b. General Motors introduced Chevy Nova in South America, and company was apparently unaware that "no va,” translated in Spanish meant “it won't go,” or “it doesn’t run.”

c. In Taiwan, Pepsi introduced its tagline "Come alive with Pepsi Generation". In Chinese, slogan translated as "Pepsi will bring your ancestors back from dead."

Shapes, Sizes and Types

Iconic logos: Iconic logos, one of most common types, are represented by a single graphical element, icon or design which usually includes company name below or to side of icon, for example: Nike, AOL, Micheline. When considering iconic logos, it is important to make symbol fit any of geometrical shapes. The best shapes to use are symmetrical geometrical shapes. They can be placed almost anywhere and still show balance and are very easy to handle.

There is no obligation, however, as to kind of shape used, you can use any free form shape you want, but you have to be very careful with placement, so logo doesn't look like it is falling apart.

When selecting shape, you should consider how conservative and stable your company wishes to appear.

Logo Type: Logo types consist only of company name. A unique font or unique layout style can make a great logo, for example: Sony, Kellogg’s, Coca-Cola, IBM.

Illustrative: An illustrative logo consists of a unique design; usually representing company’s field of business. These logos are often very eye-catching, detailed and impressive. As a result of their detail and colors, illustrative logos are difficult to reproduce and therefore expensive.

Integrated: An integrated logo is combination of a logo type and illustrative logo. These logos are even more rare than illustrative logos because of their expense.

Less is More!

Everyone wants a cutting edge, high tech, ‘cool’ logo. Consider, however, that some of most successful logos are simple, and most importantly, easy to remember. Think of Nike, McDonalds, Pepsi, Coca-Cola. These are all very successful images that are, at same time, very simple. When creating your design, you can get into picky little details and it is important to take a step back, close your eyes and see if you can essentially sketch image in your head. If it is that memorable, then you know you are on right track. Remember that "less is more".

Colors

Keep in mind, when selecting colors for your logo, that your color scheme should be appropriate for your company. It is also useful to use pantone colors -universal colors which are used by professional print shops.

Colors often have a profound impact on viewers. Red and orange are said to produce excitation, red also tends to signify danger. Dark blue portrays comfort and relaxation, and yellow tends to create a feeling of irritation. If you are creating a logo design for a nursing home or a hospital, it may be a good idea to stay away from reds and bright yellows. Exceptions are always made though, such as McDonalds (which has both red and yellow in its logo!).

When choosing your color scheme, keep in mind personality you wish to express for your business. Do you want your company to portray a professional image? Try using black, silver, and other dark colors. Do you want your company to come across and fun, dynamic, and funky? If so, try using bright and vibrant colors. Be creative.

Important Points To Consider:

• A logo should: -Attract attention and leave an impression

-Create a look that in unique

-reflect personality of company

• Reproduction costs: The more detailed and colorful logo design, more difficult to reproduce, meaning a higher cost.

• The size: The prefect logo design will look great on a sign board as well as on a business card or a pen.

• Logo design companies are by dozen. Take your time, research different companies and designers and compare packages in order to select a logo design company suited to your needs.

• Check your competition. What designs, graphics, and colors do they use? Remember that you need to be competitive.

• Trademark your logo. If your logo is trademarked, this prevents competitors and other third parties from stealing it.

• And last but not least, when in doubt, K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid).

Logo design is believed to be one of most difficult areas in graphic design. A logo is essentially at heart of a corporate identity. It is face of an organization! The right logo design can be one of your strongest marketing tools. It delivers message to public that a company is unique, credible and professional. Make it stylish. Make it elegant. Make it an impact.

2. Making Products People Don't Want According to New York Times, "General Motors and Ford have swerved off course for a far more basic reason: not enough people like their cars." Whoops!

The objective is to market a product or service people want.

3. Not Paying Attention to What People Want If you want to make money you'd pay attention to what your prospects want? Right?

In case of Daimler Chrysler you'd be wrong. At Detroit Auto Show crowds loved two-seat 8 foot long "Smart Car". So logically Daimler Chrysler decided not to sell it in United States despite booming sales in Europe for years. Zap, a Santa Rosa CA firm, saw an opportunity especially with rising gas prices and went direct to European Daimler dealers to buy cars. Surprise! Ten thousand U.S. buyers put themselves on a list to order over $55 million worth of cars in just a few months.

Avoid discount pricing, provide products and services your prospects want and you can avoid losing a billion or instead make 55 million. I don't know about you but if I lose ten thousand dollars I get upset and when I make a million in a year I'm pretty happy.