Tag Archives: Wall Street Journal

How Not Improving Can Help Your Business

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Why Mess With a Greatness

Did you happen to catch today’s Wall Street Journal front page feature on paper clips? Yes, I just wrote paper clips.

At first I thought this was an odd, boring choice for a story selection, and I pondered why this premier publication would devote prime real estate to such an ordinary product.  It didn’t take me long, a couple of sentences, to get its point.  I learned that a paper clip is rare because it has withstood its classic design for over 100 years. How many things can you say that about?

This thought led me to further thought about whether we should keep certain things that work well alone and stop slapping “new improved” stickers on just about everything that gets sold or consumed.

DOES EVERYTHING HAVE TO BE NEW AND IMPROVED?

I mean we’ve all heard this statement before, if it ain’t broken don’t fix it.

I don’t like that statement – but, in this case it certainly applies. Paper clips are still as relevant today as they were the day they were introduced into the marketplace in 1903. Sure, you can add colors to them or designs or coat them in plastic. But at the end of the day is there any better tool to fix papers without leaving a mark, to un-clog glue bottles or clean under your finger nails in a pinch?

With that being said, are there things about your business or the work that you do that you shouldn’t improve upon because they work well?

A CLASSIC BUSINESS PLAN

Here’s what I would say about my PR business. No matter what new whiz-bang social media tool that comes out, I don’t want to lose personal connection and phone calls. My business success lies in having connections with real people, journalists, and I’ve built up those relationships through the years by having conversations with them over the phone or in-person. That’s really my business secret, my paper clip, if you will and one that I hope to never change.

 

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Great Business Advice from an Original Mad Man

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Ad Man David Ogilvy had his business heart in the right place.

The Wall St. Journal featured an article today about David Ogilvy (1911-1999), the advertising pioneer and first true “Mad Man” (meaning advertising executives working on Madison Avenue in New York). I didn’t know much about him, but after reading the article I became a fan of his sentiments, work ethic and beliefs.  He was one true visionary who understood his responsibility toward his clients and the public.

Here’s a couple of his aphorisms, which I think are so right on the money.

Apparently, Ogilvy was known to dress in clothes that would capture one’s attention. For a while he wore a cape with red lining and even showed up at black-tie events wearing a kilt.  His reasoning…“If you can’t advertise yourself, how can you hope to advertise for your client?” That is so true, don’t you agree?

He held on to the deep beliefs that one should be honest in advertising and always display respect for the consumer.  Here’s what he said about those key issues…”The consumer is not a moron, she is your wife. You wouldn’t lie to your wife. Don’t lie to mine.” Good words Mr. Ogilvy.

Man, these were so good I went hunting to find more.  These Ogilvy quotes are taken from Brainyquote.com.

  • If each of us hires people who are smaller than we are, we shall become a company of dwarfs. But if each of us hires people who are bigger than we are, we shall become a company of giants.
  • Political advertising ought to be stopped. It’s the only really dishonest kind of advertising that’s left. It’s totally dishonest.
  • First, make yourself a reputation for being a creative genius. Second, surround yourself with partners who are better than you are. Third, leave them to go get on with it.
  • Don’t bunt. Aim out of the ball park. Aim for the company of immortals.

I really loved his words, especially the last one. Are you bunting or you aiming for greatness.

Have a great weekend.

Cindy