Opinions, best practices and research into B2B marketing strategy and practices
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Why ‘should’ can take a long walk off a short pier

by Laura Matheson
swimming pool ladder bright blue yellow

Hot on the heels of an exceptionally hot European summer and CNN naming Copenhagen as the best city in the world for swimming, the nearby beaches and harbors are still teeming with people cooling off in the open water. When I complain about the heat, I’m often told, ‘You should go for a dip!’

The only valid reason I can see for swimming is to avoid death by drowning – but that ‘should’ stops me in my tracks. It carries a sense of obligation, judgement, pressure and, most of all, guilt.

I don’t like to swim, but I should.

Should is for things we don’t want to do. Should is based on the expectations of others. Should is inconsistent with our own values and how we want to behave. Continue reading →

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How to make Nordic engineers come alive on video

by Jonathan Winch

Engineers from the Nordic countries may be wizards at turning innovative ideas into reality in everything from sustainable energy to medical devices. But on camera, some can come across a little, uh, uncomfortable. Here’s a quick (and yes, a little dirty) trick to bring the most wooden of engineer-on-video performances to life.

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Broader global scope for BBN means new potential for B2B businesses

by cylindr BBN
Figurine of man on france part of world map

Globalization means large multinational corporations all over the world are waking up to the benefits of working with a hybrid international agency. BBN has appointed a Director of Global Development with a proven track record of delivering high-impact results in marketing and communications on an international scale. The opportunities await.

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Denmark: A great B2B nation

by David Hoskin
The Danish flag or Dannebrog with a white cross on field of red flies on a boat

Denmark has a distinguished history of successful global commerce. As a small country, Denmark consistently punches above its weight, being home to an unlikely number of current consumer superbrands. Think Carlsberg, LEGO, ECCO, B&O, Arla and Pandora to name a few.

But it’s not only in consumer brands that Denmark stands out. In their niche markets around the world, B2B brands such as Maersk, FLSmidth, Rockwool and Vestas are recognised leaders in their fields. And behind these and other multinationals, there’s a plethora of successful, growing companies – particularly in IT and tech – that keep Danish concepts and technologies right at the forefront of global development. Continue reading →

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New tech and new approaches: What’s happening in internal communications?

by David Hoskin
communications technology internal telephones

After many years of supporting companies with internal communications, I’ve seen a slew of changes in approaches and tools. Here’s my take on the current state of internal communications – and the possibilities for the way forward.

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What it means to be part of a collaborative B2B agency: An interview with Ken Saito

by Pha Khem
Night time streetscape of Japan

As B2B customers become increasingly global and ask for more from their agencies, international collaboration between agencies has never been more crucial. Even large agencies don’t have everything that is needed to meet such demands. Being a part of BBN – the world’s B2B agency couldn’t come at a better time. Continue reading →

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When less isn’t more: the new model of collaborative B2B agencies

by Jonathan Winch
international flags on a white background

The days of Mad Men-type agencies are gone – and not just because we’ve moved on from casual misogyny and heavy-drinking lunches. The scope of marketing and advertising has expanded, technology has advanced at lightning speed and no one agency can expect to have all the competencies and specialized knowledge necessary to serve all of their clients’ needs. Even large agencies don’t have everything that’s needed for international campaigns across many different platforms. Continue reading →

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How to create affordable testimonial videos for employer branding

by David Hoskin
Employee testimonial videos

Most marketing or HR directors would love to have several high-quality employee testimonial videos to support the company’s employer branding efforts – particularly when it comes to recruitment. They also say, however, that it’s one of those difficult and expensive tasks that they just don’t seem to be able to manage with available resources. Frankly, I disagree that producing testimonial videos for employer branding is difficult – or expensive. Continue reading →