Business Growth

Using Customer Stories to Sell

Tue, 05 May 2009 13:44:00 GMT

Stories from customers can be a powerful and effective tool in providing trustworthy information that other customers will favorably act upon. In separate surveys taken at each end of the decade 1997 to 2007, family, friends and acquaintances kept the top spot in terms of “trusted sources of information.” However, “strangers with experience” moved into the second spot – over the media, bloggers and a company’s own advertising.

Trends in Packaged Goods for 2009

Tue, 05 May 2009 13:39:00 GMT

The consumer packaged goods industry will see the results of several trends in 2009 that will impact brand marketing, product design and development, packaging design, and merchandising. Here are six important trends:

The Value of Faster Product Development

Tue, 05 May 2009 13:33:00 GMT

How much is it worth to develop new products better and faster than competition? Product development success is seen in the delivery of a differentiated product with clear and unique customer benefits—and superior value. But what is that worth? The answer is millions or even hundreds of millions of dollars. Here’s a case study.

rPET Packaging Takes Off

Tue, 05 May 2009 13:26:00 GMT

Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (rPET) is rapidly gaining acceptance as a resin for use in packaging containers. Growing environmental concerns among both consumers and governments are creating higher demand for sustainable products. At the same time, rising costs for plastic packaging have forced packaging producers to consider other options. rPET was one of the fastest growing packaging materials in 2008.

Microsoft, Micro-Share

Tue, 05 May 2009 13:21:00 GMT

Industry observers agree that a mobile device is the computing platform of the future. Currently, about 12 percent of mobile phones sold worldwide are smartphones, but the percentage is expected to increase to 20 percent by 2012. Just as Microsoft and Apple battled for control of the market for PC operating systems during the 1980s, Microsoft, Apple and others are now battling for control of the market for mobile operating systems.

Growth in Alternative Energy

Tue, 05 May 2009 13:17:00 GMT

Alternative energy is a term that refers to any source of usable energy intended to replace fuel sources without the undesired consequences of the replaced fuels. The term excludes fossil fuels (coal, natural gas) and nuclear energy whose undesired consequences are emissions (climate change) and radioactive waste production and disposal.

Top 20 Most Valuable Retail Brands

Tue, 05 May 2009 13:09:00 GMT

The best-known brands aren't always the most valuable. In a new ranking from Interbrand Design Forum Walmart comes in first, with its brand value estimated at $129.8 billion, followed by Best Buy, at $22 billion, and the Home Depot at $20.8 billion. Many household names - including Kroger, Macy's and Sears - don't even crack the top 50.

Business Growth

Tue, 05 May 2009 13:02:00 GMT

Our greatest challenges can be our greatest teachers—and harbor the most significant opportunities for growth. They change our thinking, behaviors, strategies and actions and, ultimately, reinforce our foundation for future growth.

What Do We Expect from Customers?

Tue, 05 May 2009 12:58:00 GMT

On this historic day of the inauguration of the 44^th president of the United States, it is insightful to reflect on how we treat elected officials—and the lessons for how we treat customers. Americans tend to expect too much from our presidents, and when presidential expectations are set too high, presidencies are doomed to failure.

Market Pricing

Tue, 05 May 2009 12:43:00 GMT

Crude oil prices have fallen to new lows for this year. The question everyone seems to be asking when they hear that news is, “So why aren’t gas prices falling along with crude prices?”