The customer decision journey replaces the old purchase funnel, rightfully acknowledging that spouses, children and friends influence our decisions more than advertising, public relations or social media.

It is worth acknowledging that consumers have denied the influence of advertising on their decisions since the beginning of market research. Nevertheless, Gallop’s poll paints a clear picture.

Peer influence and referral have never been more influential than before.

This dynamic is made all the more powerful by technology’s ability to offer everyone a voice, a megaphone and an audience. So what’s a marketer to do?

Start a conversation. Be bold and give consumers something to discuss.

Amidst all the noise about cyber Monday, Patagonia did just that.

There has been disagreement in marketing circles about Patagonia’s strategy. Some have questioned whether or not the approach was sanctimonious.

I love that the company has taken a stand against excess consumerism. Even better is the fact the company started a conversation about Patagonia. No doubt people are consuming less. So why not increase loyalty from current customers and attract new ones with likeminded values?

Yet this morning, Sustainable Midlands, a local nonprofit did just that. Not only did I stop to absorb their content this morning, I wrote them a check.

I’ve been getting e-mails from Sustainable Midlands for some time. Years, even. I’ve stood by, quietly siding with their attempts to make my city a greener one. Yet I’ve never contributed, attended an event, followed them on Facebook, or forwarded one of their E-mails. I’ve been a passive ally, all empathy and no action.

Every cause struggles with peripheral supporters. If only 20 percent could be converted to active supporters, that’d be huge. Here’s how.

Sustainable Midlands took advantage of a local controversy to become immediately relevant. Wal-Mart is proposing a large location near downtown Columbia. City Council has tabled discussions momentarily, allowing time for anger to build.

Urban planning is but one small part of Sustainable Midlands’ advocacy. Nevertheless, they are serving as the central conduit of communication on the proposed Wal-Mart development.  They keep me updated through e-mail and links to a dedicated page on their website. They’ve demonstrated leadership, and made themselves a vital part of an issue that is front-page news. That’s not just smart, or even just much appreciated. It’s worth supporting.

Nonprofits should be mindful of events that make their causes relevant and timely. People give their attention to those who lead and demonstrate a commitment to a future vision. Find a way to engage in meaningful dialogue with those on your periphery, and you’ll find them gravitating closer and closer.

Meanwhile, Coca-Cola does something beautiful. They turn their cans white for the World Wildlife Fund . This profound gesture reminds me why I love the business of branding. Amidst all the chaos, Coke’s Arctic Home campaign feels like a refuge. A company doing something good, just because it is a good hearted company.

Coke’s white can inspired our marketing strategy for our client Moe’s Southwest Grill. Moe’s is incredibly supportive of schools and children’s charities, and we’re working on ways to further deepen their support at a neighborhood level.

Moe’s reminds me that we have to continually raise the bar. They are constantly tweaking their menu. They were the first retailer in town with Coke’s incredible new Freestyle machine. Better training, improvements to the prep line, and monitoring measuring customer feedback all followed a discussion about marketing strategy.

As the economy continues to strain business, brands easily fall into a mentality of persistence spawned by risk avoidance. I would argue that today’s challenging business climate demands constant improvement and innovation. I invite you to share a Coke with a colleague and start exploring how you might change things for the better.

We live a country built on compromise, with an economy based on negotiation. At present is only impasse. The political polarization is so vast that thousands are willing to congregate in mutual frustration to no end whatsoever.

Occupy Wall Street demonstrates the power of polarization.

Regardless of your political bent, we nonprofit marketers can learn from the politicians. Too many of today’s marketers are terrified to exclude anyone. They want their messages to have universal appeal. This is the highway to mediocrity.

Great marketing doesn’t appeal to the lowest common denominator. The best marketing creates both a tribe of devotees, and a group of outcasts. The outcasts don’t have to like you, your cause, or your marketing materials. Having loyalists, and some folks that don’t care much for your organization, is indeed a sign of success.

If your target audience is comprised of everyone, it’s time to reassess. Stand for something bold enough to draw a crowd, or your customers may well be otherwise occupied.

The products were arranged for me to test. A large staff offered customers one-on-one attention. My computer was ordered electronically from a demo on the floor. The sales person ran my credit card through a custom iPhone app. I signed electronically using my finger, and a receipt was sent to me by e-mail. The bag was a backpack.

Clearly, Apple is iconic, yet every brand has the ability to examine such details. Moe’s Southwest Grill rethought the greeting with: “Welcome to Moe’s.” Luxury stores pay reverence to their wares when they wrap them in tissue and put them in beautiful bags. Patagonia’s shoeboxes are printed to encourage reuse as storage vessels.

Patagonia shoebox

Rethinking something basic is a wonderful way to make your brand more distinct. Given the continued volatility of today’s economy, experience-centric brand thinking makes perfect sense. Think about it, a greeting doesn’t cost a thing.

Modern branding still reflects this premise. Recent work for Subaru ends with the one word concept: love. BMW owns a different space with the idea of joy. Nonprofits would be smart to follow suit, yet so few do.

Most nonprofits deal with complex causes about which they are passionate. As a result, the products and services they offer tend to grow via offshoot and initiative. With most, a once core service has grown to a bundle of services. The same applies to fundraising initiatives. This renders multi-layered ambiguous communication.

In an economy that presents greater need than ever, and a shrinking donor base, consider the power of singularity. Being known for doing one thing done amazingly well is far better than generating general awareness of five less remarkable feats, and far more memorable.

I’m not suggesting that you overhaul operational programs or fundraising basics. I do urge nonprofits to look to their organization’s roots when considering external communications. Then deliver a singular brand message. Given continued economic chaos, people simply can’t absorb much more.

With contractors, I’m genuinely thrilled if the person shows up when they said they would, and the bill is in the same ballpark as the estimate. Our standards are equally low at most restaurants. Clean, courteous and reasonably quick isn’t the expectation, it’s exceptional.

I contend that organizations actually have to do fairly little to exceed expectations.

In today’s economy, people expect more for their money, and service has the opportunity to fill the gap between value and values. Perhaps nowhere is this more the case than with nonprofits.

Most nonprofits are focused on fundraising, so their messaging is all about the “ask.” Beg for money, then say thank you, only to beg again the same time next year. If your organization’s communications stop here, you need to reassess.

Return on investment (ROI) is the expectation in business. Nonprofits that adopt this standard can easily exceed expectation. Those organizations that deliver outstanding service will be those that persevere through the lingering economic malaise.

Here are some ideas to consider:
• E-mail series focused on outcomes relative to your nonprofit’s mission
• Mid-year letter about how your organization is achieving operational efficiency
• Post card showcasing a specific need having been met
• Link on your website comparing your nonprofit to similar national or neighboring-state organizations

The competition for funding is tighter than ever. Stand apart by communicating ROI to donors and build long-term loyalty along the way.

In my last blog post, I speculated that The Great Recession’s lackluster recovery has spawned the Great Insecurity. During insecure times, nothing feels better to your customer than empathy.

The campaign I presented yesterday offers hardworking parents a much-needed break. It features an enticing promotion, and that’s great, but not always necessary. What we know is that even the smallest gesture is appreciated. Monday, the fellow who cuts my hair knocked $5 off my bill because he was late and I waited on him. Instead of being put out, I’m now more loyal than before.

My local Chick-fil-A sends a cashier outside to take orders when the drive through lane is long. Whether or not this speeds things up is beside the point. Chick-fil-A understands that people drive through because they are in a hurry, so they provide attention quickly, and look both responsive and caring in the bargain.

People have less time and money now than ever before. Take a moment to think how your brand can help. And remember, it doesn’t take much.

If “The Great Recession” has waned, I suggest that “The Great Insecurity” has begun.

Americans are, quite literally, in the process of settling a steep debt. Household budgets remain tight. Even the unscathed among us now live with a steady trepidation that things could get bad in a hurry. There is that little mess in Greece that keeps lingering.  And while household debt is being slowly retired, rising government debt is the source of debate threatening to stall the world’s economy.

Given this backdrop, it’s understandable that charitable giving has taken a beating. Charitable giving requires some “disposable income,” and our current climate has made every household dollar essential. People need to feel secure to give.

As a result, nonprofits need to closely examine messaging. Many are tempted to amp up the cause, the direness of need. This is a mistake. Consumers have cause fatigue, and they tune out what seems beyond their control.

Success lies in a highly distilled message that states in the simplest possible terms why your nonprofit exists. Done well, it should also be positive.

The American Cancer Society’s “Birthdays” campaign hits the perfect note. Sure, star power helps, but the message is the organization’s mission, communicated in the most positive manner possible. It speaks to consumers without the desperation to which so many causes resort.

One way to do this is through corporate social responsibility.

Maxwell House’s “Drops of Good” campaign highlights their commitment to building stronger communities. The program, which concludes later this month, has had 1.9 million people participate thus far. Maxwell House has localized a national brand, and given coffee drinkers a reason to continue to choose Maxwell House over less expensive alternatives.

Nonprofits have much to learn from incumbent brands. Many fall into the trap of a marketing strategy solely based on direness of need. The point is that you are helping. People follow organizations that make an impact, not organizations that are causes unto themselves.