Maxys Max Media and Entertainment

Give me a Solution

I was living in London and in the shower (more a trickle given London's poor water pressure) and there was this almighty smash on the door.  I grabbed a towel and raced out to see the six foot six, sharply dressed gezza from the downstairs unit in a hot tempered flurry.

In his hypertensed mumbling Bristol accent - "ya ferkin water's drippin into me unit man, get out of da shower"

"Cool your jets brother" as my mate Donny would say, "we will shower" I stated.

Nearly always the immediate fix is not the complete solution to the problem.

From a sales and marketing management perspective this is something I try and have my team focus on when presenting and putting together customer proposals - to understand the customers' problems and provide solutions. 

Often sales people are more focused on the product sizzle then the steak solution, particularly in the information technology space.

Basic Sales Proposal Framework

Following is a very basic framework I use for nearly every customer proposal and video script writing development.

• Current Situation (SWOT/ Situational Analysis)
• Problems with Current Situation
• Proposed Solution (s) - provide 2-3 options
• Benefits/ Comparision of Proposed Solution(s)
• Cost of Proposed Solution(s)
• Next Action (limit the options - give them two cards/ options)

Understanding your customers problems first of all requires listening and then filtering through the noise.

What problems do you solve?

Big Dell and Social Media

As part of the St Geoege Illawarra Dragons Digital Media Strategy charismatic retired dual rugby international and now St George Illawarra Dragons Ambassador "Wendell Sailor" has a new i-Phone and is busy on Twitter at http://twitter.com/realbigdell.

When asked about his move into the technological world of social media, the response was trademark Wendell Sailor.

“What can I say, I’m a communicator, I love the media and I’m the people’s champ so I thought that I would start up my own communication channel,” he said. “I’m not really sure if anyone is too interested but I’m sure they will get a laugh from time to time. My Dancing Dell Merchandise video certainly generated a few, (To view the Dancing Dell Reebok Merchandise video click here)

“I’m all about having fun and enjoying life and if I can help to put a smile on the faces of other people or brighten their day somehow then it makes me happy too,” Sailor added.

“Right now I’m really happy and I’m excited by the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for me in 2010 and I am going to have plenty of fun along the way with a smile on my face”.

Since retiring last November Sailor has seemingly never been busier. He has enjoyed extended periods of time with his family and friends, had a holiday, won a celebrity boxing bout, relaxed on the golf course, participated in “Australia’s Greatest Athlete”, signed contracts for his working future, moved into the world of social media via twitter and facebook, produced a DVD, continued his work and commitment to the community both locally and abroad as well as delivering numerous key note speeches in the corporate world all while continuing to train with the Dragons in preparation for his participation in the inaugural Indigenous v All Stars game on the Gold Coast next month.

“Life has certainly changed for me, but I am very happy and comfortable with my decision to retire from rugby league,” said Sailor. “I feel very privileged to have had the opportunities and career that I did in professional sport and am excited that I can continue to be involved with the game I love and by the opportunities that I have in 2010.

Part of Sailor’s role with the Dragons in 2010 is as a Red V Membership Ambassador, a job he is taking very seriously.

“I understand how important Membership is to Clubs and I know that as a player the support is truly appreciated”.

“I also know how much any Dragons fan would love to be a part of our team and the benefits and experiences of Red V Membership truly are great value for money opportunities for fans of all ages no matter where they live”.

“I created ‘Big Dell’s 10k challenge’ in an effort to help convert the thousands of Dragons fans into Red V Members so they can be a part of our team and Club. (To view Big Dell’s 10k Challenge video click here)

“The Dragons have supporters and fans like no others that I have ever experienced and I really believe that we can build the biggest official Membership base in rugby league,” said Sailor. “Dell’s 10k Challenge” is all about being the first Club in NSW to reach 10,000 ticketed Members and I’m proud to say that things are going well.

“We have over eight thousand Red V Ticketed Members already for season 2010 so a big thanks to each and every one for becoming a part of our team, just a few more thousand to go to get to 10,000 …especially before some of the other clubs like Souths who currently just behind us,” he added.

CLIVEvideo has been used extensively throughout the Dragons 2010 membership campaign.

Today Apple launched the much anticipated tablet iPad - it was probably the most "connected" technology product launch ever.  I watched the launch live via Huffington Post with 150K others - the Twitterverse was a buzz. 

The iPad bridges the gap between your phone and your laptop.

Although the name sounds like a women's sanitary product we'll all get used to it.

It's targeted at your typical user who just likes to read and send emails, browse the web, listen to music, calender, etc 

Basically it's a IPOD touch/ iPhone with a big screen.

The entry level price at $499 and top level price for 64Gb + WIFI + 3G is around $829 USD makes it a "new category" killer - the Kindle dead, the netbook markets redefined.

Unofficial availability in Oz in June/ July - will it sell?

The real test in all of this is when you hold it and how intrinsic it feels - when the rubber hits the road.  Initial feedback is fantastic BUT don't drop it - this is definitely "lifestyle" marketing.

Stepping across to a business perspective what we are seeing is platform "lock in" - where there is user investment in the real estate (operationally and application the same as an i-Phone) - like moving house - moving outside the platform (all your information) will be painful.

For television, newspaper and magazine publishers what we see now is the opportunity to charge for their content.

A new paradigm has been set.

Commodity or passionate purchase.

I'm walking down the isle - we need to buy about three dozen bottles of softdrink for a party.  I take a photo of the barcode with my I-phone, a few seconds later it tells me I can order all of them from a competitor and delivered tomorrow for 1/2 the price.  Click. 

I really dig that tune they're playing - click - I record a sample of the song and the software comes back with the track with the option of buying it and downloading to my phone instantly.

We're going on a holiday - I can spend hours searching the web or consulting with friends - for a few bucks (already built into the price) I can go and see an expert whose job it is to know. 

In 20 minutes my professional travelling expert has put together an experience we'll enjoy. Tickets, accomadation, sorted.

Sometimes having masses of information = information overload = doesn't make for the best decisions - it's often the latest stuff not in the brochures or on the web that's important.  Third party trusted source and subject matter experts.

Today branding is about making life easier for your customers and creating an experience where they share and refer their friends and peers.

The web scares many a conventional retailer and business owner - these people see the Internet as either a threat or fad instead of an customer opportunity.

Although the web and the latest technology offers great potential, at the end of the day it is just another tool in your business arsenal - a tool to be understood and incorporated - another way of increasing and engaging with your customers or enhancing your retail experience.

I get an e-book catalogue from the local hardware chain - there's a mulcher I'm interested in - a quick click tells me the nearest store with stock on hand is a few suburbs away (not the nearest location) - time and frustration saved.

Today's and tomorrows business leaders embrace change and innovation - the old rules and thinking are constantly challenged. 

When it comes to shopping then this is where the web gets really interesting.

As search engine results become increasingly influenced by marketing spend and information commoditised then look more and more for expert systems as the path moving forward.