LMDTFY News

Liar, liar! We all tell porkies. But what about fibbing in a business context?

Apparently we start lying as soon as we learn to speak. Babies do it. Toddlers do it automatically and naturally. Teens do it and adults do it. Fibbing is human nature. We have to be taught not to do it - being 100% truthful doesn't come naturally. But is lying always a bad thing? Or does it have its place in business, just like it does in your personal life?

In fact psychologists reckon lying plays a valuable part in life. It can smooth your path and make everyone's life nicer. Take compliments for a start. You might think your friend's new outfit is hideous. Or their new lover is a complete arse. But you wouldn't say so. Instead, to save their feelings and your friendship, you might compliment them gently instead. It's a lie... but a kind one. [more...]

Fun with TV advert small print… spot the disclaimers!

Most people don’t even notice the small print in TV adverts. It’s even less prominent than in print ads because there’s so much exciting, fast-moving stuff to distract your eye. Which is something advertisers rely on. Why? Because once we become aware of TV ad disclaimers, we see products in a whole new light. 

Train yourself to look at the foot of the TV screen whenever the ads are on. If you find you’re distracted, turn the sound down. Then sit back and enjoy.

The cosmetics and beauty industry is one of the worst offenders. You’d imagine they’d test their products – many of which are obscenely expensive – on statistically valid chunks of consumers. But no. The small print reveals, in one case, a sample size of just thirty two women. [more...]

No excuse - Marketing Week talks quality communications

When the industry’s foremost trade magazine gets involved, you know there’s something serious afoot in marketing. So what’s going on?

The social media marketing storm is raging out of control and there are real concerns about the quality of the resulting output. So much so that Fujitsu marketer Simon Carter has raised a flag. He – along with a great many other experienced marketers - is alarmed at the sheer volume of poorly thought through, badly executed campaigns.

What’s the problem? Carter believes because social media marketing is, to all intents and purposes, free, junior and inexperienced marketers are using it  [more...]

Be a weird fish – Make your USP sing for its supper!

Are you a big fish in a small pond? A small fish in a massive pond? Or a mere tadpole? Whatever size your business, you stand much more chance of making a splash when you make your USP work hard for you.

What's a USP? It's a Unique Selling Proposition. In plain English, it's the attribute that makes you stand out from the crowd. The thing that makes you a much better consumer bet than your competitors. The thing that makes you a weird fish.

You might be bigger, more efficient or faster. You might have a wider choice, unique products or services tailored tightly to a specific market sector. You might be the most friendly, the most convenient, most experienced or long-serving. The newest, the cheapest or the most luxurious. The experts. The market leaders. The most innovative, imaginative or customer focused. [more...]