Great post. I have an all new appreciation for biking and the Tour.

Definately relevant, as well. Many companies we are seeing (here at HenryGill Communications) in this slower-than-usual economy, are too willing to jump strategy for tactics that they think will bring quick wins and results.

All too often, that fails. The most sucessful marketers we have seen thus far have stayed on strategy, invested in market research, and used it to adapt to changes in customer perception and use it to focus on retaining their best customers. In doing so, they have actually gained new business, by acquiring customers who, in the long run, look and behave like their most valuable customers.