Comments on: Observations from WOMM-U in Miami http://brainsonfire.com/blog/2008/05/12/observations-from-womm-u-in-miami/ Fascinating, Inspiring, Rewarding and Engaging kinded spirits. Mon, 13 Oct 2008 08:37:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Suzanne Obermire http://brainsonfire.com/blog/2008/05/12/observations-from-womm-u-in-miami/#comment-166672 Suzanne Obermire Tue, 13 May 2008 00:45:58 +0000 http://brainsonfire.com/blog/2008/05/12/observations-from-womm-u-in-miami/#comment-166672 Spike--I couldn't agree with you more. How arrogant can marketers be to think that we know best? Simply continuing to test and push messages, concepts, surveys, whatever to our customers, isn't enough today, I don't think. It IS important to remember that our customers are people. People with brains. I think it comes down to respect. If we treat our customers and prospects with respect, we'll probably design better programs--and sleep better at night, too. Spike–I couldn’t agree with you more. How arrogant can marketers be to think that we know best? Simply continuing to test and push messages, concepts, surveys, whatever to our customers, isn’t enough today, I don’t think.

It IS important to remember that our customers are people. People with brains. I think it comes down to respect. If we treat our customers and prospects with respect, we’ll probably design better programs–and sleep better at night, too.

]]> By: Cara Keithley http://brainsonfire.com/blog/2008/05/12/observations-from-womm-u-in-miami/#comment-166548 Cara Keithley Mon, 12 May 2008 16:52:16 +0000 http://brainsonfire.com/blog/2008/05/12/observations-from-womm-u-in-miami/#comment-166548 Spike, It is all well and good to talk about WOMM, but we still have to cross that uncomfortable barrier which is actually seeing and dealing with real people. Can you imagine how successful a candidate for President would be if they just sent out direct mail and email blasts and never went to the towns and shook hands? At the end of the day, we still have to take that step. It can feel weird at first and it can be scary, but it can be the most rewarding thing (I know I am preaching to the choir.) Last year we did photo shoots with some of our customers that were first-time homeowners. We wanted to make sure that all of our materials showcased real people helped by our programs. I was never as connected to our mission as when these people showed me around their homes. The fact that we helped them achieve something so important was amazing. I have to stay connected to that when I am thinking about where we want to go with our programs and initiatives. Spike,

It is all well and good to talk about WOMM, but we still have to cross that uncomfortable barrier which is actually seeing and dealing with real people. Can you imagine how successful a candidate for President would be if they just sent out direct mail and email blasts and never went to the towns and shook hands? At the end of the day, we still have to take that step. It can feel weird at first and it can be scary, but it can be the most rewarding thing (I know I am preaching to the choir.)

Last year we did photo shoots with some of our customers that were first-time homeowners. We wanted to make sure that all of our materials showcased real people helped by our programs. I was never as connected to our mission as when these people showed me around their homes. The fact that we helped them achieve something so important was amazing. I have to stay connected to that when I am thinking about where we want to go with our programs and initiatives.

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