The pace of marketing change today, driven by digital innovation and technology - has us all focusing on the latest tools, platforms and models of engagement. Obsessed with the ‘how’ instead of the ‘why’, we struggle to truly innovate and find ourselves swimming in a sea of sameness. We all create the same gift finders, music playlists, look books, and Facebook apps with the intention of simulating a ‘friendship’ with brands and other fans.
In the rush to define a new marketing model or invent the digital future, we’ve lost perspective of what drives people and have missed the opportunity to truly reinvent, to establish deep, relevant connections with people – not audiences, not fans, not prospects, or consumers – people. Ultimately, in our urgency, we’ve forgotten a simple human truth: our innate desire to connect with one another, to forge authentic relationships that have meaning in our lives.
Instead of focusing on tools and mechanisms for reaching people today, we should focus on creating experiences that enhance what the brand enables people to do day-by-day. Before creating another Facebook canvas app, let’s ask ourselves – what experience is authentic to the brand and would allow our consumers to enhance their passions?... Read more
Tagged 'planning' 
Why aren't we innovating?
3 Ways to Prepare Your SEO Team for Website Design Changes
Changing up your website design can certainly be fun and refreshing, but beware of the many daunting consequences a new look can cause, especially with search engines.
To avoid risking your search engine positioning, be sure to follow these three helpful redesign tips:
Site Structure
Layout your site before you begin the development process. Plan with sitemaps, wireframes and mockups to build an appropriate site for both you and your visitors. Even though the layout changes you are proposing may make perfect sense to you, they may not make sense to your customers, or the search engines. Let’s say you want to de-clutter your site, going for a more minimalistic look is great, but it may cut off navigational paths by reducing or removing relevant content. Don’t diminish the content that feeds Google, Bing and Yahoo relevant information about your site. During a revamp, don’t inadvertently make your site less known to the search engines; make sure you leave appropriate content and important links on your web property.
Timing
A new look for your website takes time; not only for your designers, but also for your development crew and IT team. Every department needs the time necessary to digest, implement and test the changes... Read more
