CodeOfTheMarketer.com - Ancient Marketing Lessons

By Peter Andersen
Posted Tuesday, August 31, 2004

The way of the Samurai is in desperateness… if one uses discrimination, one will fall behind. One needs neither loyalty nor devotion, but simply to become desperate in the Way. Loyalty and devotion are of themselves within desperation. -Miyamoto Musashi

Commercial organizations, as with all living entities, are motivated by their survival instincts. One process organizations use to ensure survival is to capture market share. Doing so will significantly enhance its probability of success in its Darwinian quest for market dominance. In this pursuit, the top method used by professional marketers is to first identify, then achieve, optimal positioning within the marketplace.

Over two thousand years ago, the great strategist Sun Tzu, pontificated that the ground (i.e., positioning) was a key element of competition/conflict. Where the victor, among other factors, was determined primarily by who held the "high-ground." Sun Tzu suggested that it is best to first identify and acquire the optimal ground, then hold this position and persuade the opposition to come to you. This strategy offers many benefits. First, a focused-impact can be harnessed by channeling the energy saved by maintaining ground, second, it affords one the competitive knowledge and insights from their own positioning.

Professional marketers acknowledge the importance of this marketing strategy by first researching the marketplace to identify, then achieve, optimal positioning. This marketing method significantly optimizes an organization's marketing communications while conserving limited energies and resources. For more information on identifying your organization's optimal positioning log onto (http://www.focusedimpact.com today).

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Optimal Positioning Bonus: Auto-racing's pre-qualifying runs are used to determine a driver's ranking/placement prior to the actual race. The best qualifying times receive the best positions near the front of the track. The #1 qualifying time receives the coveted pole position. Being at the top of the line-up provides obvious strategic & tactical advantage. Ensure your organization benefits from this closely guarded marketing principle.

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Focused Impact Media Group specializes in integrated marketing communications. We are skilled at optimizing results by coordinating multiple communication channels into a highly focused-impact that enhances brand identity, positioning and market awareness. For more information and to receive our popular monthly newsletter visit (http://www.focusedimpact.com).

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