Content, Strategy, Marketing & Business | A consultant’s view » Christine Thompson
Preorders for Apple’s new iPhone 4S surpassed a million units in the first 24 hours, more than 40% higher than Apple’s previous single-day record. This early buying frenzy stands in stark contrast to analysts’ lukewarm response to the introduction of Apple’s latest iPhone model. Meanwhile online Apple fan clubs and LinkedIn networks of former Apple employees […]
I love brands that place an enduring value on customer delight, especially when they aim to do so across all touch points, and invest accordingly. The contrast between brands that aim for customer delight versus those that are, at best, transactional can be really stark. Two contrasting customer care experiences illustrate my point (B2C examples). Here’s how a business strategist assesses these differing approaches.
Revised on March 27, 2011
Like other Mac users eagerly awaiting 4G LTE service in the US, I was angry to learn that Verizon’s initial 4G modems will support Windows only. There’s no official word when the service will be extended to Mac and iPad users… Initial Reactions from a Long-time Mac User How could that be possible, I fumed: Mac and […]
Revised on January 13, 2011
Apple has earned the reputation as one of the most admired brands — and envied companies — in the world. For the third year in a row Apple ranked as the world’s most admired company, by the highest margin ever. But this didn’t happen overnight, and it’s not just because Steve Jobs is one of the world’s most admired CEOs. There are several factors that account for Apple’s continuing success as a market innovator.
A key element of Apple’s strategic playbook is
Revised on March 28, 2011
25 years ago Apple and a handful of partners ignited the digital publishing revolution. I was there, a senior member of Apple’s pioneering team, along with visionaries and change agents from Adobe, Aldus, Quark and others. Our work laid the foundations for digital content and publishing, key milestones on the road to the Web, social media, blogging, and other 21st century communications.
Revised on June 16, 2010
Just before the holidays I invested in Apple’s new server offering for small firms and workgroups, the Mac Mini Snow Leopard Server. It’s a sweet package.
For $999 you get a whisper-quiet, energy-efficient server not much larger than a paperback book. The device comes with 4GB of RAM and a terabyte of built-in storage, plus an unlimited client license to Apple’s powerful server software (10.6.x Snow Leopard).
Apple claims this combination of hardware and software can handle up to 25 concurrent users. To handle more users would require more powerful hardware. I’ve been using it to serve a handful of concurrent users, and it’s plenty fast. But it’s not perfect, and here’s why…
Revised on February 7, 2010
These days it seems everyone wants to imitate Apple, but few really know what it takes. This post examines some of the key factors that set Apple apart, from the perspective of a person who has worked with or for Apple since 1983. From design to product strategy to brand and employee values, it’s a hard act to follow.
Revised on April 15, 2011
Earlier I blogged on the purpose of a business and the problems that can arise when organizations lack a clear sense of purpose, or when they define success narrowly in financial (shareholder-centric) terms. Today’s post focuses on business purpose and its links to corporate brand strategy. In the context of brand strategy, purpose energizes the […]
