tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74398536343144813412007-12-05T07:11:51.910-07:00Stacey PilcherBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7439853634314481341.post-24275133860321549932007-12-03T19:20:00.000-07:002007-12-03T19:36:13.670-07:00<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Janus is the name of a Roman God with two heads. It is also the name of a two-headed turtle that lives at the Geneva Natural History Museum. The fascinating fact is that Janus’ two heads work together.<br /><br />According to research conducted by two Princeton economists, two heads <em>are</em> better than one. Experiments were conducted between groups and individuals solving the same problems. They found groups outperformed the individuals. Groups were also not any slower in solving the problems. <br /><br />John Morgan, assistant professor of economics and public affairs at Princeton said. "Our results suggest that even in complex environments, groups are not paralyzed by indecision. Moreover, groups use the data they have on hand to make timely -- and better -- decisions.”<br /><br />A professor at Northwestern University challenged an engineering class to tell him how a cat is like a refrigerator. Panic ensued as the engineers froze. Then the professor had the students get into groups of three. Remarkably, the minds began to thaw. The results: “They purr.” “They smell.” “They are hard to get rid of.”<br /><br />In approaching creativity in marketing, groups are essential. And the more diverse the better. <br /><br /><strong>Mix it up.<br /></strong>What could a mechanic, a lawyer, a database expert, homeowner, graphic designer, salesman, contractor, internet geek, and psychologist have in common? Together, they make up a team created to understand how homeowners look for, interact with, and purchase new home appliances. Individually, each brings an area of expertise. As a team they define an experience. <br /><br />Groups in marketing are the best way to find simple ideas that make a huge difference in a consumer experience. When the consumer experience is well defined and filled with relevant insights, the marketing is also more relevant. And better equipped to impact the bottom line.<br /><br />In mythology, Janus symbolized change and transition – being able to see into the past and ahead to the future. In business, putting more heads together will not foretell the future, but two heads are still better than one. </span>Stacey Pilchertag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7439853634314481341.post-36613246957677835842002-06-01T13:58:00.000-07:002007-11-05T14:11:16.238-07:00A stale image can be the death-knell for any business, but a little creative design goes a long way. Here’s how one company found a much-needed brand makeover.<br /><br /><a href="http://staceypilcher.staging.terralever.com/docs/BizAZISEC.pdf" title="ISEC - A Lesson In Brand Identity" target="_blank">read full story</a>Stacey Pilchertag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7439853634314481341.post-87161548089582243182001-04-01T09:41:00.000-07:002007-12-05T07:11:52.389-07:00"Telling the world what they do and how well they do it does not come naturally to attorneys. Whether because they are vigilant to ethical guidelines, hesitant to engage in selfpromotion or unskilled in the business side of practice, lawyers can find themselves with ample skill and little client development. Faced with the chasm between wanting clients and having clients, lawyers must learn to exercise their promotional muscle. Few attorneys can—or arguably should—advertise. But most, sooner or later, must plunge into the marketing of their legal services.<br /><br />"As made clear in this roundtable and in accompanying stories, that plunge does not have to be a painful one." <a title="AZ Attourney Marketing Roundtable" href="http://staceypilcher.staging.terralever.com/docs/AZAttorneyMarketingRoundtable.pdf" target="_blank">read full story</a>Stacey Pilcher