You can see it… the hesitation in their eyes. Many a marketer from a traditionally male-oriented brand responds to the idea of "marketing to women" like this: "But, if we "’feminize’ the product, won’t the men hate it?"
Argh, to that misconception. The truth is that men will hate it only … Read on >
1) Since 2002, of the 8,724 students taking women’s studies courses at the University of Michigan (go blue), 1,124 were male. What’s going on? Here’s a quote from a male women’s studies student in an LSA Magazine article (click on the “What’s Different” article to … Read on >
The evolution of marketing to women (aka M2W) has been fascinating to watch. Fifteen years ago, the default M2W approach was pink, pastels, "for women," and so on. As ten years passed, brands got savvier and you could see more relevant features, benefits and stories in marketing efforts. These days, … Read on >
yWhen it comes to form and function, the huge industries behind cars and computers perhaps struggle most to keep the delicate balance for today’s consumers. Both realms have long been run in very traditional ways, with product development and marketing decisions based mainly on linear thinking. But, any brand that … Read on >
Did you ever notice that ours seems to be a self-regulating culture when it comes to gender and stereotypes? When the ways of the world get too masculine, women step in and stir up the waters to get their due, and, so too, when the world veers too heavily … Read on >
Yesterday, my first Huffington Post contribution was posted on their newly launched business page. It should be fun to connect with that broader audience, and to challenge my writing (style and frequency) a bit. The post gives a few suggestions for the web sites of today’s presidential … Read on >
Last week I gave a presentation for the Pacific Coast Builders Conference (PCBC) in San Francisco, and then I hung around a bit to learn more. In addition to … Read on >
I know. You are all sick of hearing how wonderful Apple is, but bear with me. Randall Stross wrote a great piece (reg. required) in yesterday’s New York … Read on >
Peak: How Great Companies Get Their Mojo from Maslow
by Chip Conley
I'm a big psychology buff, so this application of Maslow's hierarchy of needs to the business realm fascinated (and resonated) with me. As Conley mentions, psychology in business has long been about "fixing it," but that won't necessarily "offer the opportunity for transformation to a more optimal state of being or productivity." Everyone can learn from this discussion.
The Sexual Paradox: Men, Women and the Real Gender Gap
by Susan Pinker
A fascinating examination of how sex differences play out over the life span. One interesting quote: "For most women it's less a question of who's able to win. It's whether competing feels good and is worth the cost."
Robin Hood Marketing: Stealing Corporate Savvy to Sell Just Causes
by Katya Andresen
Andresen writes that causes can learn from traditional marketers, but after reading this, I'd argue that traditional marketers can learn from the causes profiled. An interview with Andresen is included in my eBook, 9 Minds On Marketing.
You Just Don't Understand: Women and Men in Conversation
by Deborah Tannen
Men have a more asymmetrical, positioning approach to communication, while women have a more symmetrical, connecting approach. This is a classic worth revisiting frequently.
BOOM: Marketing to the Ultimate Power Consumer -- The Baby-Boomer Woman
by Mary Brown and Carol Orsborn
It's a hot topic - and the case studies and examples presented in BOOM can offer up insights to get you started.
