Management consulting is an industry built on facts. A “fact-based decision” (a phrase that returns 774,000,000 Google results) requires legions of analysts to gather and crunch data, and it so happens that consulting firms supply precisely such people. Facts appear to de-politicize decisions, imposing objectivity and facilitating difficult choices. Who but an imbecile could be against reaching for data?
For brands to succeed today, they need a “champion” at the top. Someone who leads the charge, casts the vision, and sets the standards; but is careful not to over shadow the brand itself or steal the spotlight. The champion must remain in service to the brand.
In a previous article, “The Life and Times of the CMO,” we addressed the importance, and often unrecognized contribution of the Chief Marketing Officer in driving today’s brands.
In many marketing organizations the premium is on management. There’s a big difference between managing and leading. Most marketing organizations are over managed and underled.
“Bank of America Corp. is scrapping its plan to charge a $5 monthly fee for making debit card purchases after an uproar and threatened exodus by customers.” –Bloomberg, 11.1.11
