Category Advice
Let’s be real: business, much like life, is messy. Reality has a way dropping the mic drop in the middle of our best-laid plans. What do I mean by serendipity? This: In 1945, a U.S. defense contractor employee was working… Continue Reading →
I found this post on substack by Derek Thompson called “Everything Is Television” and initially thought it would a retread analysis of the 1961 Newton Minow address to the National Association of Broadcasters where he coined the now famous “tv… Continue Reading →
Let’s be real—every marketer today is awash in data. Algorithms know more about individual snack cravings and sleep patterns than most best friends. Spotify guesses the next earworm, Netflix drops oddly spot-on show suggestions, and Starbucks remembers that extra caramel… Continue Reading →
In their book “The Power of Moments”, Chip and Dan Heath remind us: “Defining moments are social… strengthened because we share them with others.” I’m sure you’ll agree… our biggest memories typically involve people. You don’t reminisce about earning a… Continue Reading →
Why doesn’t what is supposed to work—work? If you’ve ever found yourself stuck repeating the same marketing strategy expecting different results, it’s time to check out the “Milk Carton Rule”. The rule is simple but elusive for many marketers: solve… Continue Reading →
Opendoor just served up a Netflix-worthy twist and Wall Street is cheering them on. But not because they’re crushing it but because they’re hitting pause on their old “disrupt everything” playbook. The stock is up 600% since July, and the… Continue Reading →
There’s a great line from Thomas Lockwood’s book “Design Thinking” that most brand managers and CMOs would do well to have tattooed on their arm – or at least put it on their screensaver (remember those). “The business world needs… Continue Reading →
“Why Your Brand Is Just Another Face in the Crowd” – How Liminal Thinking Can Make You Visible Again
{no AI was abused writing this post} Differentiation is never safe; it takes guts to step over the threshold from what’s proven into what could be. Now is your time to stop copying and start leading! Being remarkable is always… Continue Reading →
I subscribe to a ton of newsletters. Some I scan. Some I read. Some I pay attention to. One I always scan, read, AND pay attention to is a newsletter from Cole Schafer called “Sticky Notes.” Cole is a copywriter…. Continue Reading →
Most executives have no problem spending tons ‘o chedda on product, process, pricing, purpose, and perks. But at the same time, they will have some weird aversion to spending money on people. This post is for those folks. #PROTIP: It’s… Continue Reading →
I’ve been onboarded a few times. I’m guessing you have too. Show of hands – how many times was it pleasant, interesting, informative, useful and ultimately, engaging? Yeah. I thought so. Unfortunately for most companies, onboarding from an employee… Continue Reading →
“This isn’t about how B2C or B2B organizations respond in times of crisis. It’s about people-to-people interactions and how organizations learn from disruption at a human level.” ~ Brian Solis For years I’ve watched the loyalty industry (consumer and B2B)… Continue Reading →
I have had many conversations with marketing executives who will dismiss any kind of incentive, reward, or even loyalty programs with a wave of a Martini glass. It is beneath them to even talk about “trinkets and trash.” They think… Continue Reading →
We love averages. So much so it allows us to feel confident in our design choices even when they will backfire. We all see the “data” that suggests “most” people like X or Y. The incentive world is full of… Continue Reading →
Trust me. You’re not. For some reason, the following exchange from the movie “The Social Network” between Jesse Eisenberg playing Mark Zuckerberg and the lawyer conducting the initial deposition for the lawsuit filed by the Winklevoss twins over who created… Continue Reading →
