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Patriarch

wrote in
ps.com:

snip

Finally, the real issue comes through! In my 17+ years with HP, I
worked in a position which was right in the middle between the lab
(engineers), marketing, finance, and manufacturing. So, I'm quite
familiar with the issues between the "propeller heads" and marketing
"weenies". Believe me, it goes both ways!

I am one Engineer who really appreciates the disciplines of Marketing
and Finance. Out of necessity I am forced to cover these functions
myself and I know they suffer as a result. Unfortunately, it's
difficult (impossible?) to find people in these disciplines who are
willing to "risk" some of their time and effort on their own abilities
(i.e. "pay for results"). The latest challenge has been developing a
Marketing Plan with which to attract the services of a Marketing
Agency. It's quite a "chicken and the egg" situation.

Well, Ed, here comes another opinion, unsolicited...

That marketing plan is no more a single, unchanging document than the
engineering plan is that the propellerheads slave over in the lab. It
develops, matures, changes and responds as tha market, competition and
the surrounding environment change. It is no more a 'do it once' effort
than anything else in business. Aged marketing plans are of little use.

So it always takes someone interested in the success of the business to
keep the marketing current and fresh, just like the engineers keep
chasing the next, important development in the product. And the finance
folks try to keep profit together, pay the taxes and employees and
suppliers, and hopefully, save a little to grow on.

It can be one person, but they have to care about everything, and it
takes a dedicated one to make it work. And probably a few good
counselors, advisors and subcontractors, too.

I've found this thread interesting. Hope I'm not alone. ;-)

Patriarch