…that you drive up costs AND reduce revenues?

You’d tell me to take a flying leap off the highest cliff.  And rightfully so.  Yet literally thousands of very successful businesses do this voluntarily every day. (more…)

Over the years I’ve heard a lot of commentary about the roles of marketing and sales within organizations.  Geoffrey James, a popular sales writer, feels that marketing should be subordinate to sales instead of a separate function.  Obviously, the marketing folks disagree.  War is expensive; let’s see if we can put an end to this one. (more…)

This from a woman who’s been clipping coupons most of her life.  What raised this angry cry? (more…)

Target’s third quarter profits are up 3.7% according to Andria Cheng in her MarketWatch article, Target profit rises better-than-expected, in the Wall Street Journal.  She also relayed this caveat:

“But Target isn’t without its own challenges. Analyst David Strasser at Janney Capital Markets said Wal-Mart’s aggressive pricing matching guarantees this holiday season may pose a challenge to Target.”

The implication is that consumers’ buying habits are swayed by price-matching guarantees?  Is that true?  (more…)

I entered my favorite office supply store looking for paper for my inkjet printer. As good fortune would have it they had it on sale – buy 2 reams get 1 free. Great deal, right? For me, maybe; not so much for the seller. (more…)