They just don’t get it
I’ve just read an article on Moneyweb titled ‘MySpace, ByeSpace?’ (http://www.moneyweb.co.za/shares/international_news/329842.htm).
It refers to loyal users of social-networking sites renouncing the sites and deleting their pages – ‘not in spite of their popularity, but because of it’. They are being subjected to spam and advertising, usually masquerading as new ‘friends’.
It’s the age-old case of a great idea built to make people’s lives easier. Then the corporates see how successful it becomes and buy it, adding it to their list of acquisitions. They then believe that this purchase entitles them to bombard their newly-acquired ‘target market’ with endless marketing and branding information. They have to make that acquisition profitable, otherwise why pay good money for it?
All they are doing is buying up ‘new media’ and applying old media mindsets. With no respect to the recipient. And this used to work before as there were very limited channels through which to voice your dissatisfaction. But now each individual has a voice. And they are voicing their dissatisfaction by leaving. One by one. And soon those single numbers will add up to double digits and then triple digits and…..
Marketers need to understand that you can’t buy loyalty. You can’t force it. You can’t wheedle, blackmail or beg. It needs to be earned. And this only happens when you offer something of value that people want. Or aspire to. Or feel connected to. And where they are respected as individuals.

If the results of a recent study are true, then Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) needs to become a priority for companies and fast. A research study by the strategic planning and consumer insights division of AMP Agency shows that 61% of Millennials born between 1971 and 2001 feel personally responsible for making a difference in the world.
Anyone who goes to clubs regularly will know the drill – as you walk in, stick out your arm, wrist upwards and get a stamp that indicates you’ve paid for entry. This allows you to come and go from the club that night. The stamps have either been the club logos, or random icons. But now, these stamps have been turned into an advertising medium.
As of this morning, my normal
Michael Schumacher retired today. It wasn’t how he would have wanted it, but then fairy tales are for children’s story books, not the real world. The thing that has always impressed me is that Michael has always given credit to his team, and to the men and women behind the scenes of his record-breaking success. I realise Michael polarises opinion. I happen to be a fervent fan. But, love him or hate him, you have to admit that he has done a lot to highlight the team nature of the sport.
Recently published: the list of
Sept. 18 /PRNewswire/ (
The Economist recently had a Survey of Global Talent. It was superb. At the end of the survey, they gave a list of sources and recommended reading. Here it is for your reference purposes (PS – purchase the Economist survey
A recent PricewaterhouseCoopers survey of 534 businesses in Canada found that 45% said they didn’t have succession plans. Of these, 90% were family-owned businesses. This is a disturbing finding, as only 16% said they had a plan ready to replace their top managers, but more than half the companies surveyed indicated their managers planned to retire in the next five years.
Mbeki seems to be one of those public figures who has a polished public narrative. This is evident in how people defend him. Another such character is that of our famed Minister of Finance, 







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