B.P.U.
If you have membership in this organization revoke it immediately. If you know others who are members get them to leave by any means. Even if it takes an intervention.
What is a BPU? It's an acronym for something sinister known as the business prevention unit. Its purpose is self-explanatory and it can be a marketer's worst nightmare.
What's scary is that most in the BPU will deny they are members. If you thought the Masons, Sigma Chi fraternity or the Illuminati were secretive - you ain't seen nothing yet.
BPU members may be part of variety of departments or support groups such as Human Resources, Finance, IT, Operations, Public Affairs, Accounting and Legal. They have already infiltrated Marketing and Sales as well.
No department is immune and denial won't work. Deep down we know it exists because most firms have at least one suspected BPU member or division within their ranks.
Make no mistake. BPUs are a threat on a local, provincial, national and international level. They operate covertly and overtly and their impact on business can be staggering.
BPUs over-zealously stymie marketing innovation by any means necessary. Processes, policies, procedures, infinite forms, numerous meetings and the deadly 'we've never done that before' are all part of their arsenal.
The good news is that resistance is not futile. There is a solution. Get colleagues from other departments involved in your marketing initiatives from Day 1.
If colleagues don't understand what you are doing explain it until they do. Proactively ask for input. No one has all the answers (including marketers). This does not mean management by committee either. There is a difference.
By involving others they become stakeholders in your success. They also become your staunchest allies and go to war for you. It's about critical mass.
That is only way to defeat the international BPU conspiracy.
