Strategy is sexy. "Envisioning" is fun. Too often, though, marketers (hey, I'm guilty like everyone else) forget or downplay the critical element of tactical execution.

Was talking with Drew yesterday about football (I've been a fan for as long as I can remember--as a 'Skins fan, this week has been rough).

The more I watch football, the more I appreciate the elements of a game which often aren't recognized.

In reading, Education of a Coach about Bill Belichick or Blind Side about the importance of the left tackle position, you gain a deeper understanding that, cliche as it may be, the game of football is won in the trenches.

The same is true of how MS, our partners, and each of us as individuals do marketing...

When we do an event, do we

• have name tags so people can begin conversations a little more easily
• have good signage so no one has anxiety about getting lost
• work to facilitate introductions and encourage people to network
• have a smooth presentation with no glitches and end well

What about a meeting?

• do we show respect for customers, partners, and colleagues' time by starting promptly and not punishing the punctual?
  (You know, the "we'll give the latecomers a few more minutes.")
• have the materials ready and at hand
• have a good screensaver :-)  ?

And when it comes to your own global microbrand, do you live it in everything?

• your OOF message
• your voice mail (and the message)
• your email signature
• your biz card
• reward your referrals

In short, do you make every interaction with everyone truly REMARKABLE?

Some other examples of details that matter are here,  here, here, and here.

I'm not an expert (Here's one story of where I hurt my own brand), but the Remarkable benchmark is as good as any.