Coming up with a title for this post was hard. The word “feminist” throws all sorts of people of both genders out of whack, and why would I want to look at how this applies to marketing, anyway?
When I came across Dave Hill’s article in The Guardian, I … Read on >
I’ve been talking with a lot of men lately about if and how gender roles or stereotyping issues come up for them (or against them) in life and in business. Mainly our conversations have been about how, while they don’t know about other people, they feel like they’ve built a … Read on >
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 >
Embrace your feminine side, and you’ll go far in reaching women! This shouldn’t be news, but the reminder is always worthwhile. My latest eBrandMarketing.com post does just that. Here’s a sneak peek:
Business is often approached in a linear, set, “we’ve always done it this … 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 >
American philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote this oft-repeated observation, and I’ve used it as a tagline of sorts, since founding Learned On Women in 2004. As socio-anthropologist and author Helen Fisher observed in her book, The First Sex: he “correctly discerned another feminine faculty related … Read on >
1) Diane Mermigas wrote a very inspired and thorough MediaPost blog post on “women’s sites” and how women are actually not being served by them. The launch of Yahoo’s latest addition to the ranks, “Shine,” was what got her going. Her observations are spot on, and … Read on >
Quick - what’s the first name that pops into your head when I say "hugely successful investor." Yeah, that’s the name I came up with too: Warren Buffett. Well, it turns out, his style of researching and being patient with where he puts his money is more typically feminine than … Read on >
Brands are facing a gender-fraught crossroads and it may well be a little uncomfortable there. Should they focus in on women and forget about men, or vice versa? Are men really starting to shop more like women? What the heck does that mean?
Well… it IS complicated, but as is so … Read on >
Do you remember when you started to notice people drinking water in bottles? Since those of us who are Baby Boomers or Gen Xers grew up with soft drinks (or "pop" as we used to say in my Midwestern neck of the woods) all around us, that changeover was extremely … 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.
