Danny Brown - Latest Comments in Acorns And Oak Trees

Re: Acorns And Oak Trees

Danny Brown — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 02:05:35 -0000

Think there may be a bit of a line in front of you, Jason... ;-)

But I agree - there does seem to be an opportunity for a meeting of minds and ideas.

Re: Acorns And Oak Trees

Danny Brown — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 22:02:17 -0000

Sounds like your mentor was (is) the type of guy that many companies need as their guide. Makes you wonder what the CEO in question tells his own people and if they set up their own agency, would they be the same?

This is where the problem gets inherent for many industries - we take guidance from those at the top, who we're supposed to learn from. But what if the teaching is skewed to start with?

Re: Acorns And Oak Trees

Jasontryfon — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 21:12:58 -0000

It reminds me of when a mentor said to me when I was in Marketing "I don't care how many awards you win with the ads you make...just bring in money into the front door" At the time many of the large firms only cared about awards and the big client portfolios... he was ahead of his time to look to the bottom line...seems like your lunch mate is still stuck on reverse thinking mode.

Re: Acorns And Oak Trees

Jasontryfon — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 21:02:28 -0000

Danny, send him my way. He needs some customer sat and business coaching. All leads welcome sir! HAHAHA kidding - Great post.

Re: Acorns And Oak Trees

Danny Brown — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:04:49 -0000

The biggest problem with the views of these ISV's you spoke with, Mike, is that these "largest 10%" are quite often the ones at most risk from recession. They're the ones that are tied to stakeholder decisions; they're the ones with inter-departmental conflicts and approvals; they're the ones that don't care about your relationship either - if you're not providing the way they want you to, you'll be history.

On the other hand, the small-to-medium businesses are the ones that will use you and your expertise effectively, and in doing so, make you a more successful company because of it.

Funny, but a lot of the times, the larger the company, the smaller the thinking.

Re: Acorns And Oak Trees

Mike Dunham — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 15:02:55 -0000

Your post saddens me, but is no surprise. I talked to several ISVs about their market strategies a few months ago. All said - we aim for the largest 10% in our market - build and market to their needs. Anyone else is just too small to care about.

I understand marketing $ are tight. I know mass marketing is not cheap. But there are compromises that approach the middle market at least. It is one reason a lot of these companies see no benefit to social media or Internet marketing. They have 10 or 20 companies in their sights and nothing else! To me - it is marketing mules with blinders on...

Re: Acorns And Oak Trees

Danny Brown — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 13:44:05 -0000

All too true yet all so frequently ignored, Suze. Who knows, maybe one day we won't have to have these conversations - until then, here's to the little guys. :)

Re: Acorns And Oak Trees

Suze — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 13:30:28 -0000

oh, and not that he'll listen or anything, but you may want to direct your acquaintance to this post by Julien - http://inoveryourhead.net/how-to-improve-your-bus...

:-)

Re: Acorns And Oak Trees

Suze — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 13:22:18 -0000

What this guy fails to realize is that small companies grow into big companies all the time. Wouldn't it be better to be in on the ground floor of someone who is growing their business than to ride on the coattails of a giant corporation whose stream of cash may be fleeting? Case in point - Nortel Networks.

Buddy can have his big corps and their deep pockets. But when the well runs dry it will be the small guys who win.

Great post!

Re: Acorns And Oak Trees

hyperlocavore — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 13:13:20 -0000

The force is strong with you. (http://tinyurl.com/4rfbcq)

Re: Acorns And Oak Trees

Danny Brown — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 12:59:51 -0000

You're talking to a Star Wars nerd extraordinaire - you should stop by more often! ;-)

Good point though, and I guess the proof will be in the pudding further down the line.

Re: Acorns And Oak Trees

hyperlocavore — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 12:43:50 -0000

Well anyone that sees business in a sack and pillage way rather than seeking healthy thriving ecologies of interdependence way to me is being used by 'the dark side'...if you'll excuse they hippy and the star wars references...

Re: Acorns And Oak Trees

Danny Brown — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 12:33:12 -0000

And that's the true measure of a successful company, Jen - you know that there's no such thing as "best client" - we're all in it together. And you know for sure these "little guys" are the ones that you're going to enjoy success with together (and help through the tough times).

Re: Acorns And Oak Trees

Danny Brown — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 12:31:01 -0000

I think ego overtakes sense when announcing publicly that little guys are "worthless". I'll b interested to see where the agency is in 12 months from now.

Re: Acorns And Oak Trees

Danny Brown — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 12:30:01 -0000

So true, Rachel. What makes this guy's stance so bizarre is that his company would have been one of these "emerging brands" at one stage - imagine if no-one had given him a chance to start with?

Re: Acorns And Oak Trees

Jen Schmitt — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 12:17:28 -0000

While it's great to build a company with select clientele, it sounds as if this agency lead has disdain for new and emerging companies. While large companies may still have it, there is a passion and promise to small or new companies that is contagious. They may not have seven-figure account packages, they can and do pay for the best counsel. I'll make no apologies: we're as passionate about our clients success as they are - no matter where they are on-or-off the Forbes list.

Re: Acorns And Oak Trees

Julie Bonn Heath — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 12:15:37 -0000

And sorry, had to come back to say that the "How do the small guys benefit me?" is ridiculous. What a winner.

Re: Acorns And Oak Trees

Julie Bonn Heath — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 12:13:37 -0000

This is just scary. I actually shuddered. And even if you operate under that strategy, I wouldn't announce it. Glad to say that I do not-and no one in PR that I know personally does either. When it's ALL about the profit and nothing else, there's a problem. Because that attitude shows.

Re: Acorns And Oak Trees

Rachel Kay — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 12:07:21 -0000

Interesting post. I actually refer to those types of companies as emerging brands. The sky is the limit with young companies, and those who like a good challenge enjoy that. Those who fear they can't handle that challenge often do not.

Re: Acorns And Oak Trees

Danny Brown — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 11:26:43 -0000

I hear you, Liz - it does seem to be a view of someone that's stayed in a certain age and forgot how to move on. 80's "Wall Street", maybe?

Re: Acorns And Oak Trees

Danny Brown — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 11:25:54 -0000

It does make you wonder how he's managed to stay afloat so long. It's the typical boom-and-bust generation way of thinking - madness.

I've got his card - I'll make sure you're the first that benefits from his lack of vision. ;-)

Re: Acorns And Oak Trees

JasonFalls — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 09:45:19 -0000

Sounds to me like that's one business man who won't be in business much longer. If you run into him again, tell him to send all the "small fries" our way. Heh.

Re: Acorns And Oak Trees

hyperlocavore — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 22:54:43 -0000

Though I'm not surprised... it makes me want to retreat into the happy society of people in business because it can be a vehicle for the common good. - Weird thought I know. The gentleman makes be a bit sad to be honest.