Here’s a great idea about how you should present your business data to investors, prospects, or even just Mom: forget the billions. In a recent article, author and business plan expert Tim Berry explains that these numbers and this top-down approach just don’t mean anything to anyone. “As an investor, as a business plan contest […]
Blog
Since 1998, we have been reflecting on marketing, design, code, and much more.
Can social media replace traditional marketing communications? Doesn’t look likely…
Dan forwarded me an article today that ranks right up near the top of my “Things to read that are relevant” list. Titled “What If Giving Up Your Brand Really Means Giving Up?” this Advertising Age article from Jonathan Salem Baskin asks some very pointed questions and draws some mildly controversial conclusions. (At least, I’m […]
Circa 1995: “Hype alert: Why cyberspace isn’t, and never will be, nirvana”
Clifford Stoll was wrong. And partly right, too. A Newsweek article from 1995 titled, “The Internet? Bah!” and sporting the unfortunate subtitle “Hype alert: Why cyberspace isn’t, and never will be, nirvana” has recently begun making the rounds on the internet. As you can imagine, it’s normally passed along with some comment about how short […]
Is integrity vital for success?
We think so. Over the years, we’ve prided ourselves on our ability to have fierce conversations based on the principles of honesty, integrity, and truth. This is not to say that feelings are completely overlooked or that we take a tack where the complete truth must told despite the personal cost. We do, however, believe […]
Can you afford to be authentic in business?
I often say that true authenticity– being exactly who you really are and nothing else– is one of the most important things you can do to help be successful in whatever you’re doing. When I saw this article from Business in Blue Jeans CEO Susan Baroncini-Moe talking about some of the issues people struggle with […]
Social self-promotion: arrogance or confidence?
I read this quote today from Jeffrey Zeldman, a well-known web designer and blogger, talking about the difference between being a loud-mouthed self-promoter and sharing valued information about work; either yours or others: “There is a difference between being arrogant about yourself as a person and being confident that your work has some value. The […]
Finally! Some good news for the over forty crowd
Sure, you may be younger, better looking, and able to run faster, but there is growing evidence that us old fogies can outthink you. (No doubt these new studies were conducted by, analyzed by, and reported on by someone in the over forty crowd who stands to gain– or at least feel a little better […]
Seven ways to reinvent yourself from Seth Godin
Admittedly, I’m a fan of Seth Godin. Of course, most marketers are. The interesting thing about Seth and the dozen or so books he’s written is that each and every one follows a similar style: Identify the paradigm Demonstrate why and how it’s broken Present an alternative Challenge you to either accept or reject his […]
Four Key Leadership Tips from Gordon Bethune
New York Times writer Adam Bryant recently had a conversation with Gordon Bethune, the CEO of Continental Airlines from 1994 to 2004. In it, Bethune shares some insights on leadership and management, including some real gems. Among them: Treat people, no matter their role in the company, with respect Always share the stage Hire the […]
What matters now?
I came across this little ebook today and thought I’d do my part to pass it along. Here’s a brief introduction from Seth Godin: “Here are more than seventy big thinkers, each sharing an idea for you to think about as we head into the new year. From bestselling author Elizabeth Gilbert to brilliant tech […]
Rare Bird Wins Five Awards in Int’l Competition
Indianapolis-based Rare Bird, Inc. has been honored with five 2009 WebAwards by the Web Marketing Association. The WebAwards are the premier Internet award competition that judge web site development against peer sites within a given industry and an ever-increasing standard of excellence. With thousands of entries from more than 47 countries, the WebAwards set the […]
One simple key to improving (nearly) everything
Harvey Mackay, owner of Mackay Envelope, is widely known for his books and speaking engagements on sales. In his weekly column, he recalls the Broadway musical “My Fair Lady” to make a point: In the Broadway musical “My Fair Lady,” Professor Higgins has driven his prodigy Eliza Doolittle to exhaustion teaching her how to speak […]
