:09:28 +0000 http://www.wordsellinc.com/?p=1630#comment-4913 Hi Fred, You're right about stonewalling being nearly impossible. Attempts to do so have backfired badly, including on savvy companies like Dell. I guess you just have to assume everything that is done or said will become public knowledge. Hi Barbara, Not sure I agree with you about "reality" shows always bringing in sales. Sometimes, yes, but always ... I think there's a good chance for a backlash if the public thinks its being manipulated. That's why it's so difficult for companies to orchestrate a "viral" campaign. <abbr><em><abbr><em>Brad Shorrs last blog post..<a href="http://www.wordsellinc.com/blog/news/news-and-thank-yous/" rel="nofollow">News and Thank You’s</a></em></abbr></abbr></em> Hi Fred, You’re right about stonewalling being nearly impossible. Attempts to do so have backfired badly, including on savvy companies like Dell. I guess you just have to assume everything that is done or said will become public knowledge.

Hi Barbara, Not sure I agree with you about “reality” shows always bringing in sales. Sometimes, yes, but always … I think there’s a good chance for a backlash if the public thinks its being manipulated. That’s why it’s so difficult for companies to orchestrate a “viral” campaign.

Brad Shorrs last blog post..News and Thank You’s

]]> By: Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach http://www.straightnorth.com/blog/from-hugh-beaumont-to-hugh-laurie-changing-cultural-icons-and-the-marketing-challenge/comment-page-1/#comment-4912 Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach Mon, 27 Apr 2009 17:02:40 +0000 http://www.wordsellinc.com/?p=1630#comment-4912 I like what Karen wrote: "we demand authenticity and transparency yet fire people and flog companies when mistakes are made. We want “real” people but not too real." and that's why hype and carefully-groomed "reality" shows will always bring in the sales. Data points, Barbara <abbr><em><abbr><em>Barbara Ling, Virtual Coachs last blog post..<a href="http://www.virtual-coach.com/forums/empathy-channel/184-i-now-have-18-free-flying-parakeets-empathy-please.html" rel="nofollow">I now have 18 free-flying parakeets - Empathy, please!</a></em></abbr></abbr></em> I like what Karen wrote:

“we demand authenticity and transparency yet fire people and flog companies when mistakes are made. We want “real” people but not too real.”

and that’s why hype and carefully-groomed “reality” shows will always bring in the sales.

Data points, Barbara

Barbara Ling, Virtual Coachs last blog post..I now have 18 free-flying parakeets – Empathy, please!

]]> By: Fred H Schlegel http://www.straightnorth.com/blog/from-hugh-beaumont-to-hugh-laurie-changing-cultural-icons-and-the-marketing-challenge/comment-page-1/#comment-4911 Fred H Schlegel Mon, 27 Apr 2009 15:56:50 +0000 http://www.wordsellinc.com/?p=1630#comment-4911 Great post! "From all the right answers to all the right questions." Perfect. The internet has really made it difficult for any organization to pretend perfection. This will actually strengthen most organizations, because it does not allow for stonewalling - it requires meaningful action when things go wrong. Even insurance companies have figured out that a heartfelt apology can do more to avoid a malpractice lawsuit than practically any other tactic. But I agree with Andrew - there is a right way and wrong way to go about admitting you are not perfect. House is a bowl full of problems - but we love him 'cause he solves the case. For organizations I think it's not that customers want perfection, they want best effort and shy that, they want answers and fixes. For the most part you can create more loyalty by fixing a mistake well than by being perfect in the first place. <abbr><em><abbr><em>Fred H Schlegels last blog post..<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/frogblog/yTub/~3/bfcr174pZBA/" rel="nofollow">Physics and Ideation: Creativity and Mismatched Socks</a></em></abbr></abbr></em> Great post! “From all the right answers to all the right questions.” Perfect.

The internet has really made it difficult for any organization to pretend perfection. This will actually strengthen most organizations, because it does not allow for stonewalling – it requires meaningful action when things go wrong. Even insurance companies have figured out that a heartfelt apology can do more to avoid a malpractice lawsuit than practically any other tactic.

But I agree with Andrew – there is a right way and wrong way to go about admitting you are not perfect. House is a bowl full of problems – but we love him ’cause he solves the case. For organizations I think it’s not that customers want perfection, they want best effort and shy that, they want answers and fixes. For the most part you can create more loyalty by fixing a mistake well than by being perfect in the first place.

Fred H Schlegels last blog post..Physics and Ideation: Creativity and Mismatched Socks

]]> By: Brad Shorr http://www.straightnorth.com/blog/from-hugh-beaumont-to-hugh-laurie-changing-cultural-icons-and-the-marketing-challenge/comment-page-1/#comment-4910 Brad Shorr Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:46:48 +0000 http://www.wordsellinc.com/?p=1630#comment-4910 Hi Karen, It does seem like we are at a turning point. My question for you is - which way are we turning? How do you see social media righting the wrongs you bring up so eloquently here ... or do you see these wrongs being righted? <abbr><em><abbr><em>Brad Shorrs last blog post..<a href="http://www.wordsellinc.com/blog/news/news-and-thank-yous/" rel="nofollow">News and Thank You’s</a></em></abbr></abbr></em> Hi Karen, It does seem like we are at a turning point. My question for you is – which way are we turning? How do you see social media righting the wrongs you bring up so eloquently here … or do you see these wrongs being righted?

Brad Shorrs last blog post..News and Thank You’s

]]> By: Brad Shorr http://www.straightnorth.com/blog/from-hugh-beaumont-to-hugh-laurie-changing-cultural-icons-and-the-marketing-challenge/comment-page-1/#comment-4909 Brad Shorr Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:32:25 +0000 http://www.wordsellinc.com/?p=1630#comment-4909 Hi Bill, "Stop trying to hide what can't be hidden." You've put your finger on the crux of the problem. Corporate cultures with a command-and-control communication strategy are in direct conflict with the internet, where information is free and easy. There just isn't any place to hide. So besides revealing their quirks, companies need to do a top flight job of explaining their value. (This is where Hugh Beaumont can help us out.) If they don't make a compelling case for themselves, their message will get lost in the ocean of blog posts and web pages. Going through the motions with perfunctory information dumps and company-centric marketing materials just won't cut it anymore. Hi Bill, “Stop trying to hide what can’t be hidden.” You’ve put your finger on the crux of the problem. Corporate cultures with a command-and-control communication strategy are in direct conflict with the internet, where information is free and easy. There just isn’t any place to hide. So besides revealing their quirks, companies need to do a top flight job of explaining their value. (This is where Hugh Beaumont can help us out.) If they don’t make a compelling case for themselves, their message will get lost in the ocean of blog posts and web pages. Going through the motions with perfunctory information dumps and company-centric marketing materials just won’t cut it anymore.

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