Everyone Hated Martha's Monday Afternoon Sewing Parties

Marketing a product is tough when it is hated so much that people start a political party to ban it. “Anti-PowerPoint party in Switzerland tries to ban software” according to the Huffington Post although, as it points out, the party is actually a front for someone wanting to sell his book on PowerPoint. It must be tough some days working in Microsoft’s PowerPoint software development group.

I’ve used PowerPoint for years – it’s not perfect, but it can do the job in many situations. Marketing Communication is about engaging with people, getting a message across and moving people to action. You use the best communication tools available, at the time you go to market, whether it’s PowerPoint or a sock puppet show. There are some great blogs on the best way to present using PowerPoint, which focus on sharpening your message and the delivery. Have you used Presi to make a presentation? It’s a fun, newer toy.

Here’s a short quiz with 7 questions on PowerPoint for those who think they know its history. I scored 2 out of 7! Oops.

The Marketing Thought

When you market a cash cow product like PowerPoint, enjoy it! Market leaders always have people taking shots – listen to them, be respectful, constantly assess the competition and look for opportunities to improve. And, accept that sometimes a product just dies, naturally – think typewriter ribbons and carbon paper.

Just a thought.

Tim

Picture licensed by Kheel Center, Cornell University

Tagged as: competitive threat, effective communication