| As a marketer, have you spent many a late night | | | | the universe |
| coming up with a new marketing concept? Or | | | | A = Authentic. |
| perhaps you are a business owner who seeks to | | | | You must be authentic. Your marketing, your |
| balance ethical business practices with making | | | | business is an extension of who you are. So you |
| sustainable profits. You shake your head as you read | | | | must align the purpose of your business with your |
| the recommendations of your marketing manager. | | | | own higher purpose. What would you die for? Or |
| Quick-fix solutions. No long term thinking. Everything is | | | | what would you survive for? Your answers to these |
| now, now, now. So you decide to watch Discovery | | | | questions point towards your higher purpose. Your |
| channel. You flick the remote. You stare at the | | | | true path. This is why the tattoo was so respected |
| screen... | | | | by the Maori. The spilling of blood and the intense |
| Tattooed faces of Maori warriors from New Zealand. | | | | pain endured during the tattooing process gave the |
| Performing a war dance. Raw, authentic, alive. You | | | | tattoo-wearer much mana or prestige. The blood and |
| think, this what my marketing should be like. Real, | | | | the pain strengthened the character of the person |
| natural, authentic. A facial tattoo worn with pride | | | | for peace and war. |
| rather than an uniform with a brand on the pocket. | | | | O = Organic. |
| Tell me, have you heard of the Maori of New | | | | Model the wisdom of nature. Look to the insects, the |
| Zealand? Probably not. Just like not many people | | | | plants, the animals, the trees for lessons on life and |
| outside of China have heard of Sun Tzu. Yet his | | | | business. We are a part of nature, not apart from |
| ancient text on the arts of war has influenced | | | | nature. So finds way to be more organic in your |
| Chinese business thinking for centuries. So what's the | | | | thinking, in your actions. Think about your mortality |
| point? Well in today's global markets, understanding | | | | for a moment. One day you will die. What will endure |
| different cultures is very important. Even more | | | | after your body has gone? In death there is life |
| important is the ability to sense the subtle layers of | | | | reborn. So find ways to leave a legacy that will last |
| communication. To perceive what's important in the | | | | for a 1000 years or more. |
| minds and hearts of your international customers. It's | | | | R = Reciprocity. |
| about vibrations. Picking up what your customers are | | | | The Maori law of reciprocity is called Koha. It means |
| thinking. What they are feeling. | | | | to exchange energy. It is the principle of giving and |
| Now the word Maori is a very interesting word. | | | | receiving. Just like breathing, you must exhale in order |
| Physically it means the native people of New Zealand. | | | | to inhale. Life and nature operate on reciprocity. For |
| There are about 650,000 Maori in a world of 6.5 billion | | | | example a forest is a marketplace of exchange. |
| people. They are one of the most advanced native | | | | Energy is being exchanged right now between the |
| cultures in terms of integrating western thinking. | | | | many species that comprise a forest. It represents |
| They managed to sign a treaty with the British which | | | | the perfect economy. The perfect marketplace |
| showed strong independence and political acumen. | | | | where everything benefits. There is no waste. Just |
| Metaphysically the word Maori means pure, natural | | | | transformation of raw matter into useable energy. So |
| vibration. You are 100% pure natural vibration | | | | make sure that you are finding ways to cooperate |
| wrapped up in a body. You are 100% pure YOU. | | | | and share your abundance with others. You make a |
| Every person has their own unique vibration. Their | | | | living from what you get. You make a life from what |
| own personal signature. Their own individual tattoo. | | | | you give. |
| Everybody is a natural vibration of energy. | | | | I = Inspired. |
| Here is how you can use the word Maori as an | | | | The word "inspired" comes from the Latin root word |
| acronym to market and celebrate your uniqueness... | | | | spiritus meaning breath. So what ignites your breath? |
| M = Metaphor. | | | | What makes feel alive? It is essential for the |
| Use stories. Use symbols. Use the senses to impart | | | | longevity of your business that you build it from the |
| your message. This is why the tattooed Maori face is | | | | heartwood of inspiration. Carved with the labouring |
| such a powerful metaphor. It evokes the primeval | | | | hand of love. There to stand for centuries as shelter |
| emotions. The whirling spirals of the cosmos. The star | | | | for the homeless and the needy. |
| patterns. The flowing tides. The unfurling fern. These | | | | So when you need to add more impact, just think |
| images were all metaphors. They all represented | | | | Maori and set your inner vibrations to high. Tattoo |
| aspects of nature. By tattooing these symbols into | | | | your mark upon the face of the world. |
| the skin they strengthened a man's connection to | | | | |