The first recorded usage of “Google” used as a verb was on July 8, 1998, by Larry Page, who wrote on a mailing list: “Have fun and keep googling!”
“Google” was officially verbed in the Oxford English Dictionary on June 15, 2006 and to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary in July, 2006.
I firmly believe that having the public utter your company name as a verb is like going to heaven without the inconvenience of dying. Getting “verbed” is the ultimate accomplishment for any brand – the marketer’s Shangri-la.
But Google doesn’t see it that way. Its legal department isn’t happy about getting “verbed” probably because they’ve bought into the myth that a company risks [Read more...]
3 Marketing Lessons Learned From Geese
Entrepreneurs can learn a lot from geese. The next time you see geese fly overhead, take a closer look at “how” they fly and you’ll discover “why” they can fly farther, faster and with less effort.
Got 2 minutes, 17 seconds to spare right now? Grab your mouse, click on the picture below and watch this clever video.
As each goose flaps its wings it creates an uplift for the other geese that follow. By flying in a “V” formation the whole flock adds 71 percet of extra flying range.
Lesson #1: Entrepreneurs who build reliable teams, “vendor networks” and strategic alliances accelerate the growth of their businesses faster, better and with less effort.
When a goose falls out of formation it feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. Every goose quickly moves back into “V” formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the other geese in front.
Lesson #2: Entrepreneurs who willingly accept feedback from their target market accelerate the growth of their business faster, better and with less effort.
When the lead goose tires, it drops back into the formation and another goose flies to the point position. The geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up with their speed.
Lesson #3: Entrepreneurs who “honk” at their team members and vendors with encouragement accelerate their personal productivity and business growth faster, better and with less effort.
When a goose gets sick, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to assist and protect it. Entrepreneurs who protect their their teams can grow their businesses even during economic downswings.
Write a comment below and forward this post to a friend or colleague.