Fear is contagious. So is hope
The beauty and simplicity of the above quote struck me while reading an article by Mark Schaefer. I consider it an apt guide for crisis management of the times we live in. It occurred to me that as we face the global predicament created by COVID-19, we as leaders have...
A 4-step marketing process to score a home run
It happens in the movies. A hard-working guy slogs through the days failing to win customers. A chance meeting turns into the moment that becomes his breakthrough, and customers begin to multiply, turning him into a success. This may only happen for a very few of us –...
6 narrative strategies for business leaders.
If you lead your staff using proven narrative strategies, you’ll get results. Microsoft does it. Nike does it. Saatchi & Saatchi and the World Bank do it. Proctor & Gamble has hired movie directors to teach their executives how to do it. Motorola, NASA, 3M,...
What do Trump, Oprah and Steve Jobs have in common?
They each illustrate the power of an effective narrative. We may not like the narrative, but there’s no doubt that each rose to be incredibly influential – in part due to their skill in delivering a good brand story. So, what can we learn from their methods? First,...
What’s in your sacred bundle?
A two-foot long grizzly bear’s paw, a red flannel and an old twist of tobacco. These are a few of the items kept at the American Museum of Natural History in a sacred bundle that belonged to a Native American tribe. Sacred bundles were guarded as precious items and...
The terroir of branding.
In early November, Marlborough winemakers raised a glass to celebrate the trademarking of the Appellation Marlborough Wine (AMW) certificate in international markets. The AMW label ensures global consumers that 100% of the Sauvignon Blanc in that wine was grown in the...
The Law of Scarcity and the rebranding of the potato.
Here’s a tale from the 1700’s that beautifully demonstrates the Law of Scarcity. Old Frederick the Great ruled the Kingdom of Prussia for 46 years. The the self-declared King of Prussia (nicknamed Old Fritz) had many military victories, was a gifted musician (he...
Powerful story beginnings that captivate.
Powerful beginnings are the thrust of any good story. I love spending a night out at the movies. The smell of the popcorn, the excitement in the atmosphere. The hush of anticipation when the lights go down. The opening lines, a powerful beginnings that take you on a...
Visual storytelling
My favourite thing on Facebook – and probably the entire worldwide web if I’m completely honest – is a group that is all pictures. But every one of those pictures tells a story – neigh, it MAKES a story. The group is called “As Seen Through Horses’ Ears” (now you can...
Are you telling overdog or underdog stories?
I attended a function recently and was introduced to a guy I hadn’t met before. He asked me what I did, and then cut me short and proceeded to spend 20 minutes telling me all about his wonderful life. How well his business was doing, his six-figure income that was...
