Amazon.com

Seth Godin, one of the world's foremost online promoters, offers his best advice for advertising in Permission Marketing. Godin argues that businesses can no longer rely solely on traditional forms of "interruption advertising" in magazines, mailings, or radio and television commercials. He writes that today consumers are bombarded by marketing messages almost everywhere they go. If you want to grab someone's attention, you first need to get his or her permission with some kind of bait--a free sample, a big discount, a contest, an 800 number, or even just an opinion survey. Once a customer volunteers his or her time, you're on your way to establishing a long-term relationship and making a sale. "By talking only to volunteers, Permission Marketing guarantees that consumers pay more attention to the marketing message," he writes. "It serves both customers and marketers in a symbiotic exchange."

Godin knows his stuff. He created Internet marketer Yoyodyne and sold it in 1998 to Yahoo!, where he is a vice president. Godin delves into the strategies of several companies that successfully practice permission marketing, including Amazon.com, American Airlines, Bell Atlantic, and American Express. Permission marketing works best on the Internet, he writes, because the medium eliminates costs such as envelopes, printing, and stamps. Instead of advertising with a plain banner ad on the Internet, you should focus on discovering the customer's problem and getting permission to follow up with e-mail, he writes. Permission Marketing is an important and valuable book for businesses seeking better results from their advertising. --Dan Ring ... Read more

Reviews (110)

Finally focused marketing on customer needs does exist...
Everyday your letterbox is full of leaflets you never read, your banker send you a new financial proposal you already have in your portfolio... All these papers will go directly to the trash can, but interrupt your customer's life: time, privacy and peace of mind. This is the waste created by the "interruption marketing", which is not using correctly customers' databases or is bombarding TV spots you do not watch during film breaks.

Is this time over? Not sure when you see all e-mails or phone calls you receive to promote products of no interest for you. How to get your Attention in the middle of this information overload? Simply by asking your permission.

Seth Godin, who created Internet marketer Yoyodyne and sold it in 1998 to Yahoo, where he is a vice president is explaining to us how to do it in "Permission Marketing". With practical examples he shows us how to start a relationship with a customer by offering added value. Main ideas are around personalization, long-term relationship and truth building. Customer then is expecting information from you focused on his own needs. The challenge is to move from market share to customer share.

But how is this possible? The use of New Information Technologies and Internet allows a one to one communication with a customer with focused information and at a low price. This is really the contribution from "New Economy" and Permission Marketing is giving the keys to understand how these New Information Technologies allow focusing on a customer more and more demanding. The traditional marketing is moving quickly to One to One marketing.

Do not read Permission Marketing if you want to lose your customers to the profit of your competitor knowing how to build long-term relationship with them. If you add One to One from Don & Martha Peppers to your readings, you will be well prepared to succeed in front of the marketing shift arriving with the "New Economy".

A watershed book--I recommend all my clients read it
Internet marketing and relationship marketing are the subject of numerous books, but Seth Godin's Permission Marketing does a better job of explaining the concepts better than any other single volume.

Permission Marketing explains the differences between Interruption Marketing (old-style newspaper, TV and radio ads) and Permission Marketing--where visitors ask to be kept informed and willingly share information about themselves and their purchasing needs. It reinforces the successes I've enjoyed in over twenty years of marketing and shows how customer relationship-building techniques that were previously inefficient and, thus, unaffordable are now within the reach of all.

Permission Marketing cuts through the clutter of marketing theory and web technology and provides a highly readable, jargon-free conceptual framework for viewing web marketing in an new light. Throughout, Permission Marketing emphasizes integrity and customer respect--in contrast to books which are often subconsciously predicated on an adversarial relationship with prospects and customers.

Permission Marketing will change the way you think about advertising and marketing and suggest a whole new approach to your web site. It will inspire you to break out of the mold of price advertising.

Excellent
I "stumbled" in to Search Engine Marketing and now "do it" for a living with car dealerships in the San Francisco Bay Area.

This book, in it's first few pages, helped me. NO I don't know the author :)

David Saunders, Concord, CA

Want to learn about true, effective marketing...read this!
Mr.Godin is an excellent teacher of how to market effectively. Before reading this I thought of marketing probably like most do. I thought to be successful in marketing and advertising, that big was the way to go...big magazine ads, t.v. spots, target a large audience and you're sure to get lots of customers, etc. WRONG!

Mr. Godin hits the bull's-eye on the type of marketing that it takes to acquire and keep customers in your business. It is not mass marketing to anyone and everyone that's going to do it. But rather, Mr. Godin shows you how to set up a specific strategy, a clever method in which to acquire the type of customer you want to your particular business. If you own a sports shop, then your ideal customer wouldn't be a chef or a construction worker who just happened to walk into your store...it would be the die-hard, sports enthusiast that you want to attract. Mr. Godin shows you how to attract your "ideal" customer; He teaches you how to get your ideal customer to come to you.

I didn't fully understand all that "Permission Marketing" was really about until Mr. Godin broke it down and explained it to a tee. If you can get a potential customer to say "yes" to you prior to the sale, your chances of acquiring them as an actual customer dramatically increases. This is what Mr. Godin shows you how to do. He is a wise marketer and you can be too! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

read this review
So there are steps in every transaction. The whole point of this book is that you don't create lifelong relationships with strangers. Every sale consists of multiple mini sales.
turn the page
click the link...

You go to amazon
browse through books
see related books
browse through reviews
buy the book

While some of the data relating to the internet is outdated, the fundamental message of the book is still strong. Those who think traditional media outpace targeted ads are dead wrong. ... Read more

Book Description

"An excellent 'ready reference' both for copywriters and for those entering the field." -- Robert Goldsborough, Special Projects Director Advertising Age"Holy smoke! This is amazing! A thesaurus for advertising copywriters. Where has it been all my life?" -- Denny Hatch, EditorTarget MarketingSix seconds. That's all you have to grab your prospect's attention and make a sale. Use the right phrase or slogan, however, and you've made your sale. Use the wrong one, and you've lost your opportunity . . . maybe forever. Choosing the right phrase or slogan is vital to your success. And so is Phrases That Sell. It's the ultimate resource for anyone needing hands-on, instant access to the key phrases, slogans, and attention grabbers that will gain more attention and sell more product. Organized by category . . . indexed and cross-referenced for ease of use . . . loaded with expert advice on how to write copy that sells, Phrases That Sell covers everything, including those hard-to-describe product and service qualities and those product/service attributes that are subtle or abstract. It has 143 selling phrases to describe service, 153 for fun, 341 covering style and design, 180 phrases related to price, and much more! In this book you'll find:

• 5,000+ sales phrases for consumer and business-to-business products and services
• a copywriter's primer called "10 Basic Rules of Copywriting," with insider's tips on usage
• a special section on the seven steps to writing winning slogans
• Expert advice on how to target your message to specific audiences

Reviews (6)

Awful and depressing
Anyone who's watched TV or looked at newspapers or magazine ads an average amount during their lifetime could put together this list of cliches and hackneyed, mendacious phrases. Could be useful as a guide to what to avoid, but I would die before using it in the way intended.

Excellent Help for the Writer
As a professional copywriter I will tell you that this is an excellent book and you would be well advised to have it at hand every time you write anything that is important to you --- especially sales letters and advertising material.

Is Perfect Too Strong of A Description?
I have used the previous book "Words that Sell" as one of my secret copywriting tools for years.

This is the perfect companion. I can't imagine anyone who writes not finding this a gold mine of idea starters.

It works.
It saves you time, stress and heartache. While not the most original phrases you'll hever hear, it's a great source of inspiration.

Wordsmithing? Not a problem!
This book and it's now out-of-print companion, Words that Sell, are a must for anyone who writes corporate sales education. The information is logically arranged and easy to access. As the book would say, it simplifies your life and makes your job easier - kiss your hassles goodbye! ... Read more

Book Description

Fill the Empty Suit (or take it off completely!)This is a book of Simple Strategies For Providing Outstanding Service to Advertising Clients.

Account executives, and anyone else who deals with clients, will find themselves flinching, laughing, and committing to memory this sound advice, presented through real-life stories of satisfying success and embarrassing failure along the total spectrum of client service. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Don't miss out on this great book
Whether you are just starting your client service career or are looking to refresh your skills, reading this book should be at the top of your "To Do" list.

Every chapter is a gem! Full of actionable advice along with healthy doses of humor and wit for good measure.

A thorough study of this book is like having Robert Solomon as your own personal mentor as you navigate your way through the "gray areas" of account management.

It's not only a great read, but an outstanding re-read.It stimulates new ways of thinking about your job every time you pick it up. Robert's common sense and wisdom are invaluable to anyone whose success depends in large part on client relationships-not just advertising, but other service businesses.

Robert's solutions to real world business challenges will have a lasting impact on you; you will be able to easily recall them when you are in a "sticky" situation. You'll conduct your client relationships in a thoughtful, professional manner and learn how to really enjoy your business life at the same time.

Better than Brain Surgery!
"The Art of Client Service" is a new, greatly expanded, and improved version of Robert Solomon's first book, "Brain Surgery for Suits."

Solomon added color to the material by telling stories of his "adventures" in account management, and depth by adding an essay -- "What Makes A Great Account Person" -- that crisply summarizes what it takes to succeed in client service. The author also wrote new chapters that didn't appear in his first book, including "Avoid the Dark Side," "We Are Smarter Together Than We Are Alone," and "Be Multilingual," all of which add to a body of counsel that is of great value to anyone who works with clients in a service business.

There also is a thoughtful, well-chosen, and well annotated list of books every account person should read. And some great cartoons drawn from "The New Yorker."

Even if you read "Brain Surgery for Suits," you will benefit from this book. If you didn't read "Brain Surgery," read "The Art of Client Service." You will learn, and you will laugh.

Mediocre Writing, supplemented by obvious advice
Though Solomon manages to hit on a few advertising axioms that will aid an account executive in the business world, the majority of the advice is something that one can figure out without having to purchase the book. It becomes clear that Solomon is a great business man, yet his writing skills leave much to be desired, as they are very bland and often sophomoric. The book does get much better towards the end, for not only does it drag in the beginning but it also gives the impression that Solomon holds himself up on a pedestal. Overall, I would only recomment this book to newcomers in the advertising/account management field--any veteran would find the advice useless.

beyond 'must read'
Robert Solomon's book is 100% common sense, expressed simply, proudly, directly, clearly. Interestingly, his common sense is so uncommon in the agency biz. Every account person should read this book over and over. Not just once. Even the great account people need a clear reminder on how to excel at their jobs. While reading, there were so many times I said 'ok I'm guilty as charged' and now must set about to improve. That's the sign of a great book- it evokes real change, not just bookshelf filler.

There's no better book for AE's
For all of those young account coordinators and account managers working in the Ad biz, this book is your official textbook. And it is required reading!

As you know, the days of training are over. The good news is that everything you need to know to be a great AE is in this little book. It's a quick read so you have no excuse. And once you've read it, you'll know what it takes for your clients to love you, and for the creatives to respect you.

Don't just read this book. Live by it.

Matt Neren
Director of Account Service
Cultivator Advertising & Design ... Read more

Book Description

• The first-ever book to show businesses step by step how to capitalize on advertising programs offered by Google, the world's #1 search engine, with more than 200 million search queries per day
• Written by a veteran For Dummies author working in cooperation with Google, which will help support the book
• From selecting the right keywords to crafting the right message, the book explains how to boost site traffic using AdWords, Google's hugely successful sponsored-link advertising program, which now has more than 150,000 advertisers
• Also details how to make money with AdSense, a Google program that funnels relevant AdWords ads to other sites-and pays those sites whenever someone clicks on them

Reviews (1)

Great AdWords and SEM Primer
This has got to be one of the best references I've seen that addresses what can be done with online marketing using Google AdWords. AdWords is a confusing but powerful program, and this book offers an excellent primer to becoming an effective AdWords user. That's the primary reason I bought it. There seems to be no end to the ways you can use Google to promote your business. This book helped me familiarize myself with several tools I hadn't looked into beforehand.

Also a good intro to search engine marketing. I purchased Search Engine Optimization For Dummies at the same time that I bought this book. Also an excellent reference. Both highly recommended. ... Read more

Book Description

The long–awaited reissue of the million–copy best–seller that FORBES magazine called “A valuable primer on advertising for any businessman or investor.” With a new Foreword by Sir Alan Parker. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Concise -- Worth a quick read
Ogilvy's clear concise writing makes it a quick easy read. In fact, parts of the book itself sound like an advertisement for the advertising industry. His bulleted set of mantras are for the most part, intuitive. It is very interesting especially for a person in the 21st century reading the advertising zeitgeist in 1960s.

The last chapter "Should Advertising be Abolished?" is a must-read. The author seems to be feel guilty enough to admit that the industry needs to be "reformed" and stricter controls and regimens need to be adopted.

I wish the book had lot more concrete examples of ads and copies that have run in the papers, so Ogilvy's observations can be more credible. Nevertheless the author's writing is quite compeling.

A Classic from One of the Masters
While not as detailed or colorfully illustrated as his later work "Ogilvy on Advertsing," this is still a classic fillld with great information. The book is clearly a precursor to "Ogilvy on Advertising," as many of the same elements can be found in it.

Ogilvy has a wonderfully casual, yet occassionally pompous, style to his writing, but he clearly knows and understands advertising. He manages that rare combination of managing to teach while entertaining. Sometimes his ego and pride come across too strongly, but given the man's accomplishments, I'll cut him slack. And you may wonder why he starts off discussing his days as a chef in Paris, but he does a great job of analogizing that experience to his experiences with running an ad agency.

Highly recommended for anyone involved in advertising, particularly copywriters. Ogilvy was a copywriter and he clearly has a special admiration for those who write copy for a living. He also has great advice to share for anyone in advertising.

An outstanding read!!
I am a freshmen marketing mojor at Johnson & Wales University and let me just say that this book is outstanding. There are concepts in this book that no marketing professor will ever teach you! David Ogilvy is an advertising genius! If your looking for a great book that will give you a tremendous leap forward in the marketing/advertising industry, this is the book to pick up. I checked this book out at the local library, but i loved it so much that i am planning on picking up my own copy of the book!

Classic in Advertising. Easy to read.
This is a great book. It's a must for any one who is going to want to work in advertising agency AND for anyone who is going to run ANY KIND of a business. David Ogilvy, is giving ideas on everything. This book was very easy to read.

Another Advertising Classic
I really enjoyed this book and have lent it to several friends. Much to my chagrin, they now regularly spew Ogilvy quotes to me. If you buy the book, don't lend it to anyone you talk to on a regular basis.

Ogilvy is one of my favorite advertising thinkers. This isn't saying much but what of serious importance is there to discuss in advertising anyway. He's a really witty, cocky guy.

He tells a bit about how he got started in advertising and then goes on to detail his philosophies on running and agency, copywriting, etc.

Much of the content and structure of this book is similar to that in "Ogilvy on dvertising."

If you work in advertising or want a better idea of what the advertising biz is all about, read this book.

It's out of print so the only way to get it is to buy it used. ... Read more

Book Description

no description ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Not as useful as SPIN Selling. Too much repitition
I read SPIN Selling and became a fan.

Then I bought this. Its so-so. The author did not really have material enough for a complete book so he borrows from SPIN Selling (which is to be expected, I guess), but he repeats himself too much.

There is a point that is made, then some anecdotes, some common sense, then the point is repeated, almost word by word, and at the end of the chapter the summary covers the point again.

A little disappointing actually. Maybe 3 stars is too much.

Built To Last Major Account Sales Strategy
Unlike most developers of major account sales strategy, Neil Rackham methodically backs up his analysis of the buyer circle with in-depth research. To develop his major account sales strategy, Rackham has observed and analyzed a large number of high dollar value sales made around the world. Rackham convincingly shows that effective selling strategy is built on a thorough understanding of customers and the concerns they can have at each phase of a sale. Mastering that strategy, of course, requires, a lot of hard work and practice from salespersons determined to make the difference at the end of the day. Rackham successively reviews these phases that he has identified as: account entry strategy, recognition of needs, evaluation of options, resolution of concerns, sales negotiation, as well as implementation and account development.

1. In analyzing "Account Entry Strategy", Rackham successively explores the focus of receptivity, the focus of dissatisfaction, and the focus of power as well as the pitfalls associated with them. Because coaching, in our culture, has a positive connotation, few professionals will turn down the chance to demonstrate to a fellow professional their expertise and the usefulness of their connections. For that reason, successful salespeople identify, nurture, and leverage their sponsor(s) to ultimately get access to the different buying influences. Because of possible shifts in the account on the buyer side, Rackham rightly recommends that no salesperson rely on only one individual to penetrate an account. Rackham also reminds his audience about the critical importance of uncovering implied needs to turn them into expressed needs. Successful salespeople make their contact(s) at the level of dissatisfaction aware of the urgency and severity of the problem(s) to be addressed so that these contact(s) eventually feel obliged to help them get access to the leverages of power.

2. In looking at "Recognition of Needs" and "Evaluation of Options", Rackham first briefly explores his SPIN questioning strategy that is explained in a luxury of details in his other book "SPIN Selling." Basically, successful salespeople usually first ask the buyer situation questions, secondly problem questions, thirdly implication questions, and finally need-payoff questions to uncover implied needs for turning them into expressed needs that require action. Rackham also reminds his audience that successful salespeople prepare their sponsor(s) to help these sponsor(s) sell the sellers' solution in their own words if they are denied access to the focus of power. Furthermore, successful salespeople not only help the buyer identify needs but also influence him/her in the definition of the differentiation factors and their perceived importance to sort out the different options being offered to him/her. Rackham urges his audience to keep a broad definition of competition in mind. Finally, Rackham explores the three strategies that can help salespeople overcome their vulnerabilities and the dangers associated with these strategies: 1. Change the decision criteria (overtaking, trading-off, redefining, or creating alternative solutions), 2. Increase their strength through correction of misunderstanding or negotiation, and 3. Diminish the competition directly or indirectly.

3. In examining "Resolution of Concerns", Rackham reviews the hidden and expressed concerns that can push buyers to get "cold feet" in the decision-making process leading to an eventual purchase order down the road. As Rackham pertinently observes, price is often a convenient excuse that the buyer uses to hide his/her other, real concerns from the salesperson. Successful salespeople need to leverage their relationship with the buyer for uncovering the eventual areas of concerns, clarifying these concerns, and helping the buyer resolve them. Finally, Rackham warns salespeople about the three deadly sins of handling concerns: 1. Minimizing 2. Prescribing and 3. Pressuring.

4. In investigating "Sales Negotiation", Rackham first reminds his audience about the importance of making a clear difference between selling that tends to focus on buyers' perception of problems and negotiating that tends to concentrate on the cost of the solution. Addressing concerns about the solution with discounts will only weaken the position of the salesperson when the time of negotiation comes. As mentioned above, price is often used as a smokescreen. Rackham then reminds his audience that the only things successful salespersons negotiate during the Recognition of Needs or the Evaluation of Options phases of the sale are the needs or requirements of the buyer that they cannot meet in order to minimize the probability that they are out of the sale. Rackham finally observes that successful negotiators focus on areas of maximum leverage instead of over-concentration on price reduction, establish and narrow ranges, plan and use questions, separate understanding from agreement, and rigorously test for misunderstanding.

5. In dissecting "Implementation and Account Development", Rackham rightly reminds his audience that successful salespeople do not rest on their laurels after getting the order. They are deeply involved in the implementation of the solution adopted to increase the probability that the buyer successfully overcomes the motivation dip reflecting his/her evolving enthusiasm about that solution over time. Furthermore, Rackham pertinently stresses the importance of account development instead of account maintenance. Finally, Rackham also observes that successful salespeople document their successes, generate leads and references, reassess their understanding of customer needs, and influence future decision criteria.

Rackham wraps up his analysis of major account sales strategy with a case study built on his research to put the concepts mentioned above into practice for the benefit of his audience.

As a side note, a good strategic complement to the "Major Account Sales Strategy" is "The New Strategic Selling" by Stephen E. Heiman, Diane Sanchez, and Tad Tuleja. Like the former, the latter focuses on the strategy towards high dollar value sales.

An insurmountable coach for your sales strategy
If a selling effort is a long and dangerous "journey" lasting many months, with a rough sea full of small rocky islands and seductive Sirens, then you have to steer holding this book as an invaluable coach and an experienced navigator.

This book from Huthwaite's author Neil Rackhman is a paramount proof that account strategy is not an impressive set of selling jargon. Instead of demonstrating his strategic insight, the author systematically develops:

1. The customer decision process, and how important it is for you to fully comprehend and finally exploit.
2. The appropriate strategic behaviour you must adopt according to the selling phase, as seen from the customer's perspective.
3. The skills you need to deploy in order to successfully survive (it is a war, you know!)
4. The pitfalls you must avoid, either obvious or hidden.

One of the most impressive aspects of Rackhman's books is that he utilizes his company's experimental findings about selling process. Nevertheless his conclusions are backed up by theoretical explications one can trust.

The book is full of interesting real life case studies, which evidently reveal how theory interprets practice. The entire last chapter is devoted to an artificial case, which demonstrates how all the book's ideas meet the real - cruel - world. A very interesting chapter is devoted to sales negotiations. The reader will find very helpful advice regarding this difficult phase of a sales process.

The language of the book is simple and clear. Nowhere in the text the reader will have the feeling that this page could be omitted.

During the reading there is an intangible feeling that what is being read is great advice for whatever major account selling strategy could mean, but after the last page what is left is a tangible anxiety about how all these will be applied. There is no need for a profound analysis to prove that even the best theory is worthless if it can't be put into practice. The hardest part of the entire effort is the time when the reader must practise what he/she read and organise himself so that he successfully implements the all-important strategic tools mentioned throughout the book.

No author, however ingenious strategist or sales trainer he/she may be, is able to improve your strategic selling skills without a substantial effort from you. That's the bad news, but I believe you already know it. The good news is that you aren't alone in this hazardous journey. This book is more than a faithful navigator.

A book with 1000000% of ROI
I read this book for first time 4 years ago.
Since that time I'have use this approach in order to understand clearly about what is my position into a competitive sales situation.
Read this book have helped me to waste time and resources in different sales opportunities but focus in more profitable opportunities.
I have used the same approach in every single sales opportunity and country where I have worked and always works with incredible good results.

This book has a return on investment of 1000000% or more.

Excellent Book - Useful for those involved with major sales.
An excellent book. It is a very useful guide for all people involved with major sales (managing or selling). Unlike many books regarding sales it can help improvement in the following areas : 1. Organise concepts regarding sales 2. Avoid Critical mistakes 3. Adapt pattern of bahavior to a most positive one (with regards to major sales) 4. Better understand buyers 5. Understand the difference between major - small value sales. I strongly recommend it. ... Read more

Book Description

Selling: Building Partnerships was the first to integrate the partnerships/relationship theme in the selling course.This theme was expanded and elaborated upon in each edition.It presents selling theories and skills and then encourages the students to practice applying them. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

I PERSONALLY THINK THAT IT IS A WONDERFUL BOOK.
A FRIEND OF MINE WHO IS A PROFESSOR IN ZIMBABWE (UNIVERSITY OF ZIMBABWE) WOULD LIKR TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE A TEACHERS RESOURCE BOOK, OR ANY SUPPLEMENTS TO THIS BOOK (SELLING - BUILDING PATNERSHIP)

Great for sales students young and old.
I used this book whilst studying my Diploma in Sales and Marketing and found it invaluable. It goes through the fundamental steps of selling and gives you great examples of companies different approaches to the sellingenvironment. A must for all sales people who want to learn the basics ofselling or those who want to brush up on their skills. ... Read more

Book Description

Emotional Branding Bonds Brands With Today's Savvy Consumers

A visionary approach to building powerful brand loyalty, this groundbreaking book shows marketers of any product or service how to engage today's increasingly cynical consumers on deeper emotional levels. Case histories from the author's high-profile client list analyze demographic and behavioral shifts in populations and retail distribution channels, then show how all five senses can be used as powerful marketing tools to respond to those trends. Chapters detail how to develop strong brand personalities, customize brand presence to different consumer groups, use brand strategies in packaging and display, and facilitate breakthrough strategies for the Web. Chapters detail how to:

* develop unforgettable brand personalities
* customize brand presence to different consumer segments
* incorporate brand strategies into product and retail architecture design
* facilitate interactive access to your products through the Internet.

Emotional Branding breaks new ground in proposing innovative ways to create powerful and effective branding programs for meeting the challenges and opportunities of the new emotion-based economy. ... Read more

Reviews (30)

How to Connect Brands to People
According to Gobe, "an Emotional Branding approach is quite simply the crucial defining element that separates success from indifference in the marketplace....[It] brings a new layer of credibility and personality to a brand by connecting powerfully with people on a personal and holistic level....Emotional Branding is more than a process or research technology; it is based on the connections between people that transcend charts and graphs. It is a culture and way of living; a fundamental belief that people are the real force in commerce and that business and the street cannot survive separately." I begin my review with this brief excerpt because, with these remarks, Gobe creates a frame of reference for his reader before providing information and insights which differentiate his book from any other on the same general subject.

After an Introduction ("Emotional Branding: Fuel for Success in the Twenty-first Century"), Gobe presents his material within four Sections and then provides a Conclusion in which he acknowledges that branding is not for everyone while asserting that branding is about cultural relevance and emotional connection, not hype. For those who are responsible for devising, launching, and then managing a successful, emotionalized brand, he suggests three "essential" ideas: 1. "Brands have life cycles. The future of a brand is defined by its relevance at any given time and by how well it can protect the values that made it great. 2. Brands are elected every day based on their emotional relevance with the public and its commitment to quality. 3. Real brands are about meaning and truth." Here are some of the questions to which Gobe responds:

1. How can a brand engage people on the level of their senses and emotions?

2. Which brands have done so most effectively? How?

3. What is the biggest misconception in branding strategies? Why?

4. What are "The Ten Commandments of Emotional Branding"?

5. Which values are unique to Baby Boomer (born 1946-64), Gen X (born 1965-76), and Gen Y (born 1977-94) consumers? So what?

6. Which values are unique to African-American, Hispanic, Asian-American, Gay, and Lesbian consumers? So what?

7. Why are Women "The New Shoppers in Chief"?

8. Why are sensorial experiences (i.e. sight, sound, touch, taste, feel, and smell) "the uncharted territory of branding"?

9. Which branding strategies based on sensorial experiences have proven most effective? Why?

10. What are the "Key Trends for the New Millennium"? Why?

These questions correctly suggest the scope and depth of Gobe's perspectives on emotional branding. Throughout the book, he cites and discusses examples of branding initiatives which either succeeded or failed. I am also grateful for the inclusion of highly innovative graphics which illustrate "thinking out of the box" while creating an advertising campaign. (See the Introduction to Section III.) Gobe concludes his book with this observation: "To get people interested in a long-term relationship, keep your ear to the ground and always be ready for any market changes. Change is good, but predicting change is better -- the answer is within people's hearts." In this remarkable book, Gobe does indeed offer a new paradigm for connecting brands to people.

Those who share my high regard for Emotional Branding are strongly urged to check out Levitt's The Marketing Imagination, Ries and Trout's Positioning (NOT the sequel, The New Positioning), Brands: The New Wealth Creators edited by Hart and Murphy, Schmitt's Experiential Marketing, and Pine and Gilmore's The Experience Economy. For those who wish to explore the subject in even greater depth, I highly recommend Daniel Goleman's Emotional Intelligence and his more recently published Working with Emotional Intelligence.

How to Market to the Heart as Well as the Head
This is a great book. If you feel that people largely buy products and services for emotional reasons, and you want to learn more about branding strategies that address consumer emotions, this is for you. I would recommend you first read Lisa Fortini-Campbell's exceptional little book, "Hitting the Sweet Spot", then Chapters 3 and 10 (on "Brand Design" and "Advertising Strategy", by Bobby Calder, Steven Reagan and and Brian Sternthal respectively) in the new book by Dawn Iacobucci, "Kellog on Marketing" and then finish with "Emotional Branding". The Gobe book pulls everything together, yet maintains an unwavering, retriever-like focus on leveraging buyer emotions. Some of the new books like Hill and Rifkin's "Radical Marketing" stress the importance of buyer empathy and passion for the brand, but I have yet to read a book as good as "Emotional Branding" which tells the reader HOW TO DO all of these things.

Title is prime example of subject
Problems: there is a lot of useless commentary; Gobe pushes political correctness in advertising; he generalizes about Baby boomers, Generations X and Y; he often supplies only anecdotal evidence for his ideas. On the other hand, he seems sincerely interested in the subject, and there's some real insight underneath all the BS. About what you would expect from an Ad executive.

extraordinary new insight on marketing
I recommend this book to anyone wants to follow the new marketing trend of approaching consumers not in a rational way, but rather through an emotional connection that allows identification and enhtusiasm... taste, feel, smell, touch, hear: approaching the consumers using all the senses, allowing an holistic brand experience. A great book that stands out of the group, if you have to buy one book on emotional marketing, this is the one you cannot miss.

Good book, but 50% too long
This is a good book that explains the importance of creating an emotional connection with the consumer when designing a brand. It is however too long as the same (good) concept is repeated many times in different words. ... Read more

Book Description

Judging by all the press it's received lately, account planning must be the biggest thing to hit American advertising since Doyle Dane Bernbach's Volkswagen campaign. Agencies are falling over each other to establish account planning departments and arm themselves with what Jay Chiat of Chiat/Day once described as "the best new business tool ever invented."

Despite this enthusiasm, account planning remains shrouded in mystery. Is it, as Chiat suggested, merely a tool for attracting new clients? Or is it, as many critics have suggested, no more than traditional consumer research dressed up in new clothes? In the first book devoted exclusively to the subject of account planning in the United States, Jon Steel, Vice Chairman and Director of Account Planning for San Francisco advertising agency Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, argues that it is neither of these things.

Account planning exists for the sole purpose of creating advertising that truly connects with consumers. While many in the industry are still dissecting consumer behavior, extrapolating demographic trends, developing complex behavioral models, and measuring Pavlovian salivary responses, Steel advocates an approach to consumer research that is based on simplicity, common sense, and creativity—an approach that gains access to consumers' hearts and minds, develops ongoing relationships with them, and, most important, embraces them as partners in the process of developing advertising.

A witty, erudite raconteur and teacher, Steel describes how successful account planners work in partnership with clients, consumers, and agency creatives. He criticizes research practices that, far from creating relationships, drive a wedge between agencies and the people they aim to persuade; he suggests new ways of approaching research to cut through the BS and get people to show their true selves; and he shows how the right research, when translated into a motivating and inspiring brief, can be the catalyst for great creative ideas. He draws upon his own experiences and those of colleagues in the United States and abroad to illustrate those points, and includes examples of some of the most successful campaigns in recent years, including Polaroid, Norwegian Cruise Line, Porsche, Isuzu, "got milk?" and others.

The message of this book is that well-thought-out account planning results in better, more effective marketing and advertising for both agencies and clients. And also makes an evening in front of the television easier to bear for the population at large.

"Jon Steel is one of the great practitioners in advertising today. This book captures the essence of how to understand and connect with other human beings—not just to sell them something, but to create strong, long-lasting brand connections. It should be required reading for all planners, creative people, and account people." — Lee Clow, Chairman of TBWA Chiat/Day, Chief Creative Officer, Worldwide

"A very smart, very funny look at what works, what doesn't, and why, in the sometimes maddening, sometimes inspiring business of advertising. One of the brightest books about the subject in a long, long time." — Geoffrey Frost, Director of Global Advertising, Nike Inc.

"Jon Steel is one of the top five account planners in the world. The depth and breadth of this book reflects his vast personal experience and exceptional talent. It's not just a great book about account planning, it's a great book about advertising." —Jane Newman, Partner, Director of Strategic Planning, Merkley, Newman, Harty.

"The beauty of this book is that it discusses the theories and practice of one of the brightest minds in advertising today, yet never loses its irreverent tone. It's a great book for the advertising industry and a must read for planners." —Rob White, Director of Planning, Fallon McElligott

". . . I was glued to Jon's book. Best practice, common sense, and extraordinary intelligence throughout." —David Wheldon, President, BBDO Europe.

"Jon Steel's book is the perfect insight into a discipline that for some time has been misunderstood, misused, and maligned by most agencies and clients in the U.S. So, run it up the flag pole, put it to groups, check it against the norms, the answer is the same—Truth, Lies, and Advertising should be read by anyone who has to make or approve advertising." —Rick Boyko, President, Chief Creative Officer, Ogilvy & Mather, New York. ... Read more

Reviews (22)

The perfect formula for brand-building
Although, there's no fail-safe formula for creating advertising that works, in Truth, Lies and Advertising, Jon Steel certainly gives us a dependable solution. Rather than relying on an individual's hit or miss ideas, Steel advocates a common-sense approach to creating advertising that involves consumers right from the development of the campaign and helps build lasting relationships with them. Add to this a dose of high-voltage creativity and you have the perfect formula for brand-building! With lively anecdotes and tongue-in-cheek humour, Steel presents his agency's award-winning campaigns for Polaroid, California Milk Processors and Norwegian Cruise Lines as testimonies to this formula. How does his agency (GS&P) conceive such memorable advertising campaigns? Through 'account planning', a new discipline which has now percolated into every modern advertising agency in the world. If you're in advertising, you must read this book. It's sure to change the way you view advertising today.

HighlyRecommended!
Successful ad campaigns are not linear developments where a business need meshes straightforwardly with an effective creative approach and actually produces successful tangible results. Instead, building memorable, provocative advertising campaigns is such a complex, political task, both rational and emotional, that a successful campaign is a wonder. Veteran advertising expert Jon Steel contends that building a good campaign is the common sense responsibility of the account planner - the new nexus of the consumer, agency creative staff, client and researchers. Steel shows the pitfalls of misguided research and creative arrogance as he explains that a good business-oriented account planner can help produce wonderfully effective, often simple, ad campaigns. His witty, erudite book concludes with its best case study: a look inside the successful "Got Milk" campaign for the California milk industry. We recommend this book to those who buy and sell advertising and to anyone working at an ad agency.

Best book on account planning we've seen yet.
Another Outsource Marketing firm favorite!

A great book about communication planning written by Jon Steel, the Brit who heads account planning for Goodby Silverstein & Partners. Steel and his agency are best known for developing the "got milk?" campaign.

Truth, Lies & Advertising describes the process of gathering consumer insights and turning them into potent communications.

It offers great advice about developing advertising objectives, using consumer research, and working with creative people.

Steel writes with enthusiasm and sympathy for the creative process, but he's also savvy about business realities and committed to results.

If you've ever struggled to reconcile the art of creative with the science of business, this book should interest you.

Connections That Will Surprise You
Anyone who's witnessed or participated in the generally rancorous discussions that go on between the creative people in advertising agencies and their research counterparts would do well to read this excellent book.
Mr. Steel admits that as an account planner he is very much a believer in consumer and advertising research. Yet, the agency where he practiced prior to writing this book is one of the most creatively-driven and award-winning in the business. So what gives? If creativity and research are such natural antagonists, how could he (and research) have flourished in that environment?
Well, as he patiently explains and clearly illustrates with many examples, the problem isn't with research per se. The problem is with how the research is conducted, by whom and to what purpose. Done wrong, it is, as he puts it: "the blind leading the bland". Whereas done properly, research can not only save the creative people's most unexpected and outrageous ideas, it can even make them better and more effective.
Naturally, this is a book any account planner will want to read, if for no other reason than the extraordinary chapter devoted to preparing a truly exceptional creative brief. But anyone involved in the ad agency/client loop will benefit from it because at the very least, it will help you determine if the account planning you're currently getting is real account planning or just tired, old research with a spiffy new name.

The only book on account planning
This was pretty good. I was annoyed with the first half of the book because the author wastes time with irrelevent tangents and self-indulgent anecdotes. But by the end, I'd gleamed a lot of general wisdom on the account planning. If you're looking into account planning, this is the only book on the subject... and it's definitely worth a read. If you're trying to learn more about advertising in general, read "Hey Whipple, Squeeze This". It's cuttingly insightful and perhaps the easiest-to-read non-fiction I've ever picked up. ... Read more

Book Description

ROI (Return on Investment) is today's key business tool for measuring how effectively money was spent--yet few marketing managers receive any ROI training at all. Marketing ROIchanges all that, showing marketing pros at every level how to use ROI and other financial metrics to support their strategic decision making.

This comprehensive book details how an accurate working knowledge of ROI is essential for using the latest marketing measurements, and provides insights for gaining the greatest competitive advantage from the skilled use and understanding of ROI concepts.

Reviews (1)

Introducing Rigor to Marketing Spending
With Marketing ROI, Jim Lenskold has introduced a very useful level of financial rigor into what the typically imprecise process of targeting investments in marketing and then measuring their impact on company profits. Two key concepts introduced are how Marketing ROI is correctly calculated (many companies do it wrong), and more importantly, how the Marketing ROI informantion is used to manage marketing investments, looking at the incremental investment in marketing, and its incremental effect on sales and profitablity. Jim covers the subject from a big company perspective, focusing on multi-product, multi-customer segment environments, but the concepts in the book can also be applied to small companies concerned with spending marketing dollars most effectively.

This is a key text to be used along with the latest in customer relationship management techniques and customer information technology to manage the profitability of a company's demand chain. ... Read more

Book Description

In this newly released edition of one of his classic books, The One Minute Sales Person, Spencer Johnson, the author of the number one New York Times bestseller Who Moved My Cheese?, shows you how to sell your ideas, products, or services successfully! This is the book that has proved to be a must-have for the millions of people who were looking for the quickest way to improve their selling skills.

In these changing times, Spencer Johnson, coauthor of The One Minute Manager®, shows you how the phenomenal One Minute® methods can bring real and lasting sales success with the least amount of time and effort. You will learn how to enjoy your job and your life more as you discover the effective secrets of "self-management," the integrity of "selling on purpose," and the liberating "wonderful paradox" of helping others get what they want so you can get what you need.

The One Minute Sales Person is a clear, easy and invaluable guide that works for both you and the people you sell to, for your financial prosperity and personal well-being.

In short, it is a classic Spencer Johnson bestseller that can help you enjoy more success with less stress.

Reviews (22)

Excellent book for anybody in sales and customer service
I've been a Financial Avisor for three years, and read a lot of books on how to understand the client. You first need to understand yourself and why you are doing the things you do for yourself and others. It is important that we work on purpose and that will give you a solid foundation on how to communicate with others. This book will teach it to you and you can use its pricapals to enhance your life. But you need to share it with others.

Excellent Primer on Closing Those Sales!
Johnson and Wilson have written an excellent book how to close sales without putting stress on the buyer.

While some of the concepts may sound basic and insulting to the reader, remember that sticking to the basics is often the best way to close the sale.

Among the points the authors cover include:

1. Key points to remember before you make the sales call.
2. Common objections to a sale (trust is a big one!).
3. Acting in the buyer's interest.
4. Follow up on the sale.
5. 80 - 20 rule: 20% of what we do provides 80% of the results.
6. How to write out your sales goals.
7. Honesty and integrity is an important part of the selling process.
8. The One Minute Sales Person's Game Plan.

Since I work in sales, the book has been an excellent encouragement to continue to display honesty and integrity in the selling process.

Read, be encouraged to be a better salesperson, and close those sales!

It's Good to start at correct fundamental.
Very simple book, but offered very valuable advise, as it point out one of the most important concept - The Wonderful paradox:
"I have more fun and enjoy more financial success, When I stop trying to get what "I" want, and start helping other people get what "THEY" want." Do the first thing first.
When we start something, it is important that we start doing it based on the right fundamentals/beliefs.

Just as the Author itself mention it in the book, "One minute selling is not perfect and it doesn't solve all your selling problems all the time. But the point is: "IT DOES WORK".
It work very well for me indeed.

Simple and easy to follow
I found this book easy to read and even easier to follow. After reading this book I felt more prepared when I was prospecting and meeting with potential accounts. I highly recommend this to anyone in sales.

Create a Vision of Your Past Successes
Prior to pitching your sale, take one minute to envision yourself selling to the customer that you want to sell to. Feel what it feels like to successfully do this. Describe those feelings to yourself.

Now, take a minute to think back to a time when you have sold something to someone, in the past. Notice this as though you are watching a 60 second commercial.

Praise yourself for that past accomplishment. And praise yourself for being able to create a vision of your success.

Use this self-image of yourself to sell to your next prospect.

This is a great book that reminds of our abilities, when we harness them. ... Read more

Book Description

As companies shift from hierarchical management into teamwork, managing is not nearly as important as coaching. Here is the first book on the coaching process written exclusively for sales managers--a brief, easy-to-digest primer on making the transition from a traditional boss to a sales coach. Created by an author/instructor who teaches sales management as the prestigious Wharton Executive Development Center, this guide shows sales managers how to: understand the nuances and payoffs of coaching: conduct coaching sessions and improve key skills such as listening and giving feedback; deal with problems such as discipline and reluctant behavior within the sales team; and coach and peers on oneself. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Sales Coaching is practical, applicable, and long overdue.
I often say to Sales Managers, "Show me a great Sales Manager with lousy salespeople and I will show you a lousy Sales Manager." Then I tell them to read 'Sales Coaching.'

Linda Richardson has constructed the ultimate step-by-step guide in getting managers to reevaluate their priorities and focus their attention on improving the sales staff through effective developmental coaching. The book is easy to read and full of practical tips and coaching models that will make any sales team more productive.

Most importantly, unlike many sales management books, this work translates into practical application without the brain damage. Sales Managers should be able to apply these principles immediately. Read this with a highlighter in your hand - and be prepared to transform your sales management approach. ... Read more

Book Description

In this path-breaking new book, best-selling author and leading go-to-market strategist Larry Friedman provides a practical and battle-tested approach for taking products, services, divisions, or even an entire company to market!

Drawing on dozens of examples and best-practices across a variety of industries, 'Go To Market Strategy' lays out a clear and actionable blueprint for building a winning go-to-market plan - one that will enable you to do more business, with more customers, more often, and more profitably.

In this book you'll find all of the techniques and tools you need to answer today's crucial go-to-market questions:

ú Which markets offer the best opportunities for profitable growth?

ú What do my target customers need?How can I do a lot more business with them?

ú What mix of channels and partners will help me reach and sell to the most customers at the lowest possible cost?

ú Do I have the right product or solution?How can I create broader customer interest in my offerings?

ú Do I have a winning value proposition?What would make the 'message' more compelling - and drive more purchasing activity?

'Go To Market Strategy' is not about incremental change. As Friedman points out, it is for executives seeking nothing less than double-digit revenue growth and the slashing of at least 10-15 percent of selling costs - absolutely realistic results that go-to-market innovators have consistently achieved. This book lays out all of the techniques used by the world's top go-to-market leaders, so you too can achieve those kinds of results, and gain a real go-to-market competitive advantage in your markets.

New thinking from the author of 'The Channel Advantage'Offers ready made go-to-market strategic planning for any organizationPractical advice and a revolutionary strategic approach to creating and retaining customers using new technologies and new channel mixes for faster, more efficient routes to market. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Well done!
Good luck finding a better book on how to pick your markets and successfully capture and serve customers, because you probably won't. This is the definitive text, EASILY one of the five or ten top marketing or general strategy books of the last ten years. The chapter on market selection has no equal in helping you understand the EXACT process to use to identify and evaluate different market segments. The chapters on channels and channel integration are the first clear explanation I've seen on the whole topic. It's just a great, great book - buy it.

The "Bible" Of Channel Strategy???????
My boss (the vice president of marketing, for a Fortune 200 media company) handed me this book and said: Read this; it is the bible of channel strategy. I noticed one of the other reviewers here also called it the Bible. Well, there is only one Bible, so let's not overdo it, people! Please! The book is impressive so far, though. I have read five chapters of nine as of this review. Go To Market Strategy's best characteristic is that it is very well written and articulate, and also, that it has a huge amount of information and new ideas for product marketing and management. There are many strategies and practical tools that my team can use immediately to improve the launch of new media services into key market segments. I do have a criticism, and that is that I do not think the author sufficiently considers the role of pricing strategy as part of a go to market strategy. For a marketing book said to be of biblical proportions, I would have expected to see more on pricing; while not completely absent, I would have to say that pricing is not the author's favorite topic. Also, some more treatment of international partnering and the global aspects of product launches would have been helpful, since most new product initiatives involve a heavy dose of int'l partnering issues. Aside from those concerns, Go To Market Strategy does live up to its reputation for being the best book in its field and the one that everybody seems to be reading. Friedman is influential as a marketing and channels theorist and practitioner, and it is clear why when reading this book. If you buy it, read the footnotes, because half of them are like little "time-outs" with amusing observations. Recommended.

can't go wrong
Attended the author's strategy workshop in NYC in December, got a freebie copy of the book...can't argue with that! Best biz book of last 3-4 years, hands down...the "Bible" of go to market. 360 degree view of market / channel / sales / partnering strategy. Shows how all pieces of puzzle fit together. Really, really, really, really like the chapters on partnering, channel integration. A+++

very helpful
This very helpful book is by author L. Friedman, whose book The Channel Advantage from 1998 or 1999 is still appreciated for its comprehensive look at channel programmes and management. This new book is broader in theme and less focused on channels as it is on general strategy issues one must confront successfully to take a product or service to the market place. As with The Channel Advantage, few business practitioners or students will be disappointed and many will appreciate the inclusion of important new ideas and concepts for managing channels and developing a comprehensive go to market programme. I found it very worthwhile reading.

Great marketing book
This is a great marketing book. No hype and no b.s., just a lot of sound, practical ideas for connecting better with your customers and doing more business with them. The theoretical ideas are very well supported by practical advice and what must be 25 or 30 useful cases examples from Corporate America (and Europe - some Asian examples would have been nice too). I thought the chapters on choosing markets and aligning with customers were especially well written and useful. I also thought the part on value propositions was eye opening and likely to lead more than a few executives to rethink whether they really have a winning message. For a marketing book, you always have to wonder whether it's serious or if it's just a bunch of stupid McKinsey 2x2 matrices. This book is one of the rare ones that trades in all those tired "cash cow" pedantics for practical, sales-oriented advice. So I give this book a solid 5 stars because I don't know what more you could want from a marketing book. Finally, the two chapters on channels are detailed, complete, well written, and full of important post dot-bomb ideas for building a new channel strategy. These two chapters alone would be well worth the cost of the book. ... Read more

Book Description

Marketing to Women shows why the women's market is the fastest track to strong business results in today's extraordinarily competitive environment, and an increasingly important and powerful market segment which companies cannot afford to ignore.

According to marketing authority Martha Barletta, companies that fail to recognize the power of the woman buyer are leaving money on the table.In her book, Marketing to Women: How to Understand, Reach, and Increase Your Share of the Largest Market Segment, marketing expert Martha Barletta presents a compelling business case for why marketing professionals, men and women alike, should allocate real dollars and undivided attention to the largest untapped market in the world: women.She then explains why and how women reach different brand purchase decisions than men, and provides a detailed field guide for creating and executing a complete marketing plan that targets women. ... Read more

Reviews (31)

Insightful!
As a consumer group, women represent an enormous opportunity, but chances are your company is missing out on them. Author Martha Barletta says most marketers fail to capitalize on this lucrative market. They don't realize its potential or understand fundamental gender differences. As a result, their marketing fails to communicate with women, let alone persuade them. Barletta, a consultant specializing in marketing to women consumers, offers a book heavy on theory and long on detail. Except for a few examples of how ads are executed, the book lacks case studies that would bring these theories to life. Still, Barletta provides good advice on practical applications of these ideas about gender culture. She sheds light on the myths and realities of marketing to women, and provides essays by female experts in the field. What a pity that it all reads like a textbook. Given that, we target this rather educational tome as more appropriate for people who study marketing than for people who do marketing, although thoughtful marketers might still want to take a look

Insightful!
As a consumer group, women represent an enormous opportunity, but chances are your company is missing out on them. Author Martha Barletta says most marketers fail to capitalize on this lucrative market. They don't realize its potential or understand fundamental gender differences. As a result, their marketing fails to communicate with women, let alone persuade them. Barletta, a consultant specializing in marketing to women consumers, offers a book heavy on theory and long on detail. Except for a few examples of how ads are executed, the book lacks case studies that would bring these theories to life. Still, Barletta provides good advice on practical applications of these ideas about gender culture. She sheds light on the myths and realities of marketing to women, and provides essays by female experts in the field. What a pity that it all reads like a textbook. Given that, we from getAbstract target this rather educational tome as more appropriate for people who study marketing than for people who do marketing, although thoughtful marketers might still want to take a look.

How to Succeed in the World's Largest Market Segment
In this uniquely informative volume, Barletta answers three separate but related questions: What makes women a worthwhile market? Why market differently to women? and How do we get beyond gender generalities to actionable tactics? In her Introduction, she lists "Eight Myths of Marketing to Women" which, during the course of her book's narrative, she convincingly repudiates. For example, #5: With women, marketing is all about relationships. "While it's true that women put more emphasis on relationships -- personal and corporate -- than men do, their purchase decisions and response to communications are affected by far more than 'relationships.' From word meaning to word-of-mouth referrals, product priorities to Internet usage patterns, women differ from men in many, many marketing dimensions. And, to overlook their complexities would be to undermine the effectiveness of your company's programs." According to Barletta, there are four components of the women's market: earning power ("What's in her wallet?"), high-net worth women ("the ultimate asset-holders"), consumer spending power (the "household chief purchasing officer"), and women in business ("controlling the company checkbook").

A majority of consumers in the U.S. are women. Research indicates that online spending will increase 26% this year to $96 billion. Consumer spending accounts for two-thirds of the economy and women influence 95% and make 85% of all consumer buying decisions; moreover, the majority of corporate purchasing agents and managers are women. Female entrepreneurs account for 70% of new business start-ups. If you are still unconvinced of the upside potential of marketing to women, consider these facts:

• Between 1970 and 1990, the number of women living alone doubled from 7.3 million to 15.3 million and this pattern has continued.

• At least 55% of those online each day are women.

• By the year 2010, women will control 60% of wealth in the U.S.

• College students were responsible for $210 billion in sales in 2002 and 58% of them were female.

• Women purchase more than 50% of the cars and own more than 46% of the homes in the U.S.

• More than half of all business travelers are women.

In Part II of her book, Barletta introduces and then explains what she calls the GenderTrends™Marketing Model, a systematic and simple tool to help her readers understand, reach, and increase their share of the world's largest market -- women. The model is designed to achieve three objectives:

1. "Structure the complexities of the gender differences into an organized view of female [in italics] gender culture."

2. "Show you how gender culture interacts with each of the 12 [in italics] marketing elements [end italics] in the marketing mix."

3. "Apply the resulting insights to the four stages of the consumer's [in italics] purchase path." FYI, the four are activation through market entry, nomination of purchase options to consider, investigation and decision with regard to nominees, and finally, succession (i.e. repeat business and, hopefully, evangelistic loyalty).

Few books fully deliver on the promises stated or implied in their subtitle. Barletta's book is the commendable exception. She offers a wealth of information and an abundance of wisdom which will help decision-makers in literally any organization (regardless of size or nature) to understand, reach, and increase their share of "the world's largest market segment." This book provides just about everything you need to do precisely that. What are you waiting for?

Good information but it could be more professional.
First off, I'm a guy. I found this book had a lot of information that I never knew before. I asked a few women I knew and was suprised that their responses were identical to the information in the book. For example what they liked to see in advertisements and what they said their aspirations were, were identical to what was said in the book. Some of it made no sense to me but it made perfect sense to the women I asked.

I have to say I'm disappointed with the minor male bashing in the book. Some of her male point of views are a bit extreme, for example: "Men, on the other hand, are more likely to hold the view that people are important, but no more important or interesting than current events or new ideas in computer animation, or something more material like cars or cameras." I value my relationships and found this a bit extreme. Do all women think this?

I took off one star for her point of view on men, but other than that this is a good book. If you are marketing to women, this book will give you insight on the subject.

The Sweetest Spot of the Sweet Spot
As a marketer and author of several books it usually surprises people when I tell them I've read perhaps three marketing books in my life cover-to-cover. Marketing books tend to peter out after the first two or three chapters, putting their authors in the position of having to pump a lot of air into their pages to get enough literary bulk to justify cranking up the printing presses.

Marti Barletta's "Marketing to Women" is the fourth marketing book I've read cover-to-cover. Keeping in mind that women account directly and indirectly for an estimated 80% of buying in th