Comments on: How to spot a marketing wanker

By: Pete Monfre

Pete Monfre — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 22:54:09 +0000

Thanks for the comment, John.

I think my frustration has less to do with the barrier that this sets up for those of us who believe we are “the real thing” (that’s up to the client to decide) but more to do with the frustration and pain caused to the client. I hear story after story from potential clients about how they’ve been taken down the road by so called “consultants”. It’s just wrong. Clients come to us because they need our expertise. We must never take advantage of this situation by leveraging this expertise to mislead. The payoff for us is long term reputation (I’ve been at this for 20 years). Short term gain by gaming the client will never be long term success.

By: Rafe Beeson

Rafe Beeson — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:04:17 +0000

Great Article! I agree there has to be a cohesive approach to your marketing efforts. Seems like there are too many “magic bullet” solutions that are being proposed with a shiny new website that does nothing to call customers to action. Keep up the great posts!

By: Ragen Chastain

Ragen Chastain — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:59:47 +0000

Spot on Pete! I’ve seen plenty of my clients struggle with these exact issues with other marketing people, I’m very glad that I have you to refer clients to!

By: John Russell

John Russell — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:53:29 +0000

Thank you for your insightful piece regarding “wankers”
It is about time that people who are experts in their various fields begin to call things as they see them.

As a result of the economic downturn, it seems as though everyone (especially recently downsized out of a job – “consultants”) suddenly discover that they have a special gift to offer others in business.

Sometimes they absolutely DO have a gift, but often, they are just waiting until something better comes around.

On the other hand, established businesses and experts in various fields need to accept that some of the new arrivals really are here to stay and actually may have a better approach to things (marketing included) that are not stale, old and boring. Every great company began with something!

A true approach to marketing needs to take all (and I mean ALL) ideas and possibilities into consideration. The newest idea or game in town, for example, is not necessarily the best. Just the newest. But is it, or will it work?

The “yes men and low ballers” run business sectors (that they claim to represent) through the mud and it is sad that they take not only their ill-advised client(s) with them, but the reputation/perception of that sector they claim to be a part of as well. When you think of a used car salesman, what come to mind? Nevertheless, I actually know some nice people who are in the business who are not sleazebags. Well, you get the message…

At the end of the day, substance is better than passing fads, and substance is based on experience, proof in the pudding examples and a track record of ethical behavior.