Business is warfare. This is a capitalist society, let’s not forget that. If you are to be successful in business you have to go to war with your competition. Look at the terminology- Tactics, strategies, campaigns; its warfare. The oldest and most studied successful theory on warfare was written by Sun Tzu about 2600 years ago and it still holds true today. How does Google play into all this? Google is implementing the Art of War masterfully. Lets look at some of the basic premises of the art of war and we’ll give you our take in more detail.

The Art of War states if you know these 5 things you can predict the outcome of any battle.

1. The Moral Law – Make sure your soldiers obey wholeheartedly. Google, while giving the impression that it is open, is a closed society. Trade secrets and the special sauce called the algorithm dictate this.

2. Heaven – This signifies the business climate. As the leader in the industry, Google can mostly dictate this as well.

3. Earth – this is where Google really thrives, as they should. They own Google Earth. LOL This tenet speaks about the battlefield specifically. Security, danger, and all that goes with the business terrain.

4. The Commander – Strictness and benevolence. Keeping ideas and information secretive and close to the vest has always been another strong suit.

5. Method and Discipline – Until recently I would have given them an A+ in this matter. They seem to be stretched fairly thin at this point. Are their armies disciplined enough to keep up the fight? I think so.

Let’s look at the current state of affairs that Google faces:

- The Microsoft Yahoo deal is coming along but is an unknown quantity. Google has its spies I’m sure. Are they worried? Probably not worried; but watching, definitely.

- Facebook is the juggernaut that Google was 5 years ago. Facebook forces them to fight a reactive fight on the Social Media Front. This steals resources and keeps them in catch up mode.

- Social Media has been an elusive prize for the search giant. Buzz flopped. Their Wave has closed out, (pun intended.) Orkut is all but unknown in the US. Nice try.

- YouTube continues to be a shining star in the Google's crown and Docs have taken much of the Microsoft war chest away – thus decreasing Microsofts ability to fight.

- Adwords continues to be the Jewel. This allows Google to partake in all their nominal and pet projects as well as finance the dynasty.

- Local Search would seem to be the next evolution of the Search algorithm but Google appears lost here. Testing and monetizing the Maps with tags is weak and feeble. A chink in the armor? Their maps algorithm has been spammed since its inception and their results are a joke. It could get worse before it gets better. Foursquare and GoWalla have teamed up with Facebook who we hear has plans for it’s own search engine as well as the recent release of their own Places product for local search.

- Mobile Oh, did we forget to mention Apple? The IPod, IPad, IPhone and all the Appleites are out there still. Apple has had a few missteps recently but their followers are devout. See our Apple post about this. Google has its hands full and it is fighting this war on many fronts. Does it have the ability to fend off all the legal actions, its competitors, the regulators, the public? Time will tell.

A look at the Google acquisitions since its inception below. This is a fantastic infographic found at http://www.scores.org. It gives an overview of Google’s battlefield strategy.

Blackball Online Marketing Services wants to help you take your business to the next level.

12 Reasons To Do Business Locally in Pittsburgh

Artwork compliments of an incredibly talented local Pittsburgh artist – Charles R. Ott Jr.

As a local Pittsburgh Internet Marketing Company we know the value of the strength of our local economy. Look at what we went through as Pittsburghers when the mills closed. The effect was seismic on local communities; some of which have never recovered. When you consider hiring a company or outsourcing, look locally first. Here’s why…

• Ability to meet in personEven with all the technology business is all about people. Getting together with a customer is what it is all about. Doing business locally you can grab a quick coffee with a customer to discuss things, meet for a quick chat on the spur of the moment and all those other things that build a relationship.

• Easier to researchThis is a given, but allows you to get more “human” details on people, not generated by some third party means.

• Customers like knowing you're close to home - it increases their comfort levelThere’s a sense of comfort when a customer knows you’re close by and feels you’re available.

• Direct calling - customers can speak directly without time zone or language barriersThat says it all, especially when a customer calls and actually talks to a human being.

• Local networking benefits - it's easier to generate other business through local connectionsWord spreads fast locally, either positive or negative. When you have a service provider that does good and trustworthy work, word spreads fast, everyone first and foremost wants someone they feel they can trust.

• Ease of supportCustomers enjoy knowing you’re a bean’s throw away. Even if you’re can’t make it immediately.

• LogisticsYou know the quickest and best route to get to a customer. And the customer knows you know.

• Monetary conversion ratesThe customer and service provider are more apt to play it straight. It’s easier to work things out between the service provider and the customer on a person-by-person level.

• Same frame of referenceWhen people come from the same area they face the same challenges, enjoy the same benefits, and can relate to all the things in between – because they are living them too. They “hey, you know so-and-so thing.”

• Supporting regional economyLocal businesses that do well spend money on other local businesses. All the support positions and service industries prosper with a solid local community.

• Keeping people employedWith a focus on establishing and building your customer relationships locally you’ll be provided a more intimate knowledge of the people resources available.

• Cost reduction – travel – digitalBuild your business outward by building a strong reputation close to home first and foremost using digital tools to support your customer relationships.

Sometimes we forget just how lucky we are in Pittsburgh. The talent pool is extraordinary. We have always been diverse in our skills and abilities to solve problems. We have some of the nations top people, hospitals, universities, and arts. Do business locally. Hire a Pittsburgh business.

Have any other reasons - Leave us a comment.

As brands go, Apple is that rare breed that goes beyond. Apple makes… no, let me rephrase that… Apple creates consumer products that people don’t just want, but desire with a fervor bordering on religious.  Consumers who purchase Apple products simply feel that they can’t live without a particular Apple product – they need their Apple “fix.”

The latest problem they’re having with their new IPhones is meaningless. Why? Because facing this type of consumer desire, Apple can do no wrong.  Apple, so far, has devised the ultimate brand. And they’ve arrived at the “Holy Land” of a brand – creating an obsessive desire within a consumer’s heart and mind for a particular product or service which only “they” can fulfill. Look at the pilgrimage that all the Appleites make to their favorite church (the Apple Store) to get the latest products. (By the way I just added Appleites to the dictionary on my word processor.)

The obsessive – albeit positive relationship consumers have with Apple, and human nature being so “human” makes it difficult to exactly identify what Apple does to make them what they are. (If it was easy all product makers would be doing it.) One of the things that I believe makes Apple different is in their having an exceptionally relevant knack for creating and delivering on products that touch the heart of the people who feel they “think different” while validating that “different thinking.” And really, who deep down doesn’t like to believe that they think different - in a good way, regardless if you use Apple stuff or not.

Then again, it could be as simple as this: People love the products Apple makes because Apple truly loves the products that it makes. As I recall, Steve Jobs and Apple didn't set out to "put a computer on every desktop, running so-and-so software," Apple's desire was to change the world.

With all the social-this-and-social-that hoopla, Apple seems instinctively to know “social” maybe better than any other company. An example would be to simply look at the “app” craze; Apple has mainstreamed the term. It’s part of our culture and our language now.  There are apps for so many of our own personal tastes that one really can’t help but think any other way than “hey, that’s an app for me.” Take a peek at an app called Bump.  It takes the personal side of social to a whole new level.  Apple’s apps are about as viral (and consistently so) as viral can get.  People feel that whatever Apple makes, it's exclusively for us - not them.

One of the most over-used and over-hyped marketing terms has been “user experience.” Apple is one of the few brands  who truly delivers on this term. They’ve done this by capturing, holding and tantalizing not quite all, but most, of our 5 senses with their product offerings in tandem with an aura of longing for more. Apple products take the user somewhere. The majority of consumer products out there are lucky if they deliver a positive engagement to even one of our senses.

With Apple, it's a ballet of seduction, not selling, because they can. And, seducing is a lot more fun.

Apple, you could say, is the Di Vinci or Michelangelo of the digital age. You generally don’t look at the work done by these guys - you experience and are taken in by them. So don’t be surprised if someone finds an IPad in one of the Vatican’s vaults under Divine Artifacts somewhere down the road.

But, like anything else, powerful brands and religions have come and gone, so we’ll see.For now though, one thing is sure, Apple does “think different” and millions of consumers love it.

By the way, I read that Apple’s market cap has surpassed Microsoft’s - how about them Apples.

This useless observation brought to you courtesy of Blackball Online Marketing, home of the Pittsburgh Online Marketing Technologist.