Soundbites for Success: Boldness Has Genius, Power & Magic

In the spirit of inspiration for the new year, here are a few soundbites I found useful, from the Marketing Society Annual Conference I attended last month.

Be bold. “Boldness has genius, power and magic” – Goethe.

"Go global.  UK products are good.  UK prices are good (due to the weakness of the £).  Go and find customers.  BRIC is the big opportunity."   Dennis Turner, Chief Economist, HSBC.

N.B.  According to George Osborne (who looks like a boy on his gap year according to Dennis) we currently export more to the Republic of Ireland than the BRIC market combined. So the opportunity is huge.

Matthew Pinsent’s top tips for success:

• Share early

• Give honest feedback

• No good leaving criticism until it’s too late.

"It’s not the big that eat the small it’s the fast that eat the slow." Damon Buffini, Permira.

"Do the right thing for the customer and align the business behind this." Damon Buffini, Permira.

"Stand out in a crowd."  James Averdieck, Gu.

"Start with a great product."  James Averdieck, Gu.

"Don’t forget to promote a positive post purchase experience.  People can forget why they made the decision, particularly if they are buying the product on behalf of someone else." James Averdieck, Gu.

"Obsess about the detail and the customer experience."  Mark Price, Waitrose.

“Hire someone brilliant.”  Martha Lane Fox.