To all those who care.

I’ve been working hard, making a lot of companies a lot of money.

I wanted to apologize for the lack of communication, despite how one-way it sometimes seems, however:

“You can’t build a reputation on what you are going to do.” — Henry Ford

A client shared this analogy: “I look on our lead generation efforts, particularly in the present economy, as I would a financial portfolio. If I can’t measure the tactics or programs in terms of return on investment to the organization – leads generated, business closed, opportunities in the funnel – then why should I expect the company to invest in my fund?” Which is to say, strive to maintain an assortment of researched and/or proven best-fit tactics.

What tactics are you using to good advantage? What tactics are your competitors using? The flexible and iterative multi-modal approach calls for a thorough evaluation and systematic planning of the various lead generation methods. Success depends on a balance of push tactics that encourage the contact to action and pull tactics that create a strong impression of your company and build brand awareness.

Analyzing, measuring and optimizing tactics is what it’s all about. Complacency is not. Tactics that perform well and under-performing tactics should be quickly identified and dealt with as required. And there is close correlation between tactics and budgeted spending; when the two are close together, you will achieve the end result of optimal return on investment.

Via pg 21, Start with a lead, Eight CRITICAL Success Factors for Lead Generation.

“It makes all the sense in the world for ad makers (both clients and agencies) to be well-stocked with people who understand consumers, whether young people who fathom the mysteries of cyberspace, a good mixture of people who reflect the ethnic and cultural diversity of our country, and, yes, even older people who understand the vitality and buying power of the great gorge of baby boomers overtaking our land. ” via AdAge

My lovely Cassandra just said something so great I had to quote it for all of you.

“You know how we’re always told ‘just worry about yourself’ - you know, don’t worry about anyone else but yourself? Do you think the world would be a better place if we all worried about ourselves, *and* worried about everyone else too?”

“A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, and die gallantly.

Specialization is for insects.”

—Robert A. Heinlein from The Notebook of Lazarus Long

From the about page of John Pozadzides Blog

I am going to be reading more of this guys stuff.