by Marc H. Rudov | June 18, 2012 | Article
Recently, I met a founding partner of an up-and-coming law firm to discuss branding. “Isn’t success really all about word of mouth?” he asked. “Yes, but which word?” I replied. I continued: “If you don’t supply and manage the...
by Marc H. Rudov | May 17, 2012 | Article
You’re at a banquet filled with cacophonous chatter, barely able to hear the person on your right. It’s time for the program to begin. The guest speaker ascends the podium as the MC quiets the crowd, so the speaker can take control of the audience. Taking...
by Marc H. Rudov | April 28, 2012 | Article
The Silicon Valley venture-capital firm (VC) is under intense pressure from its limited partners (investors) to fund as many startups, and ultimately earn as high a return, as possible. In this high-testosterone endeavor, each VC constantly races its rivals to...
by Marc H. Rudov | March 24, 2012 | Article
Back in the day, everyone knew the Datsun name as well as the sleek design and low price of its popular 240Z sports car. Strangely, in 1981, the Datsun name disappeared, replaced by Nissan. Caroline Winter at Businessweek wrote: “…the company resolved to...
by Marc H. Rudov | March 11, 2012 | Article
Do you really think IBM’s commissioned salespeople walk into client sites to banter about a “smarter planet”? Not if they want to walk out with purchase orders. But, IBM’s series of TV spots would have you believe so. Can you imagine any board...