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“In Cleveland, there is legislation moving forward to ban people from wearing pants that fit too low. However, there is lots of opposition from the

plumbers’ union."

—Conan O’Brien

January 3, 2013POKES, EATS AND VALUABLE BRANDS

BRAND OBSERVATIONS OF THE DAYFrom my random collection of info sources, here are some highlights related to the brands of our times...

• Bob’s—Brazil’s oldest fast-food chain—has recently introduced edible wrappers with their sandwiches, according to BrandChannel. With a growing trend toward more consumable packaging over the next few years, it begs the question: “Could I get some ketchup ON that to-go box?”

• Facebook filed to re-trademark the word “poke.” It had better not affect my ability to use the term “hokey pokey”, or they’ll quickly find out what it’s all about!

• Brand-Finance® ranked the world’s most valuable brands for 2012. As topsy-turvy as things seem here right now, the U.S. is STILL home to 8 of the 10 most valuable brands....

BRAND BRAND VALUE#1 - Apple $70.6B

#2 - Google $47.5B#3 - Microsoft $45.8B#4 - IBM $39.1B

#5 - Walmart $38.3B#6 - Samsung $38.2B

#7 - GE $33.2B#8 - Coca-Cola $31.1B#9 - Vodafone $30.0B

#10 - Amazon $28.7B

JIM HUEBNERj i m h @ h u e b n e r p e t e r s e n . c o m

C E L L U L A RT E L E P H O N E970-420-3382

Hmmm.

Brought to you by popular demand of a client, my mom, and some folks I met at a church potluck

From the remaining gray matter of Jim Huebner

Information that will make you smile, groan or think...

Now THAT’Sniche marketing!

© 2013 Hmmm by Jim Huebner

If you’ve seen the classic sports movie Jerry Maguire, (yes, it was on last night and I just had to watch it...again), you might remember the final scene between NFL player Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding) and his agent Jerry Maguire (Tom Cruise).

The two had gone down an extremely rough road together, but their perseverance finally pays off when Tidwell lands a big NFL contract. It’s announced during an interview on national TV, and through a flood of tears, Tidwell calls out to Maguire and tells him he is his “Ambassador of Quan.” It’s an awesome scene and one that continually reminds me that business is so much more than just trying to make a buck.

So what is “Quan’? In Tidwell’s very own words, Quan is...

“Love. Respect. Community.And the dollars, too.The entire package.

The...Quan.”

As I watched the movie, it occurred to me that anyone who truly enjoys their business and their customers probably already has some Quan going on. But if you’re looking for more, here are some ways to pursue a more fulfilling and rewarding relationship with your customers... • Be genuine.• If you love them, tell them...often...but

consider phrasing it a little differently.• If you think they’re making a mistake, let

them know.• Protect them. If you hear someone

badmouthing them, go to their defense. • Work hard for them. Go above and

beyond.• Be available—24/7/365.

• Give them the benefit of the doubt.• Listen to them. Often it’s THEIR ideas

that will make your products better.• Do things for them that no one else is

doing.• Offer them a well-positioned and well-

promoted brand that they are excited to represent.

• Reduce the amount of risk they take doing business with you versus your competitors.

• Thank them. Often.

In the words of sports agent Dicky Fox (also featured in the movie):

“The key to this business is personal relationships.”

In fact, it’s the key to nearly EVERY business. So if you’re ready to go deeper, why not make 2013 the year of becoming your customers’ “Ambassador of Quan.”

Jim Huebner is President of HuebnerPetersen Integrated Marketing.The firm was established in 1989 and specializes in making manufacturers heroes to their distribution channels through strategic brand positioning, integrated marketing, and front lines marketing services. You can each Jim at jimh@HuebnerPetersen.com or on LinkedIn.

WORDS TOLIVE BY

Do not let kindness and truth leave you;

Bind them around your neck, write them on the

tablet of your heart.So you will find favor

and good reputein the sight ofGod and man.

–Proverbs 3:3-4

Becoming an “Ambassador of Quan”

...and on its way to the HuebnerPetersen blog...! PAGE2

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