Atomic Penny

Before you read this I want you to know I am a fan of Apple products, I have a Mac, 3 iPods, an iPhone (3G, not the 4), and I had an iPad for a while, hoping it would meet my needs. It did not, so I returned it. But I love the products, the design, and the ease of use, so I will continue to buy Apple products as I need them. With that said, did you see or read about the announcement by Steve Jobs regarding the iPhone 4 antenna issues? I saw and read them and was disappointed. You can watch it for yourself here: Steve Jobs on CNN Reports

On one of my very first posts, I briefly mentioned that marketing is the heart of your business, and I believe that even more now.  In looking at the presentation by Steve Jobs, I felt Apple forgot its heart. Why? There really wasn't an apology, there was an explanation. And worse, there was a comparison! Apple has never had to compare. Instead of saying "we want all our customers to be happy",  Apple should apologize, say they failed to meet their own high expectations, provide a fix and move on. Giving a free case was a needed gesture, but did not fix the bigger issue of the proud culture that has been established by Apple.

The comparison to the loss of signal while holding the phone a certain way was below the high standards of Apple. Apple needs to remember that they can and should turn a weakness into a strength. Go for the jugular. Don't compare your weakness, make it better. Show why I should buy, and why you are better, or the best. Regain your arrogance, and move on. Take your lumps, fix it, then power ahead. 

If you have a similar issue in your business, learn from Apple. Make your weakness a strength, move ahead, and rise to a higher level.

What power can you gain from a weakness?

POWER ON–Mark

McDonalds, Coke, Apple, Microsoft, Nokia and GE. Big names, big companies and really, really big marketing budgets. These companies are among the top 20 “Best Global Brands” according to BusinessWeek Magazine. They are also common names, almost generic when you are looking to buy one of their products.

As a small business owner, you may think you can’t compete on brand with the big boys. Think again. You are your brand! You can build your brand in many ways, you need to choose the medium. One way is through PR. It doesn’t cost much if you use the right approach. John Jantsch, author of “Duct Tape Marketing” discusses five low or no-cost PR options in his blog.

As you build your own Confetti Project, deciding how to build your brand should be a part of your countdown phase. While at the time you may not think of it as important, it will become important, probably sooner than you expect. Start ahead of the curve and build your brand as you build your business. What does your brand say about you and/or your business?

POWER ON–Mark