Old is the New 'New'

[Dave Baldwin]

(This is a nod in Seth Godin's direction, in case you haven't heard of his book, "Small is the New 'Big'".)

Has anyone noticed a pattern, amid the mass proliferation of new technologies, platforms, strategies, and paradigms that have flooded the information stream following the advent of the post-information age and "web 2.0"? Personally, I've seen a return to the basics.

The most obvious example: "viral" marketing really boils down to word of mouth marketing. On the surface, it appears that there are a number of new ways to spread messages from person to person if they're cool and interesting, which is true. But ironically, the same viral explosion in media channels that makes it easy to ignore commercials on TV has also rendered the "old" model of advertising useless.

The "old" model of television and radio advertising, at one time, was brand new. Viral marketing was here first.

The other example I see: a return to old-fashioned customer service. The 70's, 80's and 90's created a depersonalized customer experience in the name of slashing prices (for an example of this, see your local Wal-Mart or call Dell for support on your PC, or go shopping at Circuit City - oops, no, they're out of business!) Having knowledgeable customer service reps who are personable and knowledgeable is a rarity in this day and age, and savvy companies have found that people are willing to pay handsomely for it.

Has anyone else noticed this?

[Leslie Flowers, Change Agent]

We are always looking to improve. It's natural. It seems that improvement doesn't necessarily mean more sophisticated or complex. And there is always room to improve.

Law of Rhythm causes cycles that repeat themselves. Like the seasons, the tides, relationships, study and yes, even business practices.

It used to be that we were all independent entrepreneurs. The shoemaker, the tailor ... let me break into SONG : ) "if I were a rich man ... a deeah deeah deeah dee."

Then a few got together (interdependent entrepreneurship) and built businesses. Unfortunately our big businesses and the security they provided only lasted for a couple of decades. Bye by big blue (IBM) and the days of being taken care of and appreciated for our loyalty.

Mystifies me how so people have lost jobs and go right back to the same kind of company that cut them loose. Time to open several ... yes, several home based businesses that align with what you love and generate multiple streams of revenue.

One job or business just won't cut it anymore. Have you noticed?

If you are stuck ... get yourself a coach. Successful people have coaches. Why? Because we cannot see the forest for the trees. That goes for each of us.

Customer service: step one foot outside the US and you will find exemplary customer service. It seems everyone BUT the US knows this and even train their folks in Customer service. They know from where the revenue flows.

[Nick Miller]

Good stuff Dave. Humanizing brands and connecting with customers in a deeper more meaningful way will always be in vogue in my book. Low prices will only take you so far.