Sage Advice
Can Confucius’ wisdom make you a better marketer?
Opinions expressed by Â鶹Éç contributors are their own.
Idealist and philosopher Confucius was born on September 28, 551B.C. Confucius never ran a business or pitched a client. In fact,Confucius touted a hard-line negative perspective aboutprofit-seeking activities and believed that business, if it existedat all, should be an ethical economic system serving the well-beingof all people. He felt business should demand enduring, deep-rootedrelationships, far beyond any single sales transaction.
B2B entrepreneurs may not all agree on a “goldstandard” for ethics and marketing, but we can infuse ourbusinesses with accountability, transparency, trust and meaningfulcustomer conversations. In honor of Confucius, here are somethoughtful meditation tools for your B2B marketing toolbox:
For inspiration and insight, read byLaura Mazur and Laurie Young. Also of note: by David Pugh and TerryBacon. It’s featured on the American ManagementAssociation’s “2005 Business Reading List.”
Subscribe to the Business to Business Marketingnewsletter.
Plan to attend The Direct Marketing Association’s B-to-BMarketing Conference, scheduled for Sept. 13-15 in Tucson, Arizona.Visit toregister.
Kirsten Osolind is CEO and founder of , a Chicago-based marketing consulting company.
Idealist and philosopher Confucius was born on September 28, 551B.C. Confucius never ran a business or pitched a client. In fact,Confucius touted a hard-line negative perspective aboutprofit-seeking activities and believed that business, if it existedat all, should be an ethical economic system serving the well-beingof all people. He felt business should demand enduring, deep-rootedrelationships, far beyond any single sales transaction.
B2B entrepreneurs may not all agree on a “goldstandard” for ethics and marketing, but we can infuse ourbusinesses with accountability, transparency, trust and meaningfulcustomer conversations. In honor of Confucius, here are somethoughtful meditation tools for your B2B marketing toolbox:
For inspiration and insight, read byLaura Mazur and Laurie Young. Also of note: by David Pugh and TerryBacon. It’s featured on the American ManagementAssociation’s “2005 Business Reading List.”
Subscribe to the Business to Business Marketingnewsletter.
Plan to attend The Direct Marketing Association’s B-to-BMarketing Conference, scheduled for Sept. 13-15 in Tucson, Arizona.Visit toregister.
Kirsten Osolind is CEO and founder of , a Chicago-based marketing consulting company.
