Say It Like Obama - Book Review

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Say It Like Obama by Shel Leanne is a dynamic read. Its 200+ pages are filled with analysis of the many speeches that the President Elect has done, with insights into the many tools he uses such as props, visual cues and alliterations. The author’s explanations might seem juxtaposing at times, but I think they are clear rather than assuming. It’s noteworthy that she is also the author of one of my favourite books on job interviews “How to Interview Like a Top MBA.”

One key lesson for me was how, even when reading the speeches in the book itself, the energy of the President Elect could still be felt. His branding and product dimension is that strong. In marketing wise, he represents the 5th P, after Product, Price, Place, Promotion. He represents the Person aspect of your marketing tactics. A strong P can do your product good.

Whether you are an Obama fan, someone who’s in the business of giving speeches and presentations, a young politician or executive, or even a student looking to improve your ability to influence, Say It Like Obama by Shel Leanne is a recommended read.

A Key Marketing Lesson from President Elect Obama

You could pinpoint the victory to many things: the perceived careless choice of vp (Mrs Palin) on the part of the republican candidate, the unfortunate circumstance the republican president George Bush found himself in during his 8 year term, the comparison-ad firing which proved to be distasteful in public opinion.

On a marketing note, one lesson is stark: The importance of storytelling.

Track back to the very first speech the democratic candidate ever made to run for nomination for his party till the very latest speech as president elect and you can see why the poet made it. To prove the point on the power of superb storytelling, just take a look at his victory speech. Pay attention to the setting, the backdrop, the lighting, and how it all adds up to one fantastic story.

I call it “The Return of the Jedi.”

Asian Muslim Consumer Showcase 2008

Event: The Asian Muslim Consumer Showcase 2008

Venue: Singapore Expo Hall 5A

Date: 24th - 27 October 2008

Review: Honestly I expected more crowd on a Sunday. The products were diverse, with certain booths clearly monopolozing (notably bridal and food). Some newmedia stalls were there too, such as Fadzuli’s IslamicSg Networks. His yummy tv screen which was connected to his laptop caught my attention, and of course I couldn’t resist thickening my skin and asked if I could have the pleasure of looking at my site through that yummy rectangular thing…

When you’re in these sort of settings, do try and stand up. The evidence is there; booths with the sellers lazily sitting down won’t get much good impression and presence from transit customers. In these sort of settings, first contact is extremely crucial.

Also, get your theme together. Maximise as much of that space which you’ve spent, and decorate every corner you can to fit your product. Cost per square inch versus presence per square inch worth pondering.

Were you there too?

http://www.amcsmegasale.com/

Move Over Blogs, The Future is in Vlogs

“Vlog” is short for “video blog”, a blog which uses video heavily as its prime content. Sometimes Vlogs are also referred to as “moblogs” because these are short with mobile phones.

Some reasons why Vlogs are becoming increasingly popular:

1. Offers a face behind service
2. Level of interactivity
3. Huge cost saver for producers (as supposed to TV commercials or TVCs)
4. Offers the reality TV component

The main barrier of Vlogs is the component of accountability: you as the entrepreneur have to be confident and outspoken enough. However like most other communications mediums, once you get the hang of it and you built momentum, it should be smoother sailing.

Financial Crunch on Marketing

The latest financial crunch is making airwaves. An impending gloom of recession is expected to emerge from the states, with Asia counting on its economic boom bubble (lead by China) to tackle the crisis.

What does the financial crunch mean in terms of marketing? Here are my thoughts:

• Product: Outsourcing may perhaps be a magic pill.
• Price: Prices will have to resonate with conditions. Marketeers will become financially savvy.
• Place: Distibution will be out of the box. Expect a cleaning up of clutter by most companies.
• Promotions: Expect words like “Save”, “Safe” to pop up. Comparison ads too might see an increase.

The real challenge is this: Recession means that your products should fly more to encourage spending. To fly more, promotions is key, which then costs money. But recession also means budget cuts…

A vicious circle. Real Marketeers, please stand up.

Reflections on Ramadan Blogging

The idea: To blog only about Ramadan during Ramadan.

The verdict: Not easy. Sort of like a restraintful feeling… suppressing the normal whimsical blog posts, the regular commentary on everyone else (other than yourself), the nitpicking of random thoughts.

Conclusion: An exercise in discipline. If you tried this out as well, share your comments and thoughts. I’d like to hear from you.

(We now return to our regular blogging channel…)

Singaporeans’ Favourite Presentation Word

I’ve come to a conclusion: Singaporeans love saying this one word during presentations. Actually we don’t just say it during presentations, but actually even during interviews. Actually just about any conversation when we are in the spotlight, we actually tend to use it. When actually, we can use other words and phrases such as “furthermore”, “in addition”, “to add on”, “moreover”. Actually, we don’t even have to say anything at those moments. Actually, this irritating filler that we use for our sentences causes more harm than good. Actually, we should just pause.

And you know what? Actually it gets on my nerves. Actually, maybe even yours, once you realize it too.

Actually.

The Official “One-Day-BBA” Course by Hafihz

I’ve noticed alot of books which have titles like “One-Day-MBA” and “How To Get A Business Degree In One Day”. Yesterday I decided to browse through such a book. Not bad.

Now, obviously you can’t get the same juice from years of learning in a business school in just one book. But the nature of such books is that they reduce the theory aspects and give more weight towards the tactics and tools deployed. A handy guide I think for managers out there who’ve never had any formal training.

Not to be outdone, I’ve decided to come up with my own course, and give it away free! Okay, it’s not exactly a book or anything downloadable. Rather it’s a collection of material which I’ve come across back in my university days in business school or in my own readings, which I think are solid compact guides and have impacted me somewhat. Some of the titles are common, others are the hidden gems. I hope readers like you who are looking for such reads enjoy this list, segmented into some key business acumens. Here we go:

MANAGEMENT: 12 Angry Men (Movie): A superb 96min gem on the art of persuasion. Rent it out at your video local stores.

MARKETING: Kotler On Marketing (Book): Forget those bogus marketeers. This is the renowned scholar of marketing himself, Professor Philip Kotler. This book is good first read if you want to get a clear picture of what exactly is marketing, and how to apply.

STRATEGY: Sun Zi Art of War (Book): Sun Zi’s Art of War has been recommended by many business professionals, including Donald Trump himself. It’s certainly a powerful read on strategy and tactics. This version by Professor Wee, a Professor of Strategy, Management and Organization at The Nanyang Business School, is very well written with clear tafsiran and explanation. It has been one of my primary strategic guides.

HUMAN RELATIONS: Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion (Book): This book is a communications leverage, and is one of my favourite’s on my bookshelf. A very poweful read.

STATISTICS: Discovering Statistics Using SPSS (Book): This book is a statiscal gem, explaining concepts with ease. Rather thick though, only because it goes through each topic step by step, and salted with the author’s witty humour… making statistics fun (really!). One of the best books on statistics in the market, and a good reference on your bookshelves.

FINANCE: Measuring Marketing: 103 Key Metrics Every Marketer Needs (Book): Finance and me don’t gel. Hence this book has been that companion that I need each time I have to look through ratios and such. Since marketing activities have to be substantiated with financial stuffs  (especially when pitching to the finance guys), this is my own personal “marketing lawyer”.

With a bit of coffee and some super duper speed reading, you could go through these materials in one day.

Have your own favourites? Let me know!

Too Cool for ie: I Recommend Firefox 3

Some of the background work that goes behind www.hafihz.com includes ensuring that each page and content appears correct in the 3 most commonly used web browsers that visitors and friends like you are using to access the site:

Hence from the above google analytics of www.hafihz.com, that would mean Internet Explorer, Firefox and Safari, with Firefox trumping the rest. That means that I have installed in my com all three web browsers, and after each article or page modification would refresh the site and check to see how the content displays itself. (This is Internet Marketing on the issue of quality controlling your product (site) packaging.)

This is what I would see on my screen:

In ie:

In Safari:

In Firefox:

It might not seem too obvious from the above screenshots, but Firefox displays content that is most complete, appropriate as how they should be, overall satisfactory compatibility and the fastest among all 3 browsers. ie somehow often has some issue with the little stuffs like the flip page located on the top right corner. If you are using ie, you won’t be able to see it. It’s an ie thing. Safari does display the content the most beautiful though, but has some compatibility issues on other sites.

Looking at the stats above, I’m glad visitors are using Firefox, and would encourage you to switch to Firefox too and enjoy its performance. The good news is that Firefox just got juicier with the launch of Firefox 3. Give it a go.

Review: Zaytuna Institute’s Distance Learning

Zaytuna Institute was founded in 1996 by Hamza Yusuf and Dr. Hesham Alalusi and based in California as a non-profit, educational institute. Zaytuna Institute has held several conferences bringing several leading scholars from various parts of the globe to participate. (source: official website)

One of it’s most recent offerings is its Distance Learning program. View its positioning in its promotions video here:

Most of its Distance Learning programs are offered in either MP3 format or in video format. The MP3 format averages about US40 and the video version about US60. Each format is delivered in about 1to 2hr duration courses weekly, for a total of about 10 courses depending on the lesson choice.

I’ve taken 2 of the courses so far, and here’s my review:

1. Quality of teachers: Exceptional.
2. Quality of MP3: Very clear.
3. Quality of Video: Not tested.
4. Clarity of classes and lessons: Clear as each lesson is recorded during an actual class at Zaytuna Institute in California. Hence there are students there who ask questions that you might want to ask.
5. Level of interactiveness: Low as you’re watching pre-recorded sessions as supposed to a live video-conferencing lecture. It’s supported by a forum though.
6. Document support: Low. Sometimes there is no material or notes (in PDF) on the content lesson thought.

My take: While slightly lacking in material support and maybe level of communication, the Zaytuna Institute’s Distance Learning offers scholarly lessons at very affordable prices. I’d recommend you to just give a go at one course and see if it suits your learning style. The new semester for Distance Learning starts soon.

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