In a recent report released by J.D. Power and Associates there was a small surprise. Land Rover (the ultimate yuppie driving machine) was #17 in quality – of 17 listed vehicles!

Now, it would appear that there are complex, somewhat confusing activities going on to determine who, if anyone, wants to buy the name. Whether it will be Ford (the last thing they need), Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp, or someone else, it’s too early to tell.

What does this tell us? Well, first of all that there is value in a brand – even if the product itself is flawed. Secondly, items (even a name) can always be sold. If you can find the right buyer – who inevitably will buy things for their reason and not yours.

Whether it is a name brand, tangible product or intangible service there is a buyer somewhere. The secret to selling anything is to always have sufficient prospects in the que…and if one doesn’t buy, perhaps the next one will. Even if your product is at the bottom of the quality ladder.