For Better or for Worse:
Brigette Bardot
Sex kitten.
Sex Pistols
Punk anarchy.
AK-47
Street killer.
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes
Cult classic.
Turner Classic Movies
Black-and-white.
Movie theatres
Overpriced.
Hummer
Oversized.
Sears
Shrinking.
I could go on and on… whatever you sell, if you become known at all, you’ll find your product/ service/ company is being reduced to simple expectations in your customer’s mind. “Brand perception” is a fancy term for this idea. Customers form the expectations. You aren’t in charge of their Perception, but you’d better be trying to direct it. Know your company’s Purpose, and demonstrate it in everything you do.
Growing your small business.
Tip: Do a Perception check once a quarter. If customers think you stand for something that’s way off from your Purpose, you’ve got work to do!
Have fun and riff with me today—name a well-known product, a business, or a category and the expectation they’ve formed in your mind. It’s shockingly easy to do.
Grow and be well,
Kelly Erickson
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9 September 2008, 8:44 am
One of my favorites:
All-you-can-eat.
9 September 2008, 9:38 am
I guess I did a perception test yesterday over at Blogging without a Blog. Barbara asked us to describe how we see our blog. I did, and she said she saw it the same way too. So, she was either being nice, or I’m on target. As well, the Lion and I are posting a poll tomorrow to get some insight from our readers on what direction they would like to see our redesign go in. After all, it’s all about the readers. Can’t wait to see the results.
My favourite = Spam…as in the meat. Instantly conjures up all sorts of images and adjectives.
Urban Panther’s last blog post…Full blown change meltdown
9 September 2008, 9:49 am
hmmmm,
Cool,I’m coming back after another cup of coffee to do this homework assignment. It’s a good one.
How do you see Life’s little Inspirations?
9 September 2008, 2:57 pm
OK, Here is mine:
Godiva Chocolates = decadent,sensual, expensive.
Wendi Kelly’s last blog post…The Power of Your Secret Weapon
9 September 2008, 3:42 pm
Apple: Slick, Sleek, and Slinky
McDonald’s: Fast and Salty
Guinness: Pure Genius
BTW Kelly — movie theatres? Are you consciously writing Canadian now, or was that a slip of the pen…? lol
~Graham
Graham Strong’s last blog post…Finding the Time
9 September 2008, 3:45 pm
Chevy Trucks…”Like a Rock”.
I can still see that pick-up shuddering and the dust flying, as a heavy load is dropped right into the truck bed, while Bob Seger’s song plays in the background.
= Manly. Tough. Rock-solid. Can take anything.
Brilliant marketing.
One of the better slogans/commericals I remember.
Friar’s last blog post…How to be a Tortured Intellectual
9 September 2008, 6:40 pm
Where we live, it’s:
Movie theatres
Sticky floor, crappy sound, no padding in the seats.
@Friar,
I agree with you about the “Like a Rock” thing, except for me - the fact that it played for like 10 years or something - it drives me around the bend when I think about it, and I would never, ever, ever buy a Chevy Truck because of it. Even if they were the best on the market.
Dead horse, being flogged.
Brett Legree’s last blog post…george a. romero, inc.
9 September 2008, 7:32 pm
@Brett
I’ve owned nothing but Hondas since 1987…so I guess the Chevy ad isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be, eh?
As for Theaters. I think:
40 minute drive. (It better be worth it!)
9 September 2008, 7:46 pm
@Friar,
Yeah, brand loyalty is something, isn’t it. First time I sat in a VW I knew that was for me. We’re all different, and there’s something for everyone, thankfully!
I hear you, too. I think (pirate mode on) “40 minute drive there, crappy seats, crappy sound, 40 minute drive back… or I can download it overnight and watch it tomorrow…” (pirate mode off)
Guess what happens at *my* house?
ARRRRR…
Brett Legree’s last blog post…george a. romero, inc.
9 September 2008, 9:16 pm
Kelly: Late to her own party.
Panther,
My thoughts on your blog: Rollicking, free-flowing, challenging.
Spam: Salty, remnants.
Wendi,
Life’s Little Inspirations: Calming, warm, thoughtful. (Love the Godiva one. Describes them perfectly. Hungry now…)
Graham,
I had a teacher from England in h.s. who said “what’s wrong with spelling a few thingsright?” For a while I got theatre, mould, moustache, and a couple of other things confused, then I gave up caring which way was whose way.
You stole Guinness’, didn’t you? (Thirsty now… Guinness goes very nicely with chocolate!)
Friar,
Chevy trucks: Ugly, sturdy.
Honda: Small, responsible, efficient.
Brett,
LOL movie theatres. Too true. It’s not right to pay so much and feel like you need to do laundry afterwards, is it.
VW: Post-hippie!
Regards,
Kelly
9 September 2008, 11:12 pm
Kelly,
Well, I do want to buy a Magic Bus…
-Brett
Brett Legree’s last blog post…george a. romero, inc.
9 September 2008, 11:25 pm
Brett,
You, the wife, four screaming little ones, and a major need for retrofitting seatbelts. A friend of my parents (with a family of 10) had one, and I remember those 8 kids were like popcorn all over the back. I’m assuming that was because there weren’t belts, and not just that the parents didn’t make them wear them (?).
I was jealous of the bus—it looked like fun!—but they (the kids, not the parents) hated it. They longed for a car that blended in. The grass is always greener… over my family’s plain-old station wagon. Or something like that.
Later,
Kelly
9 September 2008, 11:27 pm
Kelly,
Oh, the kids won’t be allowed in the Magic Bus… heh heh, it’s just for me to drive around in and do my really poor imitation of Shaggy and Scooby…
^ ^
. .
^
o
My current VW would be much safer, I agree.
-Brett
Brett Legree’s last blog post…george a. romero, inc.
9 September 2008, 11:42 pm
No popcorn blondies? Well, you’re a wise Dad.
Sometimes I do think it’s amazing how many of us are here to tell such tales. Whew.
10 September 2008, 12:01 am
Having…repressed…memeories of camping trips…three teenagers stuck in the back seat of a hot car (8 hour drive), No air-conditioning. The Mother of All Arguments….
Ugh.
I’m glad THAT phase of my life is over.
When traveling with kids, I think the answers are i) medication and ii) restraints. (For the kid OR the parent). Either/or works, at that point.
10 September 2008, 1:58 am
Sex Pistols
Should not be back together touring
Wendy’s Hamburgers
Fresher and tastier than McD’s
Skype
Great service, horrible customer service
10 September 2008, 6:44 am
Friar,
You crack me up. I suggest restraining the Friar, should he ever wind up on a trip with kids. (Which he cleverly avoids, by avoiding the lovely ladies of Splat Creek.)
Alex,
Ding-ding-ding! We have a winnah! Nicely done.
Sex Pistols: They’re down at least one pistol, besides the fact that come on, how well can they be firing? Anarchy from your grandparents? Eeew. Some things belong in my memory banks, never to see the light of day again.
The Skype one is very funny. I’ve been considering trying them out. They’re really so bad on customer service?
Later,
Kelly
10 September 2008, 8:03 am
-Brett
Brett Legree’s last blog post…george a. romero, inc.
10 September 2008, 5:22 pm
@Kelly ROFL - I read your comment to Friar quickly and thought you were calling him ugly and sturdy.
Urban Panther’s last blog post…Sugar and salt, it ain’t my fault!
10 September 2008, 8:07 pm
Panther,
And small, responsible, and efficient? Hahaha.
10 September 2008, 8:17 pm
@Kelly - Oh….my….god…I am DYING here! How dare you hand that off to me! Must…not…type…what…I…really…want…to!
Urban Panther’s last blog post…Sugar and salt, it ain’t my fault!
10 September 2008, 10:11 pm
Friar, really I did not see this coming. My apologies. Umm, excuse me, I have to go ROFLOL.