Repost: "Quantum strategy" is the secret to Apple's success....with comments

in this article from Business Week, they discuss the strategy of being at two places at the same time:
http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-07-31/what-do-apple-and-singapore-airlines-have-in-common-quantum-strategy

In Apple's case, this manifested itself in being the best at both innovative design and manufacturing.
It's an interesting concept.  We've always been taught to really be good at one thing--nail it--and that's not only acceptable, but the norm.  And here Apple goes again, toppling status quo and continuing its genius in marketing.

But looking deeper, isn't that really the foundation of marketing?  The 5 P's--Product, Place, Promotion, Price, Packaging?  To be good, you need to do all 5 in order to win.  Apple does all of them really well, and normally wins.  But these 5 aspects of getting a product to market still exist, and still must be considered to win.

Repost: Prospects judging companies by how they're treated after the sale

http://www.btobonline.com/article/20130318/LEADGEN06/130319989/prospects-judging-companies-by-how-theyre-treated-after-the-sale#

How often have you heard, it's easy to do the marketing to get the interest, it's sometimes simple to get the sale, but after the sale has concluded that the issues begin?

This challenge is universal--and I can testify that over many companies, over many years, it's something we all deal with.  How do you keep sales and internal processes in lockstep?  Personally, I think it's a matter of communication.  Regular, structured, formalized communication between marketing, sales, and internal support organizations.  No matter how often you think you are in alignment, unless there is a consistent touch point, getting out of synch is easy.

This article points out instances of where that chasm can exist, and what you can do to remediate.