Game of Skills – Poker

6 Things a Marketer can learn from a Poker Player: QUICK DECISION MAKERSrnPoker is an invisible game with visible known or unknown players. All you have are the 2 cards in your hand . They can either make you or break you . It has been observed poker players being calculative risk takers also have a quick decision making ability. For a marketer – it is very important to have the ability to take the quick decisions for successful / non successful marketing campaign or a product launch at the earliest. You would have to keep the organizational interest in mind before your gut feel or egocentric approach (if you have any) or an attitude “I CANT FAIL” . Quick responsive decision making powers changes the approach of an individual to " I have not failed , I just found 10,000 ways that wont work". PLAN YOUR MOVESrnMoves in the game of skills is planned on lot of criteria: Are my cards strong enough vs the cards on the table vs the competition. Skill to observe and predictrnWhat do the others have ?rnHow much should I bet?rnShould I risk it , if yes then how much?rnA marketer needs to look into the similar aspects for a successful campaign: Is it the right time to launch the product , if yes then what is the competition upto . Observe the reaction of the consumers and have the market study at the back of your handrnA great saying “ KEEP YOUR ENEMY CLOSER” , they bring out the best in you .Its important to keep a track on your competition because it just helps you plan your move better.rnHow much to plan for the marketing campaign. Your investment is the real game. Invest to get higher returns. Break even doesn’t work in today’s scenario.rnYour quick decision making ability will give you the strength to take risks in your marketing campaign. Calculating your risk will be the key. rnOBSERVATIONrnAs stated earlier, if you don’t keep your enemy closer, you have lost half the battle. Healthy competition with a positive attitude, will give you a remarkable and an unusual ideas which will turn around the tables for a marketer similar to the game of POKER. TRICK OF THE TRADErnBe unpredictable, but be confident. Confuse the opponents. You will observe that at a Poker table , most of the players have no expressions , no reactions , truly they have mastered to make – POKER FACE. No face expressions keeps the others guessing and hence the game going. Similar trick needs to be applied by a marketer. Do everything possible to have a great campaign but keep a POKER FACE on . If you are unpredictable, you have half the battle. Over excitement and enthusiasm at times can be harmful. I have learnt this the hard way. INVEST LESS AND EARN MORErnThat’s a human nature . To invest less and earn more , its important that you don’t play all the moves. Play your best hand , to get the best results .. Too much of everything is bad anyways. KNOW WHEN TO PULL BACKrnNever let your EQ ride over your professionalism, be it POKER or MARKETING. If things not working then pull back when necessary to avoid further damages.