Play-Doh and goals

So this is how it usually goes. You’re two years old and you get your first can of Play-Doh. After the obligatory creation of a rolled out Play-Doh snake and a flattened pancake, you are off to something more adventurous.
Sooner or later you muster enough courage to taste a small sampling [...]

Help! My company is replacing me with a doorstop!

I recently spoke with a president of an organization that when asked what his role at the company was, responded in all seriousness “too keep the doors open.” In other words, to keep organization afloat.
This unfortunately is very sad. No mention of “providing a clear and compelling direction for my staff” or [...]

Seinfeld on Marketing: Bonehead mass audiences

In this episode of Seinfeld on Marketing, we find the gang talking about George’s desperate attempt to zing a co-worker with just the right comeback after a rude comment was aimed at George during a staff meeting (George’s comeback is “Oh yea? Well, the jerk store called and they’re running out of you!” - [...]

William Duggan on Strategic Intuition

We have a special post for today. I had the pleasure of interviewing William Duggan about his new book, Strategic Intuition: The Creative Spark in Human Achievement.
William Duggan, an associate professor of Management at Columbia Business School, is an expert on what he calls “strategic intuition.” Recently, his class on this subject [...]

It’s the snacks that are making you fat

Well it’s been about 3 weeks since many Americans have once again added “lose weight” as one of their New Year’s resolutions. So those that have joined the ranks, how’s it going?
That bad, huh? Maybe I can help. What have you been trying?
…
Oh, good. Those three healthy meals a day will go a [...]

Your time to shine

Here is your assignment (if you choose to accept it). Drew McLellan and Gavin Heaton have once again teamed up to write another book and at this very moment are gathering authors (and aspiring authors) who would like to help write it.
You remember Age of Conversion? Yeah, it’s like that but [...]

Seinfeld on Marketing: Low talking piracy

And we’re back. In this episode of Seinfeld, Kramer is dating a “low talker” (someone who talks extremly low, to the point where you can’t hear what they are saying at all). While out to dinner, Leslie, the low talker, gets Jerry to unknowingly agree to wear a ridiculous shirt on TV that [...]

Good Friction

I have posted a few times in the last week or so about reducing your customer’s friction (or anything that slows down or halts the customer’s interaction with your business or product). I’ve tried to make a strong case for reducing friction. But I’ll let you in on a little secret - not all [...]

Ford Friction

[UPDATE - 1/25: Well, it appers this may have just been a misunderstanding of sorts. Ford now says "The Black Mustang Club and other Ford enthusiast clubs are encouraged to take pictures of their own vehicles for use in calendars or other materials as long as they don't use Ford trademarks in products that will [...]

Seinfeld on Marketing: Caring

It’s Friday - may all your weekend dreams come true! It’s time once again for Seinfeld on Marketing. In this episode, Jerry is talking with Elaine about his recent breakup with his girlfriend-of-the-moment Patty.

ELAINE: Whoa. What is the matter?
JERRY: It’s Patty.
ELAINE: Jerry, you break up with a girl every week.
JERRY: (Crying) What–what [...]