Archive for the ‘Blog’ Category
Martin Lindstrom’s newest book, Buyology, is a great introduction to the world of neuromarketing. He presents insight into how our brains really react when we are exposed to advertising, logos, brands, products and other stimulus by testing thousands of people hooked up to MRIs, in the world’s largest neuromarketing study, to see what really happened. The results challenge common marketing think behind why we buy and what motivates us to action. Read More
“What happens when clients don’t want to pay for information anymore?” This was a question postured by a friend and fellow consultant recently over a Thai dinner as we were discussing all things career, marketing, brand and future-is-now. The notion hit me like a lead balloon and I’d like to think it was the hot chili peppers that made my eye tear a little…. But there it was. The fact that “information is free” was provoking a healthy dose of fear and panic. In my mind, I immediately had visions of the old abandoned factories where my grandparents once worked. Did they see that coming? And, now that the information age is here, what happens to us if the heart of what we provide is available everywhere, for free? I wiped the tear from my eye, listened to my friend and now conclude: information ain’t where it’s at! Read More
Everyone’s grappling with change, seeking to identify and validate a new set of rules for business success. All roads seem to be leading toward a need for businesses to be more “human” and “social.” Seems simple enough. Yet, I think we’re still talking around it all, just scratching the surface for what it really means. My intuition tells me these are Big Thoughts with huge implications for how we market and do business. As I struggle to get my arms around them, I’ve started to realize that the limitations of my thinking — and perhaps the mindset from a traditional marketing background — are holding me back. Read More
Jeff Pulver, the mastermind behind the 140 Character Conferences, hosted BrandsConf last week in NYC. It was a highly anticipated event for this brand strategist, who followed along virtually from Boston with great interest to a full day of presentations on a major topic, exploring the “Humanization of Brands.” It’s taken me a while to gather my thoughts about the day because I wasn’t really sure how to frame them in a way that might be (hopefully) useful. Why? Because I’d submit, with the greatest of respect for all participants, what I didn’t hear was perhaps as telling and important as what I did. Read More
When we bury a loved one, the emotions we feel for that person doesn’t usually get buried graveside. Consider the image of a military cemetery, with rows of white crosses lined neatly in a row. The pristine and serene environment can veil the deep feelings of the families, friends and comrades of the soldiers buried in these honored places. This is the image that author, consultant and organizational storytelling guru Annette Simmons used to convey the importance of honoring history and heritage in her recent presentation during the Reinvention Summit, “Deep Roots: Looking Backwards in order to Move Forward.” I believe that Annette’s analogy holds fast and true for our brands, too. Read More