Silver Bullet
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
The metaphor of the silver bullet applies to any straightforward solution perceived to have extreme effectiveness. The phrase typically appears with an expectation that some new technology or practice will easily cure a major prevailing problem.
Read. Read. Read. Read everything. But as you begin planning for 2008, we encourage you to consider replacing the search for illusive, magic silver bullets with more practice at the range firing time-tested ammunition and developing repeatability.
The times have rendered us completely impatient. Results can’t come fast enough. Change doesn’t happen quick enough. I remember way back in the late 80s, during the total quality revolution, when we needed “change agents” to overcome inertia and we operated in frozen fear of change. Fast forward 20 years…change is everything…just look at Madonna. In contrast, The Rolling Stones have changed very little (except getting sober, maybe).
Here’s my point in this diatribe of mixed metaphor…I fear the perceived need for change and magic silver bullets has everything to do with our lack of results. We need to commit to do a few, proven things consistently this coming year, like the Stones surely have done for the past 40 plus. I believe the results will follow.
In 2008, patience will still be a virtue. And magic bullets will still be for Lone Rangers.
High-yo Silver!
We recently participated in the creation of a new “boutique” brand with a client and a team of branding folks. For whatever reason, the facilitator made frequent snide references to one individual on the team’s apparent affinity for the Tommy Bahama brand. It bugged the heck out of me. So I offer this to cleanse my soul…
While Tommy may not define every lifestyle, I believe his is one of the true branding success stories of our time. Read Cigar Aficionado, June 2007. I wish I were a little more like Tommy.
Tommy is an innovator. He had the courage to persevere when others were blind to his vision. Today he has legions of brand loyalists and just as many wannabe imitators.
Tommy knows who he is. He was created to live a very specific life (an attainable yet aspirational life)—and even more than a life, an attitude.
Tommy is true to who he is. He doesn’t try to be more things to more people. Instead he continues to drill into his own life (always asking the question: What would Tommy want?) and take a niche market deeper into his experience.
In my mind Tommy defines “boutique” and has rightfully earned his station in a life “where the weekend never ends.”
Relax.
Jeff Wenzel passed quickly from this earthly life from a form of aggressive brain cancer. Jeff was executive director of Youth Horizons. Jeff was a beloved husband and father. Jeff was high energy. Jeff was a bit random. Jeff was REAL.
Jeff wore no mask. He built no walls. He put on no airs. He played no games. He was REAL.
I don’t recall when we met. We didn’t actually spend that much time together. Yet, I knew Jeff on a deeper level than some people I’ve been around my entire life and I find that compelling.
We spend a significant amount of time talking to our clients about building authentic (REAL) brands and yet we can often neglect our own personal brand.
In honor of our friend, be REAL. Time is fleeting.
Youth Horizons is an organization devoted to serving at-risk kids in and around Wichita. The Strategy Group made the decision in 1997 to come alongside this compelling organization by donating strategic and creative services. Check out their website here.
Okay. We admit it has taken us far too long to get this site launched. We were detained in discussion, dissection, disputation and deliberation of what exactly an advertising agency’s website should communicate and why.
Should it be a company brochure? A simple business card? A portfolio? Should we include personal bios, show pictures of our welcoming office space and provide killer comps of our client work? What about a flash movie with thumping bass and smooth jazz licks? Been there. Done that.
Our decision. Communicate PASSION. Why? Because without it we’re nothing but a bunch of doorknobs—and we surely are not.
You won’t see our portfolio or clever bios delineating Jo’s favorite food (sushi) and happiest holiday (Halloween). Nor will you see artsy shots of our half-walled, smartly designed workspace.
We’re determined to communicate one thing and one thing only—passion. Passion for the finishing detail—the last 10 percent that truly differentiates. Passion for serving even the least among us with the same intentionality as the greatest. Passion for finding order amidst the chaos that allows us to pinpoint the strategic center of every client and project. Passion for building relationships with people who make us better than we can possibly be on our own.
Whether you’re a long-time friend or you’re completely unfamiliar with who we are and what we’re about, we hope you’ll find a few nuggets of wisdom, slices of humor and a different twist on the world of marketing and advertising.
So set your bookmarks, fire up your RSS readers and get ready for a webvolution. The Strategy Group blog is officially launched.