Big Marketing Problems

When you think of businesses (startups in particular) what do you think are the big marketing problems?  I have a short list here, but I'd love to hear from you:

Tier 1 problems.  (Stuff Companies Really Need)
1. Getting the first customer of a company!
2. Getting the first customer of a new product.
3. Getting valid customer prospects.
4. Getting X customers.
5. Building a process that gets X customers per month at Y cost.
6. SCALE up the customer acquisition process.
7. Generate Repeat Customers
8. Re-acquire lost Customers

Tier 2 problems.  (Stuff that help Tier 1 Problems):
1. Improve Ads
2. Improve Website
3. Improve Positioning
4. Improve Product
5. Improve Targeting

Tier 3 problems. (Stuff that managers ask Marketers to "do".... sometimes with no goal in mind):
1. Make a new logo
2. Research the Market
3. Build a new Ad Campaign

What problems do you think Startups Face RE: Marketing?

My Quest for a PhD. Why & How.

I love to learn.  I love to read new thing, and practice new things, and be 'in the know'.  But the one thing I like to do more than learn is... teach.  What better way to teach, then to get a PhD from an AACSB accredited program: and become a professor?

In addition, I am a gamer.  What does that mean?  It means I HAVE to have a new challenge, not just daily, but hourly.  And big goals with big rewards, and big dragons = mega-appealing.  Is there a bigger modern day dragon then a PhD Dissertation Committee?  (maybe, if so, I'll slay that next!).

So, My Quest for a PhD officially begins this week; and I hope to write about the journey regularly here.

So, where to begin?  This week I attend my first PhD classes.  Honestly though, a lot has happened before this week.... 

1. I scheduled a GMAT test & took it.  (my score for my MBA was more than 5 years old)
2. I contacted The University of Texas and researched many of their PhD programs in Marketing and Business. (including calls with teachers and current students).
1. I rule this option out because I can't "go without salary" or "not consult until I've finished".
3. I did lots of google searching on PhD Programs and learned that AACSB accreditation is VITAL to actually becoming a professor.
4. I contacted several friends in PhD programs, including David Altounian, who introduced me to the three (and only three) programs that have an "Executive PhD" that is AACSB accredited.
5. I called/researched the three programs.
6. I went to an information seminar at Oklahoma State University.
7. I was BLOWN away by the people, instructors, students, and program they have going on there.
8. I applied, got references, wrote my entry essay... and then...
9. I had to write a 14-page research proposal... just to be considered for admission. (REALLY)
1. I like this: it separates hard workers & people who really want it from everyone else!
10. I was accepted!!!!
11. I decided, and NOW... this week... I begin my first week of classes.

So, for the next 3+ years, I'll be pursuing my PhD in Business Research (where I hope to specialize in Marketing).

This means 1 virtual class every Saturday + 3 days in Tulsa Oklahoma at Oklahoma State University.  (yes, I'll be flying to Oklahoma as often as once per month!).

Special thanks to my bosses and managers at Creeris/Night Owl Games for agreeing to let me do this.

Now... off to class!!!!

Wish me luck on my PhD adventure.  I'll keep you updated in return.

My 2013 Marketing Resolutions

What is a Marketing Resolution?  I don't know; I just made it up...  You tell me?  What are your Marketing Resolutions?

Here are mine:

1. I will not say I'm in marketing any longer.  In reality, what the world calls marketing is advertising; and that's barely a fraction of what I do.
2. I will instead say I'm into Product Entrepreneurship -> A phrase I just made up.  Why?  Because I love to SHIP stuff... I love to help dream up a product, dream up how to position it, dream up features, dream up a launch/PR plan, and implement the research, implement the product, implement the features, implement the PR plan, and implement the Business Development, and implement, yes, the advertising.  That's a full product lifecycle: time to face reality, I'm not a "Marketing Specialist" (e.g. not an Advertising Executive).   I'm an Product Entrepreneur.
3. I will NOT fight over words again.  In 2012, my biggest headaches were about words.  I fought for one word over another word; thinking it was important.  In reality words are not nearly as important as data and product.
4. I WILL use surveys more.  Especially when words are involved; I will look first to surveys to try to figure out which words are the most appealing.
5. I WILL make more presentations.  People think they hate PowerPoint  but it does move them.  I plan to have PowerPoint ready with my salient data for as many future meetings as possible.
6. I WILL use the phone more, and email less.

Harlan