Category Humans
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 →
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 →
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 →
“…strategy researchers Michael McDonald and James Westphal, the worse companies performed, the more CEOs sought advice from friends and colleagues who shared their perspectives.” from Adam Grant’s “Originals” That is litterly the grown up version of the post title. Humans… Continue Reading →
TL;DR: Personalization keeps customers comfortable, but managed serendipity sparks surprises, fueling more excitement, deeper engagement, and fresh revenue for smart loyalty programs. For the last decade, the loyalty industry’s been banging the personalization drum like it is their job (and… 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 →
Years ago, we called it “employee satisfaction”. After that it was “engagement”. Josh Bersin even speculated that it should be called “marriage” because that logically followed “engagement.” Talk about weird mental gymnastics designed to gather clicks and attention. Here’s where… Continue Reading →
I don’t know whether James Clear is brilliant or just smart. He wrote the book Atomic Habits (very good.) I subscribe to his weekly email. He formats it with a 3-2-1 thing. Three ideas from him. Two quotes from others. One… Continue Reading →
I have yet to meet a client who doesn’t want more audience engagement with their marketing, training, and incentive programs. Even if the data said they were getting 100% engagement my clients would still ask, “Can’t you get more?” The… Continue Reading →
It’s been over a month since I posted. I wanted to focus on my family and my work to be sure I was doing everything possible to support those two critical aspects of my life. Posting here doesn’t change my… Continue Reading →
I’ve been holding off on posting since the world slowed down a few weeks ago even though I’m told content is king and if I stop posting I immediately become irrelevant. At least that’s what the gurus say. But I… Continue Reading →
I’ve mentioned Bri Williams before. She runs a consultancy in Australia and has a wonderful newsletter that I devour and save ever time it hits my inbox. I won’t lie… I steal a lot of ideas from her. But as… Continue Reading →
